Kenya to Chair key regional Agricultural development body

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary, Mithika Linturi was on Thursday installed as the Chairman, the Council of Patron Ministers for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) in Nairobi.

Speaking after his installation during the third ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers meeting, Linturi said the body has so far invested nearly Sh3.2 billion to catalyse agricultural transformation and improved livelihoods.

Linturi stated that so far the funds were utilized in controlling the spread of Banana Xanthomas Wilt by promoting proven measures to control the deadly epidemic in hotspots such as Ugunja in western Kenya.

He further added that the kitty was used in coordinating the Eastern Africa Agricultural Productivity Project (EAAPP), where Kenya attained the status of the Regional Centre of Excellence for Dairy leading to the development of over 3 million doses of livestock semen among other benefits.

ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers (CPM) is the highest Organ of the Association, with a clear mandate to provide     guidance to ASARECA on regional and national strategic matters in Agricultural Research for Development.

The ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers comprises the line Ministers responsible for agricultural research in the 15 ASARECA Member States. The members are Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Rwanda.

Others are Cameroon, Central African Republic,  Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Congo.  

Kenya takes over the rotational Council of Patron Ministers seat from Uganda.

The theme of the third Council of Patron Ministers Meeting is: ‘Together Transforming Agriculture for Improved Livelihoods, Sustained Economic Growth, and Inclusive Development in Eastern and Central Africa’.

During this Council of Patron Ministers, the Ministers will discuss how to support ASARECA to Transform Agriculture, ensure Sustained Economic Growth, and Inclusive Development in Eastern and Central Africa.

The Council is expected to endorse ASARECA Priorities and Strategies for the period 2024-2028, review the implementation of the Joint Communiqué signed by the Ministers during the ASARECA Agriculture Ministerial Conference in May 2023, mainly regarding sustainable financing of ASARECA.

The Council is also expected to approve a joint Communiqué of the National Agricultural Research Systems on Collaboration between ASARECA and the One (1) Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), that was signed by all the Directors General of National Agricultural Research   Institutions.

Similarly, the apex body of ASARECA is also expected to endorse the establishment and financing of Regional Priority Programmes and Regional Centres of Excellence for Member States coordinated by ASARECA.

Later on the sidelines of the ongoing conference, Linturi held bilateral talks with the Ugandan Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze and Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Zahra Yusuf Ige.

“Our talks with the Ugandan official centred on fostering cooperation in vaccine distribution to combat prevalent diseases within Uganda's borders. We both recognized the importance of equitable vaccine access to safeguard public health and promote regional stability,” said Linturi.

On his part, Tumwebaze who handed over the Council’s Chairmanship to Linturi after two years in office, stated the importance of the Council to the region’s economic progress.

“We are emphasizing the importance of pushing our governments to prioritize agriculture research funding, this is because when research is domestically funded, the correct agenda that’s relevant to our problems will be set,” added Tumwebaze.

The CS assured Yusuf of Kenya's commitment to ensuring the quality and safety of Miraa exports to Somalia while seeking avenues to expand market access and boost trade volumes.

Since its inception in 1994, ASARECA has worked with the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of its 15 member countries and has mobilized over US$ 258 million to implement Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) initiatives in Member States.

The meeting was also attended by the Board of Directors of ASARECA and other officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and    Livestock Development.