The USAID-funded Kenyan Horticultural Development Project (KHDP) is calling for robust links with the private sector to ensure the future of exports from Kenya.
The 2005-06 season for Kenyan exporters ended in June with volumes slightly up year on year, but KHDP growers are talking more of survival than success. “High freight rates, a strong shilling and increasing costs are squeezing margins at all stages of the production and marketing chain,” said KHDP director Steve New. “Much work will be needed over the coming year from all stakeholders to find ways of reducing costs and maintaining Kenya’s competitive advantages built up over many years. Strong public-private co-operation will be needed to maintain and implement strategies required to maintain and increase incomes for many thousands of small-scale growers and employees in the industry.”
KHDP aims to increase and sustain small-holder sales and incomes in the east African country through crop diversification, improvements in production and post-harvest technologies, and market links.
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