Natural Agricultural Research System Policy 2021

Abstract

Kenya’s agriculture is central to meeting the challenges of feeding a growing population, creating wealth, reducing poverty and managing the degradation of natural resources. Agriculture will contribute effectively to these national goals if continued emphasis is put on the positive factors that underpinned the remarkable agricultural growth realized since 2003. Further, concerted efforts must be made to address the country’s vulnerability to climate change and other external shocks, as well as a need to initiate policy and institutional reforms to address globalisation, constitutional and other changes in the sector. It is worth noting that these are achievable through effective agricultural research system. Over the past decade technological, political and socio-economic factors affecting agricultural research institutions have changed significantly. While the information and communication technology revolution has broadened access to knowledge and information, the private sector has become an essential player. At the same time, agricultural development is increasingly concerned with diversifying, adding value, improving product quality, emphasis on food safety, equity in economic growth, capturing and creating markets, and addressing gender parity.