REPUBLIC OF KENYA

REMARKS BY HON MWANGI KIUNJURI, EGH, MGH, CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION DURING THE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON FALL ARMYWORM AT KEPHIS HEADQUARTERS, NAIROBI ON 23RD MAY, 2018

The Chairman,Council of Governors, Hon. Josphat Nanok

The Chairman, Agriculture Committee-CoG, Hon. Okoth Obado

Principal Secretaries

The Chairman, Agriculture & Rural Development Donor Group

Chief Executive Officers of Public & Private Sector

Senior government officials

Ladies and gentlemen

Good Morning

  • Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to this stakeholders meeting on the Fall Army Worm (FAW) and to thank you most sincerely for honouring us with your presence.
  • Whereas this meeting was convened at a veryshort notice,I am glad to see your commitment in making it a priority in your schedule so as to join us here today. This is indeed a demonstration of the importance you attach to agriculture. I am greatly humbled
  • So, why are we here today?As you all know, HE the President has pronounced himself on the Country’s development agenda over the next five years through the Big4 key pillars.
  • To achieve these goals is no mean task and calls for concerted efforts through the collaboration & coordination of all our initiatives and the resources at our disposal as my Ministry strives to build partnerships with all stakeholders because we realize this is not a war we can win alone.

Ladies and gentlemen

  • As we all know Kenya's economy is largely dependent on agriculture with about 80% of the population living in the rural areas and deriving their livelihood directly or indirectly from agriculture.
  • The Agriculture sector is the largest contributor to national economic growth, directly contributing about 31.5% to the country's GDP. The socio-economic development of the country is therefore, determined by performance of the sector.
  • In this regard my ministry has embarked on an ambitiousAgricultural Sector Transformative Growth Strategy which is expected to play a critical role in the attainment of the aspiration of the Big 4 Agenda, including production of the raw materials for manufacturing.
  • The Thrust of the strategy is expansion of land under agriculture, increased productivity of crops, livestock and fisheries, bring more landunder irrigation, enhanced value addition & market linkages and generate employment for the youth.

Ladies and gentlemen

  • However, our food security is threatened by among other things the changing climatic conditions which has occasioned the emergence of pests and diseases such as the Fall army worm hencenegatively impacting our already fragile food security situation.
  • It is for this reason the Ministry has convened this forum so that we can have a national conversation on how to mitigate the threat by the pest.
  • Am told the Fall armywormis a migratory pest native to North and South America, and was reported in the African continent in September 2016 in the West Africa region.
  • It has since spread to almost all the sub saharan countries where it is causing severe damage, especially in maize fields and to more than 80 plant species.
  • In Kenya, the pest was first reported in Trans Nzoia County in March, 2017 and by the end of last year (2017) it had spread to forty two (42) counties including the major maize production areas of Rift valley and Western regions.
  • It is a problem that we must fight with thoroughness, determination and zeal. We would like to describe it as a hydra with jaws wide open ready to swallow and scuttle our aspirations of becoming food sufficient.
  • Americans have described it as a marriage without divorce. And whereas we shall have to accept to live with it, the Ministry, its research agencies and other partners will continue putting in place measures to manage this pest.a
  • The occurrence of the pest particularly in the rift valley region, which is the grain basket and the major commercial and seed maize producing areas, worsens the situation.
  • Infestation and damage during the current long rains season (2018) is feared to be high and widespread but my ministry is doining all that is within its power to ensure the losses are minimimal.

Ladies & gentlemen

  • In an effort to coordinate the efforts toward the management of the pest, the ministry has named a Multi-Institutional Technical Team (MITT) consisting of experts drawn from public and private sector to strategize on appropriate technical response to safeguard the country.
  • Through the MITT, the country has the following ongoing interventions;

Surveillance,Sensitization and demonstration on application of pesticides (products that have been registered for control of fall army worm in other countries)

Packaging and distribution of technical materials on fall armyworm (brochure, poster, factsheet, green and yellow list

Efficacy trials and registration of pesticides in the country

Building capacity of extension providers by carrying out Training of Trainers (TOTS) on the management fall armyworm in affected counties.

Mass awareness creation and public sensitization through mass media which including full page feature on the pest and its management in major local dailies, TV programs and local FM radio stations.

  • Fall armyworm is a reality in the country and poses a great threat to food security, incomes and livelihoods and requires effective,concerted efforts for sustainable management by all stakeholders.
  • The National Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is committed to spearhead, support and coordinate all efforts that will ensure the threat posed by the pest is brought under control.
  • I therefore call upon all of us present to share freely our experiences and strategies to inform bold action plan and way forward that will help us come up with an effective management program for this country.
  • I call on the media, players in the agriculture sector, county governments and all institutions that have platforms through which they can reach our farmers, to help us publicize and advocate the full utilization of the Fall Army Management guidelines issued by the Ministry so as to tackle this menace.
  • With this I wish you very fruitful deliberations.

THANK YOU