INDO-KENYAN COLLABORATIVE APPROACH AND POTENTIAL FOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF PLANT TISSUE CULTURE

More than 75% of Kenyans make some part of their living from agriculture and the sector accounts for more than fourth of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP). Agriculture employs about 2 million people, and has been increased up to 21% of all agricultural exports. Despite of continuous population growth, agricultural productivity has gradually become stagnated in recent years. Only about 20% of Kenyan land found suitable for farming, and in these areas maximum yields have not been achieved, leaving considerable potential for increase in productivity. Quality planting material is one of the most important components for increasing the productivity. Tissue culture is proven technology to produce disease free and true to type quality planting material derived from the superior clone. It is noteworthy facts that India has demonstrated significant success in the area of commercial plant tissue culture. Government of India decided to share experience of Indian plant tissue culture to African countries and build capacity of nationals through training organized by BCIL in different modules. In spite of significant development for commercialization of plant tissue culture in Kenya, cost and quality of tissue culture plants remain major constrains in Kenya. India’s experience in implementing the quality management system might be replicated to address these constrains which will facilitate realization of potential for Kenyan plant tissue culture.