Editor, There seems to be opportunities in the flower business with NAEB injecting in lots of money to flower parks, and greenhouses being set up. With the sector being identified as a quick win by the Government, the rapid intervention will sure take the country places. However the sector needs to be made more lucrative for private and small scale investors to see to it that it does not look like an avenue for only wealthy investors. It would also be beneficial if the areas that are favourable for the production of flowers are put under long-term irrigation programmes because the current weather patterns are unreliable and greenhouses are not affordable for all. An unforeseen challenge could be the motivation of farmers to stay in the business. Previous export products like coffee have proven that at times farmers end up doing the hard and tiresome work but yet get the least out of it with brokers and middlemen making the most of them. There should be ways to see to it that farmers are kept motivated as well as flower farming made lucrative to the young people who are always complaining of unemployment. Skills development is another factor that should be considered as flower farming is labour-intensive and requires precise skills. Being a labour-intensive job makes flower farming ideal for the youth. There is a lot of ready market in the sector, the ball is now in the concerned sectors’ courts to make the most out of the opportunities. Joséphine Gatarayiha, Kigali Reaction to the story, “Flower sector looks to a better year after tough 2013” (The New Times, January 1)
