Miraa farmers welcome Israel deal

Miraa farmers in the country have welcomed the unlocking of a stalemate that hinder export to Israel.

This was after local Khat or Miraa farmers in the country secured a new market for their produce in the unlikeliest of places, Israel.

The country expects to export an estimated 200 tonnes of Miraa per day to the nation which is 2000 miles from Kenya.

This follows the approval by Israeli authorities who had earlier on imposed stringent regulations that Kenya failed to adhere to.

“We got the permit last year but we had a lot challenges. We used to export our Miraa there and it kept on being confiscated by Israeli police but now that will not be happening anymore,” said Jacob Miriti, Official- Nyambene Miraa Traders Association.

Stakeholders have however challenged local farmers to improve their production to meet demand which is likely to grow over time.

Farmers in the main growing miraa regions also say that they will have to increase production to sufficiently supply the new market

“This new market will promote an increase production which is a plus for farmers as well as the Kenyan economy,” said Jackson Karweo, Miraa Farmer- Meru.

The new market now offers a lifeline for many Kenyan Khat farmers who had lost hope after the European market banned Kenyan Miraa for failing to meet set standards.

Key markets however still remains Puntland in Somalia, Somaliland, Mozambique and Angola.