State moves to improve grain trade

Principal Secretary, State Department of East African Community (EAC) Dr Margaret Mwakima speaking during the East African Grain Council (EAGC) annual members and stakeholders luncheon held on Tuesday in a Nairobi hotel. (James Wanzala,Standard)

The Government has initiated a programme to address issues affecting the grain sector and inter-regional trade.

East African Community Principal Secretary Margaret Mwakima said grain production in the region encounters a lot of challenges including climate change, lack of financial support from national governments and diseases and pests, which suppress the output.

“To address these challenges, the Government has initiated interventions by instituting a Business Environment Programme (BEP) that spearheads Government efforts to ensure that policies and institutions are streamlined for optimal service delivery and support business growth in all sectors,” she said.

“Also, several programmes under the BEP are currently ongoing to further streamline regulatory processes so that businesses spend less time and money on compliance and direct their efforts where they are needed.”

Dr Mwakima was speaking during an East African Grain Council annual members and stakeholders’ luncheon at a Nairobi hotel.

Kenya is estimated to import between 1.5 million to two million tonnes of wheat annually and 150,000 to 500,000 tonnes of maize annually, with a significant portion coming from Uganda and Tanzania.