Most subsistence farmers remain just that - subsistence farmers. Elizabeth Thande P.J. flowers Limited, on the other hand, challenged the chance to earn itself a place among some of flower more successful of Kenya and fresh vegetable farmers and exporters. How we did in Africa Regina ekiru caught up with her.
Elizabeth Thande
How do you have in the field of horticulture?
In the 1980s, he began as a joke. I started to plant potatoes on a piece of four acres of family land and French beans after the failure of an insurance agency business that I was running. In 1988 I ventured in agriculture flower, initially as a planters. I received the visit of some experts of the Germany who encouraged me to more varieties and better and consider exporting. I went to Netherlands where I had the opportunity to interact with potential buyers. When I came back to the Kenya is there any back. I have plunged into the flower export business head on. Today, P.J. flowers expanded and runs a 33 acre flower and farm fresh vegetables Gilgil and Limuru. We employ more than 80 people.
Can you describe the flower as a lucrative business?
It is very lucrative, but it also comes with its challenges. Unpredictable weather patterns are a challenge. We live on hope that tomorrow will be better. The cost of production has also been rising due to high energy and transportation costs. Excessive taxation and strict regulation of labour is also hedges. Flowers and fresh vegetables agriculture is not for the velléitaire. The company is capital intensive, as was strongly invest in irrigation, protection of crops, cold room and other facilities for storage and have a well trained staff to treat the flowers. We've weathered storms and now P.J. flowers makes an annual turnover of approximately EUR 300 000.
How the Government simplify your life?
The Government must reduce taxes and to ensure that farmers have supplies on time. It should also build dams and invest in education of technical farmers such as harvesting to reduce the dependence of the rain water of modern agriculture. We need support to be able to compete with other countries. Competition from countries such as Ethiopia, which grants subsidies to its farmers, is a threat. The fact that sales of flowers in the local market is very minimal means that producers Kenyans have not choice but to battle it out with other countries in the international market. The local flower market is a not yet collect.
The Government should also reduce the costs of doing business. Transportation consumes about 60% of our revenues. For example, 30% of flowers exported to the Netherlands are of the Kenya, but we did get good returns due to high overhead costs.
Elizabeth Thande (with Hat) inspecting his crops.How did you compare agriculture today with that of the 1980s?
Agriculture has changed. What initially was just the Act of throwing seeds on the ground now is to many studies, identification of markets, write a business plan and develop market strategies.
Any pointers for those who are interested in agriculture?
To succeed today you need to be creative, effective and consistent. It is also important to invest in a variety of products. Step flood the market with a single product. You need to do the math if you find your production costs are too high and you end up losses. Don't be afraid of competition; all that matters is quality, not the size of your farm.
What is the next to P.J. flowers?
We have a new project that is underway, which will require to grow fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers for the Kenyan market meet the growing demand. I would like also to extend my farm and focus more on quality. I would like to than my flowers to become the global choice.
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