For more than 25 years, ICBA has extended its reach to support communities in more than 50 countries. (Image source: ICBA)

The International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) reflects on a journey marked by resilience, innovation and commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture in some of the world’s most harsh environments

Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, ICBA was founded to address the urgent challenges of agriculture in saline and arid environments. Since its establishment in 1999, ICBA has grown from a regional initiative to a global leader in biosaline agriculture and climate-resilient farming solutions.

For more than 25 years, ICBA has extended its reach to support communities in more than 50 countries, addressing pressing global challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and adaptation to climate change. Through its revolutionary research and development, ICBA has helped equip these communities with solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Initially focused on identifying salt-tolerant crops and developing resource-efficient technologies to enable agriculture in water-scarce regions, ICBA today, leads pioneering projects that range from natural resource management and climate adaptation to agri-aquaculture. Moreover, the world’s largest collections of drought-, heat-, and salt-tolerant plants are contained within its genebank. 

ICBA has also taken part in groundbreaking initiatives including developments such as the Emirates Soil Museum and the Desert Life Sciences Laboratory, each contributing to a better understanding of soil and plant resources in arid climates. Additionally, ICBA has championed the use of climate-resilient crops, like quinoa and pearl millet, to strengthen food security and support sustainable production in arid regions.

With a strong focus on capacity development, ICBA has collaborated with organisations worldwide to empower farmers, scientists, and policymakers with expertise in sustainable agricultural practices. 

As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, ICBA aims to deepen its research, expand its partnerships, and continue building resilient food systems to benefit communities around the world.

J-AGRI became the stage for groundbreaking agritech demonstrations. (Image source: J-AGRI)

Organised by RX Japan, this year's edition of Asia's largest agriculture and livestock expo, J-AGRI was held from 9-11 October at Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, Japan

The event which attracted a total of 32,921 visitors from Europe, and North America took place alongside co-located shows GARDEX and TOOL JAPAN. Farmers, researchers, importers, wholesalers and government officials explored a curated showcase of the latest agritech, gardening tools, and safety equipment. The exhibitions’ strategic layout made navigating these innovations seamless, promoting targeted interactions and fruitful partnerships.

Visitors at GARDEX dove into eco-friendly gardening solutions, while TOOL JAPAN spotlighted precision tools and safety equipment. This cross-industry synergy created a vibrant atmosphere for knowledge exchange and networking.  Around 893 exhibitors were welcomed from several nations including China, South Korea, Taiwan,Germany, India, and the US, highlighting its role as a global hub for industry advancement.

At GARDEX, standout exhibitors such as Henan SteelArt Science and Technology Co., Ltd. showcased stylish steel furniture, while Metal Max Hardware Co. dazzled attendees with its wide selection of gardening tools. TOOL JAPAN also turned heads with SOLA’s Austrian-engineered measuring tools and QS SAFETY’s specialised safety gloves, proving the event’s versatility in catering to diverse industries.

From the Autonomous Robot 'Titan,' capable of patrol monitoring, insect trapping, and UV irradiation, to the HERMAI Robot for high-tech greenhouse operations, visitors experienced the future of farming firsthand. The FJD AT2 automatic steering system and AC101 Connect drone also showcased transformative technologies that are set to revolutionise farming operations’ efficiency.

As J-AGRI's 2024 edition comes to an end, RX Japan is already preparing for its next chapter which will include two editions in 2025 namely, J-AGRI (KYUSHU) which is due to be held from 28-30 May at Grandmesse Kumamoto followed by J-AGRI (TOKYO) which is scheduled to take place from 1-3 October at Makuhari Messe. 

Around 200 exhibitors and 8,000 trade visitors are expected to be present at the show. (Image source: ILDEX)

The third edition of the international livestock, dairy, meat processing and aquaculture exposition ILDEX Philippines prepares to kick off in co-location with the Philippines Poultry Show from 27-29 August 2025 

Organised by VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, with MEREBO Messe International being in charge of European and Australian participants, the event will occupy 6,000 sq m at SMX Convention Centre in Manila and will include all groups of livestock management and meat processing.

The 2025 edition will focus not only on poultry but will also broaden its scope to attract professionals from the hog industry and feature the newly introduced Smart Aqua Solutions Pavilion, showcasing innovations in sustainable water systems. This expansion reinforces the event’s commitment to addressing the most critical aspects of the livestock and agri-business sectors. Around 200 exhibitors and 8,000 trade visitors are expected to be present at the show.

“Momentum for the 2025 edition is already building, with over 40 leading local and international suppliers confirming their participation,” said Mr. Kevin Zhao, project manager of ILDEX Philippines. “Notable global companies such as Arm & Hammer, Big Dutchman, Cargill, CEVA, Hipra, PhilChema Inc., Pilmico Foods Corporation, Pure Bio Science, Top Shelf, and Zoetis have already committed to joining us. These top players, alongside numerous other exhibitors, will present comprehensive solutions and cutting-edge innovations tailored to the unique needs of the Philippine livestock industry. We are excited to provide a robust platform for such influential industry leaders to connect and collaborate.”

The 2024 edition of the only international apple trade show stood out for its high-quality audience, exhibitors and contents. (Image source: fruitecom)

The 13th edition of Interpoma took place from 21-23 November in Bolzano, with figures confirming its runway success  

Being the only international apple trade show, the Interpoma attracts global stakeholders every two years to the Fiera Bolzano. Around 16,000 visitors and 400 exhibitors registered for three days of agricultural and technological excellence under one roof. 

The numerous participants at the events speak to the consolidation of a discerning and high-quality audience consisting of industry experts and visitors. These events were the two-day Congress as well as the nine Interpoma Tours – guided tours for industry stakeholders and the press wanting to discover South Tyrolean best practice. 

The 2024 Interpoma Award was presented by a jury that assessed 16 candidates and went on to reward the most promising technology aimed at reducing carbon footprint, fertiliser and phytosanitary products from being used in an orchard. SporeScout by BioScout emerged as the winner. The technology was recognised for its contribution to extraordinary progress when it came to sustainably managing phytosanitary products to protect the apple orchard.

The Visitors' Choice Award was introduced for this time at the 2024 edition and was presented to Agromanager, which also received an honorobale mention. With more than 700 visitors voting on the first day of the trade show, Agromanager, an efficient digital platform used for running an apple farm's daily business, was recognised for its irrigation and fertilisation system control that enabled information needed for numerous decision-making processes to be transfered to specific areas of the orchard. 

Another new tool called Trapview also received an honorable mention. By monitoring and forecasting which insects can damage orchards, the tool aids crop protection and stands out for its ease of use as well as its agile system that is far better than the longer times required by manual traps. This enables efficient and remote management of the monitoring system by apple-growers and consultancy services. Moreover, the product’s potential to reduce the use of phytosanitary products mirrors the  Award’s criteria, as it forecasts which insects to fight and, therefore, improves the sustainability of apple orchard management. 

“Interpoma is where we discover the trends of the future," said Interpoma Brand Manager, Giulia Montanaro. "The choice to focus on the orchards of the future and showcase unprecedented digital technologies and new growing strategies has paid off vis-a-vis Congress footfall – also thanks to the expertise of speakers and companies from all over the world.” 

The next edition of Interpoma   nis scheduled to be held in November 2026. 

Out of the 255 innovations submitted, 214 fulfilled the criteria, with the commission finally awarding four gold medals and 21 silver medals. (Image source: DLG)

The German Agricultural Society (DLG) recently announced the winners of the EuroTier 2024 Innovation Award that took place from 12-15 November in Hanover, Germany

The award recognises products with a function that has either changed significantly or has significantly improved an existing process. All exhibiting companies are eligible to enter their innovations for the award. Out of the 255 innovations submitted, 214 fulfilled the criteria, with the commission finally awarding four gold medals and 21 silver medals. 

Gold medals

Companies that are awarded a gold medal are evaluated based on five key criteria that includes their significance to practice, animal welfare, advantages for farm and labour management, improvement to the environment and energy supply and their effects on workload and occupational safety. 

The following four companies were awarded gold medals:

• Cow-Welfare A/S: The Flex Air Stall system from Cow-Welfare supplies fresh air directly into the lying area of individual, lying cows for the first time, therefore supporting effective cooling and helping to prevent heat stress.

• Förster-Technik GmbH: CalfGPT from Förster-Technik enables voice-controlled, AI-aided data management in the care of calves for the first time and therefore makes calf management significantly easier.

• MIK INTERNATIONAL GmbH & Co. KG: With the cold plasma mite trap, EX from MIK International GmbH, a technical system for residue-free control of the red poultry mite that has the potential to replace the chemical control methods used so far is now available for the first time. 

• Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH: The Vaccybot from Agri Advanced Technologies is the first fully automatic vaccination robot for poultry farming and has the potential to replace manual vaccination with needles, which has been the standard procedure to date and is prone to errors. The procedure ensures reduced stress for the animals with a higher vaccination quality and improved animal health at the same time, therefore equating to a genuine reduction of the livestock owner's workload.

Silver medals

Silver medals are awarded to innovations based on their economic significance in practice, advantages in work performance and quality, improvement in functional safety, positive impacts on animal welfare and effects on environment and energy consumption. 

The following 21 companies were awarded silver medals:

• Zinpro Corporation: Zinpro IsoFerm is a blend of branched-chain, volatile fatty acids whose unpleasant odour has been masked and which can therefore be used as a feed supplement. Based on a cow's metabolic situation, increased fibre digestion and protein synthesis in the rumen are possible, which is reflected in an increase in the milk yield and improved animal health. 

• AUFRATECH: The EXON Dual and EXON Mini high-pressure lance systems transfer the resulting forces to an exoskeleton, thereby significantly relieving the user during strenuous cleaning work with a high-pressure cleaner.

• Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH: The eggytiser from Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH uses electron beam sterilisation technology to disinfect hatching eggs, as a result of which disinfection performance is increased and the use of chemical agents is reduced.

• Spinder Dairy Housing Concepts: The Spinder Track sliding gate system enables a single person to easily and quickly adapt the space available in the cow barn to a changing group size.

• Gummiwerk KRAIBURG Elastik GmbH & Co. KG: Thanks to a 3% gradient transverse to the walking direction, the espaFLEX slatted floor mat from Gummiwerk Kraiburg ensures the rapid separation of faeces and urine, thereby resulting in drier floors with positive effects on hoof health and with regard to lower ammonia emissions.

• SILOKING Mayer Maschinenbau GmbH: The Siloking heavy-duty magnet, which is installed in a housing, can be removed together with the adhering foreign bodies from the feed mixer wagon and the foreign bodies can therefore be removed with significantly less risk of injury.

• URBAN GmbH & Co. KG: Urban SipControl monitors key feeding process parameters for calves and automatically adapts the length and flow rate to the individual animal during the drinking process.

• HIKO GmbH: The 'Easyfill' feeding bucket lid makes hygienic calf feeding easier, even when using a MilkTaxi, significantly reducing the entry of dirt and flies.

• BETEBE GmbH: Thanks to automatic baler twine removal, the BETEBE straw express saves working time and ensures greater working time flexibility and improved work quality in cubicle, sloping floor or deep litter sheds thanks to a bale magazine for up to twelve square bales.

• ATX Suisse GmbH: The ATX heat conducting function for suckling pig nests enables the livestock owner to ensure that the new-born piglets are guided into the warm piglet nest very easily and very quickly in piglet pens for free farrowing.

• Nooyen Manufacturing B.V. Nooyen Pig Flooring: The Lowered Heated Piglet Nest from Nooyen Pig Flooring stimulates the natural behaviour of the piglets and simulates a depression. Litter or bedding powder can be introduced into the depression without causing excessive losses. The slightly perforated surface removes fluids and the nest remains dry and clean.

• ASBO BV: The FlexiPigFloor system from ASBO enables the simple, durable, quick and inexpensive repair and needs-based adaptation of existing slatted concrete floors to changed slot width, slot ratio and surface design specifications.

• Big Dutchman International GmbH (Pig & Poultry): The Sharky430 washing robot from Big Dutchman enables fully automatic cleaning of aviary systems in rearing and laying hen barns, even in places that are difficult to access during manual cleaning.

• Big Dutchman International GmbH (Pig & Poultry): The semi-automatic MultiVacc vaccination machine from Big Dutchman can simultaneously administer four breast vaccinations and one wing vaccination to an animal held against it in an animal-friendly manner, thereby resulting in improved vaccination safety while simultaneously reducing stress.

• SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH together with BETEBE GmbH: The ATMOWELL technology with urease inhibitor from SKW is a combination of various technologies, some of which are familiar, for use on floors in cattle barns and which significantly and specifically reduces ammonia emissions at their point of occurrence in cattle barns.

• Omegga GmbH: The OmeggaOne system recognises the sex in the egg significantly earlier than before and without the need for interventions into the egg, which could affect the chicks' embryonic development.

• MS Schippers: HyCare Digital from MS Schippers combines tried-and-tested methods of rodent deterrence with a digital success and reporting structure, and therefore enables targeted, documented rodent management without placing an unnecessary strain on nature and the environment.

• CowManager GmbH: By means of a sensor-aided algorithm which is capable of machine learning, the CowManager-Youngstock enables predictions regarding the state of health of the calves and thereby improves animal health while simultaneously reducing the use of antibiotics.

• Big Dutchman International GmbH (Pig & Poultry) and BioCV: The 'BioTag+' sensor ear tag from Big Dutchman and BioCV enables the full sensor-aided recording of animal status data in pigs for the first time, thus facilitating livestock control and leading to increased animal welfare.

• MSD Tiergesundheit: The 'SenseHub Dairy Youngstock' ear tag sensor records important behavioural parameters of calves around the clock, as a result of which health problems can be detected early on and action recommendations can be derived from the herd management system.

• Weidemann GmbH: With the 'Follow me' assistance function from Weidemann, a Hoftrac autonomously follows its operator to the location of the next job, meaning that the operator has to climb on and off less frequently.