GROWTH OF HORTICULTURAL EXPORT MARKET: THE IMPLICATION OF QUALITY CONTROL PRACTICES AMONG SMALL SCALE FARMERS IN SOUTH RIFT, KENYA

Abstract

The inclusion of rural smallholder farmers in the export of horticultural products has two major
implications: increased household income through a promising global market, which is a catalyst
for productivity, cumulatively growing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange. So
far, there are an estimated 2500 smallholder farmers who participate in the export of horticulture
in Kenya .As a result, the current study sought to establish the nexus between quality control
practices by the small holder farmers and the growth of the horticultural export market in Kenya.
The study collected quantitative data using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 334 smallscale
horticultural farmers who were randomly selected. Validity and reliability tests were
performed before the main study. Then, descriptive and simple linear regression was used to
analyze the data. Quality control practices can be measured through the Pre-production measures,
Production and post-production control measures. Findings indicated that there was a statistically
significant relationship between quality control practices and the growth of horticultural export
markets. It was however observed that, there are weak quality control practices among the farmers
which lead to non-conformities of products. This implies that the exports from Kenya become less
attractive and make the smallholder farmers less competitive.
Key Words: Quality Control Practices, Production, Contractual, Growth, Export , Markets.