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BREAKFAST MEETING OF THE STATUS OF AGRICULTURE SECTOR AFTER DEVOLUTION TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT, 9TH DECEMBER 2014

Breakfast meeting of the Status of agriculture sector after devolution to county government, 9th December 2014

Date: Tuesday 9th December, 2014

Venue: Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi

Introduction:

The agriculture sector has over the years been the largest contributor to our country’s economic growth. In addition, the sector also makes a large portion of rural household incomes. In recent years, the sector has undergone a number of institutional changes - the most significant being the transfer of majority of the functions to the County Governments. Under the current constitutional dispensation, in the agricultural sector, the national government is mandated to deal with policy issues while county governments are responsible for crop and animal husbandry, livestock sale yards, county abattoirs, plant and animal disease control and fisheries.

In an effort to understand the performance of the agricultural sector under the new governance structure, the Institute conducted an analysis on how the sector has adjusted to these changes and progress made thus far. The main objective of the study was to understand the organization and coordination within the sector, progress in implementation of programs and activities, and funding for the sector under the new dispensation.  It is in the light of this that the Institute organized a policy forum where key findings from this analysis were presented and discussed.

Presentations

The Status of the Agriculture Sector after Devolution to County Governments

Events Coverage in the Media 

Time: 7:00am - 10:00am 

Venue: Hotel Inter-Continental, Nairobi

The need to contain food prices is critical for every nation and society. While ensuring affordability and accessibility of food for all, low food prices do also help contain inflation thus allowing for increased investment and growth. Kenya has been grappling with high food prices since 2008, a situation that has no doubt contributed to increasing demand for higher wages for workers. While various initiatives and instruments have been used to try and ensure affordable food, the outcomes/results have not been as effective as intended. This is evidenced by the high and rising food prices experienced today. This scenario underscores the need for continued dialogue and deliberation on feasible options that could present better opportunities for ensuring lower and stable food prices and food security for all.

Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Egerton University and the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS-ECA), held a breakfast policy forum on Wednesday, October 31st 2012 between 7:00am and 10:00am at the Hotel Inter-Continental, Nairobi. The forum brought together a select group of stakeholders from among others, relevant government departments, private sector and civil society to deliberate on the current state of play of food prices, domestic pricing policies such as the VAT bill, price support, and tariffs, and the role of cross-border trade in ensuring food security in Kenya. The analysis and deliberations focused on maize, which is the key food staple commodity in Kenya. It is expected that discussions at the forum will generate options for addressing the broad challenge of achieving food security in the country.

Policy Briefs

  1. Policy Brief : Potential effects of the imposition of value added tax on agricultural inputs and sifted maize meal 
  2. Policy Brief : How can Kenya better manage maize prices? Effects of import tariffs, regional trade and producer price support

Presentations

  1. How can Kenya better manage Food Prices? Effects of Value Added Tax , Import Tariffs and Producer Price Support 
  2. Policy options for Enhancing Intra-Regional Trade in Food Staples for Food Security

Proceedings

Proceedings of a Breakfast Policy Forum on Managing Food Prices in Kenya: Domestic Pricing Policies and Cross-border Trade