Category: Past Featured Articles

Q : For export, Flowers must be packed. Kindly discuss the importance of quality cartons in packaging of flowers?
A: The quality of a carton is important as it determines the state in which the produce will reach the market. A good quality box should be able to withstand the harsh conditions in the supply (cool) chain. The primary purpose of a carton is to protect, preserve and ship the produce to the market in top quality sustainably- in as near perfect condition as possible-allowing for good returns.

It is pointless to put so much effort in getting a quality produce from the farm only for it to arrive in bad state in the target market due to poor quality packaging fetching low returns and being subject of claims etc.

Q: For a layman, a carton is a carton; briefly discuss factors to consider when choosing the best carton for flowers?
A: A box is a box to a layman however you could have two boxes constructed of the same quality material (paper from same sources) but the resulting box could be very different in terms of capability- or ability to perform in the hostile conditions that it is subjected to.

The second edition of the Flower Logistics Africa (FLA) and Perishable Logistics Africa (PLA) was held on the 22nd and 23rd November consecutively at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi. The event was organised by various stakeholders and went on successfully for the two days. The occasion brought together key industry players including growers, exporters, freight forwarders, the airlines etc.

The conference was structured in to panel discussions where various panellists handled different topics as the audience actively participated in the discussions. The discussions on Flower logistics revolved on the theme: ‘Enhancing Africa’s flower power through better logistics’ and highlighted issues on technology trends in cool chain management, standards in packaging of flowers etc. while for the perishables was ‘Creating Africa’s future logistics grid for perishables’ and covered topics on industry collaboration, better logistics leads to profitability and reduces wastage, temperature management as well as transparency in transport from farm to fork. Logistics refers to the whole framework whether physical, technical or administrative for the transportation of perishables.

UK ornamentals market up 4.7%

UK ornamentals were worth £1.2 billion in 2016, an increase of 4.7% compared to 2015, according to the latest horticulture statistics from the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs

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The value of ornamental imports was just below £1.2 billion an 11% rise on 2015. The Netherlands accounted for 74% of imports, mainly indoor plants, chrysanthemums and roses. Kenya accounted for 5.8% of imports, mainly cut roses and carnations. Imports of cut flowers showed a 13% increase and bulbs a 6.4% increase

Initiate New Role Model of Trading Fair Poinsettias

Since 2016, Selecta one supplies Fairtrade certified young plants to their poinsettia growers besides conventional ones. All poinsettias are sourced from Wagagai Ltd. in Uganda. Besides improving health and safety measures, enabling freedom of association and collective bargaining the employees benefit from a Fairtrade Premium, which can be used for social projects. Already in 2016, Selecta generated through their poinsettia sourcing at Wagagai a return of 8,000 Euro to local workers as a premium. Independently from this Selecta and Wagagai are fulfilling all environmental and social standards set by Fairtrade to meet the certification requirements.

In Uganda as well as in other developing countries, basic wages in agriculture are well below what would be considered a living wage. Pay is insufficient to allow workers and their families meet their essential needs and afford them a decent standard of living. The absence of a minimum wage in Uganda compounds the problem. Besides that, wages cannot keep up with the rate of price increase. As a consequence people loose purchasing power. In addition many public services like schools are charged in developing countries. Often people do not have enough cash to send their children to secondary school.

Blooming opportunities & a stimulating outlook for the future The General Assemblyof Union Fleurs, the International Flower Trade Association, was organised this year in partnership

Unique Style Connects with Growers

Product branding and Consistency:
“Agrichem Africa stand is designed well and everything is labelled and placed appropriately, visualized for audience and generation of credible messages about the products .This creates a unique sequence in its construction. All the banners, artworks, product labelling and the display racks are affixed on the more viewable places. What potential and existing customers see is arguably appropriate level of professionalism, said James Gacheru, Technical Manager Flower City Thika. when interviewed by The Floriculture Magazine Team.

Bigger exhibition Booth: “There’s a reason everyone wants to see the Grand Canyon: it’s really big! Similarly, one of the key factors in which exhibition attendees remember most is booth size” said James Gacheru, Technical Manager Flower City Thika. Agrichem Africa Ltd had bigger booth space; attractively designed, calling for attention and action from customers.

By John W. Bartok Jr. The trend toward natural ventilation can eliminate the need for fans. If you have attended any of the industry product

Description
Downy mildew is a fungal disease that causes destruction of leaves, stems, and flowers of the infected plant. Downy mildew causal organism is called Peronosporasparsa and as the scientific name indicates, the production of spores is sparse and therefore this disease is difficult to diagnose and control.

• Downy mildew (Oomycete fungi) are referred to as a high risk pathogens because of the following factors;
• Oomycetes fungi are able to spread in an explosive manner under favorable conditions.
• Short development cycle (8-10 days under optimum conditions)
• High potential for reproduction (high quantities of spores)
• Wide propagation by water and wind
• Damage is not reversible: The damaged tissues die in general leading quickly to substantial losses at harvest
• High genetic variability: Rapid appearance of strains less sensitive to specifically acting fungicides possible.

In the last 10 years biocontrol in Kenya has grown from a concept and wish, to a major crop protection strategy in reality. This transition

Scientific facts in cold chain management
Although a scientific approach of post harvest technology for fruits, vegetables and flowers goes back to the 1970’s, many partners in the logistic chain still lack awareness and knowledge of basic principles. All efforts that the producer has made to reach top quality products may be lost within 24 hours by mismanagement of the cold chain. The small gain made by saving on the cold chain is negligible compared to the loss of value it will cause. Proper cold chain management from farm till buyer is an essential condition for the preservation of the quality and the value of a perishable product.

The respiratory metabolism
Cut flowers, harvested fruits and vegetables are still alive and carry on characteristic processes of all living things. The most important process is the respiratory metabolism. It is a natural process of ripening, senescence and deterioration of the plant. The bio-chemical reaction (for 1 mole): C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6CO2 + 6H2O + 686 kcal 294 kcal of the produced energy is used for internal processes but 392 kcal is heat. Cut flowers, beans and the vast majority of Kenyan fresh produce are climacteric plants and have a very high respiration rate. The respiration is triggered by ethylene, a self-regulatory hormone produced by the plant itself.