Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja makes his speech during the official opening of the 4th National Agriculture Summit at KICC. [Gathenya Njaramba, Standard]
ASNET CEO Agatha Thuo called for more collaboration among all stakeholders.
"The governance of our food systems requires thoughtful, inclusive approaches and a deliberate shift in mindset," Ms Thuo said.
During panel discussions, experts from various agricultural value chains exchanged ideas on food production, livestock rearing, soil health, climate change adaptation, financing, research and market access.
"Farming should not be a game of chance and our farmers must learn to produce for the market and not to market. With good structures, our farmers could almost predict their revenue and how long they will hold their produce," said Cereal Growers Association CEO Antony Kioko.
Fertiliser Association of Kenya CEO Lilian Wanjiru said soil health, climate change and the cost of farm inputs should be addressed carefully for sustainable food production across the country.
"The ongoing soil mapping will indicate the deficiencies in our soils and what should be added urgently. We must also mitigate against climate change, coordinate the messaging to our farmers and avoid confusion," she said.
Kenya Camel Association Coordinator Khalif Abey called for inclusion among pastoralists in Northern Kenya and stepping up of efforts towards fighting desertification.
At the end of the two-day summit, a 10 point-action plan was announced to guide the sector and a forum between university deans of agriculture and ASNET, which will step up the commercialisation of new technologies.