kenya private sector breakfast meeting (1.2mb ~ 3 min)

Kenya Agribusiness & Agro-Industry Alliance (KAAA) Breakfast Meeting


An Umbrella Body bringing together all stakeholders working along the Value Chain for better coordination

and engagement with the Government,


INAUGURAL( BREAKFAST MEETING)

KENYA AGRIBUSINESS & AGRO-INDUSTRY ALLIANCE (KAAA)

NAIROBI KENYA, 19TH APRIL 2011

TIME:6.30 AM -8 AM

VENUE: SERENA HOTEL

AU - African Union

BAACH - Business Alliance Against Chronic Hunger

CAADP - Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme

USAID - United States Agency for International Development

NEPAD - New Partnership for Africa Development

MTIP - Mid Term Investment Plan

KENFAP - Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers

KEPSA - Kenya Private Sector Alliance

FEWA - Federation of women Entrepreneurs Association

GIZ - The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit.

ASCU -Agriculture Sector Coordination Unit

ASDS -Agriculture Sector development Strategy

KEPSA -Kenya Private Sector Alliance

PANAAC -Pan African Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Consortium

NPCA -Nepad Planning and Coordinating Agency

ACTIF -African Cotton And Textile Industries Federation

ATC -Agri and co-operative Training and Consultancy Services Limited

CAK -Co-operative Alliance Of Kenya

AAK -Agrochemicals Association of Kenya.

ESDA -Eastern & southern Dairy Association.

ACRONYMS



We would like to thank all the participants and our collaborating partners: USAID; AFRICA LEAD; FEED the Future and Nepad Planning and Coordinating Agency by facilitating in kind for the meeting.We also thank our facilitator Mr. John Kashangaki-Director, Strategic Business Advisory Co Africa)


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The meeting was opened with participant’s self-introduction.

Welcome Speech

Mrs. Lucy Muchoki, Vice Chairperson CAADP, Non state actors’ Taskforce, CEO PanAAC

She gave a brief on CAADP and stated that the scenario in Africa as having 60% of potential arable land to feed the future World, 30% of available irrigation.

In addition, she said Africa had good human resources, best managers in agriculture but yet many years after independence, cannot feed ourselves!

She challenged the audience to come together and deliver on the CAADP objectives which has been endorsed by AU and calls for increased Agriculture productivity.

Mrs. Muchoki who convened the meeting welcomed the guests and thanked them for taking their time from their busy schedules, to attend the breakfast meeting.

She gave the reasons for convening and inviting guest was to discuss the need of getting together to seek the best option of networking , exchange of information and working together in partnership among the various stakeholders and also seek best way of engaging the Government in the implementation of CAADP/MTIP


OPENING REMARKS

In her presentation read by Elijah on her behalf, she indicated that,

The Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) recognizes that to transform African agriculture in each country or region, it is imperative to build broad and inclusive coalitions committed to improving the sectors policies, programming and institutions.

She acknowledged that the role of private Sector had been singled out as most crucial in realizing the goals of economic development in Africa and therefore all the business Actors working along the Value Chain must work together in partnership.

However, there have been many challenges to the above:

To integrate the country team as the •Nexus for co-coordinating private sector participation in CAADP

Uncoordinated input from players working •along the value chain

Limited awareness by private sector of the •CAADP/MTIP process and its relevance to them

Striking a balance of interests, especially •for women, grassroots community groups, consumers (food and nutritional security) and the environment.

Among others, availability of resources, •variable capacity and lack of access to platforms that ensure the accountability of private Sector participation.

To address the above challenges, she mentioned that this was the basis and reason of convening the breakfast meeting.

The private sector participants and government were invited in order to incorporate the country level guidelines for private sector participation in CAADP/MTIP Process.

These were the deliberations that lead to a transparent selection process to find a private sector members and organization as the country team:


Dr. W Songa-Agriculture Secretary (Ministry of Agriculture)

He admitted that African Governments had done mistakes in the past by not engaging private sector more adequately. He explained that this is one of the reasons as to why we continue to pay the price of being unable to feed ourselves. He stressed the need for both the Private and government to work together. He believed the Private Sector will move

agriculture forward. He noted that the political landscape has changed considerably, which is a milestone for the agricultural sector. He observed that this country makes excellent documents but the implementation is never done.

He admitted that the Government has made mistakes in the past by leaving out the Private Sector. “We don’t want this status quo again” he stated. He challenged the Private Sector to

define itself, its area of interest and carry out a needs assessment to know what they need for intervention with the government.

There is also need for the private sector to provide the guidelines on how the government can contribute to this process. The government needs to provide mechanism for the implementation of the Agriculture Sector Development Strategy. He proposed that the Private Sector to chair this process while the government becomes the Secretariat. There was also need to develop reporting mechanisms to let all participants know what is going on with the establishments of exit strategies for any process which is completed.

The government through ASCU is committed to implementing the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy. He stressed the need to appoint chairpersons for the Thematic Working Groups from the audience as a way forward. He noted that there was development of research yet there was no a reflection of this on the ground.

David NyameinoCereal growers Associationspeaking


REMARKS

Cornelia Roettger - Executive Director, Business Alliance against Chronic Hunger (BAACH)She elaborated on the need for the private sector and the government to get together and particularly in working together along the value chain. There is a need to bring agriculture to the youth (20-37 year olds) by empowering young entrepreneurs to do business in agriculture. She emphasized on the need for government to delegate the ASDS to the private sector and this will contribute to the private-public partnership. She proposed for contact with the government over the MTIP and stressed on the need for accountability in order to have a complete outcome. She retaliated on the government’s challenge over the definition of the private sector.

Dr. John Mutunga – CEO KENFAPHe quoted Pages 52/53 of the ASDS booklet to have lacked a comprehensive definition of the private sector. He further noted that only a highlight point that defined the private sector. He mentioned that the ASDS document was at one time withdrawn from them. He pointed a need for proper participation from the private sector which he defined as participants in Agri-production, those involved in product management, transportation, processing, markets and consumers. He noted that the Government should engage the private sector and the inclusion of the Private Sector to be adequate. He highlighted on three key points: inclusion; responsibility; and representation. He further added that his organization can offer leadership on the following three TWG’s: food and nutrition security; research and extension; and environment, sustainability, land and management-climate change

Mr. Vimal Shah – Vice Chair Kepsa/CEO Bidco GroupHe stated that the organizations must drop their egos since it was not about individuals but what can be gained as a group. He added that the main theory is implementation, what lacked is the mission to implement. Therefore there is need to identify what we haven’t done by penetrating mind sets and change the people. We should contribute to a common value stream and know how to share in the value chain. We must have a clear cut mission. He emphasized the baseline as competitiveness in the value chain; we need to get out of the poor farmers perspective and embrace value addition. He challenged the current structures that the private sector has to engage the government as lacking in capacity.

Tsegaye Makeda, Kenya/ABEO USAID, Business and Environment Office She mentioned that sustainability cannot be achieved without the private sector. She agreed with the previous speakers that accountability and inclusion of all stakeholders was paramount but emphasized on their participation by having a meaningful and clearly defined private sector. There is a need for private sector development strategy. She added that USAID are willing to participate in facilitating future meetings.

Joanne Mwangi - Chair FewaShe spoke about the role of women in the Private Sector – out of the 51% of women in the Private Sector, 49% are in SMEs. Communication channels need to be improved so as to engage more women. We also need to be conscious about the sociological and physiological aspects that usually hinder women and address these aspects so as to make it easier for more women to participate. There are opportunities for participants to use the guide and rule method. She concurred with the theme by saying “It is better to have representation of any kind rather than no presentation at all.” She pointed out that she was happy to network with other women in agribusiness.

KINYUA Mbijiwe – Chair Kenya Seed Association/Director MonsantoHe said that this was an exciting moment, and there was need to choose our representatives to a platform to develop feedback on all levels of engagement and we are up to the challenge! He stated that there was an opportunity for the Private Sector to engage with government by participating in government’s Agri-related projects by providing top-notch input so as to set benchmarks and monitor the impact of this implementation.


After this briefs, Mr John Kashangaki cited a need to have an open forum for all participants to air their opinions in regard to establishing a transparent selection process to find private sector members an organization as the country team.

George Bett- Executive Director- National Potato Council George Bett noted that we have to address all the issues related to value chain. He paused, ‘there seems nothing is working with the government as they prefer working with those they know’?

Mr Sylvester Muigah-Kenya Pig AssociationMr. Sylvester Muigah stated that as we form this alliance we should encompass the small scale farmers and the Government should be on the forefront of changing people’s mindset on agriculture. We must address how to communicate with the farmers and advise government on the same.

Vera Koeppen-Head of Policy, GIZVera proposed that the Private Sector should have a representation by one group to air their views on policy and engage the government; since the Thematic Working Groups were “think tanks.”

Vimal Shah –Vice Chair Kepsa/Director BidcoIn response as to a question asked on why we need such an Alliance while we already have KEPSA. He responded that as the vice chair of KEPSA, he did not see anything wrong with forming this Alliance as long as it was clear on what they want to achieve and the key point is composition of the task force led by a

mission that forms the structure. He added that such an alliance would strengthen agricultural players. It will eliminate existing information asymmetry.

Gillad Millo –Head Of Business Development And Public Relations-Amiran KenyaMr Millo re-emphasized the need of all agribusiness players to come together, influence policy making and make sure everybody’s interests are served. He added such an organization would provide an avenue for communication. It is worth an effort “if we put our heads together.”

Cornelia Roettger-Executive Director BAACHOnce again Cornelia stressed the fact that the Government recognizes the need to form such an Alliance since it would help in better engagement.

Mr. Mwai Kihu-Chair, Thematic working group AgribusinessRecognized that such a body would help in establishing the private sector identity it should be comprehensive and harmonized.

He requested Lucy to pass the list of participants in this breakfast meeting to the planned consultative meeting scheduled for June to discuss the ASDS.


OPEN FORUM

There was a proposal from PanAAC to form an alliance named KENYA AGRIBUSINESS AND AGROINDUSTRY ALLIANCE (KAAA). After the above deliberations, there was a unanimous agreement of all members to form a private sector member body through acclamation vote.

Participants who volunteered for the Task Force:-


1. Gillad Millo – Amiran Kenya Ltd

2. Geoffrey Rimbere – East African Tea Trade Association

3. Vimal Shah – Bidco Group

4. KINYUA Mbijiwe – Kenya Seed Association

5. Booker Owour – Kenya Small Scale Cereal Growers Association

6. Cornelia Roettger – BAACH

7. Mwai Kihu – Amalgamated Chama/ Chair Agribusiness Thematic working group

8. George Bett – National Potato Council

9. Mary Goretti Kamau – Eastern Africa farmers Association

10. Francis Munane – Co-operative Alliance of Kenya

As a way forward the above task team was charged with the following immediate assignment:

1. Formation of an advisory task force.

2. Who will be the members of KAAA?

3. A need to form the structure of the alliance.

4. To carry on with the mandate of the country level guidelines for private sector

participation in CAADP/MTIP process.


Kimberly Smith - Africa LeadShe thanked everyone for their participation and sacrificing their time and other obligations to attend the Breakfast Meeting. She emphasized on the importance of the CAADP/MTIP process as a means to ensuring food security not only for the African continent, but also for the whole world. She commended the private sector for their bold and new enthusiasm.

There being no other business, Mrs. Lucy Muchoki thanked everyone for their participation and promised to make a follow up on the recommendations and promised to keep everyone informed.

Thereafter, a press conference was held.


CLOSING REMARKS

Kenya Agribusiness and Agro-industry Alliance Breakfast Meeting on 19th may 2011

Booker Owour Small Scale Cereals [email protected] 0724046732Brooke Patterson Kenya/ABEO-USAID [email protected] 020 8622224Cornellia Roettger BAACH [email protected] 0727 017425David Nyameino Cereal Growers [email protected] 020 8330060Dr. Christiane Sharief Kenya Livestock Breeders Association [email protected] 0724206047Dr.Songa Ministry of Agriculture [email protected] 072 2767007Monica Mburu Equity Bank [email protected] 072 2855119George K. Bett National Potao Council of Kenya [email protected] 072 2686570 Joachim Weber ATC [email protected] 073 5847866Joanne Mwangi Fewa- Chair [email protected] 072 2518880John Kiragu Technoserve - Kenya [email protected] 020 3754333Kimberly Hickok Smith Africa Lead [email protected] 073 3333767Kinyua Mbijiwe Kenya seed assosiation [email protected] 072 2517325Makeda Tsegaye USAID [email protected] 020 8622224Martan Obmain Kilimo Faida [email protected] 071 8778298Mary Goretti Kamau East Africa Farmers Federation [email protected] 072 5338258Mukhembi Adrian Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange [email protected] 071 0344273Mwai Kihu Thematic Working Group [email protected] 072 2797548Nancy Gitonga Fewa- CEO [email protected] 0722999120Rimbere East African Tea Traders Association [email protected] 072 2930117Ruo Maina Orion East Africa [email protected] 072 2705223Stephen Mbithi FPEAK [email protected] 020 4451488Sylvester Muigai National Pig Growers Association [email protected] 072 3997394Vera Koeppen GIZ [email protected] 072 7047338Vimal Shah Bidco Group [email protected] 073 3619444Zippy Mbati World Food Programme [email protected] 073 3686863E. Muriuki Kenya Fertelizers Associations [email protected] 073 3700831Dr Mutunga J.K KENFAP [email protected] 072 8421114Lucy Muchoki PanAAC [email protected] 072 2510210Francis A. Munane CAK [email protected] 072 1294885Cavin Otieno GIZ [email protected] 020 4228000John Kashangaki SBA consulting [email protected] 072 0351131Gillad Millo Amiran [email protected] 073 3660002Obadiah Keter Kwetu [email protected] 0721512853Isaac Kosgei PanAAC [email protected] 072 7553981R. Sikuku AAK [email protected] 072 2736146Nick Mbuvvi Barclays Corporate Director [email protected] 072 2760823Akora Vitalis Health Systems& Research [email protected] 072 931931Elijah muhati RegioDevAfrica regiodevafrica@gmail 077 2447781Janedrick Lisangari PanAAC [email protected] 072 7683763James W. Nyingi PanAAC [email protected] 072 5599220Eric Gido PanAAC [email protected] 072 4415131Joyce Ayilo PanAAC [email protected] 072 8818404Mercy Githanji Africa Lead [email protected] 072 2377590Rosemary Kagunda Africa Lead [email protected] 020 520834

Rajeev Arora ACTIF [email protected] 073 8926224

Jaswinder Bedi ACTIF [email protected] 073 3636111

072 2206111

Bob Bosire Benson and Associates [email protected] 072 2874576

Betty Maina Kenya Manufacturers Association [email protected] 072 2201368

Absent with Apologies

Kenya Agribusiness & Agro-Industry Alliance (KAAA)

kenya private sector breakfast meeting (1.2mb ~ 3 min)

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