EU assists Kenyan horticulture with standards capacity

The European Union has given the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis), the agricultural inputs and produce regulator, a Sh225.9 million ($3.5 million) grant to develop its standardisation capability.

The funding is meant to allow the horticultural industry to comply with regulations and standards in line with market demands.

Concern over food safety has led to stringent requirements for horticulture products imported into the EU market, leading to the formulation of food handling rules by European retailers known as EurepGAP in 1997.

Through the three-year Horticap project, Kephis will enhance its ability to provide a wide range of tests by constructing and upgrading laboratory facilities, purchase of equipment and training.

Agriculture ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr Romano Kiome, welcomed the EU funding saying; “this will go a long way to empower smallholder producers who account for over 80 per cent of fruits and vegetable exports and about four per cent of flower exports.”

Kephis chairman, Prof Justin Irina, said that in the ever-changing international, regional and national markets, Horticap would improve recognition of Kephis as an eminent testing and certification institution. “The demanding requirements of global markets require skilled staff and enlightened producers, exporters and importers that Horticap will provide through training and strengthening of horticultural networks,” he said.

Daily Nation