Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe recently held a bilateral meeting with the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Director General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, in Rome.
CS Kagwe wa accompanied by Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Ali Hassan Joho
During the discussions, CS Kagwe expressed Kenya’s appreciation for FAO’s long-standing partnership, which has significantly contributed to the country’s agricultural development.
He emphasized the need for continued collaboration to support food security and sustainable agriculture in Kenya.
The meeting covered several key areas, including the review of Kenya’s national Agriculture Strategy, training of youth in agriculture, and the introduction of ICT in Agriculture Colleges.
CS Kagwe also requested FAO’s technical expertise for digitization and value chain enhancement to commercialize the agriculture, livestock, and fishing sectors.
On Blue Economy matters, CS Hassan Joho, expressed gratitude for FAO’s support in the fisheries sector and highlighted the need for increased technical assistance in several areas. Specifically, the Minister requested support for the stock assessment of aquaculture and blue economy materials. This involves evaluating the abundance and health of fish stocks to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Additionally, the Joho emphasized the importance of establishing systems to prevent post-harvest loss, which is crucial for improving market access and reducing food waste. Effective post-harvest management strategies can significantly enhance the quality and shelf life of agricultural products, benefiting both producers and consumers
Dr. Qu Dongyu reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s agrifood system transformation and emphasized the importance of engaging the private sector in aquaculture projects.
