Horticulture to benefit from irrigation

By Luke Anami

Irrigation schemes will take horticulture into consideration to boost food production.

Agriculture Minister William Ruto said Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA) should reposition itself to address the emerging social and environmental accountability issues.

"The Government will review the policies and legal framework of the Horticultural Crops Development Authority with the to add value and development of its activities," Ruto said during the HCDA’s 2009-2013 Strategic Plan launch.

"Increased drought incidences makes it necessary for the HCDA to reposition itself to provide relevant, adequate globally oriented and competitive services that meet customer requirements."

The minister said although the industry is the leading foreign exchange earner, it can double production through research and major policy improvements.

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He said the success of Vision 2030 depends on the implementations of current programmes in agriculture in which horticulture role is significant.

"Current irrigation schemes will take horticulture into consideration to maximise potential in the sector," Ruto said .

"However, the success of horticulture depends on the collaborative activities with other sectors and plans are underway to bring the private sector into food production," agriculture minister said.

The use of affordable and efficient irrigation technologies will enable HCDA address new challenges associated with climate change.

HCDA Board Chairman Joseph Kibe urged the Government to improve infrastructure in the country. "Horticultural production is being hampered by the poor infrastructure in most parts of the country," Mr Kibe said.

"We urge the Government to involve other Government agencies in upgrading our infrastructure into to increase production."The strategic plan endeavours to address the current and future needs of the horticulture sub-sector by effectively coordinating and creating collaborative structure for all horticulture players in the country.

He said the Authority would align its strategic plan to the development agenda and adoption of quality management systems.

"We are committed to making its systems to be one of the best in the world," Alfred Serem, the HCDA Managing Director said.