• Kenya horticultural sector targets more investment, jobs and global markets through lower costs, digital agriculture, research and stronger partnerships.

Kenya Horticultural Sector Targets More Investment, Jobs and Global Markets

Kenya Horticultural Sector Targets More Investment, Jobs and Global Markets

Kenya is strengthening the Kenya horticultural sector as the Government seeks to attract investment, retain existing businesses, expand export markets and create more jobs across the agricultural value chain.

The Government is prioritising lower costs of doing business, investor protection, digital agriculture, research, value addition and stronger public-private partnerships as part of efforts to support the sector’s next phase of growth.

Speaking during a horticulture industry showcase, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Sen. Mutahi Kagwe said the Government’s priority extends beyond attracting new investors. He said existing investors need a business environment that allows them to remain competitive, reinvest and expand their operations.

The horticultural sector contributes about KSh145 billion to Kenya’s economy annually, with flowers accounting for about 57 percent of the sector’s contribution. The industry supports employment, exports, value addition and activity across the wider agricultural economy.

Government Seeks Lower Costs for Horticultural Investors

Sen. Kagwe called for faster processing of legitimate tax refunds owed to horticultural investors. He said businesses often reinvest such funds into their operations, supporting expansion and employment.

He pointed to the growing local packaging of Kenyan flowers for supermarket markets in the United Kingdom as an example of investment supporting value addition within Kenya.

The CS also called for a review of levies, tariffs and other charges affecting horticultural producers. He said reducing the cost of doing business is important for maintaining production and attracting further investment.

“You cannot get growth out of taxation. You get growth out of production,” Sen. Kagwe said.

He identified Kenya’s skilled workforce and a predictable tax, security and tariff environment as important considerations for investors. He also encouraged more Kenyans to invest across the horticultural value chain alongside international investors.

Research and Digital Agriculture to Support Production

The Government is also focusing on technology and research as the Kenya horticultural sector faces climate change and disruptions in international markets.

Sen. Kagwe said research into climate-resilient crop varieties and new technologies will be important for protecting future production. The Government plans to establish a private-sector liaison function within the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to strengthen cooperation between researchers and industry.

The proposed liaison function is intended to help researchers better understand challenges faced by producers while improving awareness of innovations developed by private-sector players within public research institutions.

Digital agriculture is also being expanded through the Kenya Agricultural Digital Information Centre (KADIC). The programme includes technologies such as drones for spraying, soil testing and soil analysis, with greater attention being placed on soil health and technology-driven production.

The approach is expected to strengthen the use of data and technology in farm management while helping producers respond to changing production conditions.

Kenya Seeks Wider Access to Global Horticultural Markets

International markets remain central to the growth of Kenya’s horticultural industry. Sen. Kagwe said the European Union remains an important trading partner and noted that Kenya is up to date with agreements and requirements governing trade with the bloc.

The sector also faces external pressures. Geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East affect Kenya’s horticultural exports, including flowers, while disruptions in the region also affect access to critical agricultural inputs such as fertiliser and petroleum products.

The Government is therefore seeking to strengthen the sector’s ability to withstand external market and production pressures while expanding opportunities in international markets.

For Kenyan horticultural producers and exporters, stronger market access will need to work alongside investment in production, value addition, research, technology and logistics.

Sen. Kagwe said the Government will continue working with industry players to improve competitiveness, expand value addition and create employment while positioning Kenyan horticultural products for greater opportunities in global markets.

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