Agri-TechE’s January Newsletter
As we emerge into 2021, all eyes are looking forward and nurturing hopes, plans and ambitions that life will be better – healthier, happier, safer and more sustainable. So how do we make the future we want a reality, by design – and avoid ending up with the future we don’t want, by accident? That’s the theme of this month’s blog and also a member exclusive creativity workshop.
And we have some exciting events and activities lined up to support and inspire, including:
- Managing microbes using non-chemical methods
- Future-scoping your journey to net zero emissions – and meet Asda’s Head of Sustainability
- Market opportunities in the USA and Eastern Europe
- Our 2021 events line-up – including the launch of Agri-Tech Express
Top News and Upcoming Events
Keeping it Clean – Agri-Tech for Agri-Food Safety
19th January 2021, 2pm Online
Alternatives to chemicals for sustaining the lifespan of fruit and vegetables, improving the quality of seed and reducing risk of contamination in food processing are to be discussed at the first Agri-TechE event of the year “Keeping it clean with agri-tech innovation”. To include the launch of the world’s first dry cleaning system for high value seeds.
1 BASIS Point
Agri-Tech Express – “Enhancing Performance to Reduce emissions – YEN-Zero”
15th January 2021, 10.30am Online
Launching the first of our new “Agri-Tech Express” event which will comprise of a short introduction followed by discussion and Q&A all within an hour.
Tune in to hear crop physiologist Dr Daniel Kindred from ADAS issue a call to arms to collaborate around reducing GHG emissions on-farm.
Meet the Growers – They Feed North America!
27th January 2021, 3pm Online
The Western Growers Association is one of the biggest grower groups in the world and it is working with Agri-TechE to develop a collaborative technology development programme in robotics and automated harvest technology to help address major challenges facing the US fruit and veg industry.
To kick start our strategic partnership with the WGA we are offering an opportunity for UK innovators to hear from some of the US growers who produce over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, describe the challenges they face and learn about the potential collaborative opportunities.
What will the future look like – Join us and create it! – MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
4th February 2021, 1.30pm Online
The impact of the net zero target on the agri-food system – from soil to sandwich, all elements of the agri-tech ecosystem have their role to play. What will yours be? This creativity workshop includes a keynote introduction by Chris Brown, Head of Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing at ASDA. Led by global consultancy Method we’ll explore how to design a future that we want.
More in the January blog and check out the video interview with Method CEO John Oswald.
Vertical Farming – the Industry Is Growing Up!
25th February 2021, 10am Online
Supply of fresh healthy food has been in the spotlight due to the pandemic and another hugely challenging growing season in many places. Agri-TechE has seen the controlled environment sector grow rapidly in maturity and the dialogue has changed considerably in just a few years.
Significant investment in vertical farming and controlled environment operations has seen the industry develop commercial-scale operations. The challenge now is around developing the business models for deployment and investment and optimising the growing conditions for a wider range of crops.
We are bringing together players from across the value-chain to discuss next steps – meet the platform developers, growers, investors and technologists – browse the exhibition, listen to the podcast and participate in the sessions.
Meet Our Members!
New and Returning Members
Discover the network
Each month we will be showcasing 6 of our members. Click on their logo to find out more about them through their member pages.
Growing seed potatoes to ensure clean, high quality production material
Machinery dealers in agricultural, construction and grounds care industries
Publishing informative material about agri-tech and the wider sector
Ensuring smooth international payments both to and from the UK
Bringing new research to inform the growing of peas, beans and other pulses
Helping businesses understand how to navigate the government landscape for agriculture & overseas trade
Other News and Events
Strengthening relationships with businesses in Europe and globally has never been so important, and Agri-TechE is leading the charge with a number of virtual missions in 2021.
Meet the V4 nations: Join a business matchmaking event with businesses in eastern and central Europe on 18th March. The event, in conjunction with the British Embassy in Warsaw, will give members the opportunity to network and connect with agri-tech businesses in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia (the ‘V4’ countries). Attendees will also get to hear about the significant opportunities that agricultural improvement and innovation in these countries will provide. Sign up here.
In other news
New Farming Investment Fund announced by the government as part of a package of measures to ease the transition to a low carbon future
New funding for new technology is in addition to an increased investment in a programme of farmer-led R&D projects, which aim to trial and demonstrate the viability of new and existing technologies.
Technologies will be selected to address immediate on-farm productivity challenges as well as research into how agriculture can meet its longer term goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero.
In other news
BASIS points for members and newsletter readers
Many of our events attract BASIS points. If you are BASIS registered, you can also collect 2 points (up to a maximum of 8/yr) for receiving our newsletter and all staff in our member organisations can claim 2 points/yr for membership.
To claim your BASIS points for the newsletter, use reference CP/91546/1920/g on the BASIS website.
