Review on Environmental Effects of Ethiopian Floriculture Industry

The floriculture sector is growing in Ethiopia; currently, Ethiopia is the second largest rose exporter in Africa and the sixth in the world. The aim of this study is to review the Ethiopian floriculture industry and their impact on the environment. Flowers are produced in modern farms around Addis Ababa and in the Rift valley. Ethiopian floriculture industries currently produce a number of flowers; including rose, gypsophila, Hypericum, limonium, carnations, and chrysanthemum. Rose is the most widely produced flower spices. Despite the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy, many issues are raised by environmentalists’ that are related to the expansion of floriculture sector and the adverse effect of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, disposal of waste materials, and pollution of water bodies. Ethiopia has developed policies and legislation to protect the environment issues. However, there are some gaps in the implementation and governing of the regulatory framework of the floriculture sector. Moreover, the competition of current international market system can force farms to comply with environmental standards. With the expansion of the floriculture industry, there is a growing concern as to its adverse effect on the national environment; to achieve the above advantage, Fertilizer and pesticide management, organic cultivation, wastewater treatment and recycling and environmental audit have to be taken into consideration.