1July -August 2011

Published by

P. O. Box 7105-00300Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel: +254 020 2217519, 3594 082Cell: +254 0752 007253, 0723 308725 Email: info@hortfreshjournal.com www.hortfreshjournal.com

Issue of: July - August 2011

Editorial teamDorothy RwaroJoseph Karanja

Contributors Julius Muraguri- Quality Centre LtdKaaria Mutwiri - Orbit ChemicalsHepi Patel – Mboga Tuu Arjan V.D meer- Bosman B.VJelle Posthumus- Green FarmingVictor Juma - Syngenta East AfricaWaktola Wakgari(PhD) - Ornamentals Ethiopia

Joseph MuliDesign & Layout Dezine SolutionsMarketing Executives Carol MwauraJudith Atieno Circulation Ephantus Mwangi

Publication Frequency Bi-monthly

Leads in Horticulture

Inside

also been spent in building an early childhood development centre, building infrastructure and purchase of a garbage collection truck for use by the council.

Labour conditions have considerably improved, overtime is voluntary, casual contracts have been replaced with permanent ones and a real effort has been made to train and promote women supervisors and eliminate harassment. They have adopted employment guidelines that go beyond official government policy and the workers are now doing better than their peers outside the industry.

Most of flowers are now produced to Fairtrade standards. Less pesticide is used, and most pests are treated with biological controls. Farms harvest rainwater or drill boreholes, recycle water and even use hydroponic techniques dramatically reducing the water they use from Lake Naivasha. For a more sustainable position that will safeguard the catchment the farms are involved in tree planting.

The above represent only the tip of the iceberg of the evolving culture and the real industry’s face.

Editorial & Administration

Growing and Exporting Flowers in Kenya, alike to Steering 3

Curbing Counterfeit Plant Protection Products 8

Research to grow potato and tomato on the same Stem

bears fruit in kiambu prison 12

East Africa’s First Solid Waste Bio Methanation Plant 14

Farm Concern Story 16

How to manage Mealybugs in Greenhouse 18

A Call for Mango Farmers to Embrace Technology 20

The editor have taken every care to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate as posible.

However, the authors are responsible for accuracy or authenticity of the advertisements or contributions.

Views expressed by the contributors are not necessary those of the publisher.

© All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher is

prohibited.

The flower industry image and in particular Naivasha is not what it has been arrayed. This is a sector that apart from providing jobs in areas where there are few other alternatives and ensuring a valuable source of export revenue for the country has invested back in terms of funding community projects, social welfare programmes; effectively extending their investment benefits to the society.

Naivasha, the hub of flower growing, residents enjoys medical services from among many others the Karuturi Hospital, which is bigger in scope than the Naivasha District Hospital. This hospital was opened four years ago by Karuturi Global Limited. It offers free monthly surgical camps, free medical services to staff members and at the same time serve non staff members at minimal charges.

While the local government Act fixes cess at one per cent of a farm’s total production, the Naivasha farms signed a deal with the council to be paying Sh2 per year per square meter of cultivated area of flower production since April 2009. This contribution has gone into building schools, setting up water projects and in buying land for setting up a market at the town’s sprawling Karagita estate. Money has

Flower Firms do invest in community projects

Hortfresh Journal is bi-monthly published and circulated to members of relevant associations,

government bodies, and other personnel in the horticultural industry as well as suppliers of

equipments, materials and services.

The editorial team welcomes articles and photographs for publication. The right to edit any material

submitted is reserved to Hortfresh Journal team.

2 July -August 2011

Under the umbrella of the Green Farming program a technical seminar with the title “Substrate as growing medium, an environmental friendly and durable way of producing” was held last June 23rd 2011. The seminar was organized at the Practical Training Centre in Thika, Kenya.

By organizing the seminar, Green Farming members wanted to demonstrate what the positive effects are of using substrates as growing media. This includes improvement in production results but also savings on chemical, fertilizer and water use and costs, which at the end leads to better financial results. Presentations were given by the Green Farming members PB Techniek, Koppert, Grodan, Hatenboer-Water and DLV Plant. Knowledge and thoughts were shared and some good discussions were held about the various possibilities for growing on substrate in Kenya. As a follow up, trials on substrate cultivation will be started after this seminar. The first interested parties have already signed in for participating

in these trials. If you are interested in these trials as well, you can contact Green Farming via the contact details below. The Green Farming members will select the final participants during this summer.

The closure of the seminar was done by Mr Mbithi of the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK). He ended the seminar with the message to the participants and Green Farming that it was an interesting seminar that provided valuable information and led to good discussions. He also pointed out that this kind of set up, a seminar and subsequently practical trials, is a good approach for realizing technological development in the sector. With the seminar the sector is informed about the technical possibilities and theory is brought into practice in the trails.

Green Farming is a program that aims to connect the horticultural networks of The Netherlands, Kenya and Ethiopia by setting up joint activities, projects or co-operations in the areas of

Technical Green Farming seminar “Substrate as growing medium, an environmental friendly and durable way of producing”

research, development and production. The Dutch horticultural sector is an innovative industry with high standards of excellence throughout the world. Its know-how and expertise has grown and developed gradually in the past few decades and is now also available to Kenya and Ethiopia.

Green Farming combines Dutch technology and experience with the specific production needs of Kenya, so that totally custom-made product and service packages, including on-farm training programs, maintenance and service cycles can be offered. Green Farming focuses on providing solutions for profitable and sustainable business results.

For more information regarding Green Farming or the follow up trials: E: info@greenfarming.nl

T: +31 317 491540 (NL) +254 701466219 (KE) I: www.greenfarming.nl

4th Africa Export & Import Fair (AEXIM) 2011Event Dates: 24th – 27th August, 2011Venue: Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi Kenya.

The biggest range of International Business Opportunities,

paraded in Africa, on Kenyan soil

3July -August 2011

Flower supplier Flamingo Group has been rebranded to Finlays Horticulture. Finlays bought the Flamingo Group in 2007. The acquisition brought with it many different brands and logos and it was felt that now is the right time to standardize and simplify the Group’s existing brands, to provide a consistent Finlays image and build the coherency and consistency.

“A clearer brand architecture and fewer brands will be much easier for our customers to understand and should make it easier for us to penetrate new markets,” a company statement said

The Finlays Group has a turnover of £611m, with 39,000 employees. As an agri-business, it has operations in many countries and is well known across the tea and horticulture industries.

Martin Hudson, CEO Finlays Horticulture Holdings said: “Finlays has demonstrated confidence in Horticulture through continued investment in its people, infrastructure and products. In parallel our values are aligned and we are pleased to be part of a vertically integrated and geographically diversified group taking a leadership role in sustainability.”

In rebranding that took effect from 16th June 2011, Homegrown (Kenya) limited changed its name to Finlays Horticulture Kenya Limited. The company owns five flower farms namely Hamercop, Kingfisher, Flamingo, Siraji, and Sirimon.

According to the company statement, there will be no changes in the way they conduct business or to their commitment to provide their customers with Quality, Value, Service, Innovation, Insight and Sustainability.

Founded in 1750, James Finlay became a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Swire & Sons in 2000. The company has extensive tea and horticultural interests in Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka and China, complemented by global trading, packaging and extraction activities. Its primary markets are in the UK, USA, Asia and continental Europe.

It has 320ha of flowers under greenhouse or polytunnel in Kenya, South Africa and Mainland China producing over 325 million stems per annum for the UK, continental Europe and Japan and sources and processes 836 million stems in Kenya, UK, Mainland China and Germany. One of the world’s largest producers and packers of Fairtrade roses and lilies.

Flamingos Changes name to Finlays Horticulture

The company also grows and processes 7.1 million kg of vegetables per annum and sources 29 million kg per annum.

In insects (Integrated Pest Management) Dudutech produces large quantities of biological control organisms to control common pests and diseases with 8.8ha acres of insect production facilities in Kenya yielding 580 million insects a month.

There will be no change to the underlying legal entities of Skytrain, Omniflora, Taikoo Flowers, Taikoo Young Plants and DuduTech.

Dudutech, in insects (Integrated Pest Management) produces large quantities of biological control organisms to control common pests and diseases with 8.8ha acres of insect production facilities in Kenya yielding 580 million insects a month. Finlays, through Dudutech are at the forefront of large-scale commercial crop protection and are able to create a farming model which is safer for the environment, the workers and the consumers. It has revolutionised crop protection in Africa and employs over 200 scientists and production staff. It has been able to reduce significantly the amount of chemicals sprayed on to crops, managing to eliminate all the most toxic chemicals.

The Kenya Flower Council held their 13th Annual General Meeting on the 24th June 2011 at the Nairobi Serena Hotel. In his statement, Hon. Dr. Erastus Mureithi the chairman of the council compared how alike driving especially in Nairobi, is to steering a business in Kenya today.

Once you pick your destination, it then becomes a matter of not only how well you plan your journey, but also how skilled a driver you are in terms of not looking where you are going , but in being able to see way ahead. Often times you have to take risks. You stick your neck out of the window, knowing very well that chances of losing it are real. It is a question of how well you maneuver round the other drivers, including huge huffing trucks, energetically revving

matatus driven by very agile and crafty ‘pilots’, motorbikes and very often absent minded pedestrians. And just when you think you are out of the woods, the traffic lights turn red or they don’t work at all and instead there is a citizen who has volunteered to direct the vehicles but only until you get to where he is standing.

Such is the business of growing and exporting flowers from Kenya, where the climate is excellent, and a highly productive people coupled with vast opportunities in the market place. Navigating through the perils of politics, global climate change and economic upheavals, exacerbated by rising cost of production, multiple and dynamic standards and a challenging business environment and adverse publicity takes the lion’s share of the actual business effort.

The industry has come through stronger, finer with new found vigour, to add even greater value through technology and aggressive marketing. The growers have been bullish in doing an excellent job. They have ploughed in resources to bring in value addition through adoption and adaptation of technology; scoured great heights in marketing and upped the game in quality assurance, demonstrating integrity, transparency and professionalism.

Growing and Exporting Flowers in Kenya, alike to Steering

4 July -August 2011

Under the dispensation of HE The President of the Republic of Kenya, together with the Right Honorable Prime Minister, the industry has benefitted immensely. Their able leadership have enabled coming up of the new road network in development. Most significant, has been the quality of phytosanitary services from the Ministry of Agriculture through KEPHIS who have continuously acquired technology, knowledge and skills to identify and manage risks in order to ensure market access in the various and diverse distant and exacting markets. Marked support has also come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where, under the new paradigm shift to economic diplomacy has borne benefits in the coordination of industry promotions in new and existing markets.

The industry is proud to be an important player in the national successes which recorded a growth rate of 4% despite the runaway double digit inflation rates and fears of food insecurity in the face of poor rains. Of this 22% is attributed to agriculture out of which 7% is due to floriculture.

From 25,000 tons worth Kshs 4b in 2005 to 117,000 tons in 2010 valued at Kshs 36b and now employing close if not more than 90,000 people directly and well over 500,000 indirectly with an impact on the livelihoods of about 7% of the population makes floriculture in Kenya important. No wonder the industry is one of the identified for growth under the Kenya vision 2030, particularly from the perspective that it has fuelled the development of skills and expertise.

None the less, there is need to focus on areas that still plague the industry:

• The stalled EPA’s which are causing anxiety

• KRA rising costs of export documents ($ 3 for endorsement of C63 for VAT Refunds over and above the fee of Euro 1, GSP and additionally, increased phytosanitary services fees.) Most poignant issue has been the non availability of these documents with the accompanying anguish.

• The continued delays on VAT refunds despite the Government’s commitment to hasten the process

• The aggressive stance taken by KRA on transfer pricing.

• Escalating cost of energy:

The cost of energy continues to soar. Additionally constant power surges not only counter productivity but are also expensive through destruction of equipment, an area we need to address as an industry. More vexing, is the fact that transport, ground and air continues to be a major cost due to Government surcharges and taxes.

• Taxes and levies: Through the “Business Regulatory Unit”, the Government has reduced the number of licenses. However, as much as we are advocating for a reduction of the tax burden, major work is outstanding to get an industry incentive scheme in place. We are making slow and unsteady progress. You will recall that last year we momentarily celebrated the possibility of getting an abandonment of the VAT on all inputs.

• Rolling Exchange Rates: While the exchange rates seems to favour the industry, we cannot under estimate the impact of unstable exchange rates on the overall cost of production, where most inputs, like fuel, chemicals and fertilizers are procured in foreign currency. It also has a direct bearing on productivity the cost of living goes up and fears of food shortage and hence security come to the fore front of concerns.

• Climate change: It is imperative that the industry understands the impact of climate change on productivity in order that it may respond adequately to adapt and adopt the necessary technology to counter the negative effects. Demand for precision water use systems and environment control; effluent water treatment, reuse and recycle; water harvesting and storage; growing out of soil; water and green house emission footprints; new dynamics in diseases and profiles will increase. Of course, this is now common knowledge. What is not common is a national industry strategy that: -Focuses on alternative measures or sources energy for and in the subsector.- Harnesses knowledge available to create awareness and knowledge on issues of climate change and convert such knowledge into either carbon neutralizing projects, carbon credit trading projects or research for adaptation projects.

At the growers, services and products level, it is clear that there is a wealth of information and knowledge on production skills and research. Harnessed in a structured manner, there is potential to add value throughout the value chain and also to deflect misinformation missiles on responsible growing of flowers in Kenya.

5July -August 2011

6 July -August 2011

Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), is a serious, widespread plant disease on harvested floral crops. Infected fresh cut flowers not only look bad and can produce more harmful ethylene, but it causes premature death. Poor quality flowers result in dissatisfied consumers and lower profits due to higher postharvest losses for participants involved in the flower chain process.

Unfortunately there is little that can be done to control this disease at the retail level other than storing flowers at their proper temperatures and keeping the flowers and foliage dry to slow down the disease. To improve flower quality, it is therefore necessary to control the disease early on in the postharvest processing process by the grower shipper.

A relatively new product, Floralife TransportCARE® Paper is a postharvest waxed tissue specially designed and formulated for the intended use of slowing the premature spread of plant pathogen spores, such as Botrytis cinerea, on flowers and foliage. The host preferences of this fungus include virtually every plant grown in a greenhouse or field production. It is for use during the transport of flowers in shipping boxes globally and effective in both refrigerated and non-temperature controlled shipments.

Growers can recognize Botrytis cinerea by the coating of grayish brown mold that forms on dead tissue when it sporulates. Wounded or older tissues and flower parts are very susceptible.

Some of the crops especially prone to Grey mold, or Botrytis blight, are rose, carnations, snapdragon, lisianthus, gerbera, dahlia, zinnia, anemone, geranium, exacum, primula, bacopa, fushia, cyclamen, poinsettias, and vinca. This disease can easily spread from one flower to the other, damaging the entire crop.

Floralife TransportCARE® Paper is impregnated with chlorine dioxide releasing compounds and reacts when exposed to relative humidity above 40%. Floral shipping boxes are good environments high in moisture for the growth of pathogens.

Gray mold disease on roses

Floralife TransportCARE® Paper is a simple and easy product to utilize in flower shipping cartons.

A number of grower experiments have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Floralife TransportCARE® Paper. Photographs below show the appearance of flowers with and without the treatment at postharvest evaluation stage. The control flowers (no treatment) showed definite signs of Botrytis infection, whereas flowers treated with Floralife TransportCARE® Paper did not show early signs after seven days.

Control – Untreated flowers

Treated with Floralife TransportCARE® Paper

Growers should strongly consider using Floralife TransportCARE® Paper in the flower shipping cartons/boxes as a preventative tool to reduce the chances of Botrytis spreading to healthy flowers, thus improving overall flower quality. A small investment per box of flowers should result in very high returns on the investment.

For further information or to purchase Floralife TransportCARE® Paper,

contact Floralife Africa at +254 20 16265 /+254 733 123 006 or Zwapak sales at +254 722 201 338 / +254 733 201338; E-mail techsales@zwapakafrica.com

7July -August 2011

‘Akito Rose’—Controlwithout treatment

‘Akito Rose’ with Floralife TransportCARE® Paper

Control the disease that most affects flower loss at the store level. Have better quality and better profits.

Contact Floralife Africa at +254 20 16265/ +254 733 123 006 for more information.

New Floralife TransportCARE® Paper controls the spread of plant pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea, which commonly destroy flowers. The host preferences of this fungus include virtually every plant grown in a greenhouse or field, produced for both cut flowers and potted plants. It is used during the transport of flowers in shipping boxes from the field grower to the buyer, bouquet maker, or greenhouse, to the retail store level.

Be proactive and start using Floralife TransportCARE® paper in your floral shipments for happier customers, increased profits, and less waste.

Paper

A Smithers-Oasis Company

TransportCARE™ Ad_Kenya_PRESS_2.11.pdf 1 2/16/11 8:58 AM

The trend of counterfeiting agriculture chemical products especially related to horticulture sector is worrying and growing at alarming rate. Due to the serious concern it is posing as it endangers the health of consumers and farmers, harms the environment; cause significant economic and reputational damage to farmers, the food value chain, governments and the plant protection industry, Hortfresh sought to hear from agricultural chemical distributor, Managing Director Profarm Africa Ltd former Chairman Agrochemicals Association of Kenya, Mr. Daniel Kimaru Kagwe.

What are counterfeits and their characteristics?

The Act governing pest control products had not well defined what is counterfeiting, but in 2009 our campaigns bore results and through miscellaneous amendment, the act even penalties were enhanced and defined.

The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) Act defines ‘Counterfeiting’ to mean manufacturing, formulating, producing or making any pest control products, labels or packages that are identical or substantially indistinguishable from those legally

authorized under the Act. Adulteration as in the Act means addition of any substance or thing to a pest control product so as to change or alter its character, value, quality, composition, merit, efficacy and safety.

Any person who adulterates or counterfeits, or is found in possession of adulterated or counterfeit pest control products, labels or packages, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not less than two hundrend and fifty thousand shillings, and not exceeding one million shillings, or to imprisonment for term not exceeding two years, or to both. The Act has made the fight much easier.

What is the business estimate of counterfeits and illegal plant protection products in the region per annual trade?

Determining the value of counterfeit products in any business sector has been notoriously difficult, as the known examples represent only the tip of the iceberg in terms of true business value. Even so, counterfeit and illegal plant protection products are estimated to account for approximately 15 to 20% of total sales in Kenya. In Uganda the control is a bit weak thus approximately 40% while in Tanzania it is approximated to be 40% to 50%.

Why do farmers go for the counterfeits?

Farmers go for counterfeits because they are cheap not considering that cheap is expensive in the long run. Others buy counterfeits because they trust their distributors such that they are easily convinced when told it is cheap and it works.

Some of counterfeits effects cases encountered

First and foremost the substances used in counterfeit products do not work and results to loss. Some use active chemicals which are untested and unproven for human health and environmental safety. They may contain highly toxic impurities that can cause adverse effects to farmers, bystanders, children playing, consumers in food chain, birds; some are very persistent lasting long in the soil and may have adverse affect to the soil.

There is no good documentary concerning this but there are many cases of crop perishing, cases of skin cancer and breast cancer, limp age and even loss of eyesight. A good documentary was the one for Namibia where it was shown a person skin peeling off and eyes almost coming out due to effect of counterfeit product.

Where are counterfeits, manufactured and how do they find their way into the market?

Most of these products emanate from Far East, china and India, and find their way through the port and porous border, while some are produced internally by counterfeiters within. They buy the genuine product say 1000 litres, mix with something else, package it in copy like containers and use fake labels that imitate the genuine. This is mostly done in Kariobangi, Kayole, Industrial Area and areas where agricultural activities take place such as Mwea and Meru. Also a genuine product can be brought in the country but with time the contents or levels changed.

Curbing Counterfeit Plant Protection Products Q & A with Mr. D.Kagwe

8 July -August 2011

Some of precautions that farmers should take

• When buying product should insist on receipt

• Should not buy from pick-up guys but from those who have premises where incase of anything they can launch complain

• Should buy from AAK members

Some of the steps the crop protection industry has taken in curbing the vice.

In Kenya to manufacture or import any pest control products, one has to be licensed by Pest Control Products Board (PCPB). Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS) analyses seeds and planting materials while Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) performs pre-shipment inspection and also sees to it that product brought to the market meets set standards. In liaison with PCPB Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK), an umbrella organization for manufacturers, formulators, re-packers, importers, distributors, farmers and users of pest control products is involved in accrediting manufactures, stockists and distributors.

Concerning the East African Community, the industry is working towards regional regulations. Kenya being advanced in the

area is helping others to enhance standards; towards this there will be a meeting in August for regional harmonisation. Once have that apex regulations in place and certified to distribute one, will not have to be certified again in the other country.

How do you identify counterfeits?

It is not easy to identify counterfeits and adulterated products; that is why regulatory bodies are essential. AAK

objective is to have a clean supply chain of agricultural chemicals. They have more than 70 surveillance officers, who are well conversant with the field. Upon noticing counterfeits or adulterated products, the officers inform the association who takes the necessary action.

The aim is to reduce the counterfeits incidences to 5% in the next 5 years. The first level is where we educate farmers on counterfeits through holding talks, awareness campaign and through media. The other level is at distribution where suppliers become members of AAK, they are licensed by PCPB their premises having been inspected and also they sign a code of conduct thus the association can discipline any errant members. The third level is by working with the government, PCPB and the police in enforcing the law.

AAK have over 75 members and there are benefits; let say a supplier want to introduce a new product and he is stuck it is easy to lobby through the association since it is listened unto. If a supplier brought in a product then it expire and want to dispose it, a member will pay less for the association to do it. They are trainings for members company’s staffs. Members are given certificate and to the public this is very important since they are termed as reliable.

Are some companies affected more that others? Yes especially those producing termites control products and tomatoes/potatoes blight’s products. Mostly the companies’ affected staffs are involved and that is why their executives should be on look out. If sales of a product drop drastically they should find out why. The association always wants to know what the affected company is doing in ambushing the involved.

It happened to a certain company’s product where they had to change the package to shake jars, changed printing, put controlled water marks and informed the public about the changes. They were able to contain counterfeit packaging to 50% though it was expensive.

Advice to farmers and industry players

• Price should not be the main determinant for buying counterfeits

• Deal with licensed people and members of reputable agrochemicals. Distributors who are members of AAK

• Should not buy from hawkers

• Insist on getting a receipt

• Report any suspicious case to the association

To the industry: shouldn’t counterfeit products, because if they do they are putting lives and environment in jeopardy and should not just be motivated by money in it.

10 July -August 2011

Flower Farms not at fault for lake Receding

Flower growing is important to the country’s economy because it is the biggest earner of foreign exchange – above tourism, coffee and tea. Over half of all roses sold in UK supermarkets come from Naivasha. “The flower industry is conscientious about the water taken out most particularly the growers who sell to European supermarkets because they know that consumer groups can keep a check on the water they use as well as the conditions of their workers.

“UK supermarkets should realise though, that they are being left behind by the Europeans. The Swiss and the Germans can see that, to make their supply chain sustainable, they need to put some profits back into ecological restoration. British supermarkets need to do more or they could lose the market in a few years time,” he said.

This follows another previous report that exonerated the farms from the suspicion that their chemical residue was finding its way to the lake, but it was proofed that a flash storm had washed untreated sewage from Naivasha town.

Flower farms are not to blame for the problems facing Kenya’s Lake Naivasha and the environment around it. Scientists from Britain’s University of Leicester said that the country’s second largest fresh water lake was receding because of over-exploitation, among other factors.

Dr David Harper and Ed Morrison said that evidence indicates that the fast growing flower industry is very well-controlled, thus not a major risk to survival of the water resource. “The real cause of the lake’s deterioration,” says Harper, “is the same basic cause as everywhere else in the world – too many people using up too much water and wasting most of it because they think it is free.”

The findings were contained in a report delivered to Prime Minister Raila Odinga by the two scientists. “It is very easy to come to Lake Naivasha as a visitor or journalist, see all the greenhouses around the lake and immediately just blame flower growing,” said Harper, who has been researching on Rift Valley lakes for the last 30 years. .

Research to grow potato and tomatoon the same Stem bears fruit in kiambu prison

Tomato and potato farmers in the country has every reason to celebrate after a discovery by Kiambu prisons

farm department that the two can be propagated to grow together sharing a common stem.

The successful research initiated by the prison’s farm manager Corporal Samuel Manene and the deputy director of prisons farms Mr. Patrick Kariri two years ago has borne fruits and was a spectacle to behold recently at Kiambu district agricultural show held at Ndumberi grounds. According to Corporal Manene, they came up with the unique plant after toying with the idea of merging the two plants that belong to the same solanaceae family to produce one that would bear both the tomato and potatoes from a common stem.

“We are glad our research has not been in vain after the successful results that both potato tubers and tomato fruits can be grown on the same stem, he says proudly pointing at potatoes peeping on cracked surface at the base and ripe tomatoes hanging from the stem at the prison’s farm.

Yields borne by this plant have since been named ‘Pomato’ which is literally derived from the merger of the plants.

“Ordinarily, this method of grafting can easily be practiced even by lay farmers upon a two day orientation, “says Mr. Kariri.

“One only needs a scion from a producing tomato to graft it with a sprouting potato stem, explains Mr. Manene.

He says one has to cut the potato bud, dissect the stem for two inches from the bud and insert the wedge shaped flowering tomato scion into the dissection before tying it up with a polythene strip.

He warns that the dissection must be done high above the soil level to prevent bacteria and disease causing organisms from entering the injured plant.

The potato and tomato plants have proven they can compact and after grafting the two, the tomato leaves will continue providing food for the potato.

“A farmer can seek guidance from us or else come for potted seedling that is already grafted at our Kiambu prison farm, “he says adding that each seedling costs Sh 50.

He points out that there is no specific seed so far that can bear the Potato yields thus one must follow the grafting procedures.

According to him, any species of potato or tomato can be grafted in this manner as they all belong to the same family but warns that a potato itself cannot be grafted on the tomato plant as it is a tuber.

He hints that they have already embarked on trial research to graft tomato with sweet potatoes as the latter has a higher lifespan compared to potatoes.

He says the Potato will maximize land use as well as inputs like chemicals and fertilizers.

Senior superintendent of prisons David Kiptoo in charge of Kiambu prison hails the project saying prisoners at the facility are now being taught how to do it as one of the rehabilitation programes that they may apply after completing their sentence to sustain themselves economically.

“Our agricultural officers are training them on basic agricultural skills the main one being the Potato that has been discovered right here. With the skill, they can practice it out there and earn a living and prevent them from reverting to crime which is in most cases caused by poverty and an idle mind, “he says.

The discovery will go along away to help us utilize our small 7 acre piece of farm land that we use in banana planting, fish farming, livestock keeping and tree nursery in more agricultural activities that will boost the prison’s food sustainability instead of straining the exchequer with food budgets, “he concludes.

According to him, potato plant dies out faster than the tomato though the two have the same life span hence the need to graft an already flowering tomato scion with a sprouting potato stem.

“This will enable a farmer to enjoy yields from his tomatoes for a long time before the potato plant die out after its tubers mature before the tomato realizes its full yielding potential, “he says.

He enthuses this comes as good news to millions of farmers in the country with land constraints and who are economically challenged to afford high costs of chemicals used on these humidity sensitive a and darling of pests plants, “he explains.

“A farmer can now plant his tomatoes and potatoes together which will save them space, time and labor spent spraying and weeding without affecting the quality of their produce,” he says proudly.

Early and late potato and tomato bright caused by harsh humid conditions and bacteria wilts that affects the root system are the worst nightmares to these farmers in the country where fungicide and pesticide costs prove unaffordable to many poor farmers. Weevils and nematodes are also common in some regions and instead of using much chemicals spraying different plants, farmers who will adopt this technology will have much to save, “says Maneni.

A taste of the yields prove to the consumer that their quality and size has not been affected by the technology.

Maneni says farmers in Gachie in Kiambu County and Meru’s Kibirigwi area have already started planting the Potato with his guidance.

12 July -August 2011

Research to grow potato and tomatoon the same Stem bears fruit in kiambu prison

13July -August 2011

Pest Control Products Board has developed a five-year strategic plan detailing the strategies and institutional reforms that it will implement to deliver its mandate in a dynamic environment. The board reviewed the initial strategic plan (2004-2014) in order to position them in line with Vision 2030 and other policy documents of the government.

Based on the ERS, the agricultural sector formulated the Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture (SRA), which has since been updated to the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS) aimed at positioning the agricultural sector in the lead as a key driver for delivering the 10 per cent annual economic growth rate envisioned under the economic pillar of Vision2030.

The strategies will help PCPB pursue effectiveness and efficiency in the fulfillment of its mandate as well as support the achievement of national development goals.

The overall goal of PCPB is to develop a high quality, responsive and sustainable regulatory system that will continue to safeguard human and animal health as well as ensure environmental safety. This is in line with the envisioned future of being a world class regulatory agency. The ultimate goal is enhanced economic gain through increased crop and animal productivity and a sustainable environment.

During the plan period, the Board will shift its focus from policing to collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders, by way of increased awareness creation, education on safe use and disposal of pesticides and helping to ensure that products are used legally.

PCPB has indentified five strategic areas of focus that will guide it over the next five years.

Ensure Institutional Sustainability

PCPB will achieve this objective by developing its own facilities including the head office, a laboratory and a Resource Centre at Kabete. Other activities include: innovatively improving the Board’s financial resources; developing and implementing quality management systems; developing and implementing a human resource strategy; improving skills and competences through integrated training and reviewing of the legal framework to conform to emerging issues.

Enhanced capacity building on pesticide regulation

The Board intends to achieve this objective through expanding training and sensitization programmes to stakeholders; improving safe handling and effective use of pesticides and increasing public awareness.

Enhance compliance of pest control products to set standards

PCPB will attain this objective by decentralizing operations to other areas of the country; ensuring compliance with set specifications; promoting adoption of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Experimental Practice, and Good Laboratory Practice in the pesticides industry and improving analytical laboratory capacity for pesticides.

PCPB’s 5 Years Strategic Plan & Service Charter

To safeguard human health and environment from pesticide risks

The Board plans to achieve this objective by promoting adoption of cleaner technologies in the pesticide life cycle; benchmarking and implementing pesticide guidelines and procedures; and increased collaboration, bench marking and enhanced risk assessment with leading pesticides registration /regulators internationally.

Enhance Information flow and communication

PCPB will achieve the objective by establishing a customer feedback mechanism; improved information and communication flow within PCPB and with stakeholders; development of a corporate social responsibility strategy and policy and the development and implementation of an ICT policy and strategy. Attainment of these five goals will positively impact the provision of professional, efficient and effective regulatory service for trade. Safe use and disposal of pest control products while ensuring safety to humans, animals and the environment.

In her speech Hon. Dr. Sally Kosgei, the Minister for Agriculture noted that the Strategic Plan is a key milestone as it provides a road map for the board activities and services for the next five years. The service charter specifies how the Board will relate and commit itself to serve its customer. “The two corporate tools are very important especially in this era of accountability and transparency in which organizations seek to provide services that meets the clients’ standard. If well implemented will provide the desired efficient regulatory services of the pesticides industry including their exportation, importation, manufacturer, distribution, sale, use and disposal” said the minister.

Ms Gladys Maina CEO Pest Control Products Board

14 July -August 2011

East Africa’s First Solid Waste Bio Methanation Plant

In view of this, Mboga Tuu Limited has inaugurated a floating dome biogas plant; the only one of its kind in East Africa. The obvious bio plants in the region are based upon the use of dung to produce gas and are used commonly in rural areas. The Mboga Tuu plant is unique in that it uses farm based wastes such as weeds wastes, beans wastes, vegetable wastes, fruits wastes, maize wastes and any other biodegradable waste.

Construction of the plant started on 12th January and officially commissioned by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Honourable Mr. Ali D. Mohamed on 6th March 2011.

Bio gas expert Mr. Hepi Patel drew the optimal design of the plant, including a comprehensive profitability analysis; giving a breakdown of the required investment, the expected biogas, energy production and the expected profitability of the plant.

The design of the plant is tailored to use collected wastes chopped into small pieces which are continuously fed to digester through-flow procedure. On daily basis Mboga Tuu feeds in 1000 cubic meters of waste and water mixed in the ratio of 1:1 and the resultant slurry containing 9% total solids is fed to the inlet chamber.

This slurry is retained in the digester (a cylindrical container floater in reinforced 1000 cubic meters concrete tank) for a period of 35-50 days. The bacterial flora is developed and fermentation process begins.

Biogas is a gas whose primary elements are about 65% of methane (CH4) and about 35% of carbon dioxide (CO2). It is a product of the natural decomposition of any organic substance of animal or plant origin due to the activity of anaerobic (functioning in a non-oxygen environment) bacteria. The bacteria involved in the process are methanogenic bacteria, which are subdivided into psychrophilic, mesophilic and thermophilic strains according to their optimum temperature range. The optimum temperature for the fermentation process is between 19°-25°C.

During cold season the digester is thermal inducted with hot water and agitated so as to produce biogas. The digesters are fitted up with stirring devices and double membrane roofs for the purposes of gas storage. The double membrane comprises an inner film for holding the gas, and an outer film to protect against the weather. Wall and floor heaters are installed inside the concrete walls of the digester. The exterior walls of the digesters are thermally-insulated.

During retention period, 400-500 litres of 100% organic fertiliser is collected for the first 15 days. The biogas collected is used for cooking, Gas lighting, Electricity- running a diesel generator saving up to 50% and 100% for a petrol generator. If the methane gas is purified, it can be used to run motor vehicles.

Production of renewable energy has been upheld by majority of governments in the world as a result of adverse climate changes; violent weather changes and atmospheric turbulences, which were not occurring in the past. A proactive approach to addressing the issue is opening opportunities in new markets creating new business prospects in developing countries.

15July -August 2011

Part of the generated thermal energy is utilised for heating the digesters, while the excess heat can be used to heat residential homes and buildings, as well as in agricultural or industrial processes with high thermal energy requirements.

Advantages of the biogas and separation technology include-:

• The environmentally friendly fertilizer from the separation plant can be adjusted for crops far better than traditional livestock manure. The plants’ absorption of the nutrients is much more effective. Thus the leaching of nutrients to streams and ground water is reduced to a minimum.

• By producing biogas from crude slurry and utilizing the biogas, the release of methane and carbon dioxide that would be produced in on-farm containment is reduced. Further, organic conversions at the biogas plant spares the environment the added CO2 emission that coal and oil would have caused by similar energy production.

The concentrated fertilizer product reduces the farmer’s need for storage and transport. Further, it reduces damage from wheel tracks and unnecessary pressure on the fields.

• When the water is separated from the fertilizer, the result is not only a more concentrated fertilizer product but also purified water that can be spread on the fields or upgraded to drinking water quality.

• By producing the methane you can use as a cooking fuel, lighting, power generation, and transport fuel.

• All pathogenic bacteria, virus and weed seeds from the waste products are totally degraded. Further, odour nuisances from slurry and waste are completely removed.

• The plant is a 100% closed circuit. It is operated entirely by the organic residual material supplied to and processed by the plant.

The energy produced from biogas is a major source of renewable electricity and heat, alongside with energy produced from wind, solar, hydro-electric and geothermal sources.

16 July -August 2011

Dipchem East Africa Limited is a Kenyan company that has become a house-hold name in the Agriculture sector over the last couple of years. Dipchem has taken a top spot and is justifiably praised for providing cost effective multi-range quality farm inputs. Arising from a humble beginning of being an Agro inputs distribution and retailing outlet serving farmers and stockiest in Nairobi, Dipchem is a success story of how a small enterprise can be well managed through visionary leadership and transformed into a medium sized company in just 2 years. The outstanding performance stems from key investments undertaken by the management especially in the areas of starting and operating an importation, agency and distribution company, obtaining evaluation permits and registrations with Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) coupled with openness to the growers, stakeholders and the industry in general. Today, Dipchem is a first class organization distributing duly registered quality agrochemicals and fertilizers and making a lasting impact on Kenyan farmers through provision of affordable quality farming inputs, i.e. agrochemicals, fertilizers, seeds, vet products and agricultural consultancy in the farming community.

Their business approach is from product development and marketing to sales; being attuned to customer and consumer needs. This ensures they remain focused on addressing the real issues and opportunities and enabling them to respond quickly and creatively to customers demand. Emerging pests and diseases, accrued product resistances to certain molecules, IPM among others are anticipated and mitigation measures taken in advance.

They are continually using research and innovation to make the most of their unique strengths and to drive continued growth. Their integrated science approach is based on bringing together different streams of science, combining, for instance, new biological and convectional innovations with traditional strengths in Agrochemicals and fertilizers to enhance product range. They are focusing on working in partnership with customers to develop products and services that respond to client’s needs, to identify

relevant areas of research and innovation and to reduce the time from conception to commercialization.

In 2010, Dipchem diversified from normal retailing of products for small scale farmers into being and Agent / Importer / Distributor for large Multinationals globally. To date, Dipchem is among the top leading national distributors of agricultural inputs in Kenya’s Flower and Horticulture sectors. They are committed to and invest in advancing sustainable agricultural practices and developing more efficient ways to protecting crops and fresh produce. This they do to address the Region’s changing nutritional needs and make food healthier, fresher, safer and more convenient for consumers.

Dipchem’s investment in the enhancing food security extends from the fields where crops, fruit, flowers and vegetables are grown, to tables where they are served. In collaboration with multinational companies worldwide, they provide high quality Agricultural inputs, agronomic advice and support for farmers, based on both the latest technology and years of experience.

Dipchem supplies first class service, high quality products, and competitive price to all customers. They are looking forward to rolling out cost effective modern small and medium scale greenhouse projects, irrigation equipments as drip lines and sprinklers, dam lining materials for harvesting water for farm use and fish ponds, and motorized sprayers so as to increase the rural incomes for most farmers in the country.

Dipchem supplies clear fertilizing solutions for fertigation as well as basic pre-plant applications. The need for intensified, yet environment- friendly agriculture, makes for an ever increasing use of micro- irrigation and fertigation - the application of plant nutrients through the irrigation systems.

Gatit fertilizers are solid, fully water soluble NPK fertilizers ready to be applied via the irrigation system, so called fertigation to the soil on which crops grow. The Gatit line of fertilizers is the proper answer, any time, any day for any crop. Gatit fertilizers are prepared from

different sources of Nitrogen (NH2, NH4 and NO3), combined with Phosphorous and Potassium sources and Trace elements according to the needs of the different crops. Gatit is enriched with the following Trace –elements (TE): Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo). Some NPK combinations contain Magnesium (Mg) as well.

Advantages of gatit foliar fertilizers over other fertilizers.

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Is highly concentrated with added chelated trace elements to prevent leaching to guarantee a perfect absorption.

Will protect your crops during times of stress for example during water shortages, cold weather e.t.c.

Is adaptable to different climate, soils, temperatures, varieties, yields and irrigation systems.

Dipchem providing cost effective multi-range quality farm inputs

18 July -August 2011

As discussed in the May-June 2011 Issue of Hortfresh Journal, Pg. 20-21, the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri has recently increased to economically damaging levels in most greenhouse ornamentals both in Ethiopia and Kenya, especially where integrated pest management (IPM) is being practiced. Although the reason/s for this is yet to be known, it is safe to speculate that the easing of pesticide use in greenhouses under IPM could have removed the residual effect of the pesticides that usually provide control of mealybugs.

P. citri is sexually dimorphic, i.e. the sexes have distinct morphological differentiations. Females are apterous (wingless), exhibit reduced morphology but can move from place to place due to their legs, albeit reduced. The females do not change completely and are thus neotenic, i.e. exhibit immature characteristics. On the contrary, males are winged and exhibit complete change of morphology during their lives. They live for a short period and never feed during their ephemeral life time. They live only to fertilize the females. It is virtually impossible to distinguish between male and female at the first instar stage but males develop eyespots in the second instar. Reproduction is primarily by parthenogenesis (fertilization without mating) although most mealybug species can reproduce sexually as well.

By Waktola M. Wakgari (PhD)Egg: Pale yellow in color and laid into a woven cottony mass called ovisac (a mass of interwoven cottony sacs) underneath or behind ovipositing female.

Nymph:

First-instar nymph is light yellow and is highly mobile. The female has three nymphal instars followed by the adult while the male has four.

Adult:

Adult female is about 3 mm long, covered in a mealy wax secretions, with 18 pairs of lateral filaments which lengthen posteriorly with the anal pair being about a quarter of the body length. Although females can move, they usually remain sedentary once they have settled on a suitable feeding site. There is a medio-dorsal line running from the anterior to the posterior body end, which

Table 1. Developmental and reproductive biology of P. citri on Citrus limons and Citrus reticulata (data from Wakgari & Giliomee, 2003).

How to manage Citrus Mealybug

in Greenhouse

Growthmedium

Tem. (oC) Reproductiveperiod (range)in days

Generationtime (range)in days

Fecundityrange (mean)

PercentFertility

Butternuts 22 11-12 38-45 118-745 (412) 95.8

SeedlingLemon

22 10-12 39-44 50-406 (164) 95.0

Butternuts 27 10-12 36-42 107-666 (423) 95.3

SeedlingLemon

27 10-12 36-43 90-519 (212 92.5

Nephus bineavatus

Crawlers and first-instar nymphs of P. citri emerging from ovisacs

19July -August 2011

makes identification of adult P. citri relatively easy. In reality it is not a line but a thinning of the wax layer mid-dorsally where the body segment appears like a continuous line when viewed dorso-medially.

Adult males are covered with cottony cocoon from second instar on. They are about 1 mm long, fragile, yellowish-brown and have hyaline wings and two white long anal filaments. Because of their ephemeral life style, it is often difficult to see them in large numbers.

Life Cycle

The eggs are deposited in the ovisac and hatch in 4-6 days under controlled laboratory conditions and in 6-10 days under field conditions; each of the three nymphal instars may last about 12 days depending on the prevailing ambient temperature. Oviposition commences in about two weeks after the final moult (the female in this stage is referred to as ‘pre-ovipositing’ adult). The life cycle from egg to egg (generation time) takes about 38-45 days at 27oC and 36-43 days at 22oC in the laboratory. Under field conditions, this period could extend up to 60 days. Between 90 and 745 eggs are laid per female over the 10-12 days of oviposition period (Table 1). The ovipositing females die shortly after termination of egg-laying. Six to eight mealybug broods or generations can be produced per annum depending on ambient temperatures and prevailing humidity. In greenhouses where ambient temperature and relative humidity are kept at optimum, the number of generations could reach up to nine per year.

With an average realized fecundity of over 400 eggs per female and fertility of about 95%, it is possible to speculate that the population of mealybugs could reach economically threatening level in a short time if targeted control is not taken. It is also possible to surmise that any method that provides less than 98-99% control would not bring the population of mealybugs to less than it was before its application due to their high fecundity and fertility.

Therefore, with pests such as mealybugs whose fecundity and fertility is very high the type of control option that has to be chosen and used must be one with greatest efficacy or one that can provide a sustained control over extended period. For this reason, biological control with various predators and parasitoids is usually practiced in management of mealybug populations. The use of various cultural and chemical control options have also proven effective in different parts of the world (see Wakgari, 2011).

Conclusion

Planococcus citri is not only on the increase in various greenhouse ornamentals across Ethiopia and Kenya alike but is also causing serious economic damage to the sector. Thus it is essential that a practical investigation be made on its biology, associated or co-evolved natural enemy complex, effective control method/s and ecology. As this species is highly poyphagous and easily adapted to various ecological settings, it is essential to check what types of potential host plants are grown around ornamental greenhouses and treat these hosts for P. citri control as well. Since crawlers can be carried over a long distance on wind currents, the use of yellow sticky traps for monitoring would be highly recommended.

References

Wakgari, W.M. 2011. How to manage mealybugs in greenhouse. Hortfresh Journal, May-June 2011 Issue; pp. 20-21.

Wakgari, W.M. & J.H. Giliomee 2003. The biology of three mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on citrus in the Western Cape, South Africa. African Entomology 11: 173-182.

Adult female P. citri,

Adult male P. citri

20 July -August 2011

In 2003, mango production was estimated at more than 183,000 tonnes, with Eastern Province producing 54 percent, Coast province 22 percent and Nyanza province eight percent. The total area under production in is estimated to be16, 000 ha. It is the third most important fruit in terms of area and total production with bananas and pineapples being number one and number two respectively.

Mango farmers have started recording loses ranging between 40-50 percent due to high perishability and non use of applicable technologies that could check the deteriorative processes. It is these losses that reduce the potential of the mango production as a profitable enterprise among small scale farmers in the country.

“The high losses are further aggravated by seasonality with the highest losses recorded during peak season between October to February,” Ruth Githiga, a lecturer at the department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi said.

Githiga recommends the use of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a novel post harvest technology known to prolong the post harvest shelf life of perishable commodities by inhibiting ethylene perception and action for treatment. Effective in prolonging the post harvest shelf life of “Tommy Atkins” mango fruits and she calls for a further trial on other commercial mango varieties including Apple, Kent, Haden, Vandyke, and Ngowe, since they are also affected.

Pre-harvest growing conditions significantly affect the fruits’ physiology and hence efficacy of 1-MCP. Githiga noted that 1-MCP has been commercialized for use in several horticultural commodities in many countries including the United States, Europe, South Africa and South America countries. However in Kenya, it is registered for use in avocados only since its commercial use in Kenya requires testing on various commodities to establish efficacy, effective dosing range and the effect on quality.

“It is one of the post harvest technologies that should be explored for use in shipping of perishables since shipping offers a cheaper alternative to air-freighting,” she says. Githiga noted that the technology could help in reducing post harvest losses, thereby maximizing profits for small scale mango fruit farmers and exporters and provide quality products to the end consumer.

The other biggest threat to mango production is the fruit fly that lay their eggs under the skin of mango fruit. The eggs hatch into whitish maggots that feed on the decaying flesh of the fruit causing the infested fruit to rot quickly causing considerable losses.

Traditionally, yield loss on mangoes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda due to the fruit fly can range between 30-70 percent depending on the locality, season, and variety. This problem has been aggravated by the invasion of the fruit fly Bactrocera invadens with damage increasing to 40-80 percent especially in lowland areas where it is now the dominant fruit fly pest.

Quarantine restrictions on fruit fly-infested fruits is severely limiting export of fruits to large lucrative markets in South Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Japan and the United States, where fruit flies are considered as quarantine pests.

Mango growers who have ventured into commercial plantations in the Eastern Africa find a ready market in Europe, because the mangoes in this part of the world ripen when imports from Latin America and Asia are out of season.

The fruit is consumed largely in the local market whereas exports of fresh mangoes comprise a small proportion of the total national output. Statistics indicates that these exports could be declining despite the rise in demand for the fruit in Europe and the Near East. This could be attributed to the indigenous variety which is common

A Call for Mango Farmers to Embrace Technology

Mango exports from Africa are estimated to be 35,000-40,000 tons annually and worth around 42 million U.S. dollars with EU being the largest destination market. In Kenya Mango output has increased steadily over the past decade as yields have improved to the current level of 10 tonnes per hectare.

21July -August 2011

in the country and cannot compete effectively in the international market because of its poor quality. “This therefore calls for more concerted efforts aimed at improving the quality of the produce and increasing market access, “adds Githiga.

Thika, Embu, Mbeere, Meru Central, Makueni, Machakos and Meru South are regions that have high percentage of improved mango varieties in the country. Mwingi and Kitui have very small areas cultivated with improved varieties. In Kitui for example, 1,287 hectares are under mango production, but less than six percent is cultivated with exotic varieties. Local varieties such as Ngowe, Dodo, Boribo and Batawi and exotic varieties such as Apple, Kent, Keit, Tommy Atkins, Van Dyke, Haden, Sensation, Sabre, Sabine, Pafin, Maya, Kenston and Gesine grow in these regions.

Currently there are about 22 mango exporting firms in Kenya despite the fact that independent small-scale farmers produce the bulk of the fruit. The country too has various local, regional and international marketing channels for mangoes in the country.

It is however disheartening that Mango processing in Kenya has not expanded since

there is only one large-scale firm doing the value addition. Other local juice and jam processors import mangoes in the form of concentrates mainly from Mauritius, Egypt and South Africa. This calls for further efforts through investment in processing equipment in order to increase the market value of the fruit.

However, the major constraints hindering the development of the mango supply chain can be categorized into four basic stages: the farm level, the marketing stage, the processing stage and the export stage.

At the farm-level, key constraints faced by farmers are the inadequate clean planting material, inadequate technology, the length of the production cycle and inadequate post-harvest handling facilities.

“Farmers should be trained to embrace and practice good crop husbandry to improve quality of the fruits. To this end therefore, capacity building as well as agricultural extension services needs to be intensified,” notes the don.

In addition, the stakeholders should explore ways and means of improving exports of fresh fruits through better quality control and management of the value chain. Other uses for the fruit should also be looked at in order to reduce wastage and spoilage.

However, it is important to note that these efforts need to be complemented by prioritizing and implementing infrastructural development decisions so as to support the sub-sector. Particular emphasis should be given to storage facilities and transportation.

On the other hand, institutional infrastructures should be strengthened through development of adequate credit facilities and setting up of farmers’ co-operatives, responsible for production and marketing.

22 July -August 2011

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The Export Promotion Council (EPC) in collaboration with Africa Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) held the 2011 National Exporter’s Forum on June 30th 2011 at the Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi. This year’s theme was “risk mitigation in the export business as a key to export development”.

The forum is an annual exercise with an objective of enhancing Kenya’s export performance, through presentations, discussions and dialogue among stakeholders; touching on contemporary issues that impact on the sector both from macro and micro perspective and thus involves interaction of both the public and private sector stakeholders in the export business.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Export Promotion Council (EPC), Ms. Ruth Mwaniki, called on exporters to diversify and increase value addition as a way of stabilising export earnings. “The continued concentration on primary commodities in the agricultural sector with little value addition is affecting our export earnings. These products are affected by fluctuating prices and decreasing profits margins in the destination markets,” Mwaniki said.

Kenya’s traditional export markets include the 19 member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and the European Union (EU), which

2011 Exporters Forum on Risk Mitigation

accounted for 57 per cent of the country’s exports in 2010. “There is need for consolidation, expansion and diversion into other growing and emerging markets”. “EPC will intensify its activities and work with markets abroad”. Mwaniki added.

Hon. Njeru Ndwiga, the chairman of EPC, said the country needs to establish a national guarantee scheme that would provide lower interest rates on credit for exporters and investors. “Currently the country is the largest exporter of black tea in the world and one of the leading exporters of cut flowers, and this shows that Kenya’s exporters can perform well if provided with assistance,” Ndwiga said. He added that there is need to establish an Export Development Fund to support activities in the entire export sector and also establishment of a guarantee scheme that would facilitate realization of lower interest rates on credit for exporters and investors.

Plans are underway to incorporate an exporter’s award scheme as part and parcel of the exporter’s forum in future to celebrate exporters who excel in various areas.

A member of the Commission for Revenue Allocation, Prof Wafula Masai, said the country’s increasing trade deficit calls for efforts to increase exports, which are currently dominated by primary commodities. “Tea, horticulture and coffee accounted for 22 per cent, 18 per cent and 4 per cent of exports in 2010. This is paradoxical because 60 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product emanates from the services sector,” he said.

Kenya failed to meet the exports target set by Vision 2030, growing at 18.8 per cent against a target of 20 per cent. According to the export agency exports grew to $4.6 billion from $3.9 billion in 2009.

23July -August 2011

24 July -August 2011

Whiteflies The Menace in Horticultural Crops

The entry of horticultural produce into these markets face stringent phytosanitary restrictions and only produce free from pests and diseases is accepted. Growers are also exploring markets in the Far East and lucrative markets such as Japan, also have stringent phytosanitary restrictions and remain untapped. In general, Import conditions require that Areas of Low Pest Prevalence (ALPP) are identified by a survey and the pest in question is subjected to effective control or eradication measures (IPPC, 2005).

Whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) are increasingly becoming a challenge for most horticultural growers in Kenya and due to the stringent EU regulations and directives. This has lead to increased interceptions of cut flowers and vegetables both locally and internationally due to the zero tolerance requirements of pests on produce hampering trade with the respective importing countries.

Whiteflies stunt plants by feeding on them and secrete honeydew on shoots which makes the produce unmarketable. However the most important damage that whiteflies cause is by transmitting viruses. Effective whitefly management depends on periodic surveying to ascertain their density and on establishing threshold densities at which treatment is warranted. The most widely intercepted whitefly species on Kenyan produce is Bemisia tabaci which is a notifiable pest in the EU.

In greenhouses, yellow sticky traps can be hung over the plant canopy and inspected regularly to estimate the relative densities of whitefly adults but are most useful in

determining changes in adult densities over time. Thresholds may be based upon economics of the crop (economic thresholds) or upon the cost of treatment (action thresholds). Economic thresholds have not been popular due to variability and unpredictability of the ultimate market value of the produce. Action thresholds have often been used and are referred to as levels of pest density or damage that result in consistently measurable losses in yield or quality.

Cultural control practices make the environment less favourable for whitefly reproduction, dispersal and survival. Cultural control options include using physical barriers such as fine mesh screens and the removal and destruction of infested plants. Growing areas should also be kept free from weeds which can serve as alternate hosts to whitefly.

Several classes of insecticides are labeled for use against whiteflies on ornamental plants and various vegetable crops. Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils are contact insecticides that cause suffocation and desiccation of nymphs and adults. It is important to thoroughly cover the underside of leaves and repeat applications. Insect growth regulators, when applied during the immature stages, prevent adult whitefly development. These products generally do not kill adult whiteflies present at the time of a treatment.

There has been a recent increase in the uptake of biological control by both export vegetable and ornamental growers which has been attributed to a campaign by the European markets designed to reduce the levels of pesticides found in produce. Use of biological control in greenhouses is likely to increase markedly over time as more managers seek to reduce the effects of pesticide resistance and change the impediments to pest control. Parasitoids such as Encarsia formosa have been used successfully to control whiteflies alongside other generalist predators such as Amblyseius swirskii.

Although many insecticides remain effective against whitefly populations, the potential in whiteflies to develop resistance is high and therefore an integrated pest management approach should be adopted to avoid possible resistance development and to have a sustainable program.

Commercial horticultural production, both of cut flowers and fresh vegetables, has contributed immensely to the economic growth and employment in Kenya. New farms are opening and existing ones expanding. The major market for Kenya’s

horticultural produce is in the EU (Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain, and UK) which accounts for the greatest proportion of export destinations.

25July -August 2011

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27July -August 2011

Healthguide Nature’s

Remedy for Cancer

By making certain lifestyle changes and proper nutrition, you can assist your body prevent many diseases. There are things we could do for ourselves to prevent the many types of adult cancers now becoming common. A good place to start is food. Many scientific studies have shown that high plant food eaters are about half times as likely to have cancer as those who eat few plant foods. This is also true for other lifestyle diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

Fruits and vegetables are loaded with compounds called phytochemicals and antioxidants. They are not vitamins or minerals or even nutrients but are natural chemicals found only in plants and have cancer-protective benefits. They slow, stop or reverse the cancer reactions.

Phytochemicals are found in vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Cauliflower it is known to be a body and brain builder, helps in the blood flow and

is connected to prevention of variety of cancers. Broccoli used as a sauce and it can be used as a spice for some other sauce or food like chicken, beef and eggs. Like the cauliflower, people who eat an abundance of broccoli have fewer chances of getting cancers of the colon, breast, cervix, lungs, prostate, esophagus, larynx, and bladder.

These plants work as cancer blocking or suppressing agents by increasing colon enzymes that can deactivate colon cancer causing agents. They also slow cancer growth by suppressing the cancer cells ability to reproduce and suppress certain enzymes that cancer cells need to grow.

Antioxidants are natural chemicals found in food, but are not limited to plant food. They help the body dispose of free radicals that can damage normal cells and set the stage for cancer. Every cell in our bodies is made up of molecules and each molecule has electrons in orbit around its nucleus. These electrons come in pairs making the molecules stable. Free radicals, however, have electrons that are not in pairs, leaving them unstable. A free radical will grab an electron from any neighbour and these become free radicals too, which in turn, look for another electron to steal. The result is a chain reaction where oxidation and damage can spread from one molecule to the next until something stops the process. Substances that can stop this chain reaction are called antioxidants.

Not all free radicals are bad as the white blood cells use some of them to destroy poisons by the body’s white cells. Free radicals, however, can be dangerous when present outside these functions and have been found to have a role in at least 50 diseases.

As all living creatures produce free radicals, we cannot avoid them so it is important to strengthen our body’s antioxidant defenses against diseases like cancer. Vitamin A, C, and E are examples of antioxidants.

Regular exercise is another

cancer beater. Excess kilos weigh your body down, and increase the risk of developing breast cancer. In men, many prostate and colon cancers are linked to too much fat, meat and weight. Exercise boosts the immune system and reduces the amount of estrogen the body produces. Estrogen causes breast cells to grow at a more rapid speed.

Alcohol is also linked to breast cancer. A drink a day raises your risk of developing breast cancer because alcohol increases the amount of estrogen your body produces which speed up cell division in the breast. Excessive alcohol consumption also increases the risk for cancer of the oesophagus and pancreas.

Smoking has also been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.

The amount of fat in the diet affects the amount of bile the body produces and some of these bile acids can form irritating cancer-causing compounds in the intestinal tract. The longer these compounds stay in contact with the lining of the large intestine, the more the irritation results.

Fibre fills the intestines and stimulates them to increased activity. With a high fibre diet, food travels through the intestines in 24-36 hours. This protects the large intestine by shortening its exposure to irritating substances.

Regular screening and taking immediate action when you don’t feel right in your body improves your odds against cancer.

28 July -August 2011

Eat wellIt is a known fact that our health is being effected by the degree of happiness we feel inside of us. We know that the happier we are, the healthier we become. The more we can avoid a stressful life and live happy the more disease resistant we are.

If we go through turbulent times in our lives most of us are able to find peace in the idea that bad times will pass eventually.

However it is important for us to realize that we have the power to change if we choose to.

Be GratefulThere is so much to be grateful for. Take some time each day to think about the things that are good in your life. Make a list of these things and look at it from time to time, so that you are regularly reminded.

Take some time to specially thank the cook for preparing you that wonderful dinner, thank the taxi driver or the friend who drove you home safely, thank the dustman for taking away your garbage, thank the mailman for bringing you your mail each day. By doing this you will make a shift and feel different inside.

Laugh As Much As You Can

We all know the expression: Laughter is the best medicine. So, if you know a good joke, tell it to your friends and family. Also try to see the humor in some of your own funny habits. Believe me, we have some real peculiar ones.

If we want to feel happy our social environment is of course of the utmost importance. Therefore we must learn to be less judgmental about the people we care for and learn to accept them the way they are. After all we are all unique individuals.

So, make the decision to be a happy person and follow the self motivation tips here under. Use them as self motivation exercise in order to acquire the necessary self motivation skills, which will help you to become a much more happy and healthy person.

Exercise as much as possible