This in-person gathering marked a significant opportunity to strengthen relationships among laboratories and countries. (Image source: ICRISAT)

The eighth summit meeting of the Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET) was held from 15-16 July in the Philippines

The summit brought together distinguished dignitaries, scientists, and SEALNET members from across the globe. After years of virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this in-person gathering marked a significant opportunity to strengthen relationships among laboratories and countries and to define a sustainable work plan for the coming years.

At the inaugural session held on 15 July 2024, FAO Representative in the Philippines, Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie and Director of the FAO Land and Water Division, Lifeng Li were the guest speakers. The keynote address was delivered by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Philippines, Francisco P Tiu-Laurel Jr. 

All focal points were called on to encourage regional laboratories to join SEALNET and participate in regional proficiency testing. All focal points were called on to encourage regional laboratories to join SEALNET and participate in regional proficiency testing. In her address, Dr Nilo stressed the role soil laboratories play in meticulously measuring and providing the vast data required for the preparation of soil health maps.

"Quality soil data and integrity are key to sustainable soil management and achieving food self-sufficiency. Healthy soil leads to a healthy life, as 95% of our food comes from land. It all begins with soil and water, the sources of life," said ICRISAT's deputy director General-Research, Dr Stanford Blade, while appreciating SEALNET's extensive efforts and emphasising the importance of soil health monitoring in the context of 'One Health'.

Around 580 companies from 40 countries along with 12 countries' pavilions and 18,467 trade visitors gathered at the exhibition. (Image source: PT Napindo)

PT Napindo Media Ashatama (Napindo) extends appreciation and gratitude for all participation and contribution towards the Indo Livestock, Indo Feed, Indo Dairy, Indo Agrotech, Indo Vet, and Indo Fisheries 2024 Expo & Forum, which was successfully held this year

Around 580 companies from 40 countries along with 12 countries' pavilions and 18,467 trade visitors gathered at the exhibition. During his opening ceremony, the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) appreciated the event as a form of positive support to encourage the growth of the livestock and fisheries industry in the country. 

“The exhibitions provide significant information contributions for stakeholders in the food sector, especially in supporting food self-sufficiency. Indo Livestock 2024 Expo and Forum are a momentum for business actors to develop products that currently have not achieved food self-sufficiency, especially dairy and milk products,” he said.

Project Director Napindo said, this series of successful collaborations with six exhibitions and forums will continue with Indo Livestock, Indo Feed, Indo Dairy, Indo Agrotech, Indo Vet and Indo Fisheries 2025 Expo & Forum from 2-5 July 2025 at Grand City Convex, Surabaya.

A total of 300 companies from 30 countries are targeted to participate in this annual event, including 10 Country Pavilions and it is hoped that it will attract 15,000 visitors during the three days of the show.

Each day will focus on a different topic. (Image source: IPM ESSEN)

IPM ESSEN is organising a new forum in Hall 2 from 28-31 January 2025 in Germany

Gardeners, breeders and young plant producers can exchange information at Messe Essen on the future topics of this important interface in horticulture. The new information programme which is currently being developed in close cooperation with the industry offers space for keynote speeches, panel discussions, innovations and best practices. 

The forum offers valuable insights into the latest developments and trends in the young plant sector and the opportunity to share experiences with each other. Each day will focus on a different topic. Guided tours of growers and young plant companies begin at the stand area. Moreover, translation will be provided for all non-German-speaking visitors.

At IPM ESSEN, we would like to offer a meeting place in the centre of the young plant area where current topics and solutions can be discussed with experts and producers, as well as knowledge and know-how passed on,“ explained IPM project manager, Andrea Hölker. “In this way, we are promoting targeted industry dialogue for gardeners in order to tackle the challenges of the future. At the same time, exhibiting companies can actively contribute their own ideas and strengthen their network.“ 

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.ipm-essen.de

Technological solutions for the innovative indoor production of feed and food have now been developed and are under evaluation. (Image source: DLG)

Organised by the German Agricultural Society (DLG), this year's Inhouse-Farming - Feed & Food Show is scheduled to take place from 12-15 November in Hanover, Germany with 13 November marked as the Aquaculture Theme Day 

The show invites attendees to learn more about fish, crustaceans, algae and other aquaculture topics. Exhibitors will showcase their technologies, ranging from turnkey solutions to specialised feeding and farming equipment. On 13 November, information on aquaculture will be discussed and exchanged in Hall 24. System builders and their producers will provide information about their experiences on the farms and international experts will report on how fish and vegetables thrive together in aquaponics systems.

Technological solutions for the innovative indoor production of feed and food have now been developed and are under evaluation. Ulrich Averberg from the German Algae Co-operative, along with other experts on indoor farming products will be discussing the question with representatives from the retail sector: "How can we escape the marketing desert?" There is a need for action and optimisation in marketing. The economic success of the new system depends on the development of new markets and successful links to international trade, "otherwise the others will take the business," says Averberg.

The various facets of food and feed production in closed inhouse systems enable the creation of new material cycles and the utilisation of nutrient and energy flows, which will be demonstrated and discussed in Hanover. Moreover, algae and insects as feed additives will also be discussed, as will nutrient solutions and CO2 binding in algae farms, packaging material from crustacean moults and insect growth on waste materials.

Eighth China-South Asia Expo attracts over 2,000 companies. (Image source: China South Asia Expo)

This year, the eighth edition of the China-South Asia Expo (CSAE) commenced on 23 July in Kunming, Yunnan Province

The expo welcomed more than 2,000 local, regional and international exhibitors from 82 countries and regions. Nearly half of these exhibitors came from outside of China, with the heaviest representation being companies located throughout South and Southeast Asia.

This year's CSAE, themed 'Unity and Cooperation for Development,' features 15 exhibition halls, with nearly 60% of the available space allocated to targeted industries, including dedicated spaces for building science and technology, manufacturing, green energy, modern agriculture, and region-specific products. 

For the first time, the expo features a Coffee Industry Pavilion, hosting over 160 exhibitors. Additionally, the South Asia Pavilion has expanded to include two halls, providing space for more than 800 booths, and incorporating a special exhibition area for Pakistan, this year's theme country.