COMESA EAC Horticultural Accelerator (CEHA) Launched
COMESA EAC Horticultural Accelerator (CEHA) Launched
COMESA-EAC Horticulture Accelerator (CEHA) National Chapter of Kenya has been launched. It was hosted by the National Potato Council of Kenya with the event marking the continuation of a journey towards harnessing the vast potential of the horticulture sector within its region.
Prof. John Nderitu, Chairman NPCK Board Of Directors says CEHA-NPCK Kenya National Chapter focuses on three priority anchor value chains (VCs): avocado, onion, and potatoes.
“Horticulture, in particular, emerges as an important sub-sector within agriculture, with huge potential for economic prosperity and empowerment” Implored Nderitu
CEHA has a bottom-up structure where strategic priorities identified by national-level stakeholders, mainly the horticulture private sector drive the priorities at a regional level.
COMESA EAC Horticultural Accelerator (CEHA) Launched
“Horticulture offers a myriad of opportunities for our region. It serves as a catalyst for rural development, empowering smallholder farmers, and elevating livelihoods. The sector presents a gateway to international markets, providing a platform for our Member States to showcase their agricultural prowess on the global stage” Says Dr. John Mukuka ACTESA CEO
John notes that the establishment of the CEHA is a bold step forward in their endeavour to implement the COMESA and EAC Fruits and vegetables action Plans that are collectively geared to improve information flow on potential opportunities for trade of horticultural products within the region and globally. By providing support for market information and standards, they aim to empower our stakeholders with the knowledge and insights needed to seize market opportunities.
Representing Principal State Department for Trade Alfred K’ombudo, Deputy Director for trade and the COMESA focal point person Catherine Kithinji said that Kenya has for a long time depended on maize as a national staple, giving impetus to initiatives that support this value chain.
“CEHA’s deviation from this norm is a welcome move as the Irish potato’s potential to mitigate the food insecure situation in the country as captured in the programme background is astronomical, the nutritional benefits of the avocado to the citizenry as well as the export-driven forex make this a worthwhile pursuit while the inclusion of the onion value chain in this initiative is a timely consideration as there is need to reduce our reliance on imports to meet the domestic demand,” the PS said.
CEHA was created in 2022 by public and private sector partners to better coordinate policy, value chain development programs, financing, and Research and Development (R&D) of the horticulture industry. The aim of CEHA is to speed up growth of the Fruit and Vegetable (F&V) sub-sector of the COMESA and EAC Regions.
The vision of CEHA is that by 2031, climate-smart horticulture value chains will become a significant driver of income growth, inclusive job creation, and improved nutrition throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. CEHA is initially focusing on three priority anchor value chains (VCs), namely avocado, onion and Irish potatoes as these specific value chains have agronomic, logistical, regulatory challenges and opportunities that are common to many other F&V crops. Therefore, Avocado, Onion and Irish potatoes were selected in 2022 through surveys and were based on:
- production capacity;
- impact potential;
- market growth and value chain competitiveness of the crops;
- alignment to government priorities and degree of development partner investment.
“Establishing strategic horticultural production and processing clusters with agribusiness incubators throughout 5 targeted countries based on unique comparative and competitive advantage. These would serve to “crowd in” and better coordinate infrastructure (irrigation, power, roads) and processing investments and to leverage counter-seasonal export opportunities.” said Dr Mohamed Kadah, Assistant Secretary General Programmes at the COMESA secretariat during the launch of the CEHA Kenya Chapter Friday.
AMB.-DR.-MOHAMED-KADAH-COMESA-ASG.-KIAMBU-HORTICULTURE
CEHA will facilitate the modernization of regional horticulture value chains across East Africa, leveraging the comparative advantage, infrastructure, and technology in each country by:
- Co-ordinating investments that are primarily private sector-led into production, processing clusters in support of the EAC, COMESA, and individual country horticulture strategies.
- Facilitating policy and standards improvements to stimulate trade, market access for multiple regional fruit and vegetable value chains across the region.
- Facilitating access to both working capital and capex finance, as well as to technical assistance, for processors, farmers, and other agribusinesses across the value chain to accelerate growth.
