Counties hold key to Africa’s food security amid climate shocks-Lusaka

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has called for strengthened county-driven agricultural transformation, highlighting the crucial role of devolved units in tackling food insecurity and climate shocks across Kenya and Africa.

Speaking yesterday evening in Nairobi during AGRA’s “Building Africa’s Food Future: An Evening of Conversation and Connection,” Lusaka  who chairs the Council of Governors’ Agriculture and Livestock Committee  delivered a sobering yet hopeful address.

He warned that without urgent action, Africa’s food systems could collapse under the weight of climate change, global shocks, and underinvestment.

“Agriculture employs nearly two-thirds of Africa’s labour force and contributes a quarter of our GDP, yet over 300 million Africans remain chronically undernourished,” Lusaka said, noting that global food prices rose by 40% between 2020 and 2022, pushing 120 million more into hunger.

Lusaka warned that staple crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa could decline by up to 50% by 2050 unless bold and coordinated action is taken.

Citing the vulnerability of Kenya’s smallholder farmers who produce over 70% of the country’s food he outlined a multi-pronged approach to building food system resilience. He emphasized the need for enhanced access to modern technology, irrigation, value addition, and efficient markets.

“Since devolution began in 2013, counties have become the frontline defenders of agricultural resilience,” Lusaka said. He revealed that in the 2023/24 financial year, counties collectively allocated KShs. 27.2 billion to agriculture, 6.9% of total expenditure with counties like Busia, Isiolo, Nandi, Kitui, and Tharaka Nithi investing over 10%.

He further noted that 32 counties have established County Business Enterprise Funds, disbursing over KShs. 1 billion to over 3,000 SME groups in agriculture.

Highlighting AGRA’s partnership with the Council of Governors, Lusaka said the collaboration is fostering a youth-centered agri-food strategy and advancing mobile-based advisory systems that equip farmers with real-time weather and market data.

In a rallying call, Lusaka challenged stakeholders to support counties in four key areas:

• Expanding financing for agriculture,
• Pushing for policy reforms in irrigation and mechanization,
• Supporting the digitization of agricultural value chains,
• And creating agripreneur hubs for youth and women in all 47 counties.

“Let us forge a coalition of 47 resilient counties, united by national support and continental solidarity,” he urged. “Together, we will build the future of food in Kenya and Africa ensuring no table is empty, and no farmer is forgotten.”

The event brought together governors, development partners, AGRA leadership, and key agricultural stakeholders in a bid to align local efforts with Africa’s broader food security commitments.