Stark on the horizon, Suswa rose supreme from the Rift Valley floor. As we sped toward Naivasha, I thought, “This isn’t my first time at the fair, but with the farming industry shaped by geopolitics and fresh innovations over the past year, the 2025 Hortifair promised to be the most fascinating yet.”
The 22nd edition, as enduring as ever!
A one-of-a-kind gathering, with industry players from farmers, agronomists, and suppliers, I was particularly interested in learning how changes in international trade policies had affected the industry, and innovations that promised to spur it in leaps and bounds into the future.
“It’s not noon, yet the hunger is apparent,” I observed, as the farmers at Bayer’s stand listened intently to an agronomist showcasing a test plant of their latest farm input. Flipper.
Soft on pollinators, the biological insecticide with the active substance derived from extra-virgin oil, was applauded for its effectiveness against many key pests like thrips.
Taking leave of the editor, I walked slowly through the fair, observing the stands and seeing household names like Agrochemicals giants, Amiran, Osho, Lachlan, and flower farms like Viking roses and United Selections.
A few paces from Amiran, I came to Pats’ stand. Providing automated insect control solutions, the company had made its maiden showcase at the International Flower Trade Expo held earlier this year in Nairobi.
“After the Expo, coming into the Naivasha Hortifair has offered an opportunity to interact with farmers and other players along the value chain, not just in flowers but across the entire farming industry,” said Wouter Stam of PATS when I dropped by the stand to observe their interesting technology.
A game changer, PATS employs advanced camera and drone technology to enhance integrated pest management strategies. Its PATS-C cameras continuously monitor sections of the airspace above crops, detecting flying insect activity at an early stage.
The system then analyzes the insects passing through the camera’s view by counting and differentiating them each night based on size, speed, and flight pattern, with AI models automating this process to track pest populations over time.
“Once pests are identified, the PATS-X bat-like drones are deployed, guided by the cameras into the insects’ flight path, where their propellers eliminate the pests on impact before returning to a charging platform,” he said.
This autonomous system offers a fast, pesticide-free method of stopping pest reproduction, with drones small enough to fit in the palm of a hand.
In addition, all systems are linked to a central dashboard that provides daily data on pest activity, along with detailed flight reports to track drone interceptions and overall pest control progress.
By reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, the PATS system not only protects crops but also directly supports the global fight against climate change.
Traditional pesticide production and application contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions while also harming soil health, biodiversity, and water systems.
However, PATS’ pesticide-free approach curbs these impacts, enabling farmers to manage pests more sustainably.
Its AI-driven monitoring and targeted drone action not only minimize resource wastage but also help preserve beneficial insects and ecosystems that are critical for climate resilience.
By integrating such technologies, agriculture can lower its carbon footprint, safeguard biodiversity, and align more closely with global climate action goals.
The road to COP30 may be paved with promises yet slowed by inaction, but innovations like PATS prove that agriculture can lead the fight against climate change, I thought, moving on to the next stand after a long moment of contemplation.
