When it comes to flower farming, the image that often comes to mind is that of vast fields owned by big corporations.
However, Simon Muriuki, a 47-year-old farmer from Sagana in Nyeri County, Kenya, is challenging this perception.
He has found great success in the world of flower farming as a small-scale farmer, cultivating Arabicum and Ammi flowers for export.
Here is his story as told by WOK.
Starting with Determination
Simon Muriuki didn’t stumble into farming by chance; it was a conscious choice.
He takes pride in being a farmer who contributes significantly to his country’s economy through flower exports.
“I am a farmer by choice, not by luck. I take pride in being one of the farmers contributing dollars to our country through flowers,” he narrates.
His journey into flower farming began with a set of challenges, most notably the difficulty of securing a consistent water supply for his farm.
However, the Upper Tana organization came to his aid, providing water pipes that transformed his farming experience.
This support opened the door to a contract with Wilmar Flowers, a company located in Thika, which recognized the potential of Muriuki’s small-scale operation. With reliable access to water, the farm could now operate without hindrance.
Cultivating Arabicum and Ammi Flowers
Muriuki primarily cultivates Arabicum and Ammi flowers, both of which have proven to be highly profitable.
Arabicum flowers, known for their elegance and long stems, require around three and a half months to reach harvesting maturity.
The harvest period typically lasts for one and a half months or six consecutive weeks.
On average, Muriuki harvests between 1,000 and 2,000 stems per week.
The grading system for Arabicum flowers is based on stem length, with grade 1 at 80-85 centimeters, grade 2 at 75 centimeters, and grade 3 at 60 centimeters.
These flowers find their way to international markets, including Europe.
The pricing varies with stem length, ranging from Ksh5 to Ksh12 per stem. Muriuki sources Arabicum seeds for Ksh3,000 per bag, which contains five buckets of seeds. Planting 12 bags on a quarter-acre plot requires an investment of Ksh36,000 in seeds alone.
“If I get 10,000 stems and sell each for Ksh8, that’s Ksh80,000, and I can make a profit of Ksh40,000 per quarter acre,” he discloses.
Success with Ammi Flowers
Muriuki has also ventured into Ammi flower cultivation. These flowers are known for their simplicity and ease of growth.
Ammi flowers take approximately three and a half months to mature and are harvested with relative ease. On a one-square-meter plot, Muriuki can harvest between 100 and 200 stems.
While the price per stem for Ammi flowers is lower, Muriuki appreciates their lower production costs.
He produces his own seeds, reducing expenses and increasing profitability.
With an investment of Ksh15,000 for a quarter-acre farm, he can expect a total income of Ksh80,000, leaving him with a profit of around Ksh55,000.
Looking ahead, Muriuki plans to expand his operations by acquiring another farm, allowing him to cultivate flowers on a larger scale, potentially up to five acres.
He also has ambitions to open a flower shop, particularly in Nairobi, to tap into the local market.
