Owing to the fact that lime use in Kenya is still low, there is a lack of policies and regulations on the agricultural lime production for the Kenyan Market. This is as opposed to the other related sectors such as fertilizers where regulation is managed by multiple agencies through the Fertilizers and Animal Foodstuffs Act, Cap 345, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MOALF). The said act was passed to, “regulate the importation, manufacture and sale of agricultural fertilizers and animal foodstuffs and substances of animal origin intended for the manufacture of such fertilizers and foodstuffs, and to provide for matters incidental to and connected with their use…”.

The key policy challenge in the lime industry is the lack of clear quality guidelines and standards for lime. There are disparities in the terminology and application among players in the industry. Some call pelletized lime granulated with some importers calling such products substandard lime which has not gone through a standard granulation process. Owing to different blending methods and mixes, there are no companies that have similar or related products. The competition

in market share is stiff and undercutting in pricing is prevalent. The presence of many lime products/blends have created weaknesses in availability of standard products to both small scale and large scale farmers. It is also not clear as to what percent of lime should be present in blended products. The farmers are more aligned to the respective manufacturer brand who offers technical and advisory services not withstanding quality of the products.

Related to quality of lime is the dosage of application. While a number of recommendations on lime use application dosage exist following various field trials, grey areas still exist as to the quantities to be applied per unit area of land under different soil types, different crops and different acidity levels. There are also grey areas with regard to how long reapplication of lime should take. The best timing and approach to lime application is not clear, leaving farmers confused. Given that no standard exists for granulated lime, KEBS and relevant department should initiate the development of specific standard for granulated lime

On lime awareness and demand acceleration, there lacks national wide awareness creation platforms and funding opportunities. For example, and as compared to fertilizers, the government (National or County), does not have set guidelines for lime subsidies.

Kenya Bureau of standards needs to work with industry players to come up with parameters necessary for categorization of the lime products in the market. There is need for standards that spell out the different products in the market, based on active ingredients rather than brand names which confuse customers/farmers. Some lime based products have little lime, but without standards on percentage of lime or other ingredient, it is difficult for farmers to establish if what they are purchasing is quality. Researchers, practitioners, manufactures and development partners can support the government of Kenya to come up with clear policy guidelines and standards for lime use whether the powdered or granulated type of lime.

The government subsidy programme should also be enhanced through inclusion of soil improvement products that can easily be adopted by the farmers. Among the key products to be promoted would be lime products for soil amelioration.