Nini

Roses

At rose grower Nini, part of Herburg in Naivasha, Kenya the PATS-C system is being used to monitor False Codling Moth (FCM). Two greenhouses at the 60-hectare farm are now equipped with the automated cameras as part of a project to improve early detection.

“For us as growers, the moth was never a big issue,” explains Philippe Veys of Nini. “There was hardly any visible damage, so it never received much attention until the EU tightened its regulations. Now the risks of shipment interceptions and even market closures have increased considerably… So, understanding and controlling the moth starts with good monitoring.”

Photo: The team of Nini and PATS together in the greenhouse

Early Results

The first results are promising. “We’ve just started, but we can already see it works. We see what we see in person reflected in the system's output. The next step is determining whether the system can also predict pressure increases, allowing for earlier intervention.”

Looking Ahead

Scaling remains the big question, but the potential is clear. “If it works for FCM, maybe it can work for other pests or diseases too, whether with fixed cameras or maybe drones. That's still to be seen. But we're convinced certain applications will definitely succeed.”

Philippe Veys

Photo: PATS-C with roses

Want the full story on Nini’s journey with PATS-C? Read the Floral Daily feature