By Chemtai Kirui I phillykirui@gmail.com
Nairobi — Kenya is set to welcome journalists from around the world for the prestigious International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ (IFAJ) Congress in 2025, showcasing its pivotal role in the global agricultural journalism landscape.
The congress, organised by Media for Environment, Science, Health, and Agriculture in Kenya (MESHA) will be held in October 2025, with the themes relevant to the contemporary agricultural landscape.
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is a non-political, professional association for agricultural journalists and communicators, with members spread across 55 countries.
According to Aghan Daniel, MESHA Secretary, the association is currently seeking financial and technical support to enable it host the global fair for the first time in Kenya.
The event will engage various stakeholders, including agricultural journalists, scientists, policymakers, industry experts, farmers, environmentalists, and representatives from international organizations and governmental bodies.
The annual IFAJ Congresses provide a timely platform for journalists and communicators to delve into the critical issue of agriculture. By exploring the latest advancements, sharing best practices, and enabling global collaboration as a way to foster innovative solutions to the pressing issues of climate change, soil erosion, and other threats to global food security.
Mr. Philip Keitany, the Chairman of the organizing committee for IFAJ congress 2025, said: “The IFAJ Congress 2025 will contribute significantly to addressing global agricultural challenges by facilitating knowledge exchange and information sharing among journalists from diverse backgrounds and regions.”
Keitany, a renowned Agricultural Journalist in Kenya who has attended several IFAJ congresses, including those in South Africa and the Netherlands, said that Kenya hosting the 2025 IFAJ congress will raise awareness and generate public discourse on agricultural matters and help mobilize support for agricultural development initiatives and influencing policy decisions at local, national, and international levels.
“Agricultural journalists need to be actively engaged with stakeholders across the agricultural value chain, including the seed sector, farmers, scientists, policymakers, and consumers, to ensure that their reporting reflects the diverse perspectives and interests of those affected by agricultural issues,” he said, adding that congress will provide a platform for journalists to forge partnerships, form alliances, and leverage collective expertise to tackle complex issues in agriculture more effectively.
The organising committee, will undertake a series of events around the 2025 IFAJ World Congress, featuring dedicated days such as the Industrial Day, Workshop Day, Youth Day, and Tourism Day. This planned schedule ensures that attendees will have a comprehensive and enriching experience, providing a vivid showcase of Kenya’s diverse offerings.
Joyce Chimbi, a Kenyan-based journalist and communicator on science, health, and agriculture, expressed her excitement about hosting the IFAJ Congress 2025.
“Kenya is an agricultural country, as the sector is the bedrock of the economy – directly and indirectly employing millions of people across the value and or supply chain,” she said.
“The Congress is important for this East African nation, providing a crucial platform to showcase not only its strong agricultural sector but also to spotlight best practices — particularly how the country is coping with pressing challenges such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and industrialization.”
Chimbi who writes for a number of news publications in the country and internationally noted the agriculture sector is on a crossroads and farm to fork practices must arise to meet modern challenges that are unprecedented in both form, nature, intensity and severity.
She hoped that the congress will renew focus on agriculture, often overshadowed by other topical issues such as climate, environment, and biodiversity.
“The IFAJ Congress 2025 will bring agriculture back into the spotlight in Kenya and the wider region.” Chimbi said.
“Africa is the continent with the most arable land on the planet,” said David Kazi, a seasoned journalist from Rodrigues Island, located east of Mauritius.
Kazi said that Kenya hosting IFAJ congress 2025 provides an opportunity to showcase to the world the significant strides Africa is making in the agricultural sector, specifically in advancing food sovereignty for the continent and its population.
“There are many journalists in Africa reporting about the agricultural sector as this is a major topic of their daily life and immediate neighborhood. Therefore, their works can be showcased, and their knowledge be consolidated.” He said.
Kazi, who is a fellow at the African Union, said that he hopes that IFAJ Congress 2025, “becomes a stage to not only showcase agricultural achievements but also to celebrate the journalists who play a significant role in shaping the discourse around agriculture in Africa.”
In 2025, IFAJ will celebrate its 69th anniversary since its founding in Paris, France, as the ‘Union internationale des journalistes agricoles’ (International Union of Agricultural Journalists). The organization established to provide a forum where journalists can network, exchange ideas, and practice professional development, has over 5,000 members.
MESHA has played a pivotal role in supporting agricultural journalism throughout its history. Over the past 19 years, it has been at the forefront of contributing to environment, science, health, and agriculture journalism training and mentorship in the country.
“MESHA stands out as one of the most vibrant, diverse, and sustainable gatherings of agriculture journalists.” Chimbi said.
“It is a valuable tool in advancing coverage of agriculture in a most comprehensive manner serving as a model for other regional media associations.”
This year’s annual IFAJ congress 2024 will be held in Switzerland’s Interlaken, from August 14th to 18th.
