The government of Kenya has launched standards that will ensure the food safety and traceability along the agriculture value chain.
Agriculture and Livestock Development CS Mithika Linturi performed the launch ceremony and said the move aims to curb challenges faced in mostly in the horticultural industry major caused by excess use of pesticides in produce. The challenges in return affect both domestic and international markets.
Safety standards
The standards dubbed KS 1758: 2015 & KS 1758: 2016. were established by Ministry through the Horticultural Crops Directorate, Kenya Bureau of Standards, the horticulture industry, and other stakeholders.
“KS 1758 is a Code of Practice for the Horticulture Industry that is divided into two parts, Part one for Floriculture and Ornamentals and Part two for Fruits and Vegetables that was developed with reference to International and Regional Private Voluntary Standards and Government Regulations. There are programs that have also been rolled out from which producers, farmers, supermarkets, groceries, county markets, consolidators, packhouses and exporters will benefit through knowledge transfer and assistance in the implementation of KS 1758 Standard. This will enhance the quality and safety of our products hence leading to increased trade in the domestic and international markets. We call upon more farmers and stakeholders to embrace the KS 1758 Standard,” said CS Linturi.
Horticulture products recorded a 6% increase from 2020 to 2021 according to data from the Horticultural Crops Directorate. Between January to November 2021, exports for horticulture products rose from Sh136.7 billion in 2020 to Sh145.4 billion in 2021.
