Sian Roses

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