This archive report was first published on 17 October 2021.
Published on October 17, 2021, the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) has warned that the agriculture sector will take longer to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pandemic led to a significant blow to the sector when exportation and importation of certain products were banned, and borders were closed to contain the spread of the disease.
Food experts who attended the 5th EAFF annual conference in Naivasha, Nakuru County, pointed out that post-harvest losses and climate change have worsened the situation.
Despite predictions that food export from Africa will rise from Sh4.4 trillion to Sh11 trillion in the next ten years, the delegates emphasized that lack of support from governments towards the agriculture sector is the main challenge facing food export.
EAFF President Elizabeth Nsimadala noted that exports were the most affected at the height of the pandemic, with farmers incurring losses running into millions of shillings.
She further stated that the agriculture sector lost at least 70 per cent of its revenue to the pandemic, with 40 per cent related to post-harvest losses.
The most affected products, according to Nsimadala, include coffee, milk, flowers, fisheries, fruits, and beef.
‘There were long queues on the borders leading to loss of products. The flights were also banned, affecting the importation of farm inputs and products,’ Nsimadala said.
She also identified climate change as another challenge facing the agriculture sector, citing an increase in cases of insects and diseases in crops.
EAFF CEO Stephen Muchiri emphasized that the horticulture sector was the most affected by the pandemic and urged governments to support farmers through subsidies.
