Kenya’s agricultural sector is one of the six key economic pillars of Kenya’s Vision 2030. This was said by the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Mrs Sicily Kariuki during the opening of IFTEX 2014. She added that the sector is expected to drive the Kenyan economy to the projected 10 percent economic growth annually over the next two decades, through promotion of an innovative, commercially oriented and modern agriculture.
“The Kenyan Government appreciates the contribution of the flower industry in the country’s economy. In the year 2013, the Horticulture subsector earned the country Kshs. 83.3 billion in foreign exchange out of which Kshs. 56 billion was earned from floriculture while the rest was from fruit, vegetables and nuts”, she said.
In the last decade, Kenya has experienced growth in its share of the world Flower trade and competes with countries such as Ecuador, Colombia and Ethiopia in the world flower business. Currently, it is ranked the third exporter of flowers globally after Netherlands and Colombia. It is not gain saying that, Kenya is well endowed with favourable climatic conditions, cold chain facilities, local expertise, research and locally available labour.
The ongoing improvement of the infrastructure, for instance the roads, the strategic location of Eldoret airport, the ongoing expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International airport and Kisumu airports provide an opportunity for further growth and expansion of the floriculture industry.
The government recognizes the significant role played by the private sector in the growth of the horticulture subsector and in moving the industry to a new level of development. In that connection, the private sector is encouraged to work with government institutions in creating innovative solutions to problems in the sub-sector.
The government is pleased to note that private sector institutions especially the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) and the Fresh Produce Exporter’s Association (FPEAK) are members of the Kenya Horticulture Taskforce that has enabled the subsector to have a coordinated approach to issues affecting horticulture especially with regard to market requirements and compliance. In order to create an enabling environment for the growth and development of agriculture sector, the Government has put in place the National Horticulture Policy whose broad objective is to accelerate and sustain growth and development of the horticulture industry in order to enhance its contribution towards food security, poverty reduction as well as employment and wealth creation. In addition, the Government has also enacted Crops Act 2013, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act (AFFA), 2013. The Government has also put in place an electronic certification system which is web based and has therefore, reduced the time taken for processing of export documents.
Kenya’s authentic goods and services have for decades been appreciated in the international circles. In view of this, Kenya has embarked on branding her export produce as a measure to reinforce their origin while assuring our customers on the authenticity of the produce. Therefore, the government commends the flower growers who have come together to enhance effective branding of Kenyan flowers abroad in order to tap more into the global market. In support of this, the Government has put in place the Brand Kenya Board to work closely with other stakeholders in the Industry.
