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Kenya’s fights perceptions that horticultural sector is not environmentally sustainable

Kenya: Flower farmers launch kit to counter EU market fears

Kenya's Flower farmers have launched a computer-based toolkit for assessing the impact of their operations in the hope of safeguarding the increasingly demanding European market. The Carbon Reduction and Opportunities Toolkit measures water usage, energy consumption, and carbon emissions from the farm to market as local exporters seek to reduce the “carbon footprint.”

“We expect to demonstrate that while our mode of transport (air freight) is a major polluter, the overall environmental impact of operations undertaken by farmers contribute least to global warming compared to our competitors,” said Kenya Flower Council chief executive officer Jane Ngige.

The toolkit is the latest effort by the industry to fight perceptions that Kenya’s horticultural sector was not environmentally sustainable.

Since 2007, some consumer groups in Europe have sought to lock out the fresh produce from the market on grounds that they pollute the environment during freight.

According to an article on Business Daily Africa, top officials of Marks and Spencer, are expected in the country today to review environmental sustainability of Kenya’s production. A statement released Wednesday by British High Commission said the retail chain’s chairman Robert Swannell, and Director of Sustainability, Richard Gillies, would be here until Sunday.

The team will review its supply chain for vegetables, tea, coffee and flowers.

“They will visit the farms and packhouses where M&S items are produced,” the statement said.

Kenya is the fourth largest sourcing location for Marks & Spencer Food. The retail chain buys flowers, vegetables, tea and coffee worth more than Sh13.2 billion (£100million) per year from Kenya.

Its key local suppliers include Finlays, VegPro Group, KTDA (Iri-iani, Makamboki, Gacharage, Kenyanani), Dormans Coffee and Gikanda Coffee.

Source: Daily Business Africa
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