Kenya’s exports face compliance challenges despite food scarcity

By Luke Anami

Retailers and producers of horticultural produce who fail to observe safety practices are likely to jeopardise their ability to produce enough food both for the country and international markets.

Debate on food security and safety issues, which is currently dominating the global market, seeks to assure both local and international consumers of healthy foods.

However, Kenya’s horticultural exports to the international market, which have been characterised by rapid growth of certified growers, still face challenges of standards and compliance.

A combination of issues such as phytosanitary compliance, harmonised standards set consultatively under agreed rules of treaties such as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the World Trade Organisation-Sanitary and Pytosanitary Measures agreement, could further reduce the country’s visibility in the export market if proper mechanisms are not put in place.

The Ministry of Agriculture now wants small scale farmers roped in to observe high standards of production to increase food production.

The aim is to adhere to both national and international standards of production to increase the possibility of high food production, minimise risks, and increase exports to the international markets.

"Kenya’s domestic market has largely been ignored in assuring both local and international consumers of health foods," Gideon Ndambuki, Assistant Minister of Agriculture said during the opening of the GlobalGap conference held in Nairobi last week.

"The Government will ensure that farmers observe high standards of food production as it is the practice internationally."

Hygienic standards

The Minister said small-scale farmers who wish to excel in food production would have to ensure that their products are handled through the observation of high hygienic standards.

"Whereas our exports have been subjected to highest international standards from production, harvesting, storage to marketing, local standards have largely been ignored," Mr Ndambuki said. He advised horticulture traders on the roadside during weekly market days to ensure proper packaging and storage of their produce.

Fresh agricultural produce such as vegetables will have to be handled in accordance with Public Health Act requirements to avoid contamination and outbreak of disease.

Education

"We will enforce laws that require that farmers handle food with care," he said.

"Farmers and traders will be educated by government agencies to ensure the observation of the highest hygienic standards," he said. While horticulture producers have adjusted to international standards, national standards are still wanting.

This has meant adjustment of national systems both public and private to ensure local produce compete effectively. This has been at a great cost to the country.

Dr Chagema Kedera, the Managing Director for Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service said there is need to adjust national standards to comply with international ones.

He said the implementation of standards was the passport to foreign trade hence the need for a national framework for official safety standards.

Food and safety issues have in the recent past become an important area of concern in the global fora.
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