Rwanda: Flower sector players debate strategies to spur growth

The floriculture industry in Rwanda has been struggling to gain a significant foothold, despite the country’s good climatic conditions. Knowledge is lacking; production low and supply rarely fits market demand. Major losses, crippling uncertainty and all around low morale have been the result.

The National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) is now attempting to bring flower farmers and buyers together to exchange views and forge a way forward together. The government of Rwanda desperately wants to encourage floriculture, as part of the Rwanda National Innovation and Competitiveness program.

“We want to work together as industry stakeholders to see how we can provide for the needs of the sector and help each other expand our businesses,” Ndambe Nzaramba, NAEB deputy director general, explains the thinking.

He is well aware of the successful flower industries in the neighboring countries and cannot fathom why his countrymen could not achieve a similar feat: “Why should Rwanda import cut roses from Uganda and Kenya when we have fertile soils, conducive climate and expertise? This, besides draining our economy of foreign exchange, it kills the local flower industry.”

Nzaramba strongly urged buyers to collaborate with growers in order to identify the flower varieties demanded by the market. The NAEB will subsequently provide planting materials and the necessary training, to support the country's small-scale farmers in producing flowers professionally.

Source: New Times Rwanda