Principal Secretary, state department for crops development, Prof. Hamadi Boga and other guests during the ASTGS breakfast meeting at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on13th of June 2019.

NPCK attended a meeting organized by Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on13th of June 2019 .The meeting was intended to give the private sector a better understanding of the document and their role in its implementation by the government. Agriculture Sector Transformation Growth Strategy (ASTGS) is a document that guides the agricultural sector in line with constitutional framework, policies and devolved systems of governance as well as regional and international commitments. ASTGS takes cognisance of the fact that transformation of Agriculture depends on a collaborative approach with the private sector.

In attendance was Prof. Hamadi Boga, the Permanent Secretary Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries who made presentations on the strategy. He gave an assurance that there will be due consultation with the private sector in the implementation of the strategy.

Amongst the prioritized agricultural subsectors for investment is potato. An increment of potato production from 1.2 to 6 Million Metric tonnes is a key objective of the ASTGS by 2022.It was noted that the more investment is required in the subsector particularly in production of certified seed, Mechanization, irrigation and digitization of farmer data.

In conclusion, the transformation of the agricultural sector, potato sub-sector included, will involve having policy reforms at both the National and County levels with an aim of subsistence farmers becoming commercial farmers. This will increase farmers’ income, the Gross Domestic Product and boost food resilience nationwide.

Written by: Sharon Bwire, Value Chain Dept. NPCK