Mango Farming in Kenya – What challenges mango farmers face
Kenya is among the top ten mango-producing countries in Africa. Mangoes grow in various parts of the country, including the coast, eastern, rift valley, and western regions. These regions have specific varieties well adapted to their local climatic conditions. Some mango varieties grown in Kenya include Ngowe, Apple, Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keit, Vandyke, and Boribo. The mango varieties have unique flavors, textures, and suitability for processing or consumption.
Mango fruit production in Kenya is seasonal, with the majority of the harvest-taking place between December and March. During this period, processing facilities and markets are usually overwhelmed with a high supply of mangoes. During off-seasons, there is a shortage of fruits, resulting in decreased production and, at times, the closure of some processing facilities.
Factors affecting the production of mangos in Kenya
There are several factors affecting mango production in Kenya. Most mango-producing regions are located in remote and inaccessible areas, making transportation of raw fruits to processing facilities challenging. Poor road networks, inadequate storage facilities, and poor post-harvest handling often lead to high post-harvest losses, which affect the quality and quantity of mangoes available for processing, thus hampering the growth of the industry.
Pests and diseases are also significant challenges. The mango seed weevil and fruit flies are among the most common pests that attack the fruits resulting in reduced yields and low-quality produce. Farmers frequently lack the knowledge and resources to control these pests effectively, resulting in significant crop losses. To address some of these challenges, various organizations like the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO), Finance Corporation (AFC), and the African Development Bank (ADB) provide research projects and funding to support mango production, with a focus on increasing yields, access to markets and value addition. Additionally, various practices are applied to control pests and diseases in farms. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is one approach that involves multiple control methods, including biological controls and the application of pesticides. IPM has shown to be effective in controlling mango pests while minimizing the use of chemical pesticides.
Climate change is another challenge facing the mango industry in Kenya. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns have led to alterations in the flowering and fruiting of mango trees. This has resulted in reduced yields and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Climate change has resulted in increased extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, which have negatively affected mango production in some areas.
Farmers also face low prices for their produce as they sell their mangoes to middlemen who purchase at throw-away prices, leaving them with little profit. Lack of access to credit facilities and technical support also hinders farmers from increasing their yields and improving the quality of their produce.
In conclusion, Kenya’s mango fruit processing industry is an economic activity that provides livelihoods for millions of farmers and creates employment opportunities in processing facilities. I am optimistic about its future and hope to see continued growth and improvement in the years to come.
