This Policy for the Vihiga County highlights some of the key identifiable challenges, while recommending various interventions that needs to be adopted in the agricultural sector, in order to achieve a sustainable food system for the rural communities. This Policy contains four chapters. The first chapter focuses on the agricultural sector as a major contributor to the economic growth of the county, and thus it highlights some of the prevailing challenges being faced such as land degradation, declining soil health, food insecurity, unemployment, low incomes, and rural-urban migration. The second chapter focuses on the current situation being faced in Vihiga County concerning its agri-food system, with complex challenges such as inadequate germplasm, land fragmentation, high population density, low agricultural productivity, poor agricultural diversity. Chapter three provides for the necessary strategic direction in implementation of the policy, with the main focus being on promotion of agroecological practices adoption, in order to enhance agro biodiversity conservation and achieve a sustainable food system in the county, focused on food safety and environmental health. The last chapter deals with the policy coordination and implementation mechanisms that needs to be adopted to achieve success. This is provided through having a legal framework, putting in place a proper co-ordination and institutional framework for the policy, carrying out monitoring, evaluation and reporting as the policy dissemination is being carried out. The Policy provides for the implementation of various strategies under thematic areas of production and environmental sustainability, food and nutrition, agroecology enterprises and market development, social and cultural inclusivity, together with agroecology research, linkages and innovation, effective management and enforcement of all issues pertaining to proper management of the available agroecological resources. The Policy specifies the following objectives: promoting agroecological practices for a resilient agriculture and food system; promoting production and utilisation of safe and diverse foods for improved nutrition; enhancing inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups in agroecology; enhancing access to agricultural markets and financial services for agroecology products and actors; strengthening co-creation and participatory adaptive research on agro biodiversity in the county's ecosystem. The Policy covers the following thematic areas: production and soil health; production and consumption of safe and diverse diets including traditional foods for a healthy population; agroecology enterprises and agriculture market development; social protection and cultural inclusivity; agroecology research, linkages and innovation.
Kenya · 2024-07-01