Global Food Policy and Regulation in kenya
FE3202
Global Food Policy and Regulation
Evaluation of the Food and Agricultural Policies of Kenya
110319175- Samantha Barry
Word Count: 2147
Introduction
“We are a third world ... because we have engaged the reverse gear and we are moving with jet like speed in the wrong direction. We must change this by rolling up our sleeves and working for the growth of our country.”
The primary focus of this report is to evaluate Kenyan agricultural and food policy. Although the agricultural sector is the backbone of economic development, it continues to face challenges such as food security and nutrition development. Despite having policies to tackle these problems, the disparity between intent and action widens. This paper reviews the Kenyan agriculture and food policy strategies over the last four decades. Policy plays a significant role not only to improve the efficiency of public investment but is also vital for incentivizing private sector and farming investments in agriculture. From the overview of the policies, recommendations will be proposed for a way forward for Kenya with an aim to improve the overall perspective of food policy in the country and thus improve overall economic health.
Approximately half of Kenya’s population, approximately 40 millions, are food and nutrition insecure. This is closely linked to poverty. Declining food production implies that Kenya is nationally food insecure. Over 10 million people in Kenya endure chronic food insecurity and poor nutrition, and about 2.5 million people require emergency food assistance at any one time. Nearly 30% of Kenya’s children are classified as undernourished and nutritional with widespread nutritional deficiencies. The emerging dilemma of food and nutrition insecurity is linked to agricultural production. Roughly 79% of Kenya’s population live in rural regions where agriculture dominates.
Previous Kenyan food policies have had limited success in tackling food and
Global Food Policy and Regulation
Evaluation of the Food and Agricultural Policies of Kenya
110319175- Samantha Barry
Word Count: 2147
Introduction
“We are a third world ... because we have engaged the reverse gear and we are moving with jet like speed in the wrong direction. We must change this by rolling up our sleeves and working for the growth of our country.”
The primary focus of this report is to evaluate Kenyan agricultural and food policy. Although the agricultural sector is the backbone of economic development, it continues to face challenges such as food security and nutrition development. Despite having policies to tackle these problems, the disparity between intent and action widens. This paper reviews the Kenyan agriculture and food policy strategies over the last four decades. Policy plays a significant role not only to improve the efficiency of public investment but is also vital for incentivizing private sector and farming investments in agriculture. From the overview of the policies, recommendations will be proposed for a way forward for Kenya with an aim to improve the overall perspective of food policy in the country and thus improve overall economic health.
Approximately half of Kenya’s population, approximately 40 millions, are food and nutrition insecure. This is closely linked to poverty. Declining food production implies that Kenya is nationally food insecure. Over 10 million people in Kenya endure chronic food insecurity and poor nutrition, and about 2.5 million people require emergency food assistance at any one time. Nearly 30% of Kenya’s children are classified as undernourished and nutritional with widespread nutritional deficiencies. The emerging dilemma of food and nutrition insecurity is linked to agricultural production. Roughly 79% of Kenya’s population live in rural regions where agriculture dominates.
Previous Kenyan food policies have had limited success in tackling food and
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