The Horticultural Crops Directorate ( HCD) which was formerly known as Horticultural Crops Development Authority (‘HCDA’) was established under the Agriculture Act, Chapter 318 of the Laws of Kenya, through Legal Notice No. 229 of 1967.

The statutory objective of the Directorate is to promote, develop and coordinate the production and marketing of horticultural produce At the time of its establishment, the horticultural sub-sector was seen as a viable solution for the country’s need for cash crop diversification, enhanced food nutrition, income generation, employment creation and foreign exchange earning in addition to providing raw material for agro-processing industries.

The focus of the Directorate at inception was mainly the small -holder farmers who had the potential to utilize their own labour, as the production processes were labour intensive, with a view to getting high return for their limited land. The sub-sector has been the focus of most government policies. The Government has developed a National Horticultural Policy that outlines key policy interventions to revamp and reposition the sub-sector

Over the years, HCD’s functions have evolved with the changing Government policies and sub-sector demands. Initially, the focus was on development and marketing, product value-addition, opening up new production areas and markets, undertaking market promotions and marketing produce on behalf of the farmers. However, with liberalization and reduced Government involvement in direct trading, HCD’s role has been re-engineered to regulating, promoting, coordinating, developing and facilitating operations of the horticultural sub-sector to ensure smooth production and marketing environment and to advocate for policies that favor investment and enhanced performance of the sub-sector.

The mandate of AFA - Horticultural Crops Directorate is to regulate, develop, and promote the horticultural industry in the country. The HCD is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of horticultural crops, facilitating their production, marketing, and processing, and promoting their competitiveness in both local and international markets. Primarily we serve by performing the following functions:

• Build capacity of the counties and stakeholders on horticulture production, processing transportation and marketing;
• Promote innovations and appropriate technologies along the horticulture value chain;
• Guide and advice stakeholders on best practices in horticulture production, transport and processing and marketing;
• Identify research priorities and promote technology transfer;
• Collect, collate, and disseminate production data;
• Develop a robust national horticulture traceability system;
• Develop production standards and policy development in liaison with other relevant government agencies and cascade the same to county governments for adoption;
• Register dealers in the export market that meet the quality standards requirements;
• Enhance the compliance of dealers and producers to KS1758 (national standard on horticulture) and market requirements through continual capacity building, field monitoring of Good Agriculture Practices and county collaboration in enforcement;
• Ensure supply of clean planting material for horticulture through registration of nursery operators and surveillance activities;
• Ensure exports of quality fruits through the analysis for maturity purposes; and
• Organize and participate in shows, exhibitions and trade fairs both in the domestic and international markets.