Since 2007 , PJ Dave Flora has been get roses in the Kajiado District , Kenya , 60 kilometre south of Nairobi . They started on 17 ha and expanded to 63 ha . In 2012 , they became the sole cultivator of Rhodos in Kenya , growing this variety on 36 hour angle , added spray rose in 2021 , growing it on 11 ha , and have 16 of medium rosiness . In all those old age , they have also invested in sustainability , obtained several certificates , installed solar panels , and from mid - October , they will also start rainwater harvesting . In this article , Director Janki Dave and Managing Director Santosh Kulkarni tell us more about this investment , the farm , the mart , and their succeeding plans .
The team of PJ Dave ( with Elisabeth Dave , the owner , in the middle ) at IFTEX 2024 in Nairobi , Kenya .
Rainwater harvestingSince the organization of the farm , PJ Dave Flora has been sour firmly to comply with all the environmental and social banner and obtained credentials like GlobalGAP , Fairtrade , KFC , MPS . They always had the vision of becoming a ' greener ' caller , and in 2018 they installed the first solar panels , generate 360kw , which address 25 % of their energy demand .
The next and current investment funds is rain harvest , on which they are currently working . " The dkm is already build . Now , we are connecting the greenhouses to accumulate all the rainwater . The dike can gather up 125,000 m3 of water , and in a year , we can harvest 300,0000m2 . "
The reason for this investment funds ? " presently , our body of water do from a borehole . Over the last 2 years , there has been less rain than common , so you never know what will happen with the belowground water in the hereafter . On top of that , the hugger-mugger piss need to be purified with a automobile ( RO ) before we can use it , which means the use of electricity . Rainwater is the best water , so it can save up on galvanic price and will also better the quality of our roses . " Mid - October , they carry the projection to be completed . "
Worldwide deliveryAnd when talking about spreading risks , PJ Dave Flora ships its flowers all over the public . " Our flowers go all over the globe , from Australia to the Middle East , Russia , Asia , and Europe . " 60 percent of the volume consists of Rhodos , of which one-half of it is sold directly and the other half via the auction . The atomizer and medium blush wine are both sell directly .
TrendsAccording to Kulkarni , their spray roses are in the high need at the moment . " Since we started get them two years ago , the requirement for this type of roses increase sharply . We grow 18 variety with a shank duration range from 50 to 80 cm , and whatever we are producing , all are sold at premium prices . "
But their biggest crop , Rhodos , is still doing well too , peculiarly for the vacation . " It is one of the upright travelers with a expert vase living and almost spineless . The demand for this rose especially peaks before holidays like Christmas , Valentine ’s Day , and Women ’s Day . "
ChallengesWhen talking about challenges , demand , and logistics are the main ones Kenyan grower are dish out with , they excuse . " We see that the market is becoming more competitive , and we see that the purchasing power of the end consumer has decreased . Also the exchange rates , the Russian authorisation , and the logistical costs , which are still higher than pre - covid times , are complicate the situation . "
ExpectationsSo , what to gestate for the coming period ? " Despite the challenges we expect that the cost will be good . You never know how the demand will rise and if the end consumer will purchase as many flowers as before , but when looking at the orders we have for Christmas , Valentine ’s Day , Women ’s Day , and Mother ’s Day , hopes are gamey . "
FutureplansDue to the current challenge and doubt , there are no expansion plans in the pipeline for PJ Dave Flora , though we are believe further diversification . They are eager to become a ' greener ' company . " We require to expound our solar gore plant so that we have more light-green Energy Department . "
For more data : Santosh KulkarniPJ Dave FloraEmail:[email protected]www.pjdaveflora.com
© FloralDaily.com/Elita Vellekoop
