The Kenya Horticulture Development Project (KHDP), funded by USAID and managed by Fintrac Inc., started in October 2003 to generate farm opportunities and employment and increase incomes for thousands of farmers. USAID-KHDP provides direct assistance to the fresh and processed food sector in Kenya and provides marketing, postharvest handling, processing and agronomic support for smallholders and allied agribusinesses.

From USAID-KHDP headquarters in Nairobi, a dedicated staff coordinates and supports agronomists strategically positioned throughout Kenya. These agronomists understand the unique market and production conditions of their areas and are well equipped to provide hands-on technical support in the field. Placement of personnel and field offices in horticultural regions in Thika, Eldoret, Nanyuki and Mombasa demonstrates KHDP's commitment to working in areas often overlooked by development programs. The project targets six product categories: passion fruit (fresh and processed), chili products (fresh, processed and dried), vanilla and spices, smallholder flowers, tree crops for processing (cashew and mango) and local market vegetables (onions, carrots, cabbage, tomato and indigenous vegetables). The program supports the fresh and processed food sector through training in food certifications and standards, new product development and domestic market interventions. Cross-cutting activities such as marketing services, policy interventions, environmental management and gender mainstreaming are also targeted.