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History Profile
1.1. History
Horticultural farming in Kenya began during the
early settlements of immigrant races under the British colonial rule.
Missionaries brought with them some fruits trees and vegetable seeds for
growing in their kitchen gardens and so did the early settlers. There was no
commercial activity as all the products were consumed at family/group level.
Thus Asians who came during the building of the
Kenya – Uganda railway 1893 – 1902 brought with them the Asian vegetables
and fruits (Karela, Gourds, Mooli, drumsticks, mangoes etc) while the
Europeans brought cabbages, carrots, beetroots, rhubarb, plums, apples,
pears, peaches, strawberries.
The Dutch settlers brought citrus, avocados,
South African grapes, potatoes, fennel, Kales, fenugreek and cape
gooseberries, essential oils such as geranium, cedar, tung and eucalyptus.
It is noteworthy that the indigenous Kenyans did not participate in the
introduction or growing of horticultural crops because such were not part of
their diets and were not accessible, as no trade existed. The haphazard
introduction by individuals without control brought with it new pests and
diseases of the introduced crops which up to now contribute to the husbandry
problems which continue to decimate the industry. Notwithstanding this
unfortunate situation it is the initiative and adventurous spirit of these
early settlers, which is credited with the introduction of a wide range of
horticultural germplasm that forms the foundations of the industry to date.
The role of government was later to carry out
research trials to assess scientific performance and husbandry practice as
well as their climatic and edaphic range. The Department of Agriculture
staff in the course of their work made additional introductions. The
earliest attempts to introduce some control and harmony in the horticultural
activities were immediately after the first World War 1919 – 1922 during
which period Kenya was used as a source of food for the armed forces. In
particular selected immigrant farmers and missionaries for supply grew some
fruit, potatoes, cabbages and carrots in order to supply to army camps.
Specific examples were the defunct vegetable dehydration projects in
Karatina, Nyeri and Naivasha and the first passion fruit factory in Kitale.
In order to acquire suitable seeds the
Department of Agriculture was created to handle seed imports and supervise
production of the specific crops. These activities formed the nucleus of the
agricultural industry as it is known today. The period 1922 to 1938 saw some
limited growth in horticultural crops with a strong limitation to immigrant
farmers and with no participation of indigenous Kenyans other than in form
of labour. The Second World War brought these developments to an abrupt halt
until 1946 when activities resumed with the formulation of government
programmes for development of agriculture in the country. 1.2. Post World
War II Period This period was characterised with strong colonial government
controls in all sectors of the country’s developments. Key examples are the
African Land Development Plan ALDEV 1946 – 1950, Maize Marketing Agents and
cash crops controls that excluded Africans from growing any commercial
crops.
As such the horticultural industry did not
feature because efforts were directed to specific European grown commodities
such as coffee, tea, pyrethrum, sisal, cereal crops (maize and wheat) and
livestock. In order to create marketing systems for these agricultural
commodities the government formed development and marketing boards with
resources provided as grants, and enabling laws to levy the producers.
Simultaneously research centres were built and developed in order to service
those commodity crops and livestock farmers. Horticulture was not included
in this development and remained unrecognised by the government.
The limited activities that continued and
survived the 1949 –1953 uprisings and clamour for independence formed the
basis for the post independence growth of the sub sector when it gained
recognition under the Swynerton plan of October 1953: “A Plan to Intensify
the Development of African Agriculture in Kenya. 1.3. Early Landmarks of Sub
Sector Development The period 1952 – 1966 saw a rapid involvement by both
government and the private sector in the horticultural sub sector in various
ways the major ones being: - Government Beginning development of a
horticultural research station in Molo provided a nursery for seed and
seedlings sale to farmers coupled with extension advisory services.
Selected introductions of additional crops were
done after initial testing and the infant one-man horticultural section of
the Department of Agriculture was expanded Revival of passion fruit
processing factory: this was relocated from Kitale to Sotik and later to
Thika where it is located currently Creation of the Canning Crops Board and
promotion of fruit processing factories in Machakos (Kenya Orchards Limited)
and Thika (Kenya Canners Ltd) Formation of the Pineapple Development
Authority specifically for assisting small-scale farmers with technical
services and financial loans from the Agricultural Finance Corporation The
launch of the National Cash Crop Policy in 1963 which specified the
strategies for cash crop development in the country including potential for
horticultural crops Private Formation of the Horticultural Co-operative
Union (H.C.U) by fruits and vegetable farmers of Rift Valley for marketing
surplus vegetables and fruits in Nairobi and later export to the United
Kingdom, Covent Garden Market Formation of seed potato producers association
in Molo for importation and multiplication of seed potatoes.
Investment of California Packers Limited in
pineapple growing and processing on purchasing the then Kenya Canners
Limited and acquisition of the Anglo French Sisal Estates. It thus became
increasingly clear that horticulture could play a distinct and important
role in the diversification of the economy of Kenya and for this reason it
had to be supported during the post-independence development strategies and
that all citizens should be involved. Furthermore with the introduction and
acceptance of a wide variety of new fruits and vegetables by Africans in
their daily diets the demand for them grew rapidly and many new farmers both
in traditional holdings and settlement in former European highlands, adopted
them in their farming activities.
Thus the need for developing effective marketing
systems became urgent and essential. But because of the overwhelming demand
on the young government to provide both political and social economic
changes the efforts to give priority to horticulture were not effective.
This sub sector remained behind and was left largely in the hands of the
private sector. The initiatives taken by the colonial government were not
sustained, as new farmers/settlers were unable to adjust to foreign
technologies needed in horticultural farming and marketing.
Thus the Horticultural Co-operative Union
collapsed and the vegetable dehydration project in Naivasha finally closed
after revival efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture did not succeed. All
post war infrastructures for horticulture ceased to operate. The
smallholders’ pineapple programme failed in Thika and many other
horticultural production schemes fell by the wayside unless they were
supported by a board established by law and with financial resources through
levies e.g. the National Irrigation Board. Therefore a rebirth of a
development strategy was needed. 2. Revival of the Horticultural Industry
Whereas the existence of horticulture in Kenya dates back to the pre and
post World War II it never assumed importance until the country’s
independence in 1963.
During the first decade of independence 1963 to
1973, the early efforts to rejuvenate the activities inherited from the
colonial era were minimal, initially disjointed and therefore ineffective.
There was no research support because priority was given to commodity crops,
cereals and livestock. Similarly extension services and marketing were
concentrated in those crops thus relegating horticultural crops to private
sector interventions. Due to public demand the government responded and
brought about the following institutional changes: - Creation of the Interim
Horticultural Development Council in 1966, which converted to the
Horticulture Crops Development Authority (HCDA) in 1967. Revival of the Pan
African Vegetable (PANVEG) factory in Naivasha to support settled
smallholder farmers in the Kinangops in the 1970’s. Smallholder pineapple
growing scheme Thika (1966 – 1970) funded by AFC. Revival of the
Horticultural Co-operative Union (1969 – 1975) Relocation of the
horticultural research headquarters to Thika and retention of Molo and
Matuga as substations. Mandating of ADC to provide horticultural seeds and
planting materials for sale. A successful case was on seed potato production
storage and sale at Molo.
Multilateral and bilateral research support
programmes by donor countries. Other developments included substantial
investments in potato research and seed storage/production infrastructures,
which later collapsed due to a political wind of change. Formulation of
policies for horticultural development was undertaken on several occasions
detailing the crops to be grown, identifying major constraints and how to
overcome them. However these policies were never fully implemented due to a
variety of reasons largely connected with financial resources and market
development. Some in the recent past are: - National Agricultural Research
Project Proposal April 1986. Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1986 Economic
Management for Renewed Growth Chapter 5. The National Food Policy and
Development Plan 1987, horticultural crops page 91 – 124. Strategies For
Developing The Horticultural Industry, January 1991.
Institutional Needs Assessment for KEDS –
Assisted Organisations, The H.C.D.A September 1992. The private sector
initiatives were prompted by the H.C.D.A identifying firstly the export
potential of specific fruits and vegetables into British and other European
countries and the promotion of those crops by selected farmers. Young export
companies were formed with the help of H.C.D.A and assistance in packaging
and transport by air of small quantities of produce to the Covent Garden
Market importers and later to other destinations in Germany and France. The
H.C.D.A provided all the packaging material at cost and airspace booking
services in conjunction with and involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture
Inspectorate staff. The domestic consumption for horticultural products has
never been accurately quantified or valued. However, it accounts for over
95% of the total production and is therefore a major source of domestic farm
incomes and rural employment. Over the last ten years there has been a
phenomenal growth in the cut flower sector almost entirely through private
entrepreneurship.
This sector currently makes up over 60% of the
fresh export revenue. Horticultural exports remained minimal and there are
no records during the early years of independence until 1968 when Kenya
exported 1,476 metric tones. The export sub sector has grown since then to
over 121,000 tons valued at Kshs. 26 billion. This enormous growth has been
largely if not exclusively through private sector investments. In the light
of the government’s early recognition of the potential role that the
horticulture industry could play in the country’s economy, the Horticultural
Crops Development Authority legal provision was entrenched under the
Agricultural Act Cap 318 in 1967 through a subsidiary legislation to promote
and develop production and marketing of horticultural produce. The
Horticulture sub sector had been seen as a viable solution for Kenya’s needs
for cash crop diversification enhanced food nutrition, income generation,
employment creation and foreign exchange earning in addition to providing
raw material for the agro processing industries. The focus of the Authority
was mainly on the smallholder farmers who had the potential to utilize their
own labour, as production is labour intensive.
Horticulture also offers high returns for small
farmers with limited land resources. The sub sector has therefore been the
centre of focus by most government policies including the current Poverty
Reduction Strategy Programmes to which it can make substantial contribution.
Over the years, H.C.D.A’s functions have evolved with the changing
government policies and industry demands. Initially, the focus was on
development and marketing, developing products, opening up new production
areas and markets, undertaking market promotions and marketing produce on
behalf of the farmers. However, with liberalization and reduced government
involvement in direct trading, H.C.D.A’s role has been reduced to regulating
and facilitating, to ensure a smooth production and marketing environment
and advocate for policies that favour investment and enhanced performance of
the sub sector.
H.C.D.A has been involved in commercial sales of
onions in the local market, which it does to date. In addition it was
involved in starting production schemes for several crops like beans then
venturing to develop the export markets. It was also involved in exports of
pineapples as well as supplying pineapples to exporters. Over time the
production schemes and markets were gradually handed over to private
companies at the time of liberalisation, macroeconomic and structural
reforms. Current major exports include fruits (avocado, mango, passion
fruit, pineapple, paw paw etc), vegetables (French beans, garden peas, snow
peas, Asian vegetables) and cut flowers (roses, carnations, alstromeria,
etc) among other broad range of products both whole and pre packed.
On the local market, vegetables like kales,
cabbage, tomato and carrot dominate the market. However the supermarkets
have started grocery sections for specialty products. In 1985 an FAO
Horticultural Research Study revealed that more than 40% of export
horticultural produce was lost due to post harvest and handling losses. Due
to this fact it was clear that there was need to establish improved post
harvest handling systems which would minimise these loses and enhance market
performance of Kenya’s horticultural products in the liberalized domestic
and competitive export markets.
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