Abstract:
Like other countries in East Africa, Kenya faces seasonal water shortages that make it important to use and distribute water in an optimal way. One of Kenya’s biggest water users is its growing commercial horticulture sector, which exports fruits, vegetables, and especially flowers to Europe and elsewhere. Economically, the sector is a big success: it is Kenya’s second largest foreign exchange earner and a major employer.1 In 2014, for example, the horticulture sector contributed EUR 1.7 billion2 to the economy, with 42% of the profits coming from exports.3 Neighbouring countries in East Africa have sought to emulate this model.4 But its economic benefits must be weighed carefully against relevant social and environmental risks, including competition over precious water.
Description:
Growing flowers and vegetables for export is a vital source of revenue for Kenya and other East African countries. It provides
jobs for local people, including women, and creates market channels for small-scale farmers to sell their crops. But working conditions and employment terms must be improved.