Economic-Review-of-Agriculture_2015-6

7.0 KEY RECENT REFORMS
The Ministry has undertaken various reforms geared towards improvement of service delivery in line with the national
functions articulated in the Constitution. Among these include policy, institutional and regulatory reforms.
7.1 Ministry Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs)
The Ministry has a number of SAGAs that contribute to national development through carrying out regulatory,
commercial, service and training functions. A major reform indicator include; the operationalization of Agriculture
Food and Fisheries Authority (AFFA) Act 2013, and Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
Act 2013. The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Act 2012 was also operationalized resulting to reforms in
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). The KALRO Act resulted in consolidation of four research
institutions namely; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF), Tea
Research Foundation (TRF) and Coffee Research Foundation (CRF). The AFFA is composed of Oil and Nuts, Horticultural
Crops, Fibre Crops, Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Food Crops and the Pyrethrum directorates. The AFFA Act also establishes the
Fisheries Directorate which is yet to be operationalized.
7.2 Inter-Governmental Secretariat (IGS)
The Intergovernmental Relations Act of 2012, provided for the establishment of various institutions to provide
platform for engagement and dialogue between the two levels of governments. In September, 2013, Ministry of
Devolution and Planning organized a meeting where a decision was made that Intergovernmental Consultative Forum
(ICF) be established in Ministries that had their functions significantly devolved. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock
and Fisheries is one of those Ministries whose functions had been substantially devolved and this necessitated
establishment of the IGS with a purpose of facilitating engagement between the National Government and
County Governments and relevant stakeholders. The Secretariat provides a platform for dialogue between critical
stakeholders in the sector by acting as the liaison agent between the National and County governments. Further the
IGS coordinates the attainment of policy goals and standards in the sector.
7.3 Transformation Secretariat (TS)
Transformation Secretariat is a Secretarial of Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) between the ministry’s top
management and development partners. TS develops and supports the common programmes framework (CPF) that
defines broad programmes and projects areas for elaboration of projects for support by development partners. It is
responsible for supporting and coordinating transformation initiatives in the ministry and the sector.
7.4 Policy Development and Review
Various policies and strategies have been reviewed and/or developed from 2010 to date. These include: National
Agricultural Research Systems Policy (NARSP) 2012, National Livestock Policy(2008); National Oceans and Fisheries
Policy,2008; National Aquaculture Communication Strategy, 2011; National Food and Nutrition Security Policy (NFNSP)
2012; National Seed Policy 2011; National Agriculture Sector Extension Policy (NASEP) 2012, National Agribusiness
Strategy (NAS) 2012, National Horticulture Policy, 2012, National Rice Development Strategy, National Tuna Fisheries
Management and Development Strategy, 2013; and National Aquaculture Policy, 2011.
Drafts for several other policies and strategies such as the Livestock Breeding Policy, Animal Feeds Policy, Veterinary
Policy, National Sugar Strategy, National Dairy Development Policy, National Poultry Policy, Bee Keeping Policy, Camel
Policy, National Marine Fisheries Strategy, Fishiries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Strategy, National Urban
and Peri-Urban Agriculture Policy, National Emerging Crops Policy, National Agriculture Policy, Livestock and crops
Insurance Policy, National Emerging Livestock Strategy, Agro-Chemical Policy, National Organic Agricultural Policy.
National Cotton Policy, National Cereals Policy, National Oil and Nut Crops Policy, Agriculture Mechanization Policy,
National Irrigation Policy and Gender Policy are in various stages of development.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA) Act, 2013; Crops Act, 2013; Pyrethrum Act 2013, the KALRO
Act 2013; and were passed by Parliament and their requisite regulations developed. Warehouse Receipting Bill was
finalized and various others were forwarded to parliament which include; Livestock Bill; Fisheries Management
Development Bill; Seed and Plant Varieties Amendment Act; Sugar Amendment Bill; and Coffee Amendment Bill. The
Kenya School of Agriculture Bill was finalized awaiting forwarding to Parliament.
Economic Review of Agriculture [ERA] 2015 53