KIPI hosts IP Training for coconut producers from Kilifi County

Photo Caption: Hibo Hussein (Left), Manager, Research, Innovation and IP Information, KIPI, showing HE  Flora Mbetsa Chibule (Seated Centre), Deputy Governor, Kilifi County, some of the coconut products the participants exhibited during the Training

The Institute, in collaboration with the County Government of Kilifi, has held a 5-day Training on Industrial Property (IP) for coconut farmers and producers from the County at the Pwani University. The Training, which brought together 84 participants drawn from 14 groups under the the Kilifi-based Coconut Producers Consortium (CPC), was closed by HE  Flora Mbetsa Chibule, Deputy Governor, Kilifi County. 

The Deputy Governor said the Kilifi County Government is implementing various initiatives aimed at improving the quality and productivity of its coconut farmers. She said they are implementing these initiatives, including distribution of seedlings and deployment of 350 extension officers, because the coconut sub-sector is a critical agricultural activity in the county.

“Coconut production, which is able to withstand the dry weather spells in our county, has the potential of supporting food security, local manufacturing and job and wealth creation our county and national development,” said the Deputy Governor.
The Deputy Governor thanked the Institute for choosing to support the coconut farmers, saying coconut farming is a critical economic activity in the County with a wide range of cottage industries for the youth and women. She said the County Government is working with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to improve the coconut crop variety.
Speaking earlier while opening the Training, KIPI Board Chairman Allan Kosgey said the Institute is working with farmers and producers of various products from different counties in the country to facilitate them in branding their products starting with registering their collective marks. He said that, by working with other State Agencies such as Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) and Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), the Institute aims to improve the quality, productivity and competitiveness of the farmers in the local and international markets.

Some of the farmers and producers the Institute is working with include Kamaki Farmers Cooperative Society in Kitui County, Koriema Honey Producers in Baringo County, Kipingi Peanut Butter in Homa Bay County, Taita baskets from Taita Taveta County, Marachi Sofa from Busia County, Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society in Kirinyaga County and Macadamia Farmers in Embu County. He said the Institute is working with CPC, which is Chaired by Dr. Mtana Lewa, to safeguard their IP rights and equip them with skills to enable them market their products locally and internationally.  He said this is in line with HE the President's push to transform Kenya's economy under the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda's Pillar of transforming agriculture.

Kosgey said the Institute recognises the immense potential of Kenya’s coconut industry, which has more than 100,000 farmers — about 95 per cent of them in the coastal counties of Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa, Taita Taveta and Tana River — with nearly 10 million trees producing an estimated 300 million fruits annually.