WHY YOUR PLATE OF CHIPS MAY COST MORE IN FUTURE

By Clive Ayuko

Nairobi, Kenya 9th August 2021.

The price of a plate of potatoe chips may increase two fold if a report by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health presented by Hon. Gladys Boss Shollei in 2019 titled public petition (No 70 of 2019) regarding withdrawal of harmful chemicals pesticides in the Kenya market is adopted by Parliament.

This was made known at press conference held earlier today at a Nairobi Hotel organised by Cereal Growers Association, The Fresh produce Consortium of Kenya, and the Potatoe council of Kenya.

A Plate of Potatoe Chips. Images Courtesy.

The report the group argued if adopted will have adverse consequences on the production of potatoes as well as other agricultural products if the 262 plant protection molecules which have until now been used to protect food crops such as the potatoes from pests and diseases is banned in the country as stipulated in a new policy by the European Union.

“..The ban of the molecules for use in the Agricultural production will result in a 20% drop in GDP and in addition may force the country to soon import potatoes a factor which will make it more expensive”, this was according to CEO of The Fresh Produce Consortium Kenya Mr Okisegere Ojepat.

The European Union remains Kenya’s biggest Agricultural export market. and in a new policy recommended the withdrawal of the molecules used in the production of food citing environmental and Health concerns.

The potatoe sector currently employs 3.5 million Kenyan

#Agriculture