Challenges and opportunities existing in the floriculture industry in Africa: knowledge and future research prospects

• Published in: Bio-research Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 2167 - 2177
• Main Authors: Mèmonsso, Pierrette Pauline Deguenon, Gbodja, Houéhanou François Gbesso, Rodrigue, Idohou, Guillaume, Hounsou-Dindin, Agossou, Bruno Djossa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 21.11.2023
• ISSN: 1596-7409; 2705-3822
• DOI: 10.4314/br.v21i3.11

Floriculture is a growing sector and represents an asset to the economy of most developing countries in Africa. This paper aims to access the existing knowledge gaps and how such gaps might be filled to develop the floriculture industry sustainably in Africa. Scientific information on the floriculture industry was searched on three online databases (ScienceDirect, Google Scholar African Journals Online and PubMed) to gather much reliable data on the last 30 years in Africa. Thus, 23 scientific publications distributed in eight African countries were considered and examined. East African countries are the most interested in the floriculture industry, with Kenya and Ethiopia as the leaders. There are about a hundred ornamental plant in Africa and they are dominated by exotic species that sold (50%) in northern countries. The cut flowers and foliage are mainly used to brighten up party days, insightful human well-being and the perfumery industry, as well as landscape plants, for hedging, game cover, slope stabilization, food, and aromatherapy. The most important challenges to tackle in floricultural production are related to climate change, pests, and pathogens attacks. Irrigated floricultural production, development and culture of resistant and adaptative varieties, and creation of home markets are recommended to ensure sustainable improvement of environmental quality, food security, and socio-economic aggregate for communities.