kenyas flower production to suffer due to el nino
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Kenya's flower production to suffer due to El Nino

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Kenya's flower production to suffer due to El Nino

Flower production
Nairobi - XINHUA

Kenya's flower farmers are facing tough times ahead as El Nino rains pound several parts of the country, which is set to adversely affect production.

The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) CEO Jane Ngige said the El Nino phenomenon will dampen the fortunes of flower exports.

"Greenhouse structures are also expected to be hard hit by strong winds causing an increase in production costs," Ngige said in a statement received on Wednesday.

Kenya's flower production now accounts for seven percent of the world's output, according to the latest statistics from the KFC.

And though the country is now ranked third after world leaders Colombia and Ecuador, the flower sector has had to face numerous challenges to register growth in the last couple of years, according to Ngige.

Ngige said that in 2014, production rose to 130,000 tonnes of flowers worth 560 million dollars from 120,000 tonnes worth 460 million dollars the previous year.

Ngige said transportation is expected to be affected as has happened in the past when major roads connecting the flower growing zones of the Moi South and North Lake Roads have been cut off from the main Nakuru-Nairobi highway used by exporters to take flowers to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The rains are expected to last into the early part of 2016, according to the Kenyan meteorological service. This will severely affect the flower industry in Kenya and the wider agricultural sector.

"We are expecting higher concentrations of disease, subdued production, disruption of transport and marooning of employees requiring we plan for emergency evacuations," said Oserian Development Company administration director Kirimi Mpungu.

Oserian is one of the leading companies exporting flowers in Kenya. Mpungu said the effects could spill over to the industry's most important annual flower sales season, Valentine's Day due to interruption of production cycles by the chilly weather, which inhibits productivity.

"We are not leaving anything to chance," Mpungu said, adding that the farm has cleared drainage trenches and is ready to pump out water if need arises.

The farm has also placed sandbags to redirect flood water and debris away from the farm, while the health center staff is on high alert in case of emergencies associated with flooding such as cholera, diarrhea, typhoid and malaria.

To keep the flowers lit and warm for continued growth, Oserian has introduced artificial lighting and heating in greenhouses to maintain the required light and temperatures to keep the flowers growing.

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

kenyas flower production to suffer due to el nino kenyas flower production to suffer due to el nino

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

kenyas flower production to suffer due to el nino kenyas flower production to suffer due to el nino

 



GMT 13:29 2018 Friday ,14 December

Turkey targets military over alleged Gulen links

GMT 12:46 2014 Monday ,01 December

Chocolate 'Burj Khalifa' unveiled

GMT 06:14 2012 Monday ,05 March

Al Arabiya launches new channel Al Hadath

GMT 15:57 2013 Thursday ,13 June

Makeup guru Hanin gives top summer tips

GMT 12:56 2017 Wednesday ,12 April

My role in “Seven Jobs” is very hard

GMT 07:28 2017 Wednesday ,08 March

China imports surge 38.1% on-year in February

GMT 12:05 2017 Sunday ,30 April

Brexit offers hope for Irish oyster farmers

GMT 09:35 2017 Saturday ,15 July

French president`s popularity falls to new low
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday