Birgit Horn in an exclusive interview with Far Eastern Agriculture, discusses the theme of the upcoming VIV Asia event. (Image source: VIV Asia)

Managing director of VIV Worldwide, Birgit Horn in an exclusive interview with Far Eastern Agriculture, discusses the theme of the upcoming VIV Asia event, underscoring its importance, and throwing light on some of the breakthrough innovations set to be showcased at this unique global hub dedicated to the world of animal protein production and related sectors

Could you highlight the significance of VIV Asia 2025, held in co-location with Meat Pro Asia and HAN Asia?

Birgit Horn (BH): VIV Asia 2025 is the 17th edition and is set to be the biggest one so far with dedicated pavilions, expanded hall areas, and a series of high-level seminars. This year’s event carries the theme Regenerative Agriculture and Disease Management and emphasises a species-specific approach, addressing the pressing issues in the poultry, swine, aquatic, and dairy sectors. Further, VIV Asia 2025 will explore critical industry topics, from feed efficiency and biosecurity to technological advancements in aquaculture and animal production. Remaining to be in co-location with Meat Pro Asia, the region’s leading processing and packaging trade fair for meat, egg, poultry, seafood & food products; and now also with the newest Horti Agri Next (HAN) Asia covering arable farming and controlled environment agriculture—attendees can see that together, these events deepen the value chain available onsite at VIV Asia 2025 representing both feed to food and seed to food, and create a comprehensive forum for cross-industry collaboration and innovation. 

Can you shed some light on how the event can help shape Asia's agricultural and livestock landscape? 

Birgit Horn (BH): With VIV Asia 2025, we have built strong ties and partnerships with industry associations who are really leading it on the field such as the Thai Automation and Robotics Association (TARA), Dutch Poultry Centre, Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations, and Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), among many, many others. By providing solid platforms in VIV Asia such as AgriBITs, a two-day event that we are launching for the first time, focusing on agrifood production and its digital transformation; as well as the Aquatic Conference covering the production of fish, shrimp, nutrition, health, and more, there will be a wealth of opportunities to build and exchange knowledge, drive innovation, and ultimately shape the region’s agricultural, livestock, and aquatic outlook for the coming years.

How many companies are expected to exhibit this year and who are the top exhibitors?

Birgit Horn (BH): We are expecting up to 1,500 exhibitors this edition. As top exhibitors, we have household names such as Big Dutchman, Famsun, Cargill, HatchTech, Marel, Moba, San Group, and Lanxess.

What are some of the notable innovations that are planned to be showcased at the event?

Birgit Horn (BH): Our partners TARA will be showcasing more on Far-UVC technology as a survival solution for shrimp farming. Then ISHIDA, a leading supplier of food weighing and packaging machines, will be highlighting a newly-launched X-ray machine that features advanced sensors and image processing technology, ensuring precision for the food industry. Another exciting initiative to look forward to is the SMElevate Spotlight where we call on SMEs and Start-ups to showcase their groundbreaking ideas and products in relation to regenerative agriculture. There will be a lot more innovation for sure so show attendees better not miss VIV Asia 2025.

What are the travel and accommodation arrangements that are being offered to attendees?

Birgit Horn (BH): We have partnered with BTC Group as the official hotel and travel agency for VIV Asia 2025. What this means for attendees is that,should they choose to book through BTC, they get special hotel rates at competitive pricing and discount codes for partner airlines.To make the attendees’ visit more seamless, on site, we have also arranged for free shuttle vans and buses from Bangkok’s city centre to and from IMPACT for the entire duration of the exhibition. As disclaimer, please note that the list of official and recommended suppliers can be found only on our vivasia.nl website. So for the attendees, please be careful and conduct your due diligence to avoid scams and fraudulent transactions. 

Lastly, the entire VIV team would just like to once again invite everyone in the world of livestock production and processing and agriculture industry to come and be part of the most complete feed-to-food tradeshow, VIV Asia 2025. The three co-located events (VIV Asia, Meat Pro Asia, and HAN Asia) cover over 75,000 sq m across Challenger Halls 1–3 and Exhibition Halls 5–7 of the IMPACT exhibition centre. We have also prepared over 150 seminars led by 300 industry experts, addressing numerous topics like livestock disease management, food safety, aquafeed extrusion and best aquaculture practices, biotechnology innovations, biosecurity, regenerative and sustainable agriculture. So there will definitely be something for everyone! We are counting the days and looking forward to a packed, productive, and meaningful VIV Asia 2025.

VIV Asia 2025 takes place from 12-14 March at the Impact Exhibition Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. Pre-register here for a free ticket to attend VIV Asia 2025. 

Numerous representatives from business, associations and politics took part in the opening ceremony. (Image source: Messe Essen GmbH)

The 41st International Plant Fair (IPM) officially opened on 28 January and welcomed trade visitors from all over the world to Messe Essen

Until 31 January, more than 1,400 exhibitors from around 50 countries will be showcasing their products from the fields of plants, technology, floristry and garden features. Numerous representatives from business, associations and politics took part in the opening ceremony.

With 1,400 exhibitors from around 50 countries showcasing their products from the fields of plants, technology, floristry and garden features, the trade show demonstrated the achievements of the green sector. Numerous representatives from business, associations and politics took part in the opening ceremony. Eva Kähler-Theuerkauf, president of the Central Horticultural Association (ZVG) and the NRW State Horticultural Association, emphasised the importance of the world's leading horticultural trade fair in her speech. At the same time, she appealed to politicians to optimise the framework conditions: “Horticulture is facing up to climate change and the associated challenges. Now is the time for horticulture to receive the political support it needs.” 

“North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's number one horticultural state, both in terms of plant production and the wide range of high quality horticultural services on offer. Here in NRW, the industry also comes together at the most important international horticultural trade fair to present new innovations and to network. We are proud of our strong, vibrant and innovative horticultural industry," Minister Gorißen assured. "The sector will continue to need good framework conditions and planning security in the future. As Minister of Agriculture, I will continue to stand up for our businesses, for example when it comes to reducing bureaucracy. We need more practicable and practical solutions, which is why I hope that the new federal government will show greater commitment to horticultural businesses.”

These are the IPM novelties 2025 The ‘IPM Novelty Showcase’ competition initiated by the ZVG once again proved that the green sector is innovative and powerful with a lively participation: 33 exhibitors from eleven countries submitted a total of 55 plant innovations in the run-up to the trade fair. One of the highlights of the opening was therefore the ceremonial announcement of this year's winners. A total of seven new varieties were honoured in different categories and one additional plant was awarded a special prize by the jury.

The certificates were presented by Andreas Kröger, ZVG Vice President (Hamburg) and the German Flower Fairy 2024/25, Anne-Marie Bals.

Categories

In the ‘Spring Flowering Plants' category, the expert committee chose Primula acaulis Flamenco Mix F1 from Rudy Raes Bloemzaden n.v. in Belgium. This flamenco dancer has uniquely fringed flowers and pays homage to Spanish tradition. For the jury, the ruffled flowers, which are unique to F1 hybrids, were the deciding factor for the award. This is completely new for generatively propagated primroses and offers a cultivation advantage for growers.

In the ‘Bedding and Balcony Plants’ category, Sundaville Blue from Suntory Flowers Europe in the Netherlands was honoured as the ‘IPM Novelty 2025’. The attractive growth with less vigorous tendrils makes this Sundaville so special. The extraordinary colour of the flowers varies from pink to shades of blue-violet. It flowers throughout the summer and also likes a spot in full sun.

In the ‘Flowering Indoor Pot Plants’ category, Cyclamen persicum ‘Illusia’ from Schoneveld breeding in the Netherlands was awarded the title ‘IPM Novelty 2025’. The new flower shape means it is not immediately recognisable as a typical cyclamen. In full bloom, it resembles a corolla with countless buds underneath. It is best suited for autumn cultivation. The consumer can enjoy an excellent shelf life of up to four weeks without the flowers ageing.

In the ‘Tree Nursery Products’ category, the jury chose Cornus kousa Flower Tower from Diderk Heinje Pflanzenhandelsg.mbH & Co. KG from Germany. The particularly slender shape can be a highlight for small gardens in urban areas and thus expands the range of the attractive Cornus kousa for another important use. The abundant flowering and exciting autumn colours complete the picture.

Asplenium antiquum ‘Yuaspgio’ Gioia from Vitro Plus B.V. in the Netherlands was honoured in the ‘Foliage Indoor Pot Plants’ category. This fern expands the extensive range of green houseplants with unique, serrated leaves and a stunning, fresh green colour that brightens up any interior. An excellent new trend fern and a variation on the existing bird's nest ferns.

Jefferson Tools’ extensive range of professional tools and equipment were presented to visitors at Stand 18.436. (Image source: Jefferson Tools)

Leading supplier of tools and equipments, Jefferson Tools has participated in LAMMA 2025 from 15-16 January 2025 which took place at the NEC in Birmingham

Jefferson Tools will showcase its largest-ever stand, spanning 11 m by 10.5 m, reflecting the company’s focus on delivering tailored solutions for the agricultural industry. With over 20 years of experience, Jefferson Tools has built a reputation for providing quality, reliable, and cost-effective tools tailored to the needs of farmers and agricultural professionals.  

Renowned for durability and value, Jefferson Tools’ extensive range of professional tools and equipment were presented to visitors at Stand 18.436. These tools were designed to meet the demands of the agricultural industry, from fieldwork to workshop maintenance and featured live demonstrations, exclusive show offers, and opportunities to engage with product experts. 

“LAMMA 2025 is a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with the agricultural community and demonstrate the quality and reliability of our products,” said Darren Binns, national sales manager at Jefferson Tools. “This year, with our biggest-ever stand, we’re raising the bar to ensure our customers and partners can experience the full breadth of what Jefferson Tools has to offer."

Visitors can attend live demonstrations and engage with BAADER's local network, global product managers, and processing experts. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

BAADER is taking part in VIV Asia 2025 that is taking place from 12-14 March in Bangkok this year

Under the motto 'Value Every Gram,' BAADER will showcase its latest solutions at VIV Asia 2025, emphasising the protection and maximisation of meat value throughout the processing cycle. Additionally, advanced software tools assist processors in planning production for each bird and ensuring every gram of meat is safeguarded and efficiently harvested. During the show, visitors can attend live demonstrations and engage with BAADER's local network, global product managers, and processing experts.

"The future of poultry processing lies in intelligent tools, seamlessly integrated into equipment and performance monitoring systems," said Marcel Franz, managing director of BAADER Asia. "With advanced software solutions that not only capture data but also identify root causes, decision-making becomes faster and more precise. We're excited to showcase BAADER's latest innovations at VIV Asia this year."

Some of the featured equipment include:  

- ProFlex Cut-Up System: Real value-adding begins after distribution where product differentiation takes shape through specialised cuts, lean portions, and convenient food options tailored to diverse customer preferences. 

- Breast Cap Deboner 660A: The breast caps produced on the exhibited cut-up system will be processed on the Breast Cap Deboner 660A capable of producing a variety of products. The intelligent cap measuring tool allows for precise tool adjustments. 

- AI-Based Rest Meat Detection: Every gram of meat not recovered from the fillet represents a missed profit opportunity. To address this, BAADER has developed a vision camera solution that monitors the meat left on the carcass after deboning and alerts the processor about excess waste production. 

- Refiner Technology: After minimising the meat left on the carcass, processors can further utilise any remaining meat by processing the carcasses with a BAADER Refiner. This gentle method of separating usable meat from hard components allows processors to repurpose the leftover meat into high-value products such as nuggets or sausages. 

The carrot algorithm is the latest addition to Ecorobotix’s expanding AI suite. (Image source: Ecorobotix)

Ecorobotix showcased its new ARA ultra-high precision sprayer at the LAMMA 2025 event that took place from 15-16 January at the NEC in Birmingham, UK

Celebrating its transformative impact on agriculture, Ecorobotix's new carrot algorithm earned the Silver Award for Arable Crop Care Innovation of the Year. This advanced solution which is currently available as a paid feature for the ARA sprayer helps reduce plant protection products in carrot fields by up to 95%.

It is part of Ecorobotix’s Plant-by-Plant AI Software, which uses crop-specific algorithms to deliver unparalleled precision and efficiency in treatments for various crops. With its ultra-high precision 6x6 cm spraying capability, the ARA sprayer revolutionises crop care by dramatically reducing chemical inputs and enhancing productivity.