We are delighted to present to you the Agriculture and Food Authority' strategic plan 2023-2027—a blueprint that charts our course towards sustainable agriculture, food security, and economic prosperity. The Plan provides a road map that is anchored on our mandate as stipulated in the Agriculture and Food Authority Act No. 13 of 2013. It is a comprehensive guide to our vision, goals, and the transformative initiatives that will define our journey ahead.
The AFA Strategic Plan 2023-2024 is aligned to the Government’s overall development priorities as reflected in MTP IV and the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). It is also aligned to other regional and global frameworks.
Over the course of the next five years, the Authority will focus on four key result areas with corresponding strategic objectives, strategies and activities to drive its implementation. By focusing on these areas, we are confident that we will achieve our mission of developing, promoting and regulating scheduled crops value chains for sustainable economic growth and transformation.
Our Strategic Issues
Production and productivity
Key barriers to agricultural production and productivity include declining soil fertility due to limited crop diversity and inadequate use of quality inputs, exacerbated by poor agricultural practices, pests, diseases, and weeds. Growers' unawareness of these challenges leads to ineffective management strategies and increased costs, contributing to poor harvests and crop failures. Post-harvest losses, accounting for 30% of yield losses, result from handling issues, inadequate storage, transportation challenges, pests, weather conditions, and limited market access. High production costs, low technology adoption, climate change impacts, an ageing farmer population, unsustainable land use, and land fragmentation further hinder productivity. Addressing these barriers requires sustainable farming practices, farmer education, infrastructure improvements, technology adoption, and climate-resilient strategies to ensure agricultural sustainability and food security.
Value addition and marketing systems for scheduled crops
Most of the agricultural produce is typically sold in its raw state, resulting in diminished returns for farmers. There is a lack of access to facilities and technologies capable of extending shelf life and adding value to agricultural products. These resources are often either unavailable or situated far from most producers. Additionally, there is limited capacity among value chain participants, particularly small and medium-sized market actors, to analyze markets, interpret market data, conduct surveys, and negotiate advantageous trading terms effectively.
Compliance with scheduled crops policies, legislations and standards
The agriculture sector is currently experiencing regulatory adjustments aimed at aligning with global trends and addressing emerging issues. The Authority is committed to harmonizing value chains of scheduled crops with evolving national, regional, and global regulations to foster smooth sectoral growth. AFA plays a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of a conducive regulatory environment to achieve these objectives.
Our Goals
- Enhance food security, nutrition and livelihoods
- Improve scheduled crops value chains into commercially viable enterprises
- Enhance quality assurance and safety of scheduled crops, produce and products
- Enhance organizational effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability
Join Us on Our Journey
We invite you to collaborate with us in our efforts to build a sustainable, well-regulated, and thriving agricultural sector. Together, we can forge enhanced food nutrition and security that ensures prosperity for future generations. Join us as we embark on this journey towards a brighter and more sustainable agricultural future.
For more information on our strategic plan and how you can contribute to our efforts, please visit [website: www.afa.go.ke ] or contact us at [info@afa.go.ke].
Mimea yetu, Utajiri wetu