Representing Preesman roses, chrysanthemums and alstroemeria in India, globetrotter Avinash Mokate is our next agent in the spotlight.
Looking for Avinash? Chances are you’ll find him in the greenhouse
Spend even a little time in the floriculture industry and you will be amazed at its vast global reach. Take Avinash Mokate, one of Preesman’s agents in Asia: After launching himself into the Indian industry in 1993 with hydroponic rose and gerbera cultivation, he shifted his focus to flower production in Kenya just five years later. And from there? Ecuador, of course.
“I made great friends and colleagues in Ecuador and Colombia who trusted my word in variety selection,” Avinash explains, adding that he lived in Ecuador and traveled around the region for five years representing Preesman. “I am proud that I helped build a strong team for royalties and production in Ecuador and Colombia.” One reason Avinash was so successful there was his willingness to learn Spanish, which he picked up in Ecuador.
Today, Avinash is back home in India and is already keenly aware of the challenges his countrymen face. “Productivity has gone down dramatically due to agronomic reasons. Growers have a hard time finding workers and profitability is dropping down,” he says. “To address all of these issues simultaneously is the challenge.”
However, Avinash believes that Preesman’s breeding efforts will go a long way to ease the worries in India. “Preesman is targeting some heat resistant varieties that maintain their head size even in hot conditions. This means we can give growers stronger varieties, which in turn gives growers the chance to become profitable” says Avinash.
Meet Avinash Mokate during the 7th International Flora Expo in New Delhi, India, March 3-5 at the Sheel Biotech stand. Not in India? There are plenty of opportunities to meet and greet this globe trotter, because Avinash is now also working with growers in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Connect with Avinash today by emailing him at cosmitahortivision@gmail.com.