The African Cut Flower Industry
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The African cut flower industry brings both good and bad to the continent of Africa.
It is estimated that one in three roses for sale in Europe was farmed in Kenya.Each rose grown for the floral trade in Africa drinks 1.5 litres of water a day - its a shame each African person doesn't get at least that as well. Not only is the African cut flower industry depleting the continent of much-needed water, the chemicals used in flower farming are running back into the few local water supplies where people are bathing and drinking. The working conditions on these flower farms are not ideal either. On a positive note, the floral industry is bringing much needed jobs, and hence money, into Africa's economy. Learn about the cut flower industry in Africa and its implications.
The Origin Of Your Flowers
Where did that bouquet come from?
We receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers and are overcome with joy. How thoughtful of someone to give us flowers. They are seen as necessary in life's most important moments: new babies, weddings, funerals. How much do we think about where those flowers come from though?
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A Blooming Business
A documentary on Kenya's Flower Farms by Ton van Zantvoort
The Edinburgh International Film Festival responded to this documentary by saying "Its time to wake up and smell the imported roses."
"The rose means for me hard work. Having thorns in my hands with a lot of chemicals. That is what the rose means to me. Because the supervisors are harassing us. We are like prisoners. We don't have the freedom to do something."
"I know that if I worked for another farm, that would be the death of me."
"These flower farms use a lot of chemicals, pesticides and water. When it rains, all the chemicals and water find their way into this lake."
"My dream was to work for a good company. Even to drive if possible. To live good. But now, that dream is too far from reality."
"The rose means for me hard work. Having thorns in my hands with a lot of chemicals. That is what the rose means to me. Because the supervisors are harassing us. We are like prisoners. We don't have the freedom to do something."
"I know that if I worked for another farm, that would be the death of me."
"These flower farms use a lot of chemicals, pesticides and water. When it rains, all the chemicals and water find their way into this lake."
"My dream was to work for a good company. Even to drive if possible. To live good. But now, that dream is too far from reality."
curated content from YouTube
Flower Farm Consequences to Lake Naivasha
Watch the clips below from Kenya's NTV news on how fish are mysteriously dying in Lake Naivasha, the local wildlife is becoming less and less common and the water levels of this, Kenya's 2nd largest lake, are receding. Many people rely on Naivasha for water as well as the fishing industry it supports. Most predominantly though, Lake Naivasha is home to many flower farms which consume vast amounts of its water and return chemically-laden liquids.
curated content from YouTube
Kenyan Flower Farms
Tweets On Lake Naivasha
What is the latest news?
You're likely to find posts about the environmental consequences to Naivasha's lake as well as calls for employment in this resort area of Africa. This is similar to the strange dichotomy the floricultural industry has on Naivasha. The flower farms are killing the lake, but also bringing much-needed jobs and money into the area.
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- strawbrolly
- I'm living in a castle that's bigger than my place! (@ Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort) [pic]: http://t.co/YqGBo5gj
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- IAmSinPin
- Day 1. Was at Lake Naivasha with my Son...Wat a view then Longonot National Park
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- raylumondo
- "@lkatho: The view from where I stand! Magical Kenya, beautiful lake Naivasha...indeed #1000ReasonsToBelieveInKenya http://t.co/Yz46AXVt":-)
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- nathancollett
- Spectacular day lake #naivasha #Kenya
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- lkatho
- The view from where I stand! Magical Kenya, beautiful lake Naivasha...indeed #1000ReasonsToBelieveInKenya http://t.co/7sjfSCzj
automatically generated by Twitter
Are Flower Farms Taking Care Of Their Workers?
Karutari Flower Farm and Kenya's Flower Farms In General.
This piece from Citizen TV in Kenya shows film footage of a Naivasha flower farm worker wearing ripped clothing with shoes falling to bits off his feet. Karutari Flowers stressed they provide their employees with the proper protective clothing and they do not know who this "flower farm worker" on the video was. What do you think?
NTV Kenya comes back showing how Kenya's flower industry is bringing more money to the country than the tourism industry. The flower farm workers have little to show for it however.
NTV Kenya comes back showing how Kenya's flower industry is bringing more money to the country than the tourism industry. The flower farm workers have little to show for it however.
curated content from YouTube
The African Flower Sellers And Flower Farms
Bringing Money To Africa's Struggling Economies
Between 2003 and 2007, the floriculture industry value has nearly trebled, with volume increasing by nearly 67%. New opportunities within ecommerce, such as FloraHolland, are poised to send more profit directly to the flower farms themselves, eliminating the middle man. Not only will the flower farmers benefit, florists also will get better value for their money.
These market florists in Capetown, South Africa seem to be very happy doing their Diski dance.
These market florists in Capetown, South Africa seem to be very happy doing their Diski dance.
curated content from YouTube
The Cut Flower Industry in Rwanda
Let's hope the Rwandan cut flower industry starts off on the right foot.
Floriculture is still new in Rwanda. At the time of this article, just one company, having 200 employees, exports roses to the Netherlands. Other flower farmers sell their crops on local markets, often only having an acre of farming space. Flowers grown in Rwanda include: alstroemeria, white lillies and asters. In fact, most flowers sold in Rwanda are imported from other African countries.
In 2005, the Rwanda Flower Producers Exporters Federation was established, aiming to join Rwandan flower growing cooperatives. This federation (ARPEF) created a country-wide organizational structure of 50 cooperatives containing 10 members each to monitor procedures such as local and international promotion of the flower industry.
ARPEF's strategic plan has 4 main objectives: development of a flower producers' organization; technical support for flower producers; a marketing campaign targeting Rwanda's local floral market and, the promotion of Rwanda's floral exports to European Union countries.
The availability of both a high altitude and tropical climate make Rwanda's natural conditions and climate ideal for flower production. The soil is fertile and there is low occurrence of flower diseases. The varied temperatures allow for many flowers to be grown. With a safe political and economic climate, a Rwandan floricultural industry creates an attractive investment opportunity for foreigners, bringing much needed capital into the country. In fact, the Rwandan government strongly support the development of a stronger floral industry.
Due to cost concerns, Rwanda is looking at powering its flower farms with methane gas harvested from Lake Kivu and hydro-power from dam construction on local rivers.
UNFORTUNATELY, RWANDA IS NOT PLANNING ON AN ORGANIC FLORICULTURAL INDUSTRY
7. INPUTS
The whole bulk of inputs (i.e. flower fertilizers, planting materials, flower chemicals, packing materials/equipment, greenhouses and plastics, netting and others) required for production have to be imported and obtained from many foreign companies which are not established in Rwanda at this moment.
In 2005, the Rwanda Flower Producers Exporters Federation was established, aiming to join Rwandan flower growing cooperatives. This federation (ARPEF) created a country-wide organizational structure of 50 cooperatives containing 10 members each to monitor procedures such as local and international promotion of the flower industry.
ARPEF's strategic plan has 4 main objectives: development of a flower producers' organization; technical support for flower producers; a marketing campaign targeting Rwanda's local floral market and, the promotion of Rwanda's floral exports to European Union countries.
The availability of both a high altitude and tropical climate make Rwanda's natural conditions and climate ideal for flower production. The soil is fertile and there is low occurrence of flower diseases. The varied temperatures allow for many flowers to be grown. With a safe political and economic climate, a Rwandan floricultural industry creates an attractive investment opportunity for foreigners, bringing much needed capital into the country. In fact, the Rwandan government strongly support the development of a stronger floral industry.
Due to cost concerns, Rwanda is looking at powering its flower farms with methane gas harvested from Lake Kivu and hydro-power from dam construction on local rivers.
UNFORTUNATELY, RWANDA IS NOT PLANNING ON AN ORGANIC FLORICULTURAL INDUSTRY
7. INPUTS
The whole bulk of inputs (i.e. flower fertilizers, planting materials, flower chemicals, packing materials/equipment, greenhouses and plastics, netting and others) required for production have to be imported and obtained from many foreign companies which are not established in Rwanda at this moment.
Uganda's Cut Flower Industry
The Impact of the Cut Flower Industry on Uganda - International Labour Organisation, http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/sector/papers/uganflow/index.htm May 6, 2009
Good Labour Practices Flower in Uganda - Inter Press Service News Agency, http://ipsnews.net/africa/nota.asp?idnews=38994 May 6, 2009
Uganda's Flower Industry - Jeroen Van Der Hulst http://www.flowerwatch.com/pics_news/download/Ugandas_Flower_Industry.pdf May 6, 2009
Ugandan Tea Hybrid - New Agriculturalist Online http://www.new-ag.info/01-5/focuson/focuson5.html, May 6, 2009
Good Labour Practices Flower in Uganda - Inter Press Service News Agency, http://ipsnews.net/africa/nota.asp?idnews=38994 May 6, 2009
Uganda's Flower Industry - Jeroen Van Der Hulst http://www.flowerwatch.com/pics_news/download/Ugandas_Flower_Industry.pdf May 6, 2009
Ugandan Tea Hybrid - New Agriculturalist Online http://www.new-ag.info/01-5/focuson/focuson5.html, May 6, 2009
Buying Certified Organic Flowers Is One Way To Solve This Dilemma
Maintain the jobs provided by the flower industry but get rid of the negative environmental consequences of it
Will you be purchasing organic or fair-trade flowers in the future?
Did this lens make an impact on you?
After watching these videos and being presented with the facts on the African cut flower industry, will you be doing a little research before you make your next flower purchase?
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Your Feelings on the African flower industry
Pro or con
Do you feel we should support an African flower industry to bring wealth to the nations there and provide the people with jobs? Should we boycott African flowers because of the human and environmental costs to the African continent and its people? How is the best way to bring about change for the African floral industry? Leave your ideas and opinions here.
More lenses relevant to the African Floral Industry
From the African economy overall to the importance of organic & fair-trade flowers
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Don't Forget About The African Flower Industry
Come back to this page when you're ready to send flowers to someone
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If you're not yet a member of Squidoo, you can sign up and get started with the Squidoo community right here. Go on, its addictive (in a good way)!
by LauraSchofield
Laura Schofield is a web developer, computer programmer, freelance journalist and mother to four children. She writes on a wide variety of subjects, from... more »
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