article · Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies
An assessment of agricultural policy implementation in Kenya reveals why certain resilience initiatives succeed while others face fragmentation. By analysing the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy and the National Horticulture Policy across five counties, the research evaluates delivery across distinct agricultural areas. The findings indicate effective outcomes in the sorghum and macadamia value chains. In contrast, fragmentation undermined the National Fertilizer Subsidy Program and the horticultural sector. These contrasting results stem from critical governance factors, including sustained political will, sectoral prioritisation, focusing events, and institutional coordination. The active involvement of policy entrepreneurs and practical implementation capacity also play central roles in driving successful policy delivery. The underlying framework highlights mechanisms behind resilience implementation gaps in emerging economies.
Agricultural policies are vital for building rural resilience, yet strategic plans often falter during local delivery. Identifying the institutional and political factors that drive success in specific crop chains helps governments and development agencies design better coordination mechanisms, ensuring that public investments and subsidy programmes effectively support farming communities.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway for commercialisation, as it focuses on qualitative policy evaluation and governance mechanisms rather than proprietary products or deployable technologies.
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Purpose This study examined models of success and patterns of fragmentation in the implementation of the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) 2019–2029 and the National Horticulture Policy (NHP) 2012. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative approach, with a purposive sample of 15 participants from five counties in Kenya. The Five Streams Framework (FSF) provides the theoretical basis for this analysis. Findings The results showed effective outcomes in the sorghum and macadamia value chains, while fragmentation occurred in both the National Fertilizer Subsidy Program (NFSP) and the horticultural value chain. These divergent outcomes were shaped by the interplay of sustained political will, sectoral prioritization, focusing events, the active role of policy entrepreneurs, institutional coordination and implementation capacity. Research limitations/implications This study draws on policy implementation perspectives from farmers and institutional officials in selected Kenyan value chains, limiting its generalizability. However, the framework-driven findings are replicable to other developing economies facing resilience implementation gaps and provide a lens for future cross-country comparative studies. Originality/value This study provides insights into agricultural policy implementation by applying the FSF to examine successful and failed policy outcomes, offering a nuanced understanding of the mechanisms that shape resilience policy effectiveness in emerging economies.
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DOI: 10.1108/jadee-09-2025-0447
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