During the event, KNDI CEO Dr David Okeyo emphasized on the importance of the food value chain kitchen gardening as a solution to food and nutrition security. He further reaffirmed that people should embrace food value chain kitchen gardening in home setting and training institutions. He said that KNDIs standard inspection checklist for Universities and Tertiary Institutions offering Nutrition and Dietetics have a component of the Food Value Chain Kitchen as part of the eleven standards as bear minimum for institutional accreditation. He said all Universities and Tertiary Institutions are required to offer Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture as a mandatory package in the curriculum and this will further be enhanced with the newly approved government training package in nutrition and foods systems.

 

About the event

Agriculture and the food system influence people’s dietary patterns, impact nutritional outcomes and are critical for the development of Kenya’s economy. Sustainable agriculture and food systems are key in improving food security and nutrition while promoting food safety and healthy diets. Kenya’s government is committed to transforming agrifood systems to deliver healthy diets. Key results Area 10 of the Kenya Nutrition Action Plan envisions scaling nutrition in agriculture and food systems as a sustainable measure for alleviating malnutrition. The agri-nutrition implementation strategy (2020 to 2025) aims to accelerate this result area. During the 2021 Food Systems Summit, the government committed to diversifying diets, moving from a carbohydrate-based diet to one with protein, vitamins and minerals to promote the health and wealth of the people of Kenya.

 

For the past two years, FAO has been working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners under the Food and Nutrition Linkages Training Working Group (FNLTWG) to bridge this gap, by developing a National Training Package on Nutrition-Sentive Agriculture and Food Systems. The package will strengthen the capacities of national and country staff in agriculture, health, education and other relevant departments. The package, which consists of a technical manual and a facilitator guide, is now fully endorsed by the following:

• The Principal Secretary, State Department for Crop Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
• The Principal Secretary, State Department for Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
• The Principal Secretary, State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries.
• The Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ministry of Health.
• The Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Nutritionists and Dietitians Institute (Accreditation)
• The FAO Representative in Kenya

 

Other Presenters

The following was also presented during the National Nutrition Symposium Event.

1. Irene Kimani (Head of Nutrition FAO)

The Head of Nutrition FAO gave a presentation on the objectives and aims of the training package. The objectives for the Agrifood Systems for Healthy Diets Special Nutrition Symposium during the function were as follows:

1. To popularize the National Training Package on Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems and build forward better for its implementation to enhance nutrition outcomes through agriculture and food systems.
2. To share successes, achievements, and challenges in national efforts for agrifood systems transformation for healthy diets in Kenya

• To strengthen partnerships in agrifood systems transformation for healthy diets.

 

Aim of the Training Package

This training package aims to equip policymakers, programme planners and technical officers working in different sectors that contribute to improving nutrition, directly or indirectly, with knowledge and skills to formulate and successfully implement nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems investments.

 

2. Madam Carla Mucavi (FAO Representative)

The presentation addressed the issue of malnutrition as a key area and agrifood action in producing safe, nutritious food and a healthy diet. Diversification of a healthy diet was also addressed to help prevent diseases from becoming recumbent because of the impact of the time change. Agrifood system income will also work for nutrition. The speaker brought out the benefit of working together, including farmers, towards strengthening agrifood systems for healthy diets through their experiences which will help win the battle. Agr partnership is one of the sustainable development goals (SDG) no.17, which is the target by 2030. The presenter focused on addressing Malnutrition which requires multisector and multi-partner collaboration, as evidenced by the presence of all partners involved and implementing the package for better nutrition and healthy diets.

 

3. Harry Kimtai (CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Livestock Development, MoALD)

 

The PS addressed the need to partner with other sectors to help curb malnutrition and achieve a healthy population by improving the economy of Kenya. He pointed out that people should start or get involved in the agrifood sector and food system to ensure we sustain the measures for alleviating food and nutrition insecurity. The speaker noted that food security is a human right of all people; at all times, they should get physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life translate to everyone must produce food. The speaker also advised people to start and continue with Livestock farming since it contributes to 90% of households’ livelihood and accounts for nearly 95% of family income in the country. They also need to provide income to the local farmers to continue with food production to income.

 

4. Dr Josephine N. Mburu (Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, MoH).

The PS addressed matters of advocacy and why Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture is critical. The key intervention mentioned by the speaker was as follows:

1. Agriculture is key to production; hence production brings food to the table.
2. Agriculture contributes to income.

• Agriculture adds value to women empowerment.

Through the critical areas, the MoH has trained counties in Kenya on the importance of Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture and the role of partnership in moving agendas, enabling counties to acquire nutrition resources.

 

5. Ms Shaheen Nilofer (UNICEF Representative Kenya)

The speaker talked about the coordination in the food and nutrition sector and how it strengthens the agrifood system in Kenya.

 

6. Ms Lauren Landis (Country Director World Food Programme, Kenya)

The presenter addressed the school meal programme as an important meal in support of the Agrifood system transformation in Kenya.

 

7. Ms Jennifer Maurer (Development Partners contribution to Agrifood Systems transformation in Kenya USAID)

Mildred Irungu stepped in place of Ms. Jennifer and presented on behalf of implementing partners and how they work with Agrifood systems. The speaker said that development partners came to support the country’s agenda, not their own. They can reach out to the communities, government, and stakeholders to be able to know what is needed. Most communities know about innovation and invite resources and connections that can scale and sustain businesses and development solutions. Development partners with food system work from primary production, storage, post-harvest handling, transportation and processing. The partners believe in system change, and the resource they give to Kenya is supposed to be catalytic and should shift power to the local players. The focus of development partners is so keen on gender and social inclusion since there is a need for all players involved to help get to the 100% mark targeted.

 

The system approach is used in strengthening partners’ capacity is one of the big things they do, and that’s why they work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and try to look at the system that is already in place, strengthening them and giving the capacity to the partners so that they can move the needle of malnutrition. They work on innovation, capacity building, and financing, including working with a research institute, the institution of higher learning and local communities.

 

8. Ms Martha Nyagaya (Nutrition International).

The speaker addressed three tensions people should look for to strengthen agrifood systems for healthy diets. The three tension is as follows:

1. The tension between food security and nutrition.
2. The tension between humanitarian in nutrition and development.
3. The tension between preventing malnutrition and treating malnutrition.

 

Testimonial

This is a brief presentation from the beneficiaries, farmers from different counties majoring in various farming activities.

 

1. Mr Peter Okengo Otiato (Vihiga County)

The farmer is from Vihiga County and is a beneficiary of Dairy Farming as a sustainable Anchor of Nutritional. The farmer testified that initially, he had two dairy cows producing 5 litres of milk each. Still, with the excellent nutrition offered to the animals, there was an increment in the number of animals (25), each producing quality milk of 20 litres daily. With such a good record, he has mentored around 400-700 youths on the benefit of dairy farming, which gave him a chance to visit and learn new ideas in farming in Israel.

 

2. Mr Jacob Ndigwa (Embu County)

This is a farmer from Embu County who is the main benefit of promoting Agricultural Diversification through the Aquaculture value chain project in the county.

The farmer disclosed that fish farming is the primary source of income which his entire family practices. At the initial stage of the activity, they had one fish pond, and at the moment, he has 16 fish ponds. He has trained women on the benefit of fish farming. By that, he was invited to Liberia to teach people about fishing practices.

 

3. Dr Florence Kyallo (Jomo Kenyatta University)

The speaker briefly testified on integrating nutrition-sensitive agriculture into the agriculture University curriculum. She pointed out that they have revised the curriculum and incorporated some nutrition units in other cadres as compulsory to give every graduate an edge in nutrition.