One on One with Agrichem’s Shiraz Karmali in regards to Naivasha HortFair

Trade fairs are a way of reaching out to many customers at once. They present opportunities to build on existing customer relationships and boosting customer loyalty, while acquiring new ones who are not on the client list. Customers requests often crystallize from dialogue, while the feedback they give is extremely helpful in improving exhibitors’ products and services.
Agrichem Africa is one company that has capitalized on exhibiting. Since inception, they have fully participated in Naivasha Horticultural Fair to build a recognized brand. They are providing safe agrochemicals, affordable and modern state of the art crop protection products, agro input services, irrigation solutions and smallholder greenhouse technologies. The company is devoted into providing new, creative and eco friendly solutions when it comes to crop care and farming development. Hortfresh Journal crew had a tete-a-tete with Shiraz Karmali, Director Agrichem Africa in regard to Naivasha HortiFair.
You have been one of the main sponsors of Naivasha Horticultural Fair over the years, what are your views about the Fair?
The event is the largest horticultural fair in Africa and has consistently grown over the years. It is on 20th year and attracts an audience from across the continent and Europe. The event not only showcases products and services from stake-holders in the horticultural industry, but also from car manufacturers and financial institutions among others.
Naivasha town being a strategic location where major flower farms are nestled, the Fair serves as a connecting venue for suppliers to growers. It is a central place making it easier for people to attend and see what the exhibitors are showcasing. Similarly, the Fair is helping the vulnerable by spending their income in charitable activities.
What are some of your expectations for this year’s NHFair compared to the previous ones?
After Covid, things are now back on track. We are witnessing our neighboring countries; Uganda, Tanzania, as well as Ethiopia growers and supplies exhibiting this year, infact all the stands have been booked.
The Fair is growing exponentially, infact most breeders are now becoming part which was not the case previously. Most companies have now seen the potential to showcase their products. The Fair is becoming bigger and bigger every year and the participants are increasing.
How has NHFair been able to shape the region’s horticulture industry over the years?
Technology advancement; we have experienced new exhibitors from India who are bringing in new technologies which are helping the small-scale horticultural farmers, floriculture and corporate farms. This has enabled us to learn about the new technologies, practice them, and this are some of the technologies that are being used in developed countries, they are helping us increase our productivity. For instance we have witnessed that the production of maize in Kenya is still very low compared to other countries. If we adopt these technologies then our production in maize and other crops will definitely increase.
Over the years, there has been a decrease in the number of flower farms exhibiting in NHFair, what has led to this?
The show is not primarily for flowers growers. The flower growers usually visit to experience new advancement taking shape in the industry such as new vendors and suppliers. For flower growers to succeed in their business they need new technology at best price to assists them reduce their cost of production. Getting multiple suppliers while comparing prices, for them is what is necessary.
What are some of the challenges facing the horticultural industry currently?
The major challenge is environment because of the global warming which has really impacted on farming. The rain patterns have been changing, we used to expect rains in March but it has changed and it’s not predictable.
Secondly the inputs costs have skyrocketed with the Kenyan shilling depreciation and the fuel cost increasing. We can also applaud the Government a bit for providing subsidized fertilizers to farmers but they need to do more to cushion farmers. There are several NGO’s doing great work by assisting farmers in the semi arid areas.
Lastly, talk to us about Agrichem Africa?
We have been in business for the last 22 years, and by grace of God we have a good employee and team work. Once you have a good team of people working for you for 10 to 15 years they understand responsibility. As time has evolved we have tried to acquire new products, new registration, new agencies and distributions. We have over a 100 products which we are marketing for pesticide, fertilizers, PPEs and polythene among others.