GACHAGUA; WE HAVE SUBSIDISED FERTILIZERS TO INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on relevant stakeholders and partners to ramp up their focus on financing food systems in Africa to transform food production and security.

Speaking at the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stock-Taking on Monday, Gachagua said that there needs to be a different structure of financing food systems for African countries, arguing that the present one has been disadvantageous to the continent.

He further noted that Kenya has already come up with strategies for financing food systems by putting more money at the bottom of the economic pyramid where there most of the food is produced.

“We have invested Ksh.50 billion to boost various interventions in the agricultural sector. We have subsidised fertilizers to increase food production,” he said.

“We have rolled out the Hustler Fund for the access of the majority of the people in food production. This has enhanced financial inclusivity,” he added.

He further added that the government is seeking more partnerships with global stakeholders to enhance food production.

Gachagua addressed the high-level four-day meeting in Italy on behalf of President William Ruto under the invitation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

His keynote address took a special focus on Kenya’s Food Systems Transformation Initiative, as part of the stocktaking of the commitment of States, governments and other Stakeholders in allocating resources to end hunger and malnutrition.

The DP’s address set the stage for the Heads of State session, to be attended by Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and SG Guterres, to discuss the critical issue of food security.

The Summit will also discuss, at length, the school meals programme in which States also work with other partners in ensuring pupils in public primary schools receive food and in balanced rations, to promote health and education.