Organic production of fruits and vegetables in smallholder farming systems.
Eckert M. van
Author Affiliation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH/P.A.S., Lenana Road, P.O. Box 47051, Nairobi, Kenya.
Entwicklung + Ländlicher Raum 30 : 11-12
Abstract : A system of sun drying locally grown mangos which has been developed by women's groups in two semi arid districts of Kenya is described. The possibility of such dried fruit products derived from organic production and with very low external inputs being accepted for certification for export to European markets is discussed. The system employs only local resources to produce a nutritious product without chemical additives. The technology could enable smallholder farmers to upgrade traditional local fruit and vegetable products for export markets and considerably improve their incomes if a suitable certification system were developed.