Why organic farmers should form groups for certification of organic exports

Organic manure

Organic farming is growing rapidly in Kenya. This has made most farmers adopt it due to an increased demand for organic food crop production.

The increased growth has made experts urge farmers to secure organic farming certifications that will help them earn supermarkets and export contracts as organic producers.  This is after most consumers have opted to buy locally produced food crops due to aflatoxin cases reported in all major food crops.

In Kenya, smallholder organic farmers find it hard to acquire organic export contracts as they lack information, government support and the high cost of getting certifying documents.

For one to become a member of Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) OR Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioner of Kenya, you must pay Sh10,000 registration fee before factoring in the yearly renewal fee, training cost and finally certification fee by the relevant government agencies. The association trains organic farmers and facilitate the certification process.

Here are three reasons why farmers should form the certification groups

Training

Organic farming requires adequate training that will help farmers to ensure they acquire high yields from their crops. It is easier and cost-effective to get training as a group.

In this training, farmers will be in a position to understand weather patterns and innovate practices to tackle climate change effects.

Farmers will learn of the organic pest control measure and how to do it. Farmers will also get to learn how to make their manure to prevent food poisoning which is also a cost-effective method, therefore, building knowledge.

Export markets

With export certification, farmers will be in a position to access organic markets since they have been finding it hard to find supply tenders to their produce in supermarkets and big groceries due to lack of certification of their cropland. Farmers will now be in a position to work together and produce intensively particular crops and target specific markets.

Market control

In a group, they will be able to produce organic herbs, set prices and look for a suitable market they can supply continuously. This will help them be in a position to control organic markets.

This is a great opportunity for farmers whereby they will work together and produce organic produce for domestic markets before they acquire international markets.