Most farms embrace sustainable flower farming in Kenya as an initiative, making it an advancing pioneer in adopting eco-friendly practices. These sustainable flower farming practices include using solar energy, recycling rainwater, and reducing chemical usage.
Kenya has about 220 flower farms, 70 of which are located in Lake Naivasha. Most of these farms are working tirelessly to adapt to sustainable flower farming fully. In this article, we discuss the impact of adopting eco-friendly practices.
Fostering Economic Growth and Partnerships
Sustainable flower farming in Kenya fosters economic growth and partnerships between Kenya and other flower-buying countries. Kenya exports over 200,000 metric tonnes of flowers annually, creating millions of jobs for locals and numerous investment opportunities for foreigners. The market is in demand for Kenya’s blooms.
Countries like the Netherlands, known for their expertise in the flower trade, have collaborated with Kenya to promote sustainable flower farming in Kenya, which has been vital in shaping the country’s floriculture landscape.
The robust collaboration, marking 60 years since it was established, has positioned Kenya as an ideal location for hosting international trade fairs and expos such as IFTEX, providing Kenyan growers with invaluable exposure and opportunities to foster new partnerships, expand their market reach and learn new eco-friendly techniques and practices in adopting sustainable flower farming.
Positive Environmental and Ecosystem Impact
Thriving industries are great for a country’s economic impact and development but are not so great when they harm the local environmental ecosystem.
A few years ago, Lake Naivasha was at risk of completely drying up. Many farms near the lake were draining the water into their greenhouses, recycling it back with nitrates and pesticides, which polluted the water.
This practice harmed the ecosystem around the lake, causing a significant decline in both fauna and flora and sinking lake levels.
Since then, farmers had to change their direction, allowing them to consider sustainable farming in Kenya and participate in it. Some of the changes made include:
Reduction in Chemical Use
Many farms have committed to adopting international pest management (IPM) and integrated crop management practices to attain sustainable flower farming in Kenya.
This ensures that pesticides are only used during growth stages when the blooms are still vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Once the flowers grow, farmers can now rely on insects, an environmentally friendly biological method of combating pests that reduces the need for chemicals.
By reducing the need for chemicals, these farms help preserve the environment while enhancing soil health and fostering biodiversity, which is good for the ecosystem.
Water Management
After Lake Naivasha’s near dry-up, sustainable flower farming in Kenya had to be implemented, and another way to do this was by adopting water management techniques.
A great water management system is ecologically responsible and economically advantageous. Interplant Roses, a Dutch flower company with operations in Kenya, uses a reverse osmosis machine.
This machine purifies recycled water using multimedia filters and UV sterilization. This closed irrigation system ensures 100% water is used, as any water not absorbed by the flowers is returned to the machine and recycled.
Equinox, a Dutch company based in Kenya, also has a closed water circuit and a water collection system that was set up to channel rainwater into the irrigation system.
Kenyan farmers are also highly encouraged to adopt drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting to promote eco-friendly and sustainable farming.
Technology and Innovations
New technologies and innovations have emerged in Kenya’s quest for sustainable flower farming. These uphold eco-friendly practices and bring economic growth while significantly reducing carbon footprint.
A recent innovation is changing the packaging materials used to package flowers. For quite a while, flowers were packaged with excessive plastic sleeves and nonrecyclable materials, which negatively affected the environment.
A 2020 study conducted by Tow Sides, mentioned by Floral Daily, found that plastic sleeves for flower packaging have been an issue, and farmers are taking steps to curb it by shifting to paper sleeves, which are fully recyclable.
Collaborations between flower farms and environmental groups have created best practices and adopted sustainable initiatives.
A collaboration between Equinox, Interplant Roses, and Afriya Energy led to a complete shift: The firms completely switched to using solar power, which is a huge step toward sustainability.
Technology and data-driven approaches are crucial in advancing sustainable flower farming in Kenya.
By using satellite imagery to improve irrigation and track soil moisture and incorporating blockchain for transparent supply chains, innovation is steering the flower industry towards a more sustainable and traceable future.
Customer and Stakeholder Awareness
Growing awareness of the floriculture industry positively impacts sustainable flower farming in Kenya.
Consumers are increasingly involved in making environmentally conscious decisions. A 2020 study by Tow Sides revealed that 62% of consumers see paper and cardboard packaging as better for the environment.
Additionally, 70% of consumers surveyed said they were actively taking steps to reduce their use of plastic packaging.
The appeal and symbolism of flowers, along with their sustainable origins, foster a strong bond between consumers and the environment.
Customers can reflect their values and contribute to the planet’s well-being by selecting sustainably grown flowers.
Regarding stakeholder awareness, the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) remains a leading advocate for sustainable flower farming through its certification programs, such as the Flowers and Ornamental Sustainability Standard (F.O.S.S), KFC Silver.
It also improves compliance among member farms and promotes sustainability across the floriculture industry, focusing on members, suppliers, markets, the environment, and people.
KFC encourages growers to implement practices that conserve water, minimize pesticide use, and safeguard workers’ rights.
These efforts improve the sector’s sustainability and enhance the global reputation of Kenyan flowers.
Conclusion
By adopting sustainable flower farming in Kenya, the flower industry enhances the lives of everyone, from farmers to stakeholders to consumers, while helping to protect the planet for future generations.
Next time you hold a bouquet of sustainably grown flowers from Kenya, remember that you’re not just holding beauty but also a key to a thriving green future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Environment for Flowers?
To make sure your flowers will last longer, keep them cool. Avoid direct sunlight and heat.
Also, do not place your bouquet near open windows, heaters, or air conditioners, as these can cause flowers to dehydrate.
How can Florists be More Sustainable?
Properly disposing of shipping materials (cardboard, paper, and plastic) is one critical element of environmental sustainability.
Flowers arrive at wholesale and retail florists in cardboard boxes with flowers or flower bunches wrapped in paper, plastic, and plastic pots.
What are the Challenges Facing the Floriculture Industry in Kenya?
Some of the challenges facing small-scale flower farms in Kenya are limited capital, increased cost of production, unpredictable climate change, and lack of market.
Which Environmental Factor is Most Significant for Flowering?
Temperature. Temperature influences most plant processes, including photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, germination, and flowering.
As temperature increases (up to a point), photosynthesis, transpiration, and respiration increase.
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