Kenya has received the green light for export of French beans to the US.

The move follows improvements in washing, packaging and processing of beans and could earn farme more billions. The permission precedes a 12-year ban and five years of intense lobbying by fresh produce growers.

The move will now open a new frontier, beyond Europe, for the country’s 15,0000 bean farmers. Import of Kenyan beans has been banned into the US since the year 2000, making the decision by the US Department of Agriculture, a landmark ruling for the country’s horticultural industry.

“We are amending the fruits and vegetable regulations to allow the importation of French and runner beans from Kenya into the US,” said the country’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in a statement.

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Government has asked investors to stop branding the agricultural sector as a risky area to invest if the country is to address the key destabilizing challenge of agricultural risks.

The call was made by the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama while officiating at a workshop on agricultural risk management at the Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala.

He said that many investors have been dodging to invest in the sector which employs the largest population of Ugandans claiming that the agricultural sector is risky thus cannot easily give back returns.

He admitted that sometimes there may be production risks which may be taken for granted until calamity strikes but planning beforehand can improve the situation.

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A LONG time struggle to transform agriculture is bearing fruit, giving hope for a brighter future. That was the implication in President Jakaya Kikwete’s move when launching an agricultural research facility built by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

“Overcoming the many challenges facing African agriculture is a gigantic task that requires addressing many issues including developing adequate capacities for research in order to develop high yielding and disease-resistant seeds,” said president Kikwete.

The president added: “In 2006, the government of Tanzania developed a comprehensive 14-year Agricultural Sector Development Programme to overcome the challenges. The purpose is to increase agricultural productivity through more application of modern science and technology.”

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Serengeti — FARMERS in Serengeti District in Mara Region have generated more than 8bnl/- after selling 2,520 tonnes of tobacco this season.

The Serengeti District Council Executive Director (DED), Ms Goody Pamba, made the revelation during a full council meeting on Wednesday. “Tobacco has earned Serengeti farmers 8.42bn/-from the 2,520.13 tonnes sold this season,” Ms Goody told the Serengeti District Council full meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Serengeti District Council Chairman, John Ng’oina. The district council, she said is keen on ensuring that tobacco farming does not have any negative impact on food security and environmental conservation in the wildlife rich district.

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NYARUGENGE DISTRICT LEADERS have embarked on promoting tea and coffee farming to boost household incomes and fight poverty among residents.

With about 62 per cent of its population living under the poverty line, the district remains one of the poorest in the country.

As majority of its population relies entirely on agriculture, local leaders believe developing the sector would significantly uplift the lives of residents and speed up development.

Mayor Francois Habitegeko said the plan is to support tea and coffee farmers to keep on improving the quality and quantity of their crops. The hilly district is favourable to tea and coffee production due to its climate and soil acidity.

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