to download the August - September issue - Hortinews.co.ke

no. 23 aug/sept 2012 Ksh 300, $5 

H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I S E P T E M B E R - O C T O B E R 29 

H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A U G U S T - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 1

Mimi hupata huduma 

za benki hapa tu! 

Equity Bank has partnered with agents countrywide to make banking more convenient, 

accessible and affordable. Visit your nearest Equity Agent to enjoy the following services; 

• Open an Account • Withdraw Cash • Deposit Cash • Pay bills • M-KESHO • 

• Eazzy 247 • Top-up Airtime • Orange Money • 

KARIBU MEMBER 

Equity Centre 9th Floor Hospital Road, Upper Hill, Tel: +254-020-2262000, 0711 026000, 0732 112000, feedback@equitybank.co.ke, www.equitybank.co.ke

Profarm Africa Ltd: 

working with farmers for 

improved yields 

D. K. Kagwe, Profarm Africa Ltd Managing Director 

As the world 

p o p u l a t i o n 

surge high, 

farmland is 

d w i n d l i n g 

due to many activities that 

humankind is engaged on. 

Currently, it is estimated that 

there are about 7.1 billion 

people living on earth. In 

eight years to come it will have 

reached 8 billion according to 

the United Nations estimates. 

In Kenya, it is estimated that by 

2015, the population will have 

reached 40 million people. 

To feed everyone in 

the country, it will call for 

diversification in farming 

methods and practices. Farmers 

must improve their yield per 

available unit area. Hybrid 

seeds and advanced farming 

technology will go a long way 

in improving farm yields. 

Measures to reduce losses 

to pests and diseases will 

also significantly help the 

farmers. Agrochemical experts 

are advising the farmers to 

embrace new research which 

is giving the new agricultural 

products that are of great 

impact on their yields. 

Profarm Africa Ltd, a medium 

sized agribusiness enterprise 

based in Nairobi, Kenya is 

working closely with small and 

medium scale farmers in East 

Africa to provide them with 

effective, environmentally safe 

products. Focusing mainly on 

coffee, grains and horticulture, 

the firm is promising to 

deliver high quality products 

selected from internationally 

recognized manufacturers at 

an affordable price. 

“Our objective is to work 

closely with the farmers, by 

actively promoting Good 

Agricultural Practices,” says 

Profarm Africa Ltd Managing 

Director, D. K. Kagwe. 

Although small and medium 

scale farmers contributes 

the largest portion of food 

produced in Kenya, knowing 

the right chemical for use to 

curb certain pests or crop 

diseases, can sometimes be 

a challenging task to them. 

Profarm Africa has been 

working with them to guide 

and support them with the 

correct chemicals for the 

various conditions they face. 

Where farmers has been 

complaining of reduced yields, 

Profarm Africa Ltd introduced 

water soluble fertilizers that can 

be dissolved in water easily and 

utilized by crops immediately. 

They usually contain Nitrogen- 

P h o s p h o r o u s - Po t a s s i u m 

(NPK) which has Calcium 

and Magnesium, the most 

known necessary elements for 

increased yields and health of 

crops. 

“The ultimate goal of 

fertilizing your crops is to 

supply them with the right 

amount of nutrients, yet, at the 

same time not toxifying the 

soil through over fertilization,” 

Kagwe says. He adds, “The 

directions for usage, given 

on the products label, should 

be followed accordingly to 

achieve maximum results,” 

Regardless of the watering 

equipment used by the 

farmers, the fertilizers will stay 

in solution form and never 

leave trace at the bottom of the 

tank. “You will spend less time 

and experience no problems 

while effectively fertilizing 

your plants with our water 

soluble speciality fertilizers,” 

Kagwe says of the products. 

Among its wide variety 

of water soluble speciality 

fertilizers products include, 

Profarm Folia+, Profolia 

Gold, Profolia POTA, Profarm 

CALMAG, Sanorganik, 

POTMAG-S and Sangrass. 

Profarm Africa’s vision is to 

work with farmers in Africa 

and be preferred organization 

by agricultural products 

researchers, manufacturers 

and formulators in developing, 

marketing and distributing 

brands, technologies and 

innovations that optimize 

agricultural production and 

profitability, improve nutrition 

and enhance quality of life for 

all. 

4 

H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A U G U S T - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2

Farmers of Africa 

PROFARM AFRICA LIMITED 

P.O Box 1302 - 00515, Nairobi, Kenya 

Tel:20 3749022/ 220, Fax:20 3749220 

Email: info.mail@profarmafrica.co.ke 

Website: www.profarmafrica.co.ke 

Manufacturer: 

SAMÝ KÜÇÜKKOCA 

TARIM TÝCARET 

TM 

MEMBER OF 

AGROCHEMICAL 

ASSOCIATION 

OF KENYA 

Manufacturer: 

128 Sokak No:5 D.1 Konak-ÝZMÝR-TÜRKÝYE 

Tel&Fax: +90 232 243 02 29 

e-mail:santatarim@gmail.com 

Konak V.D. 371 687 09124 

Potassium • Magnesium • Sulphur 

Liquid Solution 

NER 

Sole Distributor 

AAK REG NO. 349 




Tel:20 3749022/ 220, Fax:20 3749220 



been enhanced by Potassium sources. 

g physicial,chemical and biologic 

Manufacturer: 



Konak-IZMIR-TURKEY 



icroorganisms. 

secures the nutrients to be more 

capacity. . Balances soil Ph. 

ous in calcerous soils. 

TRITION AND GROWTH: 

wth. 

um and trace element usage. 


(i). 

(ii). 

TM 



MEMBER OF 

AGROCHEMICAL 

ASSOCIATION 

OF KENYA 




Tel:20 3749022/ 220, Fax:20 3749220 



Increases crop yields and quality 

Manufacturer: 


Improves storage, handling and extends shelf 



life of fruits, vegetables and ornamentals due to 

stronger cell walls and thicker cuticles 

t 

TM 


MEMBER OF 

AGROCHEMICAL 

ASSOCIATION 

OF KENYA 




Tel:20 


3749022/ 220, Fax:20 3749220 



Manufacturer: 




APPLICATION RATES (FOLIAR) APPLICATION NUMBER 

Use 1.75 – 2 Lt. / Hectare per 1000 Lt.of 

water or 40 – 50 ml. per 20 Lt. of water 2 - 3 

for small scaled fields. 

Profarm Africa Ltd., P.O. Box 1302-00515, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: +254 20 374 9022 /220 

Fax: +254 20 374 9220 / 0773 003 508, Cell Phone: + 254 - 714 058 471, +254 733 609 600, +254 713 395 409. 

Email: info.mail@profarmafrica.co.ke, dkkagwe@profarmafrica.co.ke. www. profarmafrica.co.ke 

“profarm” Corporate Brand stand for “respect, intergrity and innovation” 


Yes we can! 

Water is scarce and 

we need to save every 

single drop,” Finlays 

Horticulture regional 

general manager, Mick 

Bartlett says. Flower 

farms in Kenya are 

setting the pace in 

water harvesting and 

management (page 9), 

while Wageningen UR 

Greenhouse Horticulture 

project leader and 

greenhouse horticulture 

specialist, Anne Elings 

says; yes we can. (page 22) 

KCB sponsors 

Naivasha 

Horticultural Fair 

2012 

Pg 6 

Reader’s forum 

Pg 22 

Swahili version of 

GLOBALGAP rolls 

out 

Pg 10 

Water Management 

Pg 24 

Harvest every drop and 

save our water towers 

Pg 12 

nyakora.musa@yahoo.com 

Watermelons offering 

farmers a juicy lifeline 

Pg 30 

Greenhouse tomato 

nutrition programme 

Pg 15 

  

Kenya Horticulture 

Competitiveness Project 

is proud to be associated with 

Proctical Training Centre 

KHCP is a five-year project designed to increase smallholder farmer 

incomes through enhanced productivity, crop diversification and 

improved market access. 

Visit www.growkenya.org for more information on upcoming activities and to 

receive copies of monthly bulletins and success story. 

Kenya Horticulture Competitiveness Project (KHCP), Piedmont Plaza, Wing A, 3rd Floor, Ngong Road, 

P O Box 3074 - 00506, Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel 254 - 20 - 2023314/2121838/9, Fax: 254 -20 - 2121837, 

Email: khcp@fintrac.com, www.growkenya.org 

USAID KHCP markets 

information 

Pg 35-42 

6 


KSH 250, USD $3 

Editorial 

Issue No. 15 JAN - MAR 2011 

KSH 300, USD $5 

E d i to r i a l boa r d 

Arim Ogolla - HCDA 

Catherine Riungu -HortiNews 

Jane Ngige - kfc 

Lusike Wasilwa - kari 

Stephen Mbithi - Fpeak 

Potatoes are cultivated by over 500,000 

farm households on about 120,000 hectares 

during two-three seasons year 

m a n ag i n g e d i to r 

Catherine Riungu 

e d i to r 

Ann Ndung’u 

M a r k e t i n g 

Elijah Maina 

Mwenda Ikingi 

co n t r i b u to r s 

Joan Korir - Simlaw seed 

Joseph Muli - Greenlife 

Muturi Kimani - Hortinews 

Nelson Maina - Elgon Kenya 

Manish Tyagi- Elgon Kenya 

Ngobilo Nakitare - Hortinews 

P h oto g r a p hy 

Allan Muturi 

D e s i g n 

Samuel Irungu 

Horticultural News 

is published six times a year 

by Karuri Ventures Ltd and 

circulated to personnel in the 

horticultural industry, foreign 

missions and Kenya embassies 

abroad, extension officers in the 

Ministry of Agriculture, research 

officers and suppliers of 

agricultural inputs and services. 

Will you farm for a profit next season 

Agricultural production is driven by physical inputs, knowledge, research. Over time, prices 

of farm inputs have increased relative to commodity prices, creating what farmers describe as a 

cost-price squeeze. Good yields and good prices await farmers who have the ability to apply the 

right proportion of inputs which include seeds, fertilizers, plant protective chemicals and water, 

among others. 

Kenyan farmers are doing badly in terms of input application if a report released recently by 

the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is anything to go by. The report says that 

Kenya consumes a paltry 500,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer per annum against the required 

900,000 metric tonnes to ensure it achieves sufficient productivity. 

According to the report, a farmer is supposed to apply about 30 kilograms of fertilizer per 

hectare but research reveals that most farmers especially smallholders use as little as 8-10kgs for 

the same piece of land which is way too low for any meaningful yields. 

Due to low fertilizer application, the soils continue to get depleted leading to a reduction in 

productivity. Some of the causes of soil fertility depletion in Kenya include limited adoption of 

fertilizer replenishment strategies and soil and water conservation measures; the decline in the 

use and length of fallow periods; expansion of agricultural production into marginal and fragile 

areas; and the removal of vegetation through overgrazing, logging, development, and domestic 

use. 

Another low input implication is reflected in potato production in the country. Ranked as the 

most important food crop after maize, potato production is way below its potential. For instance; 

potatoes are cultivated by over 500,000 farm households on about 120,000 hectares during 

two-three seasons year. This gives an annual production of about 800,000 tonnes. However, the 

average yield of 7 tonnes per hectare is below its potential mainly due to lack of seed, low soil 

fertility, diseases as well as high cost of other farm inputs. 

In 2008, the government launched an ambitious Kenya Vision 2030 and one of the development 

strategies was to address the constraints limiting crop production, especially among smallscale 

farmers. The blueprint singled-out access to client-suited and packaged credit to finance 

procurement of inputs as one of the major challenges farmers were facing. 

Towards this, it is worth noting that the government has made significant efforts such as availing 

fertilizer and acceptable quality seeds at subsidized prices to reduce the burden of production for 

farmers. But we are still to get there. 

At this point in time we need the government and private sector to put heads together and 

come up with workable strategies and policies to ensure that farm inputs are readily available 

and at affordable rate to farmers if the country will realize the elusive objective of ever becoming 

self-food secure. 

Communications Brochures 

Magazines 

Anne Ndungu 


KCB sponsors Naivasha 

Horticultural Fair 2012 

KCB Group Chief Business Officer-Kenya Peter Kimondo (left) hands Naivasha Horticultural Fair 

vice chairman Richard McGonell a Ksh3 million cheque to sponsor this year’s event. 

Ann ndungu 

KCB Group has 

issued Kshs3 

million cheque 

in support of the 

annual Naivasha 

Horticultural Fair to be held on 

September 14 and 15 this year. 

This is the third consecutive 

year that KCB is sponsoring the 

fair. The two main objectives 

of sponsoring the fair are to 

strengthen the bank’s presence 

in the horticultural sector while 

at the same time giving back to 

the community. 

The horticultural industry 

which includes fruits, vegetables 

and cut flowers provides direct 

employment to an estimated 

100,000 Kenyans, while a further 

70,000 are employed in related 

industries like packaging, 

chemicals, and freight services. 

Speaking during the cheque 

presentation exercise at KCB 

headquarters in Nairobi, the group 

chief business officer-Kenya Peter 

Kimondo said the money will 

go towards meeting the cost of 

hosting the fair which will be held 

at the Naivasha Golf Club. 

At the fair, KCB will be the official 

banker, a move Mr Kimondo said 

is geared towards availing the 

bank immense opportunities to 

showcase some of their financial 

services and products suited for 

the corporate, retail, small and 

medium enterprises customers. 

“Through this partnership 

KCB has managed to close well 

over Kshs.300 million in new 

business covering corporate 

banking, asset-based finance, 

cash management services, 

trade finance, salary processing 

and ATM services,” noted Mr 

Kimondo. 

He noted that during the two 

previous years that the bank has 

sponsored the event, over 5,000 

bank accounts were opened 

an indication that the sector is 

an ideal target market for KCB’s 

banking and finance products. 

“Through Mobi Banking 

option, customers can now 

access their account irrespective 

of their network service provider 

with a 24-hour access to their 

account and access to over 2,600 

KCB Mtaani agent locations 

in Kenya to deposit, withdraw 

cash and even send in account 

opening queries to the bank,” he 

added. 

This has been made possible 

through the bank’s regional 

connectivity platform in all the 

226 KCB bank branches and 

a network of over 920 ATMs 

in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, 

Rwanda, South Sudan and 

Burundi. 

NHF which is in its 10th year 

remains the largest exhibition 

of its kind in Africa and second 

largest in the world. So far the 

bank has invested a total of 

Ksh12 million in the last three 

years it has been sponsoring 

the event. 

Last year, the fair attracted over 

200 exhibitors, most of whom 

were international firms and 

thousands of local attendees. 

According to NHF vice 

chairman Richard McGonell this 

year’s fair will be bigger and 

better and is expected to attract 

more exhibitors and visitors. 

He added that the funds 

collected from the fair will go 

towards upgrading Nyamati 

Village in Naivasha. The 

upgrade will include building 

of a secondary school, erecting 

a domestic water system to 

provide water for over 30,000 

people, refurbishment of a local 

maternity clinic and the road 

accident emergency centre. 

The funds will also assist in 

buying sanitary towels for school 

going girls, environmental 

projects, buying desks, helping 

the disabled among other 

activities. 

Also present were 

representatives from the 

Horticultural Crops Development 

Authority (HCDA) and the Kenya 

Flower Council 

8 




Ann ndungu 

Water is life. 

Life to 

everything 

under the 

sun and 

without it there would be no 

world to talk about. 

Horticulture is a venture that 

requires large amounts of water 

for production sustainability of 

quality crops throughout the year. 

In the recent past, horticulture 

farms especially large-scale have 

come under scathing attacks 

that they were responsible for 

drawing large amounts from the 

country water towers. 

Bearing this in mind and the 

fact that the country experienced 

heavy rains recently, Hortinews 

joined the Kenya Flower Council 

on a fact finding mission on 

efforts made by various flower 

farms to harvest and manage the 

available water resources. 

Our journey started at Isinya 

at PJ Dave Flower farm. At the 

farm we found out that they 

were engaged in a vigorous 

water harvesting drive. The 

farm has constructed two dams 

with a water holding capacity of 

50,000 cubic metres. All the rain 

water harvested from the farm’s 

45 hectares greenhouse roofs is 

directed to the dams and later 

used to irrigate over 80,000 trees 

and food crops planted within 

the farm. 

According to the Farm 

Manager Peter Kiarie, the dam 

water is also used to replenish 

underground aquifers through 

seepage which eventually feed 

the farm’s four boreholes whose 

water is used to irrigate their rose 

flowers. 

Due to the high pH in the 

area, the farm employs reverse 

osmosis technology to purify the 

water before releasing it to the 

flowers. 

The reason why the farm 

does not irrigate its flowers with 

the rainwater collected from 

greenhouse roofs despite having 

large amounts of it in the dams, is 

810 

TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION IN HORTICULTURE 

EVERYTHING INVOLVING 

TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION 

AND INSPIRATION 

IN HORTICULTURE 


Swahili version of 

Kenya President, Mwai Kibaki, holds a copy of the Kenya Gap book as Fpeak chief executive, Stephen Mbithi, 

explains about the importance of standards in horticulture at a recent export conference in Nairobi . 

It is going to be easier 

to move fresh produce 

across countries 

within East Africa as 

farmers embrace a 

uniform system of production 

at farm level. This follows the 

simplification of the international 

standard that has now been 

translated into Swahili especially 

for small-scale growers. 

The standard, called GLOBAL 

GAP has been translated into 

GLOBAL GAP Swahili, under the 

leadership of the Fresh Produce 

Exporters Association of Kenya 

(FPEAK), and sponsored by Trade 

Mark East Africa under; Enhancing 

Market Access for East Africa’s 

Small-scale Producers Through 

Standards Compliance. 

Global GAP Swahili is now 

officially recognized by GLOBAL 

GAP ( Food Plus, Koln, Germany) 

and uploaded on the official 

website. This means that East 

African farmers can now be 

audited and certified entirely in 

the Swahili language. 

This greatly simplifies 

standards compliance especially 

at small-scale level, who have 

been depending on consultants 

to read and explain the standard 

to them since many barely 

understand English. 

It spells out steps that must be 

followed to guarantee safety of 

fresh produce, - fruits, vegetables 

and flowers, as concerns over 

health and environment rise 

increasing the need to create 

traceability and farming systems 

that are in line with international 

requirements. 

According to FPEAK CEO, Dr 

Stephen Mbithi, this is the most 

significant simplification of the 

standard since development 

of Kenya-GAP, which was 

benchmarked with EUREPGAP 

in 2006. 

Kenya –GAP is now routinely 

used by Kenyan horticulture 

farmers and is well supported by 

both the public and private sector 

as essential for assuring consumer 

safety of vegetables and fruits. 

This particularly important 

considering recent consumer 

concerns that unregulated d use 

of dangerous chemicals such as 

pesticides may be contributing 

to increases in diseases such as 

cancer in the region. 

Global GAP is a standard 

guide for Good Agricultural 

Practices originally established 

by European supermarkets 

previously called EUREPGAP. It 

was established to guarantee 

safe produce to consumers, 

environmental conservation 

and social welfare. Under the 

standard, produce can be traced 

back to the grower. 

10 


GLOBAL GAP rolls out 

The Global Gap Swahili is 

complimented by a cartoon 

strip with explanation notes, 

which is clearer and faster in 

disseminating information, 

especially among the less 

literate smallholder farmers. 

Translation of the standard 

was done in Tanzania, where 

Kiswahili is more naturally 

spoken as a partnership 

of regional horticulture 

associations; Fresh Produce 

Exporters Association of 

Kenya (FPEAK), Tanzania 

Horticultural Association 

(TAHA), Kenya Flower Council 

(KFC), Rwanda Horticultural 

Development Authority 

(RHODA), Rwanda Flower 

Producers Exporters Federation 

(ARPEF), Horticultural Exporters 

Association of Uganda 

(HORTEXA), and representatives 

of public and private sector 

horticulture in Burundi. 

The project is a milestone 

for the region as it not only 

produces an international 

standard in local language but 

also a standardized curriculum 

for GAP training among EAC 

farmers. During the next two 

years, several GAP trainers will 

be trained on the standard and 

several farmer groups certified 

to GLOBAL GAP. 

This is expected to enhance 

the capacity of the region to 

train and certify fresh produce 

farmers which in turn will 

enhance market access of fruits 

vegetables and flowers across 

the region. Horticultural fairs 

aimed at sensitizing farmers 

on the need for compliance to 

international standards will be 

conducted at each of the five 

EAC states. 

It is a major contribution 

to the promotion of Swahili, 

the East African Community 

official language as an 

integration tool where English, 

to some countries like Burundi, 

is a major challenge. Farmers 

will henceforth be trained in 

Swahili and obtain manuals in 

the same language, making 

it easier for them to adhere to 

global requirements of safety 

and hygiene, unlike in the past 

when instructions have been 

given in English, which most 

do not well understand, or 

read quickly. 

The initiative is expected to 

spread to regions neighbouring 

the region – South Sudan, DRC 

Congo, Northern Malawi and 

Somalia as they too strive to 

embrace best practices. 

Inter-regional trade is 

expected to be the biggest 

beneficiary of the initiative 

because for the first time, 

standards and inspection 

bodies will have a single 

benchmark to base their work. 

It has remained an arduous 

task checking standards 

because each country has its 

own rules hampering crossborder 

trade. 

Good Agricultural Practices in horticulture 

Wavunaji lazima 

Wasiwe au 

kuonyesha dalili 

yeyote ya 

magonjwa 

ya kuambukizana 

kama vile kukohoa, 

kuhara au upele wa 

ngozi 




Ol-Njorowa flower farm in Naivasha has built tunnels around the farm to collect water from the greenhouses to reserviours. 

9 

because the cost of purifying the 

same to get rid of dust particles 

gathered along the drainage 

trenches is prohibitive. 

Next we hopped-off to 

Nanyuki to two farms namely; 

Ibis-Sirimon a subsidiary of Finlay 

Horticulture Kenya limited and 

Tambuzi Flowers Limited. 

At Ibis-Sirimon we met the 

regional general manager Mick 

Bartlett who went to great 

lengths to explain and showcase 

the elaborate water management 

system the farm has established 

to ensure water sufficiency. 

According to Mr. Bartlett, the farm 

invests approximately Kshs.22.5 

million annually to manage its 

water and environment projects. 

12 

The farm harvests every drop 

of rain that falls on its 750 hectare 

piece of land and directs it to 

four large reservoirs with a total 

holding capacity of 634,000 

cubic metres. 

This water is adequate to 

irrigate the farm for four months 

without requiring to pump more 

water from its boreholes. The 

beauty of the farm is that the 

water collected from the rain also 

acts as a watering-hole for wild 

animals from the neighbouring 

Mt Kenya Forest. With the 

approval of Kenya Wildlife 

Service the farm which lies on 

wildlife corridor habours various 

animals from the forest. 

“Rainwater harvesting is 

H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A U G U S T - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 

a concept that needs to be 

practiced by many of us so that 

we help reduce water stress and 

crisis in this country. Water is 

scarce and should be managed 

properly,” he adds. 

The farm produces three 

flower varieties namely; roses, 

carnations and lilies. Other 

horticultural crops in the farm 

include sugarsnaps, peas, 

courgettes, onions, cabbages 

and various herbs. 

Mr. Barlett says the farm 

works closely with National 

Environmental Management 

Authority (NEMA) and Water 

Resources Management 

Authority (WARMA) to ensure 

the farm activities have as 

little negative effect to the 

environment as possible. 

Next we visited Tambuzi 

Flowers, a farm that produces 

scented roses and various herbs 

among them mint, lavender and 

rosemary. 

There, we met the farm’s 

human resource, internal auditor 

and environment manager 

Christine Shikuku. Out of the five 

farms we visited on this particular 

tour, this was the only one that 

drew part of its water from the 

river. Mrs Shikuku explained that 

the farm draws its water from 

River Burguret which divides the 

farm into two and directs it to a 

100,000 cubic metres reserviour. 

The farm has also drilled a 

812


orehole as an alternative source 

of water during dry spells. It 

must however be noted that the 

water which has been diverted 

from the river is done so by what 

Mrs Shikuku described as a selfregulating 

ware. The technology 

regulates the water whereby the 

water flowing to the reservoir 

is regulated by a trench with a 

slanting gradient. 

This ensures that the water 

flows to the reserviour only 

when it reaches a certain level. 

This is meant to ensure that the 

farm does not draw unnecessary 

amounts of water from the 

river and also cushion other 

users downstream. And as the 

reserviour which also serves 

as a source of water for people 

neighbouring the farm fills-up, 

the farm closes-off the water 

through a v-notch junction and 



Greenhouses are fitted with gutters to collect water when it 

rains. At Ol-Njorowa Farm there are five reserviours, with a total 

holding capacity of 4,200 cubic metres. 

10 

redirects it to the river. 

Next we sought to check-out 

how farms in Naivasha which 

is famed as the horticultural 

hub were fairing as far as water 

harvesting and management is 

concerned. We paid a visit to Ol 

Njorowa Farm where every drop 

of rain is harvested and stored 

in five reserviours in the farm 

with a total holding capacity of 

4,200 cubic metres. This water is 

collected from the roofs of the 

farm’s 20 hectare greenhouses. 

This water is sufficient to 

irrigate the farm for four weeks 

without requiring any other 

source of water. And to boost the 

reserviours, the farm has sunk 

two boreholes to serve the farm 

during dry spells. 

The farm’s general manager 

David Mousley says every drop 

of rainwater is vital. He tasked the 

government and NGOs in the 

country to help farmers with 

lesser capacity to collect rain 

water and drill boreholes do 

so. 

Finally, our flower farm 

tour came to a halt at Agriflora 

Kenya Limited, a member 

of Sian Roses in Njoro. The 

farm manager Laban Koima 

gave us a tour round the farm 

where we found two water 

reserviours with a holding 

capacity of 140,000 cubic 

metres. 

Like other farms we 

had visited, this water is 

collected from the roof of its 

greenhouses. When full, the 

water is sufficient to irrigate 

the farm for six months. The 

farm which grows roses and 

calla lilies on 28.5 hectares of 

land, has also drilled 5 boreholes 

to supplement the rain water. 

All the five farms have invested 

in wetlands to tackle waste water 

from greenhouses and packhouses. 

The water is recycled and 

then used to irrigate other crops 

and trees around the farms. 

They also have tree planting 

programmes as a way of 

conserving the environment in 

tandem with the country’s aim 

of increasing total tree cover to 

10 percent. 

At PJ Dave for instance, the 

farm takes care of over 80,000 

trees in the farm. Similarly, at 

Ibis-Sirimon the farm has been 

planting a total of 250,000 trees 

annually for the past three years. 

This is in addition to thousands 

of other trees existing in the 

farm. 

Tambuzi Ltd boasts of having 

planted more than 35,000 

trees around the farm’s 64 

hectares. At Ol Njorowa, the 

farm has planted thousands of 

indigenous trees in the farm 

while Sian-Agriflora has planted 

more than 10,000 trees 

A water reserviours at Ol-Njorowa built to store the water 

harvested from greenhouses. 

14 


|| AGRONOMY || 

Greenhouse tomato 

nutrition programme 

Successful production 

of tomatoes within a 

tun¬nel greenhouse 

relies heavily on 

proper water¬ing and 

fertilization. Greenhouses exclude 

natural rain¬fall, so timely irrigation 

is important. Because tomato fruits 

are more than 90 per¬cent water, 

yield and qual¬ity suffer when 

plants are under drought and 

nutrient stress. When tomatoes are 

not adequately watered and given 

required nutrients, there are fewer 

flowers per truss, less fruit will 

develop and blossom end rot will 

occur. Drip irrigation is the most 

efficient method of delivering 

water and nutrients to tunnel 

toma¬toes. 

transplanting. Indeterminate 

tomatoes flower continuously 

through the growing season. 

Tomatoes begin develop¬ing fruit 

about six weeks after transplanting, 

and ade¬quate watering is 

important for the fruit to develop 

and attain proper size. 

PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS 

Blossom End Rot 

Fruits develop a sunken, watersoaked 

lesion near the blossom 

end. The lesion expands rapidly, 

turns black, and results in a 

flattening of the end of the fruit. 

Secondary organisms frequently 

invade the lesions and cause a 

  

adequate soil moisture, especially 

during fruit set, can reduce the 

incidence of blossom end rot. 

Avoid under or over fertilization of 

the plant with nitrogen, especially 

of the ammonia formulation. 

Apply weekly sprays of Ferrari Gold 

at 40ml/20Lt to help fruit develop 

strong cell walls and undergo rapid 

cell division and multiplication. 

Alternate with Optimizer for 

regulating the plats hormonal 

system and regularizing the normal 

functions of all plant components. 

Use   Optimizer at 10ml/20Lt. 

Growth Cracks 

fluctuations in temperature, and 

an overabundance of nitrogen can 

cause cracking. In addition, tomato 

fruits exposed to sunlight are more 

prone to cracking. 

Using a small, collapsible tube 

(3⁄4 inch diameter), water is slowly 

applied to the plant without 

wetting the foliage. Drip tape is 

usually 8–10 mil thickness. Dripper 

or emitter spac¬ing is typically 30- 

45cms. Tomatoes require a single 

drip line per row. Another distinct 

advantage of drip irrigation is 

the ability to inject water-soluble 

nutrients through the irrigation 

system, a technique that is called 

fertigation. Rather than applying 

all the nutrients at once (either at 

planting or before), the nutrients 

and water can be applied as the 

crop grows. Fertigation saves both 

water and fertilizer. 

The critical growth periods for 

adequate watering of tomatoes 

are during flowering, fruit set and 

fruit development. Flowers are 

observed on tomatoes begin¬ning 

about four - five weeks after 

complete rotting of the fruit. The 

disorder commonly occurs during 

periods of hot, dry weather. 

Cause: Physiological Blossom end 

rot is a physiological disorder (not 

an infectious disease) resulting 

from a shortage of available calcium 

in rapidly developing fruit. This 

problem can occur even though 

the soil has an abundance of 

calcium. The disorder is associated 

with rapid plant growth and soaked 

quick fluctuations in soil moisture 

Control: Providing even and 

Growth cracking occurs on tomato 

fruit that expand too quickly. It 

is most common on nearly ripe 

fruit, but it can occur on younger 

fruit. Cracks develop in concentric 

circles around the stem scar. They 

also can occur as radial cracking 

that spreads in a starlike pattern 

from the stem scar toward the 

blossom end 

Cause: Physiological Growth 

cracks occur when the fruit 

expands and stretches the 

epidermis (skin) beyond its 

capacity. Excessive moisture, 

  

Control: Select cultivars less prone 

to cracking. Provide even water and 

balanced nutrition to avoid overly 

lush growth. Limit fruit exposure 

to sun through proper staking or 

trellising, and by managing foliar 

diseases. Apply weekly sprays of 

Ferrari Gold at 40ml/20Lt to help 

fruit develop strong cell walls and 

undergo rapid cell division and 

multiplication. 

Alternate with Optimizer for 

regulating the plats hormonal 

system and regularizing the normal 

functions of all plant components. 

Use Optimizer at 10ml/20Lt. 

Article by Joseph Muli, technical 

director, Greenlife Agroscience 

(EA) Ltd 

joseph@greenlife.co.ke 


Seaweed Biostimulant For Vegetative Development 

16 


What is Optimizer 

Seaweed Liquid biofertilizer produced from Ascophyllium nodosum seaweed extract base, 

enriched with chelating microelements for use in vegetables, flowers, coffee, cereals, potatoes 

and fruit trees as mangoes, avocados and grapes. It is designed to help the plant to overcome 

stress moments produced by drought, flooding, adverse weather etc. Its application perceptibly 

increases production as well as the plant general condition 

What it contains 

Declared contents: 

Ascophyllium nodosum seaweed extract, Nitrogen (Ureic Nitrogen, Organic Nitrogen), 

Water-soluble potassium and Phosphorous, EDTA chelated Copper, Zinc, Molybdenum and 

Boron, Water-soluble amino acids and alginic acid 

Optimizer is a bio-stimulant based on high quality seaweed extract of Ascophyllium 

nodosum, plus chelated nutrients. Optimizer Seaweed stimulates beneficial soil microbial 

activity, resulting in a substantially larger root mass thus enabling the plant to draw nutrients 

and moisture in times of stress resulting in overall stronger root structure may help plants 

physically resist certain types of root diseases.It has: 

• Auxins which enhances photosynthesis via increasing chlorophyll levels, help in cell elongation 

and give fruits and vegetables a naturally longer shelf life.. 

• Indole - helps the development of plant roots and buds 

• Cytokinins - promote growth via rapidly speeding up the process of cell division making the 

plant to stay green for longer time. It also promotes the growth of fruits and reduces premature 

dropping of fruit. 

• Enzymes and hydrolysed proteins - Improve nutrients uptake, soil microbial activity, thus 

inducing faster and vigorous root development; 

• Betaines – reduce intensity of oxidation reactions. 

What it does 

• Optimizer nourishes the plant with micro and macronutrients it needs 

• Helps to regenerate the physico-chemical properties of the soil, improving the structure and 

increasing the cationic exchange capacity and the soil flora. 

• Its application perceptibly increases production, and overall growth and development of the 

crop. 

• It help the development of plant roots and buds, promote growth via rapidly speeding up the 

process of cell division making the plant to stay green for longer time. 

• It also promotes the growth of fruits and reduces premature dropping of fruit. Auxins help 

in cell elongation and give fruits and vegetables a naturally longer shelf life. 

Read More >>>>> 


Targe 

Tea 

Veget 

Apple 

passio 

Eggpla 

tomat 

Rice,w 

Tobac 

Cotton 

Ornam 

Lawn 

Stage 

applic 

Seed s 

Before 

Early g 

Coffe 

Floric 

Rose 

Chrys 

Anth 

Effects of Optimizer 

Enhanced Soil Microbial activity: Nutrients present in the product act as food to beneficial 

microbes thereby increasing the microbial activity. 

Reduced root damage: Beneficial microbes compete with fungal pathogen. This will reduce 

the activity of the fungal pathogen and thus reduce the chance of root damage. 

Increased Chlorophyll level: Betaines present in Optimizer reduce intensity of oxidation 

reactions resulting from disease and harsh weather thus reducing plant stress which make the 

plant to have better utilization of nutrients and moisture, Improved germination and growth 

vigor, Better retention of fruits and flowers, Improved grain fill and tuber development 

Plant Defense Mechanism: Stimulants present in the product promote root and shoot growth. 

These roots can absorb greater amount of available nutrients from the soil. Healthy roots and 

the plants reduce the damage and help in improving the natural defense mechanism of the 

plant. 

Root treatment: Dipping the roots while transplanting helps in overcoming transplanting 

shock and leads to better establishment of the roots & efficient nutrient uptake. 

On young and emerging plants: Stimulates growth process and reduces any growth 

constraints. 

Better organization of the plants. 

On established plants: Plants will have a better defensive mechanism against drought, frost or 

water logging. Better retention of flowers and fruits. Increase in yields of quality produce. 

Before 

After fl 

Fruitin 

At har 

Irrigati 

Releas 

damag 

Reco 

Comm 

Cerea 

Rice 

Whea 

Vege 

Toma 

Cucu 

Cowp 

green 

Bean 

Cabb 

Cauli 

Amar 

Fruits 

Grap 

Citru 

Plant 

Tea 

18 


Target Crops 

Tea 

Vegetable 

Apple, Avocado, grapes, bananas, pawpaws, 

passion fruits, coffee, Orange, mango 

Eggplant, hot pepper, strawberry, melon, 

tomato, french beans, Asian vegetables etc 

Rice,wheat 

Tobacco 

Cotton 

Ornamental flowers 

Lawn 

Stage of application 

Before sprouting, growth stage 

Seedling stage,vegetable growth stage 

Before sprouting, flowering stage, fruiting stage, coloring stage, post-harvest 

3days before transplanting / seedling stage, flowering stage, growth stage / pod 

bearing, fruit ripening stage 

Seedling stage, tillering stage, heading and milking stage 

6 -8 leaf stage, leaf growth stage, after picking leaves 

Seedling stage,bud formation stage,flowering stage 

Seedling stage, growth stage, early stage of flowering 

After transplanting, stage of turning green, growth stage 

Stage of 

application 

Seed soaking 

Before transplant 

Early growth stage 

Before flowering 

After flowering 

Fruiting stage 

At harvest 

Irrigation 

Release chemical 

damage 

Rate of application and Performance: 500ml /Ha in 700 - 1000lts water or 10ml/20Lt water 

Breaking seed dormancy, increasing seed germination percentage and culturing complete and storage seedlings 

Improving the development of roots, promoting tillering, enhancing the ability of resistance to stresses 

Promoting cell division and chlorophyll synthesis, enhancing photosynthesis by increasing the activities of 

enzymes involved, promoting balanced growth of plants 

Promoting differentiation of flower buds, enhancing resisitance to stresses, such as drought, cold and diseases. 

Preventing fall of flowers and fruits, increasing fruit setting, increasing yield. 

Making fruits brighter and lustrous, obtaining bigger and well-shaped fruits 

Promoting fruit early ripe,increasing sugar content and vitamins, extending shelf life, reducing storage losses 

Improving development of roots, enhancing ability of roots to absorb nutrients in soil, and modifying soil fertility 

Supplementing and activating microelements and antistress agents, improve stress resistance, release the 

chemical damage to plants 

Recommended Spray Schedule 

Commercial Crops: 

Cereals: 

Rice 

Wheat/Barley 

Vegetables: 

Tomato, Egg plant 

Cucurbits, Okra, Karella, Ravaya 

Cowpea, Pigeon pea, 

green gram, French Cluster 

Beans, Pea 

Cabbage, 

Coriander, 

Cauliflower, Broccoli, Spinach, 

Amaranths 

Fruits: 

Grapes 

1 st Application 2 nd Application Subsequent Applications 

Nursery, 

Seedling Stage 

Nursery 

Tillering 

Pre-Boot Leaf Stage 

2weeks after transplanting 

(3-5 leaf stage) 

Panicle Initiation, Booting Stage 

or Grain filling stage 

50% flowering, fruit setting and 

after each picking 

Seedling Stage Vegetative Stage Flower Initiation, 50% Flowering, 

Pod Development Stage 

Cabbage 

Nursery 

2 applications at 15-20 days 

interval 

Bunch 

Formation 

Cap Fall (15 Days after 1 st 

Spray) 

Citrus, Mango Flower Setting Fruit Setting Fruit Development 

Plantations: 

Tea Just after Bud Breaking 

After Plucking 

Pruning 

Coffee 

Floriculture &Ornamentals: 

Roses, Gladiolus, Jasmine 

Chrysanthemum, Tulip, 

Anthorium etc. 

Flowering 

Stage 

Berry Formation 

Bud Formation Week after subsequent 

plucking 

Berry Development Stage (20 

Days after 2nd Spray) 

Berry Development Stage 


|| WOMEN IN HORTICULTURE || 

Good Neigbours attract Wonder 

Macadamia nuts are geting popular with farmers in Bungoma County due to increased demand and ready export market in Asia and 

United States. 

Mrs Zippy Simiyu 

BY NGOBILO NAKITARE 

As you approach 

Wa b u k h o ny i , 

in Bungoma 

C o u n t y , 

m a c a d a m i a 

trees dot the landscape 

amidst maize and sugarcane 

plantations. 

The nuts have become so 

popular with farmers in the area 

following an increased demand 

of its nuts and a ready export 

market in Asia and the United 

States, that every farmer is 

utilizing every available space to 

plant the newest money making 

tree in the region. 

And with the help of Good 

Neighbours in conjunction with 

Wonder Nut Company, farmers in 

the region are gradually realizing 

the potential of the nuts to give 

them more income. The two 

organizations carried out a joint 

sensitization exercise to promote 

the growing of the nuts. 

“We have realized the immense 

potential this crop has as a source 

of income in this region,” says Mr. 

Absolom Imbakha a farmer from 

Wabukhonyi. 

Imbakha is one of the many 

farmers in the region who has 

opted to uproot sugarcanes in 

favour of macadamia, vegetables 

and fruits. 

The nuts according to the 

coordinator of Good Neighbours 

organization, Mrs. Zippy Simiyu 

were introduced to the County 

in 1992 but most farmers did not 

see the need to nurture it as an 

income generating crop. 

“There was little information 

regarding the growing and 

marketing of the nut thus 

discouraging many farmers. 

Some planted the macadamia 

trees as flowers around their 

homes,” says Mrs. Simiyu. 

Mrs Simiyu says that most 

farmers were attracted to grow 

the tree following a steady 

increase in prices in the export 

market. 

“The prices have shot from a 

low of Sh19 per kilo to between 

Sh50-Sh70 leading to an increase 

in those planting the trees,” she 

says. 

Another farmer Mr. Billy 

Olembo says he has so far 

sold more than 12 tonnes of 

macadamia nuts since 2011. 

Because of the increase in 

20 


Nut to popularize macadamia 

the number of farmers who 

want to grow macadamia, Good 

Neighbours has set up a nursery 

to provide seedlings to the 

farmers. 

The nursery, Mrs. Simiyu says, 

has a capacity of 30,000 seedlings 

which can serve farmers in the 

entire Western Province and 

parts of Rift Valley all year round. 

Imbakha says he has ventured 

into macadamia farming because 

it’s less labour intensive. 

“You use minimal labour 

from the time of planting up to 

harvesting,” he says. 

He adds that composite 

manure can be used to plant the 

crops making the whole process 

cost effective. 

Imbakha adds that since he 

started planting macadamia last 

year, there has been no threat 

of the trees being infected with 

diseases. 

The macadamia tree 

according to Kenya Agricultural 

Research Institute (KARI) 

field officers has few known 

diseases that affect them but 

are vulnerable to insects, birds, 

rodents like rats and squirrels. 

In particular rodents can cause 

huge losses as they crack the 

hard outer covering and eat the 

sweet and oily interior- much 

to the chagrin of the farmers. 

Mrs. Simiyu says marketing for 

the produce has been made 

easy since his organization has 

a collection core which is the 

important part of the nut. 

The macadamia tree has a 

lifespan of up to 150 years making 

it a long term investment. 

Mrs. Simiyu says Macadamia 

nuts have become popular 

because they can be eaten as nuts 

or processed into cooking oil. 

The nuts have also become 

popular snacks currently 

being sold in hotel minibars 

and top supermarkets. 

Other products from macadamia 

include chocolates, cookies 

and ice-cream topping which, 

create and increasing demand 

in the international markets. 

Because of the increased 

demand, many farmers in the 

country rarely wait for the fruits 

to fall but harvest and dry them. 

The nuts, according to 

agriculturists, are not supposed 

to be harvested but fall 

off the tree once mature. 

Premature nuts are of poor 

quality with low oil and high 

sugar content; they are usually 

discarded during processing. 

Such has been the demand 

for macadamia seedling that 

players in the industry have 

called upon the government to 

develop partnership between 

the marketing firm and the KARI 

to develop certified planting 

materials for distribution 

to enthusiastic farmers. 

As growth in export and domestic 

demand for macadamia heats 

up, the race for scanty nuts in the 

country has also heightened. 

Processors and dealers with 

huge capacities and resources 

have been scrambling for the 

few available quantities from 

farmers in a bid to cash in on the 

nuts used in high-end products. 

Low production of macadamia 

in the country has mainly been 

caused by poor rains which 

affect flowering. 

Poor husbandry has also been 

cited as another major cause for 

the low production. 

Farmers in Bungoma County 

are however being taught how 

to improve quality of their crop, 

pest control, fertilizer application, 

and weeding. 

Farmers have also been 

urged to plant newer and better 

macadamia varieties which 

mature fast, have better yield and 

quality and are less susceptible to 

disease and pests. 

The newer hybrid varieties 

have been developed by the KARI 

and large stocks are available for 

farmers to plant. 

Good Neighbours in 

partnership with Wonder Nut has 

further initiated a partnership 

with macadamia farmers to help 

renew the crop by grafting the 

new variety on to the old crop. 

The grafted varieties take only 

three years to start producing 

harvests while non-grafted 

varieties take seven years. 

Correction 

In our June-July issue we 

carried a story titled ‘Good 

Neighbours Go Green’ on 

page 43. The story erroneously 

indicated that Mrs. Zeddy 

Korros produces her tomatoes 

on a 6cm by 12cm plot of land. 

We would like to clarify that 

the correct measurements of 

Mrs. Korros plot are 6 metres 

by 12 metres. 


|| READER’S FORUM || 

Watermelon 

I am interested in farming watermelons using drip irrigation in 

Machakos County, Mwala District in open field. Please advice what 

is required. 

Kanyithyo Mutunga 

Watermelons do very well in dry areas and in Machakos you will get 

excellent returns. We have released new hybrid varieties that mature 

early and produce high yields. 

Hybrid watermelon. 

Sweet Rose F1 

a) A vigorous medium to early hybrid (90-100 days) with good 

adaptability. 

b) Fruits are oval to oblong in shape, each weighing 10 -12 Kg. 

c) Rind is light green with dark green stripes. 

d Flesh is deep crimson red with good texture and sweetness (TSS 12-13 %). 

e) Good transport and keeping qualities are other major attributes of this 

popular hybrid. 

Julie F1 

a) A vigorous hybrid producing oval shaped fruits. 

b) Have attractive light green rind with dark green stripes. 

c) It’s a high yielding medium early hybrid with the maturity of 80 - 85 

days depending on the season. 

d) Fruit weight 8 -10kg with excellent bright red flesh having good juicy 

granular texture and sweetness of 12-13% TSS. 

e) It has small seed size and good shipping quality. 

Sugar Belle F1 

a) Medium early vigorous hybrid with a maturity of 80 days. 

b) It has attractive dark bluish green rind with visible green stipes. 

c) Fruits are round to oval in shape each weighing 8-10 kg. 

d) Flesh is deep red in color with firm texture and sweetness (12% TSS). 

e) Hybrid with good yield and transport qualities. 

Honey Bee F1 

a) This is a new ice box hybrid with fruit weight of 4 to 5 kg. 

b) The rind colour is dark green. 

c) Fruits are oval in shape. 

d) Flesh is attractive crimson colour with excellent texture and sweetness 

(TSS 12 - 13%). 

e) It matures very early (60 - 65days). 

f) The rind is tough making it excellent for long distance transport. 

g) It is a heavy yielder. 

Soil and water testing 

I read that soil and water testing are very important. Is it really 

important to test flowing water from a major river; secondly how do 

you get soil samples from a six acre farm that has not be tilled for 

about 30 years. How can I get those services at Mbeere and how 

much does it cost 

Dear Andrew, 

The best way to start is with soil and water testing so that you can 

understand what challenges exists and the inputs required. Below is a 

summarised guide on soil and water analysis; 

Other advisory services 

Soil Fertility Correction, Crop Fertilizer Recommendations 

Compost Production and Management, Cover Cropping and Green 

Manure Crops, Water Quality Suitability, Tillage Systems, Soil Health Care 

Program and Nematode Management Services 

Payment Terms: Like other laboratories, Crop Nutrition has a strict 

policy of client payment prior to releasing results of any analysis, unless the 

client is an account holder. Account Holders are on a 30 day credit policy. 

To ensure timely dispatch of results please pay your invoices promptly. 

Other Info: 

1) Please use our SAMPLE SUBMISSION FORMS when sending in samples. 

You can download these and information on ‘how to take a sample’ from 

our website - www.cropnuts.com. The information you supply on these 

forms is critical to the history section in the results. 

2) We supply sample bags free of charge. Please contact us and we will 

dispatch them to you. 

3) For microbial water analysis, you must use a sterile water container 

and the sample should reach in 6 hrs unless in a cold box (12hrs max). 

Philippine Machua , 

Customer Service,Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services Ltd 

Office Mobiles: +254 (0)720 639933 / +254 (0)736 839933 

Joan Korir 

Assistant Product Promotion, Simlaw Seed Company Ltd. 

Tel:+254 20 2215066/67/83, 

admin@simlaw.co.ke/ joan@simlaw.co.ke 


22 

More questions and answers; 

www.hortinews.co.ke

WiMAX 

VSAT 

FIBRE 

Others promise great service. 

iWayAfrica guarantees IT. 

VPN/MPLS 

MANAGED SERVICES 

DATA HOSTING 

DISASTER 

RECOVERY 

24/7 TECHNICAL 

SUPPORT 

Unrivalled security and reliability. Guaranteed speed. 

Footprint in 39 African countries. Bottleneck-free connectivity. 

Africa's largest Vsat operator. 

iwayafrica.com | 020 272 2700 | sms 32700

Water is not always sufficient, and for any successful agricultural activities, water harvesting and usage management is critical. 

Farmers are advised to embrace water recycling. 

A call for water-efficient technologies 

During the recent International Flower Trade Expo in Nairobi, Wageningen UR Greenhouse 

Horticulture project leader and greenhouse horticulture specialist Anne Elings pointed out that 

Kenya is not a water scarce country but management of the same is wanting. HortiNews had a 

chat with him. 

Can you make an informed 

summary of your observation 

about the country’s water 

resources 

My observations are based upon 

a number of visits to protected and 

open-field horticulture farms in 

Kenya, and discussions with the 

farm managers. It is absolutely true 

that the availability of water is not 

always sufficient, certainly if in the 

dry period rivers and water storage 

installations are running empty. 

The production of the farm is then 

at high risk. During my last visit in 

March this year, I visited some farms 

that had only a few days of water 

resources left at the end of the 

dry season. In that situation, some 

serious measures have to be taken, 

including ceasing irrigation to one 

greenhouse in order to rescue the 

crop in another greenhouse. 

The quantity of water will not 

increase (although it may fluctuate 

from one year to the other), so the 

use of water must be reduced. 

In case less water is used, more 

water will be available at the end 

of the dry season and production 

risks will be lower. In any case, it is 

better to use the available water 

more effectively, and increase the 

sustainability of the production 

system by increasing the water use 

efficiency. 

The good news is that more 

water-efficient technology is 

available. Such technology is on the 

whole not implemented in Kenya. 

And the very important thing here 

is that water use efficiency is not 

limited to water technology. As the 

water technology is improved, also 

technology climate management, 

crop management, etc. must be 

improved to get the most out of 

it. In other words, if the control 

of production factors in general 

is improved, then the water-use 

efficiency of the production system 

in Kenya will improve. 

Can you then, again based 

on your own expertise tell the 

country, how it can get on the 

road to managing its water 

Good water management 

knows three basic principles: 

use clean water, use the water as 

long as possible, and discharge 

as little water as clean as possible. 

Make sure that the water used in 

greenhouses is clean. Borehole 

water is in principle clean. Surface 

water must be purified before it 

is used for irrigation. Rain water 

can be collected and its use will 

save on the use of surface water. 

But it should be cleaned as it 

collects dust particles from the 

greenhouse cover. With clean

|| HORTINEWS CHAT|| 

water you make a good start in the 

greenhouse. Drained water can be 

recirculated if it is purified through 

for instance reversed osmosis. This 

is of course only possible if the 

crop is grown on substrate, and 

not in the soil. If the water is not 

purified, soil-borne diseases will 

be spread all over the farm. From 

a water management perspective, 

the % drain must be low. There are 

many reasons to maintain a certain 

% drain, which are mostly related 

to the nutrient levels in the slab. 

At some point, the nutrients in the 

irrigation water are not in balance 

any more, and the water must be 

drained as otherwise the crop will 

suffer. Also then, the water can 

be purified before releasing it in a 

sustainable manner to the outside 

environment. All this must be 

combined with good management 

of the crop, the climate and pests 

and diseases. For example, poor 

pest and disease management 

will spoil the steps made through 

good water management. 

Good management depends 

on experience and knowledge. 

Horticulture is very knowledgeintensive. 

Therefore, management 

and staff must be very well trained 

through the formal education 

system, specialized courses, or as 

part of the package by a supplier. 

Investments in good training are 

always cost-effective, in my view. 

The Horticultural Practical Training 

Centre at Thika, will provide a Service 

Hub where specialized training will 

be given. 

Are there examples to your 

answer above, locally in Kenya 

Would you know what it has 

taken such an example to get 

where they are 

The GreenFarming project 

starts the demonstration project 

‘Water Management in Kenyan 

Horticulture’. The demonstration 

project is an initiative of Green 

Farming member Bosman BV, 

in cooperation with Green 

Farming members Hoogendoorn 

Automation BV, Van der 

Knaap Groep, Wageningen UR 

Greenhouse Horticulture, Genap 

BV, Hatenboer-Water BV and DLV 

Plant BV. The purpose of the project 

is to demonstrate that through 

the implementation of proper 

technology and management, 

water and nutrient use in protected 

and open horticultural production 

systems can be reduced and 

production quantity and quality 

can be increased at the same time. 

The aim is to realize this through 

a closed production system with 

fully controllable crop inputs and 

recyclable fertigation water. Green 

Farming wishes to convince the 

East African horticulture sector 

that Dutch technology, although 

having higher initial investments 

costs, on the long run will be 

most cost effective. For this 

demonstration project a closed 

production system is introduced 

to the Kenyan horticulture sector, 

which comprises a complete 

system to collect, store and clean 

rain water, including bore hole 

water and recirculation water 

coming back from the greenhouse. 

The technologies are installed in 

an existing greenhouse within a 

rose crop on a gutter system with 

cocopeat substrate. All water will 

be cleaned with a reversed osmosis 

system. A fertilization unit regulates 

all types of fertilizer to prepare new 

irrigation water with all nutrients in a 

solution. A sensor system measures 

water levels and flows throughout 

the whole system and with this data, 

the irrigation computer will be able 

to automatically give the optimal 

amount of irrigation water to the 

crop in several servings spread 

over the day. The system is custommade 

to east African conditions 

and realizes reduction in water and 

fertilizer use, while creating optimal 

growing conditions for increased 

production quantity and quality. 

You can check www.greenfarming. 

nl for details. 

If we started on your advice, 

how long do you think it would 

take us to be a water sufficient 

country 

That is very hard to indicate, 

because it not only depends on the 

developments in the horticultural 

sector. All I can indicate is that 

with good technology supported 

by well-trained staff, less water is 

needed while the farm remains 

economically competitive. 

And how different would 

the scene then be, in terms of 

combating drought and food 

insecurity 

The combat of drought and 

food insecurity is an issue that 

goes far beyond horticulture. But 

horticulture can contribute. If local 

water resources are not depleted, 

then vegetable production can be 

continued during the dry season. I 

understand that small greenhouses 

have been constructed as several 

places, enabling farmers to 

produce vegetables at times 

when supply is low. I think that 

this is a good development. The 

construction of a relatively simple 

greenhouse is a good start on 

the road to sustainable use of 

water resources and supply of 

vegetables during the dry season, 

because vegetable production 

in a greenhouse is more water 

efficient than outdoor vegetable 

production. So, if a limited amount 

of water is available, vegetable 

production in a greenhouse is 

certainly worth considering 

Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture project leader Anne 

Elings

Elgon Kenya Limited introduces 

high yielding seed varieties 

Elgon Kenya Ltd has 

added yet another 

feather in its 

products cap with 

the introduction of a 

seed department. 

In a country where farming 

activities are increasing and also 

being embraced as commercial 

undertakings, lack of good 

certified seeds has always been a 

major challenge. 

With this in mind Elgon Kenya 

Ltd has risen to the occasion to 

help farmers’ access high quality 

seeds. The company can now 

confirm the availability of a wide 

variety of OPs (open pollinated) 

and some extremely good 

performing hybrids of various 

vegetable types including carrots, 

cabbages, coriander, tomatoes 

and watermelon among others 

,besides this hybrid maize, beans 

are also adding in seeds portfolio. 

Elgon Kenya Ltd Seeds Manager 

Mr. Manish Tyagi is assuring 

that all company’s products are 

genetically pure and certified 

by recognized bodies such as 

KEPHIS. The company also makes 

trials in the different climatic areas 

where its Agronomist are based 

to conduct seed trials and guide 

farmers on the best seed and crop 

growing techniques and skills. 

Elgon Kenya Ltd sources and 

develops the seeds from very 

reliable research based companies 

all over the world. 

It is seeks to become one of the 

best seed suppliers providing the 

best quality seeds in the country 

and EAC region. “In the near future, 

the company plans to spread its 

services and products tentacles 

throughout EAC region to Rwanda, 

Burundi and South Sudan among 

other states,” says Mr. Tyagi. 

Hybrids strong edge over Ops: 

Mr. Manish expounded the facts; 

Generally Hybrid seeds have 

always had an edge over OP 

variety seeds owing to hybrids 

wider adaptability, better disease 

tolerance and high yields in shorter 

times. 

CUCUMBER- ELGON CH 09- This 

hybrid is well tested in different 

weather conditions of Kenya and 

has been found suitable for both 

open and tunnel (Green House) 

planting. 

The hybrid semi- determinate 

type is a quick yielder, starts 

flowering in around 30 days, 

fruiting in 35 days and yielding 

in 50-55 days: it continues to give 

high yield for next 45-50 days. Fruit 

color is dark green, tender rind, 

sweet in taste and suitable to local 

market and export also. Average 

(avg.), Fruit length is 18-20cm with 

avg. fruit wt. of 250 gms. 

Elgon Cucumber CH 09 is highly 

tolerant to some of the major crop 

diseases such as Anthracnose, 

Powdery and Downy Mildew. 

Preferred Growing condition for 

Cucumbers is warm weather and 

minimum sunlight requirement 

is 7-8 hrs, suitable soil temp. is 70 

degrees Fahrenheit and soil ph 

should be 6.5. It is better to shield 

the crop from frost conditions. 

ELGON CH 09 grows in spacing 

of row to row of 4.5- 5 ft. and plant 

to plant at 1 ft. This means per 

acre plant could be more and up 

to 9000 plants that will add yield 

by 20% or more. 

WATER MELON – After vigorous 

testing, the company has come up 

with two synchronized high yielder 

hybrids in sugar baby segment. 

1. BLACKBALL – This high yielding 

hybrid is dark green in color 

with avg. fruit wt. around 6-8 

kg. Good shelf life and sweet in 

taste. Avg. 2 fruits per plant. It 

matures in 85 days. 

2. SWEET SHINE- This hybrid 

fruit is black in color and of 

very quick and high yielding 

character; avg. fruit wt. is 

6-8 kg. Maturity period is 80 

days and very synchronized 

harvesting of total yield in 2 

pickings resulting in less labour 

cost. 

To grow watermelons, soil 

temperatures should be between 

18-24 degrees centigrade and soil 

ph not more than 6.8. It is always 

better to grow watermelons in 

ridges with row to row distance 

of 2m and plant to plant 30 cms. 

Once the vines are 2m long, pinch 

the tip to get more branches and 

higher yields. 

CAPSICUM- GREEN BELL F1- this 

new Elgon capsicum hybrid is a 

vigorous yielder that suits well in 

green house. Fruiting starts after 

35 days of transplanting therefore 

efficient nutrition management is 

required as the hybrid is vigorous 

and early bearer. Study plant type 

with good tolerance to all major 

diseases. Fruit wt. is around 110 

gms and well suited to green and 

Red fruit segment. 

Warm weather conditions 

for over a 5 months growing 

period are best for capsicum, 

optimum temperature for fruit 

setting is between 16 and 21 

degrees centigrade, for good fruit 

development night temperature 

should be between 15-17 while 

day temperature should record 

24-30 degrees centigrade. 

Green Bell F1 is best among the 

hybrids in Kenya and well suited 

for supermarket and local market. 

CABBAGES- BIG GLOBE- 

Compact, large plant with bluish 

green leaves, waxy coated leaves 

giving better tolerance against 

diseases and pests. Round, 

compact head with avg. wt. of 

4 kgs. Excellent field holding 

capacity with harvesting can 

start in 80 days. Suitable to long 

distance transport and all climatic 

conditions of Kenya. 

GREEN GLOBE - Oval Round, 

highly compact head with green 

color leaves. Synchronized maturity 

with 3-4 kgs of head weight. 

Tolerant to drought and perform 

well in even higher temperatures. 

Suitable in all Copenhagen 

segment as harvesting starts in 

75 days, suitable in closed spacing 

and increase in yield by better 

plant population. 

26 


Elgon Farmers Drip Kit 

Two different models 250m 2 and 500m 2 

Gravity Powered Drip Irrigation 

System -250m 2 - and 500m 2 

F Fully gravity-powered: no need for 

pump or power source. 

F Easy to install: no need for technical 

expertise. 

F Portable system: it can be easily 

disassembled and stored. 

F Install: It can be installed on open 

field or greenhouse. 

(Tank not included in the package) 

East Gate Road, Off Mombasa Road 

P.O. Box 46826 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya. 

Tel: (020) 2399998/4, 0722 203089, 0733 699992. 

E-mail: salesdesk@elgonkenya.com 


HORTICULTURAL CROPS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 

Serving the Horticulture Industry 

Increase your income by protecting your 

bananas from pests and diseases; and by 

only selling when the price is √ 

Post-harvest Laboratory 

Banana Production Profile 

It is currently estimated that Kenya is among the major producers of 

bananas in Africa with over 83, 462 Ha. under production which account 

for 1, 583, 143 MT. with a market value of over Ksh. 18 billion annually. 

However out of the entire production, a lot is lost through pest 

and disease infestation, poor cultural plant management practices and 

poor post-harvest management practices. 

The Horticultural Crops Development Authority 

(HCDA) is now offering the following services for 

produce destined for local and export markets 

Bagging of Banana Batches 

Although a lot of work has been done to promote production of bananas 

in Kenya, crop protection still remains a major challenge in the production 

of high quality bananas. HCDA and Amiran Kenya Ltd are introducing 

proven and innovative technologies that will address crop protection 

and post-harvest management challenges. Demonstrations are currently 

underway to introduce farmers to bagging of banana banches to protect 

them against pests and diseases during growth and development. 

Amiran banana bags are known to have an anti- microbial effect and are 

effective in the control of insect pests such as thrips. 

Oil content analysis 

For avocado and macadamia nuts. 

A farmer is being assisted by a HCDA officer to install Amiran Kenya 

Ltd banana bag on a new banana batch in Meru 

Determination of maturity 

through oil content analysis. 

The results are delivered within 2 

hours 

64 28 

HH OOR RT IT CI UC LT U LT U RU AR L ANL ENW ES WI S A uI gA uU sG TU - sS eT p- T eS ME PB Te Er M2 B0 1E 1R 2 0 1 2

HORTICULTURAL CROPS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 

Serving the Horticulture Industry 

Brix Analysis 

Increase your income by protecting your 

bananas from pests and diseases; and by 

only selling when the price is √ 

For mango, pineapple and passion fruits 

Determination of ripeness through 

percent mass sucrose analysis 

The results are delivered within 30 minutes 

Fruit firmness analysis. 

Determination of ripeness for 

Avocado, Mango, Pineapple, 

Apples. Test are available on-farm 

and Bagging through of sample Banana analysis/ Batches 

Although a lot of work has been done to promote production of bananas 

in Kenya, crop protection still remains a major challenge in the production 

of high quality bananas. HCDA and Amiran Kenya Ltd are introducing 

The results are delivered within 30 

proven and innovative technologies that will address crop protection 

and post-harvest management challenges. Demonstrations are currently 

underway to introduce farmers to bagging of banana banches to protect 

them against pests and diseases during growth and development. 

Amiran banana bags are known to have an anti- microbial effect and are 

effective in the control of insect pests such as thrips. 

minutes upon presentation of the 

produce 

Banana Production Profile 

It is currently estimated that Kenya is among the major producers of 

bananas in Africa with over 83, 462 Ha. under production which account 

for 1, 583, 143 MT. with a market value of over Ksh. 18 billion annually. 

However out of the entire production, a lot is lost through pest 

and 

Colorimeter 

disease infestation, poor cultural plant management practices and 

poor post-harvest management practices. 

Determination of Mango and 

Avocado fruit ripeness 

Results delivered within two hours 

Titratable Acid (TA) 

analysis 

Determination of ripeness foe 

Avocado, Mango, Pipeapple and 

Apples 

Results delivered within 1 hour 

A farmer is being assisted by a HCDA officer to install Amiran Kenya 

Ltd banana bag on a new banana batch in Meru 

Congratulations 

to the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya 

for developing the Practical Training Centre 

For further information, contact; 

Managing Director, Horticultural Crops Development Authority 

64 

H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A u g u s T - s e p T e M B e r 2 0 1H 1O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A U G U S T - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 29

Watermelons can help quell the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and 

arthritis. 

Watermelon 

is one of 

the oldest 

c u l t i v ate d 

crops. They 

were grown by the Egyptians 

during the reign of Pharaohs. The 

Israelis remembered them when 

crossing the desert to the Promised 

Land. 

Today, the watermelon is a 

common fruit at breakfast, lunch 

and dinner. It is an excellent snack 

between meals and especially 

for weight watchers. It is used for 

quenching thirst while providing 

good nutrition. Often the fruit flesh 

is eaten with the seeds. Seedless 

varieties have been developed but 

the price of the seed is currently 

costly/high. 

Best Hybrid varieties from 

Simlaw Seeds Co. 

Zebra Stripped - light green 

Julie F1 

Sweet rose F1 

Dark green varieties. 

Sweet rose F1 

Honey dew F1 

Areas grown 

Watermelons belong to the 

Watermelon; an excellent 

money maker 

wider cucurbit family. They can 

grow in a very wide variety of 

environments. The only area they 

may not perform well are the 

cold highlands. They grow well 

form mid hot coastal areas, to dry 

eastern plains and hilly midlands. 

They are known to produce 

excellent fruits in dry areas under 

irrigation. Here they give good size 

fruits with higher sugar content. 

The fruits are bulky and thus 

tend to be grown near market 

centers. 

In Kenya, watermelons are 

commonly grown in Machakos, 

Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Meru, Isiollo, Kerio 

valley, Loitoktok, coast province 

and also around Garrissa. 

Land preparation 

Ploughing of land should be 

done four weeks before planting. 

This allows for decomposition of 

plant remains from the previous 

crop. Good ploughing kills all the 

weeds and buries weed seeds and 

thus delays their germination. The 

key objectives of land preparation 

are weed control, aeration and 

mixing of organic matter with soil. 

Watermelon seeds are large 

and thus do not require a fine tilth 

like wheat. Common methods of 

land preparation employ the use of 

tractors, ox-ploughs or the hand hoe. 

Planting 

Watermelons are often directly 

planted without the use of nursery. 

2 to 3 seeds are required per hole. 

Use of germination trays can reduce 

the amount of seed required. 

Spacing 1.5M by 1.0M. This 

spacing can be reduced or 

increased for smaller or larger fruits 

respectively. 

Fertilizers; 20grams of 

compound fertilizer per hole at 

planting. The fertilizer should 

contain Nitrogen, Phosphorus 

and Potassium. At the onset of 

flowering additional fertilizer will 

be required as a top dressing. 

Weed control 

Proper land preparation keeps 

the crop weed free for at least 

three weeks. Watermelons should 

be kept weed free for optimum 

performance. Hand weeding is 

commonly used although some 

pre-emergence herbicides may be 

applied. 

Poor weed control leads 

to higher infestation of pests 

and diseases. Use of mulch is 

recommended where possible. 

The mulch keeps the crop weed 

free while conserving the soil 

moisture. 

Irrigation 

Watermelons do not require 

wet soil for growth. They have an 

efficient root system. Watering 

should be guided by the area 

grown and the stage of crop 

growth. Often, irrigation is required 

every five days in the early stages. 

Excessive irrigation may encourage 

vegetative growth and disease 

incidence. 

Pest and disease 

management 

The host of pest and disease 

common in watermelon can 

be managed through scouting 

and judicious use of chemicals. 

Chemicals, because of their harmful 

nature to the environment, are to be 

used only when needed and at the 

recommended rates. For specific 

pest/disease control, farmers 

need to contact field officers from 

the ministry of Agriculture and 

chemical companies. Alternatively, 

they can contact Simlaw Seeds 

Company 

30 


Money making hybrid watermelons 

Simlaw Seeds have new hybrid 

watermelon varieties, of two kinds; 

a) Zebra/stripped colour; 

Julie F1 & Sweet rose F1 

b) Dark green colour; 

Sugar belle F1 & Honey bee F1 

One acre approximate cost of 

production 

• Cost of hybrid seeds; 400g – 

Kshs.27,000 

• Ploughing and weeding; this 

depends on the type of tools/ 

labour used Kshs.3,000 

• Planting fertilizer; DAP 50kgs – 

Kshs.2,250 

• Citishooter hormone; 200mls 

– Kshs.400 

• Top dressing fertilizer; CAN 

50kgs – Kshs.2,200 

• Foliar feed; applied at the onset 

of flowering, e.g polyfeed, 

omex ; 1ltr – Kshs.650 

• Fungicide; preventive e.g. 

ortiva, antracol – 200mls – 

Kshs.1,500 

• Fungicide; curative e.g. score, 

thunder, polytrin – Kshs. 1,500 

• Pesticides; e.g. actara, karate, 

agrinate – Kshs.2,500 

Total costs – Kshs.41,000 

and bursts the flower, hence failure 

of fertilization. 

The male flowers have yellow 

petals while the female flowers 

have a big/round/outward ovary 

and no/minimal petals. After 

fertilization, the male flowers are 

shed off. If the male flowers are 

destroyed, then fruiting will not 

occur. 

Mulching should also be 

done to protect the fruits from 

damages and dirt. 

Joan K. 

Assistant Product Promotion 

Simlaw Seeds Company Ltd. 

Yields of hybrid watermelon; 

• you will get not less than 2,500 

plants in an acre 

• one plant can produce 6 -8 

fruits ; hence one acre – 15,000 

fruits 

• One fruit weighs between 

8-12kgs, depending on the 

feeding program. 

• If one fruit sells at – Kshs. 100 

Total sales; 100 x 15,000 fruits 

= kshs.1,500,000 

NB; 

Melons have male and female 

flowers. The male flowers should 

be protected against damage from 

ballworms because these pests 

appear at the onset of flowering 

Kenya’s leading and the fastest growing 

Trade Fair 

DATE: 

Friday 14-Sat 15 SEPT, 2012 

VENUE: 

Naivasha Sports Club 

Contact us; Mobile +254 726 629 666, +254 721 118 659 

Email: nhfair@naivashahortifair.com, nhfair@kenyaweb.com 

Website: www.naivashahortifair.com 


Equity Bank Group CEO James Mwangi, the winner of 2012 World Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He credited the award to the improved 

livelihoods of 400,000 subsistence through the Bank’s agricultural loans. 

From dust to bank 

Equity Bank had transformed from subsistence to micro and medium businesses as the 

strongest among the key points why he brought home the trophy. 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

By Catherine Riungu 

When I 

approached 

E q u i t y 

Bank CEO 

Dr James 

Mwangi for a partnership in 

developing Horticultural News 

magazine two years ago, he 

told me that the institution was 

not strong in horticulture but it 

would be happy to work with 

the journal because it believed in 

entrepreneurship. 

Today, the relationship between 

the bank and the fresh produce 

sector is a different story. Speaking 

at the reception of the 2012 World 

Entrepreneur of the Year Award 

in Nairobi, Dr Mwangi said the 

judges in Monte Carlo cited the 

400,000 farmers Equity Bank had 

transformed from subsistence to 

micro and medium businesses 

as the strongest among the key 

points why he brought home the 

trophy. 

In addition, the award in his 

hands had many firsts key among 

these; it was the first time it came 

to sub-Saharan Africa, and the 

first to be won by a black man. In 

other words the award was a great 

achievement for Kenya, Africa, and 

the black race. 

Speaker after speaker exalted 

the win as a time for Africa to show 

its mettle. The award was going 

to be a magnet as the more than 

51 countries represented by 59 

contenders for the award that was 

won by Kenya would want to be 

our guests to see how we won! 

Brand Kenya CEO Mary Kimonye 

and her Kenya Investment Authority 

counterpart were challenged to 

seize the opportunity to market 

the country because there must be 

something exceptional about its 

investment environment, that has 

been boosted by the discovery of 

oil in the Turkana region, to wring 

the trophy from superpowers. 

During Equity Bank’s quarter one 

2012 investor briefing, Dr Mwangi 

said funding for agriculture 

remains one of the bank’s most 

active counters. He singled out 

horticulture, and in his own words, 

“Horticulture is doing very well.” 

And we can say with pride that it is. 

After maintaining a steady growth 

of 11 per cent last year despite the 

challenges of drought and foreign 

currency swings, the fresh produce 

industry has continued keeping 

Kenya on the top of world charts, 

especially the flower industry that 

supplies 55 per cent of all flowers 

sold in the world. 

Elsewhere in this edition, a 

partnership between Equity 

Bank and the Kenya Horticulture 

Competitiveness project, a USAID 

funded initiative for smallholder 

farmers is helping growers who never 

dreamed of getting into international 

business to do just that. 

It is in this respect that we at 

Horticultural News deemed it 

befitting to give Dr Mwangi what in 

media circles is referred to as front 

page coverage. He has brought 

great honour to Kenya by winning 

a coveted international award, our 

horticulture industry is world class 

while the bank he heads is working 

round the clock with various 

players in the fresh produce chain – 

farmers, processors and exporters 

to give the bottom of the pyramid 

a chance to rise. 

Dr Mwangi, who is the chairman 

of Vision 2030 has said repeatedly 

that there cannot be economic 

and social transformation without 

making agriculture productive. 

Horticulture happens to be a key 

sector in the pursuit of this vision 

K 

32 



(KEPHIS) ISO 9001:2008 certified 

The Management and Staff of 

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) 

Is proud to be associated with Practical Training Centre 

congratulations to the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya 

on developing the Centre, an important establishment that will train 

Kenya’s farming community on practical ways of growing all types of 

horticultural produce. 

KEPHIS is the regulatory agency mandated to provide a dependable, 

effective, efficient and competitive regulatory service for assuring quality of 

agricultural inputs and produce thereby promoting sustainable agriculture 

and economic growth. For example, in its quest to support trade, KEPHIS 

developed an Electronic Certification System (ECS), a business support 

tool which helps to organize information flows and inspection processes 

relating to horticultural exports(Roses). It is used by horticultural exporters 

to submit their Exports Data and by plant inspectors to assure the quality 

of horticultural produce, exported mainly to the European Union (EU). 

The ECS system is therefore an important milestone in trade facilitation 

internationally. We urge farmers who export roses to take up the system 

and enhance the trade of their produce, as we continually assure them and 

our stakeholders of our continued collaboration and support. 

For more information, please contact: The Managing Director 

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) 

Oloolua Ridge, Karen, PO Box 49592-00100 Nairobi, 020-3597201/2/3 | 3536171/2 

0722516221 | 0723786779 | 0733874274 | 0734874141 

Email: director@kephis.org, www.kephis.org 

34 


ENYA MONTHLY April 2012 | Issue No. 19 

mpetitiveness Project (KHCP), 

SUMMARY 

The Kenya Horticulture 

tes Agency for International 


transforming the lives of 

(KHCP), funded by the United 

h enhanced States Agency productivity, for International crop 

oved market Development access. (USAID), is This 

e: transforming the lives of 

smallholder farmers through 

MONTHLY enhanced productivity, crop April 2012 | Issue No. 19 

technology diversification, boosted and improved by 

market access. This month’s 

highlights include: 

KHCP), benefits of passion fruit 

national • Varietal banana technology 

ives of 

boosted by electronic 

ty, crop 

media 

roduction . This 

• Siaya 

in 

farmers 

Lower 

reap the 

Eastern 

benefits of passion fruit 

farming 

ed by 

• Enhancing chili production 

ulses provides high returns 

in Lower Eastern region 

n o farmers fruit • New variety of pulses 

provides high returns and 

Photo by Fintrac Inc. 

food security to farmers 

astern 

ge of the onset of the long 

tner Africa Harvest carried 

returns 

nic media talk show to 

pt tissue culture farming to improve their crops and yield higher 

generated lots of interest leading to 1,440 farmers ordering 

ana plantlets equivalent to 21.46 hectares. The plantlets will 

in the next 12-15 months with projected production of 873 

n banana, valued at Ksh 26 million ($317,000). The interactive 

a popular regional vernacular radio station, gave farmers an 

have their questions answered on a variety of topics, such as 

nt, accessibility to banana plantlets, and availability of markets. 

an audience of close to 200,000 in Central region. 

TROPICAL FRUITS 

Banana: 

Following the onset of the 

long rains, USAID-KHCP 

partner Africa Harvest Photo by Fintrac Inc. production of 873 metric tons region. 

engaged in an interactive (MT) of green banana, valued 

electronic 

Wangari 

media 

Kiragu, 

talk 

Program 

show 

Director 

at Ksh 

of 

26 

Africa 

million 

Harvest, 

($317,000). 

inspects 

Passion Fruit: 

tissue culture banana seedlings in a commercial hardening 

geared 

nursery 

towards 

in Thika. 

encouraging The interactive talk show on For the last three months, 53 

farmers to adopt tissue culture CORO FM, a popular regional members of the Siaya Passion 

farming to improve their crops 

and yield higher incomes. The 

radio talk show generated 

lots of interest leading to 

1,440 farmers ordering 29,096 

tissue culture banana plantlets 

equivalent to 21.46 hectares. 

The plantlets are expected 

to mature in the next 12- 

15 months with projected 

vernacular radio station, gave 

farmers an opportunity to call 

in and have their questions 

answered on a variety of 

topics, such as good orchard 

management, accessibility 

to banana plantlets, and 

availability of markets. CORO 

FM broadcasts to an audience 

of close to 200,000 in Central 

Fruit Growers Association in 

Nyanza region have produced 

37 MT of passion fruit valued at 

Ksh 2 million ($24,390), a 30% 

increase from the previous 

season. The 186 member 

association, an umbrella of five 

passion fruit community based 

organizations, is supported 

by USAID-KHCP partner Good 

Neighbours Community 

“We are promoting the farming of tissue 

culture banana in this region because, besides 

its high yields, it is disease tolerant, an 

important crop for food security, and easy 

Programme (GNCP) in 

propagation of seedlings 

and good agricultural 

practices. Of the three 

income for smallholder farmers, due to its 

nurseries established 

year round production.” 

year round production.” 

by the association, 

- Wangari Kiragu 

Program Director, Africa Harvest 

one has already been 

registered and certified 

long 

arried 

o 

ing to improve their crops and yield higher 

erest leading to 1,440 farmers ordering 

nt to 21.46 hectares. The plantlets will 

onths with projected production of 873 

sh 26 million ($317,000). The interactive 

ernacular radio station, gave farmers an 

answered on a variety of topics, such as 

nana plantlets, and availability of markets. 

to three 200,000 months, in Central 53 members region. of 

rowers Association in Nyanza 

bers MT of passion fruit valued at 

Nyanza 

lued a at 30% increase from the 

om 86 the member association, an 

ion, an 

fruit community based 

based 

partner 

d by USAID-KHCP partner 

unity CP) in Programme (GNCP) in 

ractices. nd good agricultural practices. 

ion, one 

blished by the association, one 

H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A U G U S T - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 35 

KENYA HIGHLAND SEED INTRODUCES PRO 

CABBAGE VARIETIES………. 

AS THE LENGENDRY COPENHAGEN TASTE IS BA 

FEATURES 

CABBAGE BLUE JAYS F1 

Uniform early maturing variety 

Glossy attractive head type 

‣ Very early maturing cabbage with the easy to cook glossy looking head 

weight of 3kg. 

‣ The variety brings back the legendry Copenhagen taste and the lost slo 

‣ Adapted to both hot and cold regions, it mature in only 55 days in hot 

regions. 

‣ At a spacing of 45cm x 45cm, it gives a high profiting plant population 

20,000 plants /Acre, with potential of 150T/Ha or 60T/Acre. The conve 

plant population of 28,000 plants/Ha or 11,000 plants /Acre at a spacin 

Excellent transport quality 

Sweet taste 

Easy to grow 

High market demand 

Vigorous and uniformly growing variety 

Resistances: 

Wangari Kiragu, Program Director of Africa Harvest, inspects 

tissue culture banana seedlings in a commercial hardening 

nursery in Thika. 

by the Horticultural Crops 

Development Authority 

(HCDA) and the Kenya 

Plants Health Inspectorate 

Service (KEPHIS). It produces 

60,000 seedlings of clean 

planting material annually, 

equivalent to 40.49 hectares. 

The association has also 

ventured into juice extraction, 

producing 100 liters of juice 

weekly for the local market, 

valued between Ksh 5,000 and 

7,000 ($70-85). USAID-KHCP 

expects to introduce 500 new 

commercial growers in Nyanza 

to passion fruit farming by 

year end which will result in 

a tenfold increase in monthly 

passion fruit production. 

“We are promoting the farming of tissue 

culture banana in this region because, besides 

its high yields, it is disease tolerant, an 

important crop for food security, and easy 

income for smallholder farmers, due to its 

FOOD CROPS 

Irish Potato:It is Kenya’s 

second most important 

- Wangari Kiragu 

Program Director, Africa Harvest

ODUCES PROFESSIONAL 

ES………. 

TASTE IS BACK WITH MORE 

S 

attractive head type 

k glossy looking heads of an average head 

taste and the lost slogan of Bachelors’ variety. 

only 55 days in hot areas and 60 days in cold 

ing plant population of 50,000 plants/ Ha or 

60T/Acre. The conventional varieties give 

ants /Acre at a spacing of 60cm x 60cm. 

  

food crop behind maize, 

involving 790,000 farmers 

producing 2.4 million MT 

across 123,000 hectares. 

Despite its importance, the Irish 

potato industry is performing 

poorly. Outdated production 

technology in combination 

with small farm sizes and poor 

rotations results in low yields 

and pests and disease. Varietal 

research is slow and restricted 

to the public sector, and supply 

of clean seed is sufficient for 

less than 5 percent of national 

demand. Against this backdrop, 

USAID-KHCP is supporting 

rapid seed multiplication, 

promoting appropriate 

postharvest technologies, and 

strengthening the capacity of 

potato growers associations. 

USAID-KHCP is supporting the 

draft Roots and Tubers policy, 

now at Cabinet stage, aimed 

at providing a more pragmatic 

framework for public-private 

partnerships and investment 

throughout the crop cycle. 

USAID-KHCP is also supporting 

the potato sector revival 

through a strategic partnership 

Photo by Fintrac Inc. 

Susan Koech in Burnt Forest, Uasin Gishu County 

sorts out Irish potato seeds ready for planting. 

with the Kenya National 

Potato Farmers Association 

(KENAPOFA) with the umbrella 

support provided by the Kenya 

Federation of Agricultural 

Producers (KENFAP). 

Through its membership of 

10,400 farmers growing 3,350 

hectares of potato, KENAPOFA 

is an influential player in the 

sector, responsible for over 

Ksh 1 billion of sales from its 

members. Demonstrations in 

good agricultural practices in six 

counties have shown dramatic 

improvement in productivity, 

with yields ranging from a 

high of 28.8 MT per hectare in 

Narok and Elburgon, double 

the national average yield of 

19 MT per hectare. A new set 

of trials is currently underway 

to incorporate more advanced 

techniques in crop nutrition 

and to evaluate the cost 

benefits of irrigation. Capacity 

building initiatives with both 

KENFAP and KENAPOFA 

include trainings in business 

management, organizational 

structures, and financial 

accountability. 

LOCAL MARKET 

VEGETABLES 

Pulses: With the introduction 

of early maturing varieties of 

green grams and cowpeas, 

farmers in Coast region are 

earning four times what they 

were this time last year. A 

cluster of 52 farmer groups 

receiving support from USAID- 

KHCP partner Pwani Projects 

Development Consultants Ltd 

(PPDC) recently harvested over 

five MT of pulses, worth Ksh 

557,470 ($7,000), double what 

they harvested last year. In the 

past, farmers depended on the 

traditional pulses, known for 

low yields and long seasons. 

Today, through a combination 

of demonstration plots and 

technical assistance, farmers are 

learning and adopting the new 

varieties and embracing good 

agricultural practices, resulting 

in expanded production and 

high incomes. To enhance 

sustainability of this intervention, 

PPDC has partnered with 

another USAID-KHCP partner 

Kenya Rainwater Association, 

to promote sustainable 

pulses production through 

establishment of 15 rainwater 

harvesting ponds equipped with 

drip irrigation, benefitting 3,000 

farmers in Kilifi. 

Improved supply of pulses 

seeds available for planting. 

USAID-KHCP partner, Dry 

Land Seed Company (DLSC) 

distributed 40 MT of cow 

peas, pigeon peas, and bean 

seeds to farmers in Machakos, 

Makueni, Kitui and Taita-Taveta 

counties via its network of 

20 agro-dealers. The inputs 

will benefit 1,896 farmers and 

bring 2,682 hectares of pulses 

under production during 

this current long rain season. 

Production of the drought 

resistant varieties are estimated 

to be 1,306 MT valued at Ksh 

34 million ($414,634), two 

times more than what farmers 

have been harvesting from 

the tradition seeds. Also this 

month, DLSC distributed 3.9 

MT of seeds to more than 150 

selected smallholder farmers 

throughout the Eastern region 

for pulse seed multiplication. 

DLSC expects to harvest 45 MT 

of quality seed stock, valued 

at Ksh 2.9 million ($35,365), to 

be available for the short rain 

season later this year. 

SMALLHOLDER EXPORT 

MARKET PRODUCE 

French Beans: 

Increased demand of French 

beans in the Dubai market 

has led USAID-KHCP partner, 

Canken International, to 

negotiate with Moi University 

for a 20.24 hectares piece of 

land that will act as a training 

and production center for 

youth in the region. Canken 

International has already 

established 0.8 hectares of 

French beans on the farm 

and confirmed new orders 

to Dubai. The company 

technical staff has been training 

farmers in good agricultural 

practices and postharvest 

handling in preparation for 

this rainy season. With support 

from USAID-KHCP, Canken 

International has been shipping 

To enhance sustainability 

of this intervention, PPDC 

has partnered with another 

USAID-KHCP partner Kenya 

Rainwater Association, 

to promote sustainable 

pulses production through 

establishment of 15 

rainwater harvesting 

ponds equipped with drip 

irrigation. 

36 


n taste and the lost slogan of Bachelors’ variety. 

in only 55 days in hot areas and 60 days in cold 

iting plant population of 50,000 plants/ Ha or 

r 60T/Acre. The conventional varieties give 

ODUCES PROFESSIONAL 

IES………. 

N TASTE IS BACK WITH MORE 

ES 

Horticulture Market News: June 2012 

Horticulture Market 

Domestic Highlights 

Kerio Valley farmers are migrating from livestock keeping to 

horticulture, thanks to attractive prices and a ready market. They are 

now growing bananas, pawpaws, mangoes, and cassava under furrow 

News: June 2012 

Horticulture Market News: June 2012 

irrigation, putting them in the race to benefit from the Ksh 8 billion that 

the Treasury allocated for irrigation projects in this year’s budget. 

Domestic Irrigation allows Highlights 

for year round better production, use of enabling leftover food. farmers to 

Kerio produce Kerio Valley enough farmers farmers food are are crops migrating to feed Some their from people families livestock are ignoring and keeping raise “use their to 

migrating horticulture, incomes from by thanks selling livestock 

surplus attractive products prices by” in and dates the a ready North more market. Rift. than (Source: they They used are June 

keeping now 2012, growing business to horticulture, bananas, daily) pawpaws, thanks mangoes, to, while and others cassava are under keeping furrow 

to irrigation, attractive putting prices them and in a the race to benefit leftovers from for the longer Ksh 8 than billion the that 

ready the UK Treasury market. Highlight allocated They are now for irrigation recommended projects in this limit year’s of two budget. days 

growing Irrigation bananas, allows pawpaws, for year round production, in the refrigerator. enabling According farmers to 

Budget squeeze prompts food-safety risk. The Food Standards 

mangoes, produce enough and cassava food under crops to feed to their FSA’s families research, and raise people their 

Agency (FSA) has warned UK shoppers who are taking more risks 

furrow 

incomes 

irrigation, 

by selling 

putting 

surplus products 

are 

in the 

also 

North 

risking 

Rift. 

food 

(Source: 

poisoning 

June 

2012, with business food safety daily) as they try to save money and make their meals go 

them in the race to benefit by ignoring use by dates. 

further. The research showed that 97% of those questioned believed the 

from 

UK cost the 

Highlight 

of Ksh their 8 typical billion that shopping the basket Researchers has gone up found significantly that a third in the 

Treasury last three allocated years, with for irrigation half of these (47%) of people trying were to make more better likely use to of 

projects Budget 

leftover in squeeze 

food. this year’s prompts 

Some budget. food-safety 

people are ignoring judge risk. 

“use when The 

by” food Food 

dates is more safe Standards 

than to eat they by 

Irrigation Agency (FSA) 

used to, allows has 

while for others year-round warned UK shoppers 

are keeping its leftovers smell, who look, are taking 

for or longer how more long risks 

than it has the 

production, 

with food safety 

recommended enabling 

as they 

limit of farmers 

try to save money 

two days in been the refrigerator. stored, 

and make 

rather 

their 

According than 

meals 

by to the 

go 

further. The research showed that 97% of those questioned believed the the 

to FSA’s produce research, enough people food 

cost of their typical shopping are crops also basket risking posted 

has food date. 

gone poisoning (Source: 

up significantly by ignoring June 2012, 

in the use 

to 

last by feed 

three dates. their 

years, Researchers families and 

with half found raise 

of these that a (47%) third Fresh of Produce 

trying people to make were Journal). more better likely use of to 

their leftover judge incomes when food. food Some by selling is people safe surplus to are eat ignoring by its smell, UK “use Wholesale by” look, dates or Market more how long than Prices they it has 

products used been to, stored, in while the rather North others than Rift. are by the keeping posted leftovers date. Average (Source: for wholesale longer June 2012, prices than Fresh the 

(Source: recommended Produce June Journal). 2012, limit business of two days in the for refrigerator. fine beans decreased According by to the 

daily) FSA’s research, people are also risking 3.3% food between poisoning March by ignoring and May use 

by UK dates. Wholesale Researchers found Market that a Prices third although of people this were may more be seen likely as to 

UK judge Highlight when food is safe to eat by its increase smell, look, in prices or how from long April it has 

been Average Budget stored, squeeze wholesale rather than prompts prices by the for posted fine beans decline date. decreased (Source: June by 3.3% 2012, between Fresh 

food-safety 

Produce March and Journal). 

risk. May The although Food this may be Average seen as increase wholesale in prices prices from for 

Standards April decline Agency (FSA) has snow pea between March and 

UK Wholesale Market Prices 

warned UK shoppers who are May increased by more than 

Average wholesale prices for snow pea between March and May 

taking Average more 

increased 

wholesale risks with 

by more 

prices food 

than 

for 

6% 

fine 

and 

beans 6% and 

could 

decreased could be 

be as a result 

by as 3.3% a result 

of shortage 

between of 

in 

safety March as and they May try although to save money this may be shortage seen as increase supply. in However, prices from 

supply. However, sugar snap prices remained unchanged. 

and April make decline their meals go further. sugar snap prices remained 

The 

Average Passion research 

wholesale fruit showed average that 

prices wholesale 97% 

for snow prices unchanged. 

pea increased between marginally March and by May 2.3% 

of 

increased from those March questioned 

by more levels, than which believed 

6% may and be could attributed Passion 

be as to a shortage fruit average 

result of in shortage supply. in 

the supply. cost However, of their typical sugar shopping snap prices remained wholesale unchanged. prices increased 

basket has gone up significantly marginally by 2.3% from March 

in Passion the last fruit three average years, wholesale with half prices levels, increased which marginally may be attributed by 2.3% 

from Table March 1: levels, Fresh Fruit which & may Vegetables be attributed – Average to shortage UK Wholesale in supply. Prices by 

of these (47%) trying to make 

supplier- Kenya 


(UK£/Kg) 

shortage in supply. 

Mar’12 Apr’12 May’12 %Change 

Fine Table beans 1: Fresh Fruit & Vegetables 3.30 – 2.96 Average UK 3.19 Wholesale Prices (3.29%) by 

Mange tout supplier- 3.23 Kenya 3.13 (UK£/Kg) 3.43 6.23% 

Sugar snap peas Mar’12 3.25 Apr’12 3.22 May’12 3.25 %Change 0.00% 

Fine Passion beans fruit 3.30 3.74 2.96 3.63 3.19 3.83 (3.29%) 2.33% 

Mange Source: tout Fresh Produce Journal, 3.23 UK 3.13 3.43 6.23% 

Sugar snap peas 3.25 3.22 3.25 0.00% 

Passion fruit 3.74 3.63 3.83 2.33% 

Source: Fresh Produce Journal, UK 

H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A U G U S T - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 37 

sy attractive head type 

ok glossy looking heads of an average head 

lants /Acre at a spacing of 60cm x 60cm.

Domestic Wholesale Prices – Fruit 

Domestic Wholesale Prices – Fruit 

Average prices for bananas 

Passion fruit average prices 

ODUCES PROFESSIONAL increased Average by prices 9% between for bananas March increased increased by 9% between marginally March by and 2%. May Prices 

IES………. and of May which of which they remained they remained higher for the in past Eldoret 3 years. recorded Eldoret the indicated highest 

N TASTE IS BACK WITH MORE 

higher the highest for the past price 3 increase years. Eldoret of 16% closely increase followed (21%) and by Kisumu this may with be 

ES 

indicated 

14%. This 

the highest 

is attributed 

price 

to shortage in 

attributed 

supply and 


increasing 

better prices 

demand. 

from 

Domestic (Source: Business Wholesale daily, June 2012) 

increase of 16% closely followed Prices exporters – Fruit to Uganda. Mombasa 

by Average Kisumu On average with prices prices 14%. for bananas This for Mango’s is increased increased and by 9% Kisumu by between 6%, average during March the prices and period. May 

of which they remained higher for the past 3 years. Eldoret indicated 

attributed However, 

the highest to prices shortage Mombasa 

price increase in supply dropped 

of 16% closely dropped by 45%, 

followed by which 3%. may be a result 

by Kisumu with 

14%. of local This availability. 

and increasing is demand. attributed (Source: to shortage in supply Overall, and average increasing prices demand. for 

(Source: Business daily, June 2012) 

Business Overall daily, avocado June prices 2012) decreased by pineapple 8%. In Eldoret, dropped prices marginally dropped 

On by the average biggest prices margin for (36%) Mango’s 

and increased this may by 6%, during the period. 

by 3%. be Average attributed prices to low in demand Eldoret 

However, due to the prices cold weather. in Mombasa 

(Source: 

dropped 

Business 

by 

Daily, 

45%, 

June 

which 

2012) 

may be a result 

increased of local by availability. 6%, during the 

dropped by 30% during the 

period. 

sy attractive head type 

Overall Passion However, avocado fruit average prices prices in prices decreased increased by period, 8%. marginally In which Eldoret, by could prices 2%. be Prices dropped as a result in 

ok glossy looking heads of an average Mombasa by head Eldoret the biggest dropped recorded margin the by 45%, highest (36%) which increase and this may (21%) of supply be and attributed and this the may to favorable be low attributed demand 

due to the cold weather. (Source: Business Daily, June 2012) 

n taste and the lost slogan of Bachelors’ variety. 

may to be better a result prices of local from availability. exporters to Uganda. weather Mombasa pattern. Mombasa and Kisumu prices 

in only 55 days in hot areas and 60 days in cold 

Passion average prices fruit dropped average by prices 3%. 

Overall avocado prices increased are marginally occasionally by high 2%. due Prices to short in 

iting plant population of 50,000 plants/ Ha Eldoret recorded the highest increase (21%) and this may be attributed 

r 60T/Acre. The conventional varieties give 

decreased 

plants /Acre at a spacing of 60cm x 60cm. to Overall, better by average prices 8%. In from prices Eldoret, exporters for prices pineapple to Uganda. fall dropped in production Mombasa marginally and increased Kisumu by 3%. 

dropped average Average by prices the biggest dropped in Eldoret margin by 3%. dropped by demand 30% during from the period, service which industry 

(36%) 

could 

Overall, and 

be 

this 

as 

average may 

a result 

be prices attributed 

of supply and 

for pineapple the 

the 

favorable 

dropped region marginally (Source: 

weather 

Business 

pattern. 

by 3%. 

Average Mombasa prices prices in are Eldoret occasionally dropped high by 30% due to during short the fall period, in production which 

to low 

could and 

demand 

increased 

due 

be a demand 

to the 

result of from 

cold 

supply the service 

Daily, 

and the industry 

June 

favorable in 

2012) 

the weather region pattern. (Source: 

weather. Mombasa Business (Source: Daily, prices June Business are 2012) occasionally Daily, high due to short fall in production 

and increased demand from the service industry in the region (Source: 

June 2012) 

Business Table 2: Daily, Fresh June Fruit 2012) - Average Wholesale Price by market (Ksh/kg) 

Table 2: Fresh Fruit Feb’12 - Average Mar’12 Wholesale Apr’12 Price by market May’12 (Ksh/kg) Average 

Feb’12 Mar’12 Bananas Apr’12 May’12 Average 

Bananas 

Nairobi 52.0 50.0 47.7 46.8 49.1 

Nairobi 52.0 50.0 47.7 46.8 49.1 

Mombasa 49.5 32.7 34.6 38.8 38.9 

Mombasa 49.5 32.7 34.6 38.8 38.9 

Nakuru 17.9 17.9 17.9 17.9 17.9 

Kisumu 21.4 22.6 22.8 25.7 23.1 

Eldoret 34.7 68.9 78.3 80.0 65.5 

Av. W/S 35.1 38.4 40.3 41.8 38.9 

Av. W/S P 35.1 38.4 40.3 41.8 38.9 

Mangoes 

Nairobi 30.8 29.3 Mangoes 31.7 45.1 34.2 

Mombasa Nairobi 37.0 30.8 36.9 29.3 35.9 31.7 20.2 45.1 32.5 34.2 

Nakuru Mombasa 20.0 37.0 20.0 36.9 21.3 35.9 20.0 20.2 20.3 32.5 

Kisumu Nakuru 100.0 20.0 80.0 20.0 92.0 21.3 88.0 20.0 90.0 20.3 

Eldoret 22.0 25.3 26.3 29.4 25.8 

Kisumu 100.0 80.0 92.0 88.0 90.0 

Av. W/S P 42.0 38.3 41.4 40.5 40.6 

Eldoret 22.0 25.3 Avocados 26.3 29.4 25.8 

Nairobi Av. W/S P 31.2 42.0 31.9 38.3 29.2 41.4 27.7 40.5 30.0 40.6 

Mombasa 36.7 30.1 Avocados 36.2 31.5 33.6 

Nakuru 

Nairobi 

22.2 

31.2 

23.9 

31.9 

24.4 

29.2 

24.4 

27.7 

23.7 

30.0 

Kisumu 11.0 11.6 14.7 16.1 13.4 

Mombasa 36.7 30.1 36.2 31.5 33.6 

Eldoret 30.0 33.5 21.5 21.4 26.6 

Av. Nakuru W/S P 26.2 22.2 26.2 23.9 25.2 24.4 24.2 24.4 25.5 23.7 

Kisumu 11.0 Passion 11.6 Fruit 14.7 16.1 13.4 

Nairobi Eldoret 64.4 30.0 65.0 33.5 66.1 21.5 65.3 21.4 65.2 26.6 

Mombasa 57.1 78.9 77.3 76.2 72.4 

Av. W/S P 26.2 26.2 25.2 24.2 25.5 

Nakuru 61.4 61.4 61.4 61.4 61.4 

Kisumu 53.9 Passion 52.6 Fruit 55.4 50.9 53.2 

Eldoret Nairobi 46.3 64.4 51.3 65.0 59.4 66.1 62.3 65.3 54.8 65.2 

Av. Mombasa W/S P 56.6 57.1 61.8 78.9 63.9 77.3 63.2 76.2 61.4 72.4 

Nakuru 61.4 Pineapples 61.4 61.4 61.4 61.4 

Nairobi 48.3 46.9 51.9 48.5 48.9 

Kisumu 53.9 52.6 55.4 50.9 53.2 

Mombasa 60.0 77.6 82.0 80.2 75.0 

Nakuru Eldoret 37.5 46.3 37.5 51.3 37.5 59.4 37.5 62.3 37.5 54.8 

Kisumu Av. W/S P 51.4 56.6 47.4 61.8 50.8 63.9 51.6 63.2 50.3 61.4 

Eldoret 50.8 Pineapples 57.6 59.3 40.6 52.1 

Av. 

Nairobi 

W/S P 49.6 

48.3 

53.4 

46.9 

56.3 

51.9 

51.7 

48.5 

52.7 

48.9 

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Market Information Office. Compiled 

Mombasa by USAID-KHCP 60.0 77.6 82.0 80.2 75.0 

Nakuru 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 

38 H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A U G U S T - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 

Kisumu 51.4 47.4 50.8 51.6 50.3 

Horticulture Market News June 2012 

Eldoret 50.8 57.6 59.3 40.6 52.1 

2 

Av. W/S P 49.6 53.4 56.3 51.7 52.7

gen taste and the lost slogan of Bachelors’ variety. 

re in only 55 days in hot areas and 60 days in cold 

rofiting plant population of 50,000 plants/ Ha or 

a or 60T/Acre. The conventional varieties give 

TRODUCES PROFESSIONAL 

ETIES………. 

EN TASTE IS BACK WITH MORE 

RES 

Domestic Wholesale Prices – Vegetables 


Average prices for potatoes between March and May increased by 18%. 

Average This is attributed prices for lower potatoes supply due May to and frost June and 2012) prolonged drought 

between experienced March early and in May the year in major potato During producing the period zones. average, (Source: 

increased Business by Daily, 18%. March This 2012) is 

wholesale prices for cabbages 


attributed Tomato lower average supply wholesale due to prices decreased and kales marginally, dropped significantly by 3 percent 

frost Average between and prolonged prices March for and potatoes drought May and between the drop March by 28% in and many and May 45% markets increased respectively. is associated by 18%. 

This with is higher attributed availability lower supply of the due crop to due frost to and the prolonged favorable drought 

experienced weather 

experienced 

early 

conditions in early 

in 

tomato in 



year 

growing year in 

in 

zones. major 

This 

(Source: potato 

was 

Business producing 

attributed 

Daily, zones. 

to the onset 

May 

(Source: 

and June 

major Business 

2012) potato Daily, producing March 2012) zones. of rains ensuring sufficient 

(Source: Tomato Business average Daily, wholesale March prices decreased supply, reducing marginally, prices by 3 and percent 

2012) 

During the period average, wholesale prices for cabbages and kales 

between March and May and the drop easing many inflation markets pressure. is associated 

with 

dropped 

higher 

significantly 

availability 

by 28% 

of the 

and 

crop 

45% 

due 

respectively. 

to the favorable 

This was attributed 

Tomato weather 

conditions the onset average 

in tomato of rains wholesale 

growing ensuring zones. sufficient (Source: 

(Source: supply, Business 

Business reducing Daily 

Daily, May prices June 

and June and 

prices 2012) easing decreased inflation marginally, pressure. (Source: Business 2012) Daily June 2012) 

by 3 percent between March Overall, average wholesale 

During Overall, the average period wholesale average, wholesale prices for prices onions for between cabbages March and and kales May 

and dropped increased May and significantly by the 7%. drop However, by in 28% many and in 45% Mombasa prices respectively. for prices onions This dropped between was attributed by 25%, 

markets to attributed the onset is associated to of availability rains with ensuring and competition sufficient March of supply, imports and May reducing from increased Tanzania. prices by and 7%. 

easing inflation pressure. (Source: Business Daily June 2012) 

higher availability of the crop However, in Mombasa prices 

due Overall, to the average favorable wholesale weather prices for dropped onions between by 25%, March attributed and May to 

conditions 

increased Table 3: in 

by Fresh tomato 

7%. Vegetables However, 

growing – Average in Mombasa Wholesale availability 

prices Prices and 

dropped by competition market by (Ksh/Kg) 25%, 

of 

attributed to availability Feb’12 and Mar’12 competition Apr’12 of imports May’12 from Tanzania. 

zones. (Source: Business Daily, imports from Tanzania. 

Average 

Potatoes 

cook glossy looking heads of an average head 

type head attractive lossy 

00 plants /Acre at a spacing of 60cm x 60cm. 

Table Nairobi 3: Fresh Vegetables 37.3 – Average 43.2 Wholesale 43.1 Prices by market 45.6 (Ksh/Kg) 42.3 

Mombasa Feb’12 26.9 Mar’12 30.1 Apr’12 33.8 May’12 36.3 Average 31.8 

Nakuru 35.6 Potatoes 40.0 46.4 43.4 41.4 

Nairobi 

Kisumu 

37.3 

45.9 

43.2 

49.1 

43.1 

48.6 

45.6 

54.5 

42.3 

49.5 

Mombasa Eldoret 26.9 22.4 30.1 24.5 33.8 32.2 36.3 40.8 31.8 30.0 

Nakuru Av. w/ SP 35.6 33.6 40.0 37.4 46.4 40.8 43.4 44.1 41.4 39.0 

Kisumu 45.9 49.1 Tomatoes 48.6 54.5 49.5 


Av. Mombasa w/ SP 33.6 61.1 37.4 46.1 40.8 42.3 44.1 42.5 39.0 48.0 

Nakuru 54.5 Tomatoes 49.3 39.4 46.0 47.3 

Nairobi Kisumu 73.4 83.3 63.8 58.1 47.0 48.7 61.6 60.9 61.5 62.8 


Nakuru 

Av. W/ SP 

54.5 

69.9 

49.3 

55.8 

39.4 

44.9 

46.0 

54.3 

47.3 

56.2 

Kisumu 83.3 58.1 48.7 60.9 62.8 

Cabbage 

Eldoret 77.0 61.5 47.0 60.3 61.5 

Nairobi 28.0 26.8 25.3 19.9 25.0 

Av. W/ SP 69.9 55.8 44.9 54.3 56.2 

Mombasa 38.5 35.7 30.5 24.3 32.3 

Cabbage 

Nairobi 

Nakuru 

28.0 

17.9 

26.8 

19.8 

25.3 

19.8 

19.9 

14.4 

25.0 

18.0 

Mombasa Kisumu 38.5 22.7 35.7 20.4 30.5 20.1 24.3 18.9 32.3 20.5 


Kisumu Av. W/ SP 22.7 25.1 20.4 24.2 20.1 22.7 18.9 17.4 20.5 22.4 

Eldoret 18.6 18.3 Onion 17.6 9.5 16.0 

Av. Nairobi W/ SP 25.1 69.4 24.2 80.6 22.7 94.4 17.4 89.0 22.4 83.4 

Mombasa 88.8 100.4 Onion 92.6 74.9 89.2 

Nairobi Nakuru 69.4 59.0 80.6 84.2 133.8 94.4 89.0 91.5 83.4 92.1 

Mombasa Kisumu 88.8 66.5 100.4 84.6 102.5 92.6 102.7 74.9 89.2 89.1 

Nakuru 

Eldoret 

59.0 

60.0 

84.2 

79.5 

133.8 

95.3 100.0 

91.5 92.1 

83.7 

Kisumu 66.5 84.6 102.5 102.7 89.1 

Av. W/ SP 68.7 85.9 103.7 91.6 87.5 

Eldoret 60.0 79.5 95.3 100.0 83.7 

Kale 

Av. W/ SP 68.7 85.9 103.7 91.6 87.5 

Nairobi 52.6 53.8 47.1 20.9 43.6 

Kale 

Nairobi 

Mombasa 

52.6 

60.4 

53.8 

57.9 

47.1 

42.9 

20.9 

36.8 

43.6 

49.5 

Mombasa Nakuru 60.4 49.9 57.9 53.6 42.9 34.9 36.8 20.0 49.5 39.6 

Nakuru Kisumu 49.9 71.0 53.6 61.3 34.9 41.8 20.0 36.9 39.6 52.8 

Kisumu Eldoret 71.0 41.0 61.3 29.0 41.8 21.5 36.9 26.6 52.8 29.5 

Eldoret Av. W/ SP 41.0 55.0 29.0 51.1 21.5 37.6 26.6 28.2 29.5 43.0 

Av. Source: W/ SP Ministry of 55.0 Agriculture, Market 51.1 Information 37.6 Office 28.2 and Compiled 43.0 by 

Source: KHCP Ministry of Agriculture, Market Information Office and Compiled by 

KHCP 


Domestic Wholesale Prices – Pulses & Vegetables 

TRODUCES PROFESSIONAL 

ETIES………. 


URES 



agen taste and the lost slogan of Bachelors’ variety. 

ure in only 55 days in hot areas and 60 days in cold 

rofiting plant population of 50,000 plants/ Ha or 

a or 60T/Acre. The conventional varieties give 


Between March and May, In Nairobi, average prices 

average 

Domestic 

prices 

Wholesale 

for beans (Mwezi 

Prices 

dropped 

– Pulses 

by 19%, 

& Vegetables 

but in Kisumu 

moja) Between decreased March marginally and May, average and prices Eldoret, for beans average (Mwezi prices moja) 

at 6%. decreased Mombasa marginally recorded at 6%. the Mombasa increased indicated substantially the biggest by drop 22% in 

prices of 29%, which could be attributed to increased supply. 

highest Domestic drop in Wholesale prices of 29%, Prices and – Pulses 12%; this & can Vegetables 

be attributed 

which Average Between could prices March be attributed for and green May, to grams average decreased to prices shortage for marginally beans supply (Mwezi (4%). as most Eldoret moja) 

increased price’s decreased dropped supply. 

marginally by the at highest 6%. Mombasa margin indicated the biggest drop of the (17%) produce due to in this an increase region in 

supply. prices of 29%, which could be attributed to increased supply. 

Average prices for green is impòrted from Tanzania 

Average prices for green grams decreased marginally (4%). Eldoret 

grams Cowpeas price’s decreased dropped average marginally by prices the highest increased margin by where 9% (17%) the between crop due to March is out an increase of and season. May. in 

(4%). Prices supply. Eldoret in Eldoret price’s and dropped Mombasa by indicated (Source: the Business highest increase daily May of 35% 

and 19% respectively. 

the Cowpeas highest margin average (17%) prices due increased to by 2012) 9% between March and May. 

an Sweet Prices increase potato Eldoret in supply. average and Mombasa prices dropped indicated Chilies marginally the highest average overall. increase prices In Nairobi, of 35% 

average 

and 19% respectively. 

Cowpeas prices average dropped prices by 19%, but dropped in Kisumu by and 17%. Eldoret, Mombasa average 

prices Sweet increased potato average substantially prices by dropped 22% and marginally 12%; this overall. can be In attributed 

increased by 9% between recorded the highest drop Nairobi, in 

to average shortage prices in supply dropped as most by 19%, of the but produce in Kisumu in this and region Eldoret, is impòrted average 

March from prices and Tanzania increased May. Prices where substantially in the crop by is 22% out price of and season. of 12%; 63%, (Source: this which can Business be may attributed be daily 

Eldoret May to shortage 2012) and Mombasa in supply as indicated most of the produce due to an in this increase region in is supply impòrted 

from Tanzania where the crop is out of season. (Source: Business daily 

the May highest 2012) increase of 35% and associated to the favorable 

Chilies average prices dropped by 17%. Mombasa recorded the highest 

19% drop Chilies 

respectively. in average price of prices 63%, dropped which by may 17%. 

weather be Mombasa due to conditions. an recorded increase (Source: 

the in highest supply 

associated Sweet drop in potato price to the of average favorable 63%, which prices weather may Business conditions. be due to daily, an (Source: increase May Business and June supply daily, 

associated to the favorable weather conditions. (Source: Business daily, 

dropped May and marginally June 2012) overall. 2012) 

May and June 2012) 

Table 4: Pulses & vegetables – Average Wholesale Prices by market 

Table 4: Pulses vegetables Average Wholesale Prices by market 

(Ksh/kg) 

(Ksh/kg) 

Feb’12 Mar’12 Apr’12 May’12 Average 

Beans (Mwezi Moja) 

Nairobi 59.0 62.2 65.3 66.4 63.2 

Mombasa 75.0 75.0 53.3 53.3 64.2 

Nakuru 53.3 61.7 64.4 61.3 60.2 

Nakuru 53.3 61.7 64.4 61.3 60.2 

Kisumu 33.9 33.9 33.9 33.9 33.9 

Kisumu Eldoret 33.9 70.0 33.9 70.0 33.9 70.0 33.9 70.0 33.9 70.0 

Eldoret Av. W/ SP 70.0 58.2 70.0 60.6 70.0 57.4 70.0 57.0 70.0 58.3 

Av. W/ SP 58.2 Green 60.6 gram 57.4 57.0 58.3 

Nairobi 83.1 Green 76.7 gram 82.1 80.3 80.6 

Mombasa 66.5 68.8 71.7 72.6 69.9 

Nairobi 83.1 76.7 82.1 80.3 80.6 

Nakuru 79.2 75.8 73.9 79.1 77.0 

Mombasa 66.5 68.8 71.7 72.6 69.9 

Kisumu 88.9 87.1 84.0 85.8 86.5 


Kisumu Av. W/ SP 88.9 88.6 87.1 91.7 84.0 92.4 85.8 88.4 86.5 90.3 

Eldoret 125.1 150.0 Cowpeas 150.5 124.0 137.4 

Av. Nairobi W/ SP 88.6 76.2 91.7 74.1 92.4 77.8 88.4 74.9 90.3 75.8 

Mombasa 58.9 54.1 64.8 64.5 60.6 

Cowpeas 

Nakuru 103.3 78.3 77.8 77.8 84.3 

Nairobi 

Kisumu 

76.2 

80.0 

74.1 

80.7 

77.8 

83.2 

74.9 

80.0 

75.8 

81.0 


Nakuru Av. W/ SP 103.3 75.5 78.3 69.3 77.8 72.8 77.8 75.4 84.3 73.2 

Kisumu 80.0 Sweet 80.7 potatoes 83.2 80.0 81.0 


Mombasa 27.3 30.1 33.1 30.4 30.2 

Av. W/ SP 75.5 69.3 72.8 75.4 73.2 

Nakuru 25.5 37.0 40.8 37.9 35.3 

Kisumu 19.8 Sweet 20.4 potatoes 23.3 24.9 22.1 

Nairobi Eldoret 42.8 16.8 50.5 18.4 47.1 18.8 41.1 20.6 45.4 18.7 

Mombasa Av. W/ SP 27.3 26.4 30.1 31.3 33.1 32.6 30.4 31.0 30.2 30.3 

Nakuru 25.5 37.0 Chilies 40.8 37.9 35.3 

Kisumu 

Nairobi 

19.8 

82.8 

20.4 

84.3 

23.3 

80.9 

24.9 

83.4 

22.1 

82.9 

Mombasa 115.6 115.0 67.1 42.0 84.9 

Eldoret 16.8 18.4 18.8 20.6 18.7 

Nakuru 78.9 78.9 78.9 82.9 79.9 

Av. Kisumu W/ SP 26.4 32.2 31.3 38.1 32.6 41.7 31.0 39.2 30.3 37.8 

Eldoret 78.9 78.9 Chilies 78.9 78.9 78.9 

Nairobi Av. W/ SP 82.8 77.7 84.3 79.0 80.9 69.5 83.4 65.3 82.9 72.9 

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Market Information Office and Compiled by 

Mombasa 115.6 115.0 67.1 42.0 84.9 

KHCP 

Nakuru 78.9 78.9 78.9 82.9 79.9 

Kisumu H O R T I C U LT U32.2 R A L N E W38.1 S I A U G41.7 U S T - S E P39.2 T E M B E R 37.8 2 0 1 2 

Eldoret 78.9 78.9 78.9 78.9 78.9 

Av. Horticulture W/ SP Market 77.7 News June 79.0 2012 69.5 65.3 72.9 

4 

40

Overview of January-March 2012 Horticulture Exports 

Dried Vegetables 

Export data available indicates, Kenya’s horticultural earnings in 

the first three months of 2012 (January-March) were Ksh 22.7 billion Exports in this category increased by 8.8% KENYA in volume, HIGHLAND but SEED INTRODUCES PRO 

($269.4 CABBAGE VARIETIES………. 

Overview million), of January-March a drop of 6% in value 2012 and Horticulture 13% in volume Exports compared to Dried decreased Vegetables considerably (24.1%) in value. This may be attributed to 

AS THE LENGENDRY COPENHAGEN TASTE IS B 

the Export same data period available in 2011. indicates, The drop Kenya’s is attributed horticultural to frost earnings and dry in the spells Exports increased this supply category in the increased market by as 8.8% well in as volume, 29% drop but in decreased unit prices. 

FEATURES 

first three months of 2012 (January-March) were Ksh 22.7 billion considerably (24.1%) in value. This may be attributed to increased 

experienced 

($269.4 million), 

in 

a 


drop 

beginning 

of 6% in value 

of the 

and 

year 

13% 

significantly 

in volume compared 

reduced 



supply in the market as well as 29% drop in unit prices. CABBAGE BLUE JAYS F1 

quality the same and period availability in 2011. of The export drop produce. is attributed This to was frost worsened and dry spells by the Nuts 

experienced in the beginning of the year significantly reduced the 

Nuts 

deteriorating quality and availability economic of conditions export produce. in the This Eurozone. was worsened (Source: by Business the The volume of nuts traded over the period dropped by 9.1%, 

deteriorating Overview Overview economic of of January-March conditions in 2012 the 2012 Eurozone. Horticulture (Source: 

Exports 

Business Exports The 

Dried 

volume Dried Vegetables Vegetables 

of nuts traded over the period dropped by 9.1%, but 

daily, April and and May May 2012) 2012) 

Export data available indicates, Kenya’s horticultural earnings the 

increased 

but increased 

by 6.7% 

by 

in 

6.7% 

value. 

in 

This 

value. 

is attributed 

This is attributed 

to increased 

to increased 

global 

Export data available indicates, Kenya’s horticultural earnings in the Exports in this category increased by 8.8% in volume, but decreased 

demand 

Exports 

coupled 

in this 

by 

category 

higher unit 

increased 

prices (20%) 

by 8.8% 

than 

in 

similar 

volume, 

periods 

but decreased 

in 

first first three three months Table months 5: of January-March 2012 of 2012 (January-March) Horticultural were Exports were Ksh Ksh 22.7 22.7 billion billion 

global 

2011.Tanzania considerably demand (24.1%) 

and (24.1%) coupled 

USA 

in value. in were value. by This higher 

the This may unit 

main may be attributed prices 

export be attributed (20%) 

destinations 

to increased to compared increased 

($269.4 ($269.4 million), million), (Quantity a drop a in drop ‘000’ of 6% of Tons 6% in value and in value Value and and 13% in Million 13% in volume in US$) volume compared compared to to indicated supply to supply similar in by the in 81% market the periods and market as 9% in well as respectively. 2011.Tanzania well as 29% as 29% drop drop in and unit in unit prices. USA prices. were the main 

the Product the same same period period in 2011. in 2011. The The drop drop is attributed is 2012 attributed to frost to % frost and Change and dry dry spells spells 

experienced in the in Qty the beginning Value of the of Qty the year year Value significantly Qty reduced reduced Value the the export destinations as indicated by 81% and 9% respectively. 

Fresh Nuts Nuts fruits 

quality Flowers quality and and availability 34.0 of export 145.6 of export produce. 33.7 produce. This 150.1 This was was worsened (0.8) worsened 3.1 by the by the 

Fresh deteriorating economic economic 17.5 conditions 57.1 conditions in 17.2 the in the Eurozone. 55.4 Eurozone. (Source: (1.7) (Source: Business (2.9) Business Overall, The The volume the volume volume of nuts of nuts of traded fruit traded over exports over the between the period period dropped January dropped by and 9.1%, by March 9.1%, but but 

daily, Vegetables daily, April April and May and May 2012) 2012) 

2012 Uniform early maturing variety 


increased Fresh increased by fruits 6.7% by by 6.7% 7.6% 

in value. in in value. volume 

This This and attributed is decreased attributed by 

to increased to 1% increased value 

global global 

Dry 

6.2 5.6 6.8 4.3 8.8 (24.1) when 

demand demand compared 

coupled coupled to the 

by higher by same higher period 

unit unit prices prices in 2011. 

(20%) (20%) Avocados 

than than similar ‣ Very similar constituted 

early periods maturing periods cabbage in with in the easy to cook glossy looking hea 

Vegetables Table Table 5: January-March 5: January-March Horticultural Horticultural Exports Exports 

51% of Overall, fruit exports the volume during the of fruit period exports and both between volume 

weight 

and January 

of 3kg. 

value and 

2011.Tanzania 2011.Tanzania and and USA USA were were the the main main export export destinations destinations as as 

‣ The variety brings back the legendry Copenhagen taste and the lost sl 

Nuts (Quantity (Quantity 3.4 in ‘000’ in 3.9 ‘000’ Tons Tons and 3.1 and Value Value in 4.2 Million in Million US$) (9.1) US$) 6.7 

dropped by 10.4% and 7.5% despite a 6% increase unit price. 

Mangoes indicated March indicated 

constituted 

2012 by 81% by increased 81% and and 9% 9% 

37% respectively. 

by respectively. 

of 

7.6% 

fruit 

in 

exports 

volume 

and 

and 

both 

decreased 

‣ Adapted volume to both hot and 

by 1% 

cold regions, it mature in only 55 days in hot 

Product Product 2011 2011 2012 2012 % Change % Change 

Fresh Fruits 10.5 12.3 11.3 12.2 7.6 (1.0) 

regions. 

value increased considerably. 

‣ At a spacing of 45cm x 45cm, it gives a high profiting plant population 

Miraa (Khat) 1.9 Qty 

Qty 19.5 Value 

Value 1.8 Qty 

Qty 16.5 Value 

Value (9.6) Qty 

Qty (15.3) Value 

Value in value when compared to the same period in 2011. Avocados 

20,000 plants /Acre, with potential of 150T/Ha or 60T/Acre. The conv 

Fresh 

Fresh 

fruits 

fruits 

Processed Flowers 

Flowers 9.1 34.0 

34.0 15.2 145.6 

145.6 3.8 33.7 

33.7 9.1 150.1 

150.1 (57.9) (0.8) 

(0.8) (39.8) 3.1 

3.1 During constituted the period, 51% passion of fruit fruit exports during volume the and period plant value population and dropped 

of 28,000 both plants/Ha or 11,000 plants /Acre at a spac 

Vegetables 

Excellent transport quality 

Fresh 

17.5 57.1 17.2 55.4 (1.7) (2.9) significantly Overall, by the 19% volume and 60% of fruit respectively. exports between In large January part, the and decrease March 

Fresh 

17.5 57.1 17.2 55.4 (1.7) (2.9) Overall, the volume of fruit exports between January Sweet and taste March 

Processed 24.9 26.8 15.5 17.7 (37.7) (34.2) in export volume 

Vegetables 

2012 volume increased and was value by the 7.6% dropped result in of volume excessive by 10.4% and levels decreased and of 7.5% dimethoate by despite 1% in found a value 6% 

Easy to grow 

Vegetables 

2012 increased by 7.6% in volume and decreased by 1% in value 

Fruits 

in tested fruits heading to the European market and may have also 

Dry 

6.2 5.6 6.8 4.3 8.8 (24.1) 

High market demand 

Dry 

6.2 5.6 6.8 4.3 8.8 (24.1) when increase when compared 

compared in unit to price. to the 

the same Mangoes same period 

period constituted in 2011. 

in 2011. Avocados 37% Avocados of constituted fruit constituted exports 

Total 107.6 286.1 93.2 269.4 (13.4) (5.8) contributed to the 49% drop average unit prices. (Source: Vigorous and uniformly Business growing variety 

Vegetables 

51% of fruit exports during the period and both volume and value 

daily, 

Vegetables 

51% of fruit exports during the period and both volume and value 

Source: KRA /KNBS and Compiled by KHCP 

and May 2012). 

Nuts 3.4 3.9 3.1 4.2 (9.1) 6.7 

dropped both volume by 10.4% and and value 7.5% increased despite a considerably. 

6% increase in unit price. 

Resistances: 

Nuts 3.4 3.9 3.1 4.2 (9.1) 6.7 

dropped Mangoes by 10.4% and 7.5% despite a 6% increase in unit price. 

Floriculture Fresh Fruits 10.5 12.3 11.3 12.2 7.6 (1.0) The Mangoes huge During increase constituted the constituted period, 37% 

in 37% volume passion of fruit 

of for fruit other fruit exports 

exports fruits and 

and was both volume both volume 

mainly volume and pear and value and 

and 

Fresh Fruits 10.5 12.3 11.3 12.2 7.6 (1.0) quinces. value increased considerably. 

Floriculture 

During Miraa the (Khat) period of 1.9 January-March 19.5 2012, 1.8 flowers’ 16.5 export (9.6) value (15.3) value dropped increased significantly considerably. by 19% and 60% respectively. Largely, 

increased Miraa 

Processed 

(Khat) by 3.1% with 1.9 

9.1 marginal 19.5 

15.2 decline 1.8 

3.8 in volumes 16.5 

9.1 (0.8%). (9.6) 

(57.9) This (15.3) was (39.8) During the Table period, 7: January-March passion fruit Fresh export Fruit volume Exports and value dropped 

During the period of January-March 2012, flowers’ export value 

attributed Processed to the ongoing 9.1 recession 15.2 in 3.8 Europe 9.1 where our (57.9) traditional (39.8) During the decrease the period, in export passion volume fruit export was as volume a result and of excessive value dropped levels 

Vegetables 

significantly (Quantity by 19% in ‘000’ and Tons 60% and respectively. Value in Million In large US$) part, the decrease 

increased buyers Vegetables opt for more basic items, thus decreasing demand. However, the 

Processed by 3.1% with 24.9 marginal 26.8 decline 15.5 volumes 17.7 (0.8%). (37.7) This (34.2) was significantly by 19% and 60% respectively. In large part, the decrease 

relative stability of the Kenya shilling during the period coupled with 

Product of in dimethoate export volume 

2011 found was the in tested result 

2012 

of fruits excessive heading levels 

% to Change 

of the dimethoate European found 

Processed Fruits 24.9 26.8 15.5 17.7 (37.7) (34.2) in export in tested volume fruits was heading the result to of the excessive European levels market of dimethoate and may have found also 

attributed market diversification to the ongoing to Russia recession and Japan in Europe has increased where flower our traditional sales. 

Fruits 

in market tested fruits Qty heading Value to the European Qty Value market and Qty may have Value also 

(Source: Total Business daily, May 107.6 2012). 286.1 93.2 269.4 (13.4) (5.8) contributed and to may the have 49% also drop contributed in average unit to prices. the 49% 

(Source: 

drop 

Business 

in 

buyers Total Source: opt for KRA more /KNBS 107.6 basic and Compiled items, 286.1 thus by 93.2 KHCP decreasing 269.4 demand. (13.4) However, (5.8) Avocados contributed average daily, May unit to 2012). the 6.4 prices. 49% (Source: 6.2 drop in Business 5.7 average 5.8 unit daily, prices. May (10.4) 2012). (Source: (7.5) Business 

daily, May 2012). 

the Fresh Source: relative Vegetables 

KRA /KNBS and Compiled by KHCP 

Floriculture stability of the Kenya shilling during the period coupled Mangoes The huge increase 3.3 in 4.5 in volume 4.2 for for other 5.2 fruits 25.0 was mainly 15.1 

pear and 

Fresh Floriculture vegetable exports during the period dropped by 1.7% volume The quinces. 

with market huge increase in volume for other fruits was mainly pear and 

During diversification the period of to January-March Russia and Japan 2012, has flowers’ increased export flower value 

and 3% in value. This is after sales to the European market declined 

Passion 

and quinces. 

Fruits 0.5 1.1 0.4 0.4 (19.0) (59.8) 

quinces. 

sales. after During increased (Source: a ban the on period Business a by pesticide 3.1% of with daily, January-March said marginal May to cause 2012). decline cancer 2012, in took flowers’ volumes its toll (0.8%). export on exports. value This was 

Table 7: January-March Fresh Fruit Exports 

The increased 

attributed European by 3.1% 

to Union the 

with 

ongoing bureaucrats marginal 

recession 

decline have rejected in 

in 

Europe 

volumes French where 

(0.8%). beans our 

This 

traditional from 

Others 0.2 0.5 1.0 0.8 300.0 73.6 

was 

(Quantity in ‘000’ Tons and Value in Million US$) 

Table 7: January-March Fresh Fruit Exports 

Kenya attributed 

buyers saying to 

opt they for 

ongoing 

more exceeded basic 

recession the items, set limit thus 

in Europe 

decreasing for dimethoate where 

demand. 

our of 0.02 traditional 

However, parts the Total 10.5 12.3 11.3 12.2 7.6 (1.0) 


per million relative allowed stability in of production. the Kenya shilling Fresh beans during dropped the period by 17.2% coupled in with Source: Product KRA /KNBS and 2011 Compiled by KHCP 2012 % Change 

Fresh buyers Vegetables 

opt for more basic items, thus decreasing demand. However, the 

quantity market and diversification 12.3% in value, to Russia whereas and unit Japan prices has increased flower by 8%. sales. 

relative stability of the Kenya shilling during the period coupled with 

Product 2011 Qty Value 2012 Qty Value % Change Qty Value 

Both Fresh (Source: volume vegetable Business and value exports daily, for May Asian during 2012). vegetables the period increased dropped by 15.6% by 1.7% and in 

14.9% market respectively diversification and to were Russia mainly and exported Japan has to increased UK and Netherlands. flower sales. Miraa Avocados (Khat) Qty 6.4 Value 6.2 Qty 5.7 Value 5.8 Qty (10.4) Value (7.5) 

volume For (Source: carrots and Business and 3% turnips, in daily, value. May both 2012). This volume is after and value sales increased to the European by 15.5% market and 

45.7% 

Fresh 

respectively, 

Vegetables 

of which 97% were exported to Uganda. 

During Avocados the period, 6.4 both quantity 6.2 and 5.7 value 5.8 decreased (10.4) significantly (7.5) as 

declined after a ban on a pesticide said to cause cancer took its toll on Mangoes 3.3 4.5 4.2 5.2 25.0 15.1 

(Source: Business daily, May 2012) 

indicated by 9.6% and 15.3% respectively. This may be attributed to 

Fresh Vegetables vegetable exports during the period dropped by 1.7% in volume 

exports. 

the Mangoes Dutch government 3.3 ban 4.5 on miraa 4.2 trade 5.2 leading 25.0 to a decline 15.1 in 

and The 3% European 

Table in value. 6: January-March This Union is bureaucrats after Fresh sales Vegetables to have the European rejected 

Exports market French declined beans Passion Fruits 0.5 1.1 0.4 0.4 (19.0) (59.8) 

exports to the country by 14%, compared to similar period in 2011. 

from Fresh Kenya after vegetable a saying (Quantity ban on exports they a pesticide in ‘000’ exceeded during Tons said the and to the period Value cause set dropped in limit cancer Million for took by dimethoate US$) 1.7% its toll in on volume of exports. 0.02 (Source: Business daily, January 2012) 

and 3% in value. This is after sales to the European market declined 

Passion Fruits 0.5 1.1 0.4 0.4 (19.0) (59.8) 

Product The European Union 2011 bureaucrats have 2012 rejected % French Change beans from 


parts after per Kenya a ban million saying a allowed pesticide they exceeded in said production. to the cause set cancer Fresh limit for beans took dimethoate its dropped toll on of exports. by 0.02 17.2% parts Processed Total Vegetables 10.5 12.3 11.3 12.2 7.6 (1.0) 

Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value 

The European Union bureaucrats have rejected French beans from 


per million allowed in production. Fresh beans dropped by 17.2% in 


in Fresh quantity 

Kenya 

Beans and 12.3% 

saying they exceeded 

9.2 in value, 30.9 whereas 

the set 

7.7 unit 

limit for 

27.1 prices 

dimethoate 

(17.2) increased 

of 0.02 

(12.3) by 8%. The 

parts Total overall quantity 10.5 and value 12.3 for 11.3 processed 12.2 vegetables 7.6 decreased 

quantity and 12.3% in value, whereas unit prices increased by 8%. 

(1.0) 

significantly 

Asian per million Vegetables allowed 3.0 in production. 10.8 Fresh 3.4 beans 12.3 dropped 15.6 17.2% 14.9 in 

Source: KRA /KNBS by 58% and and Compiled 40% by respectively. KHCP This is related to the 

Both volume Both volume and value and value for Asian for Asian vegetables increased by by 15.6% and 

Miraa (Khat) 

huge decrease in volume and value of processed beans. 

Carrots quantity 14.9% & and Turnips respectively 12.3% 1.3 in and value, 0.3 were whereas mainly 1.5 unit exported 0.4 prices to 15.5 increased UK and 45.7 

14.9% respectively and were mainly exported to UK and Netherlands. by 8%. Miraa During (Khat) the period, both quantity and value decreased 

Peas Both For volume carrots and and value turnips, 1.8 for 7.7 both Asian volume vegetables 1.3 and 5.3 value increased increased (27.8) by 15.6% by (30.7) 15.5% and and Other spices indicated a significant increase in export volumes and 

For 

Others 14.9% carrots 45.7% respectively and respectively, turnips, and of 

2.2 were both which 

7.5 mainly volume 97% 

3.3 exported were and exported value 

10.2 to UK increased to 

52.2 and Uganda. Netherlands. by 15.5% values 

During 

36.5 Miraa significantly and 


(Khat) were 

period, as mainly indicated both 

destined 

quantity by 9.6% for 

and and the 

value 15.3% Netherlands 

decreased respectively. (32%) 

significantly 

and This as 

For (Source: carrots and Business turnips, daily, both May volume 2012) and value increased by 15.5% and Uganda indicated (25%). by 9.6% and 15.3% respectively. This may be attributed to 

and Total 45.7% respectively, 17.5 of which 57.1 97% 17.2 were 55.4 exported (1.7) to Uganda. (2.9) 

45.7% respectively, of which 97% were exported to Uganda. 

During may the be the Dutch attributed period, government both to the quantity ban Dutch on and government miraa value trade decreased leading ban on significantly miraa to a decline trade as in 

KRA /KNBS Table and 6: Compiled January-March by KHCP Fresh Vegetables Exports 

daily, May 2012) 

indicated exports by to 9.6% the country and 15.3% by 14%, respectively. compared This to may similar be attributed period in to 2011. 

(Source: Business daily, May 2012) 

leading to a decline in exports to the country by 14%, compared 


(Source: Business daily, January 2012) 

the Dutch government ban on miraa trade leading to a decline in 

Product Table 6: January-March 2011 Fresh Vegetables 2012 Exports % Change exports to similar to the period country in 2011. by 14%, (Source: compared Business to similar daily, January period in 2012) 2011. 

(Quantity in ‘000’ Qty Tons Value and Value Qty in Million Value US$) Qty Value (Source: Processed Business daily, Vegetables January 2012) 

Horticulture Product Fresh Beans Market News 9.2 2011 June 2012 30.9 7.7 2012 27.1 % Change (17.2) (12.3) The overall quantity and value for processed vegetables decreased 5 

Processed Processed Vegetables Vegetables 

Asian Vegetables Qty 3.0 Value 10.8 Qty 3.4 Value 12.3 Qty 15.6 Value 

significantly by 58% and 40% respectively. This is related to the 

14.9 

huge The overall decrease quantity in volume and and value value for processed of vegetables beans. decreased 

Fresh Carrots Beans & Turnips 9.2 1.3 30.90.3 7.7 1.5 27.10.4 (17.2) 15.5 (12.3) 45.7 The overall quantity and value for processed vegetables decreased 

significantly by is related to the 

Asian Peas Vegetables 3.0 1.8 10.87.7 3.4 1.3 12.35.3 15.6 (27.8) 14.9 (30.7) Other spices by indicated 58% and 40% a significant respectively. increase This is in attributable export volumes to the and 

huge values decrease and in were volume mainly and value destined of processed for the beans. Netherlands (32%) and 

Carrots Others & Turnips 1.3 2.2 0.3 7.5 1.5 3.3 0.4 10.2 15.552.2 45.736.5 

huge decrease in volume and value of processed beans. 

Uganda (25%). 

Peas Total 1.8 17.57.7 57.1 1.3 17.25.3 55.4 (27.8) (1.7)(30.7) 

(2.9) Other Other spices spices indicated indicated a significant a significant increase increase export in export volumes volumes and 


values and were mainly destined for the Netherlands (32%) and 

Others 2.2 7.5 3.3 10.2 52.2 36.5 and values and were mainly destined for Netherlands (32%) 

Uganda (25%). 

Total 17.5 57.1 17.2 55.4 (1.7) (2.9) and Uganda (25%). 


Horticulture Market News June 2012 H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I A U G U S T - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 415

RODUCES PROFESSIONAL 

TIES………. 


RES 

lossy attractive head type 


gen taste and the lost slogan of Bachelors’ variety. 

re in only 55 days in hot areas and 60 days in cold 

ofiting plant population of 50,000 plants/ Ha or 

or 60T/Acre. The conventional varieties give 


42 

Table 8: January-March Processed Vegetables Exports 


Product 2011 2012 % Change 


Processed beans 6.0 9.5 2.5 4.0 (58.7) (58.3) 

Other spices 0.3 1.0 0.4 1.8 71.0 85.6 

Others 2.83 4.7 0.9 3.4 (67.5) (29.0) 

Total 9.1 15.2 3.8 9.1 (57.9) (39.8) 


Processed Fruits 

During the period, processed fruits dropped considerably in both 


volume and value as indicated by 38% and 34% respectively. This is 

attributed 

During 

to a 


more 

period, 

than 50% 

processed 

decrease 

fruits 

in sales 

dropped 

for pineapple 

considerably 

products, 

resulting both from volume the deteriorating and value as economic indicated conditions by 38% and in the 34% Eurozone, 

which respectively. are the main This markets is attributed for the products. to a more (Source: than 50% Business decrease daily, May in 

2012). sales However for pineapple both volume products, and resulting value for from juice the mixtures deteriorating increased 

significantly economic and conditions were mainly the exported Eurozone, to Uganda which (42%). is the main Overall unit 

prices 

market 

in 2011 

for the 

improved 

products. 

by 6.1% 

(Source: 

compared 

Business 

to similar 

daily, 

period 

May 2012). 

in 2010. 

Table 9: January-March Processed Fruits’ Export 


Table 8: January-March Processed Vegetables Exports 




Processed beans 6.0 9.5 2.5 4.0 (58.7) (58.3) 

Other spices 0.3 1.0 0.4 1.8 71.0 85.6 

Others 2.83 4.7 0.9 3.4 (67.5) (29.0) 

Total 9.1 15.2 3.8 9.1 (57.9) (39.8) 



During the period, processed fruits dropped considerably in both 

volume and value as indicated by 38% and 34% respectively. This is 

attributed to a more than 50% decrease in sales for pineapple products, 

resulting from the deteriorating economic conditions in the Eurozone, 

which are the main markets for the products. (Source: Business daily, May 

However both volume and value for blended juice increased 

2012). However both volume and value for juice mixtures increased 

significantly 

significantly 

and 

and 

were 

were 

mainly 

mainly 

exported 

exported to 


Uganda 

Uganda 

(42%). 

(42%). 

Overall 

Overall 

unit 

unit 

prices prices in 2011 in 2011 improved improved by by 6.1% 6.1% compared to to similar period period in in 2010. 2010. 

Table 9: January-March Processed Fruits’ Export 




Pineapples 

Slices 16.5 18.4 7.5 8.9 (54.3) (51.8) 

Mixture of 

Juice 1.7 1.5 3.1 2.7 77.6 73.7 

Pineapple 

Juice 4.6 4.6 2.2 2.1 (52.9) (53.1) 

Grape fruit 

Juice 0.8 0.7 1.1 1.2 36.7 75.2 


Total 24.9 26.8 15.5 17.7 (37.7) (34.2) 


Product 2010 Kenya 2011 Horticulture % Change Competitiveness Project (KHCP) 

Qty Value Qty Piedmont Value Qty Plaza, Value Wing A, 3rd Floor, Ngong Road, 

Pineapples P O Box 3074 - 00506, Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel 254 Kenya - 20 - 2023314/2121838/9, 

Horticulture 

Slices 16.5 Fax: 18.4254 7.5 -20 - 2121837, 8.9 (54.3) Email: (51.8) khcp@fintrac.com, www.growkenya.org 

Mixture of 


Juice 1.7 1.5 3.1 2.7 77.6 73.7 

Pineapple 


Juice 4.6 4.6 2.2 2.1 (52.9) (53.1) 

Grape fruit 

Juice 0.8 0.7 1.1 1.2 36.7 75.2 

KHCP is a 5-year project designed to increase smallholder 

farmer incomes through enhanced productivity, crop 

diversification and improved market access.

DESCRIPTION: 

Ethofin is a broad spectrum systemic fungicide with 

protective, curative and antisporulant properties with 

long residual effects. 

Ethofin is recommended for control of many important 

plant diseases mainly downey mildew on roses and 

early and late blight in tomatoes. 

Downey Mildew (Roses) 

Early Blight (Tomato) 

Late Blight (Tomato) 

guarantEE: 

Ethaboxam10%SC 

East Gate Road, Off Mombasa Road 

East Gate Road, Off P.O. Mombasa Box 46826 Road, - 00100, P.O. Box Nairobi, 46826 - Kenya. 00100, Nairobi, Kenya. 

Tel: Tel: (020) 6534410 Fax: Fax: (020) 6534807. E-mail: info@elgonkenya.com 

Website: www.elgonkenya.com 


seasonal credit for food security 

You can now attain food security with an easy payment 

plan of only 30% down and the balance at harvesting 

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ON CREDIT INCLUDE 

Soil & tissue testing 

Soil & water conditioners 

Pesticides:-insecticides, fungicides, 

herbicides;rodenticides. 

Extension services. 

Crop insurance 

Green house and shade nets. 

Market information (shee shee shee) 

Title deeds and log books not required. Your crop is your security. Terms and conditions apply 

For more information call: 

Mucwe: 0725 814179 

Kitonga: 0713 315345 

P.O. Box 10170-00100, Nairobi, Kenya 

Tel: +254-20-62361/75895/44977 

Outering Road, New Donholm, Orion Drive, Orion Place 

Email: info@kilimofaida.com • Web: www.kilimofaida.com 

44

to download the August - September issue - Hortinews.co.ke

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?