A study to establish the role of private-public partnerships in growth of horticulture industry in kenya

A study to establish the role of private-public partnerships in growth of horticulture industry in Kenya

During colonial rule in Kenya, the production and trade of fresh and processed fruit and vegetables and of cut flowers remained greatly underdeveloped[1]. The horticulture sector was characterized by an absence of modern marketing facilities and nationwide marketing organizations, the absence of official grades and standards for fresh produce, absence of research and advisory services. While small export trades in potatoes and in passion fruit juice were developed by private firms during war years, the bulk of fruit and vegetable production in Kenya was of very low quality and Kenya remained net importer of fresh and processed fruit and vegetable products operating with the support and protection of metropolitan and colonial governments[2]. The research integrates to the role of private and public partnerships in growth of horticulture industry in Kenya, the latter implies to the importance of partnerships among Kenya government and to private affiliations aiming towards one goal and one advocacy and that is, to achieve positive and effective growth of Horticulture industry in Kenya.

The research will utilize cases in lieu to horticulture industry, case study analysis that bring in narrative inquiry to the focus of research and other relevant assumptions possible, recognizing factors for effective role establishment integrating partnership pathways and processes in accordance to horticulture in Kenya. Preliminary encounter to literature reviews and studies is imperative for this research as secondary sources matters pointing to reviewed selection of articles and journals, the study will be explaining in details partnership roles in the context of horticulture research and study. Thus, examination of codes of conduct covering authority conditions especially in the horticulture sector linking Kenya business markets with several export firms in Africa.

Reflecting trajectory of development policy and practice through Kenyan case of export trade of fresh production and the advancing of certain arguments such as construction and outcome of horticulture development is founded and contingent upon, gendered forms of labor; exercise of trusteeship has been central to each model as international financial agencies and non-governmental organizations steward the effectiveness of partnership for the horticulture industry. How can policy making problems for horticultural industry in Kenya affect partnerships?, as observations apply to any country which intends to establish worthwhile horticultural industry, whether the country is developed or in developing state with needs and opportunities of the industry.

The one objective is to highlight supporting policies which allow the horticultural industry to attain its requisite objectives as desired by the community as some areas relevant to the discussion for Kenya's horticultural industry will be selected. For case situations, Kenya supermarkets will be a part of research as for instance, supermarkets are penetrating urban food retail in Kenya and spreading well beyond their initially tiny market niche among urban middle class into food markets of lower-income groups. Having penetrated processed and staple food markets much earlier and faster than fresh foods, they have recently begun to make inroads into the fresh fruits and vegetables category. Supermarkets in Kenya bought about half the volume of produce exported, represented significant vibrant market opportunity for farmers as certain procurement systems bring in opportunities and challenges for small farmers, have implications for agricultural diversification and development programs and policies[3].

Global business in horticultural products has increased markedly as changes in dietary habits stemming from increased health awareness, together with demand for convenience foods, have accelerated consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables and the sale of an increasing variety of prepared foods in industrialized countries. Thus, two questions will be imposed. First, governance, how is the fresh vegetable chain structured, which actors define what the chain requires, and how are these requirements transmitted to the various actors in the chain? Second, consequences for African exporters and producers: how has involvement in the chain transformed the production and processing of fresh vegetables in Kenya?

Nonetheless, the experience of Kenyan horticulture indicates that the quest for institutional reform must look beyond the tapping of nascent private entrepreneurship to consider the nature of potentially successful private enterprises in the African trading context and the ways in which such firms can organize both their crop procurement and trading operations. Thus, patterns will have strong implications both for efficiency and for the distribution of benefits from expanded trade. Although improved means will have to be developed for governments to regulate foreign investment flows, to monitor and regulate dominant firms as well as improve the bargaining position of farmers in respect of centralized contracting organizations as perhaps in the direction of joint public/private activities of some functions over the private firms.

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[1] In 1985, eighteen countries of sub-Saharan Africa relied upon food and agricultural products for 60% or more of their merchandise export earnings. For some countries, this share exceeded 80 % (World Bank (1987)

[2] This conclusion has been reached by analysts on different points of the political spectrum and for different ressons. Those sharing this conclusion include: Ellis (1982), Hart (1982), Hyden (1983, 1990), and Williams (1985) from the left of the political spectrum and Bates (1981), de Wilde (1984), and Berg (1985) from the right of the political spectrum.

[3] Zelenka, A.T. 1975. POLICY DECISION MAKING FOR THE HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN KENYA. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 49:17-22