Posted on July, 3, 2024 at 09:47 am
The counties of Lamu, Tana River, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera Counties have opened doors to investors interested in supporting commercialized climate-smart agricultural initiatives across the region in a collective effort to bolster food security and economic growth.
This call was amplified during the Lamu, Tana River, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera County Investment conference.
The conference which was organized by USAID Kuza and themed Unveiling Opportunities: redefining Northern Kenya as an Investable Destination brought together investors, local entrepreneurs, government officials, and development partners who discussed ways to create opportunities and build sustainable economic growth in the region.
The region offers investors a diverse range of potential ventures including investments in efficient water-irrigation systems to optimize water usage, research on resilient seed varieties to ensure consistent crop yields, modern fodder production techniques, training programs for farmers on climate-smart practices, and value-added processing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access for agricultural products.
Speaking during the conference, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Rebecca Miano reiterated the support that the ministry has provided to the agriculture and livestock sector in the country through individual farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises.
"Clearly, northern Kenya is open for business. As a ministry, we are continuously seeking partnerships with domestic and international investors to spur the northern region's economic transformation."
"We recently concluded discussions on the Kenya-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that opens preferential export markets within the gulf region and the meat value chain will be largely benefited," remarked the CS Miano.
In the past, the northern region of Kenya has faced the burden of climate disasters including floods, droughts, and unpredictable weather patterns. These events have disrupted livelihoods, particularly among pastoralists and farmers, threatened food security, and worsened existing vulnerabilities.
Northern Kenya boasts large areas of fertile land, a growing workforce, and a rising demand for sustainable agricultural solutions. By partnering with these countries, investors have the opportunity to contribute to a thriving regional economy while making a positive environmental impact.
Other key discussions on climate response revolved around identifying and prioritizing measures to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters such as torrential rains which lead to poor road conditions, destruction of farmland, and spread of water-borne diseases. The discussion also shed light on hazard preparedness through early warning systems and community-based disaster risk reduction.
Also notable was the conversation on waste management. Panelists emphasized the importance of proper waste disposal, particularly for coastal areas. This will not only protect marine life from plastic pollution but also reduce the risk of plastic poisoning in seafood consumed by local communities and potentially exported.
Other conversations addressed peace-building efforts in order to foster an enabling environment for investment with a focus on managing disaster risks and enhancing trade relations among the counties. Further to that, attendees explored innovative financing models for infrastructure projects through PPPs, improving livestock productivity and promotion of youth participation in agricultural development.
USAID Kuza plans to host a joint conference targeting all the Frontier Counties (otherwise known as FCDC Counties) later this year in October 2024.
Source: Citizen Digital