Colombia to Host SIFLOR 2026 to Advance AI and Agriculture 4.0 in Floriculture
The international symposium will gather global experts in November 2026 to integrate artificial intelligence and sustainable plant health into flower production.
Colombia will host the SIFLOR 2026 International Symposium on Floriculture on November 18 and 19, 2026. The event aims to modernize the floral industry by bridging the gap between academic research and commercial production through the adoption of Agriculture 4.0.
Scheduled to take place at Club Campestre El Rodeo in Rionegro, Antioquia, the symposium is organized by Asocolflores (the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters) and Ceniflores. The agenda focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and sustainable plant health to enhance the competitiveness of the sector. Technical sessions will feature Raymond Cloyd of Kansas State University, who will present on thrips management in greenhouse-grown cut flowers, and Alba Marina Cotes of AGROSAVIA, who will discuss the application of microbial bioinputs.
The Shift to Agriculture 4.0
The symposium arrives as the floral industry moves toward a "4.0" model, characterized by data-driven automation and a reduction in traditional chemical reliance. A significant portion of the event is dedicated to the practical application of AI in the field. Javier Alberto Chaparro from the Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito will present research on using AI to detect phenological stages, while Jerónimo Herrera Carbonell, also of the Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito, will analyze how AI agents are impacting operational workflows within the flower sector.
Industry Implications
As one of the world's premier flower exporters, Colombia's transition toward precision agriculture is a strategic necessity. The shift toward bioinputs and advanced pest management addresses two critical pressures: increasing global sustainability requirements and the rising challenge of fungicide resistance in high-value crops. By implementing AI-driven detection and biological alternatives, the industry seeks to maintain its global market share while reducing its environmental footprint.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, the success of SIFLOR 2026 will be measured by how effectively these academic innovations are scaled across commercial farms. Industry leaders will be watching for the viability of AI agents in daily operations and the efficacy of microbial bioinputs as replacements for synthetic chemicals. While the technical framework for Agriculture 4.0 is established, the full integration of these tools into the Colombian floral supply chain remains the primary objective for the coming years. This transition represents a broader effort to align Colombian production with international ecological standards, ensuring that the sector remains resilient against evolving biological threats and market demands.