Kenya: Dutch delegation visits Naivasha flower industry
Florensis' Kenya establishment mainly produces ornamental cuttings which are subsequently exported to the Netherlands. During the introductory presentation, the young professionals kick-started a flood of questions regarding smart water use, responsible pesticide use and energy reduction options. Sustainability was a hot topic. On their ground, Florensis showed the fertigation room, computerised drip lines based on climate sensors to accurately meet the demands of the crop, the Integrated Pest Management methods and the biological wastewater treatment in a wetland bordering the lake. In short; smart interventions to limit the environmental footprint of Florensis.
In the afternoon they visited Zuurbier & co, which brands itself in Kenya as Bilashaka (‘without doubt’) flowers. Currently Bilashaka flowers is expanding and diversifying its greenhouse acreage, producing horticultural seeds (mostly tomatoes) as well as 200,000 roses per day. Their smart water use system includes catching rainwater and recirculating unavoidable water losses from the plant. These techniques reduced their water uptake from the lake or bore holes by 40%. Other topics discussed were certification schemes, particularly Fairtrade, and government standards such as WARMA and NEMA. Lastly, the incentives for other farmers to adopt smart water use systems were debated.
All in all the take home message is that there are ample possibilities to reduce the water and environmental footprint of a company through technical interventions. Over the coming months the civil servants will assemble their findings in a report to be presented to the vice-president of the ministry and to the companies.
Informal vase life trial
Contact NAI-LNV@minbuza.nl with any questions or thoughts on the subject of smart water-use in agriculture.
Source: Agroberichten Buitenland