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Questions and Answers about flower production at Lake Naivasha
What are the benefits of the Kenyan Flower Industry?
Kenya’s flower industry is its second largest foreign exchange earner (after tea) at more than $250 million a year. It employs 100,000 people directly and more than 2 million indirectly. It has grown by 35% each year since 1992 and the area under roses is expected to increase further. The value of flower exports has risen from about 1 billion Kenyan shillings in 1990 to a record 22.8 billion Kenyan shillings in 2005.
Should consumers be concerned about labour standards and environmental practices at Lake Naivasha?
Consumer concern about labour conditions on Kenyan flower farms has brought real benefits to flower workers through the codes of conduct that are now widely applied. We encourage consumers to demand continuing improvements in the environmental practices used for flower production. It is also important to point out the role of the Kenyan people in deciding on the best use of their natural resources.
The Lake Naivasha Riparian Association (LNRA) is the largest
stakeholder group at the lake and started a management plan development process
in 1993. The Lake Naivasha Management Plan was adopted by stakeholders in 1996
and subsequently endorsed by the Government of Kenya and the International
Conservation Union (IUCN), amongst others.
Helping countries to manage water resources sustainably and fairly to reduce
poverty is a priority for DFID, highlighted in White Paper commitments as part
of our approach to sustainable growth and climate change adaptation. DFID funds
the Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor Alliance, which is working with
communities around Lake Naivasha.
How is water use managed at Lake Naivasha?
Water levels and quality are monitored closely at Lake Naivasha. Some of this is done through The Lake Naivasha Riparian Association (LNRA). The LNRA is a large stakeholder organisation that represents the interests of upto 100,000 people around the lake. The LNRA adopted a plan for the sustainable management of the lake in 1996. The Government of Kenya, IUCN and others have also endorsed the Lake Naivasha Management Plan.
Lake Naivasha is shallow and lake levels are naturally very variable. They have varied historically - by up to 12 metres over the past 100 years. In February 2007, the lake level was just under one metre higher than in February 2006.
There is some evidence that shows that lake levels were lower than expected between 1982 and 2000 and this corresponds with the start of the flower industry around Lake Naivasha. However over the past 10 years, the strength of the flower industry has meant flower farms have had the capital needed to introduce water conservation measures.
The LNRA includes the Lake Naivasha Growers Group (LNGG) of major flower growers. They have adopted a code of practice and 23 of the 25 members have installed meters and now measure the water they abstract. All abstraction requires a license.
A
2005
report by the University of Nairobi, LNRA and others
(1.39 mb)
concludes that “All the necessary conditions are in place for Lake Naivasha to
become one of the first basins in Africa with a lake managed for its sustainable
use.”
All of us, rich and poor countries alike, must improve management of their water resources to ensure that water is allocated fairly, in support of agreed national development priorities, and that water use is balanced with environmental sustainability.
What impact does flower production have on water quality at Lake Naivasha?
Importing flowers (and fresh produce) from Africa means applying European standards. The fruit, vegetables and flowers that are imported to the UK are increasingly subject to rigorous standards that insist on good agricultural practice. These prevent overuse of pesticides and water.
In addition to European standards and the LNGG code of
practice, flower growers at Lake Naivasha have also adopted the
Kenya Flower
Council (KFC) code of conduct which requires exacting social and environmental
standards to be maintained. Flower farms are regularly audited.
Major exporters have also developed innovative production systems that use e.g. biological controls (pest predators) to replace chemicals as part of integrated pest management; and natural filters for water effluent. These minimize the impact of agrochemicals on the environment.
The 2005 report also concludes that “Overall, Lake Naivasha is still in a relatively healthy state, and the water quality parameters are in acceptable condition.”
What are living standards and working conditions like for flower workers?
Concern about how flowers are produced has brought benefits to Kenyan flower
workers. Codes of conduct are now widely applied on Kenyan flower farms and
these have brought about improvements in workers’ terms and conditions. Both of
the major flower exporters to the UK are members of the DFID financed
Ethical
Trading Initiative.
Research recently completed for DFID
by NRI, UNESCO and the University of
Nairobi, shows that basic labour
standards are adhered to throughout the Kenyan flower industry:
There are no reports of child labour being used
All employees are paid the above the minimum monthly wage which is about £25 per month. The average wage is about £45 per month in the flower industry;
There are very few reports of worker harassment or bullying
Although some farms provide housing and sanitation, living conditions for most workers are basic and few workers are able to save or invest in the future.
What about the impact of population pressure at Lake Naivasha?
DFID’s priority is to ensure that countries such as Kenya should have greater opportunities to grow through trade. The success of the Kenyan flower industry has created tens of thousands of jobs. These have encouraged many workers and their families to move to Naivasha and created many other jobs in related services. Population growth has increased demand for resources and social amenities such as schools. These are issues for the Kenyan government and businesses. We will continue to support Kenya to balance and plan for the needs of different resource users around the Lake.
DFID is supporting the Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor Alliance (WSUP) which is working with the Mirera-Karagita community around Lake Naivasha, to identify affordable and sustainable water and sanitation services. In addition to these basic services, the project will reduce pollution of soil and water resources; improve the general environment (reduced plastics, reduced erosion); conserve water at household level; and monitor and sustain water abstraction.