By: Catherine Riungu
One of my most memorable experiences as a journalist who has covered the flower industry for decades was sitting on live TV to discuss the challenges facing one of Kenya’s top sectors floriculture. Media has a way of shaping a writer into an expert’, not just in matters story telling but also a repository of knowledge. This mobile library of sorts is curved out of interaction with the real experts- the technocrats, the investors, the
managers, the policy makers, the lobbyists, development partners, the regulators and a cross-section of stakeholders in the value-chain. From the soil to the vase lie volumes of stories, many untold. Every chat gives a new story, a new perspective, always.
The youthful Citizen TV Kenya’s Gold programme presenters asked many questions but I found one intriguing. Are farmers aware of the standards required by the international markets? My first response which never left my head was – do you think growing flowers is like planting waru (potatoes) or maize? I quickly remembered the two are our staple food crops and equally important in the country’s agriculture economy and the technocrats would not take the joke lightly, especially coming from me, who should know better. We are struggling with decreasing productivity due to soil depletion. Hamish Ker, Andermatt Chief Executive Officer with who I have worked with for many years wouldn’t laugh with me, not after the much knowledge he has put in my head especially on soil health and how taking care of the life beneath our feet will determine food security in future. Andermatt has introduced biological plant health products, the latest being Tutavir, a biological enemy against the problematic Tuta Absoluta, a pest giving tomato farmers sleepless nights. As featured in this edition, latest research on the pest points to the need for new biological products to be used within an IPM framework, a position supported by Corteva Agroscience that has opened a biologicals line. The technocrats in that office, under the leadership of Joseph Anampiu would have run me out of print for the joke that never left my head.
Elgon Kenya Managing Director Bimal Kantaria, who I have had extensive in-depth discussions especially on policy and innovations would have wondered whether I am losing it, having covered almost every project his company, at personal level and his family has initiated to support food security. From the National Farmers Awards, Agriculture Sector Network to the Kantaria Agriculture Technology & Innovation Centre domiciled at the University of Nairobi College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences in Upper Kabete, it is clear the joke wouldn’t have been funny!
Chrysal Africa General Manager Neils van Doorn, having added a new flower food on the Chrysal menu would probably have been the only one agreeing with me no flower farmer goes into this business without understanding the dos and don’ts of getting a top-quality petal in the vase.
Kenya Flower Council Chief Executive Officer Clement Tulezi, who has found time despite his tight programme to sit with the Hortinews team to update on the menace of the false codling moth, a story we have covered in every edition of the magazine this year would have laughed at the joke, that I am sure.
I hope Chris Casperry of Freshcrop and Wachira Kaguongo, National Potato Council don’t read this, but if they do, I will send Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya CEO Okisegere Ojepat to explain the joke.
Lastly, someone tell Muthomi Ernest he must include avocado in the menu of the Avocado Industry Excellence Awards next year or else….
