The Crops (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Achiote Formally Added to Scheduled Crops
The Bill amends the First Schedule of the Crops Act, No. 16 of 2013, by inserting Achiote (Mrangi) / Bixa Orellana into Part 3. This formally integrates the crop into Kenya's national agricultural regulatory framework.
Unlocking Section 8 Benefits and Protections
Formally scheduling Achiote subjects it to the regulatory benefits under Section 8 of the Act, which includes:
- National marketing, distribution, and regular transportation facilitation.
- Value addition strategies prior to export.
- Formulation of general industry agreements between farmers and processors.
- Prescribing minimum payment periods and establishing penalties for delayed payments.
Targeted Support for Kwale and Lamu Farmers
Achiote is a major cash crop in Kwale and Lamu counties, contributing to about 70 percent of all world natural dyes. The amendment aims to alleviate the difficulties local farmers face in securing financial support, steady markets, and agricultural incentives.
Bill No.
No. 8 of 2023
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 30 of 2023
Sponsor
Tandaza Kassim Sawa
Background
Achiote (Bixa Orellana), known at the Kenyan Coast as 'mrangi' due to its bright red fruits, is a crop grown largely in coastal areas like Kwale and Lamu. It is harvested for its seeds, which contain bixin—a natural colorant used in coloring cheese, fish, salad oil, margarine, and cosmetics like lipsticks. Despite its agricultural resilience (being drought-resistant, pest-free, and acting as a buffer crop against wildlife like elephants), the crop's economic potential has remained underutilized. Farmers face difficulties securing financial support and steady markets because Achiote was not recognized as a scheduled crop under the Crops Act, No. 16 of 2013.
Key Amendments
- Amendment of the First Schedule of Act No. 16 of 2013: The Bill amends the First Schedule of the Crops Act by inserting a new item in Part 3 (Crops with no breeding program):
- "Achiote (Mrangi)...........Bixa Orellana"
New Obligations and Benefits
By classifying Achiote as a scheduled crop, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and relevant county governments are obligated to extend the promotional and regulatory protections under Section 8 of the Crops Act, which include:
- Facilitating marketing, distribution, and regular transportation of the crop.
- Advising on value-addition strategies prior to export.
- Recommending industry agreements between farmers and processors.
- Enforcement of minimum payment periods and statutory penalties for delayed payments to farmers.
No updates tracked yet
Updates will be visible here once they are approved and applied to this bill.