The EU has approved a grant of Sh227 million (£1.75m) to strengthen horticulture produce certification and quality assurance in Kenya.

The three-year Horticultural Produce Phytosanitary Certification and Quality Assurance (Horticap) project is aimed at improving the performance of the country’s horticulture sector, and helping capacity-building efforts at the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (Kephis) that will allow the sector to comply with EU market standards.

Kephis managing director Chagema Kedera told local press that the project would improve the sector’s performance and contribute to the development of Kenya’s agricultural base, raise the average rural income and alleviate rural poverty.

Horticap will add to Kephis’s infrastructure and install modern laboratory facilities, as well as assist in purchasing of vital equipment and staff training.

“The new laboratory inspection facility will be completed in two years and subject Kenyan produce to minimal inspection at the port of entry in the European Union markets,” said Kedera.

“Currently, less than one per cent of our produce is subjected to inspection at EU points of entry, but our main target is 100 per cent inspection locally.”

Topics