Voluntary approaches to water resource management among flower growing firms in Naivasha Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Flower growing firms are key economic players in Kenya contributing to a large portion of the country's Gross Domestic Product. While government regulations have faced accusations of laxity in managing the firms, the former have gradually embraced voluntary measures to aid in enhancing their water resource management goals. This study aimed to uncover the nature of the programs put in place by the firms. A cross sectional survey research design was adopted for the study that was conducted in Naivasha Sub County, an area dominantly known for flower growing firms in the country. Chi square test of independence was done to uncover any statistically significant differences between the flower firm types and their perception of the various voluntary approaches towards water resource management. A null outcome was observed whereby the views of the firms were not influenced by their geographical sizes of operation. While all the flower growing firms acknowledged the importance of voluntary efforts to water resource management, some lacked clear structures on implementation of the same. The firms were reluctant to share documentation pertaining to their policies although responses obtained indicated that the efforts were still at an infant stage. It has been noted that many flower firms enroll for voluntary programs like certification schemes simply for the purpose of gaining access to markets. The study therefore recommended that the water resource management rules set out in the voluntary approaches need to be made compulsory and monitored by parties outside of the value chain.

Keywords

• Voluntary approaches
• Water resource management
• Flower growing firms