Kenyan Mangoes found fit to be sold in the European Union market

Makueni, Thursday , 18, May, 2023   

KNA by Patrick Nyakundi/Lavender Mutuku/Samson Makau

Mango farmers from across the country have a reason to smile after a sample of treated mangoes were found fit to be consumed in the European Union Community.

An official from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) Dr. Shephard Ndlela said that the sample hot water treated mangoes were found free from fruit fly disease hence accepted into the European market where the farmers are expected to sell their farm produce and reap maximum profits.

"Mangoes are treated in hot water where temperatures are raised to 46 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes. The hot water treatment does not affect quality, biochemistry or sweetness of Mangoes. The process kills the pest," said Ndlela at the second day of the first National Mango Conference held at police grounds in Wote town on Wednesday.

Consequently, the official who is also Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Post Harvest at KEPHIS, urged farmers in the country to always harvest the mangoes at the right time while adding that the hot water treatment facility constructed by the government through the Horticultural Crop Development Authority near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will assist them greatly.

Speaking at the same event, an official from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Fredrick Koome said his organization has created two pest free zones in Kibwezi and Kalamba saying 4,000 farmers will benefit from the project.

He further said the government has lifted the self-imposed ban of exporting mangoes, Koome revealed that mangoes fail to meet international accepted standards because they are planted in areas infested with pests.

On his part, Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo challenged farmers to be in cooperatives so that they can reap maximum profits hence avert exploitation from middlemen.

Courtesy; K.N.A