The Agriculture ministry will host the fourth Intergovernmental Forum for Agriculture IGFA today, which deliberates on policy matters and appraise sector performance at a time when the industry is grappling with unprecedented challenges.
The IGFA, which Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has convened, is co-chaired by the Council of Governors chairman.
The forum brings together county bosses, CECs in charge of agriculture, top ministry officials, representatives of sectoral ministries, other State agencies, key private sector players and development partners.
The forum's mandate is to give policy direction on agricultural sector governance issues affecting the two levels of government and allow for greater stakeholder participation.
The Cabinet secretary will co-chair the two-day forum which is coming at the beginning of the Kenyan election year and at a time when Kenya, like many other countries in the region, is dealing with the widespread effects of the Covid 19 epidemic that has affected livelihoods and incomes, as well as increased food insecurity, said Thule Lenneiye, Agriculture Transformation Office coordinator at the Agriculture ministry.
The country has been grappling with the desert locust invasion and drought. The Joint Agriculture Sector Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism was established six years ago at the second forum in Mombasa.
The forum is the highest level of consultation and cooperation between the national government and counties as well as other stakeholders.
The forum will review the resolutions of the third IGFA and also look at the progress of implementation of the Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy, said Ms Lenneiye, Strengthening intergovernmental relations and partnerships for Sustainable Food Systems Towards 100 percent Food and Nutrition Security in Kenya.