Faced with persistent inequalities, farmers and policymakers at a Nairobi summit are demanding urgent reforms for better market access, affordable credit, and resilient food systems.

• The Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, emphasized that "Without an economically empowered farmer, there can be no food security."
• Representatives from the Kenya National Farmers Federation, led by Chairman Kaburu M’Ribu, called for supporting commercially viable farmer organizations.
• Delegates also highlighted the need for agricultural financing models aligned with farming cycles and harmonized global standards for agricultural chemicals.

East Africa must fundamentally rethink its approach to insurance, shifting from a reactive crisis-driven mindset to one focused on resilience and long-term planning. Low insurance penetration across the region highlights a significant under-protection and a substantial growth opportunity.

• Insurance penetration in East Africa is critically low, standing at approximately 2.4% of GDP in Kenya, 2.1% in Tanzania, and under 1% in Uganda.
• The article is authored by Aly S. Maherali, Chief Executive Officer of Executive Healthcare Solutions (EHS).
• Key barriers include the perception of insurance as complicated, costly, or inaccessible, and a knowledge gap regarding its fundamental concepts.

Kenyan macadamia farmers are calling for the government to lift the export ban on unprocessed nuts due to a significant price crash, with farm-gate prices plummeting to as low as Sh30 per kilo.

• Farm-gate prices have dropped drastically from a peak of Sh200 in 2019 to as low as Sh30.
• Farmers and Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango are urging the government to reopen export markets.
• The Ministry of Agriculture has set a minimum farm-gate price of Sh100 per kilo, but enforcement is weak.