Sauti Ya Pamba . Publication 2

KCGA is in motion to produce the next publication of the sauti ya pamba newsletter. The Sauti ya pamba is a publication by the KCGA that supports the voice of the cotton farmer and touches on issues that are in the cotton industry.
Please find the initial news letter here:
http://sautiyapamba.blogspot.com

Report: Kenya may miss out on Agoa IV

As the deadline for start of the fourth phase of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) draws near, experts say Kenya is unlikely to benefit if the revival of cotton farming is not stepped up.

It could even put the local nascent textile sector that relies mainly on imported materials for manufacturing, at the risk of collapse if local raw materials are not available.

According to a report released by the government policy think tank, the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research, the country faces the challenge of increasing cotton production to tap into new opportunities offered by Agoa.

“With the implementation of Agoa phase IV, it is imperative that Kenya takes some remedial action, otherwise the country will no longer be eligible for Agoa-type preferences by September 2012,”

Poor income stains cotton sector

Crop able to supply local garment makers as well generate adequate earnings for farmers `We can only succeed on this score by developing the sector from the farms to the fabric hence encourage the people.

With almost 90 per cent of the land at the Coast cut out for cotton growing, lack of incentives and proper marketing structures are to blame for the dismal performance of a sub-sector that can help turn around the fortunes of the area.

Even after the Ministry of Agriculture pegged the price per kilo of lint at Sh30, farmers are still not comfortable with the cash crop that despite consuming a lot of time, energy and resources to produce generates very little returns.

Support Kenya cotton sector, group pleads

Extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) will not make any major impact in Kenya if the government continues to ignore cotton growing. The sector will help provide the much needed raw materials for garment makers.

The government has, therefore, been urged to support the cotton sector locally to enable the country reap full benefits of the market deal.

Giving cotton its fluff back

At the peak of the country’s textile industry in the 1980s, it was a matter of pride and sense of class for any Kenyan to don a cotton product with Rift Valley Textiles (Rivatex) garments or Raymond Woolen Mills’ Kaunda suits a must-wear for all.
Since then, the industry’s fortunes have plummeted to such an extent that the then hugely popular Kaunda suit is presently, at best, a relic.
In fact, it even sounds ridiculous today to imagine that at one time both the rich and poor would become instant village celebrities by simply donning the four-pocketed jacket popularised by founding Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda.
“It is regrettable that we have left such a highly significant industry to collapse from such a pre-eminent social and economic status in a short period, “ says Dr John Akoten of the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research, a Nairobi based independent think-tank.