Fruit and Vegetable Production Is One of the Top Five Income Generating Activity in the Rural Areas in Three Districts in Nyanza Province, Kenya

Due to the location on or closer to the equator, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa can grow many crops year-round if water is available. There are some crops such as fruits and vegetables that can be grown on a small scale and farmers can get good returns. Some of the tropical fruits such as mangoes and citrus bear fruits twice a year that corresponds with the two rainy seasons (long and short rains) in Kenya and a family can own a few trees and still get good returns. The vegetables such as tomatoes,  collards, and cabbages that tend to mature within a short period of time (about three months) can be grown twice or thrice in a year. The growers need to control insect pests and diseases in order to get a good crop but there is no spray or production guide that can provide the grower with information about chemical and non-chemical control methods for insect pests and diseases so they depend mainly on advice from the seed suppliers and agrochemical dealers.

In October and November 2009, a survey was carried out to assess how university can work with communities in Bondo, Siaya, and Rarieda Districts in Nyanza Province, Kenya and income generating activities was one of the issues assessed. Both current and potential income generating activities was assessed by surveying over 250 small scale farmers from three districts above. In addition to the above, seminars on vegetable production was presented at two sites, one site in Siaya District and another site in Bondo District.

The results indicated that agriculture and small businesses are the major income generating activities in the districts. Fruit and vegetable production (Horticulture) is also in the top five income generating activities as indicated by over 8% of the participants in the three districts as a current and potential income generating activity. The challenges faced by small scale vegetable and fruit growers in the three districts which may be similar to other developing countries will be discussed in this presentation.