Key steps in rescuing Kenya's 'green gold'

Kenya’s horticulture is under siege due to farmers exceeding the international minimum residue levels (MRLs), and the stalled Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAS). The two could cripple the economy, taking with them thousands of jobs.

Earning the economy 36 per cent, employing over six million Kenyans directly or indirectly and growing at between 15 per cent and 20 per cent, horticulture is one of the sectors that determine the health of a nation. But more importantly is its pivotal role in the export market.

Statistics indicate that Kenya earned Sh93 billion from fruit, vegetables, flowers and nuts last year, up from 87.71 billion in 2012. The volume of horticultural exports also rose to 477,000 tonnes compared to 380,421 tonnes in 2012. The European Union (EU) continues to take the lion share of Kenya’s horticultural exports, yet this lucrative market has subjected our fresh produce to stringent food safety standard requirements over high agro-chemical residue. Last year, Kenya received 72 formal notifications that the tested samples had exceeded the recommended MRL compared to the less than 10 received in 2012. And with this directive, more than a fifth of Kenya’s vegetable exports to the European market were rejected., after they were found to contain traces of a banned chemical, said to cause cancer.

EU RULES

According to Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), only 4,000 tonnes of exports were received, 1,000 tonnes lower than normal. The blow to the economy was catastrophic. With the ban, over 5,000 farmers pulled away from the export market, and even though there has been heightened campaign to win them back, only 3,000 have shown interest.

Local green bean are a favourite in the EU, USA and Far East due to the growing conditions. Green beans are grown by about 50,000 smallholder farmers, with less than two acres of land under irrigation. Their participation in the export sector enhances food security, with a typical farmer raking in Sh60,000 in profit. The fresh bean industry also employs between 45,000 to 60,000 people, of whom an estimated 60 per cent are women, in commercial farms, processing, and logistical operations.

FPEAK estimated that by February last year, increased controls had affected the local bean industry, resulting in a 25 per cent dip in sales in January 2013, compared to January 2012 sales. Early last year, about 4,200 tonnes of beans and peas in pods were exported to the EU, comprising 3,200 consignments. Out of these, about 250 laboratory tests were done, and four rapid alerts were received. This is too much, and we must act to bring this number to near zero. It is important, however to note that over 99.9 per cent of the samples were negative, meaning that the vast majority of Kenyan beans are compliant with the EU rules on pesticides.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

But certain horticultural produce laced with forbidden levels of pesticide residue still find their way into the export market through dubious distribution channels. While farmers might buy pesticides that have exceeded the recommended levels, the State should be lauded for creating awareness to farmers about the need to observe Good Agricultural Practices. The State cannot reach every horticultural farmer. Partnerships have proved efficient. Private companies in the country like Elgon Kenya train farmers on what pesticides to use, how to use them and when to use them without harming the quality of the produce.

With inadequate extension officers, public private partnerships are key to delivering the message to farmers.The stalled EPAS that have dragged on for the last seven years have further threatened the country’s green gold. Growers have already become jittery, arguing that inconclusive trade talks have affected planning, with most of them cutting back on investments.

Kenya’s Sh110 billion fresh produce export market with the EU is at risk. Should the October deadline lapse, the country will lose the preferential tax-free access it currently enjoys. Burt for EPAs to be of strategic interest to Kenya, the gains must outweigh the costs.

-The writer is Communications Manager at Elgon Kenya Ltd