Kenya is set to host the GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR stop conference in Nairobi next month where the implication of the lifting of the ban on Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) in the country will feature prominently during the discussions.
The three day event which seek to promote good agricultural practices through safe and sustainable farming ethics is also expected to steer conversations around expanding opportunities for Kenyan produce into untapped regional and global markets.
The Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mithika Linturi and GLOBALG.A.P. Managing Director, Dr Kristian Moeller are expected to give their keynote address during the event at Safari Park Hotel.
The conference brings together an array of industry leaders and development partners including USAID implementing agencies who are set to brainstorm on major issues affecting trade in fresh produce in both regional and global markets.
The conference slated for 28th to 30th of March derives participants from various agricultural sector including Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK), Avocado Exporters Association of Kenya, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), producers, and a wide range of private sector players.
GLOBALG.A.P. which is the internationally recognized certification standard for farm production intends to inculcate market compliance among players in the sector to facilitate their smooth access to national and international trade networks.
The body which partnered with Rootooba, a Kenyan, agriculturally-based technical support provider during this event is working on modalities to increased awareness on emerging global markets for Kenyan produce, with a special focus on the US.
‘We expect a private sector driven discussion on ensuring that the burden of compliance is practical and affordable. Private sector knows best how and where the shoe pinches most, and hence remain critical in providing solutions.’ said Dr Charity Mutegi, the Technical Lead, Rootooba and a GLOBALG.A.P. Registered Trainer.
The initiative comes as the country grapples with dwindling export earnings from fresh produce with statistics from the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), indicating that only four percent of the country’s horticultural produce (fruits and vegetables), is exported, while 96% is locally consumed.
According to the 2020 data from FPEAK the export earnings for the year stood at Ksh.151Bn with fruits export posting Ksh 18B, vegetables Ksh 24B and the rest came from flowers which equaled Ksh 108B despite the effects of the Civid 19 pandemic at the time.
Participants will also have an opportunity to make site visits to enterprises with a proven record of globally-recognized best practice in production and handling operations.
Recommendations from the event are expected to form the grounds for a follow-up with relevant government agencies and the private sector, including National Horticulture Taskforce, GLOBALG.A.P. National Technical Working Group (NTWG) and Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), among others.
Since the first Kenyan TOUR stop in 2019, the interest in adopting GLOBALG.A.P. Standards and compliance to other international market standards by local producers has increased in the country.
Source: Kenya News Agency