PELUM Kenya in collaboration with Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) organized for a National Multi -Stakeholder Meeting on Cross Border Trade in Agroecological Produce on 26th and 27th August, 2025 in Nakuru, Kenya. Cross-border trade in agroecological products between Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania holds great potential for farmers, especially youth and women. However, it is met with challenges like limited market access, tariffs, and inadequate support
The meeting started off with a field learning visit to Slowfood farmers in Njoro and also visited Njoro Earth Market. Farmers from Busia County also came with their Agroecological products for showcasing and shared some of the challenges they’re experiencing in cross-border trading.
Afterwards, we held a stakeholder meeting with the various trade actors not limited to State Department of Agriculture, County Governments of Busia and Kajiado, KRA(KENYA REVENUE AUTHORITY) – Customs, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Organic Agriculture Network, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation KENAFF, Slow Food Kenya, TRANSCOM, Busia Cross Border Traders Association, Busia Farmers/Traders, SNV, Hivos, CSHEP Kenya Organic Foods, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, YALTA Youth, Consumer Grassroots Association, Kenya among others
The meeting created an opportunity to:
- Discuss on the AFSA study done on Trade of Agroecological Products within the EAC. The study highlights the challenges, opportunities and recommendations for cross border trade of Agroecological produce for learning and scaling up.
- Share insights on operational realities of Agroecological trade in Kenya and impacts of trade policies on the ground.
- Developed action plan with recommendations for scaling up export of Agroecological products in Kenya.
- Identified policies and practices at national level to support cross border trade of Agroecological products.
PELUM Kenya is committed to policy advocacy, capacity building, and stronger regional linkages to ensure farmers benefit from fair and sustainable trade
