[ad_1]
In our sequence of letters from African journalists, Kenyan broadcaster Waihiga Mwaura writes about what the latest row over KFC French fries says about farming in his nation.
Needing a fast supply of energy as I discover a hole in my hectic schedule you’ll be able to often discover me scoffing down a KFC meal.
Biting right into a freshly fried French fry can unleash emotions that draw on a unconscious conditioned by years of intelligent world advertising.
However by no means have I thought-about the act as being a political or financial assertion about world agricultural commerce and Kenya’s place in it.
This week although, worldwide provide chains turned the recent matter right here as KFC mentioned it was unable to supply fries because it couldn’t import its most well-liked pre-sliced potatoes from Egypt.
As an alternative, clients had been being provided options resembling a portion of the nationwide staple ugali, or maize meal – probably not what individuals go to KFC for.
The chain doesn’t supply potatoes regionally, regardless of them being generally grown and farmers having to promote them at low costs.
Potatoes which are fit for human consumption
Potatoes are, the truth is, Kenya’s second-most consumed crop after maize, and are cultivated largely by small-scale farmers.
The issue, apparently, was that potential native suppliers had not gone by way of KFC’s high quality assurance course of that makes certain “our meals is secure for consumption by our clients”, the corporate’s East Africa chief govt Jacques Theunissen advised the Normal newspaper.
He did nonetheless say that different components – such because the buns, flour and ice cream – had been purchased on the Kenyan market and the corporate has mentioned it’s dedicated to championing native merchandise.
Cue the social media outrage, calls to boycott the quick meals chain and an eventual pledge by the corporate to discover a appropriate Kenyan provider.
However, rivals had been fast to capitalise.
Rooster Inn launched an advert with a smiling man tucking right into a field of chips – all regionally sourced in fact.
Burger King additionally mentioned it had sufficient fries.
Whereas these different corporations can discover various sources of potatoes, it isn’t precisely clear why after 11 years of being within the nation, KFC has not discovered a provider that meets its requirements.
Frances Kimemia, governor of potato-growing Nyandarua county, additionally weighed in saying that his farmers produce high quality greens. He mentioned that KFC’s stance was “insensitive to farmers”.
The anger has now begun to chill however this row has uncovered the gaps in our agricultural system that imply a few of our farmers are denied an honest dwelling market.
Counting on imports
We’re a part of an more and more built-in regional commerce in meals, which has its advantages – not least decrease costs.
However as a consequence, if Kenya was pressured to shut its borders to meals imports for only one month, a lot of our favorite merchandise would quickly be unavailable or too costly to buy.
Imports final yr from Uganda, for instance, amounted to $250m (£165m).
Items resembling eggs, honey, corn, beans, millet, cassava, sorghum and candy potatoes plus dairy merchandise are transported throughout the border after which offered regionally for a small revenue.
Specialists say that labour and different farm prices are cheaper in Uganda, making the ultimate product extra inexpensive than what’s produced right here.
Nevertheless it may be an angle situation. In Uganda I’ve discovered that agriculture is embraced by all, whereas in Kenya most individuals appear to need white-collar jobs.
Whereas protecting final yr’s election in Uganda I interviewed many outstanding individuals who all lived exterior the capital, Kampala, on sizeable tracts of land the place they grew their very own meals.
If those self same leaders lived in Kenya, they’d in all probability reside in gated housing estates with little farming on web site.
It’s the identical state of affairs while you have a look at Kenya’s commerce with Tanzania – our neighbour to the south.
A unfavorable angle in direction of farming plus a corruption-riddled sector implies that no-one is shocked when fish is imported from China, sugar from Brazil or tobacco from Turkey.
Kenya may not be capable to compete within the short-term on the subject of manufacturing prices. However there is a chance for Kenya to change into a regional centre for meals processing, thereby including worth to the product.
With the ability to provide pre-sliced regionally grown potatoes for KFC is one instance of what could possibly be provided to spice up the native market.
Sadly, numerous the processing that’s taking place in Kenya is being performed by overseas companies funded by enterprise capital. The income find yourself leaving the nation.
With an election approaching in August, candidates have been promising jobs, however we have not heard a lot about how one can revive this agri-business sector.
And few of our potential lawmakers could also be able to tackle the cartels and inefficiencies which have slowed down a sector that when actually fed the nation.
Change could also be sluggish – and within the meantime, once I chew right into a KFC French fry I will now be distracted by ideas about world commerce.
Extra Letters from Africa:
Comply with us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Fb at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
[ad_2]
Source link