Agriculture: horticulture and dairy
01 Feb 2011
In order to operationalize the agricultural component of Vision 2030, the government has launched the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS). The overall goal of the ASDS is to position the agricultural sector strategically as a key driver for delivering the desired economic growth rate under the economic pillar of the Vision 2030.
The agricultural sector is expected to achieve an average annual growth rate of seven per cent over the next five years. The strategic vision for the agricultural sector is to be 'innovative, commercially-oriented and modern'.
The sector expects to achieve this accelerated growth by:
- increasing productivity, commercialization and competitiveness of the agricultural sector;
- developing and managing key production factors;
- developing and implementing agricultural sector support initiatives;
- establishing organizational and implementation structures.
The Agricultural Sector Coordination Unit (ASCU) plays a key role in the implementation of the agricultural strategy. It is mandated to facilitate and add value to agricultural reform processes and coordinate efforts sector ministries' and other stakeholders' efforts towards the implementation of the ASDS vision.
Agriculture
Development in the agricultural sector is dependent on the land resource base, only 16% of the land has high or medium potential. The remaining part is Arid or Semi Arid Land (ASAL).
Small-scale agriculture accounts for over 75% of the agricultural production. Agriculture provides more formal and informal employment in Kenya than any other sector. Horticultural products are one of Kenya's two main export earners (MASP 2009 - 2011). Agriculture has grown significantly over the past fifteen years, providing employment to some 300,000 Kenyans. Women make up 80% of the labour force, although they are mainly employed at operational level. At the same time, men are overrepresented in management positions.
Horticulture
A range of ambitions and capacity gaps in the horticulture sub-sector at the institutional, organisational and human resource level were identified during the missions and especially during the stakeholders meeting. Regarding the institutional challenges, extension services require increased professionalization, and the agricultural sector should play a larger role in the curriculum development and providing opportunities for practical training and internships.
At organizational level there is a need for more applied research in agricultural practises and market information, and to make this research available to all relevant parties. Currently there is no accredited curriculum in horticulture and training in postharvest handling and marketing.
Human resources development should focus on increasing knowledge of farmers, especially in value chains and value addition.
Dairy
Kenya is one of the leading countries of sub-Saharan Africa in terms of dairy production. This offers great opportunities for further growth in the next five years. However, the sub-sector faces some major constraints and challenges that need to be overcome to maximize growth in this sector.
Regarding the challenges, the dairy sector has a lot in common with the horticulture sector. At institutional level, the dairy sector has an additional need for improved development of the value chain and better alignment between research, education and training, and extension. At human resource level additional knowledge is required in dairy farming and milk handling practices especially of poorer farmers. At institutional level, the dairy sector has an additional need for improved development of the value chain and better alignment between research, education & training and extension.
At human resource level additional knowledge is required in dairy farming and milk handling practices especially among poorer farmers.