According to Mr Murethi, flower exports earned the country Ksh43 billion ($551.2 million) last year, which is more than what was earned by garment exporters operating at the Export Processing Zones.

He said by virtue of being rural-based, flower farms stimulate grassroots development by creating employment and transfer of technology from the urban centres.

Horticulture, currently the leading foreign exchange earner, brought in Ksh71 billion ($910.2 million) in 2009, and employs an estimated three million people directly and indirectly. It also constitutes 40 per cent of agriculture’s contribution to the gross domestic product.  

To sustain Kenya’s competitive edge, Mr Mureithi urged the government to expedite the process of converting flower farms into Export Processing Zones or Special Economic Zones for them to enjoy tax holidays and other rebates including duty free imports for vital inputs to reduce costs and make the country’s produce more competitive.