10 Questions to Avinash Mokate, General Manager at Sunfloritech Ltd of Black Tulip Group

Believe in something so much that your passion inspires others. That sums up our take on today's guest on the 10 questions on Thursd, Avinash Mokate is a true lover of mother nature and natural farming. Recognition from the Kenya Flower Council through the award he won for the best soil health management underscores his efforts in organic farming and nurturing the soil.

Through the 10 questions, you will delve into his thought process, and tap into his knowledge of sustainable pests and disease management. Get your paper and pen ready, let's learn courtesy of Avinash Mokate.

Question 1

For those who don’t know you, who are you, and what do you do?

"My name is Avinash Mokate and I hail from India a state called Maharashtra on the western side and a city called Pune which is well known in India for Educational Institute. I did my agriculture graduation in Pune and my main intention was to join the government services. Through consistent research and exposure to agricultural books, I gained insights into the field and started working at the onset of floriculture farming in India, in the 90’s. At the time new companies had just begun, like the Deccan Florabase who were bringing new technology on how to grow flowers and plants.

That is how I got into it. Coincidentally, after working there for two years I got an opportunity to start a brand-new farm for a company using the hydroponics growing concept for the first time in India. it was a small project but still for Indian circumstances at that time it was pretty big, it was around three hectares of hydroponic roses and Gerbera. The growing knowledge came from Preesman in Holland. The growing conditions and water quality issues gave rise to pests and disease challenges, making it difficult to grow these roses for export but only for the local market.

In 1997, I traveled to Kenya for a week in July, I was amazed by the impressive weather, growing conditions, and how blessed the country was from an agricultural front. A vegetable farm, known today as Vegpro, contracted my services to start a rose farm for them. My role was to initiate this project while simultaneously running the vegetable project. Next, I worked with Kili Flora, a Tanzanian company that had a rose farm called Waridi in Kenya. As the general manager, I was in charge of three farms, two in Tanzania and one in Kenya with a total of 150 ha in production. I worked there for five years.

Preesman through their director the late Pim Preesman, needed my services in South America. To check on their growing approaches but also contribute to their breeding sales strategies. The project ran well until the economic meltdown of 2008-2009, which led to most growers being unable to service their royalty debts. The situation impacted the company financially, and as a result, I was requested to find ways to grow roses without the use of inputs, as a way to cut costs. I was so green and unfortunately even with research I did not hack it! Subsequently, the company went bankrupt, we closed down and I relocated back to India. Sadly, Mr, Pim Preesman succumbed to Cancer during that time as well!

During this time, I developed a lot of interest in organic farming, I delved into research and stumbled upon Mr. Subash Palekar’s books and his knowledge in this area. This later culminated in me getting an opportunity to spend 7 days with him and this was a pivotal moment for me, I learned a great deal. With this knowledge, I ventured into consultancy in 2015, I came to Kenya as a consultant for Black Tulip Group, but I could occasionally travel to Ethiopia and Uganda to offer the same services to other farms.

 

 

Black Tulip Group reached out to me in 2016, to help start or run an existing Gypsophila farm in Naivasha, Kenya. This is where I went full swing with testing the concept of organic farming and today, I look back with a lot of pride with what we have achieved thus far. Over the last 2-3 years within the group, all efforts have gone towards mitigating pests and diseases with less reliance on chemicals. The trick is to understand that pests and diseases are a manifestation of the ill health of the soil and plants. Therefore, by improving the health of your soil and plants, the bricks will start going up tremendously. The concept I started in 2016 is not only implemented at Sunfloritech Ltd alone but also other Black Tulip Group farms like; Tulaga and Kubali.

Now the next task is on how to significantly reduce or get rid of synthetic fertilizer usage across all farms, this is still a work in progress. Lots of testing is currently ongoing and hopefully, sooner or later we will find a lasting solution. This is my journey!"

Question 2

What is so special about your job?

"My transition from chemical to organic farming has been a demanding journey but the opportunity and support that has been given to me is what makes this special. Even with all the challenges at the farm level, I am always striving to inculcate the same culture in my colleagues and my staff.

Often, I know the right thing to do but the pressures from the commercial side or fear of failure can be limiting. However, every day, I can think outside the box, push the limits and challenge the norm. The opportunity to bring change in the thought process of growing flowers and a mind shift in my staff are some of the things I love about my job."

Question 3

Are there any specific challenges or obstacles you’ve faced at work, and how did you overcome them?

"The transition from chemical to natural farm is a 180-degree turn and this comes top among the challenges I am facing in this journey. All the forces are compelling you to apply synthetic fertilizers, otherwise you cannot optimally grow the crops!

We are at loggerheads and I have had to train my colleagues to look at pests and diseases from a different lens. For example, one narrative is that insects and diseases are garbage collectors of the planet Earth. So, they will only attack the plants which are not suitable for the higher forms. This has been mentioned in 1936 by Dr. Albrecht. Therefore, when you spot pests and diseases, this means that the soil and plants in those sections are not in the best condition. The solution is to teach the staff to go to the root cause of the problem, improve the soil health, plant thrives and you can easily manage the issue of pests and diseases.

The second challenge I have experienced is the notion that the field should always be clean, with no residue. That’s not correct! After harvesting and grading flowers for export, all the remains should be returned to Mother Nature as mulch, to heal the soil. The same issue with the mindset that weeds are not good, they are competing with crops for nutrients, sunlight, etc., that’s not true, weeds serve a purpose. In soils that are deteriorated, weeds can trigger the healing process, this means the minerals or nutrients that are at the different zones in the soil are being pulled up to the top surface. Weeds produce a huge amount of carbon sequestration so in that process it provides a lot of sugar to the microbes so that the soil again becomes enriched."

Question 4

What are the threats in the industry, and if so, do you have any solutions for them?

"Over the years we have continuously deteriorated our soils, due to the use of synthetic fertilizers and this is a huge threat to the industry. Sustainable farming is the solution, through organic farming, a concept I have tried over the years and I know this is possible. Together, we can be the change!

Another challenge within Kenyan Floriculture is the persistent and stubborn False Codling Mode (FCM). From my approach, the soil and plant health should be top-notch, this is the most fundamental approach. With this concept, the insect will not lay eggs on a healthy plant but on an unhealthy plant, because of the accommodative conditions present in an ill plant. We have tried this concept at Black Tulip-Tulaga farm and we experienced great results. Watch Avinash Mokate below talking about nature and his love for organic farming below.

The sustainability wave from the international market is a serious threat. We ought to look at the possibilities of reducing pesticides and fungicide usage in the flowers. Just like fruits and vegetables, flowers are equally important and should not be contaminated with chemical substances. I foresee a situation where in a few years, the demand for organic farming will skyrocket immensely, and whether we like it or not we have to keep up with the trend, research more, test, and find sustainable approaches to growing our flowers."

Question 5

How has technology like e-commerce platforms or digital marketing affected your industry, which strategies have you employed to stay competitive?

"Since Black Tulip Group employs a direct marketing strategies in the sales of its flowers, we are keen on digital marketing to address the ever-changing consumer needs. We are constantly using the media to show our buyers what we do. From showcasing how we grow and produce good-quality flowers to the social impact and our sustainable approaches and milestones as a group.

E commerce is getting bigger and bigger. People like to order flowers on the go and get them delivered to end user swiftly! Flowers are in the luxury and happiness segment and everyone want happiness to be transmitted via flowers. How we get to that level is a task."

Question 6

Who (in or outside the floral industry) is an inspiring example to you? And Why?

"I came across a gentleman called Pius Floris from Holland. Through his YouTube videos, I have learned great insights. I have met with him in the past and his knowledge of agriculture, the most fundamental insights about agriculture is intriguing. He breaks the shackles that have taken hostage our minds, for the need to control everything. He says, "we don’t have to control plants but provide the right environment and conditions for them to grow and thrive."

I also look up to John Kemph from the US, his videos are inspiring and I have learned a lot about agriculture. The third one is Tom Dyxtra, his knowledge in entomology and approach to pests and disease management resonates well with my organic farming concepts. He is a huge believer in focusing more on the health of soil and plants rather pesticides and fungicides usage to tackle pests and diseases."

Question 7

How do you handle stress or difficult moments in your life?

"My stress emanates from convincing my colleagues that the mainstream agricultural approach cannot cut it anymore. It is an uphill task to drive a paradigm shift towards them, I take a back seat when I see I am wreaking my head against the wall.

I try to prove it in the field, to show them the possibilities that exist outside mainstream agriculture. Through my love for the soil and mother nature, I get rejuvenated and motivated on a daily basis to make a change. I am constantly passing the same knowledge to my kids on how to take care of the soil, and understand mother nature and their role in protecting and nurturing it."

Question 8

What has been the best (floral or non-floral) news for you lately, or of the last year?

"For me, the awareness our buyers have gained about the Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) is top news, as I have been expecting this to happen for the last 10-12 years. We cannot look beyond our comfort zone unless the buyers push the growers, such pressure is necessary for a paradigm shift."

Question 9

Which is your favorite flower/plant and why is it good for you?

"I have been in rose industry since 1993 and we consider the rose the queen of flowers. When it comes to vase life I have started liking Chrysanthemums in last 5-6 years as I see we can deliver a flower with exceptionally good vase life.

Last 8 years I have also been associated in growing Gypsophilla and I have to learn a lot about this flower yet."

Question 10

What are you doing this weekend?

"Frankly, my hobby has been to understand agriculture from a holistic approach. I am connecting soil, plant, and human health. We call it the 5 elements of nature. Earth, fire, space, water and air which control all life forms.

I spend a lot of my time in learning and using that know-how to improve farming. I thank Black Tulip senior management, who has shown patience with my concepts and given me platform to practice my passion."

All pictures courtesy of Avinash Mokate.