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NAIROBI (Xinhua) --
Kenya plans to redouble efforts in growing food crops
to help diversify exports and boost agriculture, a senior official
said on Wednesday.
Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Willy
Bett said that under the new approach, Kenya will export food crops
and fisheries products besides tea, coffee, vegetables and fruits to
foreign markets.
“We are working on a strategy whereby we are going to give priority
to food crops and textile for export as opposed to favoring
traditional export crops,” Bett said in Nairobi after signing trade
agreements with Ireland on fisheries and agriculture.
He noted that the government is promoting sustainable
intensification and a strong focus on consumer insight and
market-led growth.
“We plan to prioritize knowledge transfer, appropriate incentives
and improved producer and market structures,” he said.
Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney announced that
Ireland will support Kenya’s fisheries, aquaculture, trade in fish
and fishery products and marine fisheries management.
“Farming and fisheries are crucial for Kenya’s economy hence the
need to expand commercialization and competitiveness of the
commodities,” he said.
He said Ireland plans to distribute high quality potatoes to help
improve the value chain for potatoes in Kenya. |
