KENYA – Elgon Kenya Managing Director Bimal Kantaria will now be the chairperson of the Fertilizer Association of Kenya (FAK), a decision reached following the recent appointment of a new board of directors to steer the organization to the next level.
FAK is the umbrella body of manufacturers, importers, formulators, blenders, and distributors of organic and inorganic fertilizers in Kenya.
Established in 2009, FAK’s mandate includes protecting and furthering members’ interests as well as instilling professionalism and ethical standards within the fertilizer industry.
FAK unveiled the board on the sidelines of this year’s annual general meeting led by outgoing chairperson Mr Eustace Muriuki.
Muriuki gave a general overview of the state of the country’s fertilizer industry and continued efforts to engage and dialogue with the government on fertilizer policy and regulatory reforms.
“The fertilizer industry performed fairly well in 2022 despite a continued increase of fertilizer prices in the world market,” he said.
Bringing his expertise on board, Kantaria holds many hats after he was recently appointed by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, CWEIC to its global advisory council and selected the agro-input company as its strategic partner.
In 2020, H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta awarded him the Kenya Presidential Order of Service- Uzalendo Award, for service to the nation during Covid, especially for the Flowers of Hope project, which saved thousands of Kenyan jobs.
That same year, Dr. Kantaria was elected chair of the then-new Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET), the umbrella entity of agribusiness organizations and stakeholders seeking to transform Kenya’s economic development.
Other members of the board appointed include William Ng’eno, Yara East Africa country Manager who will work closely with Kantaria as the while vice chairperson while Mr. Shaikh Shakil of Export Trading Group and Dr. Lilian Mbuthia of ICL fertilizers will now be the new treasurer and secretary respectively.
Mr Muriuki lauded his fellow exiting team members, including Mr SK Bhatia, Secretary Jiten Patel, vice chairperson, and acting treasurer for their dedication and hard work.
Giving his statement, Muriuki said that the new office bearers are expected to continue implementing the association’s mandate of stewardship, regulation, and advocacy and help ensure a fair and sustainable business environment for the industry for increased crop productivity and food security
He revealed that FAK contracted the African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) to conduct a study on “risk Impact Assessment of Fertiliser and Annual Foodstuffs by members.
This involved reviewing the draft Fertiliser and Animal Foodstuffs (Fertilisers) Regulations 2021 to assess the impact of proposed measures on the industry.
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