National Food And Nutrition Security Policy Implementation Framework 2017-2022.

This National Food and Nutrition Security Policy Implementation Framework 2017-2022 (FNSP-IF) is a multi-sectoral policy document. It is based on the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy (FNSP) which provides an overarching framework covering the multiple dimensions of food security and nutrition improvement. To achieve food and nutrition security for action, the main goals of the Implementation Framework are identified as: i. To ensure that all Kenyans have the means to access affordable, nutritious and personally acceptable foods; ii. To guarantee a sustainable, safe and high quality food supply; and iii. To promote food consumption patterns that maximizes health and minimizes disease.
The policy document considers that the growing problem of food and nutrition insecurity in Kenya is linked to the stagnated growth of agricultural production, low use of agricultural technology, high food prices, frequent disasters and climatic change. These factors have a direct effect on most of the country’s population (75%) as they reside in the rural areas where agriculture dominates. The main challenges to be addressed include: 1) Low agricultural productivity hence low food self-sufficiency at household level. 2) Recurrent/chronic food insecurity affecting large populations both in urban and rural Kenya. 3) Poorly integrated and inefficient markets in agricultural sector that threaten food security. 4) Low access to high quality foods for many rural and urban population groups. 5) High levels of protein/energy malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. 6) Low collaboration and synergy between some existing actors and programs. With a twin-track approach, the three main goals of FNSP-IF will be addressed through strategic interventions, following 9 priority program areas as below: 1) National food availability; 2) Food accessibility; 3) Household resource productivity; 4) Food safety, standards and quality control; 5) Nutrition improvement; 6) Food and nutrition education in Schools and institutions; 7) Food and nutrition in crisis and emergency; 8)Food and nutrition security data and information management; 9) Domestic water availability and access. The main specific objectives include: to achieve high level commitment and increase overall budgetary allocation for food and nutrition activities; to increase agricultural productivity and production of food that is diversified, affordable and able to meet diverse nutritional requirements of all people; to promote national food availability and access through strategic liberalization of food trade and private sector participation along the value chains; to increase the level of value-addition for agricultural produce meant for domestic and export markets through adoption of appropriate technology and enhance net returns; to promote appropriate storage practices and expansion of storage facilities to extend shelf life and reduce farm losses; to diversify and attain sufficient nutritious foods in the Strategic Food Reserves to stabilize food supply and staple food market prices; to increase net incomes from farming and related value chain activities; to support measures that enhance rural employment opportunities as a means of increasing the level of food and nutrition security; to improve market infrastructure, marketing skills and information systems for effective and efficient market functioning and access to food; to mainstream cultural, social and political considerations in the food and nutrition security strategies and activities, with particular attention to vulnerable groups (such as women, and children); to promote agricultural intensification through sustainable and efficient use of productive resources and reduce the risk of livelihood failure and nutritional health challenges facing vulnerable households; to improve household food availability, through urban and peri-urban agriculture; to minimize post-harvest losses and waste at house-hold level by enhancing capacity of households in food and forage storage, preservation and processing /value addition; to maintain optimal nutrition for developmental and physiological functions at all stages throughout the human lifecycle; to reduce and prevent micro-nutrient deficiencies and disorders to promote public health among all cohort groups in Kenya; to enhance capacity for cross-sectoral data collection and management and coordination to facilitate information sharing and widespread utilization.
The FNSP-IF promotes sustainable intensification and diversification of agricultural production systems in high and medium agro-ecological areas with high population density. Main strategic interventions are: • Promote appropriate intensified and sustainable agricultural production systems that are friendly to fragile ecosystems; • Promote diversification and production of nutrient rich foods; etc.
The FNSP-IF also addresses the synergy linking food and nutrition security with poverty reduction. Strategic interventions are: • Facilitate access to land and other production resources especially for youth and women; • Support measures that improve security and access to land, water and technologies especially by women, pastoralists and child-headed households; • Support cooperatives, out-grower schemes and fair trade policies to increase the share of small producers in the production and export of high value crops and livestock; • Review minimum wages regularly to taking into account the food and nutrition needs, inflation rates and labour productivity; • Provide legal and institutional support to small rural enterprises; • Enhance linkages with training institutions to diversify technological innovations, research and development; • Support investment in rural infrastructure including access roads and locally generated renewable energy to lower production and marketing costs; etc.
The FNSP-IF seeks to promote more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. Relevant strategic interventions cover: • Establish a fund to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in agro-processing and other means of value-addition • Empower youth and women to utilize allocated development funds for promotion of value-addition, cottage type industries and agro-processing development • Capacity development of agro-processors, particularly SMEs, to meet relevant quality and safety standards • Promote research and adoption of appropriate food processing methods and equipment suitable to the needs of small scale enterprise • Build the capacity of farmers, SMEs and Cooperatives to undertake farming as a business along commodity value-chains • Strengthen support services including extension and provision of financial services for sustainable commercialization of Agriculture. • Support marketing of agricultural produce and products both locally and internationally. • Promote the development and consumption of locally produced agricultural products. • Promote linkages between supply and market demands through Public Private Partnerships. • Strengthen legislation of food marketing and institutions to protect all actors along commodity value chains.• Establish and maintain efficient market infrastructure to facilitate food access. • Develop capacity building programs for food producers and traders.
The FNSP-IF further addresses the resilience of livelihoods to disasters through emergency preparedness, response, recovery, building resilience and long-term development. The specific objectives are: 1) to reduce risk and vulnerability to food insecurity and malnutrition occasioned by disasters; 2) to establish a well-coordinated response mechanism that ensures all persons in emergencies receive timely and appropriate assistance to protect their food security and nutritional status and to avoid loss of lives and livelihoods; and 3) to improve post-emergency recovery through resilience building and long term development in order to reduce vulnerability of the populations to food and nutrition insecurity.