IITA promotes greenhouse-grown seedlings to boost healthier farming in Kenya

KENYA – The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is leading efforts to improve vegetable farming in Kenya’s cities by promoting the use of high-quality tray seedlings grown in greenhouses.

These seedlings, raised under controlled conditions using soilless media such as cocopeat and peat moss, are giving farmers a better start in the field while supporting safer food supply for growing urban populations.

“These seedlings are clean, strong, and well-rooted. They survive transplanting and grow faster in the field,” said an IITA agronomist. “We are seeing fewer losses, better harvests, and stronger crops.”

Working under the Food Frontiers and Security Program (FFSP) in partnership with the World Vegetable Center, IITA is focusing on helping farmers in urban and peri-urban areas access healthier seedlings that reduce the risk of soil-borne pests and diseases.

This is especially important for leafy vegetables, which are highly perishable and widely consumed in cities.

Vegetable tray seedlings raised in greenhouses show a germination rate of 90 to 100 percent, far higher than the 30 to 50 percent seen in traditional soil-sown seeds.

Once transplanted, these seedlings face less shock, grow faster, and continue producing for a longer period. They also absorb water and nutrients more effectively, cutting the need for excess irrigation and fertilizers.

Compared to conventional bare-root seedlings, greenhouse-grown ones deliver far better results. “Tray seedlings produce double or triple the harvest, which helps farmers make more money,” said the agronomist. “They are also more tolerant to pests and require fewer chemical sprays.”

To build awareness and speed up adoption, IITA has set up demonstration plots that allow farmers to compare tray and bare-root seedlings side by side. The response has been encouraging.

IITA is also helping schools and colleges establish their own seedling production units. In Limuru, the YMCA has a working greenhouse that serves both as a training center and a source of income.

Murang’a University of Technology’s Mariira campus has followed suit. These units are supplying local farmers while giving students hands-on experience with good agricultural practices.

“These units are teaching students real skills and showing them how agriculture can be a real business,” said a program manager at IITA.

In Kisumu County, IITA helped renovate a propagation unit for Orundu Suppliers. The group now provides both seedlings and training to area farmers.

In Nairobi, IITA has worked closely with the City County government to promote the technology at the refurbished greenhouse located at the Agricultural Society of Kenya showground. During the recent Nairobi International Trade Fair, this site served as a learning hub for visitors and extension officers.

Partners such as Grace Rock Farm, Prema Grow, Mkulima Seedlings, and JK Smart Farm are now part of the effort, working alongside IITA to improve vegetable production across Kenya.

As greenhouse-grown tray seedlings gain ground, farmers and communities alike are beginning to reap the rewards of cleaner, stronger crops.

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