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| A Kenyan vegetable farmer harvesting spinach from her farm |
The Kenyan government intends to impose strict regulations that may restrict over three million farmers from producing and selling their vegetables and fruits in the market.. Why Kenyan farmers face tough times According to the new Draft Vegetatively Propagating Seeds Regulations 2023, traders who purchase produce from uncertified farmers face harsh penalties. If a farmer has not been certified to have applied the necessary 55-page KS1758 Kenyan standard, then middlemen, distributors, processors, or any direct buyer who purchases fruits and vegetables from that farmer would be subject to penalties.
“Any person who intends to sell vegetatively propagating seed shall apply to the service for a vegetatively propagating seed seller’s registration certificate,” the proposed laws state. Proposed registration fees for farmers and merchants The following are the proposed registration fees: Categories Hectarage Registration fees one-off (KSh) Registration renewal fees (annual) – KSh Small scale producer/processor ≤3 Ha or ≤50,000 units 5,000 2,000 Medium scale producer/processor 3 – 8 Ha or 50,000 – 250,000 units 35,000 8,000 Seed merchant (large scale producer/seller/TC laboratory) >8 Ha, including import/export 75,000 10,000 Medium scale seller 50,000 – 250,000 units 12,000 5,000 Small scale seller ≤50,000 units (bags/bales) 4,000 1,500 According to The Standard, farmers will apply to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for a KSh 10,000 licence.
Farmers will need to pay KSh 2,500 to KSh 5,000 for soil and water analyses. They will also pay for certification with a national or international standards certifier and prepare dozens of records, including nutrient analyses of any compost or manure they use. Collins Otieno, a spokesman for the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA)’s Horticultural Crop Directorate (HCD), affirmed that all farmers must follow the guidelines if approved. The rules will require farmers to submit records of what they grow, their IDs and buyer information. What is Mung Beans Bill? In related news, Kitui senator Enoch Wambua sponsored the Mung Beans Bill 2022, which was passed in the Senate and referred to the National Assembly. The bill proposes that a person shall not market, process or carry out large-scale trading in mung beans or mung bean products unless the person has obtained a licence from the relevant county government. It suggests the establishment of county licensing committees in all the devolved units countrywide.
BY TUKO NEWS