NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 25 – As the world’s third-largest exporter of cut flowers, Kenya sells 70 percent of its flowers to key international markets such as Europe and America.
Its importance to the country’s economy is seen in the billions of shillings it generates.
According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), horticulture is the third biggest source of foreign exchange for Kenya.
Moreover, it employs 150,000 people directly, in addition to thousands of others indirectly.
However, the sector has not been on a smooth patch of late.
From the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw countries close their borders, to the enactment of the 2023 Finance Bill, which introduced various taxes, the flower industry is slowly recovering at a rather steady pace.
For example, the closure of borders in key markets impeded the exportation of the products to the Netherlands, among other important markets.
One of such firms is Primarosa Flowers.
Last week, Capital Business toured the extensive flower facility and engaged with its Operations Manager, Peter Njagi.
The farm, which is located in Nyandarua County, sits on 104 hectares of land with 730 employees.
The firm has built a reputation for growing spray roses, with 65 different varieties of them grown there.
According to Njagi, the farm markets are in Australia, Europe, and recently, the Middle East.
“The Middle East is picking up in the market of roses and with this we are also looking forward to having colors that match the demands of the Middle East market,” Njagi said.
“We are putting concentration on that market,” he added.
Industry challenges
Njagi explains that the industry faces an array of challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns such as the much-discussed El Niño rains as well as extended droughts.
The above factors impact flower qualities in an industry that is highly competitive, he says.
Njagi, a seasoned grower with enviable experience in the flower business, also says that the cost of running a greenhouse is above the roof.
Most greenhouse covers last somewhere between one and five years, but the life expectancy of either will vary depending on the specific material, application, and climate of every region.
Sustainability
With climate change discussions heating up, one would only imagine that such a farm has put up mechanisms to save the planet since the cut flower production stages leave behind a huge waste of leaves and water.
Primarosa uses the left-over leaves and stems to produce biogas to light up its systems.
The waste water is equally recycled and is used in irrigation as well as cleaning the flowers in the processing stages.
”We have been certified as a carbon free farm in kenya.when it comes to tho0se chemicals used in the flower farm,Primarosa has gone into 80 percent biological chemicals which are friendlier to the environment,” adds Njagi.
Expansion plans
Njagi, however, is optimistic of a bright future after the firm rose from coronavirus-induced closure.
He asserts that in the industry, challenges make the best farms stand out.
The farm has plans to start a water purification and bottling programme that will further propel its revenues.
