Inside the Push for End-to-End Traceability in Floriculture

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Technological advancements and innovations have significantly transformed the floriculture industry in Kenya. Farmers are adopting smart floriculture practices with traceability solutions to automate operations from the greenhouse to the vase.

Krystal Scanning and Mobility Group Limited is a tech industry player at the forefront of the digital revolution.

“Providing traceability solutions to farmers, we have witnessed an increase in tech adoption over the past five years,” says Joseph Rwanda.

Highlighting the data-driven future, Rwanda says that, unlike the manual and error-prone traditional practices, technology helps growers, exporters, and the rest of the value chain trace their end product back to its origin, the farm.

“We achieve this through barcoding and labeling at every stage, from harvest to dispatch. The system documents and manages inventory, tracks how produce is harvested, labeled, received into packhouses, internally sorted and graded, and finally dispatched for export,” he says.

In greenhouses, harvesters are equipped with scanners, mobile printers, and mobile computers to capture data and immediately label with codes upon harvest. The shift from centralized to on-site labeling allows for more immediate and accurate traceability.

Harvesters are equipped with scanners, mobile printers, and mobile computers to capture data and immediately label with codes upon harvest.

These QR codes encapsulate critical data, including harvester and grader identity, greenhouse number, or location, stem length, and timestamp of harvest. Rwanda explains that farm data management has emerged as a transformative force in the industry.

“Regular data collection, integration, and analysis of this data aids informed decision making and optimizes production,” he says.

To generate the QR codes, Krystal relies on Zebra’s ZQ220 Plus mobile printers, valued for their durability and ease of use in outdoor farm environments. For data collection, they use Zebra TC26 handheld devices equipped with built-in scanners.

“These tools make it easier to carry out essential tasks like picking, receiving, dispatching, sorting, and grading by allowing fast and accurate scanning right in the field,” explains Rwanda.

Moreover, Krystal values client confidentiality and ensures the integrity of clients’ data.

“Our role is to implement the solution, after which the grower maintains full ownership and control of their data, providing peace of mind in an increasingly data-sensitive world,” he explains.

Despite technological advances in the industry, he shares that systemic challenges threaten to slow progress, especially technology imports and labeling costs.

Kenya applies a Common External Tariff (CET) aligned with EAC, with duties ranging from 0 to 100%, averaging around 25%, plus VAT, excise, railway, and import fees.

While aimed at protecting local industries, this layered system creates classification challenges for tech imports, especially new automation devices that may not fit cleanly into existing HS codes.

Further, the cost of labels has gone high, growers are now reducing their reliance on paper.

“More farmers are exploring alternative packaging and labeling methods that are not only cost-effective but potentially more sustainable. The pressure to adapt is driving innovation, but policy reform could play a vital role in accelerating this transformation,” says Rwanda.

Krystal aims to provide clients with the latest tech solutions in the market. To achieve this, the company continuously employs capacity building.

“Our team stays updated on cutting-edge automation trends through internal training systems via our international partners,” he says, adding that, “We want to be the number one choice in traceability solutions, warehouse automation, and efficiency.”