DECEMBER 2018
www.endeavourmagazine.com
The Smell Of Success
Sian Roses
INSPIRED BY YOUR SUCCESS
HTTP://SIANROSES.CO.KE // 254 20 2170 540
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presents
SIAN ROSES
THE SMELL OF SUCCESS Flowers are a thing of beauty, and for many countries, a soughtafter product. In recent issues, we have been investigating the Kenyan floriculture business, and this month we spoke with Sian Roses, a three-farm group who are using their success to support the schools and communities around their farms. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
SIAN ROSES
We buy cut flowers for many reasons, from decoration
around the home to elaborate arrangements in religious or otherwise important buildings, as well as ceremonial milestones such as weddings and funerals. They can be a gift to a friend, colleague, relative or romantic partner, which just goes to show how many meanings and implications can be conveyed by a different flower choice.
W
hen they carry this much symbolic meaning, purchasing
groups of flowers are a classic choice in floral design, whether
the right flowers, in the right varieties, and at high quality,
you are going for sophistication, ceremony or romance. The group
is extremely important. However, not everywhere in the
cultivates their flowers on three farms, all located within Kenya:
world treats cut flowers with the same level of importance: one
Agriflora Kenya Ltd, Equator Flowers Kenya Ltd and Maasai Flowers
such country is Kenya, and yet, Kenya has a flourishing floricultural
Ltd, all of which are FairTrade certified. These flowers are enjoyed
industry.
all over the world: Sian Roses sell their crops both to the Dutch
Until the 1980s, flowers were not a recognised product on
flower auctions and directly to customers such as supermarkets
Kenya’s export market. Much of Africa does not place the same
and wholesalers. Their main markets for these direct sails are the
level of importance on cut flowers as, say, Europe and the US;
EU (Sweden, UK, Holland, Germany, France and Italy), the USA,
in Kenya this is particularly true. Flowers may be gathered to
Dubai and Australia.
decorate special events, but quantity is valued over quality, as
The group is led by managing director Naron Koimur. With a
they are seen as a disposable, single-use item and they do not
Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelors in Commerce,
carry the symbolic importance that some cultures place on them.
Haron’s 23 years of experience as an accountant and his previous
Therefore, the idea of growing flowers specifically for export did
work at the Nation Media Group Limited (NMG) and Kenya Power
not seem profitable, or even something that would find a market.
& Lighting Company Limited (KPLC) have given him the shrewd
However, the weather conditions in Kenya are perfect for such a
business sense needed to guide Sian Roses and lead it from the
crop, and after one inspired farm owner began to lobby the trade
helm. However, for the company to truly excel , this business
councils for recognition and support in growing this crop, the
savvy is combined with its staff, passionate for flowers, striving
industry blossomed into a fruitful staple of the country’s industry.
to produce the best quality they can whilst also operating both
This first farm was Oserian, which you can read more about in our
efficiently and sustainably.
October issue.
As the company states, “Sian Roses is committed to operating
Sian Roses is not only a leading Kenyan rose producer, but they
in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable
also farm and export highly sought-after Zantedeschia Calla Lilies.
manner whilst balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders. We
If you’ve ever tried to plan a wedding, you’ll know that if you want
maximize efficiency and aim for the highest shareholder return
Calla Lilies out of season, it’ll cost you. These two highly popular
whilst maintaining our company values.”
SIAN ROSES To protect them from wind, rain and extreme temperatures,
in the greenhouses. This alternative is not only better for the crops
all of Sian Roses’ crops are grown in greenhouses, and they are
and the environment at large, but it is also cheaper! The Agriflora
transported to the airport for export in cooled and insulated trucks
farm also boasts an impressive tissue culture laboratory.
in order to preserve their quality. To keep their greenhouses green,
Equator Flowers Kenya Limited, in Eldoret, also focuses mostly
the company’s farms all recycle and re-use their drain water, saving
on roses, though it also produces calla lilies. It has also, as well as
on both water and fertilizer. They also apply a hydroponics systems
growing the company’s traditional single roses, begun a line of spray
of irrigation to again improve water efficiency, as well as to protect
roses, which feature several heads to a stem and have a slightly
the land from the strains of over-farming.
more wild or rustic look. This farm opened in 1997, two years after
So, what is the difference between Sian Roses’ three farms?
Agriflora. For over a decade, these two farms accounted for Sian
Agriflora Kenya Ltd is situated in Njoro, 20km west of Nakuru,
Roses’ entire operations, until Maasai Flowers Ltd opened in 2008.
and sits at an altitude of 2,150m above the sea level. The farm
This latest addition to the group is 40km southeast of Nairobi
was established in 1995, and has always focused solely on
and 20km south of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, well
rose production.
situated for export. The farm’s altitude is 1,750m above the sea
In order to manage pests in a green manner and to remove
level, and like Equator, grows both single and spray roses of many
the need for pesticides, Agriflora uses biological controls such
varieties. What sets Maasai apart is the farm’s propagation unit,
as an integrated pest management strategy. This approach to
which produces an impressive 1.5 million plants per year.
pest control is seen throughout many flower farms in Kenya, and
Both farms apply the same integrated pest management
involves the intentional introduction and cultivation of certain pest
systems that were introduced at Agriflora, as well as its water
populations to keep down those that would threaten the crops.
conversation and other green strategies. The farms also all involve
Agriflora Kenya Ltd uses insects called Phytoseiulus persimilis,
themselves in CSR initiatives in their local areas. Agriflora has been
which are highly successful at reducing the numbers of spider mites
involved in various school initiatives, such as their involvement
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with Ogilgei primary School. In 2009, the company constructed
the Kenya Flower Council Silver Certificate for complying with
an administrative block for the school to give the teaching and
rigorous environmental standards that govern the use of pesticides,
support staff room to operate, as well as constructing a store for
conservation of water, treatment of wastewater and protection of
the staff and students alike. In 2010, they renovated classrooms
the ecosystem.
that had fallen into disrepair, and the company continues to work closely with the PTA and school board on development projects.
Moving forwards, Sian Roses are always expanding their product ranges, adding to the varieties of roses, spray roses and
This dedication to local schools is one exhibited by all three
calla lilies that they offer in order to keep up with current trends
farms, as a reflection of Sian Roses’ commitment to empowering
and to reach an ever-bigger market. As they do, we are sure they
local education. Equator Flowers Ltd aims to contribute positively
will continue to support their workers and the communities around
to its local communities by employing local people, as well as
them: as long as they continue on their current path, everything
contributing in renovation and construction work to improve
should be coming up roses!
conditions at Ainabtich Primary School. These works have included the construction of an administrative block and eight classrooms. As the company says, “We are continually committed to behave ethically and to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families, as well as of the local community and society at large.� Thanks to both their product quality and their green and ethical practices, Sian Roses have received both local and international recognition. For example, they have received the Mileu Programma Sierteelt Good Agricultural Practice Certificate (MPS-GAP) and