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4 

Amiran Farmers Kit 

Wins Second MDG 

Award 

Pg 10 

Pg 12 The blooming flower 

market of Moscow 

Fetching potatoes 

from Kisima 

Pg 26 

Reader’s forum 

Pg 18 


Flower power 

Equity Bank and Germany’s 

KfW in Ksh2 Billion deal for 

SMEs 

Pg 

USAID KHCP markets 

information 

Pg 56-63 

Dutch Minister for 

Agriculture, Henk Bleker, 

sniffs the magic of 

Kenyan flowers. He was 

on a visit to the Oserian 

farm in Naivasha. The 

farm with over 6,000 

workers is one of the 

largest in Naivasha with 

over 200 acres under 

roses and 

carnations. 

KARI’s guide to growing 

potatoes successfully 

Pg 30 

Growing passion for 

some Good Neigbours 

Pg 46 

- it 

a x it a 

a x 

Horticulture Retail Audit Report: September 2011 

Horticulture Retail Audit Report: September 2011 

September 2011 Results for Fruits and Vegetables 

KENYA HIGHLAND SEED INTRODUCES PROFESSIONAL 

The horticulture retail audit is a monthly publication commissioned by USAID-KHCP and undertaken CABBAGE by VARIETIES………. TNS RMS. 

The retail September audit collects 2011 Results information for Fruits from and Vegetables 1,650 retail market outlets across the country on AS THE sales LENGENDRY volumes COPENHAGEN and TASTE values IS BACK WITH MORE 

The horticulture retail audit is a monthly publication commissioned by USAID-KHCP and undertaken by TNS RMS. 

FEATURES 

of horticulture The retail products, audit collects including information bananas, from 1,650 retail cabbage, market outlets green across maize, the country Irish on potatoes, sales volumes kale, and values mangoes, passion fruit, 

CABBAGE BLUE JAYS F1 

sweet potatoes of horticulture and tomatoes. products, including This report bananas, summarizes cabbage, green trends maize, in Irish horticulture potatoes, kale, retail mangoes, trade passion in September. fruit, 

sweet potatoes and tomatoes. This report summarizes trends in horticulture retail trade in September. 

National trend 

National trend 

Over the Over four the month four month reporting period (June (June – September – September 2011), retailers 2011), sold retailers 1,076,043MTs sold of 1,076,043MTs fresh produce. of fresh produce. 

Vegetables Vegetables accounted accounted for 71.8% for 71.8% (772,909MT) and and fruit 28.2% fruit 28.2% (303,134MT). (303,134MT). In value terms, In the value produce terms, marketed the produce marketed 

during the period reached Kshs 49.9 billion ($544 million) of which vegetables accounted for 68% or Kshs 34.0 billion 

during the ($371 period million) reached of the value Kshs and 49.9 fruit accounted billion ($544 for 32% million) or Kshs15.9 of which billion ($173 vegetables million). The accounted overall trend for has 68% been or Kshs 34.0 billion 

($371 million) decreasing of the for both value volume and and fruit value. accounted for 32% or Kshs15.9 billion ($173 million). The Uniform early overall maturing variety trend Glossy has attractive head type been 

decreasing for both volume and value. 

� Very early maturing cabbage with the easy to cook glossy looking heads of an average head 

weight of 3kg. 

Produces Absolute Volumes in MT 

� The variety brings back the legendry Copenhagen taste and the lost slogan of Bachelors’ variety. 

Produces 11-Jun 11-Jul 11-Aug 

� Adapted to both hot and cold regions, mature in only 55 days in hot areas and 60 days in cold 

regions. 

Totals 

11-Sep 

Produces - Absolute Volumes in MT 

� At spacing of 45cm 45cm, gives high profiting plant population of 50,000 plants/ Ha or 

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

26,069 20,297 19,089 17,975 83,430 plant population of 28,000 plants/Ha or 11,000 plants /Acre at spacing of 60cm 60cm. 

Cooking Bananas 

Produces 

Mangoes 

Cooking Bananas Passion Fruit 

11-Jun 11-Jul 11-Aug 

22,839 18,214 11,294 4,464 

26,069 1,768 625 20,297 1,068 19,089 1,067 

� Excellent transport quality 

11-Sep � Sweet taste Totals 

56,811 � Easy to grow 

� High market demand 

17,975 4,528 

83,430 

� Vigorous and uniformly growing variety 

Mangoes Ripe Bananas 45,706 22,839 41,255 18,214 37,313 11,294 34,091 158,365 Resistances: 4,464 56,811 

Totals fruits 

Passion Fruit 

Cabbages 

Ripe Bananas Sukuma Wiki(Kales) 

96,382 80,391 68,764 57,597 

1,768 625 1,068 

37,295 36,696 35,365 33,392 

29,605 45,706 29,320 41,255 29,035 37,313 28,009 

303,134 

1,067 

142,748 

34,091 115,969 

4,528 

158,365 

Totals fruits Tomatoes 65,781 96,382 63,400 80,391 56,336 68,764 55,627 57,597 241,144 303,134 

Cabbages Potatoes 63,448 37,295 66,680 36,696 67,262 35,365 60,853 33,392 258,243 142,748 

Sweet Potatoes 3,530 1,896 1,624 1,172 8,222 

Sukuma Wiki(Kales) 

Green Maize 

29,605 

1,234 

29,320 29,035 

1,356 2,260 1,733 

28,009 

6,583 

115,969 

Tomatoes Totals vegetables 200,893 65,781 199,348 63,400 191,882 56,336 180,786 55,627 772,909 241,144 

Potatoes Total Produce 297,275 63,448 279,739 66,680 260,646 67,262 238,383 1,076,043 60,853 258,243 

Source: Retail Audit report 

Sweet Potatoes 3,530 1,896 1,624 1,172 8,222 

Green Maize 1,234 1,356 2,260 1,733 6,583 

Totals vegetables 200,893 199,348 191,882 180,786 772,909 

Total Produce 

Source: Retail Audit report 

297,275 279,739 260,646 238,383 1,076,043 

By volume, ripe bananas and Irish potato dominated 

in the retail outlets. 

By value, ripe bananas and tomatoes dominated in 

the retail outlets

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. 

Hybrid certified seeds. 

Extension services. 

Crop insurance 

Green Earth certification. 

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 

Dr. Annemarie: 0720 910191 , Edward: 0715 503513 

Patrick: 0722 792611, Mucwe: 0725 814179 

Kitonga: 0713 315345, Maina: 0712 881199 

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 


Issue No. 15 JAN - MAR 2011 

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 

M A N AG I N G EDITO R 

Catherine riungu 

M A R K E T I N G 

julius Gitau 

Elijah Karu 

CO N T R I B U TO R S 

Gatu Mbaria 

ngobilo nakitare 

jeremy Cordingley 

P H OTO G R A P Hy 

allan Muturi 

D E S I G N AND L AyO U T 

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. 

Karuri Ventures Ltd 

nature Hse 3rd Fl (522) Tom Mboya St 

P O Box 1066 - 00518 nairobi 

Tel: 020 35566911 / 254-722 848970 

horticulturalnews@gmail.com 

news@hortinews.co.ke 

www:hortinews.co.ke 

6 

KSH 300, USD $5 

KSH 250, USD $3 

Editorial 

Considering that once again, the upcoming 

election is another high stakes contest 

under the new Constitution, nothing can be 

left to chance 

Make peace your resolution for 2012 

The dreaded 2012 is finally here. We use the word dreaded deliberately. Whether or 

not the year is an election year is yet to be fully decided. But the one thing that is for 

sure is the year brings back the unpleasant memories of the Post Election Violence of 

2007/8, which plunged Kenya into its darkest period in our collective memory, and 

one that ushered in a most difficult and uncertain period for the horticulture industry 

from which it is yet to fully recover, five years down the line. The eagerly awaited 

verdicts of the ICC early in the year to commit 4 Kenyan’s to trial. 

The fresh produce industry bore the brunt of the violence as death and mayhem 

visited most of the growing regions. For a highly perishable sector, tones of flowers, 

fruits and vegetables went into the recycle bin. naivasha, the country’s main flower 

producing zone was a bedrock of the violence from where gory images as shown 

by the media and witnessed live by those near the scenes of chaos will never forget. 

These are the images we wish could just go away but unfortunately, the harsh reality 

is that we have to deal with them. 

Farms around the lake, aware of just how bad the situation was then have tried to 

promote coexistence between communities, but given the nature of our politics 

especially as we near casting the ballot, anything can go wrong. Considering that once 

again, the upcoming election is another high stakes contest coming under the new 

Constitution, nothing can be left to chance. already, there are fears among workers 

and residents particularly in naivasha where we have the highest mix of communities 

from all regions that violence could flare up again. 

These fears cannot be dismissed as baseless and must be confronted with every 

practical means. People need to be reminded time and again about the importance 

of upholding peace at all costs, security must be beefed up, intelligence must be 

gathered on the hotspots while the people at the bottom of the pyramid must desist 

attempts to divide and incite them against one another. They must be fully aware that 

when the dust finally settles and life goes back to normal, it is them who are left to 

pick up the pieces of their shattered lives while those who incite them into violence 

recline to their usual luxurious lives, after losing close to nothing. Let us all become 

our brother’s keeper as we step into a difficult year and protect what we hold dear – 

peace and stability. 

Communications 

Brochures 


Catherine riungu 

catherine@hortinews.co.ke 

Magazines

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Knight Frank Kenya: Lion Place, Waiyaki Way Westlands P.O. Box 39773-00623, Parklands, Nairobi, 00623 Kenya 

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Mobiles: +254 (0)721 904151 or +254 (0)720 760775 

Email: info@ke.knightfrank.com Website: www.knightfrank.com 

Mugoya Cons. Co. Ltd 


Elgon Kenya Limited shines at young 

Entrepreneur awards 2011 

By JOSEPH GITONGA 

Elgon Kenya limited, 

a leading distributor 

of agrochemicals, 

seeds and fertilizers 

was recently feted 

at the recent Ernst & young 

entrepreneur of the year 2011. 

The company, a leading 

supplier of agriculture inputs 

and farmer extension services 

with presence in the eastern 

african region was a finalist in 

the Master Class category of no 

hours organized by the Ernst and 

young entrepreneur.. 

Other companies honoured 

together with Elgon Kenya are 

regional giants Equity Bank and 

Bidco oil refineries. 

Award 

a director with the company 

bimail Kantaria, says that the 

company was judged on several 

factors including vision, strategy, 

financials, community impact 

and leadership. The judges were 

very impressed with our growth 

model and commended us on 

our strategy on being the primary 

agricultural inputs company in 

East africa said Kantaria. 

He said his company 

recognition was also based on 

the increasing appreciation 

of agriculture sector as a 

sustainable pillar of the region 

economy and a solution of 

miseries facing residents. Elgon 

Kenya is also certified ISO 9000: 

2000 since 1999 and also is British 

retail consortium SGS certified. 

Kantaria says Kenya’s is an 

agricultural lyrich country that 

can easily feed itself provided 

sound policies and management 

8 

of its abundant resources mainly 

soil and water are employed. 

all that farmers require is 

extension services and access to 

key inputs such as technology 

and quality seed” he says Elgon 

Kenya limited is the local agent 

for Israel based nitan Danjain 

limited, the leading global 

provider of customized irrigation 

solutions operating in more than 

100 countries worldwide. 

By introducing naun Danjam 

irrigation technology to the 

region to the region, Elgon Kenya 

seeks to bring Israel’s world 

recognized best agricultural 

technologies said Kantaria 

adding that the objective is to 

develop tailor-made irrigation 

technologies that have seen 

Israel, a tiny country with no 

water of its own, grow into the 

world’s agricultural technology 

showcase, and a leading 

exporter of agricultural produce 

and technology. 

as Kenya embarks vision 2030, 

agriculture, the mainstay of the 

country’s economy responsible 

for 51 percent of productivity 

must be developed in line with 

the vision. 

It is with this in mind 


Bimal Kantaria, director Elgon Kenya Limited 

that Elgon Kenya is introducing 

new division that will align its 

business with the targets of 

the government and private 

sector approach to handle 

agriculture as a business as we 

move away from the traditional 

subsistence approach. Irrigated 

The judges were very impressed with 

our growth model and commended us 

on our strategy of being the primary 

agricultural inputs company in East 

Africa - Bimal Kantaria. 

farming is going to play a vital 

role in developing agriculturally 

developed countries science and 

technology is behind the success 

and Kenya being quite advanced, 

only needs to take its agriculture 

to the next level by incorporating 

the latest development he added. 

Kenya is already advanced in 

green house farming and only 

needs to make the practice a 

culture at all levels for both local 

and export produce, which we 

seek to support, he reiterated. 

Elgon Kenya limited is the local 

agent for Israel based naan 

danjain limited the leading global 

provider of customed irrigation 

solutions operating in more than 

100 countries worldwide.


I am from Murang’a County and we grow pears fruits which 

have a lot of similarity with apples. Recently I came across an 

article about a farmer in Nyeri who is growing apples very 

successfly. Please I would like you to help me get in touch with 

him in order for me to purchase some trees to try in my farm 

j kanyonyo, kanyonyojohn@yahoo.com 

Call Wambgu apples 0720789802 - Editor 

10 

|| READER’S FORUM || 

With respect to Wambugu’s encouraging story, where in North 

Rift can I plant apples? Or what are the special climatic conditions 

for this. I want to invest a prototype farm then later large scale. 

Thanks 

Isaac Kiplagat, kiplagat@gmail.com 

Where can I buy affordable and high quality mushroom spawn 

i.e. button mushroom? And is there a guaranteed mushroom 

market in Kenya? 

S Mulindu, uzzanek@yahoo.com 

you may procure mushroom spawn from several sources based on 

where you are located. Please let us know where you will produce 

the mushrooms. also what type of mushroom i.e. button, oyster, 

shitake etc do you intend to cultivate. you may source spawn from 

jomo Kenyatta university of agriculture Technology (oyster); agridutt 

(button) agridutt@wananchi.com ; or Kenya Industrial research 

Development Institute (KIrDI, South C Campus - Popo rd. Off 

Mombasa rd Tel: +254-20-6003842 / 6009440 / 6003493, +254-20- 

2388216, +254-20-2393466). 

Dr. Lusike a. Wasilwa (PhD, Postdoc) 

assistant Director Horticulture and Industrial Crops 

Kenya agricultural research Institute 


Onions 

I would like to do commercial cultivation of red 

onions. The land I have available is in Thika near 

Kilimambogo. I am wondering if this area would be 

suitable. Do onions require irrigation. Also inform 

me if you do offer lessons for this kind of venture. If 

not onions I would also like to know what else would 

do well in this area as my mind is set on commercial 

farming. 

Patrick Mungai patmungai@yahoo.com 

Via www.hortinews.co.ke 

Onions can be grown as a subsistence or commercial 

crop. The variety matters because a farmer has to 

calculate costs maximize profits. 

Hybrid varieties are good for commercial farming 

because of high yield and returns. Examples are; red 

Passion F1 and red nice F1. The red Passion is; deep red, 

has good drying and keeping qualities, is tolerant to Pink 

rot disease, produces good grades, has uniform maturity, 

low incidences of sprouting/splitting, can store for up to 

6 months, plant spacing ; 30 x 10cm/ 30 x 5cm, maturity ; 

120 days, seed rate ; 1.5kg/acre, climate; warm areas; yield 

; 15 to 25,000kg/acre The red nice F1 is similar to the red 

passion, except that its yield is 12 to 18,000kg/acre 

From ¼ acre one can harvest up to 4,500kg quality grade onions at Kshs.50 the 

output will be Kshs. 225,000. 

joan Chepkorir 

joan @simlaw.co.ke

ONIONS 

Onions are important horticultural crops in Kenya. They can be grown for subsistence 

or commercial farming. The choice of onion variety matters a lot when it comes to 

commercial farming / agribusiness. This is because a farmer has to calculate the input 

costs verses the output costs in order to maximize profits. 

Open Pollinated Varieties are normally grown for subsistence and small scale farming. 

For instance, Onion Red Creole, Bombay Red and Texas Grano. The choice of variety 

depends on the farmers’ market preference. i.e. On the other hand, Hybrid onion 

varieties are good for commercial / large scale farming. This is because of their high 

yield returns. 

New hybrid varieties have been released and are recorded to produce very high yielding 

and quality onions. 

These onions are Red Passion F1 and Red Nice F1. 

Insect pests 

Important insect pests that attack onions include; Thrips, Whiteflies and Aphids and 

would require insecticide applications. Thrips are more severe in dry seasons. Hence one 

should keep the plants well irrigated at such seasons. One can reduce pests’ populations 

by pulling out weeds since they act as alternate hosts for the pests. Chemical applications 

can also be made i.e. insecticide. Plants extracts have also been used and prove to be 

effective. I.e. Neem and Garlic extracts. These are sprayed on attacked plant parts. The 

plants extracts should be tested for phytotoxicity before any applications are made. 

Chemical Applications 

Fungicides; this can be classified as curative or protective fungicides. Protective 

fungicides are chemicals which have the Active Ingredient Mancozeb e.g Milithane, 

Oshothane, Dithane, e.t.c. This is applied when weather conditions would likely to favor 

development of the disease. Curative fungicides are applied to plants that are already 

infected by the fungal diseases e.g. Pink Rot, Purple blotch and blights (early & late 

blight). In this case, applications are made on the infected regions i.e. bulbs, stems. 

Foliar feeds; 

This is applied mainly at the vegetative stage of the plant especially foliar high in 

Nitrogen. Foliar feeds applications results in vigorous growth of plants. In onions, a 

balance foliar feed enhances bulb formation and hence quality grade onions. Example 

of a balanced foliar feed is Omex, Mastargro. A Calcium spray makes bulb compact. This 

is because Calcium is crucial for structural development of the bulbs as the cell wall 

gets tightened such that the fungal spores ( sporangia) don’t penetrate easily; hence 

improving its tolerance to diseases.. An example of calcium spray is Citicalmag. 

Harvesting 

Harvesting can be done as from 90 to 150 days after sowing. The onions are ready for 

harvest when the leaves collapse. The necks can be twisted and its leaves bent over and 

left to dry for 10 to 12 days or less depending on whether conditions. The crop is pulled 

out by hand and kept for some days in the field with bulbs covered with leaves. This is 

called windowing/curing process. Leaves are then cut off and the mature bulbs stored. 

Nutritional value of onions. 

High in Niacin; It promotes good digestive system, healthy skin and nerves. It is also 

important for converting calories from protein, fat and carbohydrates into energy 

through the effect of Niacin. 

It also contains a vegetable hormone-glycoqune that gives onion effects on reducing 

blood sugar. The hormone stimulate gastrointestinal juices hence promoting digestion. 

Rich in Flavonoids; blocks the oxidation of fat in the blood hence prevent hypertension, 

improve blood circulation and prevent cardiac problems. 

RED CREOLE 

• A purple red onion. 

• Flat round/ rounded squat in shape. 

• Easy to manage. 

• Yield ; 6000- 7000kg/acre. 

TEXAS GRANO 

• Straw coloured outer skin and white 

inner flesh. 

• Mild tasting. Ideal for salads. 

• Easy to grow and widely adapted. 

• Yield ; 6000-7000kg/acre. 

BOMBAY RED 

• Deep red onion. 

• Globular in shape. 

• Provides good grade onions. 

• Its neck dries/cures well. 

• Yield ; 6.000 - 7,000kg/acre. 

RED PASSION F1 

• Deep red hybrid onion. 

• Very good drying and keeping quality. 

• Tolerant to Pink Rot and Purple blotch diseases. 

• Produces good grade onions. 

• Less incidences of splitting/sprouting. 

• Uniform and early maturity. 

• Easy to manage. 

• Can store for upto 6 months. 

• Has good cooking qualities/ very pungent. 

Yield ; 15 - 22,000kg/acre 


By CaTHErInE rIunGu 

The Ministry of 

youth affairs 

and Sports and 

amiran Kenya Ltd 

jointly emerged 

the winner of the 2011 youth 

Empowerment MDG award 

for showing a progressive and 

tangible contribution towards 

youth empowerment in Kenya. 

The proud recipients were 

awarded for their successful 

public-private partnership, 

which saw the implementation 

of the first phase of the ‘amiranyouth 

Polytechnics next 

Generation Farmers Initiative’. 

The initiative placed an amiran 

Farmers Kit (aFK) in over 100 

youth Polytechnics throughout 

Kenya, allowing the Ministry 

of youth Training Department 

to base its new agribusiness 

Curriculum on the aFK. The 

award was presented to Ministry 

of youth Deputy Director of 

youth Training Maria Cherono 

and assistant Director of youth 

Training Irene Kamau together 

with their partners from amiran, 

yariv Kedar Head of agro- 

Division and Christopher nzuki, 

Integrated Project’s Manager. 

The event took place at the 

national Museum of Kenya 

in nairobi and was attended 

by representatives from the 

private sector, civil society and 

government with the guest 

of honour being the assistant 

Minister for Planning and Vision 

2030, Hon. Peter Kenneth. The 

awards were divided into 12 

categories of, which seven were 

in line with the first 7 MDGs 

and the other 5 awards were 

12 

bestowed on an honorary basis. 

In line with the theme of the 

award, youth Empowerment, 

winner of Big Brother amplifed 

2011 Wendall Parson, was on 

hand to act as presenter of this 

important award. 

The Permanent Secretary for the 

Ministry of Planning, national 


Amiran Farmers Kit 

Development and Vision 2030, 

Dr. Edward Sambili pointed out 

that amiran Kenya is headed 

in the right direction with their 

focus on empowerment of 

youth: “Everywhere the youth 

resent being marginalized in 

decision making process and 

are eager to have greater control 

over their lives and amiran 

Kenya is urgently addressing the 

existing gaps to avoid a missed 

generation” he noted. 

at last year’s inaugural MDG 

awards, MDG Trust Fund CEO 

Ben Omondi said he was very 

happy that amiran had been 

awarded the MDG award for the

Wins Second MDG Award 

Eradicating Extreme Poverty and 

Hunger, MDG 1, for the amiran 

Farmers Kit (aFK). The MDGs 

awards are an initiative of the 

MDGs Trust Fund, supported by 

unDP and other leading private 

sector, Government and donor 

partners. The awards seek to 

acknowledge the contribution 

of government, private sector 

and nGOs in Kenya that are 

dedicated to sustaining projects 

that directly contribute to the 

realization of the MDGs. 

In what turned out to be a 

double celebration for Israel, 

the Embassy of Israel in Kenya, 

represented by the new Israeli 

ambassador to Kenya, HE Gil 

Haskel, received an honorary 

award as Kenyas ‘Donor Partner 

of the year’ for Israel’s efforts to 

help Kenya achieve food security 

through support to sustainable 

development initiatives in 

addition to charitable projects. 

The acknowledgement for 

(L-R) Ministry of youth Affairs 

Assistant Director of youth 

Training Irene Kamau, Amiran’s 

Head of Agro- Division 

yariv Kedar, Ministry of youth 

Deputy Director of youth 

Training Maria Cherono and 

Amiran’s Integrated Project’s 

Manager Christopher Nzuki, 

celebrate the youth Empowerment 

MDG award 

amiran’s efforts towards 

Empowering the youth was 

greeted with delight by the staff 

of the company who has launched 

several campaigns in the last year 

aimed at making agribusiness 

attractive to Kenya’s youth, 

among them ‘Farming is cool’ and 

‘next Generation Farmers’. 


Most Kenyans would not 

even be able to find Walda on 

the map of our own country, 

but when we gave what we 

could to support the important 

‘Kenyans for Kenya’ initiative, 

this is the kind of place we were 

supporting. 

When you arrive in Walda, 

either after a two hour flight 

from nairobi, passing Mt Kenya 

on the way and then flying 

over what seems like an endless 

sea of desert, or by driving 

for almost two days through 

some of the roughest roads in 

Kenya, one thing is for sure, you 

will remember the taste of the 

dust. It is un-escapable, this is 

desert country and the dust is 

everywhere. as far as the eye 

can see all that can be seen is dry 

land. 

Camels walk for hours to 

find water, people do what 

they must to live. Vegetables 

are brought in from nyeri and 

they are expensive. The people 

of Walda, in Moyale, are not as 

bad off as those in Turkana, but 

they feel the heat growing from 

year to year and are learning to 

constantly live with less water. 

But for the last few months the 

people of Walda have a reason 

to be optimistic. There is green 

in Walda now courtesy of abbas 

Gullet, Secretary General of 

the Kenya red Cross Society 

who less than six months ago, 

tasked amiran Kenya to install 

eight amiran Farmer’s Kits, the 

ones that have been sprouting 

up all over Kenya, with the drip 

14 

amiran Farmers Kit; 

a ray of hope for africa 

Part of the produce grown at the Red Cross doated AFK in Walda 

irrigation systems. abbas Gullet 

has repeatedly said that as he 

continues to give emergency 

food to the hungry and the 

starving, he is equally interested 

in giving sustainable food 

security. 

The red Cross has placed an 

agronomist trained by amiran to 

lead the project, which has seen 

dozens in the area trained in drip 

irrigation, greenhouse farming, 

proper seed selection, proper 

fertigation techniques, correct 

and safe use of agro-chemicals, 

marketing, and agricultural 

record keeping. amiran’s regional 

agronomist works together with 

the red Cross team and the result 


is produce worth over 2 million 

shillings being grown in a season 

which should last eight months. 

agriculturally it has been noted 

to the pleasant surprise of those 

involved that because the land 

is unused for agriculture the 

crops are yielding faster and the 

produce is very sweet and ripe. 

Thousands of amiran Farmers 

throughout the country are 

already supplying much of the 

quality produce to the major 

supermarket chains, markets 

and the restaurant and hotel 

industries on Kenya’s Coast and in 

nairobi. The need for horticultural 

produce could provide a steady 

business for over one hundred 

thousand Kenyan farmers who 

could each be making half 

a million shilling in a season 

comfortably. Many Kenyan 

farmers would be surprised to 

learn that Kenya imports much 

of its horticultural produce from 

neighboring uganda and from as 

far as South africa and no doubt 

our neighbors are grateful. The 

produce provided by these so 

called ‘next generation farmers’ 

or ‘facebook farmers’ has also 

been shown to have a longer 

shelf life than what has been 

seen before in the country, 

extended even more using one 

of the company’s post harvest 

solutions called an active bag.

An Amiran agronomist shares a light moment with children from Walda in an Amiran Farmers Kit (AFK) 

This is also the first time that this 

kind of horticultural produce 

‘GrOWn In KEnya’ is of European 

standards of production and 

has met with the approval of 

European Supermarket Chains. 

Interestingly however, it is not 

only tomatoes that have caught 

the attention of the European 

market, Capsicums (better 

known to us as Pili Pili ho ho) 

Sweet Melons all being grown in 

shambas all over Kenya just like 

in Israel. using plots no bigger 

than one eighth of an acre or 500 

square meters and anywhere 

from 400 to 600 liters of water a 

day, farmers are growing higher 

yields and better quality that 

ever seen in Kenya before. 

Those who have been around 

agriculture in Kenya for many 

years know well of amiran’s 

contribution to the flower sector 

and the large scale horticulture 

sector in the country. It is no 

surprise that this company, 

which has been with us since 

independence, brought us the 

first greenhouses and the first 

drip irrigation, is also the company 

where the world’s first complete 

small scale agribusiness unit was 

born. Many of you know about 

Kenya’s contribution to the 

world of cellular money transfer, 

MPesa, which has broken so 

many misconceptions and has 

changed the way we live our 

lives, was born here in Kenya and 

is now being copied across the 

world. Though based on Israeli 

technology and invented by yariv 

Kedar, amiran’s Head of agro 

Division and an Israeli working 

and living in Kenya, the amiran 

Farmers Kit or aFK as many call it, 

is as Kenyan as can be. 

according to Kedar, the aFK 

was born here in amiran Kenya, a 

Kenyan company, and developed 

by an Israeli-Kenyan team of 

managers and staff among them 

Christopher nzuki, amiran’s 

Integrated Projects Manager, an 

Egerton agriculture alumni, a 

BSC, MSC, who is now persuing 

a PHD courtesy of amiran Kenya. 

nzuki, a Kenyan, designed the 

aFK training and is responsible 

for the massive extension service, 

what amiran calls ‘agro-Support’, 

which guides and teaches 

thousands of amiran Farmers in 

every corner of the country. The 

entire operation implemented 


An aerial view of the eight Amiran Farmers Kit installed by Kenya Red Cross Society and Amiran Kenya in Walda 

by an experienced Kenyan 

team of dozens of regional 

agronomists, serves farmers who 

are themselves pioneers. 

all amiran Farmers are trained 

and certified by the company to 

operate the aFK, maintain it and 

to chase the new ‘african Dream’ 

of raking in millions through 

smart agribusiness using modern 

technology and using creative 

marketing to fetch a higher price 

for every KG of produce, produce 

that is “Grown in Kenya”. 

yariv Kedar, the inventor of 

the award-winning aFK, grew 

up in Tanzania as the son of an 

Israeli farmer who was sent by 

MaSHaV, the Israeli Center for 

International Cooperation, to 

teach Tanzanian farmers. Kedar 

believes that what the wananchi 

are missing is the Knowledge, the 

Knowhow or ‘do how’ as he calls 

it and quality inputs. “you can’t 

cut corners” he says, “success is in 

the details”, but most importantly 

“the farmers MuST succeed”. 

When yariv says that last one 

he gets a look of responsibility 

16 

in his eye, as if it is up to him to 

accomplish this feet. But one fact 

is clear, yariv, and everyone else 

you meet from amiran, believes 

that Kenya is in a position to lead 

all of africa in an agribusiness 

revolution and evolution that 

would not only end the reality 

of food insecurity that looms 

like a shadow over our lives, but 

place africa at the forefront of 

horticultural production globally, 

and this as the amount of land 

available globally for agriculture 

lessens almost daily. To an Israeli 

like yariv Kedar, a country which is 

one third the size of Lake Victoria, 

Kenya must seem like a blank 

canvas for planning a massive 

agricultural project. 

at last year’s MDG awards held 

at the national Museum of Kenya, 

many Kenyan and East african 

leaders attended as the likes of 

Safaricom, Coca Cola and the 

Kenya red Cross Society, were 

honored with awards for their 

efforts to achieve the Millennium 

Development Goals (MDGs). 

MDG 1, Eradication of Extreme 


Poverty and Hunger, went to 

amiran Kenya for the amiran 

Farmers Kit. 

In addition to a rich CSr 

portfolio that amiran has built 

as a big Kenyan company, it has 

made a business out of making 

money for its clients – the farmers 

of Kenya, large and small scale. 

recently, the world marked 

the International Day for The 

Eradication of Poverty. Here 

in Kenya the central event was 

held in Murang’a County, hosted 

by the Ministry of Planning 

Development and Vision 2030, the 

Poverty Eradication Commission, 

the MDGs Trust Fund, amiran 

Kenya and Hon Captain Clement 

Wambugu, MP for Mathioya 

District. re-affirming their 

commitment to the important 

theme of the day, the Honorable 

MP and the local CDF launched 

an ‘amiran Farmers Kit for 

schools project’ in 25 secondary 

and primary schools joining 

over 450 Kenyan schools and 

over 100,000 thousand Kenyan 

students who are now part of the 

amiran next Generation Farmers 

Initiative, which aims to place 

an aFK in every school in the 

country and create a generation 

of young Kenyan agropreneurs. 

amiran also joined hands with 

the Ministry of youth affairs 

and Sports in the ‘amiran-youth 

Polytechnics next Generation 

Farmers Initiative’ launch by 

Honorable Dr. Paul Otuoma, 

Minster of youth affairs and 

Sports in june after over 100 

aFKs were installed in youth 

Polytechnics throughout Kenya 

as part of the new agribusiness 

Curriculum introduced by the 

Ministry’s Director of youth 

Training, Dr. Dina Mwenzi. 

It is told in the hallways of 

radio africa that the match 

made between the Kenya red 

Cross Society and amiran Kenya, 

was made in the studios of the 

KISS FM ‘Breakfast Show’, where 

abbas Gullet was directed to 

visit the Schools Project initiated 

by Honorable Charles Kilonzo 

and the yatta CDF committee 

installing the first aFKs in

secondary schools in the water 

scarce constituency. While the 

rest of the country’s CDFs copy 

the yatta model, Honorable 

Kilonzo has aleady tasked 

amiran to install newly designed 

1 acre gravity fed drip irrigation 

systems, complete with all of 

the aFK components in primary 

schools in the constituency. 

Whether the match between 

abbas Gullet and amiran was 

made on the ‘Breakfast Show’ 

or whether a higher power had 

some involvement, the result 

was the scaling up of the schools 

model to reach many of the 

drought stricken areas of the 

country, bringing the aFK and a 

glimpse of prosperity, hope and 

dignity to men and women, who 

are bringing in a good income 

for their families without having 

to put their hand out for help. 

In the middle of a huge desert 

people have created green, in 

Israel and now in Kenya. Imagine 

the potential of greening our 

desert? 

In a country where agriculture 

is the most available means of 

wealth creation and 20 million 

youth are jobless and dream less, 

agribusiness done “the amiran 

Way” is drawing the attention 

of young Kenyan entrepreneurs 

who are rushing from the cyber 

cafes to the fields to build their 

own businesses, to become 

amiran Farmers like many who 

have gone from owning their 

first aFK two years ago and now 

own 10 kits producing above 

5 million shilling in less than 

a year and supplying Kenya’s 

leading grocers. Flocking to 

the company’s Facebook page 

to discuss agribusiness, a new 

breed of Kenyan agripreneur, 

who emails his or her prices to 

their clients is being grown here 

in Kenya. 

A Walda boy savours the taste of ripe tomatoes 

aSK CEO Muthoka and 

amiran were aiming at the 

youth when they launched 

the “Farming is Cool” 

campaign, which joined Dj and 

Greenhouse in an attempt to 

attract youth to take a closer 

This girl from Walda holds on to her tomato 

look at the technology. Kenyan 

youth perceive of agriculture 

as a ‘punishment’, something 

one does after retirement 

or to survive and not starve. 

amiran surprised everyone by 

launching the “Farming is Cool” 

campaign using 50 agriculture 

and Communications students 

from Egerton university and 

jKuaT to both dance and 

explain agriculture to show 

gowers at this year’s nairobi 

International Trade Fair. amiran’s 

Pr Department admits that the 

company’s “Farming is Cool” 

campaign recently launched by 

assistant Minster of agriculture 

Honorable Gideon ndambuki 

and the new ambassador of 

Israel, HE Gil Haskel stealing the 

show at this year’s nairobi aSK 

Show, is based on same phrase 

coined by Caroline Mutoko 

herself live on the breakfast 

show “Farming is Cool’’. 

In his speech at the 

International World Poverty 

Eradication event in Murang’a 

the amiran representative 

said that he believed that 

Kenya had been blessed by 

God, that our land was fertile 

and that if the power of our 

young small scale farmers 

could be harnessed together 

with the right knowledge, 

the “do how” and the right 

agricultural, ‘agro-tech’ 

inputs we could become the 

world’s food basket. Imagine 

Kenya first in athletics, First in 

Flowers, First in Horticluture! If 

Kenya was feeding the world 

with vegetables and fruits it 

would not have to worry about 

feeding itself. 


By CATHERINE RIUNGU 

any time is flower time. 

Welcome to russian where 

they love flowers so much, 

no meeting occurs without 

people exchanging bouquets. 

When people meet for coffee, 

they carry flowers. all Parties 

– birthdays, weddings, name 

them, are not attended without 

a flower. When children join 

or reopen schools, they carry 

flowers for their teachers. 

The biggest flower day in 

this Eastern European nation 

is International Mother’s Day 

celebrated on March 8 annually. 

This day is to the country what 

18 

The blooming flower 

market of Moscow 

florists sell round-the-clock 

Ravi Patel, the Finance Director, Subati Flowers Ltd. The firm exports mainly to Russia. 

Valentine’s Day (February 14) is 

to the rest of the world. The big 

difference though is that every 

female including a baby girl 

receives a flower! 

“russia has the most romantic 

culture in the world”, said ravi 

Patel, Finance Director, Subati 

Flowers Ltd, a Kenyan grower 

that has excelled in this blooming 

market. 

russia is the world’s 6th 

biggest market for cut flowers, 

importing about $1billion worth 

of blooms a year mainly from 

growers in Kenya, Ecuador and 

Columbia. Most of these are sold 

in Moscow where florists are 

scattered all over the city, many 


trading 24 hours. 

according to Mr Patel, due to 

increasing costs of production 

in South america, Kenya is 

increasing becoming the main 

supplier for this market, that 

was traditionally dominated by 

the former due to proximity. But 

flowers from South america are 

more costly forcing the country 

to source for supplies from other 

growers, Mr Patel said. 

according to the Kenya Flower 

Council (KFC) CEO jane ngige, 

the outlook in Moscow is very 

promising because the flower 

culture there is complimented 

by a good economy creating a 

high demand. 

Mrs ngige welcomed the 

World Trade Organization’s 

recent admission of russia, 

which will make it easier to 

trade with the country, whose 

market structures make it a tight 

destination. “russia is a very 

good market but has equally 

tough challenges among them 

language, the many federations 

with different import regimes 

and cartels”, she said. 

russian businessmen in 

nairobi have started forming 

linkages to markets at home, a 

development Mrs ngige terms 

positive as it is likely to deepen 

market penetration considering 

these people are familiar with 

both worlds and will cut the 

language barriers as well as 

advise on market dynamics. 

She pointed out that the 

flower industry, in conjunction 

with the Kenya Ministry of 

Foreign affairs and the russian 

Embassy in nairobi have started 

initiatives to unravel this market. 

In august last year, a delegation 

of 30 growers was sent to 

Moscow to sample the market. 

“We, for instance, need to 

understand the dynamics of this 

market such as it severe winter 

that has a bearing on flower 

sales,” she said. The country’s 

autumn is awful, so is winter and 

spring during which everyone 

yearns for green leading to an 

explosion of flowers in the short 

summer period. 

Flowers in russia are also 

expensive relative to average 

incomes, with a single rose 

costing around 70 rubles ($2)

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hyK is a concentrated inorganic formulation 

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crops, highly mobile and quickly distributed 

within the plant. 

The main function of Potassium within the plant is 

as a water regulator which in turn affects many plant 

processes such as: 

regulation of cell water content, 

cell turgidity 

transpiration rates 

translocation of photosynthesates and enzymes. 

Low levels of potassium can critically affect the growth of the crop, 

subsequently affecting quality and yield. hyK is a unique formulation 

containing a high concentration of potassium. This high analysis ensures 

optimum uptake of the potash where required and also assists the plant to 

create a leaf environment unfavourable to disease development. 

Analysis of hyK Weight/Volume Weight/Weight 

Total Nitrogen (N) 3.00% 1.95% 

Potassium (K2O) 50.00% 33.00 % 

pH: (10% solution) 11.0 – 12.5 

Directions of use: 

1. Always shake container before use. 

2. Fill half the required amount of water in the spray tank. 

3. Measure the required amount of hyK and add to tank. Maintain constant agitation. 

4. Add remaining water to correct dilution. 

5. Spray and ensure full coverage. 

6. The product should always be used with a compatible wetter/sticker (not a buffer). 

Tank Mixing Compatibility 

Recommended Rate: 3 litres per hectare 

Water volume: 1000 litres 

Frequency of application: Apply 10-14 day intervals 

Although it is compatible with most, but not all pesticides, growth regulators and micro-nutrients, it is advisable to use hyK on 

it’s own in a tank mix with a compatible wetter only (not a buffer). Always carry out a phytotoxicity test on a small area before 

large scale application. 

Liability cannot be accepted for any loss or damage as not all pesticides and fertilisers have been tested for compatibility. 

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Store in a cool dry place away from the heat and sunlight with optimum storage range between 5-40ºC. 

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H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I j a n u a r y - F E B r u a r y 2 0 1 2 19 

Recycle Paper

Workers at Subati Flowers Ltd, pack their harvest. There are over 900 workers at the 

flower farm which is located in Nakuru. 

and the average bunch of flowers selling for 

around 500 rubles ($16). This is in partly due to 

the expensive transportation cost attached to 

each flower but also a result of high customs 

duties of around 10 rubles (30 cents) per flower. 

During the Women’s Day here, men lavish 

bouquets on their wives and colleagues and 

just about anyone else from the fairer sex they 

know. March 8, is the day florists reap enough 

profits to keep them going for the rest of the 

year. 

“This one day in March feeds a florist for a 

whole year,” florists in Moscow boast, with 

many reporting sales of about 20,000 blooms 

for the Mother’s Day week, ten times the usual 

amount. 

Others say that while on other days 

blemished blooms are discarded, on March 8, 

just everything will be sold, with an impressive 

25 million flowers sold annually in Moscow 

alone, according to market reports. Valentine’s 

Day, the date which sends imports soaring 

in most other countries, is a relatively new 

phenomenon in russia, but one that is steadily 

growing in popularity. 

Despite this rosy picture, it is also reported 

that feminists have been heard to complain 

that men have turned the day into a celebration 

of sexism as russian men heap compliments and 

gifts on their female colleagues and “sputniks” 

(satellites) – the word for their other halves. 

Other flowery reports indicate that russian 

men are incurable romantics and “infidelity is 

big business.” 

Like any other industry, the flower market 

is subject to significant spikes and drops 

20 

in demand. The russian flower industry is 

characterized more by sudden demand hikes 

than most other countries because russia has so 

many national holidays at which it has become 

the custom to give flowers. 

The industry is not immune to global shocks 

and was not spared a large-scale slump in sales 

especially after the 2008 economic crisis, when 

lower imports to dropped by around half, 

amounting to some $500 million in 2009. 

although domestically produced blooms 

only constitute around 2-3 percent of russian 

cut flower sales, the high importation costs are 

causing many in the industry to look to the local 

market for future supplies. 

recently flower plantations have been 

appearing in the Moscow region, and around 

the towns of Kaluga, yaroslavl and Dmitrov but 

the climate poses a barrier to mass production. 

Some producers are moving to warmer places 

like Krasnodar region near the Black Sea and 

making use of technology, but this may not 

be sustainable in terms of cost leaving african 

producers as the best bet. 

Dutch company Meilland specializes in 

breeding new varieties of roses and has 

developed a frost-resistant variety to grow in 

russia and other cold climates. The breed is 

either sold under contract to russian industrial 

growers or as individual plants for landscape 

gardening projects. 

While the rose plant industry is relatively 

underdeveloped in russia, it has huge potential, 

because roses are the most popular cut flowers 

on the russian market, constituting some 80-90 

percent of all sales. 


Subati 

Flowers 

rocking in 

Russia 

During the first international flower 

exhibition in russia in august last year, 

Subati was the only firm from this 

part of the world that carried home 

a gold trophy. “We entered the spray 

rose variety which in our experience 

is popular in this market because of it 

being a single stem with many heads”, 

said ravi Patel, the director. 

“The award is a loud statement that 

Kenya is a world winner when it comes 

to flowers”, he added with a boast 

that, “Kenyan roses are the best in the 

world mainly because of a suitable 

climate, and competence of growers 

to stay ahead in meeting market 

requirements. 

Subati, tucked in the heart of the rift 

Valley in nakuru has about 89 hectares 

out of which 27.5 is in production. at 

an altitude of 2200-2400 meters above 

sea level, the farm sits on a 

conductive environment for 

optimum rose production. “Here, 

temperatures are warm during the 

day and very cool at night, just what 

flowers require for long stem and large 

bud development while the clean 

air from the hills and surrounding 

mountains has created a microclimate 

that helps keep pests and diseases at 

bay, leading to production of the very 

best T-hybrids that Kenya produces” 

said Mr Patel. 

Subati Flowers Ltd was Incorporated 

in 2007 when the directors bought 

Subati 

Ltd and employs over 900 

permanent and casual staff. The farm 

has been expanded from 12 Ha to 27.5 

hectares in two years, and is poised 

for further growth. It is selling around 

31 million stems annually to russia, 

Europe and japan.

For over 30 years farmers have 

trusted Meltatox ® in controlling 

powdery mildew. It is an 

excellent product to use when 

powdery mildew arises as it 

cures it. Thus leaving the roses’ 

aesthetics preserved ensuring 

good market prices. 

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email: patrick.ngugi@basf.com 

email: francis.karanja@basf.com 

papillongroup.co.za 

Preventative sprays are recommended 

in order to minimize 

disease risk, however a curative 

spray after max. 48 hours after 

infection is nothing Meltatox ® can’t 

handle. It has long lasting effects 

which ensures spotless flowers, 

while offering a short re-entry 

interval allowing workers to quickly 

get back into the greenhouses. 

Meltatox ® can be incorporated 

into an IPM programme as it is 

compatible with beneficial insects 

and predatory mites. Since the 

launch of Meltatox ® no resistances 

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The flower industry 

in Kenya is in the 

process of setting 

up a pooled carbon 

credit scheme. 

The Kenya Flower Council chief 

executive officer, jane ngige, says 

the industry is looking at counting 

all trees planted by each farm to 

form a “flower industry forest” 

and front the numbers as a single 

carbon sink. 

“We are in the process of auditing 

existing clean energy schemes 

with a view to replicate these in all 

farms to collectively earn credits 

that would be ploughed into 

more activities so that in the final 

analysis, the entire industry can 

lay claim to being a major player 

in climate change intervention 

measures,” she said. 

The Ministry of Environment is 

already working with two growers on 

a pilot scheme to convert farm waste 

into biogas, and if successful, the 

firms- Simbi roses in Thika and Pj Dave 

in Kitengela will be used as models to 

replicate the concept in others. 

Pj Dave farm manager, Peter 

Kiarie, said flowers produce 

substantial waste which, if 

converted into biogas, would save 

the country considerable hydro 

electricity units. 

Currently, most of the flower 

waste is composted and in a few 

farms, such as Vegepro, is being 

used to make liquid organic 

fertilizer. 

a number have already installed 

clean energy projects key among 

them Oserian Development 

Company that has established 

the world’s largest geothermal 

heated greenhouse. The farm 

generates 95 per cent of its energy 

requirements. 

another milestone is the giant 

24 

solar energy plant run by Bilashaka 

Flowers, the clearest indication 

that the country is yet to exploit 

clean energy. Managing director, 

joost Zuurbeir, says that two years 

after the multi-million project was 

launched in 2006, the farm had 

recouped its investment and has 

since made substantial savings on 

the kerosene that was initially used 

to heat the greenhouses. “The 

result is a cleaner, healthier flower 

from a cleaner environment”, he 

said adding that their flowers are 

rated premium in the markets 

because they score highly on 

environmental audits. 

Mr Stephene Mutimba, the 

managing director of Camco, an 

energy consultancy firm, that has 

been contracted by the flower 

industry to study the existing 

and untapped potential of 

producing and using clean energy 

recommends pooling of resources 

and supporting the smaller farms 

to install solar panels depending 

on size of farms and other possible 

initiatives. “The idea is to establish 

a revolving fund where farms can 

|| ENVIRONMENT || 

Flower farms to pool Carbon credits 

Kenya Flower Council CEO, Jane Ngige at Bilashaka Flowers 

in Naivasha. In the background are the solar panels that 

have helped the farm produce roses in a clean energy 

environment. 


borrow money to set up clean 

energy initiatives,” he said. 

If the programme, that is expected 

to kick off mid next year succeeds, 

Kenya will reaffirm the position that 

flowers produced in the country emit 

less carbon despite being airlifted to 

the markets. 

Four years ago, there was a major 

debate in Europe as claims gained 

currency that transporting flowers 

and other horticultural produce 

amounted to huge carbon miles, 

with some activists clamouring for 

a boycott of air freighted produce. 

This prompted a study which 

established that growing and flying 

fresh produce from the country 

produced far much less carbon than 

European grown products because 

of the high energy requirements 

there to heat greenhouses and 

extend day-light. 

In addition, Mr Mutimba said, 

there are no special cargo planes 

that deliver fresh produce only 

but the stuff sits in the belly of 

passenger planes meaning there is 

no increase in carbon per unit. 

a World Bank study that looks 

at the impact of climate change in 

the flower industry has established 

that growing zones have shrunk 

because ideally, they do well in 

temperatures ranging between 

25-30 degrees Celsius. “Due to 

global warming, temperatures 

in most traditional zones are 

going above this range. In certain 

regions, boreholes have dried up 

leading to increased spending on 

water and energy making farms 

unsustainable”, the report says. 

according to Camco that carried 

out the World Bank study, countries 

with less harsh climates such as 

uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia 

could in future be more attractive 

than Kenya as flower producing 

regions. 

The study recommends that 

flower farms pool together 

to form a grand carbon credit 

scheme and collaborate in various 

environmental-friendly activities 

such as planting more trees, 

collecting and recycling water. 

Farms such as Kisima in Timau have 

shown that if all farms collected all 

the water captured by greenhouses 

when it rains, they can last a season 

and contribute massively to water 

saving efforts. Martin Dyer, the Kisima 

general manager recommends that 

the industry should have a policy 

that ensures all greenhouses collect 

both roof and storm water when 

it rains which would make a lot of 

difference in the water situation in 

the country. 

Kisima and a neighbouring 

flower farm in the nanyuki region 

Tambuzi have also joined in the 

clean energy efforts, with the latter 

developing solar lanterns for its 

staff while the former has set up 

a community biogas plants that 

is being used by villagers in Buuri 

district for cooking. 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K


26 

Fetching potatoes from Kisima 

“Kisima wants to become Kenya’s leading potato seed supplier and our sights are set 

well beyond the national boundaries”, Martin Dyer 

Martin Dyer, Kisima General Manager is passionate about 

potatoes 


By CaTHErInE rIunGu 

It all started with an 

advertisement placed 

by Kenya’s Ministry 

of agriculture calling 

for a potato industry 

stakeholders’ meeting in nairobi. 

Martin Dyer, the general 

manager of Kisima Farm, saw an 

opportunity to explore a desire 

he always haboured – to venture 

into potato growing. “The ministry 

said it was looking for private 

sector players to partner with in 

production of potato seed and I 

decided to attend the meeting,” 

Mr Dyer said. 

Three years later, that 

meeting has culminated in the 

establishment of one of the 

largest high technology potato 

seed production units in East 

africa. “The potential for potato 

seed in the country is huge”, Dyer 

said adding that what is required 

now are multipliers. “We would 

like many more farmers to get into 

the business of multiplying potato 

seed and the investment pays well 

because the demand far outstrips 

supply, we can hardly meet it,” he 

added, pointing out that farmers 

need to be educated on the 

importance of planting clean seed 

every season instead of relying on 

own seed, which leads to spread of 

diseases and low yields. 

Encouraged by the positive turn 

of events, Kisima Farm is planning to 

increase capacity to produce more 

minitubers, seed multiplication, 

production and building a cold 

storage facility for 1,000 tonnes of 

G3. 

“There is no turning back,” Mr 

Dyer said with a tinge of satisfaction 

from seeing his dream coming to 

life. “Kisima has already doubled the 

size of the aeroponics at our own 

expense and next year we hope to 

be able to grow over 20,000 plants 

per season producing in excess of 

1.25 million mini tubers annually,” 

he said. 

The Timau-based farm is 

favoured by many factors among 

them an ideal climate for potato 

production, with two rainfall 

seasons guaranteeing two crops 

in a year. Better still it has plenty 

of land that allows for adequate 

rotation, and readily available 

alternating crops like wheat. “Kisima 

is ideally suited for this project with 

the existing aeroponics system 

and adequate land to be able to 

rotate 40+ hactares per season 

with wheat and brassica crops with 

a seven- year rotation break for 

potato seed production”, he said 

adding, “We have plenty of land for 

rotating potatoes for up to seven 

years meaning seed from our farm 

will always be vigorous because it is 

growing on virgin land. 

The farm, rated by the 

International Potato Centre (CIP) as 

the most successful private sector 

initiative in this endeavour so far, 

has increased the acreage under 

seed potato to over 40 hectares up 

from 10 hactares in 2009. The farm 

has invested in seed machinery 

for planting, harvesting, sorting, 

and grading. It has two aeroponic 

units with a capacity of about 3,600 

plantlets. “We are really excited that 

we got involved in the project. The 

speed and efficiency of multiplying 

seed, using the aeroponics 

technology, are amazing. We are


It is planting time. Workers at Kisima Farm prepare the invitros for next season. 

happy that our seed has reached 

every part of the country. We have 

received positive feedback on its 

performance and consequently 

seed demand is increasing every 

season,” My Dyer said. 

The farm’s initial aeroponics 

was set up in 2009 with assistance 

from uSaID and GIZ on a 50-50 

basis. Kisima supplied the green 

28 

houses, power, water supply 

and half the growing tables. The 

pumps, nebulizers and half the 

growing tables were donated 

by the agencies. From that initial 

partnership Kisima has covered all 

running costs including invitro plant 

purchases, with plenty of technical 

help from CIP. “We are interested 

in working more closely with other 


organizations on this project, 

especially KEPHIS and KarI . 

The total area is 14mX20m and 

grows around 2,200 mini tubers. 

The main varieties grown 

are: Tigoni with a yield potential 

of over 40+ MTs;asante with 

potential of 25-30 MTs; Sherekea 

yield potential of 40+ MTs; Kenya 

Mpya yield potential of 50+ MTs 

A worker inside the Kisima Farm aeroponics unit in Timau, preparing for the next planting season. 

and Purple Gold with low yields of 

less than 20 MTs. Mr Dyer says that 

at Kisima they have experienced 

the benefits of aeroponics 

which include high yields, seed 

quality and cleanliness, speed of 

production and multiplication, 

disease control and no soil 

disease contamination. all seed is 

inspected by KEPHIS and sold with 

a certification label, but the farm 

would like the inspection body to 

shorten the time it takes to give 

the final nod. 

Despite its magic in turning 

around production, the system 

has its flipside, the most notable 

being the high initial of set up cost. 

Considering that it is a controlled 

growing environment, good 

water and soluble fertilizers and 

backup power are musts, and a 

break in the chain can destroy the 

entire crop. The aeroponics system 

is attended to 24 hours to ensure 

that temperatures and water are as 

per prescribed dosage, not a point 

less. “It is a high risk operation 

where you can suffer total loss 

unless on 24-hour-seven-day -day 

vigilance. High hygiene must be 

observed and dust must not get 

inside,” Mr Dyer said

40-50 % PA 

Fund job creation for one 

million jobless Kenyans 

through Employment Creation 

and Expenditure Managemet 

Contracts during the years 

2012-2013 

Ngara Shopping Complex, 4th floor, Ngara Road, opposite Arya Secondary 

Sch., off Muranga Road, , P. O Box 11381-00100 Nairobi Kenya, 

Tel: 0719 782 424, 0700 426002, 0731 793480, 020 8054433, 

Email:employment.contracts@yahoo.com 


! 

Plant potatoes in a site 

where tomatoes or 

other crops belonging 

to the same family 

as potatoes have not 

been planted during the previous 

two seasons. This helps to reduce 

the spread of soil borne diseases 

and pests. 

Land preparation 

Prepare the land well and early 

enough before the start of the 

rains. Make furrows in straight 

lines, 8-10 cm deep. 

Fertilizers and manure 

Farmers should perform a soil test 

regularly so as to get an indication 

of how much fertilizer and manure 

to use. a general recommendation, 

which depends on the fertility of 

the land, is to apply Diammonium 

phosphate (DaP) fertilizer at the 

rate of 200 kg/acre. The fertilizer 

should be mixed with the soil after 

application to avoid contact with the 

seed which can lead to ‘burning’ of 

the sprouts. Only well decomposed 

manure should be used so as to 

avoid the spread of a disease called 

rhizoctonia. The application rate is 

2-4 tonnes/acre. 

30 

Growing potatoes successfully 

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is variously referred to as Irish potato, English potato or round potato. 

Other names are viazi or viazi mviringo in Kiswahili. It is an important staple food in Kenya. Table or 

ware potatoes refer to potatoes that are grown for consumption as opposed to seed potatoes. Such potatoes 

can be boiled, fried, baked, mashed or made into chips or crisps. They can also be eaten in salads, 

stews or in mixed foods such as bananas, beans, maize and rice. There many potato recipes available. 

By LUNG’AHO C, NyONGESA M, KARINGA J 

and KINyAE, P M 

Choice of varieties 

a large number of potato 

varieties are grown in Kenya. The 

varieties differ in time of maturity, 

yield, appearance, cooking and 

marketing qualities and resistance 

to various diseases and pests as 

well as growth habit and tolerance 

to moisture stress. Growers are 

therefore advised to choose the 

correct variety for their intended 

use and growing conditions. a list 

of some of the varieties is shown in 

the following table. 

Key: Maturity period: Early (less 

than 90 days), Medium early (91-100 

days), Medium late (101-110), Medium 

late (111-120 days), Late (121-130 days), 

Very late (More than 131 days) 

yields: Low (Less than 20t/ha), 

Medium (21-30 t/ha), High (31-40 t/ 

ha) and very high (More than 40 t/ha) 


Characteristics of some of the commonly grown potato varieties 

Variety Skin Shape Maturity Yield Utilization 

Colour 

Period 

Boiling Chipping Chipping 

Asante Red Round Medium Very Fair Good Fair 

early high 

Red Oval Early Medium Good Good Good 

Red Round Medium 

late 

Medium Good Good Fair 

Red Round Late High Good Good Good 

Desiree 

Dutch 

Robijn 

Kenya 

Karibu 

Kenya 

Mavuno 

Kenya Mpya 

Kenya Sifa 

Kenya 

Sherehekea 

Purple Gold 

Tigoni 

White 

White 

Red 

White 

Purple 

White 

Round 

Oval 

Round 

Round 

Round 

Round 

Late 

Medium 

early 

Late 

Late 

Late 

Medium 

High 

High 

High 

Very high 

Medium 

Very high 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Fair 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good 

Good

Sources of 

seed 

Farmers should use good quality seed to grow 

their potato crops. Certified seed potatoes are 

available from the KarI Seed unit, agricultural 

Development Corporations and other private 

seed multipliers. Farmers should consult their 

local agricultural officers on where to source for 

good quality seed. 

Seed size and sprouting 

The seeds should be the size of an egg (35-45 

mm) and well sprouted with at least 4-5 sprouts 

per tuber to optimize yields. avoid seeds without 

sprouts, seeds with only one sprout or very old 

seed tubers because use of such seeds results in 

poor yields. 

Planting and spacing 

Plant seed tubers in furrows at a spacing of 75 

cm between rows and 30 cm within rows (75 cm 

x 30 cm) with the sprouts facing up. 

Weeding and Ridging 

First weeding should be done 2-3 weeks after 

crop emergence while the second weeding 

should be done 2-3 weeks after the first weeding. 

Earthing-up helps the crop to form more tubers 

and also prevents greening of tubers. It should 

be done along the row during weeding. The final 

ridge should be approximately 25 cm high. 

Rotation 

Where possible, practice at least a 3 season 

rotation programme so as to sustainably grow 

the crop and reduce build-up of disease. Crops 

like maize and beans can be used. 

Pests and diseases 

! 

Common Diseases 

Late blight: The disease usually appears as 

water soaked spots on the leaves and stems, 

which turn black. a white mould sometimes 

appears on the underside of the leaves. 

Control: use tolerant varieties and suitable 

fungicides. 

Bacterial wilt: The disease is characterized by 

wilting of plants even when the soil has enough 

water. It is spread by infected seed tubers or 

infected soil. 

Control: There is no chemical control yet. 

use disease free seed and suitable rotations. 

Infected plants and tubers together with the 

surrounding soil should be uprooted and burnt 

or buried in a deep pit. 

rhizoctonia diseases of potatoes (stem canker 

and black scurf): These diseases are caused 

by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The fungus 

causes considerable damage to emerging 

sprouts when growing conditions do not favour 

rapid emergence. The fungus forms dark brown 

to black hard masses on the surface of the tuber 

called sclerotia. Cankers may girdle the stems 

and result in aerial tuber formation, plant wilt 

and death. Infected plants may also produce 

many small tubers. 

Control. use good quality seed. Long crop 

rotations and use of well decomposed manure 

may also minimize incidence of the disease. 

application of suitable soil fungicides may also 

help. 

Viruses: Viruses disrupt the plants’ normal 

growing pattern and cause inefficient use of 

nutrients as well as reduced tolerance to other 

stresses. Some of the important viruses in the 

country are potato leaf roll virus, potato virus 

y, potato virus X and mosaics. Plants that are 

infected produce diseased tubers. Symptoms 

include chlorosis, dwarfing, leaf rolling, 

erectness, leaf deformations, crinkling and 

mosaics. 

Control: Viruses cannot be cured with 

chemicals. The best preventive method is 

planting only healthy seed tubers, elimination 

of infection sources and controlling vectors. 

Pests 

aphids: These are tiny insects that feed on 

the plants or tubers and spread virus diseases. 

Control: use appropriate insecticides both in 

the field and during storage. 

Potato tuber moth: This pest attacks potato 

plants by mining of foliage and on tubers. 


Control: Spray the potato crop 

with a suitable insecticide and dust 

stored potatoes with a suitable 

insecticide. 

Cut worms: These cut the stems 

of emerging plants. Exposed tubers 

may also be damaged. 

Control: Spray with suitable 

insecticides. 

Leaf miners: These mine the 

leaves and cause tunnels. The 

yields of infected plants are 

severely reduced. 

! 

32 

Harvesting 

Highest yields are obtained by 

leaving potatoes in the ground 

until they mature. Hardening of 

the skin of tubers is made faster by 

cutting or pulling the haulm (stems 

and leaves) 10-14 days before 

harvesting of the crop. Harvest 

the crop using blunt objects like 

sticks so as to minimize damage 

to tubers. 

Grading and Storage 

remove misshapen, diseased, 

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute 

Strengthening Kenya’s food security & income 

Kaptagat Road, Loresho. P O Box 57811-00200, Nairobi Kenya. Tel+254 20 4183301-20 

Email:resource.centre@kari.org www.kari.org 


Harvesting, grading, 

storage and marketing 

greened and damaged tubers before 

packing potatoes for sale or storage. 

Potatoes can be graded by sizes into 

baby potatoes (less than 30 mm), 

small (30-45 mm), medium (45-65 

mm) and large (65-80 mm). Keep 

tubers for eating in dark stores to 

prevent greening. The store should 

be cool with enough circulation of 

air. 

Marketing 

Marketing of potatoes is 

generally the responsibility of the 

grower and is characterized by a 

strong presence of brokers. Farmers 

may enter into contracts to supply 

processors with desired potato 

varieties. according to legal notice 

no. 44 of 2005, ware potatoes for 

trade should sorted and graded 

and only be packaged in sisal or jute 

bags. The size of such a bag should 

be enough to accommodate ware 

potato of 110 kg. The legal notice 

no. 113 of 2008, empowers local 

authorities to enforce the regulations 

on ware potato packaging.

Anti-counterfeits committee chairman DK Kagwe 

are we winning? 

Fakes 5% down 

This is the million 

dollar question facing 

the agrochemical 

fraternity as it enters 

the second year since 

the law dealing in counterfeits was 

revised. 

“We are not there yet but we are 

on track”, said the anti-counterfeits 

committee chairman DK Kagwe 

who argues for a good measure that 

although the fruits of the efforts on the 

ground over the past 24 months are 

yet to be appreciated there has been a 

gradual reduction in the frequency of 

fake pest control products. 

Sources in the sector say the Pest 

Control Products Board (PCPB) that 

|| counterfeits || 

is mandated relevant authorities and agencies. not registered under the umbrella. 

by law to arrest The agrochemicals sector is as a measure to counter 

and align before currently working closely with the the counterfeiters, the kadogo 

courts those Kenya anti-Counterfeits agency economy has found its way in the 

caught in the act, to beef up the fight. reports agrochemical sector with companies 

nothing much indicate that the business in fakes now packaging in smaller packs to 

has been coming has reduced by over 5 per cent, an avoid decanting of products, that 

from that end. indication that the war is gradually has been blamed for fuelling faking. 

“PCPB has being won. Estimates are that “The small packs are pocket friendly, 

the fakes cost the industry more safe and good for the environment 

than Ksh 2 billion annually, because farmers don’t need to store 

not considering them since most are for single spray 

the damage to applications”, said Mr Kagwe. The 

public health and packs are labelled in both English 

environment. This is and Kiswahili. 

partly attributed to according to the anti-counterfeits 

the revised fines of committee, it is important that 

a minimum of Ksh farmers only purchase products that 

250,000 – I million bear both the aaK and PCPB logos 

or a two years which give a considerable degree 

imprisonment or both, of being genuine, and to always 

up to Ksh 20,000 fine two call both institutions whenever in 

years ago, which a suspect doubt. 

would pay up and continue To minimize on the possibility 

in business. “The hefty fines of stockists applying double 

seem to have deterred a standards and aid counterfeit trade, 

number of counterfeiters and companies have been asked to 

fakers, “ Mr Kagwe said. 

register their distributors with aaK, 

The anti-counterfeits education who in turn are supposed to be 

seeks to bring farmers and stockists licensed by PCPB. “This will make it 

up to speed with the skills and easier for the fraternity to get a non 

actions they need to employ to complying agent displined or even 

detect fakes. “It has been agreed deregistered if they are found to be 

that all agrochemical training stocking fakes. We will name and 

been more reactive than proactive sessions include a component of shame culprits and run them out of 

when it comes to arresting the anti-counterfeit message, and this fake business”, Mr Kagwe added. 

malpractice”, a source who spoke has been agreed on by members a listing of registered stockists 

on condition of anonymity said. of the agrochemical association of will be availed to farmers during 

Despite the sluggish record, Kenya (aaK). 

farmer meetings, field days, 

there is no let-up, said Mr Kagwe It is being recommended that exhibitions, shows and during 

who asserts that farmer education farmers and stockists deal only training activities , and the clarion 

will be enhanced this year since with companies falling under aaK call; always obtain and maintain a 

it is important for the message to because outside the association, it receipt for all purchases is being 

stay alive. “Counterfeiters target is almost impossible to trace back repeated. “This is always the safest 

well known products especially a product source, while no code bet, to trace the origin of a product 

when demand is high and supply of conduct binds non members whenever its efficacy is questioned. 

low therefore, it is important for to comply with the regulations. again we want to discourage 

companies to ensure that their In addition, aaK takes over the farmers from buying agrochemical 

products are always in stock to responsibility of following up on products from van salesmen who 

avoid creating the vacuum that reported cases of counterfeits, a sell agrochemicals during market 

attracts the fakes,” he said adding situation that wouldn’t obtain if days from the back of a pick-up or 

that if the shortage is inevitable, a farmer or a stockist was dealing saloon cars. 

this should be communicated to with a company’s product that is 


Agrochemicals Association of Kenya, Cooper Center, Kaptagat Rd, P.O.Box 13809 

Tel: 4184960, 4184966, Fax: 4181213, Email: info@agrochem.co.ke 

34 

MEMBER COMPANY CONTACT ADDRESS TELEPHONE EMAiL MEMBER NO. 

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AGRiCULTURAL RESEARCH, TRAiNiNG & CONSULTANCY 


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OVERSEAS 


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Harakisha....wapi page za AAK? you need to include the AAK logo and the Pesticides 

Control Boad Logos - zitafute kwa internet, and brand all the pages with both - at the 

bottom and top, and pick also the AAK address and put it at the bottom of the pages - 

important. I want to see it as soon as its done beep me and weka kwa this email. 

Catherine 

Here, the article, layout on one page - it can turn if it doesnt fit, caption the picture: 

Profarm Africa managing director Daniel Kagwe and Carnnex World Sales Manager 

Shaun Jayatranam discuss the efficacy of Nutragreen in Nairobi. Photo/correspondent. 

Save as nutragreenarticle. 


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38 SINERIA EAST AFRICA LTD MR. PAUL KAMOTE 74194, 00200 NBI 720848255 kamakip@yahoo.com AAK/357 

39 SYNGENTA E. A. LTD MS SUSAN NJOROGE 30393, 00100, NBI 27,148,272,714,836 syngenta.east_africa@syngenta.com AAK/226 

40 TOPSERVE E.A. LTD MR. A.K. OTIENO 47341-00100 NBI 3746402/3/6 info@topserve.co.ke AAK/329 

41 TROPICAL FARM MANAGEMENT MR. KURIA GATONYE 260,TKA 067-21637/8 info@twiga-chem.com AAK/321 

42 TWIGA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES PATRICK AMUYUNZU 30172, 00100, NBI 3942300/3942000 info@twiga_chem.com AAK/102 

43 ULTRAVETIS E.A. LTD MR. WACHIRA MUREITHI 44096,00100-NBI 6537665/6-2358205 info@ultravetis.com AAK/311 

44 UNGA FARMCARE E.A. LTD Dr. Josef Kitur, Kipkemoi. 41788, 00200NBI 536356-64 information@unga.com AAK/256 

Fax: 4181213 

Email: info@agrochem.co.ke 

Agrochemicals Association of Kenya 

Cooper Center, Kaptagat Rd. 

P.O.Box 13809 

Tel: 4184960, 4184966 


Pls, save the singapore advert as nutragreenad. 

Hi, 

AAK MEMBERS 2011 

Protect to Provide 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

use clean water for post-harvest 

john Mbaria talks to Ellen Merk (above) 

Sales Engineer, Hatenboer-Water b.v 

De s c r i b e 

c o m m o n 

i m p u r i t i e s 

in water and 

their effects 

on fresh produce 

Water is the basis of all life. We 

all need water to live and grow. 

So does your crop. The quality of 

water can really make a difference. 

Depending on what water 

source you are using, you will meet 

different kind of water quality 

issues. 

When starting from rain water 

(harvested from the roof of your 

36 

greenhouse for instance), you 

will have (chemically speaking) a 

very good quality water. However 

you should take into account, 

that biology – all kind of micro 

organisms - can grow in your basin 

or silo and create biofilms. Biofilms 

are the perfect surrounding for 

more micro organisms (bacteria, 

viruses, fungi) to grow in. 

Or you might be using surface 

water from a river or a lake. Water 

from the lake could have a good 

water composition; however the 

quality will fluctuate, depending 

on all kind of influences. For 


instance rainfall can strongly 

influence the quality. Water could 

contain a lot of fine particles of clay 

or dust. During drought periods, 

meanwhile the water quality can 

be very different again. Salinity of 

the water can vary in time. also 

temperature and other seasonal 

changes can affect the water 

quality. Surface water is therefore 

a water source not always as 

trustful with respect to availability 

and quality. 

What are the effects of 

utilizing unclean water in post 

harvest stage? Please state the 

specific difficulties that could 

arise or which normally arise 

whenever flowers or other fresh 

produce are washed, or stored 

in unclean water 

unclean water can affect flowers 

in every stage. From the post 

harvest stage to the water that the 

consumer uses in the vase. 

The effects of the above 

mentioned micro organisms and 

pollution on the flowers can be 

of all kind. a flower, like every 

living creature, needs good water 

of a stable quality to remain in 

an optimum condition. When 

water is polluted by biology, 

diseases have a breeding ground 

for development, causing lower 

quality and unconstant quality 

flowers. 

The post harvest stage is 

important. The flower is freshly cut 

and needs optimum and stable 

circumstances. 

your treatment product such 

as flower food and care have a 

proven enhanced effect on the 

vase life of flowers in combination 

with clean water. 

How important is it to ensure 

the water used up in the post 

harvest stage is purified? 

The flower is cut from its 

roots but still needs to be fed. 

Without good water it would not 

survive. Moreover the grower 

wants to supply a stable quality 

product to the market. Therefore 

it is important that the water is 

of a stable and constant quality. 

Surface water (from a lake or river) 

can vary in quality through the 

season. after heavy rainfall the 

water will be very different from 

water in drought periods. all kind 

of seasonal influences play an 

important role. Temperature is of 

course an important influence as 

well. 

a very interesting effect of 

starting with clean water is: the 

water can be re-used! re-use of 

water = saving water = saving 

costs! 

Is it true that you can increase 

the shelf life of horticultural 

products by using purified 

water during the post-harvest 

stage? 

yes, this is very much true! The 

consumers satisfaction depends 

on the quality of the flowers. 

Through the whole flower chain 

there are several influencing 

factors like time and temperature. 

Post harvest circumstances are the 

first step in the chain. By giving the 

flower clean water of a stable and 

constant quality, your flower food 

products will have more effect. This 

will lead to an increased vase life. 

The fact remains that the next steps 

in the chain must be dealt with care 

as well to have a healty and long 

lasting product at the consumer.


Tigoni in the field at Kisima Farm in Timau. 

Are you saying that rain 

water is not clean or should 

not be taken as pure water 

that can be used by growers 

during post-harvest period? 

rain water is very clean 

and perfect for flowers. as it is 

free it is also very economic to 

harvest as much rainwater as 

you can. However, we should 

take into consideration, that in 

Kenya rain water is not always 

unlimited available. also, the 

rainwater collected from the 

greenhouse rooftops can 

be polluted by dirt from for 

instance birds and insects. 

Of course all impurities 

can be removed by water 

treatment, for example 

filtration and uV disinfection. 

Obviously this requires 

investments. 

a very secure alternative is 

bore hole water. This water is 

stable and of a constant quality. 

The composition of bore 

hole water is often not good 

enough for your post harvest 

or irrigation water, therefore 

you can desalinate the water 

by reverse osmosis. With this 

technology you will remove the 

unwanted elements like sodium 

or bicarbonates up to high 

percentages > 90-99%. 

38 

How much would it cost 

(in Euros) for a grower to 

adopt the technical solutions 

manufactured by your 

company? 

a solution is different for 

every situation. It is vital to make 

a inventory of the needs wi th 

respect to quantity and quality. 

Furthermore the water quality 

from the bore hole is leading for 

the design of a system. The choise 

Containerised water treatment for flexibel solutions 

HORTINEWS CHAT 

Reverse osmosis installation for desalination of bore hole water 


of components depends directly 

on the different ions in the water. 

So an extended inventory is the 

first step. The operational costs 

can differ from € 0,25 to about € 

0,60/m3 water. 

Every grower would like to 

minimize cost of production. 

Would you agree with those 

who say that the cost of treating 

water, particularly for storing 

flowers, is an unnecessary cost? 

no. We have seen that companies 

that invest in water treatment for 

post harvest benefit directly by 

higher quality flowers. Of course 

there are costs involved, but 

profits will exceed these costs. 

In the end it is the buyer (e.g. the 

supermarket), that determines 

what kind of quality flowers 

he desires. Flowers that scent, 

flowers that open, flowers that last 

at least 7 days at the consumer. 

With good water the grower can 

deliver this high quality. another 

demand from the customer is the 

need for sustainable production. 

Water re-use is fitting very well in 

this image. 

Have you calculated how 

much, in terms of post harvest 

losses, that a grower stands 

to benefit by adopting your 

company’s technical solutions. 

Every grower has his own 

protocol with the different steps 

in the complete flower chain. 

In the field we experience very 

enthusiastic results. The quality 

of the flowers is improving and 

vase life is extended. I would 

not be able to give you any 

sharp figures on this and every 

situation is different, but our 

customers are experiencing high 

quality improvement in short 

time. With longlasting flowers 

of high quality he can make the 

difference!


By CATHERINE RIUNGU 

Kenya’s leading 

microfinance 

leader Equity Bank 

has received a Ksh 

2 billion (Euro 15 

million ) loan from the German 

Development Bank (KFW) for 

lending to small scale businesses. 

The new cash will be loaned out 

to small and medium enterprises 

in Kenya, uganda, Tanzania, 

Southern Sudan and rwanda. 

Equity Bank CEO, james 

Mwangi, said the money will be 

lent out at interest rates ranging 

from between 5 and 12 per cent 

depending on the risk factor of 

a particular SME. The loans will 

come as a big relief to businesses 

who currently have to pay interest 

rates as high as 25 per cent. Dr 

Mwangi said the small enterprises 

targeted under the arrangement 

are those involved in import and 

export businesses. 

The loan will be accompanied 

by a financial contribution for 

capacity development within 

Equity Bank and for their 

customers, “The funds provided 

by Germany will be used to 

expand and strengthen Equity 

Bank’s lending activities towards 

micro, agricultural and small 

scale business customers as well 

as the absorption capacities of 

their customers and is designed 

to provide for long-term 

sustainability of this field of 

40 

businesses,” Dr Mwangi said. 

The funds have been advanced 

on behalf of the German 

Federal Ministry for Economic 

Cooperation and Development , 

and Equity Bank was earmarked 

because of its vision “To be the 

champion of the socio-economic 

prosperity of the people of 

africa” and its mission to “offer 

inclusive, customer focused 

financial services that socially and 

economically empower our clients 

and other stakeholders” 

Equity Bank vision is in line 

with KfW’s thrust, which is 

the promotion of sustainable 

economic development including 

microfinance and the general 

improvement in the supply of 

financial services for ordinary 

people and small scale businesses. 

KfW has been active in this sector 

in Sub-Saharan africa since the 

independence of the african 

countries. 

Equity’s wide rural 

outreach and regional 

presence strengthened the 

FINANCE 

Equity Bank and Germany’s 

KfW in Ksh2 billion deal for SMEs 

The funds will be used to expand and strengthen 

micro, agricultural and small scale businesses 


Dr James Mwangi, Equity Bank Group CEO 

partnership since Germany is 

a main supporter of regional 

integration. 

Most SME businesses are 

currently not yet fully served 

by the banking sector yet their 

Equity Bank’s vision is in line with KfW’s 

thrust, which is the promotion of sustainable 

economic development including 

microfinance and the general improvement 

in the supply of financial services for ordinary 

people and small scale businesses 

success is a decisive component 

in enhancing viable improvement 

of the economic, social and 

ecological development of the 

region. 

KfW is one of the world´s 

leading and most experienced 

promotional banks. Established 

in 1948 as a public law 

institution, KfW is owned 80 per 

cent by the Federal republic 

of Germany and 20 per cent 

by the federal states. Its goal is 

to combat poverty, secure the 

peace, protect the environment 

and climate and make 

globalization fair. It has 70 offices 

worldwide.


In Kenya, most of the fruit 

tree planting materials 

are propagated by seeds 

and vegetative means 

and are sourced from 

nurseries. Most of these 

nurseries operate as small 

scale and medium scale 

businesses. Other nurseries 

are government institutional 

nurseries which include 

Kenya agricultural research 

Institute (KarI), Kerio Valley 

Development authority 

(KVDa), Tana and athi river 

Development authority 

42 

Certified nurseries 

(TarDa), GK prisons, among 

others. The nurseries usually 

provide planting materials 

within their localities. 

The overall objective of 

nursery inspections is to 

ensure that farmers have 

access to clean propagation 

material which is free from 

pests and diseases. also: 

• To ascertain the 

status of the nurseries 

• To certify compliance 

to phytosanitary 

requirements, and 

• To prevent introduction 

Name of Location Contact Seedling 

Nursary 

Rift Vally 

KVDA Arror 

FPI Ampath 

Beautyline 

Long’onot 

farm 

Savana Interl 

Slopes 

Mukulima 

Nakuru 

Prisons 

Nursery 

Friends Tree 

Nursery 

Umoja 

Nursery 

Ngaishi 

Environment 

Project. 

Tabby tree 

Nursery 

Benjamin 

Lukano 

KVDA Suam 

catchment 

(kotoruk) 

KVDA Suam 

catchment- 

Chepsurur 

Arror- 

Marakwet 

West 

Eldoret 

municipality 

Naivasha 

Naivasha 

Naivasha 

Naivasha 

Nakuru Town 

O723555357Titus, Sauroki 

Lamale 0723900159 

0726295493 Mr. Mahugu 

BENZI Tel.0723890581 

Paul Dondi 

Tel.0722605689 

LUKULU Tel.0723819152 

Paul Ndungu 

Tel.0722342336 

Joseph Opande 

Tel.0725658913 

Nakuru Town Faith Ikara 

Bahati 

Nakuru 

Subukia 

Nakuru 

Kimana 

Oloitok tok 

Rombo 

Oloitok tok 

Kapsara 

Eldoret 

Kishaunet- 

Kapenguria 

Kishaunet- 

Kapenguria 

Peter Githuka Njoroge 

Joseph Mwangi 

Tel.0724412461 

0717051683 

Parsanke Sayianka 

Email:psayianka@yahoo. 

com 

Dorcas wanjiku Tel. 

No.0725345626 

0733990574, 0725170692 

Benjamin 

0727984016 Chelimo 

0538003859 Elijah 

citrus, mango 

passion 

Gypsophillas, Solidago, Bending 

plants, Chrysanthemum, 

Impatient, Begonia, 

Carnations, Agro-forestry 

Assorted vegetables, T-Tree 

for oil. All commercial, Agroforestry 

Bedding plants, 

Chrysanthemum, Carnations, 

Pelargonium’s, Agro-forestry 

Assorted forest trees, 

Avocadoes,Tree tomato, Agroforestry 

Ornamentals, Assorted forest 

trees, Passion fruits, Avocadoes, 

Tree tomato, Kiapples , Tree 

tomato, Agro-forestry 


trees, Mangoes, Avocadoes 

, Tree tomato, Kiapples, 

Pawpaws, Agro-forestry 


trees, Mangoes Avocadoes, Tree, 

tomato, Kiapples, Rubber Tree, 

Agro-forestry 


trees, Mangoes, Avocadoes, 

Tree tomato, Kiapples, Oranges, 

Passion fruits, Papaws, Agroforestry 

trees 

Guavas, Avocado, Pawpaw, 

Mangoes, Apples, Bananas, 

Passion, Citrus, Indigenous 

agro-forestry species 

Loquats, Passion, Avocado, 

Citrus, Pawpaw, Ashok, 

Matomoko 

Avocado, passion, mangoes 

Avocado, mango, guava, 

pawpaw 

Forest Trees and fruit seedlings 


and spread of harmful 

pests and diseases 

through exchange of plant 

materials 

The target nurseries are 

those producing fruit tree 

seedlings. 

The following list 

comprises of nurseries 

inspected by Kenya Plant 

Health Inspectorate 

Service (KEPHIS) and 

found to have nursery 

management systems in 

place to control pests and 

diseases. 

Menofa CBO 

Kitale Annex 

prison 

FPI Ampath 

Alime 

commercial 

Sweet-waters 

F.N 

Mac-nut 

products 

Gee Mac Agri. 

Nurseries 

Mbari ya 

Mboche 

Nursery 

JKUAT 

enterprise 

Nursery 

KARI -THIKA 

Maranjau G.K 

Prisons 

Mwea (G.K) 

Prison 

Kerugoya G.K 

Prison 

Julia 

Nurseries 

Kibirigwi Coop 

soc. 

Mahiga-ini 

Springs 

flowers & 

Fruit tree 

Solidarity 

G.K Prisons 

Chepchonia 

Waitalukkitale 

Eldoret 

municipality 

Laikipia 

central 

Nanyuki 

Kiriaini/ 

Kangema 

Nginda- 

Maragwa 

-Muranga 

Kariua – 

Muranga 

Juja- Thika 

Samuru - 

Thika 

Kabiti 

–Makuyu. 

Gathigiriri 

Kirinyaga 

Kerugoya 

Kibirigwi/ 

Kirinyaga 

Kibirigwikirinyaga 

Nyeri 

Nyeri 

Kingongo 

,Nyeri 

0717186981Cleophas 

wayongo 

0722448027Mr.Maina 

0726295493Mr. Mahugu 

0723818160 

0723818160 

Central 

Mr. Mugi Tel:0722332496 

Macharia Kabui Tel. No. 

0722706037 

Peter Gicheru Tel No. 

0721867625 

Francis Kimuyu Tel. No. 

0722333685 

Wilson Cheluget Tel. No. 

0722644315 

Peter Mbuthia Tel. No. 

0727592879 

Farm manager 

0721367578 

Farm manager 

02034597845 

M. Njogu. Box 619 

Karatina 

Nursery in-charge 

0710728451 

0701258645 

0204756985 

Chirchir 0721974958 

Gerald Muchiri Tel 

No.0723917922 

Disclaimer: 

The nursery materials 

can only be confirmed 

to be clean at the time of 

inspection and KEPHIS does 

not bear any responsibility 

for any propagation 

materials found infested after 

inspection 

Inspections and certifications 

are based on the appropriate 

procedures derived from 

national legislations (Plant 

Protection act (Cap 324) and 

Plant Varieties act (Cap 326). 

Fruits tree seedlings, passion 

Mango, avocado, passion 

Passion 

Avocado, Pawpaw, Passion 

fruitsmangoes 

Mangoes, Passion, Loquats, 

Avocado 

Passion fruits, Avocado, Pawpaw, 

mangoes 

Passion fruits, Avocadoes, 

Mangos 

Passion fruits, Avocadoes, Mangoes, 

Paw paws and Tamalilo. 

Citrus, Passion Fruits, Mangoes, 

Avocadoes, Paw-paws, 

Grapes,T.C bananas 

Mangoes, Avocadoes, Citrus, 

Paw paws, Passion Fruits, 

Grapes, Tree tomato and 

strawberries. 

Paw paws, Mangoes, Avocadoes, 

Passion Fruits, Apples 

and citrus 

Mangoes,Passion Fruits, Pawpaw’s, 

Citrus, Avocadoes 

Passion, Mangoes, Avocado, 

Citrus 

Avocado, Passion, Mangoes 

Pawpaw, 

Passion, Avocado, Macadamia 

Avocado, 

Oranges, Mangoes, Avocado, 

Apple,Tissue Bananas, Tree 

tomato 

Passion Fruits, Mangoes, Avocadoes, 

Paw paws and citrus

Jos Hansen (EA) Ltd, a pump supplier in the East Africa region for over 50 years, with experience in 

the design and turnkey erection or rehabilitation of complete water supply schemes. 

Authorised agent for KSB pumps, with a complete range of pumps in stock including: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

High pressure multistage pumps for general water supply, booster plants etc 

Horizontal single stage pumps for domestic and industrial purposes 

Vertical High pressure in-line pumps 

Submersible sewage pumps for pumping all types of effluent 

Submersible borehole and well pumps 

We have the technical expertise and 60 years experience in Water Engineering. We guarantee 

•Competitive prices •Superior quality •Reliable after sales service 

Baba Dogo Road – Ruaraka, Nairobi, P.O,Box 30196, 00100 Nairobi, Telephone: +254-20-232 4506 / 8561637-38 

Mobile: +254-0722 203638 / 0733 333472, Telefax: +254-20-8561640 

Email: pumpsales@hansenkenya.com, Website: www.joshansen.com 


Avocado Nyeri/Tetu 

master Nursery 

Erastus Ng’iru 

Ramuchi 

Nduma 

nursery 

Wamulu CBO 

Good 

Neighbors 

Hamisi 

constituency 

Hort. Devt 

group 

Hamisi 

constituency 

Hort. Devt. 

group 

Bosco Ooko 

Nyambok 

women group 

Kibos prisons 

Nyandera 

Green valley 

Nyandera ADP 

Young 

equator 

Umoja tree 

Nursery 

Mitunguu 

Irrigation 

Scheme 

Joe June 

Vision Growers 

Agency 

Meru Victory 

Agro-forestry & 

F.T.N. 

Kamiru F. T. N Embu 

Karanja Embu 

Njuguna 

ATC Garissa Garissa town 

G.K farm fruit & Garissa Kisyoka/ Box 38 Garissa/ 

tree Nursery 

0720800849 

Jamhuri Fruit Garissa John Muthengi 

Tree Nursery 

0723259808 

Garissa Me- Garissa OICBox 50 

dium Prison 

Garissa/0208020348 

Bidii Tree Mwingi JamesBox 26 Mwingi 

Nursery 

0722893148 

ABC Fruits & Kibwezi Dist. Peter Kimweri 

Agro forestry Kikumbulyo 0701537373 

Nursery loc. 

Makindu Hand Kibwezi Solomon0724744432, 

Craft Coop- District James 

erative Society Nguumo loca- 0719533907/Member 

Nursery tion 

0723553433 

44 

Nyeri / town 

Nyeri 

Mukurweini 

Kanduyi 

East Bukusu, 

Bungoma 

Naitiri 

Bungoma 

Hamisi 

Hamisi 

Homabay 

Homabay 

Kisumu 

Bondo 

Bondo 

Meru 

Marimanti - 

Meru 

Meru 

Meru 

Meru 

Imenti North 

David Murigi/ 

0723367724 

0736943308 

0712288596 

Western 

0720931793,0738507570 

Robert 

0722220889 Zippy Simiyu 

Evans Anusu 

Margaret Amimo 

Bosco Ooko 

Augustine Osunga 

Mr. Okoth0720002080 

Peter Ogutu 0735623599 

Daniel Onyango Odando 

Eastern 

Julius 

0720421456 

0734771336 

0728028134 

Patrick 0712438698 

0722425587 

0722827590 

0722895429 Julia 

0723813914, 0713115111 

Mukono Mikunchiri - 

Mwangaza Meru 

CCS - Tigania/ Gitonga/Box 42 mitunguu 

Mitunguu Mitunguu 

ICRAF/ Nkubu Gitonga/ P.O Box 112 

KAGURU FTC 

Nkubu 

Rwika mango Mbeere North 0722334026 

nursery 

Siakago Agro- Mbeere North 0713021442 Josephat 

forestry 

Njeru 

Siakago Siakago,Embu 0713021442 

0723780954 

Karanja Njuguna 

0722334026 

Certified nurseries 

Apple, Avocado, Grape,Giant 

/golden passion, yellow 

passion 

Avocado, Passion, Pawpaw, 

Mangoes, Tree tomato, 

Macadamia 

Tissue culture banana 

Passion , avocado 

Passion, avocado 

TC bananas 

TC bananas 

Mango, citrus, passion fruits, 

pawpaw. 

Mangoes, Avocadoes 

Passion fruits, Mangoes, 

lemons, avocadoes, 

Passion fruits, Mangoes, 

pawpaw, loquards. 

Mangoes 

Passion Fruits 

Mangoes, Avocadoes 

Mangoes, Pawpaw, Avocado, 

Passion fruit 

Tissue culture banana 

Mangoes, Avocado, Passion 

fruits, Pawpaw, Guavas 

Mangoes, Citrus, Passion 

fruits 

Tissue culture, banana 

Mangoes, Passion citrus 

Mangoes-Avocado, Passion, 

Tree tomato, Guava 

Mangoes, Passion fruits, 

Citrus spp. 

Mangoes, Passion fruits, Pawpaw, 

Guavas, Butternuts 

Avocado, Mangoes, Passion 

Avocado, Mangoes, Loquats 

Mangoes, Avocado Passion 

fruits,Paw paws 

Mangoes, Citrus 

Mangoes, Grapes, Loquats, 

Citrus, Guavas, Pawpaws 

Mangoes, citrus 

Mangoes, Mangifera indica, Passifrola, 

Pawpaws, Citrus spp. 

Mangifera, Avocado, 

Pawpaw,Citrus 

Passion Fruits, Pawpaw , 

Tamarind Mangoes, Citrus, 

agro forestry 

MangoesAvocados, passion 

fruit, Pawpaw Agro forestry 


Francis Muli 

Ndunda 

Nursery 

AIC Malooi 

Youth 

Nursery 

ABC/ARTC 

Nursery 

Mwanzo 

Mpya 

Nursery 

KARI-Mtwapa Mtwapa 

KARI-Matuga 

Borstal Inst. 

Wilfred Chirao 

Mzee Jacob 

Mtawali 

Charo 

Magangani 

F. F. S 

Malindi GK 

Prison 

Masande Self 

Help Group 

Hindi GK 

Prison 

Live Flowers 

and Fruit 

Tree 

Coast 

Development 

Authority 

Wildlife Works 

Organic 

Project 

Manyani GK 

Prison 

Kidundu Self 

Help Group 

Johnstone 

Kioko 

Tunza 

Mazingira 

Southern 

Biotech 

Institute 

Pwani 

University 

College 

Milka Mukulu 

Nzuki – 

Nursery 

KEFRI-Gede 

Charles 

Mathenge 

Nursery 

Nairobi West 

GK Prison 

Nursery 

Kibwezi Dist. 

Kikumbulyo 

location 

Makueni 

Dist.Nzaui 

location 

Machakos 

District 

Central loc. 

Machakos 

District 

Matuga 

Kisauni 

Bahari 

Bahari 

Malindi, 

Gede 

Malindi 

Lamu, Hindi 

Lamu, Hind 

Bura, 

Madogo 

Mombasa 

Voi, Maungu 

Voi, Manyani 

Wundanyi, 

Ngerenyi 

Kwale 

Taveta 

Taveta 

Kilifi 

Malindi, 

Goshi 

Malindi, 

Gede 

Nairobi 

(Langata) 

Nairobi 

Francis Muli 

072400380 

0734647113 

0722859579 

/044 21288 

0714326227, 

0714326227 

Coast 

William Munga 

0722443531 

Finyange Pole 

0733737794 

Nzioka James 

0729207701 

Dinah Nanoi 0725567244 

Wilfred 0729938153 

Mzee Mtawali 

0722935284 

Susan Sonje 

0721278856 

Abdullahi Kituu 

0729673474 

Stephen Gichobi 

0714717928 

Josephat0723842054- 

Toya0720875884 

Mrs. Nderitu 0722351309 

Elias 0723960993, 

0735227877 

Laurian Lenjo 

0722281851Erick 

0729590531Willy 

Kanyigi0717574765 

Solomon 0735111874/ 

Stephen 072966883 

Ochieng 0711385500 

Teresia Mwalasha 

0725043422 

Johnstone Kioko 

0727441351 

Paul Maina 0725288359 

Melany Stephen Joseph 

0722524208 

Nicholas Njala 

0724037457 

Milka 0716296175 

G. K. Kimani, 0721420059 

Joesph Maweu 

0733805571 

Nairobi 

Charles 

Mathenge,Box24154 

NAIROBICell: 

0723391515 

Henry Wambugu Kiiru- 

Box 30556 NAIROBI, Tel: 

0208020174 

Mangoes, Passion, Pawpaw, 

Avocado, Agro forestry, 

Ornamentals 

Avocado, Mangoes, citrus 

Guava pawpaw, Avocadoes 

agro forestry 

Mangoes, Avocado, Passion 

fruitsPaw paws, Citrus , Ornamentals 

Agro forestry 

Mangoes, Passion 

Fruits,Pawpaw’s, Citrus, Avocadoes, 

Agro forestry 

Citrus,Passion fruits, Mangoes 

Citrus, cashewnuts, passion, 

mangoes, pawpaw 

Citrus,Passion fruits, Mangoes 

Mangoes 

Mangoes, pawpaw 

Mangoes, pawpaw 

Mangoes,pawpaw 

Mangoes, passion, cashewnuts, 

lime, tissue bananas 

Passion, pawpaws, guavas, 

grapes, mangoes, citrus 

Mangoes, guavas, limes, 

pawpaw 

Citrus, Mangoes 

Citrus, mangoes, passion, 

avocadoes, custard apples 


custard apples, avocadoes 

Avocadoes, guavas, mangoes, 

macadamia nuts 

Citrus 

Citrus, Mangoes 

Tissue culture bananas 

Citrus, pawpaw, passion, 

avocadoes, mangoes 


pawpaws 

Citrus, Mango 

Passion fruits 

Macadamia, Passion Fruits 

Mangoes, Avocados, Pawpaws, 

Loquats, Strawberry 

The listby Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)

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A farmer, Mr Gabriel Wekunda, on his farm in Kimilili, Bungoma County. 

By ErICK nGOBILO 

a local community based 

organization, Good neighbours 

based in Bungoma County 

has partnered with the Kenya 

Horticulture Competitive Project 

(KHCP) funded by uSaID to 

promote production of passion 

fruits in Western Kenya. 

The venture has seen hundreds 

of farmers grow the fruits in a 

dramatic shift from the traditional 

sugarcane and maize farming in 

parts of Western and rift Valley. 

The partnership has put a smile 

on the faces of many farmers who 

have realized increased income 

from the fruits. 

“Since I ventured into passion 

fruit farming last year, my earnings 

have grown considerably. I have 

46 


Growing passion for some 

Hundreds of farmers grow the fruits in a dramatic shift from the 

bought a small tractor to cultivate 

the farm so that I can expand the 

arrearage under passion,” said a 

farmer Mr nathan Sava. 

Fifteen passion fruit nurseries 

with a capacity to produce over 

75,000 seedlings each to benefit 

small holder farmers have been 

put up in parts of Western, nyanza 

and rift Valley. 

“The main nursery based at 

Wabukhonyi has the capacity to 

produce 450,000 seedlings that 

can serve all our farmers with 

enough seedlings around the 

year,” said Mrs Zipporah Simiyu 

the managing director of the 

Good neighbours project. 

The nurseries are certified by 

the Kenya agricultural research 

Institute (KarI), Kenya Plant Health 

Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and 

Horticultural Crops Development 

authority (HCDa). 

“We monitor our nurseries to 

ensure the seedlings are free of 

insects, soil, and fungal infections. 

We always want monitor to 

maintain standards,” she said. 

The seedlings in the nurseries 

are grafted to improve quality 

and resistance to diseases and 

pests. “We have purple passion 

fruit grafted with yellow root 

stalk which is more resistant to 

pests and diseases,” explains Mrs. 

Simiyu. 

More than 6,000 small holder 

farmers in 200 groups from 

Bungoma County; parts of Lugari 

and nandi have benefitted from 

the project which started in 2004. 

Good neighbours provides 

market linkages to small holder 

farmers both locally and 

internationally. “We collect their 

fruits and look for the market 

especially for those who lack the 

ability to access markets. Currently 

we are selling to supermarkets, 

neighbouring countries and 

abroad,” she said. Mrs Simiyu 

added that Good neighbours has 

partnered with the Ministry of 

agriculture to teach farmers value 

addition to earn more money. 

Bungoma South agricultural 

officer Mrs Elizabeth Ogolla says 

the ministry is training passion 

fruit farmers to engage in value 

addition.“We are telling them to 

sell passion fruit juice instead of 

Farmers from Good Neigbours at their tree nursery in 

Bungoma.

Good neigbours 

traditional sugarcane and maize farming. 

the fruits since the juice fetches 

more money,” she said. 

Mrs Ogolla says a farmer can 

make five litres of juice from five 

kilos of the fruits which he can 

sale for over Ksh 500 compared to 

the fruits which could fetch him 

Ksh 150. She pointed out that the 

demand for passion fruit is much 

more than what the farmers are to 

producing. 

“We have never had even a 

single farmer lack market for his 

passion fruits because of the high 

demand,” she said. Mrs Simiyu 

said 50 community based groups 

have ventured into passion fruit 

farming after the initiative rolled 

out a campaign to popularize 

passion fruit farming and are 

about to harvest their first fruits. 

This follows the successful 

setting up of several 

demonstration centers across 

the county. The demonstration 

centres are meant to address the 

challenges facing the new farmers 

which include lack of knowledge 

and the reluctance amongst 

farmers to try the new venture. 

Mrs Simiyu says the seedlings 

for the new farmers are enough. 

“We have enough seedlings and 

we encourage more farmers to 

come out and venture into passion 

fruit framing,” she said. KHCP has 

been funding the setting up of 

the nurseries and greenhouses to 

benefit local farmers.“The cost of 

setting up a nursery is too high at 

over Ksh500, 000 and local farmers 

cannot afford. That is why we have 

partnered with Good neighbours 

to bridge the gap,” said KHCP 

Western region manager Mr 

Geoffrey nyamota. 

KHCP has so far spent Ksh 

85million supporting more than 

15,000 passion fruit farmers in 

rift valley, Western and nyanza 

provinces. Mr nyamota said KHCP 

will continue to support small 

holder farmers to improve their 

income through horticulture 

farming. 

He said passion fruit is popular 

because it matures within a short 

period. He said purple and yellow 

passion fruits are the two major 

species cultivated for commercial 

purposes in the country. 

“yellow variety is the most 

resistant to pests and diseases 

while purple is the most popular. 

That is why we graft our fruits to 

improve the quality and resistance 

to diseases,” he said. 

Mr nyamota said overreliance 

on maize and sugarcane had 

led to many farmers being 

impoverished due to lack of 

markets and low pay. He said 

smallholder farmers stand to 

benefit the most since they can 

make more money from small 

parcels of land. 

HCDa manager in charge of 

Western region Mrs Carol Soita 

said her organization is working 

with Good neighbours, farmers, 

and brokers who provide linkages 

to the market and government 

line ministries involved to 

popularize passion fruits in 

Western. 

She said HCDa brings together 

farmers in workshops organized 

in conjunction with Good 

neighbours to learn about new 

varieties and get linked to markets. 

She pointed out that HCDa 

is keen to make passion fruit 

a second major cash crop to 

sugarcane for the people of 

Western province.She argues 

that for a sustainable passion 

Mr Nathan Sava waters passion fruit seedlings at Lugari 

horticulture nursery. 

Mrs Monica Simiyu attends to her fruits in Kamukuywa 

Bungoma. 

fruit industry, there is need to 

supply clean planting material, 

and maintain the necessary crop 

practices to protect the crop 

against pests and diseases. 

a passion fruit farmer Mr 

nathan Sava said planting 

200 passion fruits can fetch 

one between Ksh21, 000 to 

Ksh30,000 every week after 

nine months. He said he makes 

Ksh 780, 000 from his one acre 

passion fruit farm each year. “I 

have gradually been expanding 

my land size under passion from 

the initial one acre to over five 

acres now because of the good 

returns,” he said. 

One of the nurseries set up by 

Good neighbours is on his parcel 

of land making it easy for him to 

get seedlings. another farmer 

Mr Gabriel Wekunda says his 

switch to passion fruit farming is 

partly due to the unstable prices 

for maize and poor payment for 

sugarcane. 

“Sugarcane takes more than 

two and half years before it 

matures and the returns are 

usually very low,” he said. He said 

the main challenge he has to deal 

with is pests and diseases that 

infect his fruits. 

Diseases like woodiness 

and fusarium wilt are the main 

challenges facing the farmers 

like Mr.Wekunda. Farmers are 

advised to plant grafted seedlings 

to improve their resistance to 

diseases. Passion fruit unlike 

maize and sugarcane matures 

within nine months, and can 

be harvested four times a year, 

depending on the availability of 

rain or irrigation water. 

Passion fruits fetch a good 

market in Britain and the European 

union, while the Middle East is 

also emerging as an option. 

also within the country, there 

is a ready market for the crop, and 

farmers have not been able to 

meet the ever rising demand. 


By nGOBILO naKITarE and 

CaTHErInE rIunGu 

Her in-depth 

knowledge 

of agriculture 

easily creates 

an impression 

of a highly qualified professional. 

until you ask where she trained 

and Zipporah Simiyu bursts into 

a hearty laughter. “I have trained 

myself”, she softly replies and the 

memories of that day in 2004 

when she brought together her 

neighbours over a cup of tea to 

discuss how they could work 

together to improve their incomes 

are relived. 

Back then, farmers were poor, 

relying on beans and maize amidst 

idle potential. Her attempts to 

introduce horticulture on her fiveacre 

farm yielded nothing because 

neighbours would raid the farm 

and cart away produce. 

To stop the malpractice, she 

decided to call the neighbours 

to discuss how they could work 

together so that each would 

become their brother’s keeper. 

They liked the idea, and she was 

asked to lead them. This was the 

beginning of Good neighbours, 

a community-based organization 

that today is transforming 

livelihoods in parts of Western and 

rift Valley regions of the country. 

From a group of 10 farmers, 

voluntarily managing a communal 

nursery she is running an empire 

of 8,000 groups with 50,000 

individuals, a development she 

looks at with both passion and 

satisfaction. “People are making 

48 

The making of 

Good Neighbours 

money, living better lives and 

eating more nutritious foods”, she 

said. 

after starting with passion 

fruits, Good neighbours, whose 

head office is in Wabukhonyi 

market, Bungoma County, has 

since diversified into tomatoes, 

mango, tissue culture bananas, 

macadamia, avocado, african leafy 

vegetables and still growing. 

Zippy, as she is fondly referred 

to by the neighbours, says 

although the take off was slow, 

the project eventually kicked off 

as participants started earning 

weekly from the first passion fruit 

harvest in May 2004. 

But in november of the same 

year, bacterial wilt attacked 

the fruits, a blessing in disguise 

because she visited every office 

she thought would help – Kenya 

agricultural research Institute, 

Ministry of agriculture and big 

growers like Kakuzi. Kari’s head 

of horticulture Dr Lusike Wasilwa 

has been very helpful, she says 

and took it almost personal and 

helped them to introduce the 

propagated varieties that are less 

susceptible to diseases. 

In the process of finding 

a solution, she stumbled on 

development projects like GIZ, 

that undertook to help the 

farmers establish and expand 

nurseries, as well as train farmers 

on production and post-harvest 

handling of produce. It also 

created the need to diversify to 

other crops. as the group grew, 

and demand for seedlings soared, 

it became apparent that voluntary 

nursery management was not 


Zippy Simiyu, Managing Director, Good Neighbours 

tenable anymore necessitating 

the employment of full time 

attendants. Today, it has employed 

40 full time staff. 

By 2007, 30,000 grafted 

seedlings had been established. 

The Ministry of agriculture and the 

japan International Cooperation 

agency (jICa) through the 

Samllholder Empowerment 

Project came on board to train 

farmers on water harvesting, 

improving feeder roads and postharvest 

handling. 

around the same time, the 

uSaID aids, Population and Health 

Integrated assistance (aPHIa 11) 

programme approached Good 

neighbours to supply fruits and 

vegetables for its nutrition project. 

“With this order, we required 

more fruits therefore we had to 

recruit more farmers”, she said. 

The deal saw 35,000 seedlings 

established and about 50,000 

acres of orchards and vegetable 

gardens set up. 

“I feel happy whenever I see 

my neighbours excel because of 

growing fruits and vegetables. 

at least every home around 

mine has tomatoes, passion 

fruits and vegetables,” she said 

adding, “children are learning in 

good schools and have almost 

all necessities at their disposal 

compared to how impoverished 

they were due to overreliance on 

maize and sugarcane, seven years 

ago.” Most farmers in the group 

have small parcels of land with 

a few large-scale ones from rift 

Valley and nyanza provinces. 

In 2008, the uSaID funded 

Kenya Horticulture Development 

Program (now Kenya Horticulture 

Competitiveness Project boarded 

the train and partnered with 

Good neighbours to replicate 

the production units in rift Valley 

and Western , a development 

that took the fruits to Lessos, and 

Kabarak creating 15 additional 

demonstration units. 

goodneighbours62@yahoo.com, 

www.goodneighbours.co.ke 

Tel: 020 263 5591 / 0722 220 889


! 

Plants infected with nematodes Once introduced, it is very unlikely 

are usually not uniform in the that nematodes will be totally 

greenhouse. They occur in eliminated because they have a 

By JEREMy CORDINGLEy, MSC 

patches along the planting bed. great number of crops that they 

that nematodes are m 

Smart farming, resulting in crops Services Ltd (Cropnuts) are 

on your fields according to the 

Above-ground, nematodes’ can feed on in absence of their 

spread through movem 

with big, healthy root systems symptoms often resemble specialists nutrient in soil preferred testing crop and (alternative soil hosts). soil maps 

of infested soil, seedlings 

deficiencies or drought stress. The These include commonly cultivated 

working implements and p 

Strongly acidic soils which will better tolerate symptoms the include: fertility yellowing, correction vegetable using GPS crops such as tomato, The process start with soil debris. Avoid introduc 

wilting, stunting, thinning and carrots, spinach and common 

of nematodes into 

are reducing crop hot, dry seasons of the future. Precision agriculture technology sampling using a TrIMBLE GPS 

flower injuries, therefore the weeds such gallant soldier, 

greenhouse by plan 

farmers tend to describe these black nightshade (Managu) and 

nematode-free seedlings 

yields in many parts However, the application of lime to save you money in your farming device so that we are able to 

Amaranthus (Terere). In addition 

using nematode free m 

nematodes have a sophisticated 

especially for propaga 

of Kenya. Soil acidity to acid soils is a serious challenge, ' 

operation. 

record the GPS coordinates of 

adaptation to survive harsh 

This can be achieved 

is toxic to plant with many farmers asking... 

all fields on your conditions farm will for several months each or soil sample we take. Taking inspection of nurseries 

years as eggs or juveniles (young 

experts before the seed 

roots, resulting in poor growth 

have natural fertility ones) variation, 

in the soil or within the root GPS co-ordinates means we are transferred to greenh 

fragments. 

i.e. implement a certifica 

and very low yields. In acidic soils, How much lime should I 

meaning that some parts of the can return to the exact location programme. of Tools used 

soils should be prop 

root growth is very poor and the apply?....how do I apply this field will have more impact crop of problems nematodeseach 

soil sample in the future cleaned to before use in ano 

When nematode populations in 

greenhouse. Soil conserva 

plant cannot access adequate lime?.....what equipment A nematode !"#$%&'()'*'+&,-./0&'1&&0"+#' 

do I feeding than off other the parts. greenhouse using GPS are soil not managed, retake the samples, so that we measures can to check soil ero 

jEREMy CORdiNgLEy 

Nematodes are long, thin round 

/11'.2&'%//.'/1'-'34-+.' 

they significantly reduce crop 

nutrient or water. Crop yields need? 

root of a plant sampling technology, worms, so tiny that they can usually 

yields we and can in bad cases exactly may see how our soil fertility also limit nematode sp 

and introduction. 

The fast growing small- only be seen under the microscope 

eventually lead to abandonment 

remain low as a result. 

go about mapping this variation have improved. 

holder greenhouse (Figure 1). They have different areas 

of the greenhouse, the production 

symptoms, mistakably, as a result 

(ii) Balance soil fertility: 

It is well understood farming has that LIME been they are Now found we in, or have diverse the habitats, solution. 

of other less valuable crops, or 

of deficiencies or salinity in soil problems. fertility and developing 

The soil samples are then sent Soils that have poor fer 

recognized as the but the ones that are of concern to 

moving into artificial substrate 

It is these general symptoms that 

including low calcium le 

application leading increases activity crop towards yields farmers AND, are those we that can dwell do the in the whole job lime and fertilizer such application 

as pumice or coco peat. to our laboratory in nairobi for 

are commonly associated with 

(low full oxygen conditions), 

achieving the first Millennium soil and feed on plant roots. These 

In addition, nematode infestation 

either water or nutrient deficiencies 

be more prone to nema 

dramatically Development in acid Goal soils. of attaining Indeed, are commonly for you. called plant parasitic 

maps that mean results you will in a only large be reduction of chemical the analysis, which includes 

that have led to the nematodes 

infestation. Balancing 

food security and fighting poverty. nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes 

quality of the greenhouse produce. 

liming acid soils is truly Climate Crop nutrition Laboratory reputation as the ‘silent applying ’ enemy. inputs your soil fertility through 

Among the leading constraints to damage plant roots and slow down or 

In where many they instances, are nematode the most important soil fertility 

In addition, to confirm the presence 

testing in our laboratory 

smallholder greenhouse farming block movement of water and nutrients 

infestation has led to breakdown 

of nematodes, needed. soil and Our root Precision provide a better environm 

are the ‘silent enemies’; nematodes. to the growing parts of the plant. 

of resistance agriculture to crop pathogens, parameters such as pH (acidity), 

analysis is recommended using our 

for beneficial soil organ 

Recently, many farmers have 

making the plants to become more 

Symptoms 

laboratory. Visual services examination use of TrIMBLE GPS 

Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), to compete with p 

reported nematode infestations in 

susceptible to other diseases like 

roots and depending on the type 

parasitic nematodes, redu 

greenhouses especially based on ! 

Technology. like Fusarium wilt and Bacterial calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg). 

of nematodes present, will show 

the threat to crop yi 

the easily observable galls/knots 

wilt. In addition, nematode entry 

galls or knots on the roots (in case 

A balanced crop nutr 

caused by root knot nematodes 

We have developed into plant a SOIL roots creates wounds Our high sample throughput 

of root knot nematodes). These 

program serves to re 

(Meloidogyne species). This has 

that serve as entry sites for 

are club-like swellings that occur 

adverse effects of nemat 

MaPPInG anD LIME raised concerns of nematodes 

other & soil FErTILIZEr 

borne pathogens laboratory, like with highly skilled 

on succulent filamentous roots. 

by improving plant health 

becoming more important 

Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and 

(Figure 3). SPrEaDInG SErVICE making them more tolera 

especially due to complexes 

Phytophthora for farmers leading to secondary analysts, means that that we can 

nematodes. 

involving them and other soil 

infections. 

who are growing crops on 

process the soil samples quickly 

borne pathogens like Fusarium in 

Spread (dispersal), alter- When nematodes and these 

(iii) Resistant/tolerant variet 

greenhouses. We at Crop Nutrition 

native hosts and acid survival soils and require soil lime borne to diseases and occur accurately. 

If the greenhouse is infe 

Laboratory Services Ltd. want to 

Nematodes are spread to simultaneously on a crop, they 

it is highly recommended 

promote awareness among small- 

and within greenhouses be applied. by This complex means we together, can resulting in 

the farmers use nema 

"#$%&'!()!*+,-./'0!12!3#22'&'45!56.'0! 

holder farmers to occurrences and 

contaminated water, machinery, a rapid crop health decline and 

Examples 70.'8#'09!12!4'-,513'0!#01/,5'3!2&1-!01#/0! 

of diffrent types of 

management of nematodes in ,43!&1150!#4!$&''4:1%0'!! 

animals and humans. correct Planting your of soil greater acidity yield problem loss. This wide impact 

! 

greenhouses. 

(species) of nematodes iso- infected seedlings is one of the of nematodes illustrates the far 

for you, ensuring Call us for more i 

lated from soils and roots in most common ways of introducing reaching you benefit consequences with of these 

Cooper Ce 

What are nematodes? 

nematodes in the greenhouse. ‘silent’ enemies. 

green 

high yields and more profit in the 

future 

50 

Crop Nutrition 

Laboratory Services 

Healthy, Profitable Farming 

Precision NEMAtOdES: lime the spreading: 

silent enemy 

The of greenhouse answer to farmers higher yields. 

Effects of acid soils on wheat growth 


The service works as follows... 

1) GPS soil sampling of your 

fields 

2) Soil testing in our laboratory 

3) Processing soil maps for your 

fields 

4) Making variable rate lime and 

fertilizer application maps 

5) Spreading of lime and fertilizer 

SOIL MANAGEMENT 

! 

galls (Knots) on carrots cau 

"#$%&'!()!*+,!-. 

2'9.436'!.26! 

Cultural and Soil Mana 

ment Strategies 

(i) Avoid introduction: 

It is important bear in m

Soil sampling using Trimble GPS 

now that we have the soil data, 

we can process the soil maps and 

the variable rate lime and fertilizer 

prescription maps. For this job 

we use FarMWOrKS Software. 

This software is a leading farm 

Testing soil pH in our laboratory 

management software used by 

farmers all over the world. It helps 

farmers manage all their records, 

including field operations, staff, 

machinery, fertilizers and chemical 

applications. It has strong 

mapping module, wher farmers 

can view soil maps, Google maps, 

yield maps and field boundaries. 

after processing the lime and 

fertilizer applications maps, we 

upload them into our TrIMBLE 

Farmworks Software – for 

precision management of 

farming operations 

CFX 750 Tractor display. The CFX 

750 is an intelligent GPS system 

which controls the guidance of the 

tractor and the application rate of 

lime and fertilizer, accord to the 

soil maps. To apply the lime we 

use a FMD Baldon lime spreader. 

We have fitted this lime spreader 

with a variable rate drive, meaning 

that the rate of lime and fertilizer 

will change accord to the tractors 

GPS location and the soil map we 

have created. Why apply lime and 

fertilizer when it’s not needed?! 

We are working with farmers 

across Kenya to correct their 

soil fertility for increasing crop 

yieldsbut we appreciate that 

these inputs are expensive and 

difficult to apply, which is why we 

Soil maps generated using 

FARMWORKS Software 

now offer you a complete SOIL 

MaPPInG anD LIME & FErTILIZEr 

SPrEaDInG SErVICE . 

Variable Rate spreading of Lime 

to correct soil acidity 

Adopting our Precision 

Agriculture services 

means higher yields, 

lower inputs and bigger 

profits for 2012! 

Contacts: 

Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services Ltd., P.O. Box 66437, Nairobi, Kenya, Physical Address: Cooper Centre, Kaptagat Road, Loresho, 

Nairobi, Kenya., Mobiles : +254 (733) 839933, +254 (720) 639933, Email: healthy_soils@cropnuts.com, www.cropnuts.com 


poor post-harvest management practices. 

Sally Kosgey, Minister Romano Kiome PS, Alfred Serem, HCDA MD W Songa, Agric Secretary, 

The Horticultural Crops Development Authority 

(HCDA) has been mandated by a new order to regulate 

and manage Kenya’s fresh produce industry. Captured 

in a Special Issue of the Kenya Gazette Supplement 

No. 166 dated December 23, 2011, the legal notice 

(No. 190, of the Agriculture Act Cap 318) swallows the 

previous five clauses under which the industry was 

governed. 

The changes recognize the Horticulture Research 

Fund as a legal entity; requires all traders to be 

6 proven Functions/powers and innovative of the technologies Board that planning will address purposes; crop protection 

The and board post-harvest shall have management the powers challenges. c) Provide Demonstrations specialised are currently 

to 

underway 

promote, 

to 

coordinate 

introduce 

and 

farmers to bagging 

horticulture 

of banana banches 

extension 

to protect 

them against pests and diseases during growth and development. 

facilitate the development of the services; 

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

industry but without prejudice to d) appoint agents for the 

effective in the control of insect pests such as thrips. 

the generality of the forgoing, the implementation or 

board may – 

performance of any function 

a) advice the government 

of the authority under this 

and the industry on matters Order; 

related to horticulture 

e) Directly or indirectly support 

production and marketing; 

the establishment of fruit tree 

b) Collect and collate data, 

mother blocks; 

maintain a database and f) regulate the horticulture 

disseminate information on nurseries, production, 

horticultural activities for 

post-harvest handling 

64 

52 

HORTICULTURAL CROPS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 

Serving the Horticulture Industry 

Increase your income by protecting your 

bananas new from Horticulture pests and diseases; Order and by 

only selling when the price is √ 

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 

HHO OR TR ITC IUC LT U LT U RU ARL ANL ENW ES WI S A uI gj au ns Tu -as er py T - e MF EB Be r u2 a0 1r 1y 

2 0 1 2 

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 

registered by HCDA, essentially eliminating briefcase 

buyers and will set standards for produce handling 

and transportation. 

Henceforth, horticulture nurseries will be established 

under the supervision of HCDA, while the corporation 

will work closely with institutions like the Kenya Plant 

Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), the Pest Control 

Products Board (PCPB), the Kenya Revenue Authority 

(KRA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on 

matters requiring cross-reference. 

and marketing of 

horticultural crops and 

produce; 

g) Promote development 

and adoption of standards 

for labelling, packaging, 

grading, transporting 

and sorting horticultural 

produce in compliance 

with local and international 

standards; 

h) Impose levies, fees or charges 

on producers, dealers and 

nursery operators as the 

Ministry may approve; 

i) Promote the establishment 

and use of production, 

processing and marketing 

infrastructure for horticultural 

crops; 

j) Facilitate marketing of 

horticultural products in 

the local and international 

markets ; and 

k) Provide for any other 

matter in furtherance of the 

development of horticurtural 

crops or conducive to the 

exercise of any of its powers 

under this Order. 

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

Ltd banana bag on a new banana batch in Meru




bananas from pests and diseases; and by 

Horticultural Research Fund 

16 

(1) There is established a fund to 

nursery operators. 

Conditions before registration apply for registration after a 

19. a person shall not be 

period of two years. 


(2) The committee shall from 

issued with a certificate of 22. a person shall not transfer 

be known as the Horticultural time to time prescribe the 

registration as a nursery or a or distribute horticultural 

research Fund, which shall 

minimum requirements for 

mother block operator unless planting materials from one 

be administered by the 

establishing and operating a an inspector- 

part of the country to another 

authority. 

horticultural crop nursery. (a) has visited and inspected 

unless that person has an 

(2) The fund shall consist of – 

a) Levies imposed on dealers 

under paragraph 33; 

b) Funds provided by bilateral 

or multilateral donors for the 

(3) The agriculture Secretary 

shall chair the Committee. 

(4) The Committee may co-opt 

for such period as it may 

think fit, any person whose 

the site and confirmed it as 

accompanying plant health 

Banana suitable for a horticultural Production certificate Profile from Kenya Plant 


crop nursery; and 

Health Inspectorate Services. 


(b) is satisfied that the operator 23. a nursery operator shall not 


However 

or his 

out 

agent 

of the 

has 

entire 

adequate 

production, a lot is procure lost through rootstock, pestscion, 

or 

purposes of the Fund; 

assistance or advice it may and knowledge disease infestation, of nursery poor cultural plant seed management planting material practices from and 

c) Funds from any other source require. 

poor management post-harvest and management horticultural practices. sources not approved by the 

approved by the authority. 

techniques in respect of 

Committee. 

(3) The fund shall be used for 18 Registration of nursery horticultural crops to be 24. a nursery operator who 

the purpose of undertaking and mother blocks 

grown. 

has in his nursery certified 

research on horticulture. (1) a person shall not establish or 

planting material which has 

operate a horticultural crop Certificate not transferable 

not been distributed during 

Part III 

nursery or a mother block 20. (1) a person to whom a 

the certification season shall 

Quality assurance in 

in any area unless that crop 

certificate of registration is 

ensure that the undistributed 

production and 

nursery or mother block is 

Issued shall not sell, lend, 

planting material is re- 

marketing 

registered by the authority. 

transfer or otherwise dispose certified after every six 

17 

the certificate without the 

months. 

(1) There shall be a Horticultural (2) a person who intends 

prior written permission from 25. (1) a nursery operator shall 

Crop nursery Committee 

to operate a nursery 

the authority. 

keep accurate records of 

composed of – 

or a mother block shall 

Bagging of Banana make Batches 

an application 

(a) Although The agriculture a lot of work Secretary; has been done to promote for registration production to the of bananas 

(2) an operator of an horticultural 

crop nursery shall display the 

distributed planting materials 

indicating the buyer’s name, 

district, location, sub-location 

(b) in The Kenya, Managing crop protection Director still of the remains a major authority challenge in the in the prescribed production certificate of registration for 

and postal address, varieties 

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

by a 

inspection at all times. 

purchased and shall produce 

(c) proven The Director, and innovative Kenya technologies that non- will refundable address crop fee of protection five 

such records on demand for 

and agricultural post-harvest research management challenges. hundred Demonstrations shillings. are currently 21. (1) The authority may revoke 

the purposes of inspection. 

underway 

Institute; 

to introduce farmers to bagging 

(3) Subject 

of banana 

to paragraph 

banches 

19, 

to protect 


(d) The Managing Director, Kenya the authority shall issue a 


Plant Health Inspectorate 

certificate of registration to 


Services; 

any successful applicant. 

a certificate of registration (2) a nursery operator shall 


issued to a nursery or a 

submit annual records to the 

Ltd banana bag on a new banana batch in Meru 

mother block operator if that authority in the prescribed 

operator contravenes the 

manner. 

(e) a duly appointed 

(4) The certificate of registration 

provisions of paragraph 18,20 

representative of the 

for a nursery or a mother 

, 22,23,24 and 25. 

26. (1) a person who contravenes 

Commissioner of Prisons; 

block shall be as set out in 

the provisions of 

(f) The Centre Director, national Form a of the First Schedule, (2) The operator of an horticultural paragraphs18, 20,22,23,24 

Horticultural research Centre, renewable annually and shall crops nursery or mother 

and 25 commits an offence. 

Thika; 

only be applicable to the site block whose certificate of 27. unless otherwise provided for 

(g) One representative of 

inspected. 

registration is revoked under in this Order— 

registered private sector 

sub paragraph (1) may re- the production sites, produce 

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 1H1 O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I j a n u a r y - F E B r u a r y 2 0 1 2 53

traceability, produce 

the certificate of registration (g) furnish the authority with 

and processing factories at 

handling, the minimum 

if a person contravenes the 

quarterly production and 

the rate specified in the Sixth 


conditions applicable to pack provisions of paragraphs 30 

marketing data by fifteenth 

Schedule. 

houses and waste disposal 

and 31. 

of the month following the (3) The levy due under 


shall be done in accordance 

end of the quarter as shall be subparagraph (2) shall be 

with the Kenya Bureau of 30. (1) A registered dealer shall prescribed; and 

remitted to the authority not 

Standards on Horticulture 

not – 

(h) allow an inspector at all 

later than the tenth day of the 

Industry Code of Practice (a) sponsor the growing of 

reasonable times to 

month following the month 

and any other national 

horticultural crops without 

enter to premises where 

during which the levy was 

horticulture standards in 

force from time to time; 

the minimum conditions 

applicable to pack houses 

shall in addition to 

informing the authority in 

writing and production 

schemes so sponsored shall 

be regulated by a contract; 

(b) collect produce from 

horticultural produce are 

due. 

Banana under cultivation, Production processing, (4) The authority Profile shall remit 


warehousing, storage, 

thirty per cent of the 


collection or transportation. levies collected under this 


31. However Horticultural out of produce the entire shall production, be a lot 

paragraph 

is lost through 

to the 

pest 

Horticultural 

subparagraph (a), be as set 

sponsored production- 

and harvested, disease infestation, sorted, graded, poor cultural plant research management Fund. practices and 

out in the Third Schedule. 

schemes unless authorized poor packaged, post-harvest transported, management practices. (5) any levy imposed by the 

in writing to do so by the 

and stored in accordance 

authority under this 

1. Safe use of Pesticides 

sponsoring firm; 

with guidelines as set out in Order, unless the manner 

(c) return produce collected 

the Third, Fourth, and Fifth 

of remitting is specifically 

28. all procurement, distribution, from the farmers or suppliers Schedules and the specific 

provided for, shall be 

safe storage, usage and 

contrary to the contract 

national horticulture produce payable to the authority 

disposal of agro-chemicals 

agreement ; 

standards. 

or its agents by a dealer on 

shall be in accordance with 

(2) a registered dealer shall – 32. a person who contravenes the whom it is imposed in such 

the provisions of the Pest (a) ensure conformity to food 

provisions of paragraphs 30 a manner and within such 

Control Products act. 

safety and quality standards and 31 commits an offence 

time as the authority may 

as prescribed by the Kenya 

and is liable on conviction 

direct, and shall be a civil 

2. Registration of dealers 

Bureau of Standards from 

to a fine not exceeding 

debt due from the dealer to 

time to time; 

ten thousand shillings or 

the authority. 

29. (1) a dealer shall not process, (b) sign a contract with the 

Bagging import, export, or act of Banana producer Batches 

and register the 

Although as a marketing a lot of agent work has of been done to contract promote with production the authority; of bananas 

imprisonment for a term 

not exceeding six months or 

both. 

34. a dealer shall maintain 

accurate records of 

in horticultural Kenya, crop protection produce unless still remains (c) a indicate major challenge in the contract in the production the 

transactions relating to 

of that high dealer quality is registered bananas. by HCDA and Amiran produce Kenya price, Ltd quantity are introducing and 3. Imposition of Levies 

horticulture and shall submit 

proven the authority. and innovative technologies that quality will address requirements; crop protection 33. 

quarterly returns to the 

(2) an and application post-harvest for management a registration challenges. (d) strive Demonstrations to attain the highest are currently (1) a levy is hereby imposed on all 

authority in a manner as the 

underway 

certificate 

to 

shall 

introduce 

be prescribed 

farmers to bagging 

produce 

of banana 

quality 

banches 

standards 

to protect 


by the authority from 

and ensure that all produce 


time to time and shall 

for market shall be pre- 


be accompanied by the 

cooled; 

horticultural crops destined 

authority may prescribe. 


for export other than those 


canned, bottled, preserved, 35. a person who contravenes 

dehydrated or delivered to 

the provisions of this Order 

prescribed fee. 

(e) adopt and use the specified 

operators for canning and 

for which no specific penalty 

(3) a registration certificate issued national horticulture logo 

processing factories payable 

iis provided for, commits 

under this paragraph shall 

prescribed by the authority 

on volumes dealt with at 

an offence and is liable on 

be as set out in Form B of the on packaging as set out in the the rate of thirty cents per 

conviction to a fine not 

First Schedule. 

Second Schedule; 

kilogram. 

exceeding five thousand 

(4) The registration certificate (f) notify the authority of nay (2) a levy is hereby imposed on 

shillings or to imprisonment 

shall remain valid for a period dealer who contravenes any all the horticultural crops 

for a term not exceeding 

of one calendar year. 

contract or order within thirty delivered for canning and 

three months or both. 

(5) The authority may revoke 

days after the date of default; processing to all canning 

54 64 




H O R T I C U LT U RRA AL L NNE WE WS S I AI uj ag un su Ta - rs ey p- T eF ME B Bre r u a2 r0 1y 12 

0 1 2





7 Field handling and grading non-toxic, washable 

surfaces shall be made of 

to minimize loss of quality. 

minimum requirements 

materials, which are easy to impervious non-absorbent, The packaging shall be 

1. High standards of field 

clean and disinfect; 

non-toxic washable materials 


(d) be constructed to allow 

which are easy to clean and 

designed to suit the 

transport handling system 

hygiene will be maintained 

for adequate ventilation, 

disinfect. 

and have capacity to meet 

during harvesting 

lighting, effective produce 7. The produce handling 

market requirements. 

operations. 

inspection and made of 

facility shall have adequate 

The packaging material 

2. all harvested produce SHaLL acceptable materials; 

ventilation, temperature 

used shall be able to contain 

be at the right stage of 

maturity for intended use. 

(e) have potable water and 

adequate toilet facilities; 

control and lighting. 

the produce, enabling the 

8. Banana all machinery used Production in 

required Profile quantity to be 

3. Produce shall be harvested 

during the cool part of the 

day and kept cool preferably 

under shade. 

4. Harvested produce shall 

(f) have waste disposal facilities; 

(g) have clear documentation 

procedures and document 

control systems. 

It is the currently produce estimated handling that Kenya is among handled the major as one producers unit. of 


facility shall conform to the 

Horticultural produce shall 


provisions of Occupational 

during storage and transport 

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

and 

Safety 

disease 

and 

infestation, 

Health act, 

poor 

2007. 

cultural plant 

be 

management 

kept at the prescribed 

practices and 

9. poor The post-harvest produce handling management practices. temperature and humidity 

be protected from adverse 8 Minimum conditions 

facility shall be designed and levels for each produce. 

weather conditions and 

applicable to packhouses constructed to prevent entry Horticultural produce and 

where necessary pre-cooled produce handling facility 

of domestic animals, rodents, products shall not be stored 

and cold chain maintained. 

insects, birds, dust and any 

or transported together 

5. appropriate harvesting 1. all processing and 

other unwanted animals. 

with other produce, which 

equipment shall be used for packaging must be carried 10. Prominent signs shall 

may contaminate them or 

each crop. 

out in clean, hygienic and 

be displayed forbidding 

adversely affect their quality. 

6. Produce unfit for marketing safe conditions as set out 

smoking, eating or drinking ehicles for transport shall be 

shall be separated from 

under the provisions of the 

within the facility. 

built and equipped to ensure 

marketable produce at the 

Public Health act and the 11. all packaging materials shall maintenance of optimal 

field level. 

Occupational Safety and 

be kept off the floor in clean temperatures to prevent 

7. all produce shall be sorted 

Health act, 2007. 

dry storage areas free from 

damage and spoilage of 

and graded as appropriate. 2. The working area and 

risk of contamination. 

produce. 

8. Physical handling of produce premises shall be kept free of 

Bagging of Banana Batches 

shall be minimized at all 

waste materials. 

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

in stages. Kenya, crop protection still remains 3. a major any challenge person in in the the produce production 

12. all produce shall move 

through the facility operation 

in the order that it is received, 

Persons handling the 

produce must be healthy, 

protected and trained on 

9. of a high collection quality shed bananas. shall be HCDA and Amiran handling Kenya facility Ltd are shall introducing wear 

First in First out. 

produce handling. 

proven constructed and innovative for receiving technologies that protective will address clothing crop at protection all 13. The traceability of all produce 

and produce post-harvest at the management field level. challenges. times. Demonstrations are currently shall be documented 

Horticultural crops levy 

10. underway The collection to introduce shed shall farmers – to bagging 4. all of hand banana used banches equipment to protect throughout the process chain (processing) 

(a) them be accessible against pests to both and farmers diseases during and growth grading and tables development. 

shall be 


and buyers; 

rust free and easily cleaned. 


(b) be designed to allow for a 5. The floor layout shall allow 



Packaging, transportation 

and storage minimum 

store, an office, working area for smooth flow of produce 

requirements 

and an appropriate cooling 

with adequate separation of 

facility; 

raw materials and finished 

The packaging shall protect 

(c) have floors, doors, wall 

products. 

the produce from mechanical 

surfaces made of impervious, 6. The floors, doors and wall 

and physiological damages 

For further information, contact; 

Managing Director, Horticultural Crops Development Authority 

Nairobi Horticultural Centre, Airport Road, Opp. J.K.I.A, P O Box 42601 - 00100 Nairobi Kenya 

+254 (020) 2088469, 3597362, 2131560, Fax: +254 (20)827264/9, md@hcda.or.ke, www.hcda.or.ke 

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 1H1 O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I j a n u a r y - F E B r u a r y 2 0 1 2 55

TRODUCES PROFESSIONAL 

ETIES………. 

EN TASTE IS BACK WITH MORE 

URES 

Glossy attractive head type 

cook glossy looking heads of an average head 

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 

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

56 

Horticulture Retail Audit Results update (June‐November 2011)  

On  the  on‐going  monthly  horticultural  retail  audit  commissioned  by  USAID‐KHCP  and  undertaken  by  

TNS‐RMS  which  collects  information  from  a  sample  of  1650  retail  outlets  representing  a  universe  of  

95,600  outlets  .  The  audit  seeks  to  determine  product  flow,  distribution,  demand  and  consumption  

trends,  seasonality,  bottlenecks  and  strategies  for  improving  marketing  and  consumption  of  selected  

fresh fruit and vegetables.  

  

Total products  overview by volume (MT)  

Total Products ‐ Absolute Volumes in MT  

Type  Jun‐11  Jul‐11  Aug‐11  Sep‐11  Oct‐11  Nov‐11  Total  

Ripe Bananas  45,706  41,255  37,313  34,091  38,459  36,861  233,685  

Cooking Bananas  26,069  20,297  19,089  17,975  20,607  20,454  124,492  

Mangoes  22,839  18,214  11,294  4,464  5,913  8,607  71,331  

Passion Fruit  1,768  625  1,068  1,067  1,078  1,493  7,098  

Fruits  96,382  80,390  68,764  57,597  66,056  67,415  436,605  

Cabbages  37,295  36,696  35,365  33,392  37,114  35,648  215,510  

Sukuma Wiki/Kales  29,605  29,320  29,035  28,009  33,535  30,726  180,228  

Tomatoes  65,781  63,400  56,336  55,627  63,125  59,798  364,067  

Potato  63,448  66,680  67,262  60,853  71,194  63,071  392,508  

Sweet Potato  3,530  1,896  1,624  1,172  1,649  1,669  11,540  

Green Maize  1,234  1,356  2,260  1,733  2,472  1,700  10,754  

Vegetables  200,892  199,347  191,881  180,787  209,090  192,610  1,174,608  

Total Products  297,275  279,737  260,646  238,384  275,146  260,026  1,611,213  

  

Total products  overview by value (Ksh)  

Total Products ‐ Absolute Value in millions of Ksh  


Ripe Bananas  2,178  1,870  1,904   1,738  1,872  1,914  11,476  

Cooking Bananas  1,290  931   958   898  1,002  999  6,077  

Mangoes  1,412  1,026  782   513  620  604  4,957  

Passion Fruits  105  38   97   132  126  178  676  

Fruits total  4,986  3,865   3,740   3,280  3,620  3,695  23,185  

Tomatoes  2,655  2,148  4,282  3,782  4,239  4,043  21,151  

Potatoes  3,079  3,052  2,040  2,246  2,704  2,474  15,595  

Cabbages  1,695  1,335  1,019  1,072  1,237  1,162  7,520  

Sukuma Wiki/Kale  1,552  1,608  878  870  1,101  969  6,978  

Sweet Potato  165  117  115  84  92  113  685  

Green Maize  40  56  89  77  119  88  469  

Vegetables total  9,187  8,316  8,423  8,130  9,492  8,850  52,398  

Total Products  14,173  12,181  12,163  11,410  13,112  12,544  75,583  

  

H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I j a n u a r y - F E B r u a r y 2 0 1 2

Between June and November 2011;  

  

¥ Overall inflation hiked 36%, from 14.49% in June to 19.72% in November.   

¥ Retail volumes transacted during the period dropped by 13% (from 297,275MT to 260,026MT).  

¥ Retail values dropped by 11% from Ksh 14.2 billion to Ksh 12.5 billion  

  

   Regional trend  for vegetables (MT)  

Regions  Jun‐11  Jul‐11  Aug‐11  Sep‐11  Oct‐11  Nov‐11  Total  

Eastern  60,564  61,221  59,168  52,566  65,018  57,328  355,864  

Nairobi  46,471  38,868  34,869  33,955  38,092  36,883  229,139  

Nyanza  30,721  33,603  34,600  33,048  38,896  35,678  206,545  

Coast  19,035  21,487  20,103  18,998  20,532  20,315  120,471  

Central  18,796  18,274  19,186  18,000  19,048  16,743  110,046  

Rift valley  13,569  15,300  15,224  14,830  15,984  14,028  88,935  

Western  11,737  10,593  8,731  9,390  11,519  11,635  63,606  

Total  200,892  199,347  191,881  180,787  209,090  192,610  1,174,608  

  

Regional trend  for fruits (MT)  

Total Products ‐ Absolute Volumes in MT  


Nairobi  36,130  25,914  19,709  16,195  20,400  19,698  138,047  

Eastern  13,723  11,432  12,170  10,639  12,935  13,959  74,857  

Central  16,307  12,642  9,903  8,347  8,490  8,624  64,312  

Nyanza  10,232  10,537  9,943  8,862  10,407  9,543  59,523  

Rift valley  10,266  9,702  8,016  7,383  7,377  7,624  50,368  

Coast  8,073  8,703  7,926  5,264  4,812  6,278  41,055  

Western  1,651  1,461  1,097  907  1,637  1,690  8,443  

Total  96,382  80,390  68,764  57,597  66,056  67,415  436,605  

  

Regional market overview sales volume (MT)  


Eastern  74,287  72,652  71,337  63,204  77,953  71,287  430,721  

Nairobi  82,602  64,782  54,578  50,150  58,492  56,581  367,186  

Nyanza  40,953  44,140  44,544  41,910  49,302  45,220  266,069  

Central  35,103  30,916  29,089  26,346  27,538  25,366  174,358  

Coast  27,107  30,190  28,029  24,263  25,344  26,593  161,526  

Rift valley  23,835  25,002  23,240  22,213  23,361  21,653  139,304  

Western  13,388  12,054  9,828  10,297  13,156  13,325  72,049  

Total  297,275  279,737  260,646  238,383  275,146  260,026  1,611,213  

  


KENYA HIGHLAND SEED INTRODUCES PRO 

CABBAGE VARIETIES………. 

AS THE LENGENDRY COPENHAGEN TASTE IS B 

FEATURES 


Uniform early maturing variety Glossy attractive head type 

� Very early maturing cabbage with the easy to cook glossy looking hea 


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

� 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 conv 

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


� Sweet taste 

� Easy to grow 



Resistances:




URES 








58 

Regional market overview sales value (million Ksh)  

Region  Jun‐11  Jul‐11  Aug‐11  Sep‐11  Oct‐11  Nov‐11  Total  

Nairobi  4,031  2,833  2,735  2,528  2,881  2,695  17,703  

Eastern  3,066  2,855  3,007  2,595  3,216  2,802  17,541  

Nyanza  2,292  2,008  2,249  2,194  2,605  2,620  13,968  

Coast  1,304  1,441  1,343  1,241  1,314  1,372  8,014  

Central  1,625  1,336  1,191  1,135  1,136  1,059  7,482  

Rift valley  1,159  1,143  1,018  1,060  1,109  1,127  6,616  

Western  697  565  619  658  851  870  4,260  

Total  14,173  12,181  12,163  11,410  13,112  12,544  75,583  

  

  

Fruits market overview (Sales volume share)   

Type  Jun‐11  Jul‐11  Aug‐11  Sep‐11  Oct‐11  Nov‐11  

Ripe Bananas  47.4%  51.3%  54.3%  59.2%  58.2%  54.7%  

Cooking Bananas  27.0%  25.2%  27.8%  31.2%  31.2%  30.3%  

Mangoes  23.7%  22.7%  16.4%  7.8%  9.0%  12.8%  

Passion Fruit  1.8%  0.8%  1.6%  1.9%  1.6%  2.2%  

Total  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  

  

Vegetables market overview (Sales volume share)   


Cabbages  18.0%  17.8%  18.5%  16.2%  16.7%  18.3%  

Sukuma Wiki(Kales)  13.7%  15.3%  17.4%  17.4%  16.5%  17.7%  

Tomatoes  29.5%  30.9%  30.5%  29.9%  30.1%  31.1%  

Potatoes  33.2%  32.0%  29.6%  33.1%  33.2%  29.7%  

Sweet Potatoes  5.6%  3.9%  3.5%  3.0%  3.1%  2.7%  

Green Maize  0.0%  0.1%  0.4%  0.4%  0.5%  0.5%  

Total  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  

  


 

Market overview sales volume by outlets type (MT)  

Outlets  Jun‐11  Jul‐11  Aug‐11  Sep‐11  Oct‐11  Nov‐11  Total  

Hawker  120,187  103,558  89,735  80,580  91,550  88,119  573,729  

small duka  62,067  67,624  63,715  61,493  69,283  66,166  390,349  


green grocer  56,492  51,125  51,875  47,817  55,759  52,354  315,422  

Kiosk  49,677  47,849  44,772  39,513  47,602  43,282  272,695  

Large duka  8,552  9,294  8,553  7,706  9,097  7,707  50,908  

Self service  300  288  1,995  1,274  1,855  2,397  8,110  

Total  297,275  279,737  260,646  238,383  275,146  260,026  1,611,213  

  

Market overview sales value by outlets type (million Ksh)  

Outlets  Jun‐11  Jul‐11  Aug‐11  Sep‐11  Oct‐11  Nov‐11  Total  

Hawker  5,744  4,621  4,384  4,033  4,563  4,344  27,689  

Small Duka  2,873  2,815  2,965  2,890  3,251  3,181  17,975  

Green Grocer  2,654  2,139  2,096  2,125  2,486  2,339  13,839  

Kiosk  2,500  2,183  2,228  1,927  2,301  2,184  13,322  

Large Duka  384  406  367  358  382  331  2,228  

Self Service  18  16  123  78  130  165  530  

Total  14,173  12,181  12,163  11,410  13,112  12,544  75,583  

  

By channels, dedicated hawkers (at open & enclosed air markets) drive the biggest volumes followed by  

small dukas and green grocers. Notable is the small contribution of supermarkets (Self‐service) to the  

category and indication that they serve a small population (percentage) in Kenya.Channel distribution  

are summarized as;  

a. Hawkers 573,729MT (36%)  

b. Small dukas 390,349MT (24%)  

c. Green grocer 315,422MT (20%)  

d. Kiosk 272,695MT (17%)  

e. Large duka 50,908MT (3%)  

f. Self‐service/supermarkets 8,110 (1%)  

  





FEATURES 






regions. 









Resistances:




URES 








60 

Hawkers (at open & enclosed air markets) Sales volume (MT) by commodity  


Cooking Banana  9,841  6,645  5,287  4,624  5,795  5,605  37,797  

Mangoes  13,120  10,242  5,802  2,687  3,814  5,098  40,763  

Passion Fruit  752  308  600  597  700  948  3,905  

Ripe Bananas  18,752  17,161  14,034  12,240  14,792  13,687  90,665  

Cabbages  12,761  12,315  11,605  11,412  12,429  12,073  72,596  

Sukuma Wiki(Kales)  10,846  10,544  10,654  10,340  11,166  10,875  64,424  

Tomatoes  25,773  22,843  20,102  19,069  21,215  20,576  129,579  

Potatoes  24,416  21,029  19,031  17,383  19,011  17,398  118,268  

Sweet Potatoes  2,898  1,619  1,192  1,036  1,233  1,024  9,003  

Green Maize  1,029  853  1,427  1,192  1,393  835  6,729  

Total Products  

  

120,187  103,558  89,735  80,580  91,550  88,119  573,729  

Small duka Sales volume (MT) by commodity  


Cooking Bananas  

4,252  4,184  3,606  3,494  3,932  3,790  23,257  

Mangoes  

2,021  1,688  1,075  402  431  1,058  6,675  

Passion Fruit  

113  131  206  137  140  119  848  

Ripe Bananas  

9,111  8,219  7,737  7,021  8,063  8,113  48,264  

Cabbages  

9,362  9,805  9,545  9,611  10,405  10,086  58,814  

Sukuma Wiki(Kales)  

6,178  6,933  6,920  6,555  7,516  7,432  41,534  

Tomatoes  

14,911  16,616  14,753  15,115  16,686  14,838  92,919  

Potatoes  

15,562  19,536  19,230  18,912  21,762  19,991  114,994  

Sweet Potato  

556  206  245  25  115  404  1,551  

Green Maize  

2  307  398  220  231  335  1,493  


   

62,067  67,624  63,715  61,493  69,283  66,166  390,349  

Green grocer Sales volume (MT) by commodity  


Cooking Bananas  6,832  4,728  5,606  5,449  6,130  6,266  35,011  

Mangoes  4,376  3,545  2,876  698  1,025  1,213  13,733  

Passion Fruits  441  108  100  115  93  138  995  

Ripe Bananas  8,483  6,975  7,424  7,104  7,698  6,974  44,658  

Cabbages  6,069  5,249  4,872  6,146  7,448  6,908  36,691  

Sukuma Wiki(Kales)  4,691  4,282  3,587  4,349  4,542  4,389  25,840  

Tomatoes  12,730  11,536  9,382  10,180  11,710  11,417  66,955  

Potatoes  12,766  14,550  17,820  13,643  16,822  14,707  90,308  

Sweet Potato  71  54  0  0  0  66  190  

Green Maize  32  101  207  134  290  277  1,040  

Total Products  56,492  51,125  51,875  47,817  55,759  52,354  315,422  


  

Self‐service Sales volume (MT) by commodity  



Total  


Cooking Bananas  16  17  180  105  157  228  703  

Mangoes  21  22  104  98  84  148  477  


Passion Fruit  7  5  29  21  25  64  151  

Ripe Bananas  48  51  146  123  216  307  892  

Cabbages  18  22  153  81  93  297  665  

Sukuma Wiki(Kales)  19  20  427  256  396  478  1,596  

Tomatoes  90  65  472  320  487  485  1,919  

Potatoes  76  80  302  151  214  213  1,036  

Sweet Potato  6  6  178  111  173  167  641  

Green Maize  0  0  4  8  10  8  31  


  

300  288  1,995  1,274  1,855  2,397  8,110  

Average Pricing (Ksh/Kg)  

Type  

Jun‐11  Jul‐11  Aug‐11  Sep‐11  Oct‐11  Nov‐11  

Selling  

Price  

Selling  

Price  

Selling  

Price  

Purchase  

Price  

Selling  

Price  

Purchase  

Price  

Selling  

Price  

Purchase  

Price  

Cooking Bananas  49.5  45.9  50.2  39.8  49.9  37.9  48.6  38.8  48.8  

Mangoes  61.8  56.3  69.2  103.3  114.9  80.6  104.9  57.5  70.2  

Passion Purple  55.3  59.1  95.2  109.5  133.9  92.2  122.4  98.3  121.2  

Passion Yellow  67.7  64.2  79.5  82.4  97.9  76.5  90.8  90.7  114.0  

Ripe Bananas  47.7  45.3  51.0  40.8  51.0  37.4  48.7  40.7  51.9  

Cabbages  45.5  36.4  28.8  23.8  32.1  24.5  33.3  23.5  32.6  

Sukuma Wiki(Kales)  52.4  54.9  30.2  22.8  31.1  23.9  32.8  23.1  31.5  

Tomatoes  40.4  33.9  76.0  56.9  68.0  54.6  67.2  54.8  67.6  

Red Irish Potatoes  49.7  44.2  29.1  30.2  39.0  30.6  38.3  31.6  40.1  

White Irish Potatoes  47.3  46.8  31.7  27.2  35.3  29.4  37.7  30.6  38.4  

Orange Fresh Sweet Potatoes  93.0  54.4  74.2  54.4  71.3  58.1  73.1  52.5  59.4  

White Fresh Sweet Potatoes  26.2  25.8  71.3  47.4  60.2  47.5  68.9  58.8  67.1  

Local Variety Sweet Potatoes  42.7  66.2  69.8  50.4  76.4  28.6  41.6  49.4  70.3  

Green Maize  32.8  41.5  39.4  33.0  44.2  36.5  48.1  39.9  51.6  

  

On  price  per  kilogram,  apart  from  Sukuma  Wiki  that  show  eased  average  price  nationally,  all  other  

vegetables recorded increased price with. Irish potato recording the highest price increase retailing at an  

average of Ksh 68/kg nationally. At regional level’s tomatoes were very expensive in Western going for  

Ksh 109/kg compared to Ksh 48/Kg in Central.  Also cabbages and Sweet potatoes were highly priced in  

western  region  compared  to  all  other  regions.  This  could  have  been  propelled  by  supply  demand  

dynamics.  


FEATURES 






regions. 









Resistances: 

Selling  

Price  





URES 








62 

 Overview of horticulral Exports 2011  

Exports January‐October 2011  

Month  Type  Quantity (Kgs)  Value (Ksh)  

January  Flowers  10,634,544  3,606,395,901  

   Fruits  2,199,115  227,838,279  

   Nuts  925,845  71,803,207  

   Processed Fruits  6,936,330  599,460,407  

   Processed vegetables  3,639,956  994,060,591  

   Vegetables  8,478,220  1,744,970,510  

   Total  32,814,010  7,244,528,895  

February  Flowers  11,547,096  4,217,722,187  

   Fruits  2,836,162  302,679,132  

   Nuts  1,109,294  61,383,844  



   Vegetables  8,048,792  1,658,228,701  

   Total  35,126,140  7,818,490,272  

March  Flowers  11,806,036  4,146,665,126  

   Fruits  5,423,196  479,580,598  

   Nuts  1,394,143  190,742,965  


   Processed vegetables  4,056,789  1,064,287,585  

   Vegetables  7,248,996  1,756,881,847  

   Total  39,862,691  8,540,382,384  

April  Flowers  10,909,415  3,639,721,378  

   Fruits  5,230,469  404,512,565  

   Nuts  644,320  277,060,934  



   Vegetables  5,732,744  1,635,823,896  

   Total  33,905,386  7,576,076,839  

May  Flowers  10,771,134  3,735,567,751  

   Fruits  5,166,894  304,511,600  

   Nuts  1,276,235  317,753,455  



   Vegetables  6,341,295  1,739,846,077  

   Total  35,267,771  7,938,614,048  

Source:KNBS and compiled by KHCP  

  

  


June  Flowers  9,324,582  3,239,485,117  

   Fruits  3,766,543  297,719,631  

   Nuts  1,660,745  464,046,594  



   Vegetables  5,648,074  1,799,959,575  

   Total  32,006,012  7,557,823,611  CABBAGE BLUE JAYS F1 

July  Flowers  8,666,578  3,023,590,533  

   Fruits  2,585,879  315,165,005  

   Nuts  955,976  286,738,278  



   Vegetables  5,150,475  1,568,108,930  

   Total  22,208,588  6,240,014,210  

August  Flowers  8,891,769  3,075,077,262  

   Fruits  2,562,287  331,736,149  

   Nuts  1,733,053  309,079,934  



   Vegetables  9,427,633  1,752,326,718  

   Total  27,950,844  6,570,201,871  

September  Flowers  9,013,820  3,430,173,215  

   Fruits  1,529,817  193,449,981  

   Nuts  563,414  220,455,356  



   Vegetables  7,804,076  1,711,058,580  

   Total  30,576,417  7,240,248,368  

October  Flowers  10,206,156  4,455,157,714  

   Fruits  1,827,112  245,447,234  

   Nuts  932,455  266,479,511  



   Vegetables  11,080,860  2,306,496,342  

   Total  32,893,909  8,895,070,909  

Grand Total  Flowers  101,771,130  36,569,556,185  

   Fruits  33,127,474  3,102,640,175  

   Nuts  11,195,480  2,465,544,078  

   Processed Fruits  66,523,400  6,118,850,229  


   Vegetables  74,961,165  17,673,701,176  

   Total  322,611,768  75,621,451,408  

  

Kenya Horticulture Competitiveness Project, Piedmont Plaza, 

Wing A, 3rd Floor, Ngong Road, 

P O Box 3074 - 00506, Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya 





FEATURES 






regions. 









Resistances:

64 

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Horticultural News January - February issue

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