NEXUS NATURALS WED 16TH MARCH 2011
FLOWERS FOR YOUR MOM?? The ancient gash
in the earth’s
OSERIAN surface called the
Rift Valley of
FLOWERS Kenya marks the
setting of
THIS FAIR TRADE COMPANY IS Oserian. A place
A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER FARM IN strung with
THE RIFT VALEY OF KENYA. beguiling lakes
and people of
BY Ashley Yonga varied origins.
Lake Naivasha is
an astonishingly
beautiful lake –
“the best fresh
water lake in the
world for birds,”
according to the
late Roger Tory
Peterson famed,
American
ornithologist which
named by the
Maasai, Oserian
meaning “Place of
Peace.
+ The farmers were not being fairly treated. The producers
THE PROBLEM were not being given housing and their children were not
IN KENYA being given schooling and most of the farmers did not
have quality education themselves and could not expand
Why Kenya their businesses and make exporting of Flowers in Kenya a
needed major industry. There was no health care and not a very
this Fair- good standard of living. Because most of the farmers
Trade depend on the flowers incomes for their lives, this was
very unfair. These farmers were working really hard and
organizati
they were not being treated with the care and love they
on. deserved and as they were not educated or well
equipped, their flowers businesses did not grow.
1
THE FAIR-TRADE MAGAZINE.
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Impact on Kenya
Kenya's flower growers are
suffering as demand for their
crops, one of the country's
Basically, the whole country at large was suffering flagship exports, has been
from all this. Children not going to school and they hit by the global recession.
do not have good healthcare and the farmers’ Earnings have shrunk by 35%
families have got no shelter people tend not to do this year compared to the same
farming for Flowers due to this and Kenya has A period last year, said the Fresh
LOT of flowers so it would waste a lot of good Produce Exporters' Association
income, that could come from exporting of the of Kenya (FPEAK). Kenya sells
flowers, which could be used to develop the more than 80% of its exported
country. When there is recession the farmers do not flowers to the UK
get much. Because when the price of the flowers -BBC WORLD NEWS MAY
2009
goes down the farmers do not get much. Recession
(continued)
causes a lot of damage for the farmers and the
Kenya Flower industry.
ALL ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: OSERIAN FLOWER FARM
KENYA.
Of the 6,000
It is called Oserian Flowers, the word Oserian means “place of peace” in workers employed
Maasai, which is an ethnic group in Kenya. It is found in Lake Naivasha, in the at Oserian, 90%
Rift Valley, which is the longest Valley in Africa stretching over 4 countries. It are permanent
was established in 1969 as a vegetable farm with a 5-hectare area of and around one
production and a workforce of six employees but in 1982 it commenced cut third are female.
flower production. It’s mostly sells its flowers to Northern Countries and big The farm
Flower TNCs like; World Flowers in UK, which distributes the flowers to produces and
American Market in New York, East African Flowers Bloom, as well as, exports just
under 400 million
Switzerland, Dubai and Japan but it, is working hand-in-hand with Kenyan
stems a year,
Farmers. It is giving the farmers and their families some housing and education
mainly roses and
for their children and quality healthcare. The farmers are also taught how to
carnations, on a
plant and harvest flowers professionally and even use TC labs. The Kenya
production area
Flower Industry has developed because of this. Kenya has now of 245 hectares.
become the fifth largest flower exporter in the -Extra
Information (If
world because the farmers are well equipped to you care which
you should
Dolor good
makeSit Amet flowers and educated on how to get 2
because it
good quality flowers and they get good income matters)
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SUCCESS HAS
COME FINALLY!!
KENYA HAS FINALLY GOTTEN THE FLOWER INCOME
THEY HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR AND THEY HAVE
BUT OSERIAN TO THANK. SINCE THE FAIR TRADE
ORGANIZATION STARTED TAKING FULL ACTION
THINGS HAVE CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.
The country has done tremendously well after it has been
given a helping hand. Kenya has now become the fifth largest
flower exporter in the world because the farmers are well
equipped to make good flowers and educated on how to get good
quality flowers and they get good income and benefits from
it. The income of the flowers has given Kenya enough money to
develop itself. And the farmers are getting a better living
from their work. Of the 6,000 workers employed at Oserian,
90% are permanent and around one third are female. The farm
produces and exports just under 400 million stems a year,
mainly roses and carnations, on a production area of 245
hectares. The company provides either
free housing or a housing allowance Good job!
for its workers, as well as
healthcare facilities, primary
During 2007, spending of the Fairtrade premium was focused on
schools and crèches, social and
education and training. One project was to expand and equip a
sporting activities. They make sure
training center where skills such as tailoring, knitting and
that every one of the farmers gets a
computing can be learnt, and included the purchase of computers.
good living.
Another funded a science laboratory and admin office block for
Oserian high school. Some 451 employees have benefited from
bursaries enabling them to pursue higher education, and 189
children of employees have received funding towards their
secondary schooling. They have done a good job
by giving everyone who is working hard to earn
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something, benefits and benefits that are going
to help themselves and their country in the
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Oserian flowers have a big future prepared for the flower industry in
SO WHAT Kenya. They are working on developing Geothermal planting even more than they
have already started.
HAVE THEY
Geothermal Energy – Renewable energy
GO
PLANNED? Waste management
Reduce – Reduce - Recycle is the working theme for
management of all our waste types. Our plastic recycling unit helps us to keep
There are so many Oserian cleaner. We re-use our wood. We have a careful waste management
thing that Oserian is strategy across the farm to ensure that we remain focused on improving how we
working on that if I handle our wastes. We are currently working on a project to harness methane from
named them all you the waste generated within our housing estates, yet another step in turning a waste
guys would get product into a beneficial resource and contributing in reducing the emissions of
bored halfway. this greenhouse gas.
Reforestation
Oserian is taking an active role in greening Kenya. We understand
the importance of trees as a carbon sink and are keen to ensure that we do our bit
by planting as many trees as we can. Our tree nursery generates over 50,000 tree
But everything is seedling per year, all of which we plant within our estates and donate to the
being done and community around us.
they are trying
very hard to Preserving wild areas
Over 18,000 acres have been set-aside at Oserian for
accomplish nature conservation in what forms the Oserian wildlife sanctuary. By leaving this
everything that land wild, we preserve the nature-given biological sink that the flora contained in
they have set for this area provides.
the future.
Smart Farming Practices
Oserian is committed to a steady reduction of fertilizers
They have and pesticides used. Our Integrated Pest Management system has resulted in a
done so much 100% phase out the use of WHO Class I chemicals for pest control. We work with
for everyone natural predators to control the pests that affect our flowers and carefully manage
and everything the chemical applications that may be necessary in times of outbreaks. Our
in the country scouting system enables us to act on infestations hotspots hence we continue to
and they are achieve a reduction in chemical alternatives. Our hydroponics system also ensures
working on minimal water use and fertilizer applications that are specially developed for the
some new targeted flower crop.
things for the
project.
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It has done something wonderful for not only the BUY OSERIAN
farmers but also the country at large. There will be THEY HAVE THE
less unemployment amongst youngsters because MOST BEAUTIFUL
farming has now become a respectable career AND WELL-DONE
choice in the country. It has kept a good amount of FLOWERS … DON’T
teens off the streets. Also, it has given this country YOU THINK?
a chance to showcase the brilliant resources it has.
However, they need to now make sure that ALL FLOWERS FOR
farmers can get the benefits not just MOST of
them because some of the people are still not
getting what they deserve. They should also they
should try harder to get the MEDCs to buy the
Oserian products. They need to make the trade
within the country and out of the country is fair
and well done.
ANY
OCCASION; GRADUATION,
BIRTHDAY,
The richer countries can help by; buying the flowers at a fair price FAREWELL, HELLO,
and making sure the farmers get their fair share of the benefits. MOTHERS DAY… THE
They should work hand in hand with the country to make sure the LIST IS ENDLESS. YOU
trade occurring benefits the country’s people (not its leaders only). CAN GET FLOWERS
They can also offer help in the housing and education, and even FOR ANYTHING!! =D
the development of the planting and harvesting. Rich countries AINT THAT GREAT?
have a benefit and you know the saying “SHARING IS CARING”
HOW CAN I HELP? WILL YOU HELP ME HELP THEM?
They have sent over a bunch of exotic flowers from Kenya and I will be making
some classic design bouquets and it would be of great help to Kenya if you
bought some because all the money will go to Oserian Flowers so that they can
continue to develop the Flower Industry in Kenya. Even the little money you guys
can give will make a massive difference. They all have nice vases that have the fair
trade logo so if u get some for your mother…. Make sure you tell her they are from
Fair Trade so she can tell her friends and they can tell their friends and they can
see how the flowers are amazing and they can also buy some Oserian flowers and
Kenya will now have been helped in the long run. Remember the little you give
contributes A LOT in the future. Let’s not only think of ourselves this is a team
effort and there is no ME in team.