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ewsletteN RAgriculture, Fisheries & Food Authority

July - September, 2015

Issue No.2

AGRICULTURE: What WTO Ministerial Conference MeansPiloting the Cane Testing Unit....Regulating the Food Subsector for Safety and SecurityAFFA Partners with UoN on Pyrethrum ProductionBranding Kenya Through FloricultureFibre Conference: Improving the Fibre Value Chains in Kenya

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Building Domestic Market: Youth and Coffee Drinking

AFFA 1 July - September, 2015

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Environmental awareness:

Keep Your Environment Clean

Communications Team:Christine Chesaro Yebei;James Singa;Philliph Cheruiyot;Enock Matte;Sandra Oluseno;Diana Opiyo;Irene Kibet;Mercy Mwanzia.

Contributions:Lucy Komen;Mary Gondi;Innocent Masira;Yvonne Busolo;Fanuel Lubanga;Donna Achieng;Caroline Imbwaga;Jane Kioko;Beatrice nyamwamu.

Layout Designing / Graphics:James Singa

Photography:AFFA (Corporate Communications)

Copyright: © A publication of AFFA

: [email protected]

: https://www.facebook.com/AgricultureAuthorityKenya

: @AFFAkenya

: www.agricultureauthority.go.ke

AFFA 2July - September, 2015

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Dear AFFA family;

Welcome to the Second Edition of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA) Newsletter!

May I commend every member of the AFFA family who con-tributed towards the production of this newsletter, which is not only an internal communication tool but is also serving to inform and educate our stakeholders on various matters relating to the development of the agricultural sub-sectors that we serve.

We have just concluded the first quarter, and now we are in the second quarter of this financial year. Some of the highlights of activities undertaken in the previous quarter include the pro-motion of local Coffee consumption, the partnership between AFFA and University of Nairobi in researching on Pyrethrum planting material, promotion of Macadamia farming in Western Kenya Region, promotion of floriculture and fibre crops value chains in Kenya. Meanwhile, in the spirit of minding about the less fortunate within the society that we serve, we have estab-lished a robust CSR programme which we will keep on implementing as a Corporate Citizen.

In the second quarter, we are continuing to implement various programmes through our Direc-torates and the Commodities Fund, in line with our set Performance Contract (PC) targets and our overall mandate. I encourage my colleague staff members to put their best foot forward in delivering our individual and corporate responsibilities so that we can live up to our Vision and Mission.

As we strive to deliver on our responsibilities as an Authority, let us all remain guided by our core values:• Integrity • Professionalism • Commitment • Customer Focus • Responsive

I wish you a happy reading!

ALFRED BUSOLO TABU INTERIM DIRECTOR GENERAL - AFFA

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM DIRECTOR GENERAL


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tThe Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA) is a State Corporation estab-lished through an Act of Parliament specifically, under section 3 of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act of 2013. Its functions include to:-

Coffee Fibre Crops Food Crops

Horticultural Crops Nuts and Oil Crops Pyrethrum and other Industrial Crops

Sugar Tea

Our Crops, Our Wealth

Administer the Crops Act, and the • Fisheries Act in accordance with the provisions of these Acts;Promote best practices in, and regu-• late, the production, processing, mar-keting, grading, storage, collection, transportation and warehousing of agricultural and aquatic products excluding livestock products as may be provided for under the Crops Act, and the Fisheries Act; Collect and collate data, maintain a • database on agricultural and aquatic products excluding livestock products, documents and monitor agriculture through registration of players as

provided for in the Crops Act and the Fisheries Act; Be responsible for determining the • research priorities in agriculture and aquaculture and to advise generally on research thereof; Advise the national government and • the county governments on agricul-tural and aquatic levies for purposes of planning, enhancing harmony and equity in the sector;Carry out such other functions as may • be assigned to it by this Act, the Crops Act, the Fisheries Act and any written law while respecting the roles of the two levels of the Government.

The Authority’s Mandate


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THE DIRECTOR GENERAL Agriculture Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA)Tea House | Naivasha Road, Off Ngong Road, P.O. Box 37962 - 00100 NAIROBI.Landline: (+254 20) 3872421 Cell phone: (+254) 722-200556; (+254) 734-600944EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: http://agricultureauthority.go.ke/about-us/complaints/

COMMISSION ON ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICEWEST END TOWERS, 2NDFLOOR,

WAIYAKI WAY WESTLANDSPO BOX 20414 -00200 NAIROBI.

TEL:+254 20 2270000EMAIL: [email protected]

WEB: www.ombudsman.go.ke

Compliments, complaints and any suggestions for better service delivery shall be addressed to:

Or

Cof

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rate Kenyan Coffee is one of the highest quality

coffees in the world. It is extraordinarily rich in acidity, full flavour and deep in tantalizing

aroma. Despite this fact, coffee drinking culture is not strong in Kenya, as the current statistics indicate that Kenyans consume 2% of coffee produced in Ke-nya. This does not compare favourably to the other coffee producing countries like Ethiopia and Brazil, whose consumptions are at 55% and 46% respectively, according to the International Coffee organization (ICO) report (2015) . Exporting unprocessed coffee deprives the country of the much needed economic growth to re-alize the attainment of Vision 2030. Both vertical and horizontal integrations along the coffee value chain may not be potentially realized when coffee is exported as an unfinished product. The country con-sequently must also be prepared to con-sume not less than half of her annual total production. When export is made as green cof-fee, it is estimated that 4000 job opportu-nities are lost annually! Job opportunities in the milk and sugar sub-sectors, which form the vital ingredients of making a cup of coffee, are also exported to the countries that eventually carry out value addition to Kenya’s ‘Black Gold’. Further, manufacturers of finished coffee packaging materials, packaging designers and artists ... lose their markets as well. Mostly affected are baristas and coffee cuppers. Baristas are trained coffee brewers who specialize in making wide va-riety of coffee beverage such as cappuc-cino, latte, Espresso, among other varieties, according to the taste and preference of the consumer. Cuppers are specialists who link providers and buyers through quality anal-ysis of coffee. Both baristas and cuppers would gain more job opportunities that are created through value addition in the do-mestic market. According to a US research pub-lished in The New England Journal of Med-icine (May, 2012), Coffee drinking ap-

peared to decrease the risk of death. Compared to men and women who didn’t drink coffee, those who drank 3 or more cups per day had ap-proximately a 10% lower risk of death from heart and respiratory diseases, stroke, injuries, diabetes and infections. Other advantages associated with increas-ing domestic coffee consumption include among oth-ers larger captive market, better prices for growers, opportunities to value add, branding and economic development. In 2010, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority’s Coffee Directorate (the then Coffee Board of Kenya) commissioned a study to establish

Building Domestic Market: Youth and Coffee Drinking

Egerton University students enjoy a moment of Kenyan coffee cup during a recent coffee drinking promotion at the insitution.


Grenville Kiplimo Melli; Interim Head: Coffee

Directorate

the point of entry on how Kenyan domestic coffee consump-tion could be promoted. The findings indicate that the best entry would be the youth. This is why the Directorate adopted the mantra ‘Coffee drinking is a lifestyle!’ and is undertaking campaigns targeting the youth as a way of increasing domestic con-sumption. Since 2011, the Directorate has been popular-izing coffee consumption in order to enlarge the domestic market for the coffee products. The Directorate aims at changing the misconcep-tion that coffee drinking is a preserve of the elite and the well endowed in the society. This changed attitude is ex-pected to enhance the uptake of coffee as a beverage, thus spurring the demand and supply of coffee and this will eventually push up coffee prices at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange. This will ultimately result to improved and stable returns for coffee producers, since there will be increased demand in both the foreign and the domestic markets.

Youth market: The youth is a population segment that is open, frank, holds fresh perspectives, at ease with change and is able to build partnerships. In addition, this techno-servy market is producing the next niche of entrepreneurs in-volved in important business decisions both at home and at the workplace. This is why the Directorate is collaborating with universities, which are institutions populated with young members of society ready to explore new initiatives, in the promotion campaign. During these campaigns, the Directorate is not only promoting coffee consumption, but exposes the youth to the numerous job and business opportunities available in the coffee value chain i.e. Coffee Cuppers and baristas by in-volving professionals in this fields during the campaigns. So far, the Directorate has held such promotions in Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricul-ture and Technology, Multimedia University, Moi University-Eldoret, University of Eldoret, United States International University and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.

From page 9

The 2015 AFRICA COFFEE OUTLOOK CONFERENCE was held in Nairobi, Kenya on 15th and 16th Sep-tember, 2015. The Conference was held in partner-

ship between AFFA (Coffee Directorate) and IBC, Asia, a Singapore based subsidiary of the INFORMA GROUP UK. The event that brought together over 70 dele-gates from Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Cameroon, Ethiopia, UK, South Africa, France, Uganda, Singapore and India, among others, was opened by Sicily K. Kariuki, the Prin-

cipal Secretary, State Department of Agriculture (Kenya). The PS (who was represented by Mrs. Mary Kamau, Ministry of Ag-riculture, Livestock and Fisheries’ Director: Extension and Training) appealed to African countries to commit more resources towards re-vitalization of Coffee, noting that the crop had a bright future, with a global demand of 149 million bags against production of 141.7 million bags in 2014. She challenged African countries to ‘rise up and turn around coffee industry’, emphasizing that facili-tative regulatory frameworks and policies to drive coffee sector ‘must be put in place now, not tomor-row’. She said Kenyan Government is committed in supporting coffee re-search to increase capacity. In addition, she said the govern-

ment has established an affordable agricultural credit fa-cility for coffee farmers, and that it is facilitating the pri-vate sector to establish a regional fertilizer plant to lower the cost of the input. The conference was aimed at showcasing Kenya’s as well as the regional coffee sector to the international market. It focused on policy, investment, trade, sustainabil-ity and business development issues for the coffee produc-ing countries.

2015 Coffee Outlook Conference Held



The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an Inter-Governmen-tal organization that formulates and implements international trade rules.

The WTO officially commenced on 1 January 1995 un-der the Marrakech Agreement, signed by 123 nations on 15 April 1994, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which commenced in 1948.

The organization regulates trade between participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agree-ments and dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing partici-pants’ adherence to WTO agreements, which are signed by repre-sentatives of member governments and ratified by their respective parliaments. Most of the issues that the WTO focuses on derive from previous trade negotiations, especially from the Uruguay Round (1986–1994).

The WTO is attempting to complete negotiations on the Doha Development Round, which were launched in 2001 with an explicit focus on developing countries.

By June 2012, the future of the Doha Round remained uncertain: the work programme lists 21 subjects in which the original deadline of 1 January 2005 was missed, and the round is still incomplete.

Negotiations under Agriculture

Agriculture is negotiated under three pillars: Domestic sup-port, Market access and Export competition.

Domestic support refers to the support that the government of the country gives to their farmers such as domestic subsidies or any other measures that act to maintain farmer prices above those prevailing in international trade. Domestic support act to reduce input and marketing costs of agricultural production.

Market access refers to conditions, tariffs and non-tariff measures agreed by WTO member countries for the entry of spe-cific goods into their markets. This pillar looks at accessing the mar-kets for the different international markets.

Agriculture: What the WTO Conference Means

By Agnes Wainaina - AFFA Secretariat (Research & Planning)


The main objective of this programme for export competition as provided under the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture (URAA) schedules is to reduce subsidized export quantities and the amount of money spent on subsidizing exports.

State of play

There has been a lot of discussions on the do-mestic support,as the developing nations consider the domestic support being given by developed nations to their farmers as trade distorting.

In some quarters, it is considered that the distinction between the domestic support and export subsidies disciplines in the Agreement on Agriculture would be eroded if a WTO Member were entitled to use domestic support, without limit, to provide sup-port for exports of agricultural products.

Broadly stated, domestic support provisions of that Agreement, coupled with high levels of tar-iff protection, allow extensive support to producers, compared with the limitations imposed through the

export subsidies disciplines. Consequently, if domes-tic support could be used, without limit, to provide support for exports, it would undermine the benefits intended to accrue through a WTO Member’s export subsidy commitments.

It’s in this regard that the national standing committee on trade negotiations has been carrying out consultations to come up with the country’s posi-tion for the upcoming Ministerial conference.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA) is a member of this committee and is repre-senting the interest of all value chain players in the scheduled crops.

UP Coming 10th Ministerial Conference

The trade negotiations are done with trade ministers for the WTO members. There will be such(10th) Ministerial conference of WTO in Nairobi Kenya on 15th -18th December, 2015. This will be the first WTO Ministerial conference to be held in Africa.

The 9th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference in Bali Indonesia in December 2013. The 10th WTO Ministerial conference will be held in Nairobi (Photo: (Internet source) WTO/Antara)


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Mr. Andrew Osodo;Interim Head: Sugar

Directorate

The AFFA’s Sugar Directorate is Piloting Pilot Cane Testing system at Nzoia Sugar Compa-ny as one of its flagship projects. This system

is to enable the local sugar industry learn, adopt and roll out a quality-based cane payment system, with the aim of improving returns, especially for the farmers.

History:This pilot project for the development of a sucrose based payment system for the Kenyan Sugar In-dustry was initiated in 2009. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between AFFA (Sugar Directorate – then Kenya Sugar Board), Nzoia Sugar Company, Sugar Research Institute (The then Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF), to set out the modalities for the effective and efficient implementation of the pilot cane testing unit by specifying the roles, duties and obligations of each stakeholder involved. The Directorate funded the project, while providing the general project’s vision and direc-tion. The Research Institute’s roles were to plan, im-plement, monitor and evaluate the project; request funds from Sugar Directorate upon ascertaining the costs and the budget and commit the same to the project. In addition, the Institute would provide technical information and input, as well as estab-lish project implementation technical committee and co-ordinate of all research-related studies and activities; co-ordinate any trans-boundary and/or inter-miller implementation of the project as re-quired and provide technical advice. The Founda-tion’s role in the project incorporates its collabora-tive arrangements with Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI). Nzoia Sugar Company has provided land or premises for the said project. In addition proj-ect’s site requires security, electricity, water and a place where the project can easily access the weighbridge and related information technology management system. The company not only pro-vides relevant technical information and input and avails weight-based sugarcane payment informa-tion to the other stakeholders for comparison pur-poses. The company is to undertake and commit itself to maintain the (TC/TS ratio) at a maximum

level of 10%. The results from piloting this unit so far have given very satisfying results. The project has become successful and a su-crose-based payment system will soon be a requirement for millers.

Why this initiative is important The Cane Testing Service (CTS) provides a specialist service under contract to individual Mills to determine the quality of individual grower cane deliveries to the mill for cane payment purposes. This analytical chemistry service assesses the re-coverable value content in cane delivered to the mill by growers, providing a neutral and objective basis on which to calculate recoverable value pay-ment by miller to grower. The CTS also provides a technical audit of the distribution between millers and growers ensur-ing fair and equitable division of proceeds.

Piloting the Cane Testing Unit


AFFA’s Food Directorate, in executing its mandate (Crops Act 40(2) (k) and Kenya Constitution 43 1(c) is complimenting the

application of several existing policies by reg-ulating the food subsector for safe, sustainable and ethical food production and trade. Unlike in other sub-sectors such as tea, coffee, horticulture, pyrethrum, among others, before coming to effect of AFFA Act 2013 and Crops Act, 2013, there was no regulatory institu-tion that was charged with regulating the food sector in Kenya. This makes the Food Directorate unique as it assumes this responsibility, as derived from the Crops Act. The food safety control system is multi sectoral in approach and is embodied in vari-ous statutes implemented by various Government ministries/ departments and regulatory agen-cies. This has created overlaps of mandates with ensuing inefficiencies in the national food safety control. Coordination of activities and harmoniz-ing the regulatory and institutional framework is therefore, essential. In collaboration with relevant Govern-ment agencies, the Directorate is developing, revising and updating guidelines and standards, based on existing International Standards. These standards and guidelines will focus on food and food products from farm to fork. The private sec-tor will be significant partners in furthering ef-forts that will improve food product quality, regu-lations and safety. This is important for food and nutrition security, where all people in the country have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Among the efforts meant to achieve this is the Food and Nutrition policy developed in 2012, which seeks to address food safety, stan-dards and quality control as a key objective. The Policy is anchored in the Constitution, which provides that every Kenyan has a right to food of acceptable quality. This is also in line with the National development blue print, Vision 2030. The Policy further seeks to ensure safe, high quality food by creating public awareness on relevant issues, and by setting, promoting and

enforcing appropriate guide-lines, standards and a regula-tory framework. While food safety and quality control are national is-sues, concern about public health is particularly acute in urban and peri-ur-ban areas, which require special efforts to ensure safe production, handling, storage, preparation and sale of food. In addition, consumers are be-coming more aware about the quality and safety of the produce they should consume and as result there are stringent requirements especially for export produce. The challenges of food safety need to be addressed through internationally recognized health and food safety systems. Such systems should ensure that consumers are informed and protected from the risk of food borne illnesses. These systems ensure that foods are produced, handled, stored, processed and distributed in a safe manner and are fit for consumption. Systems also regulate that labelling for truthful and reli-able information. Exporters of food need to meet stan-dards for different markets which include the demand for product traceability and certification of production methods. In the domestic market as well, food availed for sale must be of acceptable quality and safety.

Food industry in Kenya Food trade is equally important to the Kenyan economy. The food industry is one of the largest employers, accounting to 18% of the to-tal formal employment. Investments in improving food safety can therefore facilitate growth in food produce (and products) exports while im-proving the health and wellbeing of consumers. Consequently, reducing the burden of disease will lead to increased productivity and the qual-ity life. The expanded food exports and trade would reduce poverty in the both urban and rural economies through broadening income earning opportunities and allowing greater specializa-tion in production. Overall effect is that this will contribute to national food security.

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Regulating the Food Subsector for Safety and Security

Ms. Chebii Kilel; Interim Head:

Food Directorate

Food security is achieved when almost everyone in a populace has unlimited access to sufficient quantities of quality, affordable and nutritious food. A country’s state of food security directly correlates to choices in its practices, policy and the strategy it prefers in mitigating food insecurity

and related issues such as hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Food security is so important to humans that the World Food summit on Food Security of 2009 aptly advises all nations to strive to achieve it. Modern biotechnology when employed correctly can minimize food insecurity, help the hungry and ensure constant food supply to cater to the needs of many. The scientists have used biotechnology to better the production of wheat, cotton, groundnut, sugar cane, roots and tubers (sweet potato),bananas, legumes (lentils), cereals ( millet, sorghum, barley, oats, rye, maize, and rice), fish (tilapia, salmon) and many more. Biotechnology applies across many species. For instance, in plants the manipulation of biological processes in plant breeding has easily increased crop yields while reducing production costs. This makes it easy for countries whose backbone is agriculture to meet local consumption while producing more than enough to export. In addition, biotechnology introduces genetic variety in crops; a prerequisite in breed-ing that improves crops. Animals receive better food that increases absorption of certain nutrients and minerals. For example, some developed feeds increase animal absorption of phosphorus which is usually released as waste and that pollutes ground water. Thus, biotechnology has been employed to better animal yield while protecting the environment. Likewise, biotechnology has been used to make crops resistant to pests, diseases, salt and drought. Making plant varieties that can grow using less input with a higher yield or plants that can thrive in conditions specific to certain countries, is a very forward innovation in biotechnology.


Using Biotechnology to achieve Food Security

By Julian Sitemba - AFFA (Food Directorate)

Duncan Mwangi of Growtech

nurseries, an AFFA Stake-holder exhib-its the Banana Tissue culture Technology durign this

year’s Central Kenya ASK

Show


For example, in banana farming, various gov-ernment and non-governmental organizations have been championing for the use of tissue culture (TC) banana tech-nology to provide clean and disease free planting material. Tissue culture technology is the simplest form of biotechnol-ogy where parts of a plant are placed in a sterile nutrient medium to multiply without altering the genetic make-up of the plant.

Case Study Tegemeo Institute (Egerton University) conducted research on agricultural biotechnology adoption in five dis-tricts (Embu, South Imenti, Murang’a, Maragwa and Kirinyaga), the pioneers in adopting tissue culture banana. Using govern-ment agricultural officers and NGOs supporting biotechnology adoption, 13 farmer groups were selected based on a weight that depended on the total number of groups per district. At the group level, a group of adopter and non-adopters was randomly made to ensure that each one received equal access to information, extension services and many more services extended by the government and the NGO’s through farmer groups. The sample distribu-tion across districts was: Embu (17%), South Imenti 27%), Murang’a (14%), Kirinyaga (20%) and Maragwa (22%)

Findings Tegemeo research findings indicate that the tissue culture banana enterprise is economically viable and that banana productivity is higher in tissue culture bananas.

Challenges In 2000, the developing countries accounted for 24% of the 44.2 million hectares of total land under bio-tech crops. Agricultural biotechnology in developing coun-tries has not been fully adopted due to:

Lack of credit (most biotechnological developments are • protected by patents and intellectual property rights making them too expensive for small-scale farmers to access);Limited access to information regarding biotech vari-• eties, their viability/productivity and potential to im-prove food security;Unwillingness by farmers to adopt biotech varieties; • Developing countries such as Kenya have fewer institu-• tions that can cushion the risks of adopting new tech-nologies.

In retrospect, ensuring that farmers willing to take up new technologies have adequate financial and technical assis-tance will encourage many farmers to use biotech varieties and processes in agricultural production. It is thus clear that by increasing production levels, biotechnology helps the hungry to gain a never-ending ac-cess to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. In addition, an increased domestic yield has a ripple effect of effecting low food prices consequently making a balanced diet af-fordable to all people.

‘Biotechnology has been used to make crops resistant to

pests, diseases, salt and drought’

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Mr. Solomon Odera, Interim Head - POICDAgriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority,

through its Pyrethrum and Other Industrial Crops Directorate (P&OICD) is partnering

with the University of Nairobi (UoN) to develop high quality pyrethrum clones in order to address a perennial challenge of low flower production facing the sector. In a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutions, the partnership will bring together scientists with an aim to expand pyrethrum through science (research) and technol-ogy. During an occasion to sign the partnership’s MoU, the UoN’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Production and Extension) Prof. Lucy W. Irungu stat-ed that collaborations with institutions such as AFFA (P&OICD) fit within the mandate of the University to address social-economic challenges through collab-orative research that yield tangible outputs impact-ing on society. “The University of Nairobi being a leading institution of higher learning in the region, will use its facilities to advance the pyrethrum industry by training personnel throughout the pyrethrum value chain so as to regain the coveted position as a py-rethrum giant Kenya has all along been known for,”

she added. She said that Initial test done on the pyrethrum tissue culture protocol by the University yielded positive results and mass production is expected to commence to produce high quality clones that are to be distributed to the commercial nursery opera-tors. Mrs. Mary Magati of AFFA (P&OICD) pointed out that Kenya was the leading producer of Pyrethrum in the world accounting for over 70% of the pyrethrum traded on the world market since World War II. “The sector however, has in the recent past been faced with few challenges leading to very low yields due to among others, low investment in re-search,” she added. She said one of the strategies put in place to address the flower shortage is crop expansion through provision of high quality planting materials to farmers, adding that Kenya pyrethrum has po-tential to earn Kshs. 4 billion in foreign exchange.

About the crop Pyrethrum farming fits well in the economic pillar of the Vision 2030 in that it can be converted

AFFA Partners with UoN on Pyrethrum Production

Prof. Lucy Irungu (DVC – Research, Production and Extension: centre-right) and Mrs Mary Magati (centre-left) flanked with other members of staff from Uon and AFFA (P&OICD) respectively, during the launch

at the Council Chamber, University of Nairobi main campus.


into several value added products with any single product derived from pyrethrum becoming a raw material for other subsequent products. Agricultural economics have proved that as little as one quarter of an acre is profitable to the farmer and therefore, the crop is deal to be promoted as a small holder crop. In addition, Pyrethrum prod-ucts have been proven to be environ-mentally friendly compared to the synthetic analogs due to their bio-degradability (ability to chemically breakdown into harmless molecules). With value addition, pyre-thrum has the potential of creating mass employment.

Prof. Lucy W. Irungu: “Initial test done on the pyrethrum tissue culture protocol by the University yielded positive results and mass production is expected to commence to produce high quality clones that are to be distributed to the commercial nursery opera-tors”.

From Page 13

AFFA’s CSR Programme at Pyrethrum and Other Industrial

Crops Directorate

Mr Solomon Odera, Interim Head of the Pyrethrum

& Other Industrial Crops Directorate on Friday 18th September, 2015, handed over uniforms and first-aid kits to African Volunteer

Football Association for the Less privileged (AFVAL).

AFFA is committed to sup-porting social activities of

communities it serves.

Kenya is one of the few countries in the world where the floriculture indus-try is still growing. It is very strong, healthy and stable sector. As a result, it is fully capable of supplying any flower buyer with any quantity/

quality and variety, all year round. Kenya’s robust horticulture industry is a key economic activity. The in-dustry is the second largest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with most of our cut flowers destined for the European market. Netherlands holds the biggest share with two thirds of

the exports, mainly roses going through the flower auction.

The Kenya Horticul-ture industry, a sec-tor that has sustained a growth of 10% - 20% over the last 10 years and to the Kenyan economy in terms of both export and local consump-tion, is one of the top foreign exchange earners for the coun-try generating Kshs. 100.8 billion during the year 2014.

The floriculture sector a key compo-nent of horticulture exported 136,601 metric tons valued at Kshs. 54.6 billion in the same year.

Great efforts have been made to posi-tively profile the im-

age of the Kenya flower industry. In a bid to showcase Kenya as an internationally recognized flower producing country, various stakeholders have been engaged on the mark of origin, “A Touch of Kenya”. Kenya’s flowers are produced under globally accepted standards and therefore meet the required quality measures. The flower growers and exporters are encouraged to adopt the mark in order to

stimulate demand for Kenyan high quality cut flowers and in the end improve the country’s brand equity. Past experience indicates that participation in international trade fairs has given the horticulture industry a boost with more private sector in-volvement. For the horticultural exporters, the benefits of the trade fair are mainly exposure. This is one of the main reasons why the fourth edition of the Interna-tional Flower Trade Exhibition (IFTEX), organized by the HPP exhibi-tions group of Holland in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture,


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Mr. Zakayo Magara, Interim Head, Horticul-tural Crops Directorate

Branding Kenya Through Floriculture

AFFA 15

The First Lady, Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta officially opens the 4th Inter-national Flower Trade Expo at the Visa Oshwal Centre in Westlands, Nairobi. She was flanked by Sicily Kariuki (Mrs), MBS, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Agriculture, among other diginitaries.


Livestock & Fisheries, AFFA - Horticultural Crops Directorate, and the Kenya Flower Council was held for the 4th time in Kenya from 3rd Jun to 5th June 2015 at the Os-hwal Centre, Westlands. During an expo that was graced by Her Excellency, Mrs Margaret Kenyat-ta, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, in the presence of His Excellency Tatsuhi Terada, the Ambassador of the Repub-lic of Japan, a total of 220 Exhibitors from 54 countries participated, with over 3,500 visitors, including buyers, breed-ers, input suppliers/ buyers, logistics fa-cilitators and other agencies involved in the floriculture industry networking. Notably, small-holder growers from Kenya participated in larger num-ber. The local flower vendors had an op-portunity to learn about flower presen-tations’ at the exhibition and show case their innovations in the flower industry. Her Excellency the First Lady said women form the bulk of the workforce in the horticulture and floriculture industry, accounting for 60% of the workers. “In total, the entire sub sector provides for over 90,000 livelihoods directly and over 500,000 indirectly through gainful employments. Over 60% of employees in the sector are women,” she said. She encouraged all the flower producers, especially the large scale investors, to continue supporting women by providing them with a conducive envi-ronment to work in and to invest in their health. Sicily Kariuki, (Mrs), MBS, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Agriculture said that Kenya contributes over 35% of the world flower trade and competes with countries such as Ecuador and Colombia and Ethiopia in the world flower business. “Indeed, in 2014, Kenya ex-

ported flowers worth Kshs 54.6 Billion representing 52% of the total horticul-ture exports which stood at $1.14 Billion (equivalent of Kshs100.8 Billion),” she said. The Principal Secretary assured the Horticultural Crops’ stakeholders that the Government has put in place policies to facilitate further growth of the subsec-tor, particularly the flower industry. “The Government also recogniz-es that about 50% of export horticulture production costs are contributed by freight charge and that it will explore initiating discussions with providers of freight ser-vices and possibly come up with innova-tive ways of reducing the cost,” she said. She said the private sector will be encouraged to work with other gov-ernment institutions both at the national and county levels in creating innovative solutions to problems in the subsector. “Public Private Partnerships (PPP’s) should be encouraged because it has the potential of moving the industry to a new level of development,” she said, adding that the private sector institu-tions especially the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) and the Fresh Produce Exporter’s Association (FPEAK) are members of the Kenya Horticulture Taskforce and Horti-cultural Competent Authority ‘to create a coordinated approach to issues affect-ing horticulture especially with regard to market requirements and compliance’. IFTEX has given the Kenya flower industry a platform for renewed world-wide attention. The globalization of the fair has led to positioning Kenya as a leader in global horticulture markets while enhancing the country’s image as the home from where 40% of the flowers sold in Europe originate. The next (fifth) edition of IFTEX will take place next year from 8th – 10th June, 2016.


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Mr. Anthony Muriithi; Interim Head; Fibre Crops

Performance of fibre crops has been in a direct correlation with the prevailing policy environment. National policies and strategies in-fluence the competitiveness of fibre value chains. It is therefore nec-

essary that existing policies and practices are analysed and reviewed to enhance competitiveness. This is why AFFA’s Fibre Directorate hosted a Fibre conference held on 28-29 July, 2015 that brought together policy makers and stake-holders to share experiences and initiate policies that will make the value chains more globally competi-tive as well as identify available opportunities. The two-day Conference was attended by various stakeholders, including officials from the min-istry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development, Na-tional Commission for Science Technology and Innovation, Rivatex EA Ltd, Suflag, Export Processing Zones Authority, Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization, ginners, farmers among others. While opening the conference, Sicily Kariuki (Mrs), MBS, the Principal Secretary, State Depart-ment of Agriculture assured the farming community of the government’s commitment to avail certified cotton seeds. She hailed the collaboration between Fibre Crops Directorate and Kenya Seed Company that is now giving hope on the seed issue through the seed bulking exercise at Bura. Speaking at the same event, the Interim Director General of Agriculture Fisheries and Food Au-thority (AFFA), Mr. Alfred Busolo highlighted the numerous un-exploited opportunities in the cotton and sisal value chains available to investors and entrepreneurs. “AFFA is actively engaging the stakeholders so that the trend of production and productivity of both sisal and cotton is reversed,” he said, challenging the players in the value chain to fully exploit AGOA market access opportunity. The participants were informed that one stakeholder, Monsanto Ltd has applied to National Biosafety Authority for licence for open trials for Bt. Cotton, a type of cotton that has taken long to be commercialized due to a ban imposed on all genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In addition, Homabay county is in the process of procuring ginning machines to be op-erated by Homabay Cooperative Union while Busia is reha-bilitating Muluanda Ginnery to be oper-ated by Muluanda Cooperative Union.

Fibre Conference: Improving the Fibre Value

Chains in Kenya

Stakeholders during Fibre Crops Conference held at Utalii Hotel.


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Expanding Macadamia Production in Bungoma

Zipporah, a Macadamia farmer makes her point on selection of planting materials during the Tongaren field day.

Raymond Kahindi; Interim Head: Nuts

and Oil Crops Directorate

Bungoma is one of the Macadamia grow-ing clusters in the Western region of Kenya alongside the Central region which is tradi-

tionally known for the crop. Bungoma is a cosmo-politan County which helps to bring together the major players in the sub sector such as processors, middlemen, farmers and transporters. Preliminary surveys revealed that the re-gion is characterized by unkempt macadamia tree farms resulting to poor yields, which is partly due scarcity of information relating to good agricultural practices on macadamia farming. AFFA, through its Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate(NOCD), in collaboration with County governments and other key stakeholders has been sensitizing the industry actors and the general pub-lic at large on the potential of other crops namely macadamia, cashew nuts, sunflower, peanuts and simsim other than coconut. One of such stakeholder sensitization ef-forts was a Macadamia field day held on 25th June 2015 in Tongaren Sub County, Bungoma County at Mr. Sitati’s five acre macadamia farm. Held under the theme ‘Diversification into Macadamia for sustainable livelihoods’, the field day drew attention of farmers, local leaders and other stakeholders, including the County govern-ment of Bungoma, represented by Ms. Rebecca Lus-weti and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), through Dr. Wasilwa Lusike. Raymond Kahindi, the Interim Head of AF-FA’s Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate (NOCD) chal-lenged the county government to set up an agro processing zone. He emphasized AFFA’s commitment to bring order to the subsec-tor through licensing of the various players along the value chain. “The Author-ity, in consultation with stakeholders, is in the process of finalizing the subsector rules and regulations,” he said, adding that the regulations have tak-en cognizance of the role of county govern-ments in agriculture

matters especially where sched-uled crops were concerned. He said that Macada-mia’s full potential was yet to be achieved due to the low produc-tion and productivity especially because of the high cost of establishment. “Kenya has the potential to rival the world’s largest Macadamia producers including Australia and South Africa if the untapped areas like the Western region are better utilized for increased acreage and thus, production ” he said. Dr. Wasike Wasilwa expressed optimism that western Kenya region has capacity to grow some thirty varieties of macadamia nuts, up from the current eleven varieties, adding that much more needed to be done to avail macadamia planting materials, especially through community nurseries. Some Macadamia subsector processors are already preparing to establish nurseries in the region in an effort to reduce the price of seedlings from the current Kshs. 500.00 per seedling to at least Kshs. 100.00, as a way to encourage more farmers to venture in Macadamia production. An-other Processor, Wonder Nut, is establishing a Mac-adamia processing facility in the Export Processing Zone in the Western region. Ms. Rebecca Lusweti reiterated the County Government’s commitment to support such initiatives so as to improve the livelihoods of farmers, while ensuring buyers of macadamia get worth for their money.

MKATABA WA HUDUMA

Tuma pongezi, malalamishi na maoni yoyote ya kuboresha utoaji wa huduma kwa Mkurugenzi Mkuu;MAMLAKA YA KILIMO, UVUVI NA CHAKULA

Tea House | Naivasha Road, Off Ngong Road/ S.L.P 37962 - 00100 NAIROBISimu: (+254 20) 3872421 Simu ya mkono: (+254)722-200556; (+254)734-600944

TUVUTI: www.agricultureauthority.go.ke/about-us/complaints/BARUA PEPE: [email protected]

auTUME YA HAKI YA UTAWALA

WEST END TOWERS, 2ND FLOOR, WAIYAKI WAY WESTLANDSPO BOX 20414 - 00200 NAIROBI. SIMU: +254 020 2270000

HUDUMA MASHARTI MALIPO MUDAMaswali yaliyoandikwa Maswali yaliyoandikwa na mteja Bure Muda usiozidi siku 7 za kazi tangu kupokea ombi

la mteja

Maswali kupitia njia ya simu Maswali ya mteja kupitia njia ya simu Bure Muda usiozidi saa 24 tangu kupokea simu ya mteja

Maswali ya barua-pepe Barua-Pepe ya maswali ya mteja Bure Muda usiozidi saa 12 tangu kupokea barua-pepe ya mteja

Malalamishi ya umma Malalamishi ya mteja Bure Muda usiozidi siku 7 tangu kupokea malalamishi ya mteja

Maswali kutoka kwa vyombo vya habari

Maswali ya vyombo vya habari Bure Muda usiozidi siku 2 tangu kupokea maswali ya vyombo vya habari

Malipo ya bidhaa na huduma Kutoa huduma na bidhaa ipasavyo na kuwasilisha stakabadhi husika za kudai malipo

Bure Muda usiozidi Siku 30 za kazi tangu kutoa huduma au bidhaa ipasavyo

Usajili na utoaji leseni kwa wadau wote kwenye sekta ya uzalishaji

Kwa mujibu wa kanuni za bidhaa tofauti Kwa mujibu wa kanuni za bidhaa tofauti

Kwa mujibu wa kanuni za bidhaa tofauti

Utoaji wa huduma za kitaalamu na ushauri

- Ombi la mteja - Uwezo wa kitaalamu

Bure Kila wakati

Ustawishaji wa mimea iliyoorodheshwa

- Ombi la mteja- Kuibuka kwa teknolojia mpya na aina tofauti ya mimea- Kuibuka kwa masoko mapya- Mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa yanayoathiri uzalishaji- Mabadiliko ya misimu ya mimea

Bure Kila wakati

Usambazaji habari - Ombi la mteja - Kwa mujibu wa kanuni na sheria

Bure Siku 1 kwa habari zilizopo, siku 60 kwa habari

Kukuza utengenazaji wa bidhaa mbalimbali na kuongeza bidhaa thamani

- Ombi la mteja- Kuibuka kwa masoko mapya

Bure Kila wakati

Ukuzaji wa bidhaa zilizoorodheshwa

- Ombi la mteja- Kuibuka kwa masoko mapya na mabadiliko katika mahitaji ya masoko- Kuendeleza ushindani

Ugavi wa gharama Kila mwezi

Uimarishaji wa muundo msingi kuwanufaisha wadau wote

- Ombi la mteja

- Ushirikiano na wizara na kaunti husika

Bure Kila wakati

Kutekelza uchunguzi kuhusu uzalishaji na masoko kupitia

- Ombi la mteja - Kuendeleza ushindani- Kupanua na kuendeleza masoko

Bure Kila wakati

Ukuzaji wa viwango

wa chakula

- Haja ya kutimiza viwango vya uuzaji na masoko- Kuzingatia kanuni na viwango vya kitaifa na kimataifa

Bure Kila wakati

Kuhakikisha utekelezaji wa viwango na kanuni

Viwango na kanuni Kwa mujibu wa viwango na kanuni zilizoko

Kwa mujibu wa viwango na kanuni zilizoko

Ukuzaji wa mipango ya kuhakikisha chakula cha kutosha

Ushirikiano na serikali za Kaunti Bure Kila wakati

Kusuluhisha mizozo kati ya wadau

- Ombi la mteja- Mizozo inayoibuka kwa wadau kwenye sekta

Bure Siku 60 za kazi

MAMLAKA YA KILIMO, UVUVI NA CHAKULA



CSR: AFFA Visits with Light and Hope Centre for the Disabled

On August 18, 2015, AFFA staff members visited with Light and Hope Centre for the Disabled for a

Corporate Social Responsibility visit. Light and Hope Centre for the Dis-abled is a home founded in 2008 out of need to care for physically and mentally challenged children who faced a lot of stig-ma, not only from the local community, but also from their parents. A number of these children are affected/ infected with HIV and are orphans. The centre was a donation from the State of Israel. The home that is situated within the Korogocho slums caters for 97 children. The centre provides day care services to these children, providing food, medical care, edu-cation (by linking the children to various insti-tutions specialized in catering for their edu-cational needs). Currently, the institution has 47 ‘ac-tive’ children under its care, where 17 are girls and 30 are boys, with various physi-cal and mental challenges. The youngest is 1 year, 7 months old. Appreciating AFFA’s gesture to mind about the vulnerable members of society, the Korogocho Area Administrator Chief Ny-abuto Omache emphasized on the public re-sponsibility to ensure that Persons Living with

Disability, and especially children, enjoy full constitutional rights and more, including be-ing loved, right to health, food, education. “Korogocho is faced by abject pov-erty. People here feed from Dandora dump-site, and they can barely afford a single meal a day, leave alone a decent one. The challenge quadruples for families with chil-dren with disabilities,” he said, “We really appreciate AFFA for this kind gesture, and we hope it is a start of a long journey of together, supporting this institution.” Speaking on behalf of the AFFA’s Interim Director - General, Bernard Amadi – the team leader, reiterated the Author-ity’s commitment to journey with orphaned children, Persons With Disabilities , Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable members society by carrying out CSR pro-grammes as a corporate citizen. “As we carry out our mandate in regulating, promoting and developing agri-culture sector in Kenya, we are alive to the social needs of the general society that we are working in, especially the most vulner-able in our community,” he said. The Authority donated foodstuff to the institution.


PRESIDENTIAL VISIT:

AFFA Interim Director General, Mr. Alfred Busolo Tabu takes His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta round the AFFA exhibition stand during this year’s ASK Mombasa Interna-tional Show. The President was accompanied by Mr. Adan Mohamed, the acting Cabinet Sec-retary, Ministry of Ag-riculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Sicily Kariuki (Mrs), MBS, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Agriculture, among other diginitaries.

Corporate AFFA: Pictorial

Left: AFFA’s Interim Director General, Mr. Alfred Busolo (cen-tre) holds trophy after the Authority was declared the THE BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION OTHER THAN BANKS during this year’s Mombasa International Show. The Authority has a Commodities Fund established under Crops Act, 2013 (ar-ticle 9) to provide easily accessible and affordable credit facilities to scheduled crops under AFFA Act, 2013. AFFA was also the second BEST AGRO-PROCESS-ING stand, while it also took same position as the best REG-

ULATORY AUTHORITY STAND. The Authority was Third best in INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND EXPORTS. The Authority was also among the top 5 Most striking display demonstra-tion of locally manufactured products as well as the best Parastatal/ Board stands.

Right: AFFA Officers applaud His excellency President Ke-nyatta after touring the Authority’s stand during this year’s Mombasa International Show

Mrs. Elizabeth Kimenyi, representing AFFA’s Interim Director Gen-eral, gives her presentation during the official of the 2015 Cof-fee Outlook Conference in Nairobi (See more on page 6)


AFFA ISO Implementation Commit-tee pose for a photo during a working retreat to develop ISO 9008:2001 certification manuals in Nakuru. The team is drawn from various Director-ates and departments under AFFA.

The Authority that was established through AFFA Act, 2013 last year is on the process of getting certified.

Corporate AFFA: Pictorial

Central Kenya ASK Show visitors enjoy a cup of coffee/ Tea brewed by AFFA officers. The Authority is promoting increased local uptake of Kenyan tea and coffee.

Adan Mohamed, the Acting Cabi-net Secretary, Ministry of Agricul-ture, Livestock and Fisheries (Left), Sicily Kariuki (Mrs.), MBS, the Prin-cipal Secretary, State Department of Agriculture, and Prof. Fred Sigor, Principal Secretary (State Department of Livestock) (second right) have a hearty laugh with ‘Moii’ the comedian, when they visited the AFFA exhibition during the Nakuru ASK show.

AFFA Directorates’/Commodities Fund’s Contacts

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA) Tea House | Naivasha Road, Off Ngong Road || P.O. Box 37962 - 00100 NAIROBILandline: (+254 20) 3872421 || Cell phone: (+254)722-200556; (+254)734-600944Email: [email protected] || Website: www.agricultureauthority.go.ke

Tea DirectorateTea House | Naivasha Road, Off Ngong RoadP.O. Box 20064 – 00200 NAIROBILandline: (+254 20) 2536869 | 2536886Cellphone: (+254) 722-200556| (+254) 734600944; Fax: (+254 20) 3862120Email: [email protected]

Sugar DirectorateSukari Plaza, Upper Kabete, Off Waiyaki way, P.O Box 51500 - 00200 Nairobi, Tel: +254 20 8018750/1/2/3; Mobile: +254 722-203127/ 8, 733-333378/ 9; Fax: +254 20 2021266 SMS: 6554, Hotline: 0707349908 Email: [email protected]

Coffee DirectorateCoffee Plaza Bldg, 10th Floor, Haile Selassie AvenueP. O. Box 30566 – 00100 NAIROBIPhone: +254 20 342717, +254 20 342358Mobile: 0710 670 026, 0788109426Tel: 0707 100 100 or +254 20 315242 Email: [email protected]

Nuts and Oil Crops DirectorateNSSF Building, 6th Floor, Nkrumah Road P. O. Box 84351-80100, MOMBASALandline: (041)2319616, (041)2319617, (041)2319613, Cell phone: 0702217682 / 0737217682.Email: [email protected]

Pyrethrum Band Other industrial crops DirectorateGENERAL MATHENGE RDP.O. Box 420-20100 – NAKURUTEL: 254-5121156/70/72Email: [email protected]

Food Crops DirectorateSukari Plaza, Upper Kabete, Off Waiyaki way, P. O. Box 51500 - 00200 NAIROBITel: +254 20 801 8750/1/2/3 Mobile: +254 722-203127/ 8, 733-333378/ 9 Fax: +254 20 2021266Email: [email protected]

Horticultural Crops DirectorateAirport Road Opposite J.K.I.AP.O. Box 42601 -00100 NAIROBITel +254 20 2088469/ 3597362/3597356/ 2131560Email: [email protected]

Fibre Crops DirectorateWest Riverside Lane, off Riverside DriveP O Box 66271—00800 Westlands, NAIROBITel: +254202339829 +254202339829/30Email: [email protected]

Commodities FundKenya Railways Headquarters Building - Block D; 2nd floor; Workshop Road, Off Haile Selassie Avenue

P.O. Box 52714 -00200 NAIROBITel: (+254) 20 2210806/7/9/12 || Mobile: 0737204278/9, 0728602427/8|| Fax: 2210816

Email: [email protected]: www.codf.co.ke

Documents

N ewslette R - (AFA) Agriculture and Food Authority · Sugar Tea Our Crops, Our Wealth ... • Be responsible for determining the ... Board of Kenya) commissioned a study to establish