French flower breeder George Delbard is the latest firm to set up shop at the newly established Oserian Two Lakes Flower Park in Naivasha, Kenya.
The park is part of Kenya’s largest flower exporter, Oserian Development Company diversification strategy that kicked off in April, managed by the firm’s investment arm, Oserian Two Lakes.
George Delbard will use the facility to avail flower exporters in Kenya and the region with new varieties in the novelties range (special flowers), said Chairman Arnold Delbard at the International Flower Trade Exhibition (IFTEX) June 7, Nairobi, where the deal was signed.
IFTEX is an annual flower show held in Nairobi early June, organized by HPP Exhibitions.
Welcoming the firm’s newest client, Two Lakes Managing Director Robert Ward said the park was ready for business since investors would ride on Oserian’s existing infrastructure such as greenhouses, geothermal power, hydroponics system, biological pesticides control and other environmentally friendly flower growing innovations.
George Delbard becomes the second breeder to set up at the Two Lakes after Netherlands-based Select Breeding. Mr Delbard said the move was informed by a growing demand for novelties and need to be closer to customers since Naivasha is home to 80 per cent of Kenya’s flower growers.
Select Breeding general manager Michael De Gues said if breeders set up in one area it would greatly benefit the industry by holding joint open days to introduce new varieties.
Oserian Two Lakes covers approximately 20,000 hectares with a diversification plan that will include residential estates, commercial and industrial parks, hotels, leisure parks and wildlife sanctuary among other commercial activities, as it positions itself to tap into the opportunities created by the Standard Gauge Railway Naivasha terminus and the push to fully develop geothermal power at Ol Karia.
The Oserian Two Lakes seeks to create a “green city’ in Naivasha by harnessing natural resources within its land such as geothermal. The company that prides itself as green by nature is planning to set up a mega solar plant to compliment geothermal power, said Mr Ward. “ We plan to set up a green energy powered business park”, he said.
Companies that have taken up space at the park include South Africa’s Madumbi ( a biological pesticides firm), Two Lakes Packing Services , Oserian Flowers and Netherlands breeder, Select Breeding.
The Oserian diversification has seen some of the firm’s divisions such as packing, non-rose growing and Research & Development morph into independent entities – Two Lakes Packing Services, Oserian Flowers and Madumbi from which the company is outsourcing the services and products. Oserian will continue with roses production while Oserian Flowers will independently grow summer flowers and other fillers.
These businesses will provide their services to other investors at the park to enable them set up seamlessly.
