Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has emphasized the urgent need for innovative and inclusive financial strategies to revitalize Africa’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Conference on Financing Smallholder Farmers on Monday, Kagwe highlighted agriculture’s crucial role in driving Africa’s economic stability and sustainable growth.
“By prioritizing practical and innovative financial solutions, we can transform agriculture into a powerhouse for economic development. It is essential that no farmer is left behind,” he stated.
Kagwe noted that agriculture supports over 60% of Africa’s population and significantly contributes to GDP. However, smallholder farmers the backbone of food production—face challenges accessing essential financial resources.
To address these issues, the CS urged policymakers and stakeholders to focus on key investment areas, including Soil analysis for improved productivity,Access to fertilizers to enhance crop yields, Cold chain infrastructure for reducing post-harvest losses, and Agribusiness industrialization to create value-added products and boost employment.
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“Agriculture is not just about food production it is a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security,” Kagwe emphasized.
The high-level conference was attended by AfDB Vice President Beth Dunford, representatives from the Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO), industry stakeholders, and other key leaders committed to advancing Africa’s agricultural sector.
