Abstract:
The Kenyan agricultural sector will play a pivot role in achieving its national development roadmap,
Vision 2030. This report explores the agricultural value chains within Kakamega County, Kenya, focusing
on sweet potatoes, bananas, soya beans, vegetables, palm oil, honey, and avocados. Data collection for
the study primarily involved direct engagement with stakeholders across the various sub-counties. The
study revealed the unique characteristics and challenges faced in each value chain, laying the foundation
for understanding the local agricultural dynamics. These challenges included equipment shortage, lack of
technical skills, and poor marketing strategies. Recommendations are put forward to address the specific
hurdles and optimize opportunities within each value chain. Fostering cooperative formations, exploring
value addition and enhancement of technical skills are the common themes across the recommendations
for the value chains. Further, training, certification acquisition, research and development and process
optimization have been suggested to bolster productivity, quality and market competitiveness. The
proposed interventions. The
proposed interventions require collaborative effort from the stakeholders including government agencies,
non-governmental organizations and the local communities. By creating an enabling environment and
implementing the recommended strategies, sustainable agricultural-based growth and economic
development, aligning with the national Vision 2030, can be fostered in Kakamega