On 10th June 2024, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) participated in the True Cost Accounting Ground Truthing Workshop, with representation from Dr. Jackson Koimbori, the Senior Circular Economy and Climate Change Coordinator. Organized by the CGIAR Nature-Positive Solutions Initiative (NATURE+), this workshop aimed to discuss the indirect and hidden costs of food production, including environmental and societal impacts, to determine its "true" cost. The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, and various county officials, highlighting the collaborative effort required to address the multifaceted challenges of sustainable agriculture.

The workshop began with an overview of the NATURE+ initiative by Dr. Celine Termote from the Alliance for Biodiversity and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). This was followed by a detailed presentation of the true cost accounting results by Mr. Rui Benfica of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The presentation provided an in-depth analysis of the environmental and social costs associated with current agricultural practices. These findings underscored the necessity for a more holistic approach to agricultural production, one that accounts for hidden costs to better inform policy and practice. The presence of key stakeholders from different governmental sectors emphasized the importance of an integrated response to these issues.

After the tea break, the discussion continued with a focus on validating the data and findings presented, with Dr. Koimbori, alongside other participants, engaging in a robust dialogue about the implications of the true cost accounting results for Kenya's agricultural sector. The Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Health provided critical insights on the economic and public health aspects, while the Ministry of Environment and county officials highlighted the environmental and local community impacts. This multi-stakeholder engagement was crucial in ensuring that the data was not only accurate but also actionable, paving the way for informed decision-making at both the national and county levels.

The workshop concluded with a summary of the discussions and outlined next steps by Kristin Davis from IFPRI. Emphasis was placed on the need for continued collaboration and stakeholder engagement to implement the findings of the true cost accounting exercise effectively. The proposed next steps include further dissemination of the draft technical report and the development of policy recommendations based on the validated data. KEPSA and the other stakeholders expressed their commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices in Kenya. The workshop marked a significant step towards understanding and mitigating the true costs of food production, aligning with broader efforts to promote a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector in Kenya.