Join Our Team: Exciting Career Opportunities at KOAN!

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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!

 

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

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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

Murang’a Takes the Lead in Advancing County Agroecology Policy

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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.

Actualizing the Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA) methodology

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The implementation of the Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA) methodology has demonstrated immense potential in revolutionizing the organic industry throughout Kenya. During the trial period implemented in the COVID-19 pandemic years (2020-2022), a lot happened and much more was started.  Among these notable achievements, was the establishment and growth of the Kangari Organic Farmers Markets (KOFAM) and the Gatanga Organic Farmers Market (GOFAM).

Due to the imposed travel restrictions, organic products that were primarily destined for the Nairobi market faced significant challenges in reaching their consumers. Consequently, farmers began exploring local markets as an alternative solution. Initially, the idea of establishing a grocery shop in Kangari was considered, but based on past experiences regarding the management and upkeep of such ventures, it was discarded. Instead, the public market emerged as a favorable platform for selling organic products. Our collaboration with the farmers involved identifying business opportunities and refining them with the 5Ps of marketing (Product, Place, Price, Promotion, and Packaging).

Recognizing the importance of branding, the farmers made efforts to establish their unique presence within the market. They also engaged in negotiations with the County government to secure a dedicated space within the market premises where organic farmers could showcase and sell their products within specific timeframes. Furthermore, the farmers donned distinctive dustcoats and other branded attire, generating additional interest and driving sales. Today, the Kangari market operates successfully, displaying a sense of independence and witnessing ongoing growth. Our role as KOAN primarily involves supporting the Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) associated with the market.

Further accomplishments, which will be discussed in subsequent communique, including the development of herbs and spices dryer, the introduction of KOFAM and GOFAM herbs products, and the establishment of the Kenya Organic Avocado brand.