De Ruiter East Africa is introducing Bahati, a new rose variety by Genviv that, according to Rohit Patil, Sales and Marketing Manager, holds strong potential for the Kenyan market. "The name Bahati comes from Swahili and means 'good luck' or 'fortune'. And that is exactly what we hope this variety will bring to growers," Rohit says.
© De Ruiter Innovations B.V.
The variety is currently being planted commercially at the newly established Kenyan farm Azali Ltd, where initial feedback is already positive due to the rose's strong performance in the field.
Strong growing characteristics
According to Rohit, Bahati® stands out for its reliable production and uniform quality. "At 1,900 meters, this variety typically produces 140–160 stems per square meter per year. Stem length ranges from 50 to 80 centimeters, with a head size between 5.0 and 5.5 centimeters and it grows even larger at higher altitudes."
© De Ruiter Innovations B.V.
Vase life is another strong advantage. "It offers an impressive vase life of 12–14 days," Rohit notes. "The flowers stay fresh for a long time and maintain their appearance."
© De Ruiter Innovations B.V.
High interest
Across Kenya, many farms are currently trialling the variety and showing strong interest. "We see significant enthusiasm from growers," Rohit says. To meet this growing demand, De Ruiter East Africa is expanding its budwood bank. "We are building a larger capacity to supply sufficient planting material once growers are ready to scale up."
With its strong performance, long vase life, and attractive head size, Bahati is well-positioned for a successful market introduction. According to De Ruiter, the variety has everything it needs to bring growers and buyers a touch of good fortune, just as its name suggests.
For more information:
Royal De Ruiter
[email protected]
www.deruiter.com
