The Kenya governemnt managed to show case its agricultural might to UK investors
The Kenya High commissioner uk H.E jOSEPH MUCHEMI with guest Hon Hillarry Benn [below]
Agriculture in Kenya is the backbone of kenya economy .It is known from various studies that 1% growth rate in agriculture translates into a growth in overall economy (GDP) of up to 1.2%. Kenya’s own studies have verified the same as per the given example.
In fiscal year 1986/87 the growth rate in agriculture was 3.8% and that of GDP was recorded at 4.9%. In 1989/90, agriculture growth rate was 3.4% while that of GDP in the same year was 4.5%. When the agricultural growth dropped to – 1.1% in 1990/91, that of GDP dropped drastically to 2.1%. The continued slump in agricultural growth has continued to dampen any growth in the economy to date. (Agricultural Sector Review 2000). It is therefore, important to focus on agriculture for any meaningful development in Kenya.
Coffee is important in Kenyan economy due to its contribution to foreign exchange earnings, farm income, employment and food security. It is also a source of livelihood particularly for small-scale producers most of whom live in the heavily populated agro-ecological zones.In terms of foreign exchange earnings it ranks fourth after tea, horticulture and tourism, contributing about 20% of total export earnings. Kenyan coffee is known for its high quality.
Kenya is broadly self sufficient in major food items except in drought years. Chronic vulnerability is concentrated in the ASAL areas.
Up to 5 million people are vulnerable and require humanitarian assistance from time to time. Special attention is being given to these areas in terms of specific projects, which include provision of water and preservation of traditional drought management systems.
Kenya Tea Growers Association:This is the apex organization of large-scale tea producers in Kenya. The principal functions of the association are:-
promote issues of common interest in cultivation, manufacture and marketing of tea.
promote good industrial relations by ensuring sound wage policies and good labour relations.
For more information please contact:
Chief ExecutiveKenya Tea Growers AssociationP.O. Box 413KerichoKENYATel: 00 254 44 20039Fax: 00 254 44 20536
CALLING FOR INVESTORS
Investment in agricultural sector in Kenya abounds. One can invest in agricultural support services, production and processing.
In agriculture support, opportunities exist in;
- seed production- manufacture of sprayers and pesticides- installation of irrigation systems- services that enhance production of industrial crops such as oil seeds, barley, sugarcane, groundnuts.
In production for export, opportunities exist in;
- cutflowers- various types of beans- fruits (pineapples, mangoes, avocado, passion, melon) etc.- asian vegetablesOn agro-processing, opportunities exist in;
- Any palm oil substitute technologies (to take advantage of oil crops grown in the country such as groundnuts, sunflower, cottonseed, sesame, coconut, corn/maize etc.)- Wine production- Coffee; packaging, roasting, blending, decaffeination, gourmet- Tea; packaging for direct sales to consuming markets- Leather & leather products- Milk and meat processing
Investment Incentives – (see Commercial Section) Kenya High Commission or contact:
Investment Promotion Council (IPC) P.O. Box 55704NAIROBI, KENYATel: 00 254 20 221401-4 Fax: 00 254 20 336663E-mail: info@investmentkenya.comWebsite: www.investmentkenya.com
