Kenya says it is ready to increase maize imports from Uganda, but only if the grain meets the required safety and quality standards, particularly on moisture and aflatoxin levels.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe says Uganda has the potential to supply part of Kenya’s maize needs, but farmers and traders must ensure the grain is properly dried before it crosses the border.
“We can buy, but we need aflatoxin-free maize,” Kagwe said.
He said addressing the aflatoxin problem at the source would not only protect Kenyan consumers but also give Ugandan farmers greater access to the Kenyan market.
Kagwe spoke during a meeting with Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, where the two sides discussed ways of boosting agricultural trade between the neighbouring countries.
The discussions also focused on reducing trade barriers under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, with Kagwe calling for measures that would allow countries to benefit from each other’s agricultural strengths.
“We have to look for ways in agriculture where it is a win-win situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s National Assembly Agriculture and Livestock Committee Chairperson, Dr John Mutunga, called for increased investment in agriculture, warning that inadequate funding is limiting the sector’s ability to create jobs.
“Africa can feed itself, and we have a huge responsibility,” Mutunga said.
The two countries also agreed on the need for greater cooperation in areas such as agricultural technology, climate change, pest control, storage, value addition and access to markets.
The meeting comes as Kenya and Uganda seek to strengthen agricultural trade while ensuring that food crossing their borders is safe and meets the required quality standards.
