Kenya and Lesotho are set to strengthen their cooperation in agriculture following high-level bilateral talks aimed at promoting innovation, knowledge exchange and sustainable food production.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe held discussions with Lesotho’s Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Selibe Mochoboroane, focusing on expanding collaboration in key agricultural sectors to improve food and nutrition security in both countries.
Areas of cooperation identified include seed systems, horticulture, livestock development, climate smart agriculture, and agricultural research and innovations among others. Sharing of expertise and best practices was identified as an area that would be vital in speeding up the process of sustainable agricultural transformation.
Other areas discussed included the need to accelerate the signing of the memorandum of understanding, MoU for cooperation, which would give a clear guideline on how the two countries can work together.
Once signed, the agreement will lead to increased technical collaboration, transfer of agricultural knowledge and expertise as well as formation of partnership in the field of agriculture between the two countries.
This proposed cooperation comes at a time when the two countries have realized that cooperation within the region is very important in solving issues like climate change, food insecurity and the need for resilience in their agricultural sector.
Over the past few years, Kenya has established itself as a leading country in agricultural innovation through climate smart agriculture, agricultural research and seed systems among others, hence making it important for it to partner with other countries and learn from each other.
The officials were optimistic that the partnership will bring about increased agricultural productivity, improved livelihoods for farmers and enhanced food security in both Kenya and Lesotho.
