Welcome to iGrow News, Your Source for the World of Indoor Vertical Farming
Need A Reason To Attend? Here Are Five
Zoom Fatigue Is Real Nothing against Zoom! It's helped us all stay connected and kept things going during the last year - and will continue to be an incredible tool moving forward
Zoom Fatigue Is Real
Nothing against Zoom! It's helped us all stay connected and kept things going during the last year - and will continue to be an incredible tool moving forward. But there's just nothing like face-to-face gatherings and getting that first-hand look at the latest product innovations. So step away from that screen and experience all Indoor Ag-Con has to offer.
Powerful Educational Line-Up
Headline keynotes featuring CEOs from AeroFarms, Sensei Ag, 80 Acres Farms. 3 Comprehensive Tracks. Afternoon Panel Discussions. Speakers from Kalera, Bright Farms, Vertical Harvest, Driscolls, Crop One, AppHarvest, Square Roots, Planet Farms, Brick Street Farms, and countless others will all be part of our idea-packed conference program
A Show Floor Filled With Introductions & Innovations
Experience a show floor filled with breaking trends, new introductions, networking opportunities and cocktail receptions. From the biggest names in the industry to emerging leaders, you'll see the latest LED innovations, controls, sensors, irrigation, seeds, greenhouse solutions, horticultural solutions, substrates and so much more. See who's exhibiting
Orlando = Hotel & Area Attraction Discounts
What better way to get back out there! Centrally located, the Hilton Orlando show venue is the perfect spot for a business vacation! In addition to hotel rates starting as low as $129, you can also enjoy all sorts of discounts on area attractions, restaurants, shops and more!
Nothing to Lose! 100% Money Back Guarantee!
We're so confident you will benefit from your experience that we guarantee your registration fee! Get your money's worth ... or get your money back! This guarantee covers your registration fee but not travel, hotel or other expenses incurred. Learn more
REGISTER NOW & SAVE WITH EARLY BIRD RATES!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR INDOOR AG-CON SPONSORS,
MEDIA & MARKETING ALLIES
Indoor Ag-Con, 3834 Silvestri Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89120, United States
Whose Roundtable Will You Join At Indoor AgTech, June 24-25?
Are you ready to debate hyper-local food systems, optimizing plant traits and the best approaches to grower and buyer partnerships?
Are you ready to debate hyper-local food systems, optimizing plant traits and the best approaches to grower and buyer partnerships? Take your pick of 34 roundtable discussions hosted by international agtech leaders at this month’s Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit.
A hugely popular part of the program, the small group breakouts offer a great opportunity to expand your network and engage with the topics most critical to you and your business. You’ll benefit from different viewpoints and fresh thinking, leaving with a wealth of valuable new connections.
Whose discussion group will you join? Places are limited and tables fill quickly, so be sure to save your seat on the virtual platform.
ROUNDTABLE HOSTS & TOPICS
JOIN THEM - REGISTER NOW
Over 500 of your industry colleagues are already busy networking and booking their sessions on the virtual summit platform so don't miss out - join them now.
Remember, the platform will be available 24/7 for a full month after the summit, so you can continue to network with delegates and rewatch all the sessions on demand.
We are looking forward to welcoming you online.
Oscar Brennecke
Conference Producer
Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit
oscar.brennecke@rethinkevents.com
+44 (0)1273 789989
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
Marketing and Media Partners:
HOSTED ALONGSIDE
Vertical Farming World Congress Raises Expectations
Plans have been announced for the 2nd Vertical Farming World Congress, which will take place on 20-22 September 2021. The event will be available online, with the aim for as many delegates as possible to meet in person at London Heathrow
Plans have been announced for the 2nd Vertical Farming World Congress, which will take place on 20-22 September 2021. The event will be available online, with the aim for as many delegates as possible to meet in person at London Heathrow.
With the theme of ‘Raising Expectations’, the conference sessions offer numerous highlights including:
Industry leadership with InFarm, Kalera, and YesHealth
Market opportunity with HortAmericas, Rabobank and VeggiTech
Customer and investor panels featuring Metro and S2G Ventures
Regional pioneers from AgroUrbana in Chile to 808 Factory in Japan
Nutrition and crop development with 80 Acres and Vertical Field
Technology and service development with Grow Group IFS and Swegreen
Industry policy discussion with Association for Vertical Farming, Farm Tech Society, Japan Plant Factory Association, and UK Urban AgriTech.
There will also be a range of other attractions, notably:
Presentation of the 2021 Vertical Farming World Awards covering crops, technology, sustainability, and commercial initiatives
Visits to various vertical farms online and to Vertical Future’s new Mini Crops operation in East London
Introductory workshop on planning an urban farming business with Agritecture.
The Congress is sponsored by Vertical Future and the Awards are sponsored by Cultivatd.
“This will be the stand-out event of the year for vertical farming, which has attracted so much investor and consumer attention in the past 12 months,” commented Richard Hall, Chairman of Congress organizers Zenith Global, the global food and drink experts. “Vertical farming chimes perfectly with concerns for fresh nutrition locally, providing new solutions on sustainability and to address complicated supply chains.”
“Last year, delegates said they would be happy to stay online for reasons of convenience and affordability as well as ease of networking and access to the recording. Many, however, still want to meet in person, so we shall be offering both options, with a guarantee of a refund for anyone unable to travel at the last minute due to national government coronavirus restrictions,” he concluded.
Full program and booking details for the Congress and entry information for the Awards are available at zenithglobal.com/events or by emailing events@zenithglobal.com.
March Indoor Ag Science Cafe - March 30th Tuesday 11 AM Eastern US Time
This month's Café Will Introduce A Funding Opportunity For Small Businesses‘ R&D
This month's Café Will Introduce A Funding Opportunity
For Small Businesses‘ R&D.
Please sign up, thank you!
"USDA SBIR Grants Program Overview"
Dr. Steven Thomson & Melinda Coffman
USDA NIFA
SBIR = Small Business Innovation Research
Please sign up so that you will receive Zoom link info.
Indoor Ag Science Cafe is an open discussion forum, planned and organized by OptimIA project team supported by USDA SCRI grants.
Sign up here
February Indoor Ag Science Cafe - February 23rd Tuesday 11 AM Eastern Time - "Indoor Farming In Mexico: Current Status And Opportunities"
Karla Garcia Microgreen FLN & HortAmericas
Karla Garcia
Microgreen FLN & HortAmericas
Please sign up so that you will receive Zoom link info.
Indoor Ag Science Cafe is an open discussion forum, planned and organized by OptimIA project team supported by USDA SCRI grants.
Sign Up Here
Cafe archive & QA forum
Our archived Indoor Ag Science Cafe page in OptimIA website now has a forum function! Please click on presentations of your interest and ask your quick questions. Notifications come to us and we should be able to respond promptly.
Submit Your General Questions
For 'Indoor Ag Sci Queries'!
Please submit your questions (anonymously if you wish) about sciences and technologies of indoor farming to this submission site. Any questions are welcome! The site is always open for your questions. Selected questions will be discussed in our future Indoor Ag Science Queries series.
Indoor Ag Science Cafe is organized by the OptimIA project team funded by USDA SCRI grants program.
Previous café recordings are available in the OptimIA project website.
Please contact for more info: kubota.10@osu.edu
USA - ARIZONA: UA-CEAC 2021 Online Short Course
Only a few weeks away from the 2021 Online Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course put on by the University of Arizona's Controlled Environment Agriculture Center
Only a few weeks away from the 2021 Online Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course put on by the University of Arizona's Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. This virtual program will be hosted through Zoom on Wednesdays- March 3rd, 10th, & 17th from 10 am-3 pm (MST). Come expand your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and hear innovative presentations given by industry leaders and academia experts in Controlled Environment Agriculture. Click here to register. Registration will close on February 26th.
For more information, visit ceac.arizona.edu/events/cea-short-course or email ellenworth@email.arizona.edu
Conference Schedule; See All 80 Sessions!
The Conference features OVER EIGHTY SESSIONS from October 16-18. Brunno (pictured above) will be helping us unlock all that iron in our aquaponic water!
Hello Aquaponics World,
We are so excited to publish our Agenda for The 2020 Aquaponics Conference, Cultivating the Future! The Conference features OVER EIGHTY SESSIONS from October 16-18. Brunno (pictured above) will be helping us unlock all that iron in our aquaponic water! Read more:
Friday Agenda
Saturday Agenda
Sunday Agenda
Early Bird Tix are only $149 and expire October 2, save $100!
Early Bird Tickets
Are you a K-12 teacher, home grower, or part of a small business or small farm? You may be eligible for STEM / Community Super-Saver Discount Tix! Learn more:
STEM / Community Ticket Info
All Conference tickets include:
Access to all content in all four Learning Tracks – STEM Education, Commercial, Community, and Research
Access to 100% of conference video files online through the end of 2020
Access to all conference slide presentation files through the end of 2020
Access to Aquaponics Virtual Vendors featuring the best products and services in the aquaponics industry
Access to Direct Messaging, Chat Rooms, Live Polls, and Virtual Cocktail Hour to interact with growers from around the world!
Ability to ask LIVE QUESTIONS to Aquaponics Experts!
We hope to see you there so we can advance aquaponics together!
Brian Filipowich, Chairman
Aquaponics Association
WEBINAR: Stephen Ritz In Conversation With Charles Platkin - Wed, June 17 - 9:30-10:30 AM EST
Free webinar with NYC Food Policy Center - Wednesday, June 17, 9:30 - 10:30 am EST - talking all things health, education, wellness, school garden to school cafe, policy and urban farming
Free Webinar with NYC Food Policy Center
Wednesday, June 17, 9:30 - 10:30 AM EST
Talking all things Health, Education, Wellness, School Garden to School Cafe, Policy and urban Farming
Registration is required in advance and there will be a live Q/A
Please join me this Wednesday, June 17, at 9:30 - 10:30 for a free, LIVE, virtual event with NYC Food Policy Center moderated by Dr. Charles Platkin - the Diet Detective.
We’ll be talking all things equity, policy, public education, life in the age of COVID, school food, school nutrition, school garden to school cafe, health, wellness, nutrition and the role of non-profit organizations. We will be highlighting what works and why, what needs to change and how, and each and every one of us can make a difference and get involved. Let’s go from a tipping point to a turning point! I’ll even be highlighting my living room urban farm 12 stories up - in the Bronx. There will be LIVE Q and A as well.
The event is FREE and open to all - so feel free to share - registration is required for internet safety.
Click here to register
Stephen Ritz is the Founder of Green Bronx Machine and self-proclaimed CEO – Chief Eternal Optimist – of Bronx County
May 2020 Edition Speaker | Exhibitor Roster Grows Daily
In addition to our top CEO keynote speakers, including David Rosenberg, CEO, Aerofarms; Mike Zelkind, CEO, 80 Acres Farms; Sonia Lo, CEO, Crop One Holdings, we're building a robust schedule covering 3 core tracks – Business, Science| Technology, and Alternative Crops
In addition to our top CEO keynote speakers, including David Rosenberg, CEO, Aerofarms; Mike Zelkind, CEO, 80 Acres Farms; Sonia Lo, CEO, Crop One Holdings, we're building a robust schedule covering 3 core tracks – Business, Science| Technology, and Alternative Crops. You'll find a schedule that offers a mix of panel presentations that bring together different perspectives and steer clear of commercial pitches. We're adding new speakers every day. Here's a sneak peek.
View Growing Speaker List
80 ACRES FARMS CEO TO LEAD KEYNOTE AT INDOOR AG-CON 2020
Indoor Ag-Con is pleased to announce that Mike Zelkind,
Co-Founder and CEO,
80 Acres Farms will kick off the day two conference schedule for our May 18-20, 2020 edition.
Don't miss his keynote presentation from 8:00-8:45 am on Tuesday, May 19 at the Wynn Las Vegas. Make plans now to join us!
Learn More ›
How To Get An Indoor Farm Up & Running Fast
What's The Next Technical Frontier for LED Lighting
Seeds Of The Future
Disaster-Proofing Your Greenhouse
AI & Robotics -What's Economically Viable For Indoor Farms Today
MegaTrends In Indoor Growing.......
The 2020 session list goes on. And on. In addition to our top CEO keynote speakers, including David Rosenberg, CEO, Aerofarms; Mike Zelkind, CEO, 80 Acres Farms; Sonia Lo, CEO, Crop One Holdings, we're building a robust schedule covering 3 core tracks – Business, Science| Technology and Alternative Crops. You'll find topics like these AND many others featuring panelists from indoor farms of all sizes, academics, investors and today's thought leaders. Have a look at our schedule in the works for May 2020 -- and check back regularly as we're adding programs every day! Peek In At Programs In Development Now!
See Sample Of Exhibiting Companies ›
NEW SPEAKERS JOINING THE LINE-UP DAILY!
Hear from 40 PLUS CEOs and leaders from across the industry spectrum during our 3-day program. 80 Acres Farms. Crop One Holdings. AeroFarms. AgEye Technologies. Agrify. Agritecture. AmHydro. Backyard Fresh Farms. Bayer Crop Science. Black & Veatch. Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Fusion Farms. GLASE. Hort Americas. Nick Greens. Sananbio US. Ship Shape Urban Farms. Smallhold. SSLS Inc. SyNERGE LLC. University of Arizona CEAC. United Fresh Produce Association. Vilmorin North America. And many more!
CROP ONE HOLDINGS CEO SONIA LO LEADS LUNCHEON KEYNOTE -MAY 18, 2020
Indoor Ag-Con is pleased to announce that Sonia Lo will be leading our opening day luncheon keynote presentation on Monday, May 18, 2020, from 12:30 - 1:30 pm.Crop One is building and operating large scale vertical farms globally, including a $40 million joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering. Sonia is also the Founder and Managing Director of Chalsys, LLP, an advisory and direct investment firm that has invested over $120 million in 15 global growth-stage companies. Learn more and make plans to join us!
Other keynote presenters include Mike Zelkind, Co-Founder & CEO of 80 Acres Farms, David Rosenberg, CEO of AeroFarms, AND we'll have another announcement coming soon!
This May you'll find an expanded exhibit floor. Explore the latest innovations from some of the biggest names in the industry and emerging leaders across all sectors. And, don't miss our new Start-Up Showcase, a dedicated showplace on the exhibition floor for early to mid-stage indoor farming and agtech companies.
Show Floor Sneak Preview ›
SAVE UP TO $300 WITH EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION!
$999 Early Bird General Access Pass
($1299 Full Price)
$799 Early Farmer|Grower| Non-Profit | Academic|Government ($1099 full price)
$499 Early Bird Undergraduate Student ($699 Full Price)
$599 Expo Floor Only*(*No Discount)
Register Now & Save, Use code IGROW520 ›
SAVE ON TRAVEL WITH GREAT RATES AT TREASURE ISLAND LAS VEGASWe're excited to head to our new location at the Wynn Las Vegas for our May 18-20, 2020 edition.
And, we've arranged for some great discounted rates at the nearby Treasure Island | TI Las Vegas for our attendees and exhibitors!
Be sure to book early to secure your room. You can call Treasure Island Reservations directly at 888.503.8999 and reference discount code AGCON20 or register online through the link below.
Book Your Discounted Room ›
INSIDE INDOOR AG | INDUSTRY NEWS HARVEST
THE SPOON: CES 2020: The Planty Cube Aims to Make Vertical Farming More Modular and Automated
HORTIDAILY: Southern California Home to New 16 Acre Leafy Greens Greenhouse
AGFUNDER NEWS : 2020 Predictions From Agri-FoodTech's Leading VCs
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GROWING ROSTER OF
MEDIA ALLIES & INDUSTRY PARTNERS
In addition, Indoor Ag-Con is proud
to be a member of the Hemp Industries
Association.
3rd International Congress of Controlled Environment Agriculture Event, Held From 06-08 November 2019 Republic of Panama
We have world renowned speakers that are proven scientist, academics, businesspeople, consultants and experts on the specific topics they will impart
The theme of the Congress is: “APPLYING TECHNOLOGY IN FOOD PRODUCTION AND MARKETING.”
This third event of its kind, will continue to be the place to engage with experts from around the world, learn and apply the latest in controlled environment (CEA) for greenhouse and vertical farm owners and operators and establish lasting relationships.
SOME OF THE EXITING TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:
Growing Crops: Strawberries, leafy greens, herbs, micro greens, and more.
The biggest costs facing farms: Labor, climate and illumination.
Issues creating the most confusion: Water, nutrients, pest management and air flow.
Economic Models: How to financially manage your operation and much more!
We have world renowned speakers that are proven scientist, academics, businesspeople, consultants and experts on the specific topics they will impart. From Chiba University, to University of Arizona to Wageningen, from well known companies and in-between, the topics
Better Food For More People: Notes From The World Food Summit 2019
“The global food system is a major driver of challenges relating to human health, the climate change and environment. We need to think and act in new ways to face challenges of climate changes, hunger, food safety and unhealthy food habits
SEPTEMBER 6, 2019
KYLE BALDOCK
All of us know our food system is broken, but are we all willing to do what it takes to fix it?
Better Food for More People
“The global food system is a major driver of challenges relating to human health, the climate change and environment. We need to think and act in new ways to face challenges of climate changes, hunger, food safety and unhealthy food habits.
The world is facing enormous challenges if we are to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Today, more than 800 million people live in hunger, 1 in 10 people in the world fall ill after eating contaminated food, while more than 2 billion people are overweight or obese. More than 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year, equivalent to 24% of all food produced for human consumption.
In connection with these figures a huge challenge is that international researchers point out that expected changes in population and income levels in the period 2010 to 2050 can increase environmental impact from production and consumption of food by 50-90% globally if targeted remedial measures are not taken. The environmental impact will reach levels beyond the planetary boundaries that define a safe operating space for humanity.
According to researchers, only a combination of measures will be sufficient to mitigate the expected increase in environmental impact. Combined efforts in relation to prevention and reduction of food waste, technological changes to increase the resource efficiency in food production and changed dietary habits are imperative.”
During the last week of August, Copenhagen was the host city to the World Food Summit 2019 and a series of side events to discuss strategies towards tackling the aforementioned challenges and realising the mantra of the summit: Better Food for More People.
How do we create the necessary change? And what is the role of governments, international organisations, private sector, academia and civil society?
Based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the World Food Summit connects leaders from around the world to discuss concrete solutions for transforming the global food system, focusing on the following topics:
-Ensuring Food Safety and Food Security
-Better Health and Diets
-Improved Resource Efficiency
The World Food Summit is an annual accelerator of actions necessary to transform the food systems to become safer, healthier, and more sustainable in response to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Danish Minister for Food Mr. Mogens Jensen hosted the Summit to work with leaders ready to act on the global food challenges.
The first day of the summit was held in the national parliament of Denmark with an honorary visit from HRH the Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark. Speakers from different parts of the world shared their own visions and solutions in the fields of the environmental impact of agriculture, waste prevention, and the necessity of an overhaul in our dietary choices. The fundamental message of all the talks was clear: there is no time left for inaction!
On the second day of the summit, three workshops identified key actions from all stakeholders globally that will enable us to reach the identified pathways towards a healthy and sustainable food system in accordance with the sustainable development goals.
World Food Summit plans to tackle the challenges facing our food systems
These are some of the suggestions made by the workshop moderators at the end of day two:
-Reform the agricultural subsidy program to reflect the real price of food
-Support and empower local production
-Educate the general public on nutrition
-Implement regional solutions by considering the specific differences and needs
-Create a World Food Forum to come up with guidelines and minimum standards that will help businesses to move in the right direction using new business models
-Enforce governmental regulation, minimum standards and trade deals that prioritise environmental concerns
-Invest in the whole value chain to ease the transition to a sustainable food system
-Rethink the fundamentally flawed systems instead of super optimisation
-Create the global food-borne diseases database through WHO and national governments
-Implement transparency and accountability in the value chain as an indispensable characteristic of the system
During last year’s summit, ten countries became signatory partners to one or more of the World Food Summit’s three commitments. These commitments are about information and nutrition, food safety and food waste; together, they create a framework that can generate tangible results going forward and establish cooperation between partner countries on fostering local solutions and public-private partnerships. This year, five more countries added their names to the signatory lists of these commitments to show there is a strong collective will to commit and work in collaboration to tackle the challenges facing our food systems.
We are way past the time for making small changes to mitigate climate crisis: we need a plan to revamp our entire food system as fast as possible.
The Danish food minister Mr. Jensen closed the summit by reminding everyone about what John F. Kennedy said on his 1962 speech that lead to the Apollo 11 mission later on. We need to come up with business models to achieve goals like the Danish government’s ambitious plan of 70% fewer emissions from 1990s levels; no one knows how exactly we will get there but first you need to have bold ideas and then find the ways to fulfil them.
Take home messages:
-Identify the false advertisements and marketing schemes and support governments, businesses and organizations that are truly fighting for a better future for our food systems
-Embrace different solutions and diversify our actions in fixing the food system
-There is less focus on the production methods than in waste and consumer choices
-Research on crucial issues like climate change should be a public funded program to avoid biases-We need to come up with a transition period plan for industries that are problematic to our planet to change their business models
-Financing innovation should be our number one priority
-Raising awareness about our food system, labelling and carbon tax need to be a continuous effort
We need to diversify the solutions and a commitment from all of us to consider the repercussions of our daily decisions on the planet. Going back to John F. Kennedy’s vision “We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or make it the last.”
Words by AVF Head of Science & Education Ramin Ebrahimnejad. Ramin will be leading a special session on all these topics and more at the upcoming event The Role of Urban Food Systems in a Changing Climate at C40 World Summit in Copenhagen on 10 October, 2019. The event is free and you can sign up to attend at this link: https://bit.ly/2k54fOY
To get in touch with Ramin Ebrahimnejad, please e-mail re@vertical-farming.net
Intensive Course In Hydroponic Lettuce And Leafy Greens At University of Arizona
The controlled Environment Agriculture Center Is Offering An Intensive Course In Hydroponic Lettuce And Leafy Greens October 5th Through The 9th
By urbanagnews
September 4, 2019
The Controlled Environment Agriculture Center is offering an intensive course in Hydroponic Lettuce and Leafy Greens October 5th through the 9th.
Lettuces and leafy greens – we eat them every day! (or we SHOULD!) But how do we grow them sustainably with delicious flavor? Join the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center to answer these questions and more during our Intensive Hydroponic Lettuce and Leafy Greens course.
Our esteemed staff and faculty will provide 40+ hours of classroom time and hands on application in the Greenhouses on the CEAC Campus to ensure your hydroponic leafy greens are a success.
About CEAC: The Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) is a research institution of The University of Arizona. The CEAC provides Education, Research, Outreach, and Extension activities, and is heavily involved with Agriculture & Biosystems Engineering, Plant Sciences/ES, and Agricultural Technology Management Departments.
Dates: October 5th through 9th 2019
Cost: $1,195
Instructor: Myles Lewis
Location: Controlled Environment Agriculture Center 1951 E. Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719
For more information on our upcoming courses visit https://ceac.arizona.edu/events/intensive.
To register for this exciting event visit here. Please contact Megan Dragony With any further questions at dragonym@email.arizona.edu or 520-626-9566.
AgraME Launches AgraTech To Showcase Tech Innovations In Agribusiness
21 May 2019, Dubai, UAE:
The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionised the world we live in, pervading into our daily lives through our homes and businesses. Revolutionising agriculture, IoT has provided the industry with invaluable data that may have not been accessible previously.
AgraME has recently introduced ‘AgraTech’ – A platform for the display of technological advancements to the regional market and to promote knowledge sharing between global and local industry leaders.
With a variety of innovative products and services now available, including cloud solutions, farm automation, UAVs, soil sensors, farm management platforms, climate control, robotics and more, AgraTech will open a wealth of opportunity in the agricultural industry in the Middle East and Africa.
Governments in the region are also backing the move to modern farming techniques through various projects as well as investment in to the sector.
In the UAE, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi has approved a series of incentive packages totalling up to AED1 billion ($272 million) for local and international AgTech firms.
The UAE has also seen a pilot project that used UAVs, commonly known as drones, to create a highly accurate agricultural database that supports decision-making and forward planning by enabling the best use of resources and determining the optimum areas for crop growth.
In Saudi Arabia, Red Sea Farms, another AgTech company, will utilise engineering and plant science to grow saltwater-tolerant crops with plans to produce 50 tons of tomatoes annually by 2020.
Commenting on the addition to the show, Sheetij Taneja, Exhibition Manager, AgraME said, ‘AgraTech is an overarching sector that covers all our present sectors – Animal Farming and Health, Aquaculture and Crop farming.’
‘By providing the industry with access to products, solutions and technical know-how to implement AgTech, we hope to help farmers in the Middle East and Africa automate processes, improve efficiency, increase monitoring, and capture meaningful, actionable data.’
In addition to the exhibition, the AgraME Conference will bring together local and international experts to discuss the AgTech landscape in the Middle East and Africa, best practises to improve the technical know-how of farmers within the region.
Key AgTech exhibitors at AgraME 2019 included Sage, Aritmos, Apisa, Certhon, Deep Trekker, Delta T Devices, Intravision Group, Roam Technology, Veggitech and more.
Focusing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, AgraME will continue to focus on goal 2, zero hunger through AgraTech. ‘By increasing analytics within farms, we can ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, help maintain ecosystems and strengthen capacity’ noted Taneja
Taking place from the 3 – 5 March 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE, AgraME welcomes global leaders in Animal farming and health, Aquaculture and Crop farming to the UAE, providing the Middle East and Africa with valuable information and knowledge.
For More Information,
Please contact Sheetij Taneja at +971 4 336 5161
or info@agramiddleeast.com
The House of The Future: Super-Sustainable With Room to Grow Your Food
The house and garden of the future is sustainable and produces its own food. Photo: supplied
MELISSA HEAGNEY SENIOR JOURNALIST
MAR 3, 2019
The phrase “house of the future” may, at first, provoke images of cartoon family The Jetsons with sky-high homes, flying cars and robot servants.
But according to the experts, the reality is much more sustainable and green. And it’s already here.
One display at the upcoming Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show will feature a range of sustainable builders’ ideas and products linked to the house and garden of the future.
Future homes are set to be highly sustainable, have minimal impact on the land and produce enough fresh food to feed several adults over a year, according to participant Brendan Condon.
Mr Condon is director of three sustainability companies including gardening outfit Biofilta, and part of an award-winning deep-green development The Cape at Cape Patterson in South Gippsland.
Homes can and will have minimal impact on the land around it. Photo: Supplied
“We’re showing people can harness design and breakthrough technology that is already being used on houses around the world,” Mr Condon said.
He said sustainability was a must for the future of big cities like Melbourne and Sydney, especially when it comes to living a healthy and comfortable life.
“Suburbia now needs to become the new nature,” he said.
“Cities have huge opportunities to combine rainwater or rooftop rainwater runoff, waste stream organics like composted food waste and surplus city spaces with clever urban farming systems to grow huge amounts of fresh produce.”
Mr Condon said a new gardening system would be launched at the show to demonstrate to people that they could grow food anywhere.
Biofilta recently partnered with a local coffee company to set up pop-up farms in two car spaces in Rocklea Drive, Port Melbourne.
The aim is to grow over 300 kilograms of fresh food in over a year using used coffee grounds and chaff. They have already produced 180 kilograms of food in four months.
Gardens can be grown anywhere – including rooftops and car parks. Photo: Supplied
Mr Condon said there were opportunities to turn urban areas and high-rise blocks into environments for not only food production but also other types of biodiversity.
That included setting up areas of wetlands which would encourage frogs and insects to find a home in urban areas. More plants offering shading would also help with the urban heat island effect.
As well as food production, the house and garden of the future will also use solar energy and solar batteries to produce more power than they need. This could power electric cars – even if not actual flying cars promised by The Jetsons.
Director of modular home group Ecoliv Building Ashley Beaumont agreed, saying sustainable home design was now at a point where heating and cooling appliances were minimally used.
Passive solar design – using the sun to heat and cool homes – meant power bills would be massively reduced.
Mr Condon said this could be by as much as $2500 every year where efficient, all-electric appliances were used.
“Climate-adapted, resilient, comfortable homes powered by renewable energy with super-low energy bills, coupled with productive urban farming, are definitely the future,” Mr Condon said.
Leading Agribusiness Groups Throw Their Weight Behind Australia’s Largest Ever Agricultural Innovation Trade Fair
GFIA in Focus Australia is fast becoming a much-anticipated event within the agricultural community – and with some of Australia’s leading trade bodies recently announcing their commitment to the upcoming exhibition, it’s set to be one of Australia’s most exciting business-to-end-user sector trade fairs in the 2018 calendar.
REGISTER HERE
Nine of Australia’s key agribusiness member organisations have now pledged their support for the show, a satellite edition of a series of fairs that run internationally, driving sustainable food production and innovation. Promoting it as a great opportunity for agri-food professionals to freely attend the exhibitions and adjoining conferences, the organisations include Agribusiness Australia, Queensland Farmers’ Federation, AgForce Queensland, Irrigation Australia, Growcom, Passionfruit Australia, Queensland Olive Council, Society of Precision Agriculture Australia and Northern Territories Farmers Association.
Tim Burrow, CEO at Agribusiness Australia welcomed the collaboration:
“Our mantra is to advocate, to be inclusive and to spread knowledge, with the sole aim of advancing agri-business for the national good. A stronger agri-business sector benefits not only our communities, but also our nation’s financial and cultural wealth, and this event will no doubt be invaluable in creating new business opportunities, advancing knowledge and supporting greater collaboration.”
For Travis Tobin, CEO at Queensland Farmers’ Federation, the upcoming fair aligns with QFF’s key strategies. “In representing the interests of peak state and national agriculture industry organisations, we engage in a broad range of economic, social, environmental and regional issues of strategic importance to the productivity, sustainability and growth of the agricultural sector. With our mission being to secure a strong and sustainable future for Queensland farmers, GFIA In Focus is a great opportunity to learn more about developing sustainable farming for the future.”
The Australian edition takes place at Brisbane’s Convention & Exhibition Centre from 27-28 November 2018, and organisations like these, which represent tens of thousands of corporate agri-businesses, farmers and growers across the country will now be involved – a move which it’s anticipated will greatly extend the exhibition’s reach and influence.
With the world’s population expected to increase from seven billion to almost nine billion by 2040, the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) was born with the belief that continuous innovation in agriculture is the only way to sustainably feed us all.
To support the Australian Government’s ambition to increase our agricultural output to a $100 billion industry by 2030, the Queensland Government is committed to growing agriculture as one of the ‘four pillars’ of the state’s economy. However, as David Stradling, Sales Director of One CMG Group, the company behind GFIA In Focus Australia explained, government’s efforts alone will not achieve the target:
“Unlocking agriculture’s growth potential requires a collaborative effort from all levels of government, industry, researchers and vested interest communities. In the face of continued drought and calls to raise productivity, farmers, growers and agribusinesses will increasingly need to implement more sustainable technologies.”
“We see GFIA In Focus Australia as a prime opportunity for farmers, growers and agribusinesses across the country to learn more about the latest innovations in agriculture,” he continued. “We’re pleased to have nine of the country’s most influential agri-business member organisations on board for this unique event.”
David described the exhibition as the beginning of a progressive long-term strategy to create opportunities that strengthen and support Australia’s agricultural industry. “We anticipate this event will deliver huge business opportunities for ag-tech suppliers in markets expected to experience significant growth over the next few years,” he said.
The two-day show features two world-class showcases of leading-edge technology in precision and smart farming on one side of the Convention Centre’s Grand Hall, and on the other, an exhibition of suppliers in technology for controlled environment and protected cropping. The events are supported by their own dedicated conference and side-event programs, and visitors will have access across the entire event.
GFIA are giving away 2,000 free tickets for November’s In Focus exhibition to food producers, policy makers and investors. Visit www.gfiaaustralia.com to register your attendance, or for further information about exhibiting at GFIA In Focus Australia.
Event details:
GFIA In Focus Australia
27 November 2018: 09.00 – 18.00
28 November 2018: 09.00 – 16.00
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
About GFIA
The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture has emerged as a global authority on sustainable food production, driving innovation through exhibitions and conferences across the globe. GFIA exhibitions have welcomed more than 25,000 visitors, and worked with over 50 international partners to showcase innovative products with a proven benefit to the agricultural industry. Their conferences offer stakeholders pioneering forums and marketplaces to foster meaningful dialogue, collaboration, recognition and action between regional food producers, buyers, innovators, policy makers and investors.
Tim Burrow, Agribusiness Australia
Peter Smith, AgForce QLD with David Stradling, One CMG Group
Travis Tobin, Queensland Farmers' Federation