CHALLENGES IN PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF MANGOES IN KENYA

1. CHALLENGES IN PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF MANGOES IN KENYA BY DR. ALFRED SEREM HORTICULTURAL CROPS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY KENYA MANGO CONFERENCE, NAIROBI 12TH FEBRUARY 2010

2. FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS Where does Mango production take place in Kenya? What are the challenges experienced in production? What are the challenges experienced in Marketing? What options do we have in addressing these challenges?

3. INTRODUCTION Mango production in Kenya is mainly concentrated in the Coastal, Central and Eastern region. Significant production also takes place in the Western parts of the country, Nyanza and low lying areas of Rift valley such as Marakwet. Latest statistics indicate a country wide production of 171,143 Metric Tons in 2006

4. Fig. 1.0 Map of Kenya

5. Table 1.0 Fruit and Nut Production and Value, 2006

6. 2.0 PATTERNS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING Both small and large scale mango production is practiced in Kenya Kenyan Mangoes are sold both locally and in Export Markets Significant quantities are also processed into juices, fruit concentrates

7. 3.0 MANGO VARIETIES GROWN IN KENYA

8. Mango Varieties Van Dyke Haden Kent Apple Ngowe Sabine Sensation Boribo Dodo Tommy Atkins

9. 4.0 CHALLENGES IN PRODUCTION Inadequate clean and quality planting material. Limited access to information on technology in husbandry practices Pests e.g Mango weevil and Fruit fly

10. Seasonal over-production Inadequate Post-Harvest handling techniques and facilities that lead to significant losses (up-to 40% losses incurred) Limited access to information on technology in value addition

11. MARKETING CHALLENGES Organizational and market management challenges. Poor infrastructure (roads) Inadequate post harvest handling facilities Price fluctuation in internal and external markets

12. Limited knowledge on value addition opportunities. High freight charges Stringent international market requirements

13. H.C.D.A�s INTERVENTIONS. Build capacity on technical skills through Farmers exchange tours Farmers training Public-private partnerships ( e.g. with FPEAK, FARM CONCERN,KENFAP, TECHNOSERVE, KARI, KEPHIS) Consultative meetings/workshops

14. Group formations Encouraging the establishment of commercial fruit tree nurseries that are registered by H.C.D.A Capacity building of Nursery operators and Service providers Improved research- extension- farmer linkages

15. Provision of transport and cooling facilities. Market surveys and Exhibitions

16. CONCLUSIONS Mango production has great potential in Kenya. A deeper understanding of the challenges faced in production and marketing is necessary for a focused approach to solutions Producers should be organized to take advantage of economies of scale. Further research is required on better yielding varieties.

17. END THANK YOU