1^st October 2024 - Nairobi, Kenya: The 4^th edition of the National Agriculture Summit kicked off today at the KICC, Nairobi. Organised by the Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET) - the agriculture sector board for KEPSA, the two-day summit aims to bring together key players in the agricultural industry to foster engagement in promoting innovation, research and a business-friendly environment within the agriculture sector.

Themed Embracing Sustainability: Innovations, Research, and Competitiveness in Agriculture, the event provides a platform for stakeholders to dialogue on creating a business-friendly landscape in agriculture, addressing issues such as funding opportunities, market access and industry collaboration. The summit also provides a networking and knowledge-sharing platform among key agricultural sector stakeholders, to drive forward progress in the industry towards a more sustainable and innovative future.

In his keynote address, Hon. Dr Andrew Karanja, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, noted the importance of research in informed decision-making and progress in agriculture, highlighting the role of evidence-based approaches in addressing critical challenges and unlocking new opportunities. “We as a country must focus on transforming and growing our agri-food systems, promoting healthy diets and ensuring the free movement of food and inputs, developing shorter supply chains and addressing the food volatility,” he said.

“Today’s discussion is all about how to bring academia, research and innovation closer to the private sector. We thought this is an important section of our community which has been distanced from the private sector. We have probably the best minds in Africa here in Kenya. Our universities, colleges and agricultural institutions have some of the smartest individuals in agriculture but are not well connected with the private sector. Our goal is to have a proper plan to create the linkage where the private sector can benefit from these brilliant ideas to jointly make money and create jobs,” said Dr Bimal Kantaria, Chairperson of ASNET and KEPSA Director in charge of Food Security & Climate Change during the opening session.

In her remarks, Ms Carole Kariuki, CEO of KEPSA, outlined the historical context of global politics and economic structures, highlighting the shift from political to economic competition. She emphasised Africa's comparative advantages, such as 65% arable land, 24% renewable and green energy and 60% of the population under 25 years, which could drive agricultural and technological advancements. “Some of the sector gaps include limited access to finance, especially for small farmers; inefficient market access and logistics, yet we can embrace digitisation; inadequate infrastructure and cold chain systems, yet we have renewable and clean energy; and lack of agricultural research and innovation in this technology era where the world has everything on a tablet,” she noted while pointing out opportunities in alternative lending like digital lending platforms and crowdfunding models in tackling financial challenges.

The country has witnessed significant progress in agriculture for the last few years, alongside a growing partnership with higher education institutions. Universities are playing a pivotal role in training skilled professionals and fostering innovations that propel industry growth. This year's summit will feature a dedicated side event for academia and research institutions. This initiative will foster deeper engagement between researchers and industry players, creating an environment where academic innovations can be effectively translated into real-world solutions.

While presenting on pillars for sustainable agriculture, Dr Vimal Shah, Chairperson, Bidco Africa and KEPSA Advisor, mentioned the importance of policy coherence to avoid fragmentation and reduce licensing burdens on farmers; public-private dialogue to enhance coordination, and competitiveness through scientific farming and productivity. He stressed the need for zero-cost data collection and leveraging digital platforms. Dr Shah also highlighted the importance of adopting precision farming, including the use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides to enhance Kenya's agricultural competitiveness. 

The first day of the summit has featured dynamic and thought-provoking panel sessions and an expo that ran concurrently with the main session showcasing innovative agricultural technologies, products and services. The final day is expected to cover panel sessions, the academia and research institutions side event and a closing ceremony which shall outline the outcomes, action points and commitments of the event.