By Antynet Ford

Mordechai Nyongesa is earning five times more for his basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, and chives after registering as an exporter.

While working as an agronomist and farm manager in Kirinyaga County, Mordechai had seen his colleagues in export farming earn many times more than those selling locally. Herbs were earning Sh80 to Sh150 per kg in the local market, he said, while exporters were earning Sh450 to Sh700 per kg, depending on the season. 

He began farming oregano, rosemary, mint, basil, and chives on half an acre under greenhouses so he could keep quality consistent and produce all year.

“What motivated me to register my farm for export production is the good market and its reliability. Export prices are better than the normal Kenyan local market. My friends who had registered as exporters were making good profits. The rates are good especially because the pay comes in euros and dollars,”he said.

His began by registering his farm as an exporting entity, which is required for anyone entering international markets. He then went to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) for exporter registration and certification. 

AFA officials visited the farm, inspected the structures, and advised him to register as a farm exporter, not an export company, because of the size and nature of his work.

Once he was certified by AFA, he went to the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) for herb inspections. 

“AFA came, did the inspections, and recommended registering as a farm for export. After that, KEPHIS officers inspected the herbs several times before finally clearing them. Only then could I officially register oregano, rosemary, mint, basil, and chives as export crops.”

He said finding reliable buyers became the next challenge. Many farmers lose money because brokers buy cheaply, distort prices, and create unstable markets. Mordechai relied on online searches and referrals from former employers and colleagues to find reliable export clients.

 “Looking for clients takes a lot of work. Brokers make many farmers lose money. I started online, then later referrals helped me secure better markets.”

Registering the farm takes about a month, but the full process of certification, inspections, crop registration, and finding markets took around three months. Most export herbs mature within the same period, which meant he started supplying soon after the paperwork was complete.

Compliance is essential to export farming. Farmers must keep records, follow pesticide rules, and undergo regular audits. Mordechai completed several trainings in pesticide application, hygiene, compliance, and handling interceptions.

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“For the EU market, I keep records of everything: pesticides used, spraying dates, weeding, and more. Audits ensure we meet the standards. The trainings have been of great help.”

He says many farmers fear the process, but it is simple if the steps are followed. The harder part is maintaining the standards, but extension officers guide farmers through it.

He now earns than he would selling locally and export buyers also place steady weekly orders, allowing him to plan ahead.

“Since I got certified, I have no regrets. The export prices are much better. The reliability helps me plan my production and sales more confidently. Certification from AFA and KEPHIS has opened more opportunities because buyers trust certified exporters,” he said.

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