Kenya is a prominent producer of flowers and exports to many countries across the world. The floriculture sub-sector is one of the country's leading foreign exchange earners, with flowers grown including roses, and varieties of summer flowers.
The favorable climatic conditions in the country, coupled with numerous other ideal conditions like good soils, and a reliable and experienced workforce, guarantee the production of these diverse flowers, which drives the market's growth.
A Fair Where Industry Innovation Meets Community Impact
In the quest to enhance Kenya’s floriculture—and the general horticulture industry—the Naivasha Horticultural Fair held in the floral town of Naivasha, Kenya, is an annual event that celebrates the beauty and innovation within the general horticultural industry.
Photo by Naivasha Horticultural Fair.
It is a leading horticultural fair in Africa and draws attendees from across the African continent and beyond; in other regions globally. The 2024 edition of the fair will be held from the 20th to the 21st of September, and the theme for this year is ‘Sustainable Horticulture for a Resilient Tomorrow’.
Now in its 21st year, this year's edition of the Naivasha Horticultural Fair—also called Naivasha Horti Fair—whose main sponsor is the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, alongside other organizations, promises to be among the most exciting yet. Roughly 250 exhibitors are expected to attend it, and the exhibitions will feature a wide range of products and services from various stakeholders in the Kenyan horticultural industry, according to Richard McGonnell, the fair's chairman.
Richard McGonnell:
"We expect roughly 250 exhibitors and about 12,000 visitors for the two days, making it the biggest horticultural fair in Africa. Exhibition stands have also increased to showcase a wide range of products and services from different institutions in the horticultural industry; especially the flower industry. There will, also, be more from general agriculture and its supporting sectors including motor vehicle manufacturers, and financial institutions."
Photo by @naivasha_horticultural_fair
The event is, essentially, more than just a showcase of Kenya's floral expertise; it is a dynamic platform that brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, from growers and exporters to buyers and other industry experts.
Therefore, it presents a hub for networking, knowledge-sharing, and exploring the latest trends and innovations in the industry. It also affords people an opportunity to be part of something bigger, as the horticultural industry's innovation meets community impact.
Photo by @deruiterinnovations.
Why You Should Attend the Naivasha Horticultural Fair
Among the highlights of the Naivasha Horticultural Fair is the exhibition area, where visitors can discover the latest products, services, and innovations in the horticultural sector, from new varieties of flowers and plants to advanced irrigation systems and crop protection solutions. Growers, retailers, and other industry professionals will definitely find this area resourceful.
In addition to the exhibition area, the fair always features a conference program that brings together experts and thought leaders in the horticultural sector. The conference will, this time round, focus on ‘Sustainable Horticulture for a Resilient Tomorrow,’ and explore numerous topics therein.
Photo by Naivasha Horticultural Fair
Another reason to attend the Naivasha Horti Fair is the buyer-seller meetings. This is a tailored platform that facilitates resourceful interactions between buyers and sellers in the horticultural industry. It provides an opportunity for buyers to engage with suppliers and discuss their specific needs, while sellers can showcase their products and services to a target audience.
Meeting and Engaging With Horticultural Industry Players for a Worthy Cause
Attendees can, therefore, discover the latest products, services, and innovations from leading horticultural and industry players. They can also engage in stimulating discussions and gain valuable insights into the horticultural sector, as the fair also enables important connections and partnerships through these tailored buyer-seller sessions.
Worth noting is that the Naivasha Horticultural Fair is not just any other fair; it is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful social causes and make a difference. All profits from the event are usually directed to local charities, supporting impactful projects such as Naivasha Safe House, a rescue shelter providing care for abused children, NACOHAG Medical Center, a community-based health center in Karagita, Naivasha, the Naivasha Child Protection Unit, and the Naivasha Shelter House, a children’s shelter.
It also supports other institutions and initiatives like Nyamathi Adopt-a-Village in partnership with the Naivasha Rotary Club, supporting secondary school education, water projects for more than 20,000 people, and a health/maternity clinic in the area. As you can see it, therefore, is a floral event focused on a worthy societal cause.
So, if you're interested in the floriculture and horticultural industries and wish to explore the latest trends, develop insightful and valuable connections, and contribute to meaningful social causes, the Naivasha Horticultural Fair 2024 is an event you wouldn't want to miss.
