ATW 2024: Transition to a sustainable future

Agri-TechE Week 2024 celebrates its 11th year – our largest yet, featuring nine events curated by Agri-TechE and hosted by our incredible member community. This week exemplifies innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking in agri-tech.

Each event reflects the strength of our ecosystem, fostering vital connections between growers, researchers, and technology developers. Thank you to our members for hosting and making Agri-TechE Week possible and showcasing what our community can achieve. Here’s a look at today’s event!

BASF hosted a fringe event as part of the 11th annual November Agri-TechE Week. Our goal was to delve into sustainable agriculture and the transition towards a more innovative, technology-driven farming system. The event was based at The Grange where BASF has a long-term partnership with the owners, Andrew and William Pitts.

William provided an excellent insight into the challenges facing modern farmers, who strive to remain commercially viable as well as enhancing and protecting the environment and biodiversity. The Grange is the perfect venue to showcase resilient agricultural practices that balance food production with environmental stewardship.

The event brought together industry stakeholders to discuss the key challenges facing modern farming and explore how new technologies can support farmers.

Richard Corden, BASF Head of Solutions and Services presented innovations aimed at addressing some of these issues, such as nitrogen inhibitors to reduce environmental impact, digital platforms for precision agriculture, and efforts toward carbon net-zero across the agricultural value chains. Richard also explained how Closed Transfer Systems, such as EasyConnect helps protect farmers from exposure to Crop Protection products while reducing environmental impact and protecting our water.

Alice Johnston, BASF Sustainability Manager discussed the importance of understanding farm baselines, how to measure and, more importantly, understand how we can positively influence from our interventions.

Delegates were introduced to “Project GAP,” which is in its second year at The Grange, exploring the impact of a reduced input system on crop rotations, value chains, economic impact on farm and the role that emerging technologies may have to help mitigate some of the challenges.

The event and discussions moved into the fields at The Grange, an opportunity to hear about “Project Fortress,” demonstrating how different cropping methods and options can help improve water infiltration, soil carbon, and biodiversity, thought provoking and insightful which generated more discussions.

We finished with lunch at The Grange, and back at the barn an opportunity to network with lots to discuss, it’s clear the industry has its challenges but great opportunities as well as we collaborate for a brighter, more sustainable future.

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