- Farmers in Gatuura, Murang’a, have received certification to export avocados, mangoes and other horticultural produce to international markets.
- Farmers said the certification process required soil and water testing, farm inspections, documentation and audits, with some dropping out due to its complexity.
- Trademark Africa said 22 more farmer groups in Murang’a are pursuing certification, while farmers also raised concerns over rising avocado theft in Kandara.
Farmers affiliated to Gatuura Horticulture Farmers Cooperative Society in Kandara, Murang’a, have received certification allowing them to export produce to lucrative international markets. Trademark Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joyce Wambui Gema presided over the certification ceremony.
Farmers recounted the tribulations and hardships they faced in meeting auditors’ demands and recommendations over the years. They said auditors demanded soil tests across the farms, as well as tests of the water farmers use, among other requirements, to ensure all standards had been met.
Gatuura farmers chairman Lawrence Kiguro regretted that some farmers dropped out along the way owing to the complexity of the audit process. He said the farmers will deal with avocados, mangoes, and other horticulture produce, and that acquiring the certification is an eye opener.
“I am happy that we can now have the market linkages through Trademark Africa and farmers will get the best returns from the markets,” said Kiguro.
ALSO READ:
Gema said 22 other farmers groups in Murang’a county are in the process of acquiring certification. She said the process is tedious, as it involves soil and water testing, regular documentation, farmer interviews, farm visits, and other key components to ensure all requirements are met.
“It has been a long journey, but Gatuura farmers have been supportive, and today they have all the rights to market their produce to any part of the world through this certification,” said Gema.
She added that the certification will link farmers with the best paying markets in Europe and other parts of the globe.
Separately, farmers affiliated to Ndiaraini coffee factory in Kandara have completed certification training. They are eyeing the supply of quality horticulture products, including mangoes, avocados, chillies, and honey, across the value chain.
These farmers are members of the Murang’a Avocado Cooperative Society, which owns an avocado aggregation centre funded by the World Bank.
They have engaged two agronomists to help them produce for the market, under the leadership of Cooperative Society General Manager Mburu Ngige and avocado value chain expert John Ruoho Wangechi, who have guided them through certification audits.
Ruoho said the journey towards certification is hectic, costly, and time demanding. “The auditors ensure soils and water in a locality are tested to ensure what is sold is of quality,” he said.
Ruoho added that farmers will be educated on how they can convert waste to profit through the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) concept, which has been shown to be profitable in organic farming.
At the forum, avocado farmers decried increased avocado theft in villages in Kandara and called for action to tame the vice. They said thieves have caused untold suffering for decades, invading farms during the day and night.
By our correspondent
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
