[PHOTO: COURTESY]Small-scale farmers have something to smile about after an agreement that would guarantee them wider market access was reached. The Local Sourcing for Partnership Project will see small local players in agribusiness link up with some of the biggest players in hotel, beverage and tourism sector in the region in a deal meant to promote local sourcing of agricultural products. Yesterday, Comesa Business Council (CBC) in partnership with Kenya Sector Association of Manufacturers launched the second phase of the project. On the other hand, the percentage of intra-Comesa trade to total Comesa trade has continued to grow slowly from regional levels of give per cent in 2005 to seven per cent in 2014. Other than Kenyan suppliers, the initiative will also help build capacity for suppliers in Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia.

Source: Standard Digital August 19, 2016 21:11 UTC