President Ruto made a commitment at the summit that Kenya would domesticate the Kampala Declaration within the second phase of Kenya’s Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy 2019-2029, as well as the National Agriculture Investment Plan for 2025-2029.
He said Kenya is focusing on increasing production and productivity, reducing imports, minimising post-harvest losses, providing warehousing support and enhancing export manufacturing in key agricultural value chains.
As a result, he said, millions of Kenyan farmers now have access to essential inputs, leading to significant productivity gains.
“Our cumulative efforts to enhance food security are already yielding tangible results, showcasing the transformative power of implementing strategic agricultural interventions,” he said.
The President noted that Kenya has surpassed the African Union’s target for irrigation development, expanding area under irrigation by 147% since the Malabo Declaration.
On his part, President Museveni said Africa should embrace modern agricultural practices and reduce fragmentation.
He highlighted other measures, including commercial irrigation and growing disease and drought-resistant crops.
“Uganda has managed to transform its agriculture into a money economy, thus reducing poverty levels,” he said.
He noted that Africa has plenty of water that can be used to eradicate hunger if properly utilised. President Museveni cited the huge water volumes of the River Congo, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean, as a resource that should be harnessed for use in water-scarce parts of Africa.
President Lourenço noted that Africa’s agriculture development programme aims for 6% annual growth, with African Union Member States allocating at least 10% of their budgets to agriculture.
Mr Faki said the disaffection of young people with agriculture and urban migration have contributed to low food production.
