Migori County plans to assist local farmers acquire the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) certification to promote the value addition of their products to gain a competitive market edge.
Migori County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Fishery, and Blue Economy Lucas Mosenda said the county has a lot of products created by various farmers’ groups in the county that cannot be sold beyond the county due to lack of proper KEBS certification.
Mosenda announced that the Department of Agriculture will ensure that county products receive food safety certifications from relevant bodies like KEBS, allowing farmers to benefit from their produce.
KEBS ensures food products are safe for human and animal consumption, providing confidence in usage and performance capability. Public health organizations ensure food certification safety by obtaining health certificates that demonstrate the business’s approval and non-harmful impact on human and animal health.
Mosenda urged the farmers to embrace value addition of their products to enable them to have a competitive edge in the markets for better returns. The County plans to offer youth internships to enhance agricultural and livestock education, information, and practical skills for farmers at the grassroots level.
The official, however, called upon the county farmers to register to enjoy services offered by both the County and the National government. He noted that the national government has been issuing subsidized fertilizer while the county has been giving out seeds for the March planting season to promote agricultural activities in the county.
The county and its developmental partners will continue to hold and promote agricultural exhibitions to help grassroots farmers enhance their agricultural production capacity.
Julius Otieno a bee farmer from Rongo Sub County noted that it has been very hard to sell their group honey produce on the shelves because of lack of KEBS certification. He was, however, pleased that the County has stepped in to assist county farmers.
By Marion Obuya
