The contribution of Public-private Partnership to Agribusiness in Kenya: a case study of fruit processing enterprises

Abstract

This study investigated how Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in agribusiness have contributed to the improvement of fruit processing enterprises. The research objectives were to explore how the nature of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) has influenced the agribusiness; examine how the PPP policies have affected the sustainability of agribusiness; and to identify the challenges affecting PPP in the agribusiness. The study used a longitudinal surveys design and the research methods were interviews and observations. The interviews targeted key informants who were purposively identified based on set criteria on PPP knowledge and experience. The qualitative data collected was coded, analyzed and results presented in narrative form as per the research objectives of the study. The study established the nature of public-private partnership in the fruit processing enterprises is joint ventures and divestiture. The study established joint ventures which had a co-sharing characteristic between the public and private sector had greater success than divestiture which was characterized by greater private share. The study used functional characteristics of the nature of PPP to establish that the joint ventures which had co-sharing characteristics had greater success in fruit processing enterprises than divestiture. The study examined solicited and unsolicited public-private partnership initiatives to establish which contributed to the sustainability of agribusiness. The study established that unsolicited PPP initiative created a more stable system that attracts private entities to invest, establishes a favourable investment environment, facilitates a legal framework and provides transformative changes than solicited public-private partnership initiatives. The study identified public-private partnership in fruit processing face challenges associated with the nature of PPP and approaches to public-private initiatives (PPIs). The study concludes that public-private partnership (PPP) has contributed to functional, political and social improvement of agribusiness in Kenya, especially in the fruit processing industry.