The Government is actively promoting value addition of livestock and agricultural products particularly those destined for the export market to improve their value and marketability.
Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe said the goal was to increase farmers’ incomes and improve the country’s trade balance by selling higher-value, export-ready products.
The CS said promoting value addition would boost Kenya’s manufacturing sector and create jobs for millions of unemployed youths.
The Cabinet Secretary who was flanked by Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Felix Koskei made the remarks during the launch of the distribution of one million clean pyrethrum planting materials at the National Cereals and Produce (NCPB) grounds in Elburgon, within Njoro Sub-County
He noted that one of the government’s policies was promoting processing and value addition in agriculture and argued that local processing of oil crops, macadamia nuts, tea, coffee, dairy products and avocado among others had the potential of generating employment, noting that the sector had the potential to create more than 3 million jobs across the value chain.
The CS lamented that continued export of unprocessed agricultural and livestock products benefited only foreign buyers who used it as a raw material in their manufacturing and which ended up competing with Kenya particularly for the US, resulting in loss of jobs in Kenya’s manufacturing sector and reduced export earnings since raw materials fetched much lower prices compared to finished products.
He explained that the processing of raw agricultural products locally would create jobs in the manufacturing sector and boost the economy through enhanced foreign exchange earnings, as this would involve transforming of raw commodities into processed or semi-processed goods like dairy products, processed fruits and vegetables, and higher-quality livestock products.
Kagwe affirmed that the government was encouraging the establishment of agro-processing facilities and supporting farmers in creating cottage industries to add value to their produce.
At the same time, the CS said the government was investing in infrastructure like irrigation systems and transportation networks to support value addition and export activities.
“Efforts are being made to improve market access for value-added products, including developing cooperatives and facilitating trade relationships with other countries,” he added.
The Cabinet Secretary indicated that they were working on a proposal to slash down taxes on packaging materials of agricultural products and assured farmers that the government was actively addressing the shortage of quality potato seed by promoting new technologies like rooted apical cuttings and focusing on certified seed production to boost yields and reduce reliance on traditional seed tubers.
The initiative aims to address the imbalance in potato demand and supply chains by ensuring sufficient certified seeds that could withstand diseases and promote increased farmer earnings.
Kagwe was happy that Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) was developing new seed varieties designed to accelerate early-generation seed production, reducing the reliance on traditional seed tubers.
“The government is encouraging the production of certified seeds that are drought-resistant and disease-tolerant, addressing the shortage of certified seeds in the market,” he stated.
The Cabinet Secretary moved to assure Kenyans that the government was on course to fight the importation and use of harmful pesticides in the country adding that they had received a list of 50 pesticide products from the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) whose importation would be banned as they do not comply with safety standards and posed health risks to citizens.
Kagwe’s move comes amid growing concerns about the presence of highly hazardous pesticides in the Kenyan market, many of which were banned in other countries, including those in the European Union.
The Cabinet Secretary stated that the government was also supporting initiatives to promote safer and more sustainable agricultural practices, including encouraging the use of organic farming methods and promoting the development of natural pest control methods.
In his remarks, the Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Koskei pointed out that on April 29 this year, the Cabinet approved the Draft Pest Control Products Bill which modernizes the regulation of pest control products in Kenya.
He stated that the Bill aligns with the Kenya Constitution and international standards that enhance food safety and environmental protection.
Governor Susan Kihika pledged that her administration is targeting to boost pyrethrum growing by ensuring that at least 30,000 acres of land is put under the crop in the region within the next two years.
She stated that they were collaborating with the state-owned Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK) and private entities to put up nurseries that would provide farmers with quality seedlings with a view of increasing acreage under the crop.
Ms Kihika said they would ensure sufficient land is available in pyrethrum growing zones of Molo, Kuresoi South, Kuresoi North and Njoro Sub-Counties to enable PPCK and other private sector actors to set up crop nurseries in a plan aimed at lessening the burden of sourcing for seedlings from other regions.
By Esther Mwangi and Esther Ochieng
