Dr. Paul Ronoh, Principal Secretary, State Department For Agriculture, Ministry Of Agriculture And Livestock Development said the launch of the KEPHIS Strategic Plan 2023/2027 comes at an opportune time where when the government is implementing the Agriculture Policy 2021

In a speech read on his behalf by Eng. Richard  Kanui ,  Engineering Secretary,. State Department for Crop Development and Agricultural Research during the launch, the PS noted the good work that KEPHIS has done in the last 25 years which has translated in tangible outcomes that have changed the livelihood of farmers and cushioned all against hard and unprecedented times, notably emerging pests droughts and even desert locusts invasion

“ This Strategic Plan resonate  well with the dreams and ambitions of the Government  and is is a roadmap that holds great significance to Kenya and Africa for enhancing productivity, strengthening cooperation in safe agricultural trade, improving food safety standards, and thereby benefiting livelihoods in Kenya”, Dr. Rono said.

Prof. Theophilus  Mutui,  the  KEPHIS Managing Director said  there has been sharp increase in international movement of plants, plant products and regulated articles that have come with their challenges and necessitated the enhancement of sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

“KEPHIS has heavily invested in Pest Risk Analysis, border surveillance and inspection, quarantine and diagnostic systems, analytical testing capacity that support safe trade in plants and plant products”, he added

The Country and horn of Africa , he noted, are facing extraordinary food and nutritional situation due to prolonged drought, pest incursions, climate change and variations in compliance to standards.

“KEPHIS recognizes the important role that plant health, seed certification, plant variety protection and food safety play to our country, our region and the whole world.”, he said adding that enhanced productivity for a food secure Kenya and enhanced market access for Kenya`s high quality plants and plant products is at the core of KEPHIS existence.

He notably pointed out the  state-of-the-art analytical accredited plant health and analytical laboratories which continues to support the farmers in Kenya for determination on the quality of the inputs and diagnosis of plant pests and diseases whose corrective action leads to productive agriculture.

These laboratories , Prof. Mutui said also promote trade in Kenyan fresh produce through the internationally recognized test reports and also  provide precise measurements of elements like heavy metals, aflatoxin and pesticide residue levels which are critical in determining the compliance levels to national and international food safety standards.

“We have deliberately invested in human and infrastructural resources that are modern and fit for purpose for continued compliance to international best practices, national and foreign market requirements and enhanced productivity at national level.”, the MD said.

IS, Prof. Mutui said, has put in place systems for certification of seed so that the public have access to high quality climate resilient and high-yielding seeds and propagating materials for enhanced productivity.

The presence of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) certified laboratory in KEPHIS Nakuru supports not only Kenya but the region in providing certified seed for various crops.

Joseph M’eruaki, KEPHIS  Board Chairperson said KEPHIS plays an important role in ensuring Kenya’s economic growth is sustained as envisaged in Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),

It is focused on delivering its mandate and has established strong systems and processes that ensure high-quality agricultural inputs and produce in the sector.

In executing the mandate of KEPHIS, M’eruaki said they are committed towards the implementation of the strategy and have put forward strategies that will assist optimization of resource use and allocation to ensure the sustainability of its operations.

KEPHIS has projected a budget of KShs 12.8 billion to implement the Strategic Plan over the five-year period and will finance its budget through internally generated funds and exchequer support as well as seek to enhance partnerships with both local and international development partners.

“We will be exploring areas of cooperation in plant health, seed systems, trade facilitation and laboratory work. Public-Private-Partnership will also be explored in the various operational aspects of the Corporation with the view of creating new business models”, he said.