Role of Agriculture and Food Authority in Kenya

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) in Kenya serves to regulate, develop, and promote the value chains of scheduled crops, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth. It operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives and was established to implement the Crops Act, replacing several previous agricultural boards.

Institutional Background:

• The AFA consolidated the functions of various agricultural boards, including those for coconut, coffee, cotton, horticultural crops, sisal, sugar, pyrethrum, and tea.
• The Agriculture and Food Authority was established by the Agriculture and Food Authority Act to implement the Crops Act. It took over the functions of the following bodies:
• Coffee Board of Kenya;
• Cotton Development Authority;
• Horticultural Crops Development Authority;
• Kenya Coconut Development Authority;
• Kenya Sisal Board;
• Kenya Sugar Board;
• Pyrethrum Board of Kenya;
• Tea Board of Kenya.

Corporate Status:

• As a corporate entity, AFA has the capacity for property transactions, financial borrowing and investments, contractual engagements, and other lawful corporate actions.

Functions of AFA:

• Oversee the Crops Act’s implementation in collaboration with county governments.
• Regulate and enhance the production, processing, marketing, storage, and logistics of agricultural crops, excluding livestock.
• Collect and manage agricultural data, maintaining a database and monitoring sector activities.
• Prioritize agricultural research and advise on it.
• Consult with national and county governments on agricultural levies to ensure sectoral harmony and equity.
• Perform additional duties as mandated by relevant agricultural legislation.

Powers of AFA:

• Engage in contractual agreements.
• Manage assets to support the Authority’s mission.
• Budget for capital, operational expenses, and reserves.
• Accept and manage grants, donations, and endowments.
• Collaborate with entities within and outside Kenya to further its objectives.
• Operate and manage financial accounts.
• Invest funds to meet the Authority’s needs.
• Undertake necessary activities to fulfill its functions.

Management Structure:

• The Board manages AFA, comprising a non-executive chairman appointed by the President, Principal Secretaries from agriculture, finance, and land ministries, representatives from major crop subsector farmer organizations, and the Director-General, who acts as the Board’s secretary and CEO.