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
3. Trade and Agriculture Competitiveness for Growth , Food Security and Poverty Reduction: A Case of Wheat and Rice Production -Raphael Gitau, Tegemeo Institute
4. Dairying in Kenya: An Assessment of Competitiveness and Profitability - Stella Wambugu, Tegemeo Institute
5. Has Kenyan Farmers' Access to Markets and Services Improved: Panel Survey Evidence, 1997 – 2007 - Prof. T.S. Jayne Michigan State University
6. Market Participation among Poor Rural Households in Kenya - John Olwande, Tegemeo Institute
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
8. Pathways into and out of Poverty: A Study of Rural Household Wealth Dynamics in Kenya - Milu Muyanga, Tegemeo Institute
9. Comparing Panel Data with Life Histories on Poverty Existing Households in Rural Kenya - Raphael Gitau, Tegemeo Institute
DAY 2
1. Summary of DAY 1 Deliberations - Dr. Mary K. Mathenge, Director Tegemeo Institute
2. Developing Staple Food Markets to Reduce Hunger and Poverty -Prof T.S. Jayne, Michigan State University
View/download Presentation
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
5. Curbing Food Insecurity in Kenya -Tutui Nanok, Agricultural Specialist/Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister Kenya
View/download Presentation
Theme: Conference on Integrating Consumers in Policy and Program Agenda in Kenyan Agriculture
Date: 19th April 2005
Venue: Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi
Speeches:
1. Opening speech by Hon Kipruto Arap Kirwa, MP, Kenya Minister for Agriculture.(pdf)
2. Opening speech by the Vice chancellor Egerton University.(pdf)
3. Speech by Chief Agriculture business and Environment office, Usaid Mission to Kenya.(pdf)
Papers:
Paper 1. - Wp15-Effects of government maize Marketing trade Policies on maize Market Prices in Kenya by T.S Jayne, Robert J. Meyers and James Nyoro.
This paper identifies the effects of NCPB's activities and government maize trade policy on maize market price levels and volatility. The paper also identifies the welfare implications and distribution effects of these policies
Download the paper (pdf)
Paper 2. - Wp19-Staple Food Consumption Patterns in Urban Kenya: Trends and Policy Implications: Muyanga M, T.S Jayne, Gem Argwings Kodhek and J Ariga.
