Farmers in Southern Nyanza have been encouraged to embrace horticulture farming as a profitable venture capable of improving household incomes and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Former Horticulture Development Authority (HCDA) official and horticulture expert John Rono said crops such as passion fruits, vegetables and tomatoes provide farmers with reliable earnings because they generate income on a daily or weekly basis.
Speaking during a passion fruit farming exhibition at Ayego Passion Fruits Groups Farm, Rono said horticultural produce has ready markets locally and internationally throughout the year, unlike some traditional crops whose returns are affected by market fluctuations.
He noted that many farmers in the region have continued to rely heavily on maize and sugarcane despite facing persistent challenges associated with the two crops.
Rono expressed concern that horticulture production in the region remains low because nearly 99 per cent of farmers concentrate on large-scale maize and sugarcane farming.
“Horticulture fruits have a wider market which spreads from Nairobi to Kampala in neighbouring Uganda. Farmers should take advantage of this opportunity by putting more land under fruit and vegetable production,” he told farmers attending the two-day exhibition sponsored by AMPATH.
He said the exhibition provided farmers with an opportunity to learn modern horticulture farming technologies, including irrigation, greenhouse farming and shade-net production.
Rono urged farmers to diversify their agricultural activities by adopting high-value crops that can provide consistent income and reduce dependence on traditional crops.
He added that increased production of fruits and vegetables in Southern Nyanza would help reduce reliance on supplies from other regions and create opportunities for local farmers.
Tomatoes, passion fruits and other horticultural products continue to have strong demand in markets across the country, but production in the region remains insufficient.
Farmers were encouraged to take advantage of available technologies and market opportunities to transform horticulture into a major source of income and economic growth.
By George Agimba
