On the 28th to 30th of March, Koppert Kenya Exhibited at the GLOBAL G.A.P tour in Nairobi. GLOBAL G.A.P, an internationally recognized certification standard for farm production, in partnership with Rootooba, a Kenyan, agriculturally-based technical support held its second tour stop conference in Kenya.
The event was aimed at giving producers, retailers, Agri-input suppliers, and other agriculture stakeholders a platform to understand why it is crucial to get certification in a bid to access vital markets. The event also aimed at encouraging safe and sustainable farming methods, market compliance, access to regional and global trade networks, and customer demand responsiveness.,
During the 3-day event, various keynote speakers held important discussions around increasing opportunities for Kenyan produce to reach untapped regional and international marketplaces. They also focused on issues currently affecting the trade in fresh produce in both local and global markets such as changing pesticides regimes, implications of the lifting of the GMO ban on Kenya’s fresh produce export markets, testing solutions, harmonizing market standards for the benefit of producers and exporters and financing solutions.
Koppert Experts from both the Horti and Agri sectors participated in the exhibition showcasing the latest Koppert technologies and biological solutions that are today being used by growers to achieve the highest food safety demands in the market. Among the Industry leaders and development partners present were USAID, implementing partners, and sector associations including, the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK), Avocado Exporters Association of Kenya, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA),
According to the Rootooba Lead DR. Charity Mutegi, this event was a starting point for stakeholders to understand their roles in promoting Food safety, understand the Gaps in the market, and challenge their current ideas and practices to see if they are responsive and aligned to the changing market needs.