Sustainability
The Finlays Horticulture Division has a major obligation, along with the rest of the Group to promote sustainable development throughout its operations. Finlays is at the forefront of environmentally sustainable farming practices and our Integrated Pest Management is a key aspect of our growing technology together with closed loop hydroponic cultivation as a means to maximise water and fertilizer application efficiently and minimise use.
All production and processing is accredited to Fairtrade standards and every farm is Kenya Flower Council Gold Standard and GLOBALGAP certified, is audited by experienced NGO social auditors against the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) Base Code and is also compliant with other relevant National, International and Customer standards.
Finlays Horticulture Kenya sponsors FOMAWA (Friends of the Mau Watershed), a non-governmental organisation initiating projects to conserve and reforest the greater Mau Forest, an area neighbouring Finlays which serves as the major water catchment for the region. We have recently commissioned a tree project to encourage our community to buy indigenous and exotic tree seedlings at subsidised prices to plant in their own homes and gardens.
Sustainability Challenges
Our main challenge derives from sourcing and growing flowers in countries where water scarcity is an increasing concern. On our own and on our suppliers’ farms, every effort is made to improve water efficiency by minimising water use, improving rainwater harvesting and storage and recycling wherever possible. These measures are all designed to limit the amount of water taken from vulnerable sources. We engage with stakeholders to encourage and promote responsible watershed catchment management.
Fewer Chemicals:
Finlays Horticulture has been leading the development and adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions to pest and disease pressures, thereby reducing the need for chemical solutions.
Responsibility in farming:
All our farming operations are run according to independently certified Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)
