AFA kicks off first regional public participation on the Draft Horticultural Crops (Amendment) Regulations 2025
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 5 – Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) on Thursday 3rd December 2025 hosted first regional public participation forum on the Draft Horticultural Crops (Amendment) Regulations 2025 at the Kenya School of Government, Kabete Campus.
The session was graced by the AFA Board Chair, Hon. Cornelly Serem and the Horticultural Crops Directorate Director, Ms. Christine Chesaro, who led stakeholders through discussions on strengthening Kenya’s horticulture value chain.
Farmers, traders, exporters, county officials and industry leaders came together to share insights and ensure the proposed regulations align with the real needs of Kenya’s vibrant horticulture sector.
The main objective of the draft Crops (Horticultural Crops) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 is to strengthen, facilitate, promote, and effectively regulate the entire Horticulture sub-sector in Kenya to ensure sustainable growth, quality assurance and increased profitability for all participants across the value chain.
Additionally, enhanced objectives of the Draft regulations incorporating with the aim to facilitate, promote and regulate the sector includes;
Facilitate Value Chain Development to streamline procedures, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and provide a supportive legal framework that encourages investment, innovation and efficiency at every stage of the horticulture value chain, from production to market.
Promote Market Access and Competitiveness to establish and enforce standards that enhance the quality, safety and traceability of Kenyan horticultural produce, thereby increasing its competitiveness both in domestic and lucrative international markets.
Regulate for Quality and Compliance to institute clear, enforceable regulatory measures and licensing requirements for all actors (farmers, traders, exporters, processors) to ensure compliance with both national and international phytosanitary and food safety standards.
Further, Ensure fair practices and Profitability as to protect the interests of farmers and other primary producers by establishing mechanisms for fair trade, transparent pricing, and improved contractual arrangements, leading to greater returns for their effort.
Enhance Sustainability and Resilience to encourage the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices, sustainable resource management and technologies that improve productivity, resilience to climate change, and environmental protection within the sector.
Foster Collaboration and Dialogue to institutionalize a framework for structured engagement and public participation among all stakeholders (AFA, County Governments, private sector, farmers, civil society) to ensure regulations remain relevant and responsive to the sector’s evolving needs.
The physical public participation forums are set to continue in different regions which include scheduled at Coast-Mombasa Mombasa Beach Hotel on December 8 2025 at Mombasa Beach Hotel.
North Rift, Western-Eldoret at Eldoret National Polytechnic on December 8 2025.
South Rift-Nakuru at Hotel Waterbuck on December 10 2025 and Nyanza-Kisumu at Kisumu Hotel respectively.
