1 Master the Basics

Highly successful growers make it a habit to always include the fundamentals of growing when dealing with crop issues. These fundamentals or “Basics” refer to 5 considerations when growing a crop:
• Air exchange: all plant life depends on Oxygen and Carbon dioxide and cannot survive long without it.
• Water exchange: second most important in a plant’s survival
• Nutrient exchange: mastering the basics of plant nutrient uptake can determine a great crop from an average crop.
• Light exchange: essential for photosynthesis
• Temperature stability: for both air and soil, specific for each crop.

Mastering these basics involves a complete understanding of how and why they affect the crop at every stage, without this knowledge the grower is unable to determine what conditions and techniques are best when managing the crop. The successful grower when making changes makes it a habit to not override the plant basics and hinder the goal of a quality crop.

 

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A weak Euro
Firming up Dollar
Failing Russia Market
Ecuadorian Flowers Flood Europe

Horticultural products exporters to the European Union have been hit by a weak euro as the world’s second largest reserve currency against the Kenya shilling.

The local unit has been steadily gaining strength against the euro since July last year in what analysts say will have an effect on earnings from exports to Europe. The euro last dropped to these levels in mid-2012 when in touched Sh103.

A weak euro means fewer shillings for each euro exchanged thus dealing a double blow to exporters to Europe, as they invoice their produce in euros but procure their inputs in dollars.

The dollar has, on the other hand, been firming up against the Kenya shilling piling pressure on an import-dependent economy as importers have to folk out more shillings for a dollar.

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On November 12th, the official kick-off of project SMART in Rwanda was launched. The kick-off of this project is part of the economic mission to Rwanda, led by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Minister Ploumen. The aim of this project is to enable farmers in Rwanda to develop a sustainable and profitable business where productivity and food-safety are key. By combining Dutch technology and expertise with local expertise of farmers and knowledge of institutes, both parties see a clear win-win-situation.

During the trade mission to Rwanda, Minister Ploumen stated the importance of the cooperation of Dutch suppliers, such as Bosman Van Zaal and Hoogendoorn with local entrepreneurs of small-scale farms in Rwanda. SMART has projects in South Africa and Rwanda, focusing on different types of technological solutions for as well large, mid as small-scale companies. Small-scale farm Rwanda Best is project partner in Rwanda. The project is cofinanced by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Project partners greenhouse constructor Bosman Van Zaal and automation supplier Hoogendoorn Growth Management will realize the greenhouse.

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