Horticulture is a branch of agriculture that focuses on the art, science, technology, and business of growing plants. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees and plants.
Examples and Practices:
- Vegetable Gardening: Growing a variety of vegetables in backyard gardens, community gardens, or in large-scale commercial farms. In Kenya, common vegetables include kale, spinach, tomatoes, and onions.
- Fruit Orchards: Establishing and managing orchards that produce fruits such as mangoes, bananas, avocados, and passion fruits, which are significant both for local consumption and export.
- Floriculture: The cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants in greenhouses, fields, or gardens, often for decorative purposes or for use in floral arrangements. Kenya is renowned for its floriculture industry, being one of the world’s leading exporters of cut flowers, especially roses.
Facts and Statistics:
- Horticulture plays a crucial role in Kenya’s economy, contributing significantly to food security, income generation, and employment. The floriculture sector alone is a major employer and a key contributor to the country’s GDP.
- Kenya’s favorable climate, diverse altitudes, and rich soils allow for the cultivation of a wide range of horticultural crops, making it one of the leading exporters of fresh produce to Europe.
- The country’s horticulture sector has seen substantial growth over the years, with export revenues from flowers, fruits, and vegetables contributing significantly to the economy.
Historical Information:
- Horticulture has ancient roots, with evidence of garden cultivation dating back thousands of years in various civilizations.
- In Kenya, horticultural practices have been part of local cultures for centuries, with indigenous knowledge playing a significant role in the cultivation of both native and introduced plant species.
- The commercial horticulture industry in Kenya began to expand significantly in the late 20th century, with the growth of the flower industry starting in the 1970s and becoming a major economic driver by the late 1980s and 1990s.
Horticulture is vital for its contributions to nutrition, health, and the aesthetics of human environments, as well as for its economic benefits, particularly in a country like Kenya where it is a key sector for employment and export earnings.
