5th Organic Business Workshop

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Unveiling Opportunities: Join Us at the 5th Organic Business Workshop!

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) is at the forefront of Kenya’s organic agriculture sector, providing essential guidance and professional advisory services to members and stakeholders. Our focus spans organic production, technical training, marketing, certification, and policy matters. In line with our mission, we’re thrilled to announce our 5th Annual Organic Business Workshop, aimed at enhancing market connections within the organic sector.

Globally, the organic industry is experiencing remarkable growth, emerging as the fastest-expanding segment within agriculture, with billions of dollars in products traded annually. This growth is mirrored in Kenya, where the demand for safe, wholesome food is rising, driven by concerns about food safety in the local supply chain. With a discerning middle class making more conscious food choices and export markets prioritizing sustainability and reduced carbon footprints, the organic sector’s importance is skyrocketing.

KOAN has been a trailblazer in fostering business partnerships within the organic industry, facilitating local and international trade through strategic advisory services and partnerships. In collaboration with the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL), we are steadfast in advancing organic market development in Kenya, targeting both domestic and export markets.

The Organic Business Workshop is an exclusive gathering designed to highlight identified organic business prospects across four counties: Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Machakos, and Murang’a. The workshop will focus on three key Strategic Business Groups: Organic Vegetables, Organic Fruits, and Organic Roots and Tubers. This event serves as a platform to explore new partnerships within these identified pathways and to share insights from our Annual Organic Data Survey.

As a valued organic stakeholder, we are excited to invite you to the 5th Organic Business Workshop, scheduled for May 8th, 2024, at Pride Inn Azure, Westlands Nairobi, Kenya, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please register via this link https://bit.ly/OrganicBusinessWorkshop5th to join the meeting virtually via zoom.

We eagerly anticipate your active participation in this workshop, which marks a pivotal step in exploring collaborative organic business opportunities. For any inquiries or further information, please feel free to contact the undersigned or Martin Njoroge Kimani at martin@koan.co.ke or +254 725 295 437.

7th Africa Agri Expo

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2nd Kenya National PGS Workshop

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THE 2nd KENYA NATIONAL PGS WORKSHOP

Date : Friday 17th November 2023

Venue : Sports View Hotel Kasarani

Time : 9.00am – 4.00pm

Goal : Improved farmers’ livelihoods driven by an increased organic market value and effective organic sector services being part of a well-coordinated sector.

Objectives:

  1. To develop strong PGS systems for greater transparency and guarantee of Kilimohai Organic Produce.
  2. To provide opportunity for improved networking among PGS groups in Kenya.
  3. To create a platform for cross learning about the opportunities and best practices in PGS.

Participants:

  • PGS group representatives from all over Kenya
  • NGO partners sponsoring PGS groups
  • Organic Sector Traders,
  • Retailers and
  • Interested parties from County Governments

Introduction

Whereas Organic farming is seen as an alternative to conventional farming which has negative attendant impacts on the environment, 3rd party certification is often times seen as a significant hurdle in market access for organic smallholder farmers. Participatory Guarantee Systems were introduced as a way of empowering farmers to take charge of organic certification through self-guarantee while building groups to be cohesive marketing units for organic produce. PGS being a grassroots initiative is coordinated at the national level by the national organic movements who are in charge of among other things ; assessing and approving PGS groups, maintaining a national registry of PGSes by collecting and collating groups information.

With over a decade of PGS implementation, the process in Kenya has evolved to have its own unique flair, with multiple groups exhibiting diverse characteristics, norms and modalities. With such a rich pool of experiences to draw from, the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) the national coordinator for PGS groups in Kenya is finalizing an assessment of various PGS groups in order to catalogue best practices, challenges and opportunities and recommendations for growth.

As a way of sharing this information and enhancing interaction and experience sharing among PGS groups in Kenya, the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network is organizing the 2nd Kenya National PGS Workshop which is envisioned to be a consultative session where PGS representatives from different parts of Kenya will meet up to share and discuss critical matters regarding how PGS in Kenya are managed. The workshop will offer opportunities to discuss the future of PGS in Kenya and how to decentralize the development and approval.

There will be launching of  awards for outstanding PGSes in different categories where the judging criteria will be shared to the groups in attendance for judging in 2nd National PGS workshop 2023.

Activities for the workshop will include:

Objective 1: To develop strong PGS systems for greater transparency and guarantee of Kilimohai Organic Produce.

  • Presentation of current PGS register and how they are functioning.
  • Discussion on how should an ideal PGS look like?
  • Discussion on the link between standards the system and the mark.
  • Presentation of the National PGS structure (NPGS committee and how they are functioning and their plan.)
  • Discussion on trust building in PGS systems.

Objective 2: To provide opportunity for improved networking among PGS groups in Kenya.

  • Presentation by PGS groups on how they are doing their operations.
  • Break out session on the different zones and how to improve networking.

Objective 3: To create a platform for cross learning about the opportunities and best practices in PGS.

  • Profile of a successful group – shown as a video/ presentation
  • To compare where the different PGS are and what to do to bridge the gaps

2nd International Africa Avocado Congress 2023

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Our friends at the Avocado Society of Kenya will be holding the Second International Africa Avocado Congress 2023 from 31st May to 2nd June, 2023 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Avocado Africa Congress 2023 is the largest global convergence of stakeholders in the avocado sector held in Africa. This year’s theme is “Avocado Africa; a convergence of technology and business for increased competitiveness and trade,” the event is aimed at stimulating trade, technology and knowledge transfer and sharing and will draw participants in the Avocado sector and other stakeholders across the world.

For more information on how you can be part of this congress visit www.avocadoafrica.com or register via: 0722 406 941 | 0722 457 388 | 0733 917 964 | 0722 292 360 and check the poster below.

 

International Farmers and Food Processors Expo 2023

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We are pleased to extend the Skyzone Group invitation to exhibit at the International Farmers and Food Processors Expo which will be held from 8th to 10th June, 2023 at the Paradise Lost, along Kiambu Road.

This year’s theme is christened “Embracing agriculture and food production for socio-economic development,” and is expected to draw local and international participants across the agricultural food value chain including; small-scale farmers, input suppliers, food processors, and innovative technologies suppliers.

The expo will be a platform to foster trade, engage with participants and learn the latest trends and technologies in the food value chain for farmers and actors in the food processing sub-sector.

You can register as an exhibitor for three days for Kshs. 50,000 or as an individual organization or Kshs. 100,000 as an umbrella organization, by clicking this link.  For further clarification and information, see the poster below or reach out to Martha Kihara via +254 722 722 099 or Michael Allan Mugambi via +254 728 527 503.

We urge you to support our organic sector by exhibiting at the event.

BIOFACH 2023 – ORGANIC KENYA

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“Connecting Kenyan Organic Producers to the World: Introducing Organic Kenya”

As members of the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), we are excited to announce the launch of Organic Kenya – a new initiative that connects Kenyan organic producers to international buyers.

Organic Kenya is a group of fairtrade and EU organic certified companies, including Batian Nuts Limited, Olivado EPZ Limited, Zuri Organics Limited, Fine Aromas of Kenya Limited, and Wondernut Kenya Limited.

Our mission is to provide linkages between organic exporting companies in Kenya and international buyers, while also providing opportunities for our member companies to exhibit their products under the Organic Kenya brand.

We understand the challenges that come with exporting organic products, which is why we also offer matchmaking and due diligence services to ensure that our clients are getting the best products at the best prices. We are committed to building a strong reputation for Kenyan organic products in the global market.

As part of KOAN, we are located along Thika Road, CPA Centre Block A Room 12B, and we welcome all of our members to come and learn more about Organic Kenya and how it can benefit your business. We are also excited to announce that we will be exhibiting at Biofach 2023 (find us at hall 3A stand 320), the world’s leading trade fair for organic food, and invite all of our members to visit our stand and learn more about our products and services.

By joining Organic Kenya, our members will have access to a wider market and better prices for their products. Let us connect you to the best the world has to offer.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of Organic Kenya or want to learn more about our services, please contact us at info@koan.co.ke or visit our website at koan.co.ke/organic-kenya

We look forward to working with you and promoting the growth of the organic industry in Kenya.

KOAN BIOFACH 2023 EXPORTER PACKAGE

 

1st National PGS Workshop 2022

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THE 1st KENYA NATIONAL PGS WORKSHOP

Date : Friday 25th November 2022

Venue : Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Cultural Studies  (University of Nairobi)

Time : 9.00am – 4.00pm

Event type:  Hybrid (Physical and Virtual)

Zoom Link : https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85616693479?pwd=SC9YNC83T0tpM25aZVNEVDJRaVJxZz09

Goal : Improved farmers’ livelihoods driven by an increased organic market value and effective organic sector services being part of a well-coordinated sector.

Objective:

  • To develop strong PGS systems for greater transparency and guarantee of Kilimohai Organic Produce.
  • To provide opportunity for improved networking among PGS groups in Kenya.
  • To create awareness about opportunities and best practices in PGS.

Participants: PGS group representatives from all over Kenya, NGO partners sponsoring PGS groups, organic sector traders, retailers and interested parties.

Introduction

Whereas Organic farming is seen as an alternative to conventional farming which has negative attendant impacts on the environment, 3rd party certification is often times seen as a significant hurdle in market access for organic smallholder farmers. Participatory Guarantee Systems were introduced as a way of empowering farmers to take charge of organic certification through self-guarantee while building groups to be cohesive marketing units for organic produce. PGS being a grassroots initiative is coordinated at the national level by the national organic movements who are in charge of among other things ; assessing and approving PGS groups, maintaining a national registry of PGSes by collecting and collating groups information.

With over a decade of PGS implementation, the process in Kenya has evolved to have its own unique flair, with multiple groups exhibiting diverse characteristics, norms and modalities. With such a rich pool of experiences to draw from, the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) the national coordinator for PGS groups in Kenya is finalizing an assessment of various PGS groups in order to catalogue best practices, challenges and opportunities and recommendations for growth.

As a way of sharing this information and enhancing interaction and experience sharing among PGS groups in Kenya, the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network is organizing the 1st ever Kenya National PGS Workshop which is envisioned to be a consultative session where PGS representatives from different parts of Kenya will meet up to share and discuss critical matters regarding how PGS in Kenya are managed. The workshop will offer opportunities to discuss the future of PGS in Kenya and how to decentralize the development and approval.

There will also be to launch awards to outstanding PGS in different categories where the judging criteria will be shared to the groups in attendance for judging in 2nd National PGS workshop 2023.

 

Kenya National PGS Workshop 2022 Event Program

Time Activity Facilitator
8.45 Opening Remarks KOAN CEO
8.50 Welcome & introduction KOAN
9.00 Kenyan Organic Market opportunities – domestic and export KOAN
9.10 Background & reasons for this event with Agenda BVAT
9.15 Introduction and presentation of Groups Presentations (at least 12 groups @5 min each) with 1-2 min each group for clarifications KOAN

All Groups
10.00 Coffee & Tea Break MC
10.30 PGS assessment results presentation KOAN
11.00 Q&A
11.15 Presentation of new PGS framework by KOAN KOAN
12.00 Breakout Sessions to discuss information presented and proposed structures (Each 6-8 members for 25 minutes All
13.00 Lunch Break All
14.00 Feedback and Presentation from Breakout Session PELUM KENYA
14.45 Kilimohai presentation KOAN
15.00 PGS Awards Presentation KOAN/BVAT/PELUM
15.30 Way forward KOAN
15.45 Closing words All
16.00 Tea break All

 

 

KOAN

ORGANIC BUSINESS SUMMIT: DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS FOR NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

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DATE: 24 MARCH 2022

TIME: 8:30 AM- 1.00PM

EVENT TYPE: Invite Only

ORGANIZERS : KOAN , KALRO , FIBL,  OACK

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) together with its partners will be hosting a first of kind organic industry business event on Thursday, 24th March 2022 (9.00am) at the SportsView Hotel Kasarani and Zoom platform (use this link) . The Organic industry is the fastest growing subsector in agriculture globally, trading billions of dollars’ worth of products annually. This global trend is gaining pace in Kenya with people seeking healthy food amidst the Covid19 pandemic and food safety lapses in local food supply come to light. A burgeoning middleclass is fast becoming picky with food and export markets are becoming increasingly critical on sustainability, carbon emissions and pesticide residues.

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network has been an industry leader making meaningful business linkages within the organic space. KOAN has assisted notable companies with strategic and much needed advisory and farmer linkage services that have led to millions of dollars’ worth of trade both locally and for export to date. In a bid to rapidly expand the organic space, KOAN has partnered up with the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Africrops Limited, the Organic Agriculture Centre of Kenya (OACK) among other organizations to foster organic market development by focusing on both the domestic and export market.

The Organic Business Workshop is an invite only event to present identified and explored organic business opportunities for the local and export market, focusing on organic products originating from Murang’a County. There will be opportunity to discuss and integrate new partners into the identified pathways within three main Strategic Business Groups;

I. Organic Vegetables and Fruits for Local Market,

II. Organic Herbs and Spices and lastly

III. Organic Fruits for Export.

We are looking forward to your engagement and participation in the workshop. Meanwhile, please take the time to register on the provided link,

https://forms.gle/2sqJyUFU3MYELiWNA

Latest date to sign up for the event is 23rd March 2022.

Resources

PMCA PHASE 1 REPORT

Project Report 2019_Kenya PMCA Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship Capacity on Market Linkage for Organic Smallholder Farmers x

 

INVITATION 3rd Organic Business Workshop

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Date: 24th March 2022
Venue : Sportsview Hotel Kasarani

Dear Sir/ Madam

ORGANIC BUSINESS WORKSHOP: EXPLORING PARTNERSHIPS FOR NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) together with its partners invites you to the second Organic Industry Business Event on Thursday, 24th March (9.00am) at the SportsView Hotel Kasarani. As you may know, the Organic industry is the fastest growing sub-sector in agriculture globally, trading billions of dollars’ worth of products annually. This global trend is gaining pace in Kenya with people seeking healthy food amidst the Covid19 pandemic and food safety lapses in local food supply. A burgeoning middle-class is fast becoming picky with food and export markets are becoming increasingly critical on sustainability, carbon emissions and pesticide residues.

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network has been an industry leader making meaningful business linkages within the organic space. KOAN has assisted notable companies with strategic and much needed advisory and farmer linkage services that have led to millions of dollars’ worth of trade both locally and for export to date. In a bid to rapidly expand the organic space, KOAN has partnered up with the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Africrops Limited, the Organic Agriculture Centre of Kenya (OACK) among other organizations to foster organic market development by focusing on both the domestic and export market.

The Organic Business Workshop is an invite only event to present progress on organic business opportunities for the local and export market, focusing on organic products originating from Murang’a County. There will be opportunity to discuss identified pathways within three main Strategic Business Groups;

  1. Organic Vegetables and Fruits for Local Market,
  2. Organic Herbs and Spices and lastly
  3. Organic Fruits for Export.

We are looking forward to your much encouraged engagement and participation in the workshop, as it is the next phase of exploring joint organic business opportunities. Meanwhile, please acknowledge this letter by getting in touch with the undersigned and Martin Njoroge Kimani – martin@koan.co.ke (+254  725 295 437 ) who will also answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely

Eustace Kiarii

CEO KOAN

ekiariai@koan.co.ke

Kenya Organic Agriculture Network Tel: 0728 772 805 | 0731 772 805

P.O Box 2893 00100 Nairobi

Email: info@koan.co.ke |

Website: www.koan.co.ke

 

 

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KALRO KABETE (NARL)

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KALRO KABETE (NARL) -1.259367, 36.774234 KALRO KABETE Contacts The Centre Director KALRO Kabete, off Waiyaki way, Between Nairobi School and Kabete Army barracks P.O. Box 14733-00800, NAIROBI. Tel:  +254-020-2464435 Ext. 300 E-mail: cd.narl@kalro.org

INVITATION PMCA EVENT 2

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Date: 20th August 2021
Venue : KALRO KABETE

Dear Sir/ Madam

ORGANIC BUSINESS WORKSHOP: EXPLORING PARTNERSHIPS FOR NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) together with its partners invites you to the second Organic Industry Business Event on Friday, 20th August (9.00am) at KALRO KABETE (NARL). As you may know, the Organic industry is the fastest growing sub-sector in agriculture globally, trading billions of dollars’ worth of products annually. This global trend is gaining pace in Kenya with people seeking healthy food amidst the Covid19 pandemic and food safety lapses in local food supply. A burgeoning middle-class is fast becoming picky with food and export markets are becoming increasingly critical on sustainability, carbon emissions and pesticide residues.

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network has been an industry leader making meaningful business linkages within the organic space. KOAN has assisted notable companies with strategic and much needed advisory and farmer linkage services that have led to millions of dollars’ worth of trade both locally and for export to date. In a bid to rapidly expand the organic space, KOAN has partnered up with the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Africrops Limited, the Organic Agriculture Centre of Kenya (OACK) among other organizations to foster organic market development by focusing on both the domestic and export market.

The Organic Business Workshop is an invite only event to present progress on organic business opportunities for the local and export market, focusing on organic products originating from Murang’a County. There will be opportunity to discuss and integrate new partners into the identified pathways within three main Strategic Business Groups;

  1. Organic Vegetables and Fruits for Local Market,
  2. Organic Herbs and Spices and lastly
  3. Organic Fruits for Export.

We are looking forward to your much encouraged engagement and participation in the workshop, as it is the next phase of exploring joint organic business opportunities. Meanwhile, please acknowledge this letter by getting in touch with the undersigned and Martin Njoroge Kimani – martin@koan.co.ke (+254  725 295 437 ) who will also answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely

Eustace Kiarii

CEO KOAN

ekiariai@koan.co.ke

Kenya Organic Agriculture Network Tel: 0728 772 805 | 0731 772 805

P.O Box 2893 00100 Nairobi

Email: info@koan.co.ke |

Website: www.koan.co.ke

 

PMCA BUSINESS WORKSHOP PROGRAM

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KALRO KABETE (NARL)

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KALRO KABETE (NARL) -1.259367, 36.774234 KALRO KABETE Contacts The Centre Director KALRO Kabete, off Waiyaki way, Between Nairobi School and Kabete Army barracks P.O. Box 14733-00800, NAIROBI. Tel:  +254-020-2464435 Ext. 300 E-mail: cd.narl@kalro.org