Meet the
Growers
Decofresh Holland has formed an exclusive strong partnership with a group of leading rose producers in Kenya.
Together they are exploring new ways to supply quality roses to an ever-changing market. You are most welcome to get to know us better.
Akina farm (Fontana group) is located on the outskirts of Nakuru in Njoro, about 2 hours North West from Nairobi.
Situated at 2350m above sea level the farm was started in 2007 as one of the first high altitude Rose farms in the area. The cultivated area is currently 17 ha of green houses, with the intention of expanding to 19 ha in 2016.
In the green houses, 80% of the Roses are cultivated on hydroponics and 20% in soil, Akina operates differently to most conventional farms, as each variety is graded independently in the field maintaining high quality standards and high levels of accountability and traceability on any quality related issues.
By minimizing the handling and tampering during the process of internal transport from the flowers on the farm to a central grading hall. Strict protocols are maintained for the cooling chain to ensure our buyers get the best possible product.
Akina farm currently grows 12 varieties and continues to increase its range to meet its market’s needs, predominantly suppliers for the Dutch Flower Auctions and gradually expanding to supplying customers directly around the globe. A lot of attention is given in selecting new niche varieties with garden shapes and scented roses.
The farm operates under IPM and emphasizes biological pest and disease controls, we continue to work towards reducing the use of chemicals and focus on what’s better for the environment (organic composts, organic soil boosters, Neem treatments, biological fumigation of media, IPM are to list a few), The farm has livestock of sheep and cows, which assist in maintaining the grass, milk produced is sold at subsidized rates to employees and the entire farm operates on a closed water circuit whereby 100% of rainwater from roofs and road is collected into our 350,000m3 reservoir. The recycled water from the roses is used to grow fodder and grass for the cows and sheep.
Adalonia
Black Gold
Buttercup
Cafe Del Mar
Alisha ( Fontana group) Mau Flora Ltd Farm, was established in 2013 in Turi, Molo area on the highlands overlooking the Great Rift Valley – Kenya, at an altitude of 2400, just North of Nakuru. The farm area is around 125 ha and divided between rose greenhouses and a dairy farm.
The Rose farm initially started with 15 ha and then expanded another 21 ha, so as of August 2015 the farm has a total of 36 ha greenhouses planted. During 2016 another 5 Ha will be added, meaning a total of 41 Ha.
The brand name for this farm is Alisha, since this is the latest farm there are a lot of new and premium niche varieties on this farm. The marketing strategy is to target the high segment market through various wholesalers worldwide and supply the Dutch flower auction.
Alisha, like the other farms in the group, follows the same awareness to environment concerns and takes many steps to reduce the amount of water sourced from the ground and reduce the use of chemicals and fertilizers.
A solar electricity generation unit will be installed to generate at least 70 % of the power usage and there are around 400,000 M cube lined basins to store the water that we collect from the greenhouse roves. The use of Hydroponics reduces the use of water and fertilizer and computerized drip irrigation, tensiometers and suction tubes all contribute optimal irrigation and fertilizer to the plants. The use of IPM and biological/organic products is to reduce the use of chemicals in the ground and for pest and disease control.
The dairy farm’s high tech facility by-products such as the cow dung are used for manure for the roses and to feed the earthworms in the vermicomposting process.
Adventure
Arisha
Atomic
Barracuda
AMOR Sojanmi Springfield is the latest farm in the group from the owners of Xpressions. Established in 2013 & is now 43 ha under green houses, at 2400mtrs above sea level a few minutes drive from Njoro. The variety selection and production has introduced some of the most stunning roses available on the market. The beautiful roses are well appreciated by the market and under the Amor brand, the farm was awarded the best grower award in 2015 by a committee of buyers from the Dutch FloraHolland auction. The award was given for introducing 25 new varieties, out of which 20 were the most demanded and highest paid varieties on the auctions.
SSL is MPS certified. Over 700 Kenyans from the local communities are gainfully employed. Environ management features like rainwater harvesting, wetland conservation are in built in the design & layout of the farm.
Abba
Acapulco
Adalonia
Bromo
Ayana farm (Fontana group) Established in 2010, the farm is located on the fringes of the Mau Forest complex about an hour from Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley - Kenya.
At an altitude of 2600 meters above sea level, it is one of the highest commercial rose farms in the country.
The farm enjoys cool environment conducive for growing quality roses. The farm primarily produces roses. With 35 hectares in production, it offers 17 available varieties, However with an innovative and dynamic variety selection program, the list keeps being reviewed to offer our customers with an entire range of products to suit the ever changing market trends. The farm has 1 hectare of Pionea which comes into production once a year around February/March, targeting the special event period of Valentine’s day and women's day.
Ayana’s main flower markets are the Dutch FloraHolland auctions and the wholesale market.
The farm has scooped several awards through the IFTEX best grower competitions, 2014 Gold and Bronze (Freedom, Tycoon respectively) and 2015 Platinum award (Tycoon variety)
Over 600 workers are employed, which is equivalent to supporting over 2400 people from the surrounding community.
Due to the increasing concerns about the ongoing pressure on the environment, Ayana farm has taken considerable steps in incorporating environment friendly pest and disease control measures through the following IPM measures and 80 % of the water used for irrigation is sourced by collecting rainwater from greenhouse roofs. The farm also has MPS GAP certification.
Amnesia
Apple Jack
Ascot
Atomic
Established in 2010, the Farm is located in Njoro, about 30km from Nakuru town in the Great Rift Valley - Kenya at an altitude of 2350 meters above sea level . The location has one of the most suitable climates for producing quality roses.
At currently 35 hectares with 21 varieties, Bliss exports quality roses to all over the globe, either directly or through the FloraHolland auctions.
The farm Is certified with MPS and with a total of almost 700 employees, for which the farm adheres to ethical production practices observing social and environmental standards.
3D
Adalonia
Athena
Basanti
Dale Flora started in 2015 is at an altitude of 1800 above sea level 10km from the equator near the town of Mogotio, Kenya.The farm is now 23 ha. under green house.
Dale flora grows intermediate and Big head rose with intense colors, bi-color varieties by using climate control system and is bound to supply high quality roses to worldwide market and Dutch auctions.
Dale Flora is committed to produce rose of top most quality product, by keeping production practices and new technique in growing, handling, and quality control to insure to get satisfaction of our worldwide consumer.
In the farm over 400 workers from local communities are employed we are bound to support local community, whenever necessary by providing drinking water to all surrounding villages.
Dale Flora having transport system from each green house to grading hall, it helps to minimum labor handling and to get quality flowers in short time.
To insure the freshness of flowers, installed climate control in grading hall.
Dale flora is MPS certified bound to follow social and environmental standards adheres to ethical production practices observing social and environmental standards as part of its vision and mission.
Our beautiful rose are well appreciated by worldwide market under (DALE TIARA) brand.
3D
Athena
Belle Rose
Classico
Fontana group is proud to announce the launch of its newest brand “DIYA” located in Timau Kenya,the foot hills of Mt Kenya, at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level and a unique micro climate, DIYA will boast an exclusive range of new and exciting cut roses.
DIYA will be available at the dutch flower auctions January 2019 and will be MPS GAP and ETI certified,
the product range will include a combination of new exclusive garden roses and classic roses, graded and packed with the latest grading machines, it will also have state of the art cooling facilities to ensure the cold chain is of the highest standard of quality are met,
The first phase of the brand will be a total of 40ha by June 2019 with plans for expansion in the future…
Adventure
Americano
Athena
Cappuccino
XFL. Xpressions “Omang”
Omang farm (Xpressions group). Started in 2007 is at an altitude of 2100m above sea level, near the town of Njoro in the Great Rift Valley - Kenya. The farm is now 33ha under green houses.
The group’s mission is to bring unique & good quality Roses to the market, which are mainly the Dutch Flowers auctions and various wholesale markets worldwide.
Our assortment and variety selection is always undergoing improvements and innovations to suit the ever-changing market trends.
This comprehensive variety selection program in partnership with the rose breeders & our marketing partners Decofresh was started here.
The strategy is the provide premium and niche roses to the higher segments and reach out to florists through various marketing channels.
Over 1600 Kenyans are employed from the surrounding area and the farms operate responsibly in the rural environment they are located in, adding to the wealth of the local communities & preserving local cultures & environment.
Our farms are Global GAP, MPS & KFC Silver certified. XFL is FFC Silver, Global GAP & MPS certified. These are comprehensive, regularly audited labels ensuring the farms performance & compliance on Adherence to local, CBA’s, environment management plan, employee welfare etc.
ABL Africa Blooms “Omang”
Omang farm of Africa Blooms was the second farm in the group portfolio of Xpressions. Is a farm of 20ha of roses under green houses, is situated at 1950mtrs above sea level, just on the outskirts of Nakuru. This farm allowed “Omang” brand expand its assortment on offer.
ABL Omang has also benefited from the variety selection program and the flowers exported from this farm have performed very well on the markets.
ABL is also the farm where the group has tried & tested improved growing methodologies including raised beds, humidification etc. These technologies are now being adopted across the group in a phased manner.
Our farms are Global GAP, MPS & KFC Silver certified. XFL is FFC Silver, Global GAP & MPS certified. These are comprehensive, regularly audited labels ensuring the farms performance & compliance on Adherence to local, CBA’s, environment management plan, employee welfare etc. ABL plays an active role in the local community affairs providing support where necessary including free drinking water.
Adalonia
Aruba Summerhouse
Athena
Belle Katharina
A rose farm established in 1994 of 9Ha and located in Nakuru town situated in the Great Rift Valley – Kenya. At an altitude of 1900m above sea level, the farm has been exporting to various retails markets and the Dutch auctions.
Due to changing trends on the market, the farm now specializes in growing premium quality rose by using climate control systems and has since created a brand name of "Tiara" (Buds & Blooms) Over 200 employees work on the farm, which is MPS certified and adheres to ethical production practices observing social and environmental standards as part of its vision and mission statement.
3D
Adalonia
Athena
