Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has welcomed the Co-operative University of Kenya’s preparedness to incubate the proposed Africa Horticulture Centre, saying the initiative could strengthen Kenya’s role in advancing the continent’s horticultural sector.
Mudavadi spoke on October 6, during discussions with CUK Chancellor Benard Chitunga on progress towards operationalising the Centre following Cabinet approval of the Chancellor’s Legacy Programme.
The meeting focused on the practical steps required to establish the institution and the diplomatic and policy support that the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs could provide.
Mudavadi said coordinated government support would be critical in transforming the Cabinet decision into a functioning continental institution capable of supporting farmers, cooperatives, entrepreneurs and investors.
The Africa Horticulture Centre is planned as an autonomous, non-profit intergovernmental institution headquartered in Nairobi. It will bring together research, training, data management, policy advice, enterprise development and technology commercialisation.
The Centre will operate through four main pillars: the AHC Academy, HortiStat, Policy and Business Advisory, and the Innovation Oasis.
Mudavadi said Africa’s horticulture sector, despite having an estimated annual value of between USD 50 billion and USD 60 billion, continues to account for a relatively small share of the continent’s agricultural output and global trade.
He said the proposed institution would seek to address challenges affecting the sector, including fragmented research coordination, limited investment, weak commercialisation pathways, inadequate market intelligence and post-harvest losses.
According to Mudavadi, establishing the Centre in Nairobi would give Kenya an opportunity to connect governments, research institutions, development partners and private investors from across Africa.
The initiative is also expected to support the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area by promoting intra-African trade, value addition and the harmonisation of standards in the horticulture industry.
Mudavadi said the Centre could also create opportunities for public-private partnerships in infrastructure, technology and other areas required to improve the competitiveness of African horticultural products.
He emphasised the importance of coordinated action by government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the project moves beyond the Cabinet approval stage and becomes an operational continental institution.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said the Centre would provide an avenue for Kenya to share its experience and expertise in horticulture while helping attract investment and expand market opportunities across Africa.
The institution is expected to support the development of stronger links between producers, researchers, policymakers, businesses and markets.
Mudavadi’s discussions with Chitunga come as preparations continue to establish the framework required to operationalise the proposed Centre and define the role of different stakeholders.
The initiative is anchored on the need for greater coordination within Africa’s horticultural industry, with the proposed pillars expected to provide support ranging from skills development and statistical data to policy advice, enterprise development and innovation.
Mudavadi said sustained government backing would be necessary to realise the Centre’s objectives and ensure it contributes to increased market access and value addition for farmers and businesses across the continent.
