dc.description.abstract | The coconut plant also known as coccus nucifera in botanical terms is predominantly
grown in coastal belt areas of Kenya especially in Kilifi,Kwale, Mombasa, Lamu, Tana
river and Taita Taveta County. The plant is also grown in other areas such as Nyanza,
Western Kenya, Eastern and Rift Valley region but the coastal region accounts for 99% of
the entire coconut population. The plant has huge economic potential which if properly
utilized can enhance economic growth and catapult our nation towards poverty and
hunger reduction while propelling the nation towards achievement of sustainable
development goal as encapsulated through Vision 2030 (GoK, 2008). According to
Kenya Agricultural &Livestock Research Organization (2016),the current monetary value
of coconut and coconut products is KES 3.2 billion which is only 25% of the estimated
potential of KES 13 billion. This study was aimed at assessing the value chain analysis of
the coconut subsector in Kenya focusing more on the components of coconut value chain
as well as the determinants of coconut value chain. The study used descriptive crosssectional
survey design and its population was comprised of forty two (42) SMEs
engaged in coconut value addition. However response was obtained from twenty six (26)
respondents who represented 62% of the entire population. Data analysis was done with
the help of Microsoft Excel version 2010 and mean, percentage and standard deviation
was used as a tool for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that value addition
in the coconut subsector is very important in Kenya and that various institutions play
critical role in the value chain process. Such institutions includes Nuts and Oil Crops
Directorate (NOCD),County Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) , KARI, KEFRI, KALRO,
growers, seedling distributors ,processors amongst various SMEs engaged in coconut
value addition. | en_US |