Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary Meets ASARECA Board ahead of Agriculture Ministers Meeting
Hon. Mithika Linturi interacts with ASARECA Board of Directors at his Office in Nairobi, Kenya.
BY BEN MOSES ILAKUT & GENEVIEVE APIO
NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Hon. Mithika Linturi has pledged total support to ASARECA in mobilising resources to fund mooted Regional Agricultural Research for Development Programmes under the Regional Centres of Excellence model.
Speaking to the ASARECA Board of Directors and the Executive Director, Dr. Enock Warinda on February 13, Hon. Linturi, who is also Chairman ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers (CPM), emphasised that as a body of the Governments, ASARECA will adequately be resourced to produce regional public goods.
Board visits the Minister
The Board of Directors had paid a courtesy call on the Cabinet Secretary at the Ministry headquarters at Kilimo House in Nairobi, Kenya. Discussions with the Board focused on preparations for the upcoming ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers Summit due on February 15, at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The Minister pledged total support and dedication for regionally coordinated priorities as the new Chair of the ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers.
Board meeting in Kenya
The ASARECA Board of Directors is currently meeting in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, ahead of the planned ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers Meeting. Among other things, the Board of Directors is expected to discuss and approve the 2024 Annual Work plan and Budget, approve the 3rd ASARECA Medium Term Operational Plan. The Board will also review progress in preparations for the ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers Meeting, expected to take place on February 15 at Safari Park in Nairobi, Kenya.
Who is in ASARECA Board?
The ASARECA Board comprises 15 Directors General of the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs), three representatives of the private sector, higher education, and regional economic communities, and a representative of development partners.
According to ASARECA Executive Director, Dr. Enock Warinda, the Directors General of the NARIs are key implementers of Agricultural Research mandates in the Member countries. Their meeting before the Ministers converge in Nairobi is meant synthesise priorities for deliberation and decision-making.
About the Ministers’ meeting
The Council of Patron Ministers is expected to advance Resolutions of the May 2023 Agriculture Ministerial Conference to pay up arrears in Membership contributions to ASARECA, and commit to finance proposed regional Agricultural Research for Development Projects.
The 3rd ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers meetings is convened by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Republic of Kenya in collaboration with ASARECA. The ASARECA Council of Patron Ministers (CPM) is the highest Organ of the Association with a clear mandate to provide guidance to ASARECA on regional and national strategic matters in Agricultural Research for Development.
The Council of Patron Ministers comprises the Line Ministers responsible for agricultural research in the 15 ASARECA Member States namely: Republic of Burundi; Republic of Cameroon; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of the Congo; State of Eritrea; Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Republic of Kenya; Republic of Madagascar; Republic of the Congo; Republic of Rwanda; Federal Republic of Somalia; Republic of South Sudan; Republic of the Sudan; United Republic of Tanzania; Republic of Uganda.
Theme of the 3rd Council of Patron Ministers
The theme of the 3rd Council of Patron Ministers is: Together Transforming Agriculture for Improved Livelihoods, Sustained Economic Growth, and Inclusive Development in Eastern and Central Africa.
Objectives of the 3rd Council of Patron Ministers
During the 3rd Council of Patron Ministers, the Ministers will discuss how to support ASARECA to exercise its mandate of coordinating efforts by the Member States to Transform Agriculture for Improved Livelihoods, Sustained Economic Growth, and Inclusive Development in Eastern and Central Africa.
Who is expected to attend?
The 3rd Council of Patron Ministers will be attended by:
- The Line ministers responsible for Agriculture in ASARECA Member States
- The President of the ASARECA General Assembly
- The Directors General of National Agricultural Research Institutes;
- ASARECA Board of Directors
- Representatives of Development Partners.