An Analysis of the Actors, Perceptions and Institutions of Largescale Export-oriented Horticulture in Laikipia County, Kenya

Abstract

The study explored large-scale export horticulture in Laikipia County as an agro-industrial food system. It established the actors, described the relationships between actors and institutions (formal and informal); examined actor perceptions of food security in export horticulture and determined how the existing institutional settings and changes in export horticulture relate to other food systems. The study was based in an export horticulture investment (farm and packhouse). It adopted an exploratory research design and utilized the new institutionalism theoretical approach to guide the inquiry. Methodologically the study adopted in-depth interviews (IDIs), key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs) and observations as methods of data collection. Data was then coded and analysed thematically along the lines of the specific objectives. The study findings indicate that actors in the global value chain include investors, workers, outgrowers, distributors and markets/ consumers. State and non-state actors were also identified as relevant to the food system operations. In addition, formal and informal institutions (‘rules of the game’) that define the operations and functioning of the food system were also identified and included; policies and structures for regulation of the value chain, labour management as well as the norms of self-organization among the workers. These rules of the game are set by the different actors based on their perceptions, access to resources and positions in the food system. The institutional settings and changes of export horticulture were described from an emic perspective. The study recommends a re-examination of resource use and sharing among the different food systems. Given that different food systems including large-scale export horticulture, smallholder agriculture and pastoralism co-exist in arid and semi-arid zones competing for resources, there is potential for conflict as indicated in the study findings. The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the Agricultural Sector Development Program (ASDSP), in their mandate to ensure sustainable resource use and allocation for the different food systems, need to look into the institutional settings and changes governing common pool resources namely land and water. This will ensure proper sharing of resources required for the production of food and contribute to the national food security agenda. The study also recommends additional qualitative research to better situate large-scale export horticulture as an agro-industrial food system with a global value chain. There’s need for larger data sets involving more export-oriented horticulture establishments from across the country to further interrogate the institutional setting and changes.