Towards Sustainable Food Security (Practical examples in KENYA) Dr. Mercy Mwaniki Department of Food Science and Technology The Technical University of Kenya
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TUK The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) was established through the elevation of The Kenya Polytechnic University College (KPUC) to full university status. The first Technical University in Kenya in line with the provisions of the Universities Act, 2012. The technical university, as a concept, was created in Kenya with the objective to be a technological force behind the Vision-2030 drive and the general economic development of the nation. This came about from the realisation that most countries that have been able to make major technological breakthroughs were heavily propelled through this by their technological universities. TUK continues to produce technologists with the objective to bridge the gap between, say, the engineer and the technician. 3
Food Security - Kenya s Practical Example In 2008, the GoK launched Kenya Vision 2030 as a new long-term development blueprint for the country whose focus is to create a Globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by 2030 The Vision is anchored on the economic, social, and political pillars And supported on the foundations of macroeconomic stability; continuity in governance reforms; enhanced equity and wealth creation opportunities for the poor; infrastructure; energy; science, technology and innovation; land reform; human resources development; security; and public sector reforms. The Government has put in place the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS) Its aim is to strategically make the agricultural sector a key driver for achieving economic growth under the economic pillar of the Vision 2030. 4
Towards Achieving Food Security a situation in which all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Official estimates indicate over 10 million people are food insecure with majority of them living on food relief. Households are also incurring huge food bills due to the high food prices. Maize being staple food due to the food preferences is in short supply and most households have limited choices of other food stuffs. 5
Major Causes The current problems are attributed to several factors including :- Frequent droughts in most parts of the country High costs of domestic food production due to high costs of inputs especially fertilizer Displacement of a large number of farmers in the high potential agricultural areas for political reasons. High global food prices and, Low purchasing power for large proportion of the population due to high level of poverty. Policy responses to Food Insecurity The Government response to the food crises through three major policy intervention: Supply, prices and income related policies 6
Supply related policies Subsidy on farm inputs, especially fertilizers. Improvement of research and extension services and improving their linkages. Provision of rural credit for farming. Improvement in rural infrastructure, especially road network Development of rural agricultural markets and agri-business skills Improvement of the management and use of natural resources, especially water for irrigation Providing farmers with planting materials and seeds, especially of the so called orphan crops- drought tolerant which can be grown in the arid and semi-arid areas. Encouraging diversification of crops planted 7
Encouraging the citizens to diversify their eating habits to other foods and avoid over-reliance on maize. Improving the conditions under which food relief organizations operate so as food relief can reach many needy people. Private sector initiated to mobilize citizens to contribute to the food relief kitty. Price related policies Involvement of the NCPB in the purchase of maize from farmers at prices higher than market prices to provide incentive to producers. Providing subsidy to maize meal millers to bring down the consumer retail prices of the maize meal (price subsidy to the consumers) Raising the levels of the strategic food reserves in order to stabilize the prices Providing a fund to purchase livestock from the drought stricken areas Allowing private sector to import maize at tax free. 8
Income related policies Government s enhanced efforts to contribute the costs of social amenities e.g. free education and reduced costs of health at public health facilities. This enables the population especially the poor to have more disposal income to spend on food. The Government transfer funds for development to the grassroots. Assisting in establishing producer and marketing associations (common interest groups) for farmers to enable them exploit the economies through collective action. 9
Challenges Policy Implementation issues. Large net importer of basic food commodities eg maize ( 20% ), rice ( 75-85%), wheat ( 40-60%). Distribution issues, some places have surplus and other with deficit. Movement from where the food is to where it is needed. Chronic food insecure populations- Same counties affected year after year Land use change- arable land, forest covers Over reliance on rain-fed agriculture Non-agriculture / non- farm activities Market access to minimize postharvest losses 10
Possible Interventions Communication advisory on early warning systems advance warning eg no need to plant. Technology for community to adapt to climate change. Emphasis and investment in specific areas to increase productivity eg water harvesting, water storage all level. Need for markets can function efficiently Sufficient policy environment to allow agribusiness to thrive. Increase in Budgetary allocation for agriculture Fair competitiveness. Reduced cost of production 11
Thank You 12