AFTEA 2024 will feature over 300 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge advancements and latest innovations in the key exhibit themes. (Image source: Constellar)

Organised by Constellar with international partner DLG (the German Agricultural Society), Asia's premier sourcing and networking platform for the region's agrifood and foodtech industry, Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia (AFTEA) returns to its third edition from 19-21 November 2024 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore 

Focusing on strengthening the future of food sustainability and security, AFTEA is the only trade exhibition where cutting-edge technologies, innovative food solutions and global investment opportunities converge under one roof.

As the cornerstone event of the Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW), AFTEA serves as a premier launch pad for agritech companies to showcase innovative technologies, products and solutions that future-proof the region's agricultural industries. It also provides a valuable platform for key decision makers—including food manufacturers, processors, policymakers, farmers and growers, and investors—to explore the latest technologies and preview novel and alternative food products designed to sustain and shape the future of food systems.

This year, AFTEA will feature more than 300 exhibitors showcasing revolutionary advancements and latest innovations in the key exhibit themes, including country pavilions from France, Hungary, Singapore, Japan, Israel, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands, alongside key industry players such as DPR, Dragino, Eurofins, Grain Arianetech, JS Biosciences, Nexton, Priva, SCIEX and Shenzhen FY Lighting. 

"In a rapidly evolving landscape where concerns with sustainability and food security, powered by technological advancements are transforming the agrifood sector in Asia, AFTEA serves as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration and innovation to shape the future of the agrifood industry," said Portfolio director of Constellar, Chen Yuyuan.

The Kemono Festival aims to increase awareness and attract participants for the upcoming agricultural management support franchise AgLINK. (Image source: ACTxSTYLE Co., Ltd.)

The Kemono Festival will be hosted by ACTXSTYLE Co. Ltd and is scheduled to take place in the fall of 2024 in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture

This event, aimed at agriculture enthusiasts, will feature activities such as a game meat barbecue and provide an opportunity for networking. The Kemono Festival aims to increase awareness and attract participants for the upcoming agricultural management support franchise AgLINK, which is operated by the company, by fostering connections with those interested in agriculture and current agricultural workers. The event seeks to raise initial funds for new franchise members, and participants will be introduced to the company’s vision and specific initiatives on how this project will enhance agriculture in Japan.

A crowdfunding campaign will be launched in conjunction with the Kemono Festival. The initiative which has garnered international attention, aims to attract numerous participants and interest at the Kemono Festival, facilitating the business’s rapid nationwide growth. Supporters of the campaign will be offered a variety of rewards including an event participation ticket, an exclusive game meal set and event idea proposal right, among others. 

"My mission is to pass on Japanese agriculture to the next generation and continue making it better," stated event organiser, Yuki Oishi who will also be livestreaming the event on TikTok. "I look forward to speaking directly with many people at the Kemono Festival and building a future together."

Access the TikTok live page here: https://www.tiktok.com/@yuuk1design 

David discussed Nutreco's role in feeding the world's rapidly growing population. (image source: Skretting)

Hosted by Skretting, the 15th edition of Aquavision 2024 took place from 10-12 June in Stravanger, Norway

The event was attended by 450 participants from more than 50 countries who took home great memories of networking and inspiring presentations from a wide range of highly skilled speakers. Nutreco CEO, David Blakemore highlighted the company's role in feeding the world's rapidly growing population. The next speaker was UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, IUCN President, Gonzalo Muñoz, who dived into the topic of sustainability, concisely summarising the severity of this challenge.

World-renowned economist, professor Paul Krugman then presented a session on market disruptions and provided an overview of the state of current world economy. The next presentations were by Claudia Salem from Santa Priscila on innovation, Dag Sletmo from DNB Seafood and Mark Gallagher from F1. There were also useful insights from CEO of Marine Technologies, Dr Santhana Krishnan, and general manager of Nutreco China, Jason Yang. Both of them talked about India and China respectively, and it was interesting to hear their perspectives on the growth opportunities that lie in these markets. 

On Day 2, CEO of Iris.ai, Anita Schjøll Abildgaard spoke about artificial intelligence and the popularity that it has gathered over the years. She also talked about the issues and ethics around AI that the world is only starting to scratch the surface of. Lastly, she talked about what the executives in the aquaculture industry need to be looking out for, such as real-time video processing and fully autonomous devices.

During the session, the audience also got some brief glimpses into some of today's most revolutionary innovations, from Nutreco's Garden of the Future, to Aker BioMarine's fully autonomous drone that can catch krill in the Antarctica. As a tribute to the opening act by Stavanger-based visually impaired singer, Thomas Tvedt, Skretting's CEO, Bastiaan van Tilburg ended off the conference by playing a little tune on the piano.

Kedar Apte (left) and Sanjeesh Bera (right) at AGRITECHNICA & HORTI ASIA 2024. (Image source: FEAG)

World’s largest tractor manufacturer, Mahindra, on 23 May unveiled their new OJA series tractors at this year’s AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2024 which took place from 22-24 May at the BITEC Exhibition Centre in Bangkok, Thailand

The unveiling commenced with a speech by Mahindra Farm Equipment Sector’s (FES) chief of international operations, Kedar Apte who introduced the Mahindra Group, while also highlighting the vision of the firm. “Our vision is not just about selling tractors and doing business, but what we want to do is to truly make a difference to the lives of farmers,” said Apte. “So, what we do at Mahindra is to transform farming and enrich lives.”

The event continued with a short audio visual presentation of the firm followed by a speech by the company’s head of ASEAN Operations, Sanjeesh Bera about their new lighetweight four-wheel drive tractor series Mahindra OJA. Bera explained that the name ‘OJA’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘OJAS’ which means ‘energy,’ emphasising that the farming solutions that the company is bringing today with Mahindra OJA, will deliver that powerhouse of energy to the farmers. 

While starting the Mahindra OJA programme in collaboration with Mitsubishi Mahindra Agri Machinery Japan, a customer-first approach was adopted, taking into account the insights that were received through numerous customer interactions across the company's target markets globally. Among these, the top five insights as elaborated by Bera include:

1. Unmatched productivity: Enabled through the tough Mahindra engine and superior engineering.

2. Automation to drive efficiency: Application of inputs like fertilisers and agrochemicals is enabled through three main Mahindra OJA technology packs namely, PROJA (productivity pack), MYOJA (connectivity pack) and ROBOJA (automation pack). 

3. Connected platform: In terms of taking after-sales support to the next level, getting service alerts for maintainence is enabled through GPS, telematics-driven report diagnostics.

4. Modern style and design: The look and design have been developed by the company's design studio based in the UK along with their partner Automobili Pininfarina GmbH in Italy.

5. Comfort and convenience for users: Enabled through suspension seats, adjustable steering and user-friendly operator controls. 

The following two platforms were launched during the event:

1. OJA Compact: Starts from 21-30 hp and comprises four models targeted mainly towards inter-row cultivation of row crops like sugarcane and horticulture.

2. OJA Small Utility: Ranges from 32-40 hp and comprises three models targeted towards the mainland paddy, wetland and dryland as well as orchard applications. 

Three OJA models namely Mahindra OJA 2130, 3136 and 3140, each having different technology pack combinations were on display at the event.

"The OJA tractor series has been tried, tested and benchmarked in both wetland and dryland applications in Thailand, and we are proud to say that the OJA tractors are ready to serve the ASEAN market, starting with Thailand farmers," concluded Bera.