Grade 5 Social Studies Resources And Econmomic Activities – Horticulture In Kenya Notes
Horticulture in Kenya
Topic: Resources and Economic Activities — Social Studies (age 10)
What is horticulture?
Horticulture is the growing of garden crops such as fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants. These crops are usually for food, beautifying places and for selling.
Examples of horticultural crops in Kenya
🌹
Flowers
(roses, cut flowers)
🥑
Fruits
(avocado, mango, passion)
🥕
Vegetables
(tomatoes, kale, beans)
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Nursery plants
(seedlings, ornamentals)
Where are they grown in Kenya?
- Lake Naivasha area (Rift Valley) — many flower farms.
- Central Highlands — vegetables and fruits on small farms.
- Coastal region — tropical fruits like mangoes and coconuts.
- Western and highland areas — vegetables and small-scale fruit farms.
How horticulture is done (simple steps)
- Prepare the soil and plant seedlings or seeds.
- Use water carefully (drip irrigation or watering cans).
- Protect crops from pests and too much sun (nets, greenhouses).
- Pick the crop carefully, sort and pack it.
- Send it to market or packhouses; some are exported by air or sea.
Simple flow: Farm 🚜 → Sorting & Packing 📦 → Market or Airport ✈️ → Buyers
Why horticulture is important to Kenya
- Produces food for people (fruits and vegetables).
- Creates jobs for farmers, pickers, drivers and packers.
- Earns money from exports (foreign exchange).
- Supplies markets in towns like Nairobi and for export.
Did you know? Kenya is one of the top exporters of cut flowers to Europe. Many roses are sent from Naivasha to other countries.
Problems farmers face
- Not enough water during dry times.
- Pests and plant diseases that reduce crops.
- Bad roads that make transport hard.
- Price changes — sometimes crops sell for little money.
How we can help
- Save water and use it wisely (drip systems, rainwater harvesting).
- Learn simple ways to stop pests without too many chemicals.
- Buy from local farmers to support them.
Short activities (for class or at home)
- Draw a simple map and mark one place where flowers are grown in Kenya.
- List three horticultural crops you eat at home.
- True or False: Horticulture creates jobs in Kenya. (Answer: True)
- Match: Avocado — Coastal or Highlands? (Answer: Highlands and some low areas)