Miraa will be standardised by the Kenya Bureau of Standards to make it acceptable in many countries, Industrialisation PS Peter Kaberia has said.
He said Kebs is working with scientific organisations and miraa growing counties to make it acceptable in local and international markets.
“If it has a standard it will not be banned in many countries,” Kaberia said.
The PS spoke to the press on Monday at Alba Hotel in Meru after a meeting with key stakeholders.
The meeting was to make a blueprint for the establishment of cottage industries in each county.
“The reason, for instance, chocolate from other countries is acceptable is because it has a standard .We should do the same to miraa,” Kaberia said.
The PS said farmers have to move from normal talk and establish a standard, where an organisation in London can verify the bar code and and contents.
"Miraa has to have the standard and approval of cleanliness, handling, transport and packaging required for food items,” he added.
On miraa market trade, CAS Lawrence Karanja said they are sourcing a new market in Djibouti and the delegation from the country will arrive in August for further discussions.
Karanja said they also want to solve the diplomatic row with Somalia that has left Miraa farmers counting losses, as it is currently the biggest market for the product.
Industrialisation CAS David Osiany said Covid-19 effects have been felt in the manufacturing sector.
He said we need to look at how the cottage industry can play a pivotal role in the transformation.
"We have a new SME policy and other initiatives to bolster the manufacturing sector but because of Covid there has been a challenge with the supply chain globally and some companies that shut down,” Osiany said.
The CAS said the government will revive companies that have collapsed and form new cottage industries.
Kaberia said they will map out the whole country to ensure every village has a product that can be value added in a cottage industry.
“For example in Mandera we have camels, we want to make sure young people are supported to join the value addition chain on camel milk,” he said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
