Abstract
The performance of greenhouses in the humid coastal region of Kenya has consistently been poor despite the huge market potential that exist for fresh farm produce. A study was conducted to establish the extent of greenhouse technology uptake and distribution pattern in the region with a view to establish production status and challenges faced by greenhouse farmers. A survey was conducted in Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa counties between July and August 2015. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, random interviews and observation using purposive sampling method. The study established that 69% and 100% of the greenhouses surveyed in Kwale and Mombasa Counties respectively were owned by institutions and farmer groups. In Kilifi County however, more individuals own greenhouses with over 60% of the greenhouses owned by two farmers who produce for export. There was marked variation on the spatial distribution of greenhouses in the three counties with the relative area under greenhouse in the region averaging 0.0003%. Most of the installed greenhouses in the region had been abandoned. The rate of failure was highest in Kwale County where only 30% of those surveyed were operational. In Kilifi and Mombasa Counties however, 70% of the existing greenhouses were operational. Greenhouse farming in the coastal humid region faced several challenges including low productivity averaging 10% of the potential; political interference, lack of technical know-how, lack of adequate water sources and in certain instances low water quality usage for production. These challenges largely contributed to the poor adoption of the greenhouse technology in the region under study. With increased technical support, greenhouses can be a more viable economic booster especially in the urban and non-traditional agricultural areas.
Highlights
Greenhouse farming is a technology that is widely used in Europe to promote efforts to achieve food security
This present study sought to establish the status of greenhouse farming in the hot coastal humid region of Kenya with specific interest to establish the level of technology adoption, performance of installed greenhouses and challenges faced by greenhouse farmers in the region
In Kwale County eleven out of the sixteen greenhouses surveyed were owned by groups and institutions, while in Mombasa 100% of the greenhouses
Summary
Greenhouse farming is a technology that is widely used in Europe to promote efforts to achieve food security. The scenario is slowly changing with small scale farmers adopting it to grow high value food crops such as tomatoes, strawberries and melons among other crops. Despite this positive trend, greenhouse farming is not vibrant in the hot humid tropical climate region of Kenya. Continued lack of access to technical services on the technology led to 60% of farmers in Kisumu County to abandon the technology [7] This present study sought to establish the status of greenhouse farming in the hot coastal humid region of Kenya with specific interest to establish the level of technology adoption, performance of installed greenhouses and challenges faced by greenhouse farmers in the region
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