LUSAKA, Zambia – Kenya and Zambia are ramping up efforts to deepen agricultural cooperation with a focus on seed research, veterinary vaccine production, and regional food security, following high-level talks between Agriculture ministers from both countries.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, met with his Zambian counterpart Reuben Mutolo in Lusaka, where the two leaders discussed practical ways to boost productivity and sustainability in the region’s food systems.
At the heart of the talks was a proposal to establish institutional linkages between Kenya’s Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and Zambia’s Seed Control and Certification Institute.
The collaboration is expected to drive advances in seed research, certification, and exchange, with emphasis on high-demand crops like yellow maize, sunflower, and napier grass.
Kenya has previously sourced sunflower seeds from Zambia and is now eyeing a broader, more resilient seed basket to tackle climate challenges.
“This partnership presents a real opportunity to accelerate innovation in crop development and build resilience across our agricultural systems,” said CS Kagwe during the meeting.
Kenya to Export Veterinary Vaccines
In a move to bolster regional livestock health, Kenya also signaled readiness to export veterinary vaccines to Zambia, reinforcing its position as a hub for animal health solutions in East and Southern Africa.
The two ministers agreed to align on disease control strategies and explore avenues for joint vaccine production and distribution under a regional health agenda.
Regional Food Security in Focus
Zambia’s Agriculture Minister Reuben Mutolo proposed convening a regional summit of Agriculture Ministers to craft a shared blueprint for food independence and mutual support.
“We need to act together to reduce our reliance on external food sources and support one another as a region,” said Mutolo.
CS Kagwe welcomed the idea, describing it as consistent with Kenya’s push for a unified African food security strategy.
Zambia also pledged to facilitate further collaboration through its Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, setting the stage for a formal bilateral cooperation agreement in the coming months.
Both Kenya and Zambia have made significant investments in sustainable agriculture, and the new initiatives are expected to fast-track innovation, trade, and resilience in the face of growing climate and food security pressures.
