PS Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Leads Validation of the National Cotton, Textile, and Apparel Policy

PS Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Leads Validation of the National Cotton, Textile, and Apparel Policy
By Gloria Gicheru, PCO
 The National Cotton, Textile, and Apparel (CTA) Policy is expected to improve livelihoods through job creation and contribute to sustainability of the cotton and textile industries.
 The policy endeavors to unearth available opportunities, ensure sustainable solutions against challenges and address current gaps within the cotton, textile, and apparel sectors.
Principal Secretary to the State Department for Industry, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, led key stakeholders from across Kenya's cotton, textile, and apparel sectors, offering them an opportunity to discuss and deliberate on strategies that will shape the future of these industries. 
 Dr. Mukhwana stressed the importance of local manufacturing as a driving force for sustainability and job creation in Kenya, noting “there is a pressing need for us to take advantage of new opportunities provided by global markets."
 He highlighted the immense potential that Kenya had as a key player in the global cotton and textile industries, calling on the stakeholders to take advantage of forums to offer strategic guidance.
 He noted that the policy would serve as a vital tool to streamline the country’s cotton production processes, while also addressing long-standing challenges in the ginnery industry, including machinery procurement.
The CTA Policy also aims to enhance understanding of the dynamic manufacturing environment and to identify areas in need of improvement.
Lead Consultant Dr. Caroline Saroni, underscored the role of stakeholder engagement in the policy development process. 
She emphasized the importance of listening to stakeholders to identify challenges and enhance development of tailor-made solutions. "The team engaged stakeholders from all over the country through a public participation process," said Dr. Saroni, from Afri Trade Consulting Group.
Dr. Saroni also highlighted the extensive impact of the policy, noting "The policy will improve livelihoods by creating jobs and ensuring the sector remains sustainable," she emphasized.
Furthermore, Dr. Saroni stressed the value of transparency in the policy development process, adding “Transparency during stakeholder engagement ensures diversity thus, allowing policy developers to formulate a policy that will serve the citizens well,” she said. 

The workshop served as an essential step toward finalizing the National Cotton, Textile, and Apparel Policy, which holds significant promise for the future of Kenya's cotton and textile industries. 
Cotton is a major industrial crop that provides income and employment for thousands of Kenyans involved in the cotton industry. It forms a significant economic base thus the need to provide a policy that will ensure that will ensure improvement of the industry. 
Cottons unique quality of providing food and fibre makes it important to nurture it as a way to increase productivity, sustainability and protection of livelihoods of the Kenyan citizens in the industry. The CTA Policy will enhance success in improvement of cotton and textile productivity and manufacturing, further opening opportunities in the global market.