Nakuru County government in Kenya is seeking to strengthen its collaboration with the UK to guarantee continued market access for horticultural products from Kenya.
The country governor Governor Lee Kinyanjui revealed the plans and said the county held talks with United Kingdom High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott and sought a deal with the UK to grow its exports, which are largely agricultural produce.
Nakuru County is the country’s leading producer of herbs, spices, cut flowers and vegetables. According to the governor, despite Covid-19 disruptions, the UK market accounts for 43% of total exports of vegetables from Kenya as well as at least 9% of cut flowers.
Increased access to the UK export
“As the largest economy in East Africa and among the top 10 in the continent, Kenya was an important trading partner for the UK. He also noted that increased access to the UK export market by hundreds of small holder farmers who have ventured into avocado farming would improve livelihoods and increase incomes for thousands of rural households,” Mr.Kinyanjui
The governor also assured that his administration had dispatched agriculture extension officers to train youthful horticultural farmers on the mandatory standards their produce is expected to meet in the European Union (EU) and other export markets.
