The Challenges facing Flower farms in Kenya

  Kenya boasts a climate characterized by heat, humidity, and moderately warm evenings, which provides an ideal environment for blossoms to flourish. As a result, the cultivation of flowers has become a common practice in many Kenyan households and holds significance in people's lives, as scientific evidence suggests that flowers can brighten up even the dullest of days or spaces.

Over the years, the flower industry in Kenya has grown substantially, becoming a major contributor to the country's economy through annual flower exports. Additionally, the flower farms have been vital employers for local communities, with other industries indirectly benefiting from their presence, such as the transportation sector. Despite these positive aspects, Kenyan flower farms encounter various challenges in their pursuit of enhancing the lives of Kenyans with their beautiful blooms. Some of these challenges include:

1. High transportation costs: Many flower farms in Kenya find the air freight expenses to be quite steep, putting considerable strain on the flower business. This high cost of transportation discourages potential investors, leading them to shift their focus to countries with lower air freight expenses, which can impact the revenue of the companies.

2. Unstable workforce: The flower industry in Kenya faces the issue of an unstable workforce, as a significant number of workers are employed for only a month before leaving. This high turnover rate means that new workers must be consistently trained, slowing down operations. Moreover, a majority of these workers are women with additional responsibilities at home, leading them to leave the farms when overwhelmed with domestic duties.

3. Inadequate storage facilities: The large volume of flowers harvested within a given period becomes a challenge for many flower farms, as they lack sufficient storage spaces. This limitation can result in flower spoilage and subsequent losses.

4. High demand for sustainable practices: European buyers, who are major recipients of Kenya's flower exports, demand blooms that are grown and transported sustainably to ensure their freshness upon arrival. Meeting these demands proves challenging due to insufficient storage facilities and costly air freight charges. Additionally, customers seek flowers grown under environmentally conscious practices.

5. Unfavourable working conditions: Many workers in the flower industry face demotivating working conditions, frequently exposed to pesticides without proper protective gear. The lack of adequate protective equipment, such as gloves, boots, overalls, and nose masks, poses health risks to the flower farm laborers.

In summary, while the flower industry in Kenya contributes significantly to the country's economy and people's well-being, it contends with several obstacles that need to be addressed to ensure sustainable growth and success.