Governments in East Africa have been urged to remove barriers that continue to hinder cross-border trade in ecological agricultural products.
Farmers’ groups, researchers, and civil society organizations say the obstacles are slowing down the growth of organic farming and limiting opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs.
A new study on ecological agriculture, also known as organic farming, shows that producers face a wide range of challenges.
These include inconsistent product standards, complicated tax procedures, informal roadblocks, weak quality enforcement, and limited awareness among farmers and traders about cross-border regulations.
Stakeholders argue that these barriers reduce farmers’ earnings, discourage formal trade, and deny governments much-needed revenue.
Presenting policy recommendations from a two-day stakeholders’ workshop in Arusha, Thomas Laizer, Advocacy and Lobbying Officer at the Tanzania Farmers Federation (SHIWAKUTA), said governments must act to eliminate non-tariff barriers.
He singled out informal roadblocks as one of the most damaging obstacles to cross-border trade.
“These barriers not only disrupt the trading system, but they also hurt the farmer,” Laizer said. “Traders compensate for the costs they expect to face by lowering the prices they pay to producers. This means farmers, who are already struggling, receive less income for their efforts.”
He warned that such practices push traders and producers into using informal routes, known as “panya routes,” to move goods across borders.
As a result, governments lose revenue that could have been collected through official channels.
“This undermines development because governments need those funds to invest in services and infrastructure,” he added.
Laizer and other participants recommended that governments invest more in farmer training so that small-scale producers understand the legal and policy requirements for ecological farming.
He said this would help them meet regional standards and take full advantage of cross-border opportunities.
Stakeholders also emphasized the importance of supportive infrastructure and policies that link producers to international markets.
Laizer said such measures would allow Tanzanian farmers to benefit from both raw exports and value-added products.
“International buyers create opportunities for small farmers,” he said. “But we need an enabling environment that protects local producers, ensures fairness, and guarantees that governments collect the right taxes to fund development.”
He added that authorities responsible for quality control must be given adequate resources to carry out their work effectively. This would protect consumers from unsafe products and strengthen confidence in ecological farming.
Beyond national measures, stakeholders called for greater regional cooperation. They proposed that the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) push member states to harmonize trade policies for ecological products.
The aim is to position the East African Community (EAC) as a leading hub for organic production and trade, while safeguarding consumer health, protecting the environment, and improving competitiveness in global markets.
Damian Sulumo, Project Officer at SHIWAKUTA and MVIWA Arusha, said removing trade barriers would encourage farmers to increase production.
However, he noted that many traders need training to improve product quality and shift from exporting raw crops to processed goods.
“Value addition is the key if we want to benefit from international markets,” Sulumo said.
The study was led by Africa Kiiza, Ecological Agriculture Trade Consultant at the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA). He said he was optimistic that governments would act on the recommendations.
“The proposals we have made can make a real difference,” Kiiza said. “AFSA will continue working with partners to build the capacity of lawmakers, the media, and traders to ensure ecological agriculture achieves its potential.”
Richard Masandika, Coordinator of SHIWAKUTA, said the study, conducted along borders including Tanzania–Kenya and Kenya–Rwanda, produced useful findings that show the way forward.
He stressed that regional frameworks within the EAC already exist and could be used to address these challenges.
“With political will and coordination, barriers can be removed, and cross-border trade in ecological products will thrive,” he said.
The Arusha workshop brought together farmers, associations, researchers, journalists, and other stakeholders to discuss the findings and review strategies for expanding ecological agriculture in East Africa.
Experts say the discussions come at a critical moment. Global demand for organic products is rising, and East Africa is well positioned to benefit.
But unless trade barriers are addressed, the region risks missing out on new opportunities. Stakeholders agree that with better policies, stronger institutions, and increased investment in farmers, East Africa could emerge as a global leader in ecological agriculture.