Nairobi: Kenya's vulnerability to climate change poses a challenge to the resource-intensive nature of the horticultural processing industry. Additionally, small-scale farmers face challenges such as input supply, capacity challenges, compliance with regulatory and market requirements, limited access to finance, lack of market access, market information, and stiff competition. Speaking during a stakeholder workshop for the New Export Trade (NExT) Kenya Programme closure, Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh highlighted the need to address market access, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements, and infrastructure improvements.
According to Kenya News Agency, the New Export Trade (NExT) Kenya Programme has made significant strides towards transforming Kenya's horticulture sector over the last five years. Dr. Ronoh noted that the programme has strengthened the capacity of agribusinesses and horticulture business membership organizations to compete regionally and globally. It has enhanced the horticulture's enabling environment and identified bottlenecks affecting the competitiveness of Kenyan horticulture export products.
Dr. Ronoh expressed satisfaction with the progress of the NExT Kenya programme in addressing challenges in the horticulture sub-sector through the National Horticulture Standing Committee, a collaborative initiative between the Government and the Private Sector. He emphasized that the foundation built by many development initiatives, including the NExT Kenya programme, positions Kenya to address these bottlenecks effectively.
Dr. Chagema Kedera, Coordinator of the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship-Agriculture-Development (COLEAD) programme, stated that the NExT programme was funded by the European Union with a budget of five million Euros. The programme focused on three result areas: improving the competitiveness of agribusinesses, enhancing the enabling environment, and addressing bottlenecks within the horticulture value chains.
Dr. Kedera revealed that 122 bottlenecks were identified and reviewed by the National Horticulture Standing Committee, which will inform the development of a horticulture master plan for future industry developments. Over the past five years, the programme has made strides in improving the competitiveness of Kenya's horticultural exports.
COLEAD has collaborated with over 182 beneficiaries, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), service providers, government institutions, and trade associations, to strengthen their capacity to meet stringent SPS standards set by key export markets, particularly the European Union. Dr. Kedera emphasized the need for a systems approach to ensure continuous export guarantees and defined what every producer of roses must do from planting to export.
Okisegere Ojepat from the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPEAK) announced plans to review regulations, educate members, and lobby the government for support. Ojepat aims to ease business constraints, reduce over-regulation, and advocate for a single government agency to collect fees.
Ojepat outlined plans to double exports over the next 10 years, aiming to increase from the current Sh156 billion to Sh300 billion by gradually growing the target across various products. Regular assessments will be conducted quarterly and annually to update and review progress.
Horticulture is a significant foreign exchange earner for Kenya, contributing substantially to the GDP alongside tourism, coffee, and tea. While a significant portion of horticultural produce is consumed locally, a considerable amount is exported, with fresh cut flowers, French beans, runner beans, and other fruits and vegetables being major export items. In 2023, Kenya earned approximately Sh156.69 billion from the export of fresh horticultural products.