MAKUENI, TRADEMARK AFRICA RALLY MANGO OFFTAKERS FOR A FAIRER, STRONGER MARKET

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, in partnership with Trademark Africa, on Tuesday brought together mango offtakers for a strategic dialogue on building a more efficient and accountable market.

The forum sensitized agents on their role in shaping market behaviour, deepened their understanding of Horticultural Crop Directorate – HCD(AFA) and County Government mandates, and opened space to unpack challenges and fresh opportunities in the agency business.

While attending the forum, Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo asked offtakers to uphold integrity and strengthen linkages that ensure farmers receive fair value for their produce.

During the forum, East Africa Market Development Associates CEO Eunice Ngina also highlighted the need for a win-win market model where both farmers and buyers grow through predictable standards, trust and better coordination.

The meeting now paves the way for an upcoming joint forum between farmers and offtakers to harmonize cost structures, curb post-harvest losses and uplift Makueni’s mango sector.