The Impact of sanitary and phytosanitary requirements on the export trade of small scale horticulture growers in Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to find out the impact of Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements on the export trade of small scale horticulture growers in Kenya. The need of this study arose from the fact that horticulture is an integral part of the economy of this country. Food safety ha b com a major economic issue in public policy. This important sector is d minat d by small scale farmers whose activities are being threatened by string nt measures coming from the importers . The study was guided by three objectives. First to establish the challenges small scale horticulture growers encounter as a result of Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements,Secondly to determine the impact of Sanitary and Phytosanitary on the business of small scale horticultural growers in Kenya and finally to find out how the small scale horticulture growers are responding to the challenges. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire with close ended and open ended questions. These were administered to 30 export small scale horticulture growers. Data was collected then analysed using descriptive statistics through the use of means, percentages, frequencies and content analysis. The analysisrevealed effects of Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements as increased production costs resulting to reduced profit margins. It also revealed the various challenges the export small scale farmers are exposed to are mainly lack of credit facilities to finance their operations in complying with the requirements highlighted as the most important. With all the challenges the farmers are still willing to continue growing for export and therefore they are seeking for assistance from the buying companies in achieving compliancy instead of doing it as an individual.