Africa
Kenya’s veggie growers
explore greenhouse technologies
O
ver 70 participants, mostly farmers and
interested investors, in June visited the third
Growing Solutions Kenya field day at Latia
Resource Center in Isinya. Theme of the field
day was ‘Dutch greenhouse technology for Kenyan
vegetable growers’.
Growing Solutions Kenya is
a project implemented by
a consortium of 11 Dutch
greenhouse technology providers
under the flag of Green Farming
in
partnership
with
Latia
Resource Center Ltd.
The project aims at contributing
to the living standards of small
and medium vegetable growers in
Kenya. It involves the development
of greenhouse technology that suits
the local production conditions
for vegetables. For this purpose
three greenhouse units showing
different production technology
have been set up at Latia
accompanied with an extensive
capacity
building
program.
42
Growing Solution is supported by
the Dutch government.
In his opening speech Peter
Muthee, managing director at
Latia, stated that one of the lessons
learnt is that there is a high interest
for quality greenhouse technology
products in Kenya. He stressed
the need for training and building
local capacity and a disciplined
way of working in order to fulfil the
potential of the technology offered
by the Dutch partners.
Sharing experiences
Harm Maters, president of Green
Farming, pointed attention to the
importance to share experiences
SABI | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
and close co-operations between
the Dutch greenhouse technology
suppliers and local Kenyan
partners, such as Latia, as a key
requirement for the success of
the project. “By adapting the
technology to the local conditions
and sharing knowledge and
information through study groups
and open field days, we build
expertise that helps us design and
offer a better product for Kenyan
vegetable growers”.
Martin Helmich of Hoogendoorn
Growth Management focused on
the control of climate and irrigation
systems,
using
automation
software 24-hours a day to create
the optimal growing conditions
with an efficient use of water and
energy, for a maximum production
of vegetables. Koppert Biological
Systems
specialist
Geoffrey
Ongoya engaged participants
in the new developments of
biological control for vegetables.
Other contributions during the
field day were given by Geert
Nell of Bosman Van Zaal on
the importance of irrigation
technology, especially through the
use of rainwater. Philip Immerzeel
of Ludvig Svensson zoomed in
on smart environmental control
with retractable screens, saving
on the use of energy, water
and pesticides.
At the end of the field day Joan
Nabea
acknowledged
that
the Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock in Kiambu County
appreciates that the field days are
open to farmers as she recognized
a considerable number who had
attended from Kiambu County.
“Every time there’s something
different or additional to learn
during the study group meetings
and field days.”