Article from Thursd

The flower industry is quite unpredictable. It is a high-stakes trade. A combination of factors like climate change-induced erratic weather patterns, pest and disease challenges, regulations, supply chain disruptions, and shifting consumer demands more often threaten profitability. Kenya, where the biggest portion of all the roses sold in European markets begin their journey, is not immune to these challenges. But technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data, is changing this.

Lima Labs, a Nairobi-based agriculture tech innovator, and Chrysal International, a global leader in flower postharvest care solutions with nearly a century of expertise, are redefining the prospects of this very floriculture industry, starting from Kenya and going out there. Their approach blends drone technology and AI with rich horticultural expertise to redefine sustainable flower production. This, in turn, creates a more predictable, viable, efficient, and resilient industry.

Thorny Challenges Face Modern Floriculture

Many times, the flower industry’s fragility has been exposed by different global challenges. Kenyan flower farms—supplying over 35% of Europe’s roses—have often faced devastating losses during extreme events, compounding existing struggles with climate volatility and transportation disruptions. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. When sea transport became a viable option, the Red Sea shipping crisis further strained supply chains, leaving growers searching for more alternatives.