Our Activities
(i) Scientific meetings
A key objective of HAK is to promote exchange of scientific information and technology among members. In line with this objective the Association has held four workshops on the theme ‘Sustainable Horticultural Production in the Tropics’. The workshops usually take four days. The first two days involve presentation in the form of oral papers, posters and group discussions. The last two days involve field expeditions to horticultural sites around the country. This gives participants insights into the practical aspects of horticultural production in the country and may lead to identification of issues to be followed by scientists.
(ii) Publications
The proceedings of the workshops are published in hard copy. In addition, they are posted on the internet at the webpage of the Institute of Vegetables and Fruit Science, University of Hannover: http://www.gem.uni-hannover.de. An online newsletter is also published at this site.
(iii) Linkages and Collaborations
The Association works closely with public universities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. There are also close ties with the Institute of Vegetables and Fruit Science and the Institute of Plant Diseases and Plant Protection at the University of Hannover in Germany. Over time the Association has received a lot of financial support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Other research and statutory organizations like Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), CABI, Tropical Pesticide Research Institute (TPRI) and HCDA also participate in the Association’s activities.
(iv) Future Outlook
The Association is developing a 5-year strategic plan to guide its activities. In addition, a journal of Horticulture will be launched soon to provide a forum for information exchange among scientists in the region. There is currently very limited publications specializing on horticulture research in the region.