East African Business Week (Kampala)
Alex Ngarambe
15 July 2008
Kigali — Rwanda seeks to boost flower exports by cultivating 50-200 hectares of land in flower farming under the project 'one flower park' estimated to cost $17.5million.
The project seeks to pull together local and foreign investors to grow quality flowers mainly for export. Currently, a feasibility study is being undertaken on the two identified sites in the country's eastern and southern provinces.
The sites have access to water, electricity and have favourable climate for flower farming.
"Since these two sites have got all these factors, Rwanda will start exporting flowers in six months," the chairman of Rwanda Horticulture Development Authority (RHODA), Mr. Peter Muvara said. Muvara is optimistic that the move will increase the country's flower exports and improve on the quality of the produce.
Previously flower growth was almost non-existent in Rwanda with a total area of only seven hectares of flowers under Rwanda Flora Company that specializes in the growth of roses only. This had always forced the country to import flowers often.
However, last year, the government through the ministry of agriculture created what they called Rwanda Horticulture Development Authority (RHODA) to revamp the sector.
Since the establishment of RHODA, 30 flower farming cooperatives have been organized and this has partially reduced dependency on imported flowers. The local market is, however, still demanding more produce.
The sub sector has invited foreign investors to partner with local ones in 'one flower park' project. Various investors from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and the Netherlands are studying the sector strategy.
Ethiopian investors have expressed greater interests in the project based on their expertise in flower farming. Ethiopia started extensive flower farming in the past five years and currently exports flowers worth US$500million.
Rwanda projects to earn US $0.45million in exports this year and US $0.57million in 2009 with a 27% increment annually in the 5 year plan.
Last year, the country exported 17million stems of sweet heart roses, majority of which were exported by Rwanda flora to the Dutch auction, in the world international rose market. Rwanda also exported dracaena flowers to Belgium whose export volumes have doubled this year.
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