Nairobi City County Agriculture sector’s Food System core team today participated in an inception workshop on Integrated Action for Innovative Food Systems Across Rural -Urban communities project. The workshop was held at Trade Mark Hotel,Nairobi.
The three year(2019-2021) project costing Ksh.2.1B is sponsored by Italian Agency for Development Cooperation with Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations( FAO) being the implementer in partnership with Nairobi and Kisumu as the the pilot counties.
The goal of this project is to support responsible authorities and communities to implement innovative actions that will ensure sustainability,inclusivity and resilience in urban food systems by strengthening rural urban linkages. This will contribute to achievement of global and national goals of ensuring food and nutrition security for all.
In a speech read by the Nairobi County Director for Food Systems Dr. Daniel Karugu who represented the Agriculture Executive noted that the concept of formal and sustainable food systems is relatively a new approach which has gained impetus following the adoption of United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals which are food security and sustainable cities.
” I am glad that under this project,we are going to consider grants for innovative actions of five value chains in our city. This support will greatly enhance the outcomes of Agriculture sector in promoting food production and value addition hence benefiting Nairobi city residents more so the disadvantaged residents living in informal settlements who are in dire need of such partnerships. Said the Agriculture boss.
“Nairobi County government is in the process of developing Food Systems Strategy which comprises of food production,processing and packaging food,distribution and retailing of food and consumption of food”. Said Dr. Karugu.
The aim of the workshop was to create a common understanding and support of the project,its vision,goals objectives and implementation,exchange knowledge and experience on good systems planning in Nairobi and Kisumu Counties. It was also aimed at developing shared vision of the broader opportunities and benefits emerging from the project implementation and outreach.
The workshop brought together Nairobi county food systems core team, kisumu county Agriculture sector officials,FAO,Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and several other stakeholders.
