Developments of the Kenyan horticulture industry in technology
Kenyan horticulture is in full swing, not at least through the integration of horticultural technology. Technology, such as cooling, heating and automation, enable local growers to increase crop quality and provides them competitive advantage. At the same time, Dutch greenhouse suppliers create new market opportunities, innovation and growth.
Chris Alphenaar, who has worked in Kenya for 7 years, which the last 3 years at Bosman Van Zaal, shares what developments the Kenyan horticulture industry has gone through. He also explains what steps local growers still need to accomplish to comply with food security and food safety issues.
Chris Alphenaar: “I’ve started to work in Kenya as a specialist in cooling, heating, water and gas. At that time mostly larger farms, mainly (Dutch) flower productions, made the first steps for horticultural investments. Nowadays I notice that more and more Kenyan growers, also middle scale, are searching for ways to challenge increasing labor costs, water scarcity and competition. The mindset of short time profit slightly changes to long term profit by taking efficiency into account: increase production with less labour and resources.”
Currently, most, larger Kenyan farms have increased their efficiency by climate and irrigation control. Technology allows them to dose water according to the plant’s needs, creating a (year-round) healthy crop that is less vulnerable for pests and diseases. Chris Alphenaar: “Small and mid-large farms are still dependent on rain and therefore cannot produce outside the season. For these growers boreholes, silo’s and dams are affordable solutions for water storages. This way farms have year-round access to water, allowing them to grow outside the season too, when prices are much better.”
Shifting mindset from short time profit to long term profit requires a different approach in the selection of suppliers. Chris Alphenaar: “Investment costs should not be the main criteria for decision making.
Growers need to take the Return On Investment (ROI) into consideration: technology enables growers to reduce labor costs and increase production: The initial investment costs are payed back within a few years. Moreover, it is also important to invest in durable products that withstand the power fluctuations in Kenya. These power fluctuations increase risks to failures of the hardware. Automation supplier Hoogendoorn and Bosman Van Zaal aligned their solutions to local circumstances and are prepared for these challenges.”
When Chris started to work in Africa his driving force was to educate local growers on sustainable production methods. “Our solutions are supplemented with training. Via training, we share our knowledge about responsible production methods to provide a foundation for high-quality production and a safe work environment. For example Enviro-Flor Ltd in Zambia installed a new fertilization installation. Staff was trained on how to use it and advised on their irrigation strategy. Their crop quality has improved, resulting in increased production. Moreover, the water-saving irrigation system is also more efficient and environmental friendly. At Syngenta, Kenya employees got training that resulted in a better greenhouse climate and less diseases in the crop. Of course this requires a mind change, especially when open field cultivation is replaced for protected cultivation such as for example Latia, Kenya. However, I like challenges: these days owners and employees are now employees are both very happy to with the advantages of technology.
By providing sustainable technology and training Hoogendoorn and Bosman Van Zaalhave contributed to many successful projects. Chris Alphenaar: “One of the projects that I am very proud of is the Olij Roses solar powered greenhouse. Here heating and electricity are generated via solar energy. Hoogendoorn has delivered the iSii process computer that controls all climate, irrigation and energy processes. Bosman Van Zaal delivered the solar panels and heating systems, amongst others. Integrating sustainable sources, such as solar radiation, for energy and heat supply into the greenhouse is the ideal goal I strive for these coming years.”
Hoogendoorn and Bosman Van Zaal, your local partners for customized greenhouse & open field solutions
Please contact Chris Alphenaar:
Flower Business Park-Panda
P.O. Box 1820
Naivasha 20117
Kenya
T Office +254 707 000 308
Mobile +254 720 112 510
E c.alphenaar@bosmanvanzaal.com
www.bosmanvanzaal.com
+31 10 460 80 80
info@hoogendoorn.nl
www.hoogendoorn.nl
