KARI-NAL-KSS- Soil Survey of Olkalou NO.D 72 1996

Abstract

Most perishable foodstuffs marketed in Kenya are vegetables and fruits. Apart from local consumption, a sizeable amount of these commodities is exported. It is therefore a very important segment of the horticultural sector in the country's economy. High quality seeds to meet local demand for vegetables are imported from overseas. Records show that in 1992, 95% by weight of the imported seeds consisted of cabbages, kales, onions, carrots and tomatoes valued at Ksh 25 million (NSQCS, 1992). The major constraint of production of the above temperate crops seeds has been the lack of the natural vernalization cold temperatures experienced in the temperate countries.