Growers are always looking for ways to enhance their crop quality and differentiate themselves from the competition. In Kenya, growers aren't twiddling their thumbs either. Yesterday, we visited three growers in the Naivasha region; Oserian, Wildfire Flowers and Aquila flowers. They are all located at an altitude of 1800 meters and are busy with achieving their goals.
Oserian for example is working hard to become a carbon free farm, Wildfire is eager to have their roses growing on hydroponics within three years and Aquila is currently conducting trials with open field grown flowers.
Below some pictures to give you an impression of the farms. Later on each farm and its activities will be highlighted in an article.
Oserian
In order to reduce the carbon footprint and eventually become a carbon free farm, Oserian is consolidating the farm and is trying out some electric vehicles, like the one pictured here.
Anton Koning, one of the rose growers at Oserian. Among several flowers, Oserian is known for their roses. The flowers are being grown in a 200 ha greenhouse.
In this area, Oserian's flowers are being graded and packed.
Wildfire Flowers
Ann Mugi, Sales Manager at Wildfire Flowers. Wildfire grows roses in a 15 ha greenhouse. Another 15ha greenhouse is being used for hypericum cultivation.
Part of their roses are still being grown in the soil, but in three years, they are planning to grow all their roses hydroponically. According to Mugi, hydroponic cultivation offers a lot of benefits, like a larger head size of the crop.
Grading and packaging area. Wildfire Flowers only sells their products directly.
Aquila Flowers
Satiram Hembade, Production Manager at Aquila Flowers. Aquila grows roses in a 28 ha greenhouse.
They are currently conducting trials with three new flowers; rosemary, gypsophila and sunflower. Pictured here is their gypsophila field.
Isaac Sabatia, manager of the grading hall.
All companies are exhibiting at the IFTEX that is being held from June 7-9 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The opening of the IFTEX (photo: Bert Rikken)
The opening of the IFTEX (photo: Bert Rikken)