About HAK

HAK was launched in 1999 and registered in November 2001. Since then, Annual General Meetings together with workshops have been held regularly during which officials are elected. The first chairperson, Prof. S. G. Agong, served from 1999 to 2002. Subsequent chairs have been: Prof. Mary O. Abukutsa-Onyango, Prof. Dorcas K. Isutsa, Prof. John M. Wesonga, Dr. Hon. Monicah M. Waiganjo, Dr. Arnold Opiyo, Prof. John M. Wesonga and Dr. Jesca Mbaka.

HAK draws its members from persons engaged directly or indirectly in horticultural activities. There is room in HAK for all stakeholders in the horticultural industry. Thus farmers, growers, students, corporations, professionals, buyers, sellers, national, regional or international stakeholders are all welcome to join. Current membership stands at nearly two hundred and fifty persons. Efforts are being made to enhance membership.

 Our Objectives

HAK is a non-political and non-profit making organization whose objectives are:

(1) To promote horticultural science in Kenya, through the generation, dissemination, and exchange of horticultural information and technology among members.

(2) To promote sustainable and environment friendly horticultural production in Kenya.

(3) To promote exchange of scientific information and technology among members through periodic: (i) Seminars, (ii) Workshops, (iii) Symposia, (iv) Conferences, and (v) Congresses.

(4) To promote capacity building through study, research, training and teaching.

(5) To publish or cause to be published:

(i) Proceedings of workshops, seminars, symposia, congresses and conferences
(ii) Horticultural periodicals including journals, newsletters and reports
(iii) Commentaries and reviews on topical issues in horticulture
(iv) Brochures, posters etc.
(v) Books, summaries or bibliographies of horticultural research relevant to Kenya.

(6) To promote professionalism in horticulture

(7) To promote the formation of branches for the furtherance of horticulture at local levels

(8) To promote affiliation to regional and international professional societies, and organizations interested in horticultural marketing and environmental issues.

(9) To promote co-operation with national institutions, societies, non-governmental and other organizations with vested interests in plant science, horticultural production, marketing and environmental conservation.

(10) To promote utilization of local expertise and resources in horticulture.

(11) To solicit funds for promoting the Association’s activities.

Achievements

In line with its objectives, HAK has been involved in various activities, notable of which include:

  • The Association has about 250 members and the number is growing steadily.
  • The Association has held regular Annual General Meetings since inception.
  • The Association has organized annual workshops successfully since 2002.
  • The Association has published proceedings of her workshop in hard copies and online
  • The Association publishes an international journal named the African Journal of Horticultural Science (ISSN 1998-9326).
  • The Association has a five year strategic plan
  • HAK is affiliated to the International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS) and it is the contact body to the International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS) for Kenya.
  • The Association was a joint organizer of the 1st All Africa Horticultural Congress held in Nairobi in 2009.
  • The Association organized the 1st International Symposium on Ornamentals in Africa held in Nairobi in 2013.