On 17^th June 2023, the world celebrated the World Day for Combating Desertification and Drought, in line with the theme, KEPSA participated in the First Regenerative Agriculture Conference organized by Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) which supports science-based solutions and helps to build a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities to unlock collective and ambitious action. Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) hosts the FOLU Kenya coalition secretariat which consists of AGRA, World Resource Institute (WRI Africa) and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) with 43 other organizations in Kenya.

Food systems in Kenya are not sustainable in their current status; they rank as a major contributor to national carbon emissions and continue to contribute to the loss of biodiversity. Further, millions suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how easy it is to reverse gains achieved due to the fragility of our food systems.

In observing the World Day on Combating Desertification and Drought on 16^th June 2023, at Safari Park, KEPSA participated in the session on innovations for combating drought and desertification and shared perspectives on strengthening value chains and innovations for regenerative agriculture and resilience. The perspectives were shared by Ms Faith Ngige in a panel that comprised of representatives from civil society, development partners and representative of the ministry of lands.

Ms. Faith Ngige, KEPSA Environment, Water and Natural Resources Sector Board lead, shared KEPSA’s progress in supporting businesses in implementing climate actions for resilience through the Climate Business Information Network – Kenya (CBIN-K). The concept of strengthening the resilience of food systems through the circular economy involves integrating principles of circular economy   into the agricultural and food production sectors. It aims to create sustainable and efficient systems that minimize waste, promote resource conservation, and enhance the overall resilience of food production and distribution.

Despite active engagement and focus of agriculture in increasing production, and reduction of food loss, there is need for engagement on resource optimization in the post-consumer management of organic waste as evidenced by over 50% of organic waste in the landfills and dumpsites.  She iterated the need for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system to be embedded in the production systems for minimal waste. The bio-circular economy emphasizes maximizing resource efficiency by minimizing waste and utilizing by products or waste streams as valuable resources. This can be achieved through practices like recycling organic waste, utilizing agricultural residues for energy generation or composting, and promoting the use of bio-based materials. These innovations can improve crop yields, reduce the need for chemical inputs, and contribute to sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.

Ms. Ngige, further emphasized the need to re-engineer agricultural value chains in line with economics and business tenets and linkages to agricultural value chains to national, regional and global value chains. To achieve resilience of value chains, it is important to increase private sector participation in the agricultural sector for increased economic growth in the sector.

The transformation of the country’s food systems will work best if it integrates a context-specific approach, given the diversity across the country. A holistic and inclusive approach to innovation will be a vital enabler of food systems transformation. The Chair of the County Executive Committee Members, Caucus on Agriculture, Dr. Kiplimo Arap Lagat concluded the conference by urging members to change their focus from silo projects and actions and adopt holistic and substantive approach of what impact is being experienced or rather what is changing in the society and economy at large. We are not short of solutions and adopting sustainable farming practices is possible.