Kilimohai Organic Brand Book

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

In a region where organic agriculture is gaining momentum, a strong, recognizable, and credible identity is essential. That’s why the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) is proud to present the Kilimohai Organic Brand Book — a landmark document that brings structure and clarity to how we communicate and uphold the Kilimohai Organic mark across East Africa.

The Kilimohai Organic mark is more than just a label — it’s a symbol of trust, health, sustainability, and regional unity. Developed under the framework of the East African Organic Products Standard (EAOPS), this Brand Book provides a detailed roadmap for stakeholders across the organic value chain. From certification bodies and PGS groups to traders, processors, and support organizations, this guide ensures that the Kilimohai mark is used consistently, transparently, and in line with organic standards.

Inside the Brand Book, you’ll find:

  • Clear certification and licensing guidance for both third-party and PGS systems
  • Guidelines on the use of the Kilimohai mark, including visual identity, licensing agreements, and usage rules
  • Operational procedures such as inspection protocols, forms, templates, and manuals for smooth coordination
  • Tools and governance structures including fee schedules, registration tools, and JMC rules
  • Alignment with EAOPS ensuring regional consistency and credibility

By harmonizing how we present and manage the Kilimohai Organic identity, this Brand Book builds a foundation for greater consumer confidence, improved market access, and stronger collaboration among organic actors in East Africa.

As the organic sector continues to grow, this Brand Book will serve as a reference point and resource for everyone working to promote safe, organic food and sustainable farming.

👉 Access the Kilimohai Organic Brand Book here: https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Kilimohai-Organic-Brand-Book_KOAN.pdf

Let’s grow the Kilimohai Organic movement together — rooted in integrity, driven by standards, and united by a shared vision.

 

 

Register for the 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference!

/0 Comments/in , , /by
The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference is set to take place from 25th – 28th March 2025 at the Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. This landmark event will bring together key stakeholders to explore the transformative power of agroecology in fostering resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

Why Attend?

This conference is a unique platform to engage in meaningful discussions on the role of agroecology in reshaping food systems for long-term sustainability. Attendees will gain insights into innovative approached, investment opportunities, and policies that support agroecological transitions. The event will feature in-person sessions, field excursion, and hybrid participation options for online attendees.

ththt

Conference Theme:

  • “Strengthening Agri-Food System Transformation for Resilience, Sustainability, and Socioeconomic Development.”

Key Focus Areas

  • Evidence Generation: Understanding the impact of agroecology in food system transformation.
  • Scaling Up Transitions: Strategies for expanding agroecological practices.
  • Digitalization in Agri-Food Systems: Exploring the role of technology in sustainable agriculture.
  • Investment in Research and Innovation: Encouraging funding for agroecology.
  • Trade and Market Opportunities: Enhancing economic prospects for small-scale farmers.
  • Inclusive Engagement: Ensuring participation from small-scale producers, indigenous communities, women, youth, and private sector players.

Conference Tracks

  1. Agroecological Systems & Scale-Up Strategies
  2. Food Security, Nutrition, and Health Nexus
  3. Women and Youth Empowerment in Agroecology
  4. Market Development & Trade
  5. Policy Reforms & Agroecology Investments
  6. Financing for Impact and Scale

Register Now!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement driving sustainable food systems transformation in Eastern Africa. Register today to secure your spot and contribute to shaping a resilient future.

For more details and registration, visit the official conference website: https://ea-agroecologyconference.org/

 

Join us at the 8th Africa Agri Expo – Where Innovation Meets Opportunity!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The 8th edition of the Africa Agri Expo (AAE) is here and we are thrilled to announce that the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) is a supporting partner! Organized by the TAB Group under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. This is a cornerstone event in Africa’s agricultural landscape. As Africa’s premier agribusiness platform, this event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals to explore new opportunities and drive growth in the agricultural sector.

This is your chance to connect, learn, and discover the latest trends shaping the future of agribusiness in Africa. Whether you’re a farmer, agripreneur, investor, or policymaker, AAE 2025 offers a dynamic space to network, engage with cutting-edge solutions, and expand your reach in the market.

Visit Our Booth E214!
Visit our booth to connect with three certified organic input suppliers: Juanco SPS, Organic Fields, and Organix Limited. Explore their innovative solutions for sustainable farming. Join us for two days of insightful discussions, networking, and industry innovations. Discover how organic and agroecological solutions are shaping the future of organic agriculture.

Date: 19th-20th February 2025
Venue: KICC Convention Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
Time: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Register Now to Secure Your Spot here:  https://www.africa-agriexpo.com/registration.html

Don’t miss out—sign up today and be part of this transformative event!

 

Join Our Team: Exciting Career Opportunities at KOAN!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

We are excited to announce new job openings at the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN). We are looking for high-caliber, self-motivated, and dedicated individuals to join our team and help drive our mission forward. The positions listed below are based at KOAN’s main office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Click on the job title to view the detailed job advertisement:

  1. Finance and Administration Manager
  2. Organic Marketing Manager – Head of Kilimohai Mark Development

We encourage qualified candidates to apply and become part of our impactful work in advancing organic agriculture in Kenya.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply now!

 

Organic Inspectors Training

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), a national business membership organization coordinating the organic agriculture sector in Kenya, is pleased to announce an Organic Inspectors Training from 2nd to 4th October 2024 at Rainbow Ruiru Resort. This training will focus on key updates and skills required in organic certification, specifically:

  1. Implementation of the new EU Regulation 848/2018 group certification schemes.
  2. Adapting to changes in production rules under the new EU Regulation 848/2018.
  3. Implementing processing, handling, and labeling changes in line with the new EU regulations.
  4. Adjusting to changes in the NOP USDA and adapting them to organic projects.
  5. Conducting witnessed audits.

The training will combine both theoretical and practical sessions, with 2.5 days dedicated to classroom-based learning and a half-day for practical fieldwork, including a witnessed audit.

How to Apply: Secure your slot by filling out this link https://bit.ly/OrganicInspectorsTraining. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once all slots are filled. The deadline for registration is COB 25th September 2024.

 

This training is ideal for:

  • Field officers working in organic projects
  • Organic internal inspectors with certified operations or on freelance assignments
  • ICS managers
  • Field extension workers in NGOs, private organizations, or county governments

Costs:

  • Kshs. 45,000 for participants requiring accommodation (includes conference, accommodation, and training).
  • Kshs. 30,000 for day scholars.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

A limited number of full sponsorship slots are available. Sponsorship opportunities are available for:

  1. KOAN paid-up members; or
  2. Organizations that register 5 participants will receive sponsorship for 2 participants, and those registering 3 participants will have 1 participant sponsored.

To express interest in sponsorship, please contact Samuel Ndungu via email ndungus@koan.co.ke

Visit KOAN Stakeholders at the 2024 Nairobi International Trade Fair!

/0 Comments/in , /by

We are excited to extend a warm invitation to join us at the 2024 Nairobi International Trade Fair (NITF) from September 23rd to 29th held at the ASK Jamhuri Showground, Nairobi. The NITF is a premier event in East Africa, promoting Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Trade.

This year, in collaboration with Nairobi City County and with support from Biovision Foundation, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and Leopold Bachmann Stiftung we are thrilled to showcase our partners and members products under the banner Kenya Organic Stakeholders. Visit our tent and demo plot at the Nairobi City County – Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sector area to explore a wide range of organic products from exhibitors including;

  1. Ava Oils
  2. Ayedos Limited
  3. Juanco SPS
  4. Machakos Organic Farmers Cooperative
  5. Muranga Organic Farmers Cooperative
  6. Organic Fields (Hygrow)
  7. Organix Limited
  8. Percymacs Company Limited

Whether you’re looking to network, learn about the latest trends and innovations, or explore new business opportunities, the NITF offers a unique platform to do so. Don’t miss the chance to engage with stakeholders in the organic agriculture sector and discover sustainable solutions for your enterprise or farm.

Ticket Charges

  • Perimeter Charges: Adult – Kshs. 300; Child – Kshs. 250
  • Special Parties: Adult – Kshs. 250; Child – Kshs. 200

We look forward to seeing you there!

Inaugural Participatory Guarantee System Training of Trainers held by KOAN.

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Unlike the “Third Party Certification” approach, which relies on external inspection bodies, the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) represents an alternative assurance system. PGS involves internal procedures that are less rigorous and less costly, making it particularly suitable for local farming setups comprising groups of farmers, buyers or consumers, and stakeholders. PGS enables consumers, farmers, and all participants in the value chain to establish an “organic guarantee” system built upon principles of transparency and trust. This system empowers smallholder farmers working in groups to cultivate and market organic agricultural produce, while consumers gain access to safe products and become actively engaged in the agricultural process.

In Kenya, the adoption of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) has witnessed ongoing growth, with 25 groups currently registered and approved by KOAN. As the custodian of the East African Organic Products Standards, KOAN establishes the regulations governing PGS in Kenya. Furthermore, there has been a notable increase in the demand for organic products. As consumer interest in organic food production continues to surge, it becomes imperative to expand the supply of organic products. Numerous farmer groups across the country have received training in organic farming and collaborate with NGOs and CBOs. However, these groups encounter challenges in accessing organic markets due to the absence of a formal guarantee system.

On 8th June 2023, KOAN conducted its inaugural virtual training on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Training of Trainers (ToT). The primary objective of the training was to enhance and strengthen the skills necessary for effectively implementing and auditing PGS groups, thereby facilitating the growth of PGS in Kenya. The training aimed to establish a group of accredited PGS Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) and Assessors who would play a pivotal role in expanding the number of PGS groups across the country. By doing so, the training sought to augment the range, assortment, and seasonal availability of organic products in the market, originating from PGS groups. This training attracted a diverse group of over 30 participants who already possess experience in working with farmers’ groups and providing training on organic farming practices. The participants were carefully chosen from various regions across Kenya, where organic farming is practiced, and were selected from both KOAN members and partner organizations, including PELUM Kenya and Biovision Africa Trust.

During this initial stage of the training, participants were required to complete a pre-training form aimed at assessing their existing knowledge, skills, and pertinent working information. Subsequently, the participants attended the inaugural training webinar, which focused on the formulation of a PGS development plan. This training provided participants with the necessary tools to gather information and develop an initial draft of the development plan. Stay connected with us via social media channels for updates regarding the upcoming steps, during which the participants will present and further refine the draft development plan in a face-to-face training. This comprehensive training program will involve three days of classroom sessions and a one-day experiential learning opportunity in the field.

If you require further information about the training or wish to register your group for PGS, please get in touch with Samuel Ndungu via email ndungus@koan.co.ke

KOAN and Greenspoon Supermarket join forces to promote Certified Organic Products in Kenya

/0 Comments/in , , /by

We are thrilled to share the news of our partnership with Greenspoon Supermarket. As part of this collaboration, we are delighted to provide a 10% discount on all Kilimohai Organic certified products offered at Greenspoon.

Furthermore, Greenspoon is actively pursuing additional certified organic suppliers. Their dedication to promoting organic practices means they are actively seeking collaborations with certified farms and processors. This creates a valuable opportunity for you as well as the farmers you certify.

We would appreciate your support in providing us with a comprehensive list of your certified farms, including their details and the dates of their most recent certification audits. Through our collaboration with Greenspoon, we aim to collectively strengthen the Kilimohai certification process and encourage more farms and processors in Kenya to pursue organic certification.

Furthermore, if you have farms that hold certifications under other well recognized organic standards such as USDA Organic, National Organic Program (NOP), European Union (EU) organic certification, Japanese Agricultural Organic Standard (JAS), or China Organic Standards, we kindly request your assistance in facilitating their connection with us. Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

To streamline this process, we would appreciate it if you could pass on our contact details to your certified farms. This will enable us to directly communicate with them. Our team is eager to furnish them with additional information regarding the partnership and guide them on becoming suppliers for Greenspoon Supermarket.

We are excited about this opportunity to strengthen Kilimohai Organic certification and expand the presence of certified organic products in Kenya. Your collaboration and support play an integral role in achieving our shared goals. Visit https://kilimohaikenya.org/all-shop-store/ to redeem your 10% coupon discount and check out other participating outlets. 

We sincerely appreciate your forthcoming assistance. If you have any inquiries or need additional information, please feel free to contact Martin Njoroge, Programmes Officer via martin@koan.co.ke or +254 725 295 437 without hesitation. We eagerly anticipate working hand in hand and creating a beneficial influence on the organic industry in Kenya.

Download Press Release HERE

Commencement and Launch Meeting for the Integrated Sustainable Production of Tomatoes (ISPOT) in Kenya Phase II

/0 Comments/in , /by

Mary took on the responsibility of representing our team at the highly anticipated Project Inception and Kickoff Meeting for the Integrated Sustainable Production of Tomatoes (ISPOT) in Kenya Phase II. The meeting was held on the 30th and 31st of May 2023 at the Mara Frontier Hotel in Narok, Kenya.

This pivotal gathering served as the foundation for the implementation of the ISPOT Phase II project in two counties, namely Kirinyaga and Narok. The primary objective of the meeting was to unite stakeholders and foster a shared understanding of the project’s scope, timeline, and respective roles.

By attending this meeting, Mary played a crucial role in establishing a strong starting point for the ISPOT Phase II project. Her presence ensured that our team’s voice was heard and that our interests were represented among the diverse group of stakeholders present.

Photo by Waldemar on Unsplash

The two-day event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to align their perspectives, discuss project details, and forge a common vision for the successful execution of the ISPOT Phase II initiative. Through active participation and insightful contributions, Mary helped to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among all involved parties.

As the meeting drew to a close, it became evident that the shared understanding achieved during this gathering would serve as a solid foundation for the subsequent stages of the project. With a clear project scope, well-defined timeline, and clearly established roles for each stakeholder, the ISPOT Phase II project is poised for a successful implementation in Kirinyaga and Narok counties.

Mary’s dedicated representation during the Project Inception and Kickoff Meeting contributed significantly to the collective effort of ensuring a smooth and coordinated start to the ISPOT Phase II project. Her involvement exemplified our team’s commitment to the project’s success and set the stage for fruitful collaboration with all stakeholders involved.

Overall, the meeting was a crucial milestone in the ISPOT Phase II project, bringing together key players and laying the groundwork for a harmonious and efficient project implementation process.

Murang’a Takes the Lead in Advancing County Agroecology Policy

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The inauguration of the Muranga agroecology policy and ACT on March 9th, 2023 will forever be etched in the annals of history as the pioneering county in Kenya to adopt a policy and act exclusively focused on agroecology. This occasion marked a momentous milestone and set the precedent for the agroecology movement and proponents in Kenya and around the world. The launch event, jointly organized by the Muranga County Government, the Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE), and stakeholders associated with the Muranga Agroecology Multistakeholder Platform, aimed to provide a platform for agroecology practitioners to showcase their products and services, as well as establish connections for collaborative agroecology implementation.

Muranga County, as the frontrunner among the 47 counties in Kenya, has established an agroecology policy and Act, setting a precedent for other counties and stakeholders who have long been advocating for the integration of agroecology principles and practices into a legal framework through government policies and acts. Despite the promising prospects of agroecology in addressing the challenges faced by food systems, which have adverse effects on the environment and human health, the growth of agroecology has been hindered by the slow recognition of its benefits. This can be largely attributed to a lack of political support and inadequate regulatory frameworks to guide and promote the adoption and sustainability of agroecology. However, with the introduction of such policies and Acts, the government and agricultural stakeholders are obligated to provide both technical and financial support to enhance the implementation of agroecology.

During the launch event, Stephen Munania, the Deputy Governor of Muranga County, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to complement each other’s work. He expressed the county’s openness to collaborations through the Multistakeholder Platform and pledged support for agroecology initiatives, positioning Muranga as a center of excellence for the production of healthy agroecological foods. Martin Mwenda, the Executive Director of the Institute for Culture and Ecology, commended the unity demonstrated by stakeholders during the launch and emphasized its significance for the implementation of agroecology actions. He highlighted that the Muranga policy acknowledges the importance of a multistakeholder approach in driving agroecology implementation within the county, promoting collaboration and synergy-building among stakeholders.

For farmers, this was a moment of recognition for their diligent efforts in providing safe and nutritious food. The smiles on their faces were a testament to the positive impact that agroecology has had on their lives and livelihoods. Proudly showcasing their agroecological products, they expressed optimism about the future of agroecology and pledged to collaborate with the county government and other stakeholders to transform food systems in Kenya through agroecology. Given the escalating costs of inputs, agroecology brings relief to farmers as it enables them to apply local knowledge and produce low-cost farming solutions.

Looking ahead, Daniel Gitahi, the Chief Officer for Agriculture in Muranga County, emphasizes the importance of organizations implementing agroecology-related projects aligning themselves with the Multistakeholder Platform. He highlights that the Multistakeholder Platform serves as a think-tank for agroecology initiatives within the county, and the collective expertise and involvement of stakeholders will play a crucial role in advancing the county’s agroecology agenda.