Dar es Salaam — Kenya has lifted a ban on Tanzanian cut flower exports which transit through Nairobi for markets destined abroad.

The ban caused Tanzanian growers to lose key customers. It came into effect last May after Kenyan authorities worried about possible pest infestation originating from Tanzania.

“As a result of the ban, the Tanzania flower farmers had lost more than five clients of cut roses in UK, Australia, Japan, Russia and Italy,” TAHA’s Policy and Advocacy Manager, Anthony Chamanga said.

Chamanga said these countries were among the key customers of Tanzania cut flowers, but are willing to buy flowers only through arrangements of exportation whereby, Tanzania flower consignments are consolidated with others from Kenya. “In consequence of losing these customers, the Tanzania farms were compelled to look for other markets, which are however not reliable and give relatively lower prices,” he said.

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Flower growers in Kenya are seeking to consolidate new markets in Asia and the US as airlines begin direct flights to these destinations.

Cut flower exports to these new markets now account for up to 10 per cent of total flower exports annually, according to the Horticultural Crops Development Authority. Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US are among the new buyers taking up more of the Kenyan produce.

Mainland Europe still takes nearly 90 per cent of cut flower exports from Kenya and remains the country’s single-most biggest export market.

“The European market is recovering now and other markets are looking good. Newly started direct flights to South Korea, which is just an hour to Japan, will reduce flight time and preserve the quality of flowers,” said Alfred Serem, the HCDA managing director.

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In The Gambia, a good percentage of the population relies on agriculture as their main source of income and staple food. This is sometimes limited by the unavailability of technical know-how and knowledge on agriculture.

In this first edition, we introduce to you, the horticultural activities of women at the Bajulinding horticultural garden, which has been pioneered and supported by President Jammeh fromthe early days of the second republic.

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Following the recent distribution of garden tools, equipment and fertilisers worth over three million Dalasis to the horticultural women gardeners across the six agricultural regions of the country, beneficiaries have expressed satisfaction over the timely intervention of the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) in boosting their moral for improved living standards.

Speaking in an interview with some of the beneficiaries at the various regions during a distribution exercise, several women expressed gratitude about the gesture, noting that such a move will go a long way towards uplifting their livelihood.

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The European Union has announced that it will spend Euro 4.5m ($5.88m) to support the Tanzanian horticultural sector in a bid to increase small farmers’ income through better access to markets.

EU and the government of Tanzania have recently signed a financing agreement for the 10th European Development Fund – Support to Trade and Agriculture in Tanzania.

“This support aims at providing support on key commodities which offer opportunities for pro-poor trade, such as… horticulture,” the EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Filiberto Sebregondi said.

Mr. Sebregondi said; “The present support will contribute to the development of the horticultural industry, increasing production income generation and consumption of fresh horticultural produce in Tanzania.

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