The government has called for coordinated public-private action to address challenges facing the horticulture sector, saying they cannot be tackled by individual countries or businesses. Speaking at the East Africa Horticulture Sector Conference in Nairobi, State Department for Trade Deputy Director Matthew Komen said the region must retain more value from its produce through processing, packaging, branding and other forms of value additions. The government also officially launched the Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa and urged stakeholders to develop a regional roadmap with clear timelines and monitoring mechanisms.

MATHEW KOMEN -ADDRESS