It is rainy season in Kenya and this year, the rainfall has been heavier than usual, resulting in Lake Naivasha overflowing and affecting the nearby farm Van Den Berg Roses. "15 percent of the greenhouse area, which is 10 out of the 70 ha, is under water", says Arie van der Berg of Van Der Berg Roses.
"Having a greenhouse at the edge of the lake is an advantage as we always have the availability of good quality water. The disadvantage that we are discovering now is that, when the water level of the lake gets too high, it is overflowing and will reach our greenhouses."
Fortunately the end of the rainy season is nearing, so in the coming weeks or months, the water level is expected to decrease.
And what about the plants? "Rose plants are strong. We never had a flooding before, but other growers who have experienced such a flooding told us that these plants survived. But we will see. First we are going to pump out the water from the greenhouse and we will see how the plants are doing."
To prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future, the team of Van Den Berg Roses is currently looking at the different options available.
In Kenya, Van Den Berg Roses grows roses on 70 ha. Also in the Netherlands (on 16 ha) and in China, they have greenhouses that are growing roses. The roses grown in the Netherlands are marketed under the brand name Berg RoseS.
For more information:
Van Den Berg Roses
Email: sales@bergroses.com
www.bergroses.com