Horticulture gains popularity among cereal farmers in Kenya

Published 2021년 9월 17일

Tridge summary

Horticulture farming, particularly passion fruit cultivation, is on the rise in the North Rift region of Kenya due to high production costs, with the sub-sector seeing a significant increase in production value from Sh8.6 billion to Sh13.6 billion in the last year. This shift is supported by USAid and the Kenya Horticulture Competitiveness Project (KHCP), as farmers seek alternative crops with better returns and aim to mitigate losses from diseases and pests through diversification. However, challenges such as lack of steady market and poor infrastructure, as well as increased fuel prices, continue to pose challenges for farmers. Efforts are being made to boost the horticulture sector through the establishment of fruit processing plants and by promoting exports through underutilized airport facilities.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Horticulture farming is gaining popularity in the North Rift region as high production costs push hundreds of farmers to diversify to alternative investments with attractive returns. Farmers in Kenya's grain basket must contend with rising fuel and farm-input prices. The region produced horticultural crops valued at Sh13.6 billion last year, up from Sh8.6 billion the previous season, as more farmers invest in the sub-sector. Farmers in Uasin Gishu County earned over Sh2.6 million from more than 48,000 metric tonnes of passion fruits cultivated on about 360 hectares. Nandi County produces an average of 7,000kg of passion fruits monthly, targeting regional and export markets. "About 2,000kg quality passion fruits are exported to the European market monthly and the rest are sold in the local and regional market," said Emmanuel Tarbei, agronomist and agent for Equatorial HortiFresh firm in Nandi. Most farmers in the region have received support from USAid and the Kenya Horticulture ...

Source: All Africa