In a landmark move to strengthen bilateral trade ties, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) of Kenya and MACFRUT, Italy’s premier horticulture trade fair, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today. The agreement, inked by MACFRUT President Renzo Piraccini and AFA Director-General Dr. Bruno Linyiru OGW, aims to boost horticulture trade and knowledge exchange between Kenya and Italy.
The signing ceremony, held in Nairobi, was graced by high-profile dignitaries, including the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Roberto Natali, AFA Chairman Hon. Cornelly Serem, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Director-General Dr. Eliud Kireger, and Italian Trade Agency Director Giuseppe Manenti. Also present was Christine Chesaro, Acting Director of the Horticultural Crops Directorate, alongside a delegation of Italian distributors of agricultural machinery, farm technologies, and importers of Kenyan horticultural products.
The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration, with MACFRUT committing to establish a Centre of Excellence for Kenya’s horticulture sector. This facility will serve as a hub for training farmers on best practices, modern technologies, and sustainable production methods. Additionally, MACFRUT will facilitate market access for Kenyan exporters by organizing buyer visits to Kenya and supporting Kenyan delegations to tour Italian farms and participate in the annual MACFRUT trade fair in Italy.
On its part, AFA will mobilize and facilitate Kenyan horticulture exporters to actively engage in MACFRUT events, creating opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and business growth. The partnership is expected to significantly enhance Kenya’s horticulture market share in Italy, which is already a key export destination for Kenyan avocados, flowers, and vegetables.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Bruno Linyiru emphasized the transformative potential of the collaboration, stating, “This MoU marks a new chapter in Kenya-Italy trade relations. By leveraging MACFRUT’s expertise and networks, we aim to elevate the competitiveness of Kenyan horticulture in global markets.”
Renzo Piraccini echoed the sentiment, highlighting the mutual benefits of the partnership. “Kenya’s horticulture sector is vibrant and full of potential. Through this initiative, we look forward to fostering innovation, trade, and sustainable growth for both countries,” he said.
The event also featured a Business-to-Business (B2B) session, where Kenyan exporters engaged with Italian companies to explore trade opportunities and forge partnerships. This hands-on interaction underscored the practical steps being taken to translate the MoU’s objectives into tangible outcomes.
With the signing of this agreement, Kenya and Italy are poised to deepen their collaboration in the horticulture sector, driving economic growth, technology transfer, and market expansion for both nations.
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