Farmers receive the Global Gap Certification from TradeCare Africa CEO Joyce Gema (fourth left) in Kandara, Murang'a County. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]
More farmers' groups in Murang'a are being audited to pave the way for their farm produce to access international markets.
Gatuura Horticulture Farmers’ Cooperative Society, based in Kandara constituency, is the first farmers' group to be certified with the Global Gap Certification to sell its farm produce to European retail outlets upon completion of the verification process conducted by TradeCare Africa.
The process included soil and water tests on the farmers' farms.
TradeCare Africa Chief Executive Joyce Gema said for the farmers to get clearance for their produce to access international markets, they must comply with all the set guidelines.
The CEO said in the past, only registered export companies obtained the certification, locking farmers out of direct access to international markets.
In Murang’a, she said, there are 22 farmers awaiting completion of the clearance process to export their produce to the European markets.
Gatuura Farmers Group, led by their chairman, Lawrence Kiguro, demonstrated a willingness to learn and remained committed, Gema said.