In 2022, Kenya achieved impressive earnings of over Sh140 billion through the export of horticultural products, notably with flowers contributing a significant Sh100 billion to this total. Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary (CS) Franklin Mithika Linturi attributed this remarkable performance to the government’s effective policies and subsidies, which have enticed numerous participants to engage in the sector.
This financial achievement marks an improvement from the Sh110 billion earned the previous year from the same sector. Linturi emphasized that the government will persist in supporting farmers through extension services and subsidies to foster increased production. The government is exploring opportunities to utilize the Eldoret airport for fresh produce exports and the Mombasa port for cut flower exports.
Speaking at the Naivasha Horticulture Trade Fair, CS Linturi reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the horticultural industry, recognizing its significance as a leading foreign export earner for the country. He also addressed the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds owed to farmers, assuring that these matters would be resolved on a case-by-case basis.
As of August this year, the government owed flower farmers Sh12 billion in VAT tax refunds, with Linturi assuring that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) would resolve the situation. The horticulture sub-sector, encompassing vegetables, flowers, fruits, and medicinal aromatic plants, plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s agriculture, contributing to foreign exchange, household incomes, and food security. It provides employment to approximately 6.5 million Kenyans, both directly and indirectly, with the floriculture sector alone directly impacting the livelihoods of over two million Kenyans.
Horticultural production is concentrated in regions such as the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha, Mount Kenya, and Nairobi. The total horticultural area spans approximately 496,062 hectares, yielding 7.9 million metric tonnes, with roses dominating flower exports. Linturi also pledged the government’s continued collaboration with agro-chemical industries and regulators to ensure the safety of chemicals used in Kenyan agriculture.
Concerns have arisen regarding the safety of chemicals used in Kenyan farming, potentially rendering some agricultural produce, including vegetables, unsuitable for human consumption. In addition to these measures, Linturi announced that from January next year, the government would introduce a subsidized semen program for livestock farmers to bolster heifer breeding, meeting the growing demand for beef in the export market.
Furthermore, the government is in the process of registering farmers for the fertiliser subsidy program for the upcoming short rain season, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive database for improved service delivery. The Ministry of Agriculture reported the delivery of two million 50-kilogram bags of fertiliser to farmers during the previous long rainy planting season, with over five million farmers registered and 3.7 million e-vouchers issued to facilitate access to subsidized fertiliser through National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots across the country.