A company ’s environmental and societal province is becoming increasingly important . As a issue , demand for certificates is in high spirits and more and more growers are apply for them . Some of them even go a step further . Kenyan rise farm Maridadi , for example , got their harvest below the MRL standard applicable to vegetables . During the workweek of the IFTEX exhibition in Nairobi , in the beginning this month , we had the hazard to pay a sojourn to this farm and see how they solve with our own eye .
Jack Kneppers in the nursery
Together with his brother Richard Kneppers , Jack Kneppers established the farm 16 year ago . They started grow roses on 12 ha and are now at a total acreage of 46 ha - and they ’re plan to spread out even further in the coming years .
CertificatesOver the years , Kneppers point out that certificates are becoming more important ; not just in terms of the environs , but also regarding socially responsible practices . " We notice that people bump it more important to know that the products they buy are produced under good conditions for the workers . Since the establishment of the society , we ’ve always attach much note value to these factors , but now we more often need to evidence and show it with a certificate . " Currently , they hold several certificates , admit MPS , KFC and GRASP , which they acquired this month .
On top of the certification , they always put high emphasis on the residue layer on the crop , and they even managed to get them under the MRL standard applicable for vegetables . " For vegetables , the MRL standard is at 20 milligrams per kilo and for our harvest , we were between 10 - 15 milligrams till mid 2018 " , says Jack Kneppers , co - possessor of the company . As they invested in a new piss system , they are currently not at this level any longer , but they expect to reach it again soon , when everything is back in balance .
Pleased in challenge timesThe Kenyan rose diligence has faced several challenges over the last years , but Kneppers is still quite slaked with their outcome . According to him , stability is one of the cistron that keeps them going and growing . " We never even the crop , for example . This is for several reasons : One of them is that once you flush , the total production will be 20 percent less . Another is that , if worker all of a sudden need to even out , they have to follow a dissimilar subprogram than they are used to . In crook , there is a in high spirits chance that the character of the crop will go down . "
Below an impression of the farm and their processes :
It all bulge out in the nursery where the blush wine are grown . In total , the acreage is 46 ha , divided over 17 greenhouse .
The flowers are watered by the water roll up in their own basins . This is the largest catchment area ( build 5 years ago ) , which has a depth of 15 meter ( the meridian of the glasshouse is 7 metre ) and has a capacity of 95,000 m3 . When all water basins are full , they are self - sufficient for 4 months . The piddle is clean with a reverse osmosis organization .
After harvest home , the flowers are graded , under a shade connection , in the nursery . Every 0.5 hour angle has such a score area . " All flowers derive in the promotional material arena at the right sizing , which gives serenity of mind . "
In total 700 people are work on the farm . Each hectare hire 15 worker and this is , agree to Kneppers , quite a down in the mouth number compared to other Kenyan rose farm , which are at about 18 - 19 workers . " When people have work constantly , they can exploit incessantly and therefore be more consistent and more precise . "
All glasshouse are connected with a roof . So , from every greenhouse , the flowers go to grade without make direct link with the sunshine . " This is very beneficial for the quality of the roses . "
Grading domain at Maridadi Farms . In this area , the blossom are bunched and packed , ready to add them to the FloraHolland auction in the Netherlands , under the name Kneppers Rozen .
Future plansFor the future , there are several program in the pipeline . " Efficiency is of high value to us and we , therefore , are commit in the establishment of one store for all supplies , alternatively of several stores across our website . Besides , we would like to install a monorail to bring the flowers from the farm to the grade area and last , we would care to thrive our glasshouse even further . "
For more information : Maridadi Flowers LtdFlower Business Park , PO Box 1800 - 20117,Naivasha , KenyaJack KneppersEmail:[email protected]www.kneppersrozen.nl
