Last year, researchers from Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture and Wageningen UR Agrosystems participated in optimising the water and crop protection management on horticultural operations in Ethiopia. During the next three years, as part of the Green Farming programme, Wageningen UR will also implement similar projects in Kenya.
The horticulture sector in the East Africa is growing rapidly. The climate and geography are ideal for the production of flowers and vegetables. Roses from Kenya are known throughout the world, and more and more African vegetables are being marketed in Europe. However, the success of the horticultural sector should not take place at the cost of the environment. Unfortunately, existing insights and technologies in horticulture cannot generally be applied directly in this region, so new cultivation systems must be developed. Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture, together with Wageningen UR Agrosystems, have been involved for a number of years with the introduction of integrated crop protection in Ethiopian horticulture. In the Green Farming programme, they are working together with DLV Plant and a consortium of Dutch suppliers to develop high-tech solutions for the East African region.
Success with water and crop protection
The Rift Valley, the area where most horticultural operations are located, has vulnerable natural habitats and water is scarce. The horticultural operations must be thrifty with water and their emissions of nutrients and crop protection agents must be minimal.
For a rose growing operation in Debre Zeit (Ethiopia), Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture therefore evaluated a water management system that requires 60 to 80% less water input. This is possible due to a combination of technologies: cultivation on substrate, rainwater storage, reduced drainage and water recirculation combined with reverse osmosis.
Other Ethiopian rose growers also cooperated with researchers to set up efficient integrated pest control systems. Mites are now controlled with natural enemies and minimal use of chemical agents. Much attention is now paid to transferring knowledge, for example by training members of staff as scouts and by improving communication between the interested parties in the private and public sectors. For roses and other crops, the programme participants are also working on an integrated approach to other pests and diseases with the smallest possible use of chemical agents.
Support from local businesses
In the Green Farming programme, Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture provides the expertise and know-how to solve such complex problems. As part of this programme, Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture is working closely with suppliers in the areas of automation, water management systems and biological control.
The Green Farming programme conducted a trade mission to Kenya on 10-14 September 2010. This mission had the aim of providing the Dutch suppliers with more understanding of the opportunities on this market.