By Wasike Elvis
The Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) proudly launched its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, marking a pivotal moment in the journey toward revolutionizing the agricultural sector. This highly anticipated event brought together key government officials, industry leaders, and stakeholders, all of whom are committed to advancing the country’s agricultural agenda. The launch was graced by Dr. Kiprono Rono, the Principal Secretary for Agriculture, whose remarks underscored the significance of strategic planning in the agricultural sector.Dr. Rono emphasized that having a well-thought-out strategic plan is crucial in ensuring the sector moves forward in a systematic and organized manner. He highlighted the fact that the agricultural sector plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy and requires clear guidance and structure to thrive amidst the many challenges it faces, including climate change, fluctuating commodity prices, and the changing demands of a growing population.
"There comes a time when every sector needs order, and a strategic plan is what brings that order. The ASK Show has done well to bring forward this plan in the form of a strategy, which is essential to address the many challenges the agricultural sector faces. This plan will align with the government's aspirations and direction, ensuring that we tackle critical issues such as climate change and the bottom-up economic model," Dr. Rono said during his address.
He further acknowledged the need for the agricultural sector to adapt to a rapidly changing global and local environment. "In order to transform our agriculture and build resilience, we must recognize the importance of sustainable practices, value chain development, and job creation. The strategic plan that ASK has launched today provides us with a clear framework to achieve these objectives and take our agricultural sector to new heights."
The Principal Secretary also took the opportunity to thank all the stakeholders who contributed to the development of the strategic plan. He acknowledged that the process had been collaborative, with input from numerous parties who played a role in refining the document. "The process of developing this plan has not been easy, but it has been thorough, ensuring that the interests of all sectors involved in agriculture are well represented. From policymakers to farmers, industry leaders to agribusinesses, everyone has had a chance to contribute to shaping this plan," he said.
As a government, Dr. Rono reaffirmed the commitment to creating an enabling environment that will facilitate the successful implementation of the strategic plan. He noted that the government is fully invested in providing the necessary policy support and resources to ensure that the goals set out in the plan are achieved. "We stand ready to cooperate with all stakeholders to implement this strategic blueprint. The national government is committed to ensuring that the agricultural sector continues to grow and contribute to the economy in a sustainable manner," he added.
Mrs. Annabel Kiriinya, EBS, the National Chairperson of ASK, took the stage to express her excitement and pride in the launch of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. She noted that this plan represents a new approach to agriculture, one that is forward-thinking, inclusive, and aligned with both national and global agricultural trends.
"This plan is not just a document; it’s a roadmap for the future of agriculture in Kenya," Mrs. Kiriinya said. "We have worked tirelessly to ensure that the strategy is comprehensive and responsive to the needs of the sector. It’s a plan that will promote excellence in agriculture, trade, and allied sectors, and we are excited to begin this new chapter with all of you."
She further explained that the strategic plan is built around three key pillars, each aimed at addressing critical issues within the agricultural sector:
Enhancing Food Security through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. The importance of food security cannot be overstated, and the plan emphasizes sustainable methods of production to ensure that Kenya’s growing population has access to nutritious and affordable food. By integrating climate-smart practices, the plan aims to reduce the sector’s vulnerability to climate change while boosting production capacity.
Driving Job Creation by expanding agribusiness opportunities. With youth unemployment being a significant challenge in Kenya, the plan emphasizes job creation in the agricultural sector. It outlines strategies to expand agribusiness opportunities, particularly for young people and women, providing them with the tools and support needed to enter and succeed in agriculture.
Strengthening Economic Resilience through value chain development and trade expansion. The plan focuses on improving agricultural value chains, from production to processing and marketing, creating more value-added opportunities and facilitating trade both locally and internationally. Strengthening these value chains will increase the sector’s competitiveness and enhance Kenya’s position in global agricultural markets.
The reviewed strategic plan is also aligned with the national government’s Agenda for Agricultural Transformation, which seeks to modernize the sector and ensure inclusive growth. The National Government has set ambitious targets to improve food security, increase agricultural productivity, and create job opportunities within the sector, all of which are central to the objectives of the ASK Strategic Plan.
This plan also reflects ASK’s commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and addressing the urgent need for climate resilience. As climate change continues to impact agricultural productivity worldwide, the strategic plan incorporates solutions that will help farmers adapt to these changes, reduce environmental impact, and secure long-term food production.
In addition, ASK’s vision of being a world-class agricultural and trade forum positions it as a leader in driving sector growth. The organization’s mission is clear: to promote excellence in agriculture, trade, and allied sectors, ultimately becoming the agricultural and trade partner of choice. This mission speaks to the Society’s commitment to supporting agricultural development at every level, from smallholder farmers to large agribusinesses.
"We are not just launching a plan, but a transformative agenda that will shape the future of agriculture in Kenya," Mrs. Kiriinya said. "Our tagline, ‘Your Agricultural and Trade Partner of Choice,’ reflects our commitment to fostering long-term relationships and working together to build a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector."
The launch of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan is not only an opportunity to reflect on the past achievements of ASK but also a time to set a clear path for the future. With this plan in place, ASK is poised to become a leading force in agricultural transformation, both locally and internationally. The event was an opportunity for all stakeholders, including government representatives, agribusinesses, and farmers, to reaffirm their commitment to the agricultural sector and collaborate on achieving the goals set out in the plan.
As the strategic plan is now officially launched, ASK looks forward to working with the government, development partners, industry players, and the agricultural community to realize its vision. The implementation of this plan will require concerted efforts and continued dialogue among all sectors, but with a clear blueprint in hand, the agricultural sector is ready for a brighter, more prosperous future.
The ASK Strategic Plan 2025-2029 represents a bold step forward in the country’s agricultural evolution. It is a plan that speaks to the challenges of today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. As the sector moves forward, all stakeholders are united in the pursuit of agricultural excellence, resilience, and inclusive growth. The future of agriculture in Kenya looks bright, and with the launch of this strategic plan, that future is now within reach.
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