Kenyan smallholder James Gikunju Muuru has added his voice to the debate on the sustainability of air-freighted fresh produce to the UK with a compelling 24-page report published by the Africa Research Institute.
The London-based research organisation has hailed the paper as the first detailed response by an African grower of this size to the food-miles controversy.
Muuru farms on four acres in Mwea, central Kenya growing green beans, baby corn and sweet potato among other export and domestic market lines working with local grower associations and well-known as well as smaller exporters since the 1980s.
He argues in his study: “The fundamental cause of poverty among rural populations is a lack of money, not a lack of food. In Mwea, small farmers have been able to earn significantly more income from horticulture than from staple crops… Small farmers are fully aware that income from staple crops cannot keep their families fed, educated and healthy. Horticulture has played an import role in reducing poverty. In the past 20 years we have become efficient in horticultural production, without intervention or assistance from either the government or foreign donors.”
Muuru also makes clear recommendations for any proposed carbon-labelling in export markets. He said: “In Mwea, we work hard to meet international standards and have learned to follow strict rules... Any system of carbon labelling in export markets should include the abolition of labels indicating air-freighted products, a recognition of the environment-friendly farming methods of African farmers and acknowledgement of the contribution of horticulture to improving the livelihoods of rural populations…In contrast to staple crops, horticulture has been characterised by improved productivity among small farmers.”
Mark Ashurst, director of Africa Research Institute said of the report: “In policy terms, the example of Kenyan horticulture argues for a more ambitious strategy to promote African exports…James Gikunju Muuru’s story is a telling counterpoint to the unresolved arguments among policy makers over the best strategy to improve productivity of small farmers in the developing world.”
