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Protected Cropping Heralded As The Ideal System To Help Supercharge Australian Agriculture
‘Sustainable growth’ is the key phrase underpinning the Australian Government’s plans to make the nation’s agricultural industry a $100 billion industry by 2030. Yet with widespread and continued drought conditions challenging these ambitious plans, growers are looking to new solutions to ensure more consistent crops and higher yields – and protected cropping is one increasingly attractive proposition.
There’s no doubt that indoor and controlled environments, speed breeding and hydroponic systems are currently driving food production like never before. The Protected Cropping Industry is the fastest growing food producing sector in Australia, valued at around $1.8 billion per annum. As Vertical Farming Systems Executive Director John Leslie explains, that’s no surprise. “Australian agriculture currently has a return on investment of about 3-5%, and that’s not sufficient to attract investment into the sector,” he says. “Vertical farming removes much of the labour cost, which is the most expensive component of farming, so the ROI can be increased to 20% and upwards – and then agriculture does become an attractive investment proposition.”
With a $3.9 billion fund recently set up to support water infrastructure and drought-related projects, protected cropping has never been more relevant. Controlled environment farming protects the industry from unfavourable weather conditions like drought, contributing to more consistent crops and higher yields. John sees vertical farming as the ideal solution for some parts of the industry, because the process is impervious to climate, and the dehumidification process generates a massive amount of water. “We’re actually producing water out of the air, and that makes vertical farming highly viable, even in places as arid as the Sahara desert. While vertical farming isn’t a fix-all for every drought situation, it’s another tool we can use to combat the effects – and it will certainly support some parts of the food supply chain and help address things like drought.”
Current advancements in the technology mean that protected cropping will soon be applicable on a broader scale. John explains how his company is developing systems that will soon be able to produce animal feed and proteins. “It’s based on the same technology we’re right now using for vegetables, and over time that will begin to address the problem on a wider scale,” he says.
Hydroponics is another production sector currently experiencing rapid growth – and as hydroponic grower and consultant Brian Ellis explains, it’s highly efficient in its use of inputs including water, fertilisers, labour, land and energy. “It’s possible to produce 5-10 times as much per hectare using hydroponic systems compared to growing in soil. There’s no doubt that adverse weather is impacting everyone as the climate continues to change – but with hydroponics you have much more control over your environment. Essentially there’s much more predictability, and less effect from extreme weather.”
Brian explains how hydroponic systems use only minimal water, which contributes further to their viability. “We often only use as little as 5% of the water for re-circulated hydroponic crops, compared to growing the same crop out in the field. That gap may have closed a little with the introduction of new technologies, but it’s still nowhere close to that figure. As drought continues to affect growers, there’s no doubt that hydroponics will become even more important, and more relevant to the success of the industry.”
In the face of food security and global climatic variability concerns, safe, sustainable protected cropping in the form of vertical farming, hydroponics and speed breeding could well be the way of the future. With protected-crop growers at the forefront of highly sustainable, efficient and innovative food production processes, protected cropping will increasingly help to secure a profitable and more sustainable future for Australian agriculture.
The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) will present the latest innovations and technologies for the controlled environment and protected cropping sector at Australia’s largest agricultural innovation event, GFIA in Focus, in Brisbane on November 27-28. John and Brian will join a host of guest speakers discussing everything from vertical farms and greenhouses to hydroponic and aquaponic systems and much more.
To register for a free entry badge or to find out more, visit www.gfiaaustralia.com
Prestigious Professional Platform For Decision-Makers of CIS And Russian Greenhouse Industry
We are very pleased to announce that the “Greenhouse Complexes of Russia” has already attracted confirmed attendance from over 700 leaders of the greenhouse industry. But, as the number of places in Moscow’s Baltchug Kempinsky hotel is limited, registration for participation will now close before the previously established date. If you still hope to join us – to present your products, technologies, or services, we ask that you let us know now. Two remaining booth spaces will be made available to the participants who respond first.
Gold Sponsor: Grodan. Silver Sponsor: Signify, Svetogor, Green Automation Group. Bronze Sponsors: Royal Brinkman, Rijk Zwaan, Mir Stekla, AWETA, Lider-Pak. Video Promotion Sponsors: Uralchem, RICHEL Group, AHPS.
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Among the honoured guests and presenters of 2018:
Aleksandr Rudakov, President, APH ECO-Culture
Sergey Rukin, President, Greenhouse Growth Technologies
Dmitry Lashin, Chairman of the Council of Directors, TK Lipetskagro
Nurbek Adaev, Director, TK YugAgroHolding
David Bondarenko, Director, CHINAR
Viktor Ovchinnikov, Executive Director, Greenhouse Complex Podosinki
Sergei Kirillov, General Director, Greenhouse Plant Tatarinovo (STK) and many others.
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I will be very pleased to respond to all possible questions and receive your comments.
Elvira Sakhabutdinova
Project Director
Tel: +44 207 394 3 090
Fax: +44 207 231 1600
Email: ESakhabutdinova@vostockcapital.com
Web: http://www.greenhousesforum.com/en/
Investment Projects For The Construction and Modernization of Greenhouse Complexes Will Be Presented at the 3rd Annual Forum and Exhibition
“Greenhouse Complexes Russia 2018”
Date: 5-6 December 2018
Venue: Moscow, Baltschug Kempinski Hotel
Organiser: Vostock Capital
Website: https://www.greenhousesforum.com/
The 3rd annual international Forum and Exhibition “Greenhouse Complexes Russia 2018” is the high-level professional platform to unlock investment in Russian greenhouse industry, discuss development strategies, share experiences, and conclude new lucrative contracts.
The Forum gathers investors from the CIS, Europe, and Asia, initiators of greenhouse investment projects from all Russian regions, decision-makers of federal and regional agro holdings, dedicated ministries and agencies, heads of regions, retail chain executives, service providers, presidents of national unions and associations.
Among Forum attendees 2017:
Alexander Tkachev, Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation
Jambulat Khatuov, First Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation
Sergey Dankvert, Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control
Vladimir Vladimirov, Governor of the Stavropol Territory
Sergey Korolev, President, National Union of Fruit and Vegetable Producers
Sergey Rukin, General Director, Greenhouse Growth Technology
Viktor Semenov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Belaya Dacha
Alexander Rudakov, Chairman of the Board of Directors, APH Eco-culture
Alexander Zaklyepkin, General Director, Vyborgec Agrofirm
Irina Meshkova, General Director, Agro-Inwest
Nurlan Adilkhan, Director, BRB APK
Anatoly Tarasov, General Director, Teplitsy Belogoria
Andrey Volkov, General Director, Udmurt Flowers and many others.
Greenhouse Complexes Russia 2017 in facts and figures:
500+ participants representing flagship greenhouse complexes and agro holdings from Russia and the CIS – Greenhouse Growth Technology, Udmurt Flowers, YugAgroholding, TK Rodina, Ivanisovo Agrocomplex, Teplitsy Belogoria, Yuzhny Agrokombinat, BRB APK, Agrokultura Group, Teplichny Agrokombinat, Volzhsky Agrocomplex, Grodnenskaya Ovoschnaya Fabrika, Kaskad Mushroom Complex, Iftikhari, ECOS, RoseHill, Chekhov Garden, EcoProduct and many others.
60+ major investment projects – Alania Greenhouses, Avasyuninsky, Prompark, Master-R, Agrocluster, and a lot more
20+ presentations with key information delivered by the heads of such companies as Vyborgec Agrofirm, APH Eco-culture, Dolina Solntsa, Demetra Technology, NPO BioGreen, LipetskAgro, Agro-Inwest and others
Delegations of the government and development corporations – Stavropol territory, Ulyanovsk region, Irkutsk region, Tyumen region, Kaliningrad region, Voronezh region, Oryol region, Moscow region, Bashkortostan Republic, Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, Tambov region and other regions across Russia
Forum Highlights 2018:
500+ decision-makers of flagship greenhouse complexes and agro holdings from Russia and the CIS – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, as well as investors, government officials, chief agronomists, retail chain executives, service providers
Presentation of 30+ greenhouse investment projects to be executed within 2019-2025 from across Russia and CIS countries
Leaders debate: Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, investors, initiators, agri holdings. How will the Russian greenhouse industry evolve beyond 2020?
NEW! AGRONOMY DAY – specialized workshops on growing tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce. Modern techniques of working with hybrids, effective use of LED-lighting and hydroponics
STRATEGIC FOCUS: ASSORTMENT POLICY – diversification and new business areas. What niches are the most promising in the greenhouse industry?
Dedicated exhibition of modern equipment and technologies delivered by the lead companies from Holland, Israel, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other countries
IMPORTANT: FINANCING. Cooperation with investors and banks, project financing. How to get best credit conditions?
ROUNDTABLE ON MUSHROOM FARMING AND FLORICULTURE – explore peers’ practices and learn about industry development prospects
FOCUS-SESSION: ENERGY-SAVING – connection to the electricity network, on-site generation, distributed power. What tariffs are to be expected in 2019?
Fast and effcient! Roadshow of innovative technologies and equipment from the global leaders
SPECIAL SESSION: THE TALENTS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE! How to find a prospective hire?
Contact: Elvira Sakhabutdinova, Project Director
ESakhabutdinova@vostockcapital.com Tel. +7 499 505 1 505
Website: http://www.greenhousesforum.com/
UPDATE:
440+ decision-makers of major greenhouse complexes, agriholdings, investment projects, regulators, and lead service and equipment providers have already confirmed their participation and will present their projects at the 3rd International Investment Forum “Greenhouse Complexes Russia 2018” (5-6 December, Moscow).
Gold sponsor: Grodan. Silver sponsors: Signify, Svetogor, GREEN AUTOMATION EXPORT. Bronze sponsors: Royal Brinkman, Rijk Zwaan, AWETA, Lider-Pak. Sponsor of video-promotion: Uralchem.
Request the full list of confirmed participants
Speakers and VIP-guests 2018 include:
Alexander Rudakov, President, APH Eco-culture
Irina Meshkova, General Director, TK AgroInwest
Gury Shilov, General Director, Greenhouse
Nurlan Adilkhan, General Director, BRB APK (Kazakhstan)
Yanis Galanidi, General Director, Dolina Solntsa
David Bondarenko, Director, CHINAR
Valery Astapchik, Director, Grodno Vegetable Factory (Belarus)
Alexey Soshnikov, General Director, Ecoresurs
Jamal Majidov, Greenhouse Director, Grow Group Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan) and many other leaders of greenhouse industry in Russia and the CIS.
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
Australia: Sustainable Agriculture In The Spotlight At GFIA In Focus
The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA)
Will Take Place On November 27-28 In Brisbane
The Australian government is pushing for agriculture to become a $100 billion industry by 2030 – and with the Queensland Government aiming to double the state’s food production by 2040, the leading authority on sustainable food production and agriculture is hosting an event in Brisbane designed to showcase sustainable growing practices and new agricultural technologies.
The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) In Focus Australia event will take place on November 27-28.
Exhibiting the latest sustainable ag-tech innovations and technology from suppliers across all types of food production, it’s set to be Australia’s largest ever agricultural innovation trade fair.
The event will place a particular focus on ‘growing sustainably’ and ‘unlocking new technology’, with more than 2000 delegates expected to attend from across the Asia Pacific. Featuring two adjacent exhibitions, the first will present Controlled Environments & Protected Cropping, and the second will focus on Precision Agriculture and Smart Farming products. Within ‘Controlled Environments’, exhibitors will promote the latest greenhouses, system integrators, control systems and hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic systems – and the ‘Precision Agriculture’ sector will cover everything from data analytics and modeling to harvesting and irrigation equipment, seeding and planting equipment and GPS systems.
A high-level conference programme will also run during the event – and for David Stradling, Sales Director of One CMG Group, the company behind GFIA In Focus, the event is “a rare opportunity to learn from agriculture food producers, policy makers and investors about the latest innovations and technologies for smart food production.”
Among the confirmed exhibitors will be multi-level indoor growing company Vertical Farm Systems, who will showcase their fully automated technology for growing commercial crops all year round, in any climate or location. Executive Director & Design Engineer John Leslie described the new system as the next generation of indoor growing solutions built for profitability more than spectacle.
“Over the past 9 years we have refined the system automation to achieve the best return on investment yields we have seen in the sector. Of the 28 system sizes we supply, our smallest uses only 500 square metres of floor area, yet the 20 tons annual harvest rate is the same as 8 acres of prime agricultural land. The bioponic live microbe based growing system delivers a major reduction in water use, with zero chemicals, pest issues or crop losses, and it can be installed in very close proximity to the end user – all of which is fantastic for sustainable farming.”
One CMG Group Sales Director David Stradling described the significance of the event for Australian agriculture.
“GFIA In Focus is intended to help Australian agri-businesses share knowledge, so we can continue to develop sustainable farming into the future. There are some incredibly innovative technologies and practices out there, and we’re excited to host what’s going to be an inspiring and highly informative event for attendees.”
For more information:
www.gfiaaustralia.com
Publication date : 9/20/2018