Through the PlantwisePlus program, CABI has trained more service providers who will share their lessons learnt to help smallholder mango farmers in Kenya produce better quality goods for export.
The Training of Youth Service Providers project, contracted by Keitt Exporters Limited through a partnership that also include the Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), helped tackle a range of challenges to mango farming such as how to tackle the threat posed by fruit flies.
Kenya is the 15th largest mango producer in the world with the fruit being its third most important export fruit after avocado and banana. In the seven months to July 2021, Kenya’s mango exports hit 3,050 tons, worth KSh493 million (€3.1 mln). However, according to KALRO, farmers often lose between 40-45% of their crop – primarily due to poor harvesting and post-harvest handling techniques as well as pests and diseases.
Source: blog.plantwise.org