Nairobi: The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has officially opened its 1st Socio-Economics and Policy Development Conference and Exhibition at the KALRO Headquarters in Nairobi. This inaugural conference marks a milestone in KALRO's aim to integrate evidence-based policy and socio-economic analysis into agricultural transformation efforts in Kenya and the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the three-day event, themed 'Building Resilient Food Systems through Socio-Economics and Policy Research,' gathers key stakeholders from research institutions, government, development partners, and the private sector. The goal is to explore how socio-economic and policy research can shape the future of agriculture in Kenya.
KALRO Director General Dr. Eliud Kireger emphasized the importance of research that not only develops innovative technologies but also ensures these innovations are economically viable, socially inclusive, and supported by appropriate policy frameworks. Dr. Kireger pointed out the increasing complexity of agricultural systems, highlighting that the success of Technologies, Innovations, and Management Practices (TIMPs) hinges on understanding the socio-economic context, market systems, and policy environments.
Dr. Kireger stated, 'The transformation of agriculture is not only about technology. It is about ensuring that innovations are socially acceptable, economically viable, and supported by sound policies and functional markets.' The conference aligns with national priorities and policy instruments, including Kenya's Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy, the Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy, and the Food and Nutrition Security Implementation Plan.
At the continental level, the conference addresses the CAADP Results Framework by promoting inclusive, evidence-based policy and market interventions. Dr. Kireger praised the role of KALRO's socio-economics and policy experts in extending the impact of agricultural research from laboratories into real-world farming and market environments. He encouraged active participation in the sessions to foster collaboration and actionable knowledge sharing.
The conference includes participation from partner institutions such as ILRI, TEGEMEO, FAO, IDRC, and ICIPE, alongside pioneer socio-economists who laid the foundation for policy-focused agricultural research at KALRO. Dr. Kireger acknowledged their contributions to extending research impact beyond laboratories into farming communities.
The three-day event features presentations and discussions on major sub-themes, including Market systems and agribusiness, Gender and youth inclusion in agriculture, Agricultural policy reform, and Digital transformation in agricultural value chains. The event is supported by a wide array of development partners and collaborators, including KAFACI, AWARD, SAF-NICE, CIMMYT, ILRI, Tegemeo, and ICIPE.