EU project drives sustainable practices among Kenyan MSMEs

Green pepper

Green pepper

from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) KENYAN farmers as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are poised to generate more revenue, create jobs and reduce volume while at the same time helping overcome the challenges of climate change thanks to a European Union-funded project.

Green to Grow is the EU-financed initiative that promotes the adoption of sustainable consumption and production practices.

Green peas

Green peas

A workshop has recently been concluded at the World Agro-forestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi to highlight the project’s enabling approach to food value chain MSMEs of mango, dairy and coffee.

The Etimos Foundation leads the initiative.

Marco Santori, the Etimos Foundation President, challenged developing countries to expand their agriculture sustainably by using environmentally friendly practices.

He added that enterprises must seek to overcome the challenges of climate change while at the same time striving to become more competitive domestically and internationally.

“The wise management of the earth’s resources and environment consistent with the principles of sustainable development is indispensable for our common future,” Santori said at the workshop in Nairobi.

Green tea

Green tea

Green to Grow is implemented under the flagship of SWITCH Africa Green Programme, drawing from the expertise of Kenyan and international partners.

It provides capacity building, network facilitation and access to finance as a driver for the adoption of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) methods, technologies and sustainable green business practices.

Richard Ngatia, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, called on businesses to integrate environmental sustainability with economic growth by separating environmental degradation from development.

“To secure a sustainable future, we must transform our consumption and productions patterns – from extraction, to processing and subsequent use and disposal of resources,” Ngatia told the forum.

Thomas Yatich, of the EU’s Agriculture Job Creation and Resilience Sector, reiterated the bloc’s support of the Green/circular economy cooperation.

“We need to build the capacity of farmers and SMEs to meet certification standards for them to access foreign markets, transition to low-carbon technologies, protect biodiversity and alleviate poverty,” Yatich highlighted.

– CAJ News

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