Currently, a lot of our growers are scouting. They are also doing physical checks in the greenhouse and pack house and have set up mass traps in and outside the greenhouses.
Alittle animal causes a big fuss in the ornamental and horticultural industry today. Dutch media reports on how an increase in the discovery of the false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in roses imported from Kenya and Tanzania could form a threat to floricultural trade. But what is going on?
The fuss is all about the false codling moth. Now today Dutch media report that increasing numbers of the false codling moth could threaten both the rose imports as well as the Dutch horticultural industry.
Two years ago, the false codling moth was classified by Europe as a quarantine pest, recommending its member countries to regulate its presence. And not without a reason. “It is a serious threat, but the risks should not be exaggerated”, says entomologist Gerben Messelink of Wageningen University & Research.
Ask those who work in the floral industry, “why do people buy flowers?” and you will get numerous answers delivered with great confidence. Some of these answers may even be correct. However, we can’t be certain which ones are the real reasons consumers buy flowers. Turns out, asking consumers such a direct question will not reveal the most accurate answers.
Corteva Agrisciencies opened the third in a series of new offices in Africa, parts of plans to increase sales on the continent within the next few years. The growth plan are based on two-pronged strategy that centres around offering technical support and experience to farmers and other agricultural professionals locally.
Even though the rose industry has been under pressure over the last year, the attendance at the Naivasha Horticultural Fair does not seem to be affected. As statistics show, this year it even seems to become the biggest edition so far. “It is once again receiving plenty of bookings certainly on par with other years”, says Naivasha Horticultural Fair Chairman Richard McGonnel.
Overproduction, low demand, high fertilizer prices, VAT that isn’t refunded by the government, unfavourable exchange rates. When talking with the growers, it’s the combination of these factors that contribute to the challenging year that many Kenyan rose growers are experiencing. Notwithstanding the Kenya Flower Council predicting a 20 percent growth of value of Kenya’s flower exports over 2019, with the summer season around the corner these circumstances are not likely to improve any time soon.
“We want to be remembered as the farm which integrated their farming systems to enable sustainability both environmentally and socially to conserve soils for the future generations while improving livelihoods of people in the community” asserted Craig General Manager Kisima Floriculture Kisima which sits at an altitude of 2400M produces large headed premium roses which are sold through the auction. They export over 20 million stems annually, being a smallholder grower with less than 30ha to survive in the sector of big giants; you have to design a unique way of operations. For this, Kisima believes in two major unique ways; cutting cost innovatively and practicing environmentally and socially sustainable farming.
IFTEX which was launched in 2012 has grown tremendously to be a renowned exhibition brand worldwide. Currently it attracts more than 250 both national and international exhibitors ranging from; growers, buyers, breeders, suppliers, regulatory and compliance institutions and logistics. Over time IFTEX has contributed to promotion of Kenyan cut flowers which its demand continues to rise in world market. This action has enabled the Kenyan flowers to compete well with other giants like Ecuador, Colombia and also Ethiopia who are coming up well.
Who is Nancy Kurgat? Describe yourself as concisely as you may.