The AgriFI Food Safety Programme

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Project Status:

Ongoing

Regions:

Meru, Kirinyaga, Nakuru, Machakos, Bungoma, Kakamega, Nyandarua, Nairobi, Kiambu

Value Chain Impact Areas:

Product Quality and Compliance, Technology

Development Partner:

European Union (EU)

Project Budget:

£18M

The AgriFI Food Safety Programme is a European Union (EU) initiative under the AgriFI Kenya
Challenge Fund, designed to improve food safety compliance and enhance market access for
Kenyan horticultural exports. This programme emphasizes the development of robust food safety
systems, traceability, and adherence to international standards like GlobalG.A.P., HACCP, and
EU food safety regulations. It mainly serves smallholder farmers, producer organizations, agroprocessors, and exporters, offering them technical assistance to fulfil safety and quality standards
for both local and international markets.

Implementation Status

The program has been launched in partnership with the Government of Kenya, private sector
stakeholders, and development partners, ensuring a unified approach to food safety in the
horticulture sector. Key activities include:

  • Capacity-building initiatives aimed at training farmers and agribusinesses on Good
    Agricultural Practices (GAPs), pesticide management, and post-harvest handling.
  • Creation of traceability systems to improve product tracking throughout the value chain,
    thereby reducing the likelihood of rejection in export markets.
  • Support for upgrading laboratory infrastructure to enhance testing capabilities for
    contaminants, pesticide residues, and microbiological hazards.
  • Policy support and advocacy efforts to align Kenya’s food safety regulations with
    international standards, ensuring better compliance with EU and other global
    requirements.

Key Findings

  • Improved Compliance: Farmers and agribusinesses benefiting from the program have
    reported higher compliance with EU food safety regulations, resulting in lower rejection
    rates at the export level.
  • Increased Market Access: The program has allowed more smallholder farmers to tap
    into premium export markets, leading to better incomes and economic stability.
  • Enhanced Traceability Systems: The implementation of digital traceability solutions has
    reduced food safety risks and bolstered buyer confidence in Kenyan horticultural exports.
  • Capacity Building: More than 10,000 farmers have been trained in GAPs and food safety
    protocols, contributing to a more resilient and compliant horticultural sector.
  • Private Sector Engagement: Collaboration with exporters, agro-processors, and
    certification bodies has strengthened food safety governance within Kenya’s horticulture
    industry.