As per 2017, 70% of Kenyans did not have access to money for food. With an estimated population growth of about 2.1% per annum till 2030 (meaning the population will grow by about 15.7 million in 2030), there is a dire need for appropriate measures to be taken to ensure food security for all.
Food security for all Kenyans, a pillar of the big 4 agenda, has been accorded a great number of resources by the government. However, there still is a gap that needs to be filled! As of 2019, approximately 10 million Kenyans were still food insecure. This is because of the costly food prices and low production of food caused by climate change, the prevalence of pests and diseases and lack of enough extension services and modern technology. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the locust invasion have made matters worse.
To show how dire the situation is, as of June 2020 a 90kg bag of maize sold for KSH. 4,000 while the average price of a 90kg bag of maize from 2006 to 2016 was KSH 2,368. The graph below then backs the above graph from an economics standpoint, as the cumulative reduction of produce(seen from 2012) then triggers a price increase of the cereals.
In order to achieve food security, we need to think of sustainable solutions! These are solutions that will not only promote agricultural production but also be climate-friendly! A few examples are: reducing agricultural emissions, employing climate-resilient agricultural practices, improving our storage of food, and using climate information to manage our land better. In order to ensure food security for all, innovative and sustainable solutions need to start being implemented!
Author: Sarah Kataka
