Chelsea Flower Show 2025

From 20 – 24th of May, BKMC’s COO, Katre Olmez, and 2022 Youth AgriChampion, Jean Claude Niyomugabo, attended the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show hosted by the Royal Horticulture Society in London, UK. Olmez and Niyomugabo joined the Gates Foundation team, alongside colleagues from CGIAR, at their “Garden of the Future”, where they advocated for climate adaptation and agricultural innovations to improve climate resilience.

BKMC’s 2022 Youth AgriChampion, Jean Claude Niyomugabo, shares his experience at the Chelsea Flower Show held in London.

The Garden of the Future: Climate Innovation in Action

A major highlight of my visit was the “Garden of the Future” exhibit, designed by sustainable garden designers Butler & Parker and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This garden was not just visually stunning, but it was a powerful, immersive showcase of what is possible when science, design, community knowledge, and innovation converge to tackle the threats of climate change. Set in a near-future scenario where global temperatures are rising, rainfall is unpredictable, and agriculture is under stress, the exhibit spotlighted solutions that empower smallholder farmers. At the center of the garden were beds of climate-resilient crops, many of which are cultivated across the Global South. These crops are part of an agricultural strategy spearheaded by CGIAR to prepare food systems for an uncertain climate. They were displayed in beautifully arranged no-dig garden beds, alongside practical technologies like solar-powered irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting tanks. The layout encouraged visitors to consider both beauty and functionality in agricultural innovation, a lesson that resonates deeply with African farmers.

My interactions with various stakeholders reinforced the importance of knowledge exchange, where the Global South is not just a recipient of innovation but a contributor of wisdom, traditional practices, and lived experiences. The exhibit explicitly acknowledged this by showcasing crops and farming methods rooted in the Global South, shifting the narrative from dependence to partnership.

Visa Challenges and Travel Logistics

Barriers throughout the Visa process delayed my arrival by a few days, but with the support of BKMC I was able to reach London safely in time to attend the main days of the exhibition. These difficulties highlight the systemic barriers that Global South delegates face even when traveling under full sponsorship for events promoting inclusion and sustainability and emphasizes the need for more advocacy around equitable access for youth and changemakers from underrepresented regions.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Attending the Chelsea Flower Show offered me several important lessons, both as an agricultural communicator and a development practitioner. First, I learned the power of storytelling through design. The most effective gardens were those that integrated scientific insight with emotional narratives: stories of communities adapting, women leading change, or children planting hope. I plan to integrate this approach for future outreach work with farmers and youth in Rwanda.

Secondly, the diversity of crops and technologies highlighted the need for multilayered resilience strategies. It is not enough to focus on one solution. We must think in systems; crops, soils, water, energy, and markets must all be adapted together to face climate stress. This was particularly evident in the way gardens integrated solar panels, rain capture, nutrient-dense crops, and organic waste systems.

Thirdly, I was reminded that youth inclusion is essential, not optional. From child-designed gardens to university-led research showcases, young people were central to the innovation ecosystem at Chelsea. Their voices, creativity, and leadership need to be equally valued in Africa’s agriculture policy and programming.

Look at the pictures from Chelsea Flower Show: