Agriculture in Kenya
Agriculture in Kenya has greatly improved in the past few years because of the advent of technology and other necessary infrastructures.Initially, most Kenyan farmers merely engage in subsistence farming to provide food for their family while very little is made available in the market.Growth in agricultural output has no doubt been on the rise as farmer are stepping away from subsistence agriculture and embracing modern civilization - investing in large scale farming and ultimately increasing agricultural productsThe Kenyan soil and climatic condition is very suitable for the production of wide verities of crops, there are over a hundred different food crops produced by farmers in Kenya on yearly basis which includes yam, maize, millet, sorghum, beans, potatoes, rice, onions garbage, carrot, pear, cocoa, cocoa yam, okra, vegetables and very many others.
In terms of employment, agriculture is by far the most important sector of Kenya's economy, engaging about 70% of the labor force. Agricultural holdings are generally small and scattered; farming is often of the subsistence variety, characterized by simple tools and shifting cultivation. These small farms produceabout 80% of the total food. About 30.7 million hectares (76 million acres), or 33%of Kenya's land area, are under cultivation. Kenya's diverse climate, from the tropical areas of the coast to the arid zone of the north, make it possible to produce virtually all agricultural products that can be grown in the tropical andsemitropicalareas of the world. The economic benefits of large-scale agriculture are recognized, and the government favors the formation of cooperative societies and settlements to encourage industrial agriculture. Large-scale agriculture, however, is not common. Despite an abundant water supply, a favorable climate, and wide areas of arable land, productivity is restricted owing to lowsoil fertilityin many areas and inefficient methods of cultivation.
Kenya Main Agriculture Cash Crops
Cash crop farming is one of the leading economic activities in Kenya , Kenya a country located within the tropics is preferably suitable for the growth of most crops available in the word. Agriculture is said to be the pillar of Kenya’s economy followed by tourism and other sectors hence thefollowing are some of the cash crops grown in Kenya;
TEA
This is one of the most cultivated crops in Kenya and has served as a stable economy in the following areas of the country; Kericho, Bomet, Nyeri, Mt. Elgon, vihiga, Limuru, Kitale, Kirinyaga and various other small scare areas. Tea produced in Kenya is processed and used both in Kenya and the international market with most of it being exported to Europe, Iran and Middle East.
SUGARCANE
Sugarcane is a crop that can only be supported in countries within the tropics hence giving Kenya the required advantage. In Kenya sugarcane is grown mostly in the western region and the cost region with some of the areas being: Mumias, Kakamega, Nzoia, Webuye, Muhoroni, Uasin gishu and other small areas.
MAIZE
Maize is both a cash crop and a subsistence crop with most areas of the country planting the crop, some of the large scale maize producing countries include Trans Nzoia, Trans Mara, Kitale, Uasin Gishu, Lugari andparts of Kakamega.
MIRRA
Mirra has of late been deemed as a rejected crop following the controversies that were created by the international ban in the European market last year including Britain which was Mirra’s main market abroad hence this has since jeopardized the lives of many people in Meru county. It has since remained uncertain whether the ban will be lifted despite plansto appeal the ban.
PYRETHRUM
This is one of the few horticulture crops being planted in Kenya and due toits nature where it can only be grown under certain temperatures’ it is cultivated only in Lake Victoria, North Rift Valley, South Rift Valley and Mt. Kenya region.
COFFEE
Coffee is an important cash crop to Kenya’s economy as it earns foreign exchange. The crop is mainly grown in high altitude areas like Mt. Elgon and Mt. Kenya regions.This crops have been grown in Kenya for a long time and are considered by many as a source of livelihood within the country due to lack of white collar jobs.
Kenya Agriculture exports
According to Economy Watch, Kenya's exports include agricultural products, petroleum, tea, coffee, fish and cement.Kenya's largest partner in exporting is the United Kingdom. Other partners include the U.S., Netherlands, Uganda, Tanzania and Pakistan. Produce and tea are the major exports in Kenya, with tea being the most exported item. Tea is responsible for approximately 21 percent of Kenya's exported goods.
Kenya is known as a trade deficit country, meaning that they import more they export, due to negative factors such as weather and international prices. Economy Watch asserts that Kenya should diversify its trade to improve its balance of trade. Its current dependence on agriculture and tea only serves to limit the economy. Agricultural products, in addition to being major export items, employs the majority of the country and supplies raw materials for manufacturing, another important export. It also generates tax revenue, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Kenya's exporting industry has had many setbacks due to issues such as demand exceeding supply, deregulation and demand fluctuation. Although agriculture is crucial to Kenya's economy, only one-tenth of the country is currently used for agriculture as of 2014, due to the lack of water and other negative environmental factors. The Kenyan government is aware of these conditions and works to improve them.
Problems of Agriculture in Kenya
Agriculture in Kenya could use a little push at strategic points if success is to be achieved, there is a need for the education of farmers, most farmer in Kenya who engage in subsistence agriculture have very little knowledge of the operational method of the improved agricultural system If farmers in Kenya are provided with the necessary tool and adequate resources, there would be gross improvement in Kenyan agricultural sector; the land would be properly utilized and this would greatly reduce the high level of food stuff importation and ultimately increase employment rate.There are lots of problem hampering the production of food crops in Kenya and rearing of animals, chiefly among them is electricity. Over 40 percent of Kenya perishable goods get spoilt after harvest due to the lack of electricity needed for the storage and processing.Electricity is needed for the running of large farm equipment, most Kenyan farmer simply chose to stick with manual labor as the cost of running machines with alternative source of power is often steep.Another problem facing agriculture in Kenya is the lack of good roads needed forthe transportation of harvested crops from the farm land to the main roads, most farms in Kenya are located about a mile away from the main road and the only entrance to these farms are mostly a path beaten by the foot of men.Kenya Farmers also encounter the problems of funds needed for running a farm and construction of farm houses and proper storage system.