Kenya Horticulture Market Access Program (KHMAP)

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Project Status:

Completed

Regions:

Meru, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Machakos, Makueni, Bungoma, Kakamega

Value Chain Impact Areas:

Product Quality and Compliance, Aggregation

Development Partner:

USAID

Project Budget:

$0.4M

The Kenya Horticulture Market Access Program (KHMAP) is a specific collaborative initiative by
the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), the Kenya Flower Council (KFC),
and the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC Kenya), with financial support from TradeMark
East Africa (TMEA). The two-year program focused on improving market access for Kenyan
horticultural producers, primarily smallholder farmers, by facilitating better connections to buyers,
enhancing market information access, and supporting infrastructure development to enable
efficient movement of produce, all aimed at increasing their incomes and contributing to food
security within the country. This program falls under AGRA’s broader strategy of promoting
agricultural value chain development and market access across Africa.

Implementation Status

The program, implemented from February 2020 to February 2022 falls under AGRA’s broader
strategy of promoting agricultural value chain development and market access across Africa, and
aimed at:

  • Capacity Building of farmers and pack house staff on standards such as safe use of
    pesticides, BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, GLOBALGAP, and pesticide use to
    meet market requirements.
  • Market access: facilitating better connections to buyers, enhancing market information
    access, and supporting infrastructure development to enable efficient movement of
    produce.
  • Improving export capacity for targeted horticultural value chains.
  • Addressing logistical challenges and reducing costs associated with exporting horticultural
    products.

Key Findings

  • Training and Capacity Building: KHMAP successfully trained staff from industry
    associations, farmer groups, and packhouses on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), postharvest handling, and quality control measures were implemented to improve the
    competitiveness of Kenyan horticultural products.
  • Quality Management Systems: the program enhanced quality management systems
    and internal operational processes within farmer organizations and packhouses, leading
    to better quality of produce and reduced rejection rates in export markets.
  • Market access improvements: AGRA ensured enhancement of market linkages by
    connecting farmers with buyers, facilitating access to information on market demands, and
    supporting logistics and infrastructure development.
  • Horticultural Management Information System (HMIS): The establishment of the HMIS provided accessible and reliable horticulture data, aiding stakeholders in making informed decisions.
  • Logistical Engagements: The program strengthened logistical engagements with
    regional economic blocs, airports, and seaports, enhancing export capabilities and
    reducing logistical challenges.