Declining passion fruit production: Ailing of the passion of fruit farmers in Uasin Gishu County

Abstract

Purple passion fruit is the most important fruit crop in Kenya earning a total of about 8% of foreign exchange among the horticultural produce for both local and export markets. • In Kenya, the area under passion fruit production increased from 2,157 Ha to 2,296 Ha in the year 2017-2018. • In Uasin-Gishu County, purple passion fruit between 2003 to 2012 had emerged as an important cash crop for the small-holder farmers • Constraints limiting production include; pest and diseases, lack of quality seed source and high variability of plants within the farms, lack of adapted variety, lack of irrigation capacity during the dry periods and marketing challenges • The challenges affect farmers and processors weakening economic ability and sustainable development.