Tegemeo Conference 2010

Date : 27th and 28th October 2010

Venue : Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Leadership Centre, Karen, Nairobi

The agricultural sector in Kenya will continue to play a significant role in the country's overall economic growth and development as is envisaged in the Vision 2030. With the integration of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS) and the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), Kenya is well positioned to make tremendous gains in transforming its agricultural sector. Nonetheless, there are challenges that must be overcome if this momentum is to be sustained. In order to transform the agricultural sector into a modern, commercially-oriented sector, issues of poverty, competitiveness and market access come to the forefront especially with the current trends in regional and global integration. The availability and access to food particularly for the urban poor is also becoming a key challenge.

These issues call for continued attention by policy makers, development agencies and all stakeholders in general. Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University has been conducting research on these issues and organized a conference to disseminate its research findings and provide a forum for feedback and discussion of alternative policy options. These findings are based on household and market survey data as well as urban consumption/expenditure survey collected by the Institute. Our results show that cereal production in Kenya is still challenged by low competitiveness compared with its trading partners. In addition, market participation among smallholder households, particularly the poor is low. On a more positive note and one that supports the ASDS's thrust towards commercialization, our results indicate that households exiting poverty register greater market participation and a higher marketable surplus. On consumption, the results point at increasing food insecurity among the poor and the need for reliability and efficiency in markets and other components of the urban food system in order to deliver affordable and nutritious food. They also support the use of more cost effective strategies in targeting vulnerable consumers.

The Conference was officially opened by Dr. Romano M. Kiome Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Kenya.

 DAY 1

1. Overview of the Conference - Dr. Mary K. Mathenge, Director Tegemeo Institute

2.  Kenya's Maize Value Chain: Toward Strategic Interventions to Address National Policy Challenges -Dr. Lilian Kirimi, Tegemeo Institute

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3. Trade and Agriculture Competitiveness for Growth , Food Security and Poverty Reduction: A Case of Wheat and Rice Production -Raphael Gitau, Tegemeo Institute

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4. Dairying in Kenya: An Assessment of Competitiveness and Profitability - Stella Wambugu, Tegemeo Institute

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5. Has Kenyan Farmers' Access to Markets and Services Improved: Panel Survey Evidence, 1997 – 2007 - Prof. T.S. Jayne Michigan State University

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6. Market Participation among Poor Rural Households in Kenya - John Olwande, Tegemeo Institute

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7. Consumption and Expenditures on Key Food Commodities and its Implications on Households'Food Security: the case of Nairobi - Dr. Mercy W. Kamau, Tegemeo Institute

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8. Pathways into and out of Poverty: A Study of Rural Household Wealth Dynamics in Kenya - Milu Muyanga, Tegemeo Institute

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9. Comparing Panel Data with Life Histories on Poverty Existing Households in Rural Kenya - Raphael Gitau, Tegemeo Institute

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DAY 2

1. Summary of DAY 1 Deliberations - Dr. Mary K. Mathenge, Director Tegemeo Institute

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2. Developing Staple Food Markets to Reduce Hunger and Poverty -Prof T.S. Jayne, Michigan State University

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3. Assisting Kenyan Smallholder Farmers access Commercial Markets -Isaac Tallam, Private Sector grain trade advisor ,USAID COMPETE

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4. Post-harvest Challenges to Food Security in Kenya - Dr. Johnson Irungu Waithaka, Director Land and Crops, Ministry of Agriculture Kenya

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5. Curbing Food Insecurity in Kenya -Tutui Nanok, Agricultural Specialist/Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister Kenya

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Theme: Conference on Integrating Consumers in Policy and Program Agenda in Kenyan Agriculture

A consortium of Michigan State University, Tegemeo Institute, Egerton University, and Purdue University, funded by USAID through a USDA grant, has been leading the Support for Applied Research and Analysis in Kenya and East Africa (SARA-KEA) project over the past three years. The aims of the project are to enhance knowledge management, adaptive learning, and data-driven decision-making to support US government investments in the region, boost economic growth, improve food security, and strengthen resilience. The research focuses on agriculture-led growth, nutrition, and resilience, with findings shared to inform development programs and policies. As part of USAID's localization efforts, the consortium planned a two-day national conference in Nairobi on October 29-30, 2024, bringing together stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and research organizations to present results and foster dialogue. The conference facilitated feedback and discussions on policy relevant topics to guide developments in Kenya’s agricultural sector.

 Below you can view/download the program document, conference proceedings, policy briefs of papers presented, and copies of presentations.

 DOWNLOADS 

1. Conference Program

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2. Conference proceedings

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2. Policy Briefs and Papers

Food environments and diet quality: Insights from urban and peri-urban Nairobi and Kisumu

Authors: Mywish K. Maredia, Timothy Njagi, David Tschirley, Ayala Wineman, Aisha Sophia Otwoma, Nahian Bin Khaled, Ian Fisher, Lilian Kirimi, Thomas Reardon, Hillary Bii, Michael Asiago, and Semeni Ngozi

Political Economy of Kenya's Agricultural Transformation A comparative value chains approach

Authors:Danielle Resnick,Steve Haggblade,Mercy Kamau and Isaac Minde

Evaluating Kenya's National Fertilizer Subsidy Program_Implementation, crowding out & BCA

Authors:  Jacob Ricker-Gilbert, David L. Mather, Mywish K. Maredia, John Olwande, and Nahian Bin Khaled

Assessment of the policy enabling environment for large-scale food fortification A novel framework with an application to Kenya

Authors: Veronica Theriault, Lilian Kirimi, Ayala Wineman, Ephiphania Kinyumu, and David Tshirley.

Are Commercialized Farms Driving Agricultural Transformation in Rural Kenya

Authors: Milu Muyanga, John Olwande, Joseph Opiyo, T. S. Jayne 

Labor Market Opportunities for Youth in Kenya. Evidence from the 2020/21 Kenya Continuous Household Survey

Authors:  Jacob Ricker-Gilbert, and  Jenish Shrestha

3. Event Presentations 

Day 1:

Session II: Agricultural Growth in Kenya: Trends and Drivers

Drivers of Agricultural Growth in Kenya in the past decade

Presenter: Timothy Njagi, ANAPRI 

Session III: Fertilizer and Soil Health

 The status of fertilizer quality in agro-dealer outlets in Kenya 

Presenter: Timothy Njagi, ANAPRI

Farmers’ willingness to pay for soil testing in Kenya  

Presenter: John Olwande, Tegemeo Institute

Evaluating Kenya's National Fertilizer Subsidy Program_Implementation Crowding-out and Benefit-Cost Assessment 

Presenter: David Mather, MSU

Session IV: Agricultural value chains development

Political economy factors and their influence on the development of agricultural value chains in Kenya.

Presenter: Mercy W. Kamau, Tegemeo Institute

Are Commercialized Farms Driving Agricultural Transformation in Rural Kenya?.

Presenter: Milu Muyanga, Michigan State University, USA

Assessing the impact of PPVC reforms on the aquaculture value chain in Kenya.

Presenter: Lilian Kirimi, Tegemeo Institute

Day 2:

Session I: 

Resilience of food systems. 

Presenter: Kelvin Shikuku, CGIAR & ILRI

Session II:

Assessment of the Policy Enabling Environment for Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) in Kenya by Dr. Lilian Kirimi, Tegemeo Institute 

Presenter: Lilian Kirimi, Tegemeo Institute

Food environments and diet quality: Insights from urban and peri-urban Kenya.

Presenter: Mywish K. Maredia, Michigan State University, USA

Household dietary patterns and the cost of a healthy diet in Kenya.

Presenter: David Mather, Michigan State University, USA

Session III:

Building Youth Employment Opportunities by Patrick Ketiem, KALRO, and Jacob Ricker-Gilbert, Purdue University. 

Presenter: Patrick Ketiem, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization

Youth Employment Challenge .

Presenter: Milu Muyanga, Michigan State University.

Session IV:

Livelihood diversification among rural farm households in Kenya.

Presenter; John Olwande, Tegemeo Institute

Resilience through diversity: A policy scan of possible pathways to future food systems.

Presenter: Paswel Marenya, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Impact of Digital AgroWeather Advisories: Evidence from farming communities in Kenya.

Presenter: Mercy W. Kamau,Tegemeo Institute.

Theme: Conference on Agricultural inputs and Services: Impacts on Agricultural Productivity, Competitiveness and Food Security

Date: Thursday 18th May 2006

Opening Speeches:

1.Speech by Hon Kipruto Arap Kirwa, MP, Kenya Minister for Agriculture.(pdf)

2.Speech by Prof James K. Tuitoek, Vice Chancellor Egerton University.(pdf)

3.Speech by Mr Stephen Haykin, Director Usaid mission to Kenya.(pdf)

Papers:
All Papers Abstracts

1. Factors Driving the Growth in Fertilizer Consumption in Kenya, 1990-2005. Can the Momentum be Sustained? by J. Ariga, T.S. Jayne, and J. Nyoro (pdf)

2.Rural Financial Services in Kenya: What is Working and Why? by Betty Kibaara. (pdf)

3.Agricultural Extension in Kenya: Practice and Policy Lessons by Milu Muyanga and T.S. Jayne (pdf)

4. Beef and Dairy cattle improvement services:A Policy Perspective by Paul Gamba.(pdf)

5.Enhancing Access and Utilization of Improved Seed for Food Security in Kenya by Miltone Ayieko and David Tschirley (ppt)

Tegemeo Conference 2008

 Date : 17 & 18 September 2008

Venue: The Kenya School of Monetary Studies Nairobi, Kenya

Tegemeo Institute organized a two days conference to disseminate the finding of its research work on the trends and drivers of the agricultural productivity diversification and poverty reduction over the last decade (1997-2007). This research output is based on data collected over the last 10 years using the Tegemeo panel household survey. The study has tracked trends in agricultural productivity, changes in technology adoption, household incomes, poverty reduction and inequality.

Results of the study show that implementation of various strategies by the government has resulted in positive changes in agricultural and rural development in the country. Specifically, the results show increasing productivity of certain crops such as maize, tea and horticulture. Household incomes have also improved and poverty levels reduced. These changes however have not been uniform across commodities and agro-ecological zones. As the country embarks on the implementation of the Kenya Vision 2030, it is necessary to search for evidence of success in various sub-sectors and agro ecological zones to categorize the drivers of such successes. This would also facilitate identification of strategies that could be up-scaled or replicated and thereby contribute to the attainment of the agricultural sector's goal in the Kenya Vision 2030 strategy of becoming an innovative and commercially oriented modern sector.

The Conference took place on the 17th and 18th September, 2008 at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies . The theme of the conference was Agricultural Productivity, Competitiveness and Rural Poverty in Kenya: Laying the Foundation for the Kenya Vision 2030. The conference output is in line with the vision of the agricultural sector in the Kenya Vision 2030 and the sector's strategic thrusts of increasing productivity through provision of widely accessible inputs and services to the sector operators to move agriculture to the next level and thereby lay the foundation for the attainment of the aspirations in the Vision.

Participants of the conference were drawn from Government Ministries, producers, the private sector, Development Partners, Universities, and Policy Research Institutes, including the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

The meeting was officiated by Dr. Romano M. Kiome Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the Kenya Minister for Agriculture Hon William Ruto EBS, MP.

DAY 1
1. Tegemeo Rural Household Panel Data 1997-2007
Click to download the Presentation(ppt)

2. Trends in Kenyan Agricultural Productivity: 1997-2007 by Betty Kibaara-Tegemeo Institute, Joshua Ariga-Tegemeo Institute, Prof Thomas Jayne-Michigan State University and John Olwande-Tegemeo Institute
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Click to download the Paper(pdf)

3.Trends and Patterns in Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Farmers in Kenya, 1997-2007 by Joshua Ariga-Tegemeo Institute,Prof T.S. Jayne-Michigan State University,Betty Kibaara-Tegemeo Institute, and J.K. Nyoro-Director Tegemeo Institute
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4.Agriculture and Livelihood Diversification in Kenyan Rural Households by Simon C. Kimenju-Tegemeo Institute and Prof David Tschirle-Michigan State University
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5. Assessment of Kenya's domestic horticultural production and marketing system and lessons for the future by Prof David Tschirley-Michigan State University and Miltone Ayieko-Tegemeo Institute
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6. Rural Incomes, Inequality and Poverty Dynamics in Kenya, 1997-2007
by Prof Tavneet Suri-MIT Sloan School ,Prof David Tschirley-Michigan State University,Dr Charity Irungu-Tegemeo Institute ,Raphael Gitau-Tegemeo Institute and Daniel Kariuki-Tegemeo Institute
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Click to download the Paper(pdf)

DAY 2
1. Summary of Key Findings by J. Nyoro Director Tegemeo Institute
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2. Food Policy Challenges in Eastern and Southern Africa in Light of the Current World Food Price Situation by Prof T. Jayne-Michigan State University
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3. The role of technology development in agricultural transformation in kenya by Dr. E. A. Mukisira Director Kenya Agricultural Research Institute - KARI
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4. Policies challenges and opportunities for producer organizations in Kenya by Dr. John K. Mutunga CEO - Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP)
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5. Public Sector Role in Agricultural Transformation in Kenya:ASCU 's Perspective By Dr. Wilson Songa, Agriculture Secretary, MoA, Chairman SRA-TC
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6. Role of Development Partners in Kenyan Agriculture growth By J.K.Kiara
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For more information on the conference, Please Contact Elizabeth on
Tel: + 254 20 2717818, +254 734 658222, +254 720 895454
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1. Concept on Conference

• Conference 2015 Concept Note

 2. Presentations

• Opening Remarks  
• Overview of the Conference  

• Keynote Address  
• Emerging Land Issues in Kenyan Agriculture and their Implications for Food Policy and Institutional Reforms  
• Land Reforms in Kenya: A Curse or a Blessing? 
• Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Productivity and Household Welfare in Rural Kenya 
• Uptake of Crop Insurance in Kenya in the Face of Climate Change  
• Viability of Irrigated Maize Production  

• Effects of the NAIAAP Programme on Smallholder Production and Incomes
• Off-farm Work and Fertilizer Use among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya 
• Status of the Agricultural Sector and Key Lessons after Devolution to County Governments  
• Improving Agricultural Performance under County Governments: Challenges and Opportunities  
• Implementation of Policies and Programs under Devolved System of Government

• Agricultural Information Sources and their Effect on Farm Productivity in Kenya
• Promising Innovations for Transforming Smallholder Agriculture 

• The role of MLE in Agriculture

 3. Policy Briefs

 4. Working Papers

 5. Conference proceedings(pdf)

Tegemeo Hosts 3^rd ReNAPRI Annual Stakeholders Conference, 10^th - 11^th November, 2016

The Regional Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ReNAPRI) is a regionally coordinated network of several national agricultural policy research institutes and Universities across Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region. The network currently has a membership of about 10 countries (e.g. Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, DRC, and South Africa). Formed in 2012, ReNAPRI was created at the initiative of the national agricultural policy institutes to allow for effective coordination, share information, collaborate on providing solutions to the common challenges facing the ESA region, and enable national policy makers to learn from the experiences of other countries within the region.

As provided, the main objective of ReNAPRI in ensuring effective coordination, sharing of data, collaborating in providing solutions to common challenges and sharing experiences and learnings across countries is noble and members look forward to realizing the expected benefits through this Network.

Over the last one year, members of ReNAPRI have been carrying out research to unfold agricultural transformation in Africa, identify market oriented and sustainable intensification strategies for addressing climate variability and analyze both the regional and global outlook and scenarios. The Network has also looked at both public and private sector responses to the 2016/17 drought. The findings of this research were shared during a 2-day conference held in Nairobi Kenya.

The conference was the Third Annual Stakeholders Conference hosted by the network in different member countries to discuss issues pertinent to the future of African agriculture. The first Annual Conference was held in 2014 in Lusaka Zambia, the second one in 2015 in Maputo Mozambique and the third is being held in Nairobi Kenya. Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University, as a member of the ReNAPRI network hosted this year’s Conference whose theme was “Anticipating Africa’s Agricultural Transformation Pathways in the Context of Climate Change: Lessons from the Current Regional Drought”.

The Network, through its Annual Stakeholders Conference, seeks to engage both public and private sector stakeholders through dialogue on the future of the region’s commodity markets e.g. maize, wheat, rice and sugar, among others. The conference brought together key stakeholders comprising of local, regional, and international delegates to deliberate on, and seek for strategies that will spur growth in the agricultural sector in the region. 

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View the conference Video here... 

Date: February, 8th 2017

Venue: Sarova Panafric Hotel

Given that majority of Kenyan farmers are small-scale producers characterized by small land holding and limited use of modern technologies, there is no doubt that the sector will bank on appropriate innovations to increase agricultural output against the ever increasing demand for food.Adoption of improved seed varieties is widely recognized as a key driver in improving productivity and addressing food security. In recent years, technological advancement has led to increase in the number of higher yielding varieties that are able to perform optimally under different ecological environments. For example, there now exists more than 250 maize hybrid varieties in Kenya. However, the expected gains from adoption of these varieties has not been realized. This puzzle is partly explained by low use of complementary inputs such as fertilizer and poor agronomic practices.

Since 2012, researchers from Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University and the University of California, Davis have been undertaking a study on adoption of new hybrid maize varieties in mid-altitude Kenya. Preliminary results of the study are now ready for sharing with a wider audience for discussion and feedback. The research has implications for both seed systems and policy interventions for promoting technology adoption.

It is against this backdrop, that the research team organized a one day conference titled “Enhancing Small-holder Productivity in Kenya: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial of New Seed Varieties”. The conference will bought together policy makers, private sector, civil societies, practitioners, researchers of agricultural development, among others to discuss Kenya’s seed systems. 

Presentations:

Diversity of Production Environments and Practices by Dr. Mary Mathenge, Director Tegemeo Institute

Productivity Profile under Different Technology Bundles by Dr. Tim Njagi, Research Fellow Tegemeo Institute

Filling a Niche? Findings from an Impact Evaluation of Maize Hybrids in Mid Altitute Zones by Prof. Michael Carter, Director, BASIS Research Program UC Davis, USA

How do Small Scale Farmers Learn About New Agricultural Innovations by Asst. Prof. Emilia Tjernstrom, University of Wisconsin, USA

View the Conference proceedings here...

View the Conference Video Snippets here... 

The Conference 2017 Participants

The Institute held a successful two-day biennial policy conference under the theme “Transforming Agriculture for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods”, to share its research findings and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders on the way forward for transforming agriculture.

Conference research findings and discussions revolved around the thematic areas of productivity and input use, sustainable livelihoods and inclusivity in agriculture, consumption and welfare as well as how we can harness technology for sustainable agriculture transformation.

Deliberations were made to seek for strategies that will continue to move the agricultural sector and the nation at large forward. The agricultural sector plays a key role in Kenya’s food security and overall economic growth. The sector is a key driver of the economic pillar of the Kenya Vision 2030, contributing about a third of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Despite this critical role, the sector continues to face many challenges that include low agricultural productivity, unsustainable production systems, low input use, high input costs and climate variability and change.

In a devolved system, and to continue playing its critical role in the economy, agriculture must be transformed to cope with the changing production, marketing and policy environments, and hence ensure broad, inclusive and sustainable growth. In addition, stakeholders need to consider agriculture’s contribution to food and nutrition security in a holistic manner.

The Conference participants were drawn from the public sector, private sector organizations, civil society, development agencies, universities, and research institutes, among others.

Conference Proceedings

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