Climate Change: Clean Energy for Environmental integrity and Sustainable Food Security.

As plans get underway to celebrate the global environmental Day 2023, we must be reminded that climate change is a real and present threat to humanity. And as per the objective of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) articulated in article 2; among other things, the world should be in a position to prevent rise of temperature to ensure that the ability to produce food is not compromised. Sustainably producing food is essential since it is the foundation of global security and development. However, food security and climate change issues are now converging. They are like Siamese twin.

Climate change debacle as opposed to food insecurity challenges knows no boundaries. This makes the effort to resolve climate change issues a zero sum game- unless everyone is involved, we are fighting a losing battle. The puzzle we face is how to ensure that every hand is on the deck to help solve the challenge. How do we get global cooperation?

The best place to start from will be article 3 of the UNFCCC that contains the principles underlying the implementation. The principle emphasizes that as we strive to protect climate system, it should be on the basis of equity and in accordance with common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. From this point, diversity has been appreciated and brought to the center of handling climate change and food system challenges.

However, going by previous legacies in the food system, regional differentiation and various level of development among countries became an excuse to let food insecurity prevail. This explain why, in the 21^st century over 800 million people still go to bed hungry when the data shows that world food production could comfortably feed all people.

While food insecurity challenge was compartmentalized, climate change cannot because its impacts transcend boundaries. That what happen in the developed economies have an impact on the developing economies and vice versa. We must choose cooperation to live or choose division and perish.

One of the common feature of climate change is greenhouse gas emissions. While industrialized countries have a bigger responsibility because their development trajectory was shaped by massive emission of the GHGs, the developing economy have an obligation not to follow the same path. But this will require that high level of cooperation is initiated and embraced.  

Given that there are some key sectors that contribute more than others, it is imperative to focus on some of them and what they offer in terms of tackling climate change while ensuring sustainable food security.

Agriculture

Agriculture according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) contributes from 19-29% of greenhouse gas emissions. Most African countries are dependent on agriculture. To limit the emissions several good practices must be adopted and supported by both developing and developed country economies. This could include funding nature based Solutions, Climate Smart Agriculture, agro-forestry and many others processes that reduce emission of the harmful gases.

However, there are some agriculture practices and actions that must be critically observed. The land use change is a one aspect that need to be checked. For instance planting eucalyptus trees in agricultural land where food crops grow has proved to be detrimental to food security. The tree species while seen as economically viable and helping to increase forest cover, have devastating impact in terms of soil degradation. For instance, the trade-off of putting large tracks of land under eucalyptus plantation in terms of food security is severe and must be reconsidered.

Clean Green Energy.

The arms race to development of clean green energy is amazing and a step towards mitigating and reducing carbon emissions. With the establishment of the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States seeking to encourage development of clean energy jobs, and European Union Net Zero industry framework is a precursor of great transformation in climate change mitigation process.

However, as Scott Barrett points out in his book “Why cooperate?”, the weakest link in addressing climate change will be the undoing to this whole effort in addressing climate change. In this case, if Africa and other developing economies are not assisted to address climate change challenges, the process to limiting the increase of temperature to above 1.5 degree above pre-industrial levels will falter.

While acknowledging the arms race to development of clean energy as a positive trend which is in line with article 9) (2) of the Paris agreement that calls for developed country parties to take lead effort in mobilizing climate finance from a wide variety of sources, instruments and channels to support climate change mitigation; the developed country parties should not forget their obligation to provide financial resources to assist developing parties to address mitigation and adaptation as espoused in (9 ) (1) of the Paris Agreement.

Consequently, even though the developing countries will need support, they also have a clear and important obligations they need to fulfill. One such responsibility is to develop innovative and effective institutional and legal policy framework to support the activities that help address climate change. Establishing carbon market and trading framework is such an important aspect that must be taken up by all developing economies

System thinking approach

In developing institutional policy framework, a holistic approach must be embraced. From the national to the global stage, actors and sectors must work together, sharing knowledge and best practices in addressing the climate change issues.

Streamlining of what happens in different levels and sectors is important because it help in addressing the bottlenecks as well as assess the trade-off and leverage points. For instance, how will embracing green energy impact developing economies?

Technological transfer in terms of clean energy that is being developed in the United States and The European Union must get their way into developing economies to help in advancing adaptation.

System thinking approach will be critical in transparent calculation of carbon gases and help reduce the greenwash phenomenon in climate change space. It is only through systemic approach that we can track all aspect of greenhouse gases emission from the production of materials to raw materials to consumption of goods and services that must be accounted accurately for the process of carbon market and trading to be a useful tool to address climate change.

The complex nature of climate change issues would require that all of us, the global population of above 7 billion people, play a role, if we are to succeed in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This will take behavioral change. It will require everyone taking small actions to save the environment.

For instance, it will take us reducing the amount of plastic that we produce to reduce their impact on the environment. It will require that we reduce our food waste to tame greenhouse gas emission.

It will take the will and effort to use public transport instead of driving your personal car to reduce amount of carbon gases emitted from the transport sector.

Indeed, it is all of us, you and me, from wherever place in the world that could act to address climate change and restore environmental integrity.

Let us do it together!

In search of Sustainable Food Security: Why Eucalyptus Policy Should be Revisited.

The eucalyptus trees were introduced with a promise of pulling families out of shackles of poverty while offering Kenya a pathway to global required forest cover. Decades later, farmlands under cultivation and adjacent to the plantation of these species are quickly becoming barren, leading to unexpected food deserts. This calls for review of the impact and policy of the eucalyptus trees in the Kenyan economy and their effect on food security and livelihoods.

With the new proposed National Green Fiscal Incentives Policy Framework which among other things seeks to direct government planning, budgeting, spending, procurement towards green production and consumption, it should give a new impetus to reconsider the issue of land degradation, loss of water and biodiversity caused by the eucalyptus plantations.

The Overall goal of the Green Fiscal Policy is to tackle the challenge of climate change and loss of biodiversity. However it is important the document appreciates that there will be a need for trade-offs that would require government interventions. 

Some of the major challenges of planting eucalyptus trees have been deterioration of soil health and loss of water. Indeed, a survey of areas where eucalyptus are planted reveals crops productivity decimated. As pointed out by Kenya Forest Services, the species has capacity to suppress the growth of plants nearby.

With raging climate change that has a negative implication on water availability and soil health, having forests with high water consumption is detrimental to the growth and development of the economy. This needs urgent and innovative policy interventions.

First the government must act on those going against the rules and regulations banning planting these trees in riparian lands, and close to water bodies. However the challenge has been minimal enforcement. To save the situation there is need for swift action.

However, it is important to be cognizant of the political and economic cost of the previous failure to enforce laws and regulations. Those who planted huge swaths of their land with the eucalyptus- some out of ignorance and inability of the government to offer guidance through extension services- must be considered in a manner that does not aggravate their bad economic condition.

Here, governments’ sourced market for those with massive plantations of eucalyptus is a viable option with the intent of phasing species out of productive farm land. This way, there will be a win-win situation for the governments and the people.

But since the main agenda is to transform the food system and avert the climate change debacle, Governments must go a step further to seek restoration and rehabilitations of soils and biodiversity.

One of the pathways to restoration of soil fertility is through soil testing. This would give a clear indication of what minerals and elements required to make the process a success. This will further require participation of all actors. Farmers, private sector and governments.

For the governments – National and Counties, it would be critical to support the public good aspect that include funding of research, and employing extension workers. Supporting the private sector by subsidizing technological tools that could enhance soil testing and other aspects in the agri-food could be another viable idea. Building infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water could also aid the recovery process.

The Private sector on the other hand should be encouraged to explore nature based solutions to rehabilitate degraded soils, conservation of water and biodiversity. While farmers should be nudged to abandon the old practice and adopt new innovative approaches.

All these should be guided by the principle of maintaining the planetary boundaries while limiting the impact of climate change and improving sustainable food security.

Yes, Eucalyptus offers good economic benefits, but with their ability to destroy soil health, biodiversity, and water, meaning present and future inability to sustainably produce food, urgent steps towards restoration and rehabilitation are necessary.

This therefore calls for a collaborative approach with innovative interventions from the government and policy makers. With the national green fiscal Policy Framework, Kenya can find a way to sort out the negative impact of the eucalyptus challenge while working towards achieving necessary Global Climate obligations and National Determined Contributions. It should be done now.

Food Sovereignty strong pillar of economic stability

The main theme at Feed Africa Summit in Dakar Senegal was enhancing food sovereignty and resilience. The conversations from the conference are timely since food insecurity has remained the most pressing challenge of our time. Consequently, majority of Kenyans spend 50-60% of their income on food. To tackle the debacle, transformation of the food system is seen as a plausible pathway.

The main agenda in food system transformation debate has been and is to address six fundamental issues that involves Availability, Access, Stability, Utilization, Sustainability, and Agency. However, the efforts has overly focused on enhancing food productivity.

Now, evidence shows previous practices have been detrimental to the health of the planet and biodiversity. Continuing with similar trend would be tantamount to insanity since the red alert in form of devastating droughts and floods have been laid bare.

Hitherto, the market based school of thought has been influencing the food system. Strengthening global value chain where food moves from places of abundance to areas of scarcity as the center of food security agenda.

But there is need to draw lessons from global financial and war crises that previously devastated the world.

For instance, as Samantha Power writes in A Problem from Hell, during critical wars, global leaders failed to act, this occasioned great losses in human lives. The financial crises on the other hand revealed that when everyone is in deep sea trying to swim out, their neighbor’s challenges dissipate to oblivion.

There is a possibility of future food crises. If and when it happens, it would be immense and broad-based, impacting several countries. Most probably, people would be left to their own devices. This makes a strong case for food sovereignty.

Sovereignty point to the ability of a country and citizens to produce food of their liking, aligned to their culture within their boundaries

In Kenya, agriculture is the dominant sector of the economy and contributes half of GDP. In the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto, agriculture has been given prominence.  According to the Plan, Agriculture is seen as the most potent weapon to tackle the skyrocketing cost of living.

However, for Agriculture to provide sustainable food security and economic development; major shifts should be made. Change of focus from food security to food system is imperative. It is also important to build policy coherence by aligning policies across food system; Ministries, Departments and Agencies; levels of government and development partners.  

Food Sovereignty.

Food sovereignty speaks to the ability of farmers to decide on what food to produce and consume. However, the ability of smallholder farmers to benefit from food sovereignty is hindered by lack of Agency. In fact, majority of smallholder farmers lead precarious livelihoods.

According to 2020 HLPE report, Agency is the capacity of individuals or groups to make their own decision about the food they eat, produce, and how the food is produced and processed. Most importantly, their ability to engage in processes that shape their system policies and governance.

Public Participation

Smallholder farmers must be assisted to develop their agency. This could be done by leaders and institutions upholding the spirit and letter of the constitution that puts the role of public participation at the center of policy formulation and implementation.

As per article 10 (2) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya (CoK) 2010, under National Values and Principles of Governance, in making any decision, public officers are required to engage in public participation. And in Article 201 (a) on the Principle of Public Finance, all aspects of finance must be guided among others elements Public Participation in financial matters.  

Embracing Diversity.

At the core of a transformed food system is diversity. Diversity of opinion, food and cultures. Sustainable food security would be achieved when focus is not only staple grains such as maize, wheat, rice, but rather a cocktail that include, indigenous foods and knowledge, abundant vegetable and fruits.

Policy Interventions for Food Sovereignty.

Putting on system thinking lenses, the major task for the Kenyan government is to invest in developing local infrastructure that will aid food transformation process.

Water

Water is important in production and processing of food. Setting and improving water infrastructure is of utmost urgency. Given the changing weather conditions occasioned by climate change, availability of water could not only attract small-scale irrigation project in rural areas to boost production of food but would also enhance healthy situation through proper hygiene and sanitation.

Civic Education

Indeed, sustainable development, management and utilization of water coupled with civic education on policy formulation and implementation would accelerate achievement of sustainable food security. The re-introduction of 4k Clubs is another important policy direction that will assist in changing the mindset especially among young people who have deserted agriculture sector. However more in terms of financing is required.  

Yes, wisdom demands, as it is said, to prepare for war if you want peace, preparing for instability when seeking stability. As we work for sustainable food security, it is imperative we adequately prepare for food insecurity.

Achieving Creative Agri-Food Policies under Critical Uncertainty.

The projection of the state of global food security and climate change is bleak. For this reason, understanding how to make creative policy amidst an environment of critical uncertainty is imperative. This article looks into the concept of the Critical uncertainty, economy of well- being, blended Financing and Food System diplomacy and how these factors can contribute towards formulation and implementation of creative agri-food policies.

Critical Uncertainty

Uncertainty according to the Oxford dictionary refers to something that you cannot be sure about. Critical Uncertainty according to Mervyn King and John Kay is a situation that occurs when the knowledge of the underlying processes is imperfect, the processes themselves changing constantly and the ways in which these processes operate depend not just on what people do but also on what people think[i].

First, we can see this concept well demystified by the strike of Covid 19, when suddenly life and all plans were disrupted causing great human and economic pain globally. No one was prepared for the pandemic of such magnitude, in fact before the pandemic the projections of global economic growth were fairly good yet the sudden strike changed the concept of globalization. The glorification of the efficiency of the global value chain came under sharp focus. The travel restriction suddenly exposed its short-fall in resiliency.

Secondly, the concept of critical uncertainty can be exemplified in crop productivity. With climate change, we are not sure of what comes tomorrow, the entrance of locusts in the Horn of Africa region was an event that was unexpected hence inability to plan for , yet it caused unimaginable terror and horror among farmers in Africa with governments unable to take a united front in fighting the vice.

Indeed, while the future is unknown, there are clear signs of what danger we face in terms of Food Security. In the past, while the global economy has done well in producing enough food to feed the rapidly growing population, the underlying processes have been seen as fueling inequality and destabilizing the planetary boundaries. In any event, the number of people suffering from food insecurity in its holistic form is huge.  For instance, as observed by Antonio Guterres, The United Nation Secretary General in 23rd September 2021 during the food system Summit, 3 billion people cannot afford healthy food, 2 billion overweight or obese, and 462 million underweight.

It is not yet known the extent to which Climate change will afflict the world in future, but its ugly head has been exhibited signs in the form of dangerous floods such as what was experienced in Pakistan and the biting drought in the horn of Africa last year 2022. Yet, this is said to be the tip of the iceberg.

Creativity

What will it take to avert the oncoming food security crisis? I believe creative policies will do the magic. Creativity according to S. I. Hayakawa is that mental state when an individual is able to break through the habitual routines to invent solutions to old problems; Solutions that strike people with their appropriateness as well as originality[ii]. According to Hayakawa, to be creative one must be able to see things from his own eyes, must be able to stand by the ideas they think are novel even in the threat of loneliness.

Mervyn King and John Kay point out that good decisions in most cases results from leaps of imagination and that creativity is inseparable from uncertainty. Indeed as observed, it is madness to expect the mind that created the problems to be the same that solves the challenges. This therefore calls for urgent transformation of the food system using new lenses.

The Economy of Well-Being

To transform the food system, there is a need for new lenses through which to address the challenges. The capitalist development system under which previous global prosperity has been achieved has yielded negative externalities in terms of degradation of natural resources through excessive exploitation. The extreme focus on profit alone has negatively impacted the planet and people. As a result, the global economy is faced with high levels of inequality and devastating climate change.

Accordingly, the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) in Food Security and Nutrition has called for innovation around the framework of the economy of well-being[iii]. This being a developmental concept that focuses on economic activities, relationships and structures which promote a return to harmonious  relationships  between people and nature, fair distribution of resources to address economic inequalities, healthy and resilient individuals and communities.

Prioritizing people and their capability to secure their own well-being in development intervention, responding to failures overly concentrated on economic growth to adequately address societal inequalities and ensure food security and sustainability will be the environment that will spur creativity.

As we set into 2023, the ability of individuals to make their own decisions must be guided by innovative policies.

Blended Financing Policy.

One of the obstacles that has been identified especially in the process of restoration and transformation of the food system is financing especially for smallholder farmers. The challenges in financing are occasioned by the uncertainty in terms of profitability. For instance, in seeking to implement Nature based Solutions in the agriculture sector, the challenge of time lag between when capital investments are made to improve cash flow or value of the asset and the longer time required to realize the improvements discourage a good number of willing investors[iv].

For this to be avoided, creative policies involving both the private and public sector in Co- financing critical stages of a single project is crucial. Blended financing will require cooperation and coordination at every food system level. Most importantly, public participation must be embedded in every step of policy formulation and implementation to allow buy-in from local actors and beneficiaries.  Consequently, there will be a need for intensive and extensive civic education and this calls for enhancement of extension services.

Further, there is a need for a change of mindset. It is worth noting that a piecemeal approach to issues and policies exercised hitherto would not yield sufficient and sustainable results. For instance, there is an urgent need for critical coordination of policies, sectors and actors. Ministries, Government Agencies and departments must work together, in harmony with the aim of transforming food systems through realignment of policies.

Harmonizing concepts, data and research tools will be a better way to advance and enhance collaboration between private and public sector financing policies as indicated by the HLPE-FSN 2022[v].

Food System Diplomacy

For the world to benefit from effective fusion of knowledge, policies, strategies and initiatives, Food system Diplomacy must be embraced. Diplomacy in its basic form is about persuasion not coercion- It is about pursuing common ground, forging agreements and achieving a balance of benefits that allow each party to go home with at least some degree of satisfaction. [vi] This aspect is important given that the journey to achieving sustainable food security involves interaction between different actors and sectors.

Therefore introduction of food diplomats will be a step forward in the right direction. Part of the solemn responsibility of food diplomats would be to brief governments and other entities on the state of food security. The briefs, especially to the state, should be modeled around the security briefs that government leaders receive every day.

The actors and sectors must work with a convergent point in mind attainment of Zero hunger by 2030 with No poverty. For this to happen, the different sector players must feel that their effort is appreciated.  Therefore, it is imperative to note that human dignity that comes from moderating the social power dynamics will boost morale as the world works towards the goal of Zero hunger.

I believe creative agri-food policies in 2023 could be achieved if everyone focuses on the economy of well-being while employing food system diplomacy.

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[i] (Kay and King 2021)

[ii]The Composition of everyday life A guide to writing 3^rd edition 2010

[iii] HLPE. 2021. Promoting youth engagement and employment in agriculture and food systems. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome.

[iv] Hallstein E and Iseman.T, 2021. Nature based solutions in Agriculture – Project Design for securing investment.       FAO and The Nature Conservancy.

[v] HLPE. 2022. Data collection and analysis tools for food security and nutrition: towards enhancing effective, inclusive, evidence-informed, decision making. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome.

[vi] Divya Himangi Garg, Marie. L.Spiker, Jill. K. Clark. Christian Reynolds and Jennifer J. Otten  Food systems governance should be preceded by food systems diplomacy 2022. (Kay and King 2021) (Kay and King 2021) (Kay and King 2021) (Kay and King 2021)

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National Soil Testing Policy: Pathway to Sustainable Food Production and Security.

#National Soil Testing Policy #Digital Skills #Food Security.

Despite the effort to improve food productivity, little success has been achieved. As the reality of not being able to feed the rapidly growing global population by 2030 creeps in, anxiety is rising. This portends global instability. Instability- as demonstrated by the current crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, civil wars in Ethiopia and many others- worsen the state of food security. This is the reason retracing our pathway to improved and sustainable food production and security is monumental. To start-off the process, determining soil health is critical.

From the outset, it is important to assume that our soils, especially in Africa, are sick. This simply because even with increased use of fertilizers, food productivity has remained low.

Just like any health issue, there is a process to seeking remedy- health checkup. The soil health checkup must be the starting point in the quest to improving agricultural productivity in Africa.

In Kenya, the right to food has been enshrined in the constitution through article 43 (1) (c) which obligate the state to ensure that every citizen is free from hunger and have access to food of acceptable quality. Due to this provision, every government since the inauguration of the constitution of Kenya (CoK) 2010 has strived to address food insecurity challenge by making agri-food issues a national agenda. Several initiatives and programmes have been put forward to improve food productivity to end hunger. However, unfortunately, little has been achieved.

The latest effort by government to boost food productivity to ensure Kenyans are food secure has come in form of Fertilizer subsidy. During the 59 Jamhuri day, President William Ruto announced importation of more subsidized fertilizer. But how far can this initiative go in terms of boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring food security, where previous efforts have not born fruits?

To avoid the curse of failure experienced from previous government s and initiatives, it is imperative to look into the health state of soils in Kenya through massive soil testing. Investing in soil testing could not only give the government an open door to food security but also a window to reducing the rate of youth unemployment in Kenya.

Kenya’s technological profile is tremendous. Young people are endowed with digital capabilities and skills that could be useful in the soil testing exercise. Young people should be trained to undertake this tasks.

What is required is enhancement of collaboration and partnership among different actors and Sectors. Public and private entities must be persuaded to work together, share knowledge and tools without infringing each other economic and social rights. Digital soil testing tools and knowledge must be embraced.

In part two of the fourth schedule of CoK 2010, Counties are tasked with implementation of national government policies on natural resources and environmental conservation of soils and water. It is important therefore that county governments work with private entities/Sector to accelerate soil testing exercise to ensure that profile of soils and their health status is known as fast as possible.

Consequently, it is in the public domain that young people have so far shunned the agriculture sector. Engaging young people in soil testing exercise will bring them closer to involvement in the sector. No doubt, learning to use digital tools in soil testing will open new frontiers in agriculture. This could ensure agency and sustainability as pointed in the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) on Food Security and Nutrition report of 2020.

Once the profile and state of soil health is determined nationally, it would be easy to ensure targeted application of fertilizers. Having precise information on the challenges with different soils in different ecological zones in Kenya will enable the country to import right quantity and quality of fertilizers. This would reduce wastage.

With specific information on type of soils and their health status, it would be possible to discover other relevant processes to compliment effort to improve productivity. For instance, it would be easy to determine how agroecology could be plugged in the restoration of soil health. Blending agricultural practices will optimize productivity while reducing the cost of production in Kenya. Thus, making farming a profitable venture.

Further, avoiding use of excess fertilizers would lead to reduction in pollution of water bodies. Hence, ensuring that biodiversity is maintained especially in the aquatic ecosystem.

Moreover, this will enable the country to ensure that citizens have access to safe drinking water. This aspect will help the country fulfill the obligation of ensuring every citizen have access to clean and safe water in adequate quantities as espoused in article 43 (1)(d) of Kenyan Constitution.

In totality, the policy to determining the health status of soils in Kenya have multi-pronged advantages to the economy.

First it would allow precision application of fertilizers hence reducing wastage of resources while improving agricultural and food productivity.

Secondly, In the process of soil testing, if digital soil testing techniques are adopted, could allow tapping into the digital capabilities and skills of young people in Kenya in so doing creating employment while grounding youth involvement in the agri-food space.  

In the end, the hope of increasing food productivity, attracting young people into agriculture could start at the platform of national soil testing.

Food Policy Communications Blog

Research/ Writing/ Communication/ Policy / Food System.

It is common knowledge that the place of agriculture has lost its favour among majority of citizen especially young people globally. However, the recurring food insecurity challenges should be a reminder of why we need to retrace our way back to development of the agriculture and food sector.

Indeed, other sectors of the economy such as manufacturing and industry have gained prominence. Yet even those who work in the industries need food. Food is the fuel that runs the engine of human live, just like fuel in our cars, without food our lives will grind to a halt just as vehicles do when the fuel tanks run empty.

For this reason, it should be made clear, that returning to the place where food security is the center bolt of any economy is not only imperative but urgent.

It is urgent because research shows that the global food system is failing. Food consumed is far below what is nutritionally acceptable perhaps why the cost of health continue skyrocketing.

Climate change has shown its ugly face, not only in the developing world but also in developed world. Rich and poor, no one is immune from the negative impacts of climate change. Agriculture contribute greatly to climate change, unless better ways of food production through consumption process are adopted, the world can as well forget sustainable food security.

From health, environment, education, energy, you cannot miss the impact and traces of the food sector.

Unfortunately, however, for long different actors and sectors consider themselves independent hence making policies and programmes without consultation. This has resulted into piecemeal approach to development of agri-food policies leading to the current food crisis.

For this tragic situation to be avoided, communication among and between actors and sectors is a critical element. This will be crucial in ensuring effective holistic policies are formulated and implemented. Effective communication will aid alignment of agri-food policies to ensure productivity is improved.

The intention of starting this blog is to analyze and share information that can lead to appreciation of the interconnected nature of issues, actors and sectors with the agri-food sector. This will in turn nudge policy makers to consider a system thinking approach in formulation and implementation of policies. The grand aim is to ensure that sustainable food security is achieved.

I welcome you to join me in this journey as we learn together to stop our food tanks from running empty.