Prime CS on Kenya's Agricultural Transformation Strategy

I am delighted to join you this morning at this important forum hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). This gathering of leaders, scientists, researchers, partners, and stakeholders of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) reflects our joint commitment to transforming agriculture and building food-secure world for all humanity.

Let me take this opportunity to appreciate ILRI, which has developed strong partnership with the Government and the people of Kenya in advancing our agricultural sector. public health systems, and climate action agenda. Kenya is proud to host ILRI and other CGIAR research centers. You have established world-class science hub that supports transformative programs in livestock genetics, vaccine development, land restoration, climate adaptation, and innovative food systems These efforts contribute enormously to global knowledge on agriculture and food security.

ILRI has long-standing collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and key institutions under the Ministry, including:

• The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
• The Department of Veterinary Services
• The Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre
• The Kenya Dairy Board

Some of their representatives are with us today. Joint initiatives by ILRI, CGIAR, and these government agencies have significantly strengthened Kenya's agricultural research ecosystem, enhanced the delivery of innovations, and ensured that farmers and pastoralists on the ground benefit from practical, science-driven solutions.

Furthermore. your enduring partnership with the Ministry of Health and health research institutions- including the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and universities-has greatly advanced our knowledge and systems for delivering quality healthcare Your continued support for our testing and diagnostic systems strengthens our joint commitment to One Health approach, which links human. animal, and environmental health

We also acknowledge your engagement with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, particularly through the Kenya Wildlife Service The gazettement of Kapiti Ranch as conservancy demonstrates the potential of science-led conservation. am aware of land-related issues. but rest assured that the government is committed to resolving them to ensure research continuity, environmental stewardship, and community benefits

These collaborative initiatives across ministries and agencies provide critical support to our Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy, which enhances the role of government as the backbone of our economy. Transforming agriculture into dynamic, modern. and commercially viable sector will enable us to deliver food and nutrition security, create jobs, and drive inclusive growth in line with the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Your continued support will enhance key elements of the strategy, including:

• Improving market access and security for better returns for farmers
• Ensuring affordable food for our citizens
• Enhancing agricultural exports and reducing trade deficits
• Expanding value-added commercial agriculture
• Empowering youth and women in agribusiness

Our target is to grow agriculture's GDP by 6% annually to reach USD 3.9 billion by 2029, driven by high-impact value chains in dairy, horticulture, rice. and grains Smallholder farmers are at the center of this transformation Through input financing, digital platforms, agribusiness training, and infrastructure investment, we aim to raise the average incomes of 3.3 million small-scale producers by at least 35% lifting communities out of poverty and building their resilience to climate shocks

The success of our strategy will depend on how we manage climate change risks. including prolonged droughts, unpredictable rainfall. floods and soil degradation. Our urgent response includes setting ambitious targets in the National Climate Change Action Plan and the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Implementation Framework, including:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 32%
• Increasing national tree cover to 10%
• Restoring degraded lands
• Expanding climate-smart agriculture

We are investing more in soil health. agroforestry, renewable energy, efficient rice production, and sustainable land management. Greater collaboration with ILRI and CGIAR-particularly in data, technology, financing, and capacity-will enable us to achieve these goals.

Let us jointly develop climate-resilient technologies and decision tools, enhance monitoring, reporting, and verification. scale up inclusive farmer-centered innovations, and engage our youth in climate-smart agribusiness.

Together, we must tackle systemic challenges to the growth potential of the agricultural sector These include:

• High post-harvest losses
• Inadequate market linkages and rural infrastructure
• Insecure land tenure
• Low adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices
• Fragmented institutional coordination
• Low access to affordable financing

The moment is here for all of us-as government, researchers. private sector. farmer organizations, partners, and stakeholders- -to deepen our collaboration in translating science into scalable action You have the knowledge, partnerships, and global platforms to accelerate transformation, deliver evidence-based solutions, improve farm-level outcomes, and help us build productive, nutritious. climate-resilient. and equitable food system.

Let us define sustainable roadmap-from research for knowledge to research for transformation-and walk this journey together, driven by our common vision of prosperity for our people and our planet.