annihilating scene of efflorescence workers incline tens of thousands of blooms on a daily basis , empty range anteroom and packhouses have fare to symbolise the extent of the damage the Coronavirus has inflict on the Kenya floriculture sector as global supply irons haemorrhage under the crisis .
by Nelson Maina , PR and Communications Manager Elgon Kenya
Europe where Kenya exports up to 75 per cent of its roses has latterly become the epicenter of COVID-19 as novel deaths and guinea pig supersede those of China , the line of descent of the virus . New metre in this key source market including lockdowns , travel confinement , escape cancellation and social distancing has figure the Kenya flower sector wilting and fast . Already players say the industriousness is losing some Sh20 million every solar day and has had to get off home more than 30,000 temporary workers and 40,000 permanent staff on annual level to insulate themselves from further harm . This as less than one-half of the country ’s production now get at the European market with farm export just 20 per cent of the 60 tonnes of flowers that they transport daily . The collapse of the Dutch auction , where a majority of Kenyan flowers are sold , and the grow cancellation of orders by node has n’t aid matters either .
These hiccups could n’t have come at a spoilt metre . With low sales having been recorded during Valentines Day , one of the peak seasons for the sector , in what was attributed to low prices in the auction bridge , exporter were wait at improved prospects during events where flowers are in high demand include International Women ’s Day , Easter , Mother ’s Day , weddings and funerals . With heighten social distancing call , imposed curfew and hoi polloi hole up at their homes , the priority for consumers is how to subsist so flowers become a form of luxury . The implications of low-spirited sale are not only impress the over 150,000 million hoi polloi who rely on the sphere directly but the more than four million who the sector benefits indirectly across the value chain .
These adverse effects are poise to take a toll on the economy that last year received some Sh120 billion from floriculture in alien exchange , only second after remittal . low-spirited inflows from the sphere would regard political science ’s attempt at bolster reserves , grow the much needed revenues and meeting the dollar debt requirements without distort the British shilling .
Which is why timely interventions by government would go a long fashion in not only cushioning the sector and its investors but set the direction the saving will head in year to come .
The late directive by the President on VAT refunds and revenue enhancement breaks is timely and welcome . The government owe the sphere an estimated Sh9 billion in refund which has accept ages to be effected . Now more than ever the refunds will make a vast divergence in assist investors stick around afloat as they explore farseeing terminus alternatives . But to further soften the industry at a time when the worldly concern remains unsure on when the computer virus will be hold and revenues plump to unprecedented first , the governance should front at even bolder step of rescuing the sector including taxation rebate , cash injections , loans and loan guarantees . While Covid-19 largely remains a public wellness emergency , the ripple effects on economy and trade can not be gainsay . for ensure that a sphere Kenyans and the governments relies hard on for income and growth is operative and blossoms right smart after the computer virus , an emergency interference is now no longer a matter of if but when .
