A collection of news on farming, agribusiness

Flower industry in crisis once again as European Union nations get into second Covid-19 lockdowns 

Hundreds of farm workers are on the verge of losing their jobs again as several European nations go back to lockdowns to curb the second wave of Covid-19.

Britain, Spain and France are some of the EU nations that have gone into lockdown,  thus blocking sale of non-essential products.

The lockdowns are expected to stretch into December. The EU is Kenya’s principal market for horticultural produce, with the United Kingdom, Netherlands and France being the main markets. 

Kenya Flower Council chief executive officer Clement Tulezi said more than 200,000 people are directly employed on the flower farms, while over a million benefit indirectly.  

“The industry was adversely affected by the first lockdown in Europe between March and August. Demand for flowers dropped leading to destruction of millions of stems and job losses,” said Tulezi.  

He noted the second lockdown in Europe will erode gains made by the sub-sector.  Traders have already reduced their orders and prices at the auction have dropped by 20 per cent. He asked the government to engage their EU counterparts to safeguard local  jobs.

Brian Okinda

****

Change strategy to boost cashewnut sector, State told

The government has been asked to change its strategy in quest to increase cashewnut production. University of Nairobi lecturer Orido Odhiambo said instead of the government working with individual farmers, it should focus on groups.

"If you don't do it that way, then it means you will not reach the masses,”  said Dr Odhiambo. The Kwale government has so far distributed 20,000 new varieties of cashewnut seedlings to at least 4,000 farmers.

Agriculture executive Joanne Nyamasyo said seedlings are given to farmers after training and have showed willingness to take care of the plants to maturity. Each farmer gets five seedlings.

Her Taita Taveta counterpart Davis Mwangoma said cashewnuts do very well in Mbololo, Voi and Taveta areas and they have distributed 20,000 seedlings to at least 2,000 farmers.

Kilifi Agriculture executive Lucianna Sanzua said the county has an annually budget of Sh5 million to cater for the sector.

Agriculture PS Hamadi Boga said cashewnut production has slowed down due to ageing and unproductive trees .  

To address the challenge of seedling production, Mr Boga said the ministry is planning to acquire 100 acres each in Kilifi and Kwale counties for the purpose.

Fredrick Fadhili

****

More than 200,000 farmers to benefit from two-year Israeli government horticulture business project

The Israeli government has rolled out a two-year agribusiness empowerment project in Murang’a County that will see 200, 000 farmers grow hybrid horticultural crops.  

Israel deputy ambassador Eyal David said the project will see his country’s agricultural companies partner with farmers in growing avocados, traditional and exotic vegetables as well as trees of high commercial value.

David said Israel’s firms, Amiran and Plantech, will provide free startup hybrid seeds and seedlings as well as other inputs in the husbandry cycle.

“We will also bring in market actors who will be buying the harvest to make this programme a one-way express financial empowerment project where the farmer is guaranteed seeds and seedlings, husbandry inputs and extension services and a ready market,” he said.

After the first harvest, the farmers will be expected to commence buying seeds and seedlings from the companies hence the mutual partnership.  

The chief executive of Ahadi Kenya Stanley Kamau, whose institution is partnering with the firm, said the institution will use its grassroots network to help beneficiaries form producer groups for easy mobilisation to access free extension services, inputs and direct linkage to the bulk market.

Mwangi Muiruri

****

Cassava farmers cry foul after produce lacks market

Cassava farmers in Kilifi County are crying foul after failing to get market for their produce, yet they were enticed to grow the crop with hope for big returns.

Lilian Ziro, one of the farmers who grew the crop on four acres in Majivuni village, said she leased the land at Sh3,000 monthly to invest in Tajirika, a high-yielding cassava variety recommended by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization for the Coast region.  

“For several years, I have not been able to sell my cassava even after dedicating my resources to this project. I want to plant another crop that will help me raise money to meet my financial needs,” said Ziro.

She said farmers are counting losses after cultivating the crop for three years.  “I was told I would sell the planting materials and gain profits, but this has not happened yet I took a loan of Sh40, 000 from my chama to purchase the seedlings knowing that I would get ready market,” she lamented.

Patience Charo said before the Covid-19 pandemic, they would sell the produce at markets and to small-scale farmers from Kwale, Taita Taveta and Lamu counties who purchased the planting materials.

Hundreds of frustrated cassava women from the Basi Mwangaza Farmers Cooperative Society in Majivuni village in Kilifi County have now decided to ditch the crop.  

A promise to construct a processing factory in Tezo at Sh36 million has not materialised either.  

Maureen Ongala and Winnie Atieno