Kenya and Zambia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening agricultural ties through new collaborative initiatives aimed at improving food systems and boosting productivity.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Senator Mutahi Kagwe, paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Mutolo, during which the two leaders discussed practical steps to enhance bilateral cooperation in key agricultural sectors.
Central to the talks was a proposal to create institutional linkages between Kenya’s Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), with Zambia’s Seed Control and Certification Institute.
The collaboration will focus on joint research, certification, and the exchange of seeds, especially for yellow maize, sunflower, and napier grass.
Kenya, which has previously imported sunflower seeds from Zambia, is keen to diversify and secure access to climate-resilient, high-yield seed varieties through strengthened partnerships.
Vaccine production and livestock health were also high on the agenda. Kenya offered to export veterinary vaccines to Zambia, supporting regional strategies to manage livestock health and bolster disease control efforts.
Minister Mutolo proposed convening a regional meeting of Agriculture Ministers to advance a shared vision for food sovereignty and cross-border support.
CS Kagwe welcomed the idea, emphasising Kenya’s dedication to regional food security and long-term agricultural resilience.
In addition, Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture committed to facilitating coordination with the country’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to further broaden the scope of cooperation.
Both countries are actively investing in sustainable agricultural development and innovation as part of their national food security agendas.
Senator Kagwe was praised for his proactive role in building regional partnerships to advance shared prosperity across Africa’s agricultural landscape.
A formal cooperation framework is expected to be developed to institutionalise the new areas of collaboration and guide implementation
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