Dr Birungi Korutaro (PhD) is an agribusiness specialist with more than 14 years of experience. PHOTO | COURTESY
By VICTOR KIPROP
Dr Birungi Korutaro is an agribusiness specialist with more than 14 years of experience in markets development, value chain analysis and development, including formulating agriculture and tourism related investment operations in East and South Africa.
Africa is now the most food import-dependent region in the world, dedicating more than 13 per cent of its import expenditure on food and agricultural commodities, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). How can this trend be reversed?
First, we need to deliberately promote local food production. For instance, at a policy level, the East African Rice Development Strategy that Kilimo Trust has been involved in developing with the East African Community Secretariat is addressing rice self-sufficiency to reduce the approximately 800,000 tonnes of rice, worth over $300 million, imported yearly.
By 2021, for instance, interventions under our competitive African Rice Initiative in East Africa achieved a reduction of over 20 per cent in rice imports in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, while increasing volumes traded within the region from 202,000 tonnes to over 330,000 tonnes. Kenya increased imports from EAC by more than 200,000 tonnes.
Beyond policy, adopting modern farming techniques such as irrigation, use of high-yielding varieties or breeds, and improved crop/animal management and other climate smart practices, access to credit, training, and extension services are vital.
Public and private sector investments should support all stakeholders involved in production, processing, distribution and marketing to create efficient and sustainable food systems. Accurate real time data on produced and aggregated volumes, coupled with crisp understanding of consumer consumption patterns are critical for effective planning.