Jan-Feb 2020 edition - Gulf Agriculture Magazine

ISSN 1751-8407

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

2020

Y O U R G AT E WAY T O T H E M I D D L E E A S T A G R I B U S I N E S S

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Improved Udder Health Through Quality Minerals

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38 THE BEST SOURCE OF PLANT NUTRIENTS AT A CRITICAL GROWTH STAGE VISIT US AT

THE WORLD’S FIRST PLANT-RESPONSIVE WATER & FERTILIZER DELIVERY SYSTEM

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COMPARATIVE TRIALS: RDI GROWSTREAM™ VS. CONVENTIONAL DRIP ORGANIC ROMAINE: SALINAS, CA Re edu d ce ced d Wa ate terr Us U e: 43% Redu Re duce ced d Fe Fert rtil iliz izer iz err: 50 50% %

TOMATOES: NAIROBI, KENYA Incr In crrea crea ase sed ed Yi Yield: Yiel eld: el d: 25 25% Red Re du uce ced dW Wa ate terr Us Use: e 30 0%

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE RESEARCH CENTER, PAKISTAN Increased d Yi Yiel eld: d 31 12% % Reduced Ener e gy Usse: se: 27 27% %

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Contents Editor Megha Mary Matt Associate Editor Jessie Jorge Graphic Design Elizabeth John Contributors Dr. Hansel Geo Thomas Neville J. Chandler Shakeeb Kolakadan Registered Office Matt Media Intl. Ltd. 12 Gateway Mews London N11 2UT United Kingdom US Office Matt Media (USA) LLC. 1713 E. Morgan Court Gilbert, Arizona 85295 Middle East Offices Matt Media LLC. Sharjah Media City United Arab Emirates Al Saad Adv. & Publishing LLC P O Box 25694, Sharjah United Arab Emirates

26 News 04 VIV MEA Preview 18 GFIA Preview 22 IPM Dubai Review 23 Growtech Review 24 IPM ESSEN Review 25 Forage 26

info@gulfagriculture.com www.gulfagriculture.com

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Gulf Agriculture is a publication from Matt Media Intl. Ltd. (UK) and is read by agri professionals, farm managers & owners, landscape consultants, contractors, agri-equipment suppliers, horticultural engineers, greenhouse managers, agronomists, veterinary surgeons, ministries, poultry & dairy breeders, importers, distributors, manufacturers and wholesalers of food and agri inputs.

All rights reserved. The opinions and views expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Readers are requested to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers particular circumstances. The publishers regret that they cannot accept liabilities on any error or emissions contained in this publication.

Printed and published by Matt MediaŠ Intl. Ltd.(U.K.) 2020

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Plant Nutrients 38 Agriculture Machinery 40 Farming Solutions 44 UAE Update 46

January-February 2020

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INTERNATIONAL DAIRY FARM DEVELOPMENT (IDFD) CONFERENCE 2020 International Dairy Farm Development (IDFD) was established

by Ted and Donald Gribble in 2015. It is a group of dairy experts focused on aiding “new to the industry” dairy owners initiate their dairy farm project.

The reason for creating IDFD came about after observing an increasing number of General Businessmen, Processors and others with very little dairy cattle experience desiring to develop new Dairy Farms. IDFD can help navigate this startup process to help mitigate risks.

The goal of the IDFD group is to deliver a council specifically for these types of situations, so that such businesses or individuals can be located and help them to get started in the right direction before they get too far along in the process. The group of “partners” work together each year to provide critical services to develop new dairy farms on numerous projects. In addition, IDFD holds yearly conferences, with presentations centered on preventing the common pitfalls that have been repeated numerous times with these new start-up dairies around the world.

At its core, the IDFD message can be summed up as “Providing Dairy Farm Solutions.”

The next IDFD Conference will be held in Dubai, UAE Fall of 2020 and would like to have you attend.

Please go to www.idfdc.com to get more information and register for the upcoming conference.

SWEDISH AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE LANTMÄNNEN LEADS THE WAY TOWARDS CLIMATE NEUTRAL FARMING BY 2050 The climate impact of farming must be reduced in order to mitigate climate change globally. Lantmännen has recently set a new climate goal: to create favorable conditions for even more sustainable cultivation by halving climate impact every ten years in order to become climate-neutral by 2050. In line with this new climate goal, Lantmännen has released a new report that describes how the transition of crop farming in Sweden can be made possible.

“With our company’s climate goal as a starting point, we have put forward the report Farming of the Future, which is unique of its kind. According to our findings, there is a huge potential for Swedish agriculture to increase production and secure the food supply for a growing population, while at the same time reducing the negative impact on the climate, environment and biodiversity.

To achieve this, we have to join forces on a national basis. We have 30 harvests left until 2050,” says Per Arfvidsson, Executive Vice President Operations at Lantmännen.

Eleven areas have been identified as important in order to achieve even more sustainable farming in Sweden by 2050, in terms of productivity, profit and the planet. Examples of areas with big potential going forward include precision farming, digitalization, optimal management, plant breeding and fossil free fuels on the farms.

January-February 2020

Quality and yield with Biolchim’s biostimulants. Experience and passion, together with commitment in Research & Development. These are the real answers that farmers need.

News SMART TECHNOLOGIES DRIVING TOMORROW'S HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION Drip Irrigation is a system of micro irrigation that provides water to the plants. The main aim of this system is to provide water or plant nutrition directly to the roots.

The need for this smart technology in Southeast Asia is expected to grow as there are emerging concerns all over the region addressing water scarcity in agriculture and ensure effective and efficient water scarcity coping strategies.

Top innovators will showcase their solutions at Horti ASIA 2020 from 7-9 May 2020 in Bangkok.

Join them to shape the conversation and meet face-toface with the most influential

players in agriculture and the right decision makers with purchasing power.

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA MOVES TO SINGAPORE FOR 2020 Asia Fruit Logistica, Asia’s leading fresh fruit and vegetable trade show, is moving to Singapore for its 2020 edition from its traditional location in Hong Kong.

Asia Fruit Logistica 2020 will take place on 16-18 September at Singapore EXPO, a world-class exhibition centre near Singapore’s Changi Airport, with Asiafruit Congress held on 15 September at the convention wing MAX Atria.

Organiser Global Produce Events (GPE) is relocating the 2020 edition as a precaution due to the continued uncertainty in

Hong Kong. GPE has chosen Singapore as the location for the next edition of the show, because Singapore is a key business and trading hub in Asia, offering global connectivity, business efficiency, and access for fresh fruit and vegetables from around the world.

“On the background of ongoing instability in Hong Kong, we need to take care of the interests and concerns of exhibitors and trade visitors, who naturally expect clarity and predictability to make plans for 2020,” explained Will Wollbold, commercial director of Asia Fruit Logistica. “We’re excited to bring Asia Fruit Logistica to Singapore next year. Singapore offers a vibrant and innovative business environment, and has a proven record in facilitating quality events. Singapore is very well

Substrates with highspeed for your plant growth Stender Agency for Arabic countries Mohamed Adel Zaraa Tel.: +39 335 716 15 37 Mail.: mozaraa@gmail.com www.stender.de 6 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

January-February 2020

News We have the pleasure to invite you to our Booth Hall 9 Stand S037 / S029 VIV-MEA Abu Dhabi 2020 9 - 11 MARCH

situated in South East Asia and creates further excellent business opportunities for our customers in the region,” said Wollbold.

Following the Singapore edition in 2020, GPE will review market conditions and evaluate the response to the Asia Fruit Logistica, before making their decision on the location for future editions.

More than 12,000 high-quality trade professionals from 70+ countries around the world made the most of the opportunities to meet and do business with over 800 exhibitors from more than 40 different countries at Asia Fruit Logistica 2019, which took place on 4-6 September in Hong Kong.

GROWMARK ACQUIRES SOLU-CAL USA GROWMARK has announced the acquisition of Solu-Cal USA, a premier supplier of enhanced calcium products in the turf care industry.

Solu-Cal will continue to operate as an independent brand within the GROWMARK System, as part of the GROWMARK FS, LLC agronomy subsidiary based in Delaware. The company’s operations will be managed from the new parent company’s Turf Operations center in East Berlin, Pennsylvania. GROWMARK FS has long been a manufacturing facility for Solu-Cal, and will continue to produce Solu-Cal branded and private label products at their Pennsylvania production location. The newly blended GROWMARK FS & Solu-Cal team will market the expanded range of products to their customer bases and to new customers across the US and internationally.

With this acquisition, GROWMARK FS enhances its position as a leading manufacturer and supplier of premium soil nutrition and fertility products. Solu-Cal and GROWMARK FS provide customers an unbeatable range of high-quality wholesale granular and liquid products, for commercial turf care, golf courses and athletic fields, specialty agriculture, wildlife food plots and erosion control. Distributors now have access to robust inventories and custom fertility blending operation on the East Coast.

FARMLANDFINDER RAISES $3M TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY IN THE FARMLAND MARKET FarmlandFinder, a digital toolset for farmland professionals, has raised a $3 million Series Seed funding round. Cultivian Sandbox led the round with participation from Iowa Farm Bureau’s Rural Vitality Fund and Next Level Ventures.

FarmlandFinder offers simple, easy-to-use market intelligence and data management tools to farmland professionals, including landowners, brokers, appraisers, ag lenders and land investment firms. This digital suite of tools gives farmland professionals access to the most complete and up-to-date farmland market data in the

January-February 2020

Flora Consult-Vertical Farms (Appropriate Technology- Sustainable- Profitable) We are a company with 30 years’ experience in Hydroponic Technologies. We have developed very successful Smart Vertical Farming modules. We offer tailor made Indoor Aeroponics Vertical Farms (IAVF).

Our strength is sustainable & appropriate technology on Vertical Farming. Low CapEx, OpEx is the strength of our projects. We have set up projects in Africa, Middle East and India. Vertical Farming is the future of agriculture; our modules are for every budget. x x x

Advanced Technology- Indoor Aeroponics Vertical Farms Sustainable Vertical Farms Marketing Strategy

Our services: x Project Feasibility Reports, x Appropriate Technology- Tailor-made Projects x Turn-key Project, Project Implementation, x Training of Project Teams, We look forward to set up many successful Vertical Farms in your region.

Website: www.floraconsult.com, www.globeflorex.com Contact: info@floraconsult.com +919422522141, +91 9823166697 A-6, Shrinagari, Talegaon Dabhade, 410506, Pune, India

News Midwest, as well as analytical tools to help make informed decisions and operate more efficiently.

“Each year $56 billion of farmland exchanges ownership, and most of this is done entirely offline with very little access to data or real-time information,” said FarmlandFinder Founder and CEO Steven Brockshus. “We’re increasing transparency in a

traditionally opaque industry, which helps to level the playing field and drive efficiency. Through a data-rich platform, we’re able to help buyers, sellers and land professionals make informed decisions in a fraction of the time.”

Brockshus is no stranger to agriculture, having grown up on a 5th generation family farm in Iowa and later serving as a

National FFA Officer. The seed for FarmlandFinder was planted when Brockshus attended a farmland auction with his father and saw first-hand how little information was available.

Brockshus reflects on that day, “Buying or selling a farm is one of the biggest decisions a landowner makes and they have very little access to real-time information to help them make an informed choice. At FarmlandFinder, we are leveraging technology to give them more power when making that decision.”

FarmlandFinder will use the funding to expand its team in order to help more landowners, ag lenders and land investment firms leverage data to grow their business. The company’s datadriven approach in a data-poor industry is just one of the things that has attracted top ag tech investors to get involved.

STRONG IMPETUS FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE An intensively conducted dialogue on agricultural policy, a global overview of the food industry and agriculture at both a national and an international level, and a rewarding experience for the general public: In 2020 the International Green Week Berlin confirmed its standing as the world’s leading trade show for agriculture, food and horticulture.

As was the case last year, by Sunday evening attendance at the fair and congresses in the halls at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds is expected to exceed 400,000, including some 90,000 trade visitors (2019: 85,000) from 75 countries. Discussions focused on the challenges faced by agriculture and the food industry as a result of climate change, and on proposed solutions aimed at

10 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

January-February 2020

News finding production methods that are sustainable and ecological and that conserve resources. The quality and safety of foodstuffs, animal welfare and safeguarding world food supplies were the subjects of many discussions at the fair. The movement “Fridays for Future” participated in the Green Week for the first time.

There was also a very positive response to the new combined stand for the producers from 14 African countries, who were exhibiting highly exportable products to the European market.

A high volume of orders and good contacts with the retail food trade were reported by the exhibiting countries, and by Germany’s federal states. This also included bilateral business contacts between individual countries.

The public were keen to buy and their expenditure exceeded 52

million euros (2019: 51 mi. €) on items consumed at the fair or for the purchase of goods. The 85th Green Week took place from 17 to 26 January 2020 with 1,180 exhibitors, a new record (2019: 1,751), from 72 countries (2019: 61), and occupied a hall area of 129,000 square metres (2019: 125.000 m²).

SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR IDF SYMPOSIUM ON GOAT, SHEEP AND OTHER NON-COW MILKS The International Dairy Federation (IDF) has announced speakers for the 8th IDF International Symposium on sheep, goat and other non-cow milk, which takes place 4 and 5 May 2020 in Brussels, Belgium.

Presentations will describe the latest scientific advances about milk originating from other

animals than cows in the fields of human nutrition, science and technology, milk production and quality, as well as advances in animal health.

“While cows produce much of the world’s milk supply, goat, sheep and other non-cow milks are also widely distributed throughout the world,” said IDF Director General, Caroline Emond. “They contribute to sustainable livelihoods through support of the economy, rural and peri-urban livelihoods, the empowerment of women and food security. This Symposium will give a renewed vision of knowledge, in line with current market trends and policies.”

Invited speakers include Dr Nicoline de Haan, International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya; Anna-Maria Baka, World Organisation for Animal Health

FRESHLY HATCHED: SOPHISTICATED POULTRY PRODUCTS S FOR IDEAL VACCIN VACCINATION RESULTS Automatic Devices for Hatcheries and Poultry Farms - optimal vaccination results thanks to guided vaccination procedures s - various safety features to avoid false injections and self-injections

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January-February 2020

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 11

News (OIE); Dr Sophie Gallier, Dairy Goat Co-operative, New Zealand; Assoc. Prof. Mutamed Ayyash, UAE University, United Arab Emirates; Prof. Thom Huppertz, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands.

VALAGRO ACQUIRES A STAKE IN MIRNAGREEN: A PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION Valagro, a leader in the production and commercialization of biostimulants and advanced nutrient solutions for crops, announces a strategic partnership with Mirnagreen, a global leader in the field of plant microRNAs based in Bolzano, Italy.

In line with its "Third Way" mindset, Valagro has launched its partnership with Mirnagreen to further advance the development of innovative technologies.

Cutting-edge innovation is Mirnagreen's hallmark: the company is the only one in the world to have developed patented technologies for the large-scale extraction of plant

microRNAs, known to be among the most effective immunomodulators and natural anti-inflammatories. Through its innovative proprietary tech platform, Mirnagreen develops products and solutions based on plant microRNAs for the food, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical sectors as well as strategies for the treatment of diseases linked to chronic inflammation.

The driving force behind the collaboration between Valagro and Mirnagreen is a common goal: to play an active role in the production of healthy food for a more sustainable world.

BRANDT NUTRITION PRODUCTS HELP DAVID HULA SET NEW CORN YIELD WORLD RECORD BRANDT, a leading manufacturer of agriculture specialty products, has helped another grower set a new world yield record this year. David Hula’s corn yield was recorded at 616 bushels per acre as part of the 2019 National Corn Grower Association’s national corn yield contest.

This record comes just two months after Randy Dowdy set the soybean world record with 190 bu/ ac. Both growers use BRANDT’s proprietary nutritional products.

“The new plant and soil health technology coming from BRANDT is outstanding,” Hula said. “Their new enzyme technology, BRANDT EnzUp, was a key factor of my success.”

BRANDT has been working with David Hula since 2018 and working with Dowdy win since 2011. Both Hula and Dowdy used BRANDT EnzUp® and BRANDT Smart System® foliar nutrients on the record winning plots. BRANDT EnzUp is a new enzyme technology that ignites soil activity and creates a rich environment for germination and rooting. BRANDT Smart System advanced compatibility foliar nutrients are applied with post-emergent herbicides and help mitigate crop stress.

“It’s a pleasure to work with growers of this caliber. David and Randy are always exploring new ways to push quality and yield,” said Brian Haschemeyer, Director of Discovery and Innovation at BRANDT.

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January-February 2020

MARTEX® PLANTING BAGS AND CONTAINERS THE COMPANY FROM POLAND OFFERING PRODUCTS FOR NURSERY SECTOR, AND FOR ORNAMENTAL, FRUIT, FOREST PLANT RAISING OR RECULTIVATION

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Mulch mats for weed protection

Small mulch mats

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MARTEX® - TEXTILE PRODUCTS FOR RAISING OF ORNAMENTAL, FRUIT, AND FOREST SEEDLINGS, OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECULTIVATION Products commonly applied at nurseries, both in temperate and hot climate Used for raising trees in the forest, idle land, semi-desert area, steppe …….

Excellent for tree planting by the road and highway, useful for the purpose of general cleaning works, composting, and in any similar applications…….

Our representatives: D-Hermann Meyer KG: e-mail: mail@hermann-meyer.de NL/GB-B&P Co., www.b-en-p.nl Scandinavia: OY Urban natural Ab, www.natural.fi Russia: Landscape Design Ltd., www.garden-center.ru Ukraine: Demetra Ltd., e-mail: demetra@com.ua Bulgaria-Romania: Hermann-Meyer, www.meyer-shop.com Abu Dhabi: Arid Land Co., LLC., www.aridlanddevelopment.com e-mail: aridland@emirates.net.ae

News

NEW COLLABORATION BETWEEN PELBO AND INNOVO Moba is proud to announce that Pelbo, one of its subsidiaries in Brugherio, Italy, has partnered up with Innovo, an innovative Italian-based company that develops, manufactures, and installs pasteurization plants for food producers.

This new collaboration will allow Pelbo to further expand its activities in the industry. The experienced Innovo team consists of professionals who have worked for a major company in the pasteurization sector. They are led by Mr. Leopoldo Peschi, a seasoned professional in the egg processing trade.

By teaming up with Innovo, Pelbo will be able to offer state-of-the-art technologies and add value to the sector.

"Our aim is to bring innovation and new technologies to the egg processing industry with major technical innovation thanks to the combination of both companies' expertise," Pelbo Sales Director Mr. Fabio Gualtieri explains. "With

this partnership, our customers can rely on Moba for all their needs in further egg processing, both now and in the future."

The new collaboration with Innovo will increase Pelbo's expertise in handling large egg processing projects, expand its workforce to run more projects at the same time, and provide customers with better support during the development of these projects.

Also, the product portfolio of the Pelbo brand will expand to include: Ă™ 7XUQNH\ SURMHFWV ZLWK SODWH DQG RU tubular egg pasteurizer for plain, high-viscosity, or ESL products; Ă™ 3DVWHXUL]DWLRQ E\ UDGLRIUHTXHQF\ Ă™ /LTXLG HJJ FRQFHQWUDWLRQ OLQH IRU ERWK albumen and whole egg; Ă™ (JJ SRZGHU SURFHVVLQJ OLQH Ă™ &HQWULIXJDO VHSDUDWRU IRU HJJ ZKLWH clarification; Ă™ 6&$'$ WKH LQQRYDWLYH KDQGOLQJ DQG supervision system that integrates

the egg-breaking line up to the filling system.

Moba Group Sales Director Mr. Paul de Schouwer is excited what this new cooperation will bring MobaPelbo: "Pelbo and Innovo will take egg processing to the next level and move the industry into a new era by using innovative technologies. We are creating a unique center in Italy where all the key components of an egg processing plant, from the egg-breaking line to the pasteurizing systems, are developed and manufactured at a single location."

RELIABILITY AT HEART LOCAL PARTS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST MOBA MIDDLE EAST FZCO Dubai Airport Freezone $O 4XGV 6WUHHW 2ĆŻ FH :% Dubai United Arab Emirates T E info.middle-east@moba.net

moba.net 14 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

Visit us at: VIV MEA 0DUFK +DOO ERRWK 6

January-February 2020

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Discuss the future of farming at the AgraME Conference with:

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Conference Highlights By working with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the AgraME exhibition and conference will bring together the global Agriculture community to help achieve the SDG's in the Middle East. From finding the latest technology, learning best practice, sharing ideas and creating new Government to Government and Business to Business connections, AgraME aims to increase Food Security across the MEA region.

Hear from global leaders across AgraTech, Aquaculture, Animal farming and Crop Farming

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VIV MEA Preview

VIV MEA PRESENTS MORE THAN 400 BRANDS AT ITS THIRD EDITION

V

IV MEA started in 2016 as a biennial B2B international trade show, bringing the Feed to Food concept to an audience of over 6,000 professionally audited visitors from the poultry, aquaculture, and dairy industries in the Middle East, Africa, India and Central Asia. After a second edition in 2018 that attracted nearly 7,000 confirmed attendees and solidified VIV MEA’s grasp in the region, the show returns in 2020 with over 400 exhibitors ready to showcase at the ADNEC in Abu Dhabi from Monday, March 9th to Wednesday, March 11th.

VIV MEA is the 3rd international hub within the VIV worldwide series of exhibitions and conferences.

The event is truly an inter-regional platform, with visitors from the host country comprising 30% of the

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audience, and 70% visiting from key markets such as Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, Jordan, Iraq, Oman, and Sudan (top audited visiting countries in 2018). This year, the show is expected to welcome 8,000 visitors, decision-makers, and buyers over 3 days.

The OECD and FAO Agricultural Outlook 20192028 predicts that food demand in regions with high population growth, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, India, the Middle East, and North Africa, will significantly increase in the coming decade. The livestock and poultry sectors in the Middle East are also expected to expand substantially. VIV MEA, a business-oriented event, aims to support the development of poultry, dairy, and aqua productions by bringing together international and local suppliers of the VIV network, their expertise, and solutions to provide affordable animal proteins in the region. VIV MEA 2020 will address biosecurity and sustainable development regarding the shift from heavy importation to regional production. Experts such as government officials and top supply companies will provide insight into the opportunities rising in both the Middle East and Africa.

The show is honored to be supported by regional institutions and associations such as the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADFCA), the U.A.E. branch of WPSA, regional chambers of

January-February 2020

VIV MEA Preview

commerce and trade institutions such as the Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce, and the NABC, a longtime partner of VIV MEA in Africa. The show is also proud to have the support of over 30 regional and international media partners and agencies working to reach a larger number of qualified industry profiles. This year, VIV MEA is pleased to once again be co-located with the Global Forum for Innovation in Agriculture (GFIA), driving additional attendance and potential business to the event.

VIV MEA 2020 will connect visitors with over 400 companies from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and

January-February 2020

America. Topics to be covered in the 4 halls reserved for VIV MEA 2020 at ADNEC include feed, feed ingredients and additives, compound feed milling equipment, feed milling, animal health, pharmaceutical products and ingredients, breeding and hatching, genetics, farm management systems, farm production, slaughtering, processing and handling (food engineering).

Companies represented on the show grounds include: Al Dahra, Aviagen, Big Dutchman International GmbH, Biomin GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim, CEVA Sante Animale S.A., Cobb Europe, Hubbard S.A.S., Imas Integrated Machinery Systems, Jamesway Incubator Company Inc., Famsun Muyang Holdings Co., Ltd., Kubbar International, Kutlusan ic ve dis ticaret a.s., LINCO Food Systems A/S, Marel Poultry, Meyn Food Processing Technology B.V., Pas Reform Hatchery Technologies, Petersime N.V., Poultec N.V., Roots Animal Farming Services, Van Aarsen International BV. For the complete list of exhibitors, visit www.vivmea.nl/exhibitor-list.

Online registration is available on www.vivmea.nl.

Early registration provides timely updates, exhibitor information, and registration for the top level conferences and seminars.

See you on March 9-11 at VIV MEA 2020 at the ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 19

VIV MEA Preview

BUSINESS FRANCE ANNOUNCES FRANCE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION TO THE 2020 EDITION OF VIV MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA EXHIBITION 20 French Companies Exhibiting on the French Pavilion 9-11 March 2020, ADNEC

B

CHOOSE FRANCE is the official brand that promotes French industrial sectors and attractiveness internationally

usiness France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy will be organizing the French pavilion at VIV MEA 2020, the trade fair devoted to livestock which takes place from 9 to 11 March 2020 in Abu Dhabi.

The French pavilion will be hosting 20 French companies (including 14 new exhibitors) specialized in: animal feed & nutrition, animal health, equipment and innovative solutions for hatchery & laboratory and efficient egg processing lines, packaging. The national pavilion will showcase the latest French technologies in the livestock industry and allow professionals to set up meetings with these companies on the spot.

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Covering several industries such as poultry, aquaculture or dairy, the trade show attracts professional visitors mostly from the Middle East, Africa, India and Central Asia. Therefore, the main actors of the industry from all over the world will be present, and France is no exception. In 2018, France was the world’s fifth largest agri-food exporter (UN Comtrade). Being the 3rd largest poultry producer in EU (1.7 million tons in carcasse weight equivalent - CWE), 1st beef producer (1.5 million tons in CWE), 1st egg producer (14.4 billion eggs in 2017) and 2nd milk producer in EU (Eurostat), France offers expertise in all fields related to livestock.

Exporting 12.7 billion USD livestock solutions worldwide in 2019 (French customs), France is a leading cereal producer in

Europe, with exports of 31.3 million tons of cereals, in growth since 2017 (corresponding to 7.4 billion USD). With nearly 300 production facilities in France, the animal feed industry is one of the top users of grain cereals.

France exported 3.1 billion USD of prepared animal feed globally (French customs).

The pavilion is supported by “Bretagne Commerce International”, a regional player (interprofessional council and regional collective) bringing together the companies from the Brittany region.

CHOOSE FRANCE is the official brand that promotes French industrial sectors and attractiveness internationally.

The French pavilion will be located in Hall 7 C039 to F048 & Hall 8 K063.

January-February 2020

BUSINESS FRANCE ANNOUNCES FRANCE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION TO THE 2020 EDITION OF VIV MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA EXHIBITION

ABU DHABI | MARCH 9-11 INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOW FROM FEED TO FOOD FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA ADNEC - HALL 7 C039 TO F048 & HALL 8 K063

In partnership with :

MINISTÈRE DE L’AGRICULTURE ET DE L’ALIMENTATION

@BF_MiddleEast Nelliana DOUAOUI Agro Export Project Manager nelliana.douaoui@businessfrance.fr

Miryem OUKAS Head of Communications - Middle East miryem.oukasmessidi@businessfrance.fr

Mélanie DIA Head of Middle East Agrifood Department melanie.dia@businessfrance.fr

GFIA Preview

THE WORLD'S LARGEST MARKETPLACE FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

G

FIA is the world’s largest exhibition and conference dealing with innovations in sustainable agriculture across all types of food production. So whether one wants to improve productivity, increase profits, save natural resources, or overcome the challenges of climate change, there are hundreds of solution providers exhibiting with working products to help your business remain competitive and sustainable for the long-term. It puts emphasis on livestock and indoor farming, hydroponics, and aquaculture as well.

The expo will take place from the 9-10 March 2020 at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

22 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

January-February 2020

IPM Dubai Review

BUTI SAEED AL GHANDI INAUGURATES IPM DUBAI 2019 & WOP DUBAI 2019

H

.E Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, Second Vice Chairman of the Board, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, along with H.E. Thomas Kufen, the Lord Mayor of the city of Essen, led the opening of the Middle East’s leading horticultural fair, the IPM DUBAI 2019 at the Dubai World Trade Center under the patronage of His Highness (H.H.) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports. The event was held in conjunction with the WOP DUBAI

January-February 2020

2019, the leading platform for fresh produce in the Middle East under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Municipality.

IPM DUBAI 2019 & WOP DUBAI welcomed participants from 35 countries and 13 official country pavilions, including Bulgaria, China, France, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Moldova, Morocco, Poland, Rwanda, Taiwan and Ukraine throughout the three-day event, and hosted a total of 205 local, regional and international

exhibitors showcasing advanced technologies and innovation in products and services.

The ever-increasing demand for greening cities through urban landscaping and parks development, among others has led to the boom in horticulture sector in the region, and has become a major interest for global floriculture, horticulture, urban landscaping and architecture markets, and other industry-related providers.

IPM DUBAI is the only fair within the Gulf region to unite the exhibition areas called Plants, Technology, Floristry, Garden Features, Logistics, Plant Maintenance as well as Garden and Landscaping and thus forms the most significant sectorial platform for the green sector in the region. This year, almost 45 exhibitors from 15 countries were presented their products and services along the value-added chain in horticulture to the international decision takers.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 23

Growtech Review

GROWTECH 2019 IS COMPLETED WITH ITS NEW RECORD NUMBER OF VISITOR AND EXHIBITOR

24 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

8

50 international exhibitor brands from 32 countries had been exhibiting at the show this year with participation of its new record number of over 90,000 visitors from 130 countries.

The whole agricultural industry world met at Growtech 2019 as international agricultural professionals and local farmers to giant companies exporting to world markets.

Growtech 20th International Greenhouse and Agricultural Technology and Livestock Equipment Fair will be held from November 25-26-27-28 in 2020 at Antalya Expo Center, Turkey.

January-February 2020

GREEN, GREAT, GORGEOUS! EXCELLENT MOOD AT IPM ESSEN 2020

T

he 38th International Plant Fair IPM ESSEN is looking back on four very successful days at the fair: From January 28 to 31, a total of 1,538 exhibitors from 46 countries presented their innovative products and services in the Plants, Technology, Floristry and Garden Features areas. Messe Essen was once more the most important meeting place of the worldwide green sector. Over 54,000 (in 2019: 52,800) visitors from over 100 countries obtained information about trends and ordered goods for the coming season. More than ever, climate change and sustainability were the dominant subjects at the world's leading fair for horticulture.

"In the context of the climate discussion, horticulture has

January-February 2020

gained enormous relevance and ensured an enthusiastic mood in the fair halls. At IPM ESSEN 2020, the green sector has demonstrated its innovative spirit and its performance in an impressive way," summarized Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen.

Already in 2019, the exhibitors stated that the subjects of sustainability and climate change will exert the biggest influences on the sector in the future. What could already be seen in many places last year was omnipresent at this year's IPM ESSEN: No matter whether environmentally friendly packaging, climate-tolerant new breeds, insect-friendly plants for the promotion of biodiversity, air-

IPM Essen Review

cleaning green plants, planter boxes with integrated water reservoirs or peat substitutes international horticulture showed its innovative power in an impressive form. Also in the Technology area, emphasis was placed on energy-efficient production procedures and pioneering digital technologies.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 25

Forage

BARR-AG CANADIAN FARM-BASED FORAGE, PROCESSOR AND EXPORTER

B

arr-Ag Ltd is a Canadian Family Farm based operation growing 37,000 acres of forage crops, cereal crops and oil seeds. Barr-Ag Ltd is the largest Canadian farmbased forage, processor and exporter. The ability to grow,

26 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

January-February 2020

Forage harvest, and process allows Barr-Ag’s staff to ensure a higher and consistent quality. This begins with the selection and preparation of the fields, rotation of crops, the attention to harvesting equipment, (with our own fleet of cutters, and balers) and then the ability to select the quality product to process and export. Barr-Ag Ltd farms both irrigated and dryland farms.

Barr-Ag Ltd have invested significantly in new state of the art equipment for drying, pressing and processing of their alfalfa, timothy, dehydrated corn silage, plus the wheat, barley, canola, mustard crops.

This includes importing and

January-February 2020

installing state of the art drying, and re-bailing equipment from the top manufacturers in Europe.

This new equipment will provide the ability to increase the quality and consistency of products that are processed and exported.

Barr-Ag Ltd markets are Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Middle East, Europe and USA. Over 90% of products produced are exported from Canada.

Over 80% of the product exported is grown on the farms of Barr-Ag Ltd. Barr-Ag Ltd has 2 processing facilities in Alberta. These are located on the plains in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. As a result of our

climate, soil fertility and elevation, the use of Pesticides is very limited, and pests are controlled naturally.

All alfalfa and timothy crops grown are non-GMO. Barr-Ag Ltd has experienced farm operators, production staff and export staff who have been with Barr-Ag Ltd for many years.

Barr-Ag Ltd has a fleet of their own trucks and have excellent connections with the Rail and Ocean freight companies.

Please visit the website at www.barr-ag.com. Visit their booth at the AGRA ME trade show at the Dubai World Trade Center March 3 to 5, 2020.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 27

Animal Health

An essential component of a mastitis control programme is to enhance immunity, which can be achieved through improved nutrition.

By Florent Aubry, Technical Manager, Alltech

IMPROVED UDDER HEALTH THROUGH QUALITY MINERALS 28 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

M

astitis is one of the most costly dairy cattle diseases.

The losses associated with mastitis are often underestimated at the farm level as many go unseen, such as reduced milk production and lower herd growth potential. Multiple factors contribute to mastitis and SCC, ranging from environmental issues to the milking procedure to poor immune system function. Bacteria are generally the cause of most mastitis cases, originating from already infected udders, replacement animals coming onto the farm and the environment, including cubicle bedding, manure and poor milking hygiene.

Role of minerals on udder health Concern has risen over conventional antibiotic treatments of mastitis due to the global emergence of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Because of

January-February 2020

Animal Health

Concern has risen over conventional antibiotic treatments of mastitis due to the global emergence of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

this, it is now essential to focus on preventive strategies instead.

Promoting udder and teat integrity goes a long way toward reducing the risk of infection. Ensure good hygiene during and after milking, disinfecting teats and scoring udders for hygiene is also essential for reducing the pathogenic load during the milking routine.

Trace minerals play key roles in many enzyme systems, protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant systems, as well as immunocompetency. Therefore, an essential component of a mastitis control programme is to enhance immunity, which can be achieved through improved nutrition and the removal of potential immune suppressors.

Benefits to udder health have been shown with copper

January-February 2020

supplementation. Scaletti et al.

(2003) noted that dairy cows supplemented with copper exhibited a less severe infection following an E. coli challenge, compared with non-supplemented animals. Another function of copper linked to the efficacy of the immune system is the copper-containing enzyme complex cytochrome c oxidase. Reduced levels of this complex affect the capacity of neutrophils to neutralise pathogens via respiratory burst (Jones and Suttle, 1987). In dairy cows, selenium influences both the acquired and adaptive immune systems, including antibody production, cell proliferation, cytokine production and neutrophil function (Larsen, 1993; Ndiweni and Finch, 1995). Zinc deficiency can lead to parakeratosis, evident by thickened, hardened and cracked skin. Because one of the critical barriers to udder infection is the integrity of the integument covering the teat, any compromise to the skin can increase the risk of infection via the teat canal.

Research has linked the supplementation of trace elements with improving immune function

and reducing mastitis. Selenium, zinc, copper and manganese all play a vital role in building immunity and fighting infections such as mastitis.

Unlike inorganic mineral forms, the use of organic trace minerals (such as BioplexÂŽ and Sel-PlexÂŽ from Alltech) can play a crucial role in supporting the immune system and udder health. These organic trace minerals allow for better absorption while enabling the animal to build up reserves for use during periods of stress, such as calving and early lactation. Alltech has shown that this modern approach can optimise performance at significantly lower inclusion levels. Research has linked the supplementation of trace elements with lowered SCC (Foltys et al., 2004).

Conclusion There is an important economic advantage to be gained by improving reproductive efficiency and udder health in dairy herds.

Strategies to promote these aspects should be multifactorial. However, nutrition can play a vital role in maximising optimal fertility and immune function.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 29

Poultry

CLASSIC LAYERS AND DUAL PURPOSE POULTRY FOR GLOBAL MARKETS

T

his family owned private company from Czech Republic specialises in breeding and selection of laying and dual purpose poultry. For more than 30 years DOMINANT CZ’s original genetic programmes dynamically expand finding new partners in 60 countries on 4 continents. With modernisation of existing facilities and construction of new, there is a continuous increase in breeding capacity as well as research and development.

DOMINANT CZ classic layers and dual purpose poultry with modern approach to selection are perfectly suited to specific local breeding programmes including Baladi, Sonali, Inasal, Kampong, Hmong very successful throughout Asia and Heritage marketing across Europe and USA. After profitable egg production hens are processed, their high yielding quality carcass adds value to breeding programmes. Excellent flexibility and adaptability to a variety of production conditions creates profitable alternatives for independent hatcheries producing day old chicks for sustainable meat and egg production as well as supporting local small scale family farms especially in developing economies.

Dominant CZ also offer special programmes for production of premium high value table eggs of mixed colours including white, brown, dark brown, cream, green and blue. These artisan eggs reach new business partners and offer

30 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

January-February 2020

Poultry

excellent opportunities to producers to create new markets with a viable value added alternative to standard brown and white egg production.

Dominant CZ also offer modern commercial hybrid laying programmes synthesised from traditional attractive breeds, perfectly suited to rural, free range, ecological and extensive production conditions. The advantages are robust and flexible layers with distinctive appearance. These colourful hybrids also offer fantastic opportunities to poultry breeders, hatcheries and egg producers by supplying non-standard commercial hens, chicks or eggs, where robust highly adaptable chickens are needed.

DOMINANT CZ is dedicated to supplying niche markets and has unrivalled flexibility to meet the needs of customers, supplying sexlinked hybrid programmes to suit every farming method anywhere in the world.

Poultry with calm temperament, excellent plumage and high adaptability for free-range breeding and production including home milled and organic feed rations, maximum number of fertile eggs producing strong chicks are key points to maximize farmer’s profits, making Dominant CZ genetics popular in so many countries. Technical support and practical assistance for profitable breeding and egg production as well as fattening cockerels is always available to help your business thrive.

Dominant CZ has a breeding programme to suit your needs and is actively seeking partners and representatives to continue expanding breeding programmes into new countries. Visit the website for much more information about the company and breeding programmes available, or contact us to discuss your requirements. www.dominant-cz.cz RNDr. Milan Tyller - owner and geneticist Tel.+ WhatsApp: +420 602 642 557 Email: tyller@dominant-cz.cz

January-February 2020

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 31

Planter Bags

WANGARA HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES “NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH”

W

HS Australia is debuting its World Wide Launch in the Gulf Countries with a product specifically designed with the MENA region’s climate in mind.

Introducing the Innovative and Patented Desert Bag™. This new product is exclusively available through WHS Australia and is the product of engineering and manufacturing advances that allow for a Grow Bag that is produced specifically for the Middle East growers and tree farms.

This new and exciting product will allow growers to keep their trees in Grow Bags for a longer period of time. It will also allow for safer transportation of trees and inspection of the root ball at all stages of the plants life. The design includes: Sun protected handles that are wrapped in a fabric that will break down over time, but will keep the integrity of the handle intact.

An extra band at the top diameter ensure the handles do not come away from the Grow Bag. A double layer material around the entire bag ensures that Sun Damage

is limited to the outer layer, while leaving the structure of the bag untouched.

A new perimeter belt ensures the bag stands up solidly and supports the root ball.

One model of the Desert Bag™ includes a side opening that allows for inspection of the root ball, easy removal of the tree from the Grow Bag

32 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

as well as the opportunity to Re-Use the Grow Bag. The company has announced that existing customers will be receiving sample Desert Bags™ in the next few weeks to begin growing Better Trees and Bigger Profits. There is also an opportunity to register your interest for a sample by sending your details to info@whsaustralia.com.au

January-February 2020

Aeroponics Farming

Soil based Greenhouse farming

NFT Nutrient Film Technique

A typical A- Frame Vertical NFT

Vertical NFT Grow Towers

VERTICAL AEROPONICS FARMING SUSTAINABLE, VIABLE, PROFITABLE – FUTURE OF FARMING!!

By Praveen Sharma

Flora Consult praveensharma@floraconsult.com

W

orld population to reach above 9 billion by 2050, from existing 7.2 Billion. The Urban population will increase from 50% to 68% by 2050.

This is a major concern because the land area of the Earth is limited only to about 13 billion ha, in 2008, the total agriculture area in the world was about 4.88 billion Ha (FAPSTA, 2010).The Agriculture Land/Arable Land is ever decreasing per person. WWF - notes that agriculture wastes 60% of the 2,500 trillion liters (1,500 trillion liters of water) it uses each year; or 70% of the world’s accessible water.

Pressure of High Production from Limited Area: The high density urban populations, developed art of living in High Rise Sky Scrapers and migrated from large Villas, Bungalows, Cottages.

So that, more number of people can stay in limited surface area.

Now time has come to do the same for farming.

Utilize vertical spaces and have higher plant population per square meter.

Following are various growing techniques with their merits in terms of productivity;

34 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

1. Soil Based Greenhouse Cultivation: The soil based cultivation has simple crop planting on typical raised beds, and has plant population of 12 -15 plants per sqm.

The entire volume of Greenhouse which is approximately 20000 cubic meters is not fully utilized.

2. Horizontal NFT Grow System: This is advanced Nutrient Film Technique Grow System, which involves 15 to 18 plants per square meter. The growth is done in protected cultivation with climate controlled greenhouses. The Fan and Pad Cooling system is used 24 hrs to maintain climate for 15 plants per square meter, the pumps are run 24 hours.

3. A- Frame: This is a form of vertical farming being used for growing NFT gullies in A Frame. The Plant Population in this case increases to as high as 25 Plants per square meter in a greenhouse.

4. Vertical NFT Towers: This is great innovation, which has vertical growing, with NFT System. The Roots are always submerged in

January-February 2020

s

Aeroponics Farming

Vertical Aeroponics Grow System within Greenhouses flowing nutrients water. The plants population can be even higher as high as 44 plants per square meter. This technique too has potential to reach higher plant population.

5. Vertical Aeroponics Grow System: This system is one of the most efficient grow system, having most modern technology of Aeroponics, the plants population under greenhouses can be as high as 75 plants, same can be higher to 114 plants if a 7.6 m high Polycarbonate Sheet Greenhouse is considered.

6. Indoor Vertical Aeroponics Grow System: This is future of farming. In this system one can grow above 500 Tons of Veggies just from an acre of land. The growing is done under full control of various standard crop parameters, like Light, Temperature, Humidity, Co2 etc. Above is a typical view of a similar grow facility.

Classification of various growing technique: The below table shows the exponential production one can derive against the normal open field cultivation. The productivity under vertical Aeroponics grows system increases by 10 times in a greenhouse

January-February 2020

Indoor Vertical Aeroponics growing technique

based vertical project to 30 times in case of Indoor vertical Aeroponics Grow System.

There is wide spread knowledge about fundamental growing techniques like NFT, Raft DWC and A-Frames.

Looking at the growing pressure on Energy Cost, Operations Cost and Productivity, there is demand to introduce more advance systems.

Vertical Aeroponics Grow Systems is the Solution to all the above concerns.

Followings are the advantages: Ă™ /RZ (QHUJ\ &RQVXPSWLRQ Ă™ 7KH $*7 $HURSRQLFV *URZ 7RZHUV

offers high production per sq m of greenhouse/warehouse area. Ă™ 7KH SODQW SRSXODWLRQ FDQ EH increased to ten times+ as compared to prevalent horizontal hydroponics. Ă™ 7KH FRVW SHU SODQW RI FOLPDWH FRQWURO of greenhouse reduces due to high plant population. Ă™ 'XH WR YHUWLFDOO\ VSDFHG JURZ WRZHUV there is very good ventilation around the crop. Unlike in horizontal layered vertical grow system. Ă™ 7KH $*7 RIIHUV D FRROLQJ WRZHU effect, due to showers falling repeatedly from as high as 10 feet.

This reduces the temperature of the Nutrigation water.

Ă™ %DVHG RQ RXU H[SHULHQFH DQG UHVXOWV obtained by various international agencies, we can say Aeroponics is most cost efficient in terms of quality, quantity and ease of growing. Ă™ 1$6$ KDV VKRUWOLVWHG WKLV PHWKRG RI growing for their Mission on Mars. Ă™ 7KH SURGXFW JURZQ XQGHU WKLV V\VWHP command premium in the market.

Compared to hydroponics, Aeroponics offers even more control over the root system, because you don’t even need to immerse the roots in any liquid. Aeroponics uses a small internal micro jet spray that sprays the roots containing nutrient rich solutions or a shower from top based on the temperature. Because the roots are exposed to more oxygen, the plant tends to grow faster. It is also easier to administer all sorts of nutrients to the plant, via the root system.

Aeration is critical to plant root health, without it plants respire anaerobically and generate ethylene, leading to cell death and root rot.

This systems allows us to grow various vegetables even on Warehouses, Greenhouses, Roof Tops Terraces, and uncultivable lands.

The project capital costs are high as compared to the existing horizontal growing systems, but the ROI is very satisfactory.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 35

Climate Control

2

SAMIR ALNAZER ANALYZES 2019

36 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

019 was full of projects also for Pericoli Middle East - the Jordanian subsidiary of Termotecnica Pericoli - which ended the year reaching truly exceptional numbers.

Samir Alnazer has been the area manager responsible for the entire Arabic-speaking area for 12 years, and since 2016 he is also at the helm of the meeting point in Amman. The Middle East has always appreciated the quality of Made in Italy products, and Termotecnica Pericoli has been able to take advantage of this opportunity by acquiring important market shares in the area.

In 2019 important projects were assigned and Egypt was the top player of the year with its thriving poultry industry, but also with a new partnership in the cattle sector thanks to which we managed to install more than 3000 air circulators type EOR. Regarding the horti sector, Qatar has confirmed its importance: climate control in protected environments such as greenhouses is expanding allowing us to attack the market with our top-of-the-range products for the circulation and extraction of air: EOS and ACF. What Samir Alnazer declares “Our priority is to make sure that our products meet customer expectations. I want to personally thank all those who have chosen us as their partner in 2019. I can assure that we will continue along this line also for 2020, we want to guarantee the best for our customers.

Anyone who would like to meet us will be able to do it next 9-11 March 2020 at the VIV MEA fair in Abu Dhabi, at Hall 8 Stand G015! ".

January-February 2020

Plant Nutrients

THE BEST SOURCE OF PLANT NUTRIENTS AT A CRITICAL GROWTH STAGE

K

+S soluFamily offers a wide range and various quantities of high-purity and fully water-soluble fertilisers of plant nutrients required to meet the nutrient demand of crops at different growth stages. Applying nutrients using the right source and the right rate at the right time is essential for farmers to achieve high yield and thus better farm profits with improved nutrient use efficiency.

The soluFamily of K+S offers growers the best source of plant nutrients based on crop requirement at a critical growth stage while addressing nutrient deficiencies. With the advancements of crop production technologies, our range of fully water-soluble fertiliser products provide a low salt index (meaning free of chloride, sodium, and other toxic elements) and enable the growers to supply nutrients through soil application, foliar fertilisation, fertigation and hydroponics cultivation.

K+S offers globally proven innovative plant nutrition solutions by integrating state-of the-art mining and manufacturing technologies. We hope that the growers in the region benefit from the application of soluFamily products and achieve higher crop yields and farm profits while contributing to a sustainable soil and plant health.

38 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

January-February 2020

Plant Nutrients

Diversity and High Quality – Our Products at a Glance Foliar and liquid fertilisers

N, as NO3-N

N, as NH4-N

Total N =19 %

*

P, as P2O5

K, as K2O

S, as SO3 Ca, as CaO

Total P = 19 %

Total K = 19 %

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11.8

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61

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-

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*CertiďŹ ed for organic farming according to EC Regulations 834/2007 and 889/2008.

January-February 2020

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 39

Agriculture Machinery

CASE IH AND NEW HOLLAND AGRICULTURE EACH RECEIVE THREE ASABE 2020 INNOVATION AWARDS

T

he American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) have included three innovative technologies from Case IH and from New Holland respectively, in their annual AE50 Awards. The awards honor the year’s most innovative designs in engineering products and systems for the food and agricultural industries.

Case IH and New Holland Agriculture, the global agricultural machinery brands of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI), have each won three prestigious ASABE AE50 awards for 2020. Companies around the world submit entries to the annual competition, and the 50 best products, which are judged as having the most impact in advanced engineering for the food and agricultural industries by a panel of international engineering experts, are admitted to the list.

Case IH has won recognition for three innovations which help producers save time, reduce costs and improve overall operating safety. The AFS Connect® Magnum series tractor provides producers with the freedom to manage, monitor, adjust and transfer machine and agronomic data the way they want. A completely redesigned operating system enables remote display viewing, service diagnostics and software updates, and is further testament to CNH Industrial’s development of the theme of digitalization and precision farming. The 2160 Early Riser® split-row large fold front planter was recognized for its wing wheel system, which provides optimal weight distribution between the

40 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

tractor and planter – for improved operational productivity. This is the fifth award in the last five years for 2000 series Early Riser planters. The third award for Case IH was won by the Precision Air™ 5 series air cart with curve compensation, which helps ensure proper product distribution across the drill in tight turns and corners, to help enhance yields.

New Holland also has three innovations named to the top 50, which highlight the brand’s commitment to an innovative and forwardlooking approach to agricultural mechanization.

The SideWinder™ Ultra armrest places all key tractor in-cab controls ergonomically and logically in a single location. It also features a fully customizable operator interface, which enables drivers to configure specific operating functions to suit their individual preferences.

Ground Speed Management II, available on New Holland’s T5 and T6 ranges of midrange tractors was also recognized. This system automatically maintains the requested forward speed at the optimal operating point in terms of engine speed and gear selection, thereby reducing fuel consumption and enhancing efficiency. The P-Series Air Cart’s automatic levelling and agitation system for air carts equipped with an auxiliary tank was also included. The system ensures that fine seed, inoculant or other small-particle sized products adequately cover all of the meter rollers in nearempty tank conditions for maximum productivity.

January-February 2020

Agriculture Machinery

VTX-S 30 T Parallel disc harrow with independent discs for mixing the soil

OPEN FIELD

GREENHOUSE Specialists from over 40 years in innovative equipment for minimum tillage and conservation agriculture, from over 10 years also specialists in seeding

OVER since 1976

ESQ CH Medium-heavy m-heavy grubber

26011 Casalbuttano (Cremona) - ITALY Via Giovanni Paolo II, 12 Tel. +39 0374 362680 - Fax +39 0374 362280

www.ma-ag.com www.ma ag.com - info@ma-ag.com info@ma ag.com

SEAC COMBI Combined equipment for the double layer working: deep tillage and surface crumbling

January-February 2020

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 41

Agriculture Machinery

T

echnology company Continental supplies heavy-duty V-belts ideally suited to the challenges of Indian agriculture to agricultural machinery manufacturer Mahindra to drive its tractors, combine harvesters and their components. Continental sells around 500,000 belts of various types annually to its major Indian customer.

Heavy-duty V-belts specifically designed for high temperatures and harsh conditions In its tractors, Mahindra uses the raw edge V-belt Conti-V FO mainly for driving the water pumps, alternator and air compressors, while in combine harvesters Conti-V belts are primarily responsible for the main drive, various auxiliary drives and also for the straw management system.

The belts’ specifications mean these are absolutely ideal for the Indian market.

“Both have been designed for demanding drives and are proving very suitable in Mahindra’s machines in light of the challenging requirements posed by Indian agriculture,” says Thorsten Schwefe, who is responsible at Continental for technical sales of power transmission belts for the agricultural industry. “One of the measures of good performance is sustained, high power transmission.” The belts also feature excellent temperature resistance – and are therefore designed to cope with operation in tropical zones. Both heavy-duty V-belts are dust-resistant and conditionally oil-resistant.

In tractors the raw edge V-belt Conti-V FO is mainly used for driving the water

42 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

STRONG PARTNERSHIP IN INDIA: CONTINENTAL BELTS DRIVING AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY FROM MAHINDRA pumps, alternator and air compressors.

For technical components such as heavy-duty V-belts, the region-specific weather conditions prevailing in India, which rigorously test both the material and the design, are especially challenging.

Particularly as the belts are an

important part of the machine’s engineering design and have a significant impact on the vehicles’ overall performance.

“The climatic conditions in India make substantial demands on agricultural machines and thus also on the components such as our V-belts. Muddy fields, oppressive heat and a harsh

January-February 2020

Agriculture Machinery

environment mean in particular that maintenance of the belts is not always easy,� declares Schwefe.

Local production enables proximity to the customer and the market Continental ships around 500,000 belts annually to

January-February 2020

Mahindra. They are mainly used in tractors and combine harvesters on the Indian market, but also in many other Asian countries, such as China, Indonesia or Thailand. Local manufacturing in Sonepat means not only that Continental can deliver the belts very promptly, but also that in-house

experts can provide advice and assistance on the ground: “For our customers, high quality, on-time-to-requirement delivery and a good price/performance ratio are crucial factors. Our ability to manufacture and provide advice locally is the icing on the cake,� emphasizes Schwefe.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 43

Farming Solutions

BASF AND ARABLE LABS PARTNER TO PROVIDE WEATHER AND PLANT INSIGHTS TO FARMERS

A

rable Labs and xarvio™ Digital Farming Solutions by BASF have agreed to fully integrate Arable’s in-field measurements into xarvio’s crop models and recommendations. The resulting integration of Arable’s unique dataset with xarvio FIELD MANAGER allows for optimized crop production decisions. BASF’s digital platform is built on decades of experience in crop production and protection, with Arable’s hyper-local crop and weather data it enables more precise in-field decisions.

Arable developed an innovative method that accurately measures precipitation using sound.

Arable’s Mark device delivers unique value by employing an acoustic disdrometer, eliminating the complex maintenance requirements of the traditional tipping bucket.

The multi-spectral sensing capabilities of the Mark bring real-time insight into how plants are responding to observed field conditions.

Housed in a durable casing reinforced with

44 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

nanotechnology protection, Arable supports the latest generation of wireless internet connection, LTE-M. Fit-for-thefarm tech combines weather measurements, plant health parameters and over 40 additional in-field measurements to create a firstof-its-kind solution integrated into xarvio FIELD MANAGER. “We are excited to announce this partnership that helps farmers by powering xarvio FIELD MANAGER’s recommendations with Arable’s unique data and analytics,” said Arable CEO Jim Ethington. “Ultimately, our customers need integrated technologies that work seamlessly together, and that’s what the xarvio and Arable partnership provides.”

The collaboration builds on a successful 2018-2019 pilot across hundreds of locations that the companies conducted in Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany and Great Britain. In

addition, Arable’s machinelearning models are continually improving through an intensive global network of 25 researchgrade calibration and validation sites over twelve climatic zones, ensuring accurate and reliable data delivery.

“Our customers expect more accurate and precise recommendations. We have extensively tested Arable’s Mark over the last two years and are convinced that with this integrated solution we will support our customers to be more profitable and sustainable,” said BASF Digital Farming’s Head of Technology, Jeff Spencer.

The Arable Mark is now available online and will be integrated into xarvio FIELD MANAGER for the 2020 growing season. Geographic rollout is based on LTE-M availability with the initial countries being France, Germany, Great Britain, Poland and Ukraine.

January-February 2020

UAE Update

MADAR FARMS TO OPEN COMMERCIALSCALE INDOOR TOMATO FARM T

he world’s first commercial-scale tomato indoor farm using only LED lights to grow fresh tomatoes will begin operation in Abu Dhabi later this year, as part of Madar Farms’ investment in a new multi-million-dirham farming facility.

Announced during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, UAE-based Madar Farms has partnered with Certhon, Inno-3B, and Signify to operate the 5,000 square metre facility currently under construction at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD).

The facility, which will also grow microgreens, is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year and will triple the amount of microgreens grown by Madar Farms currently. All grown produce will be distributed locally across the UAE and available for purchase.

Having led an agriculture revolution in the UAE by using advanced methods to grow a variety of fresh produce with cutting-edge farming

46 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

techniques, the farm will increase Madar Farms’ operations in developing local food for local consumption. It will also contribute towards the UAE’s goals of tackling food and water security challenges common to the region.

The tomato farm, designed by the Dutch firm Certhon will be installed with more than 5,000 ultra efficient Philips GreenPower LED fixtures from Signify, also from the Netherlands. The growing technology is based on Certhon’s proprietary cooling and automation systems.

As part of its commitment to sustainable farming methods, the tomatoes will be grown using the

January-February 2020

UAE Update

As the population in the UAE continues to grow and there’s more focus on sustainability, the new farm will help to meet this increasing demand and give UAE consumers more options to enjoy the best quality fresh locally-grown produce.

most water-efficient system in the world. Madar Farms will use 30% less water per kilogramme of tomatoes compared to even the highest tech greenhouses.

Abdulaziz AlMulla, CEO and co-founder of Madar Farms, said: “Our new state-of-the-art farming facility is a milestone moment for Madar Farms.

“As the population in the UAE continues to grow and there’s more focus on sustainability, the new farm will help to meet this increasing demand and give UAE consumers more options to enjoy the best quality fresh locally-grown produce.

“Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) is the ideal location for the new

January-February 2020

farm. Situated half-way between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we will be able to transport our daily harvests to each Emirate in just hours rather than days.”

As part of the new facility, Madar Farms will triple the quantity of microgreens it currently produces, as well as growing a wider variety of products. Using Inno-3B technology already in use in Canada, Madar Farms uses an automated, vertical farming system to grow its microgreens indoors in ideal conditions year-round which are consistent.

Inno-3B CEO, Martin Brault said: “We are very excited to bring our technology to Abu Dhabi. We believe that this will be the first of many

projects to come in the Middle East. We thank Madar Farms for the opportunity and we are looking forward to developing a long term relationship with them.”

Udo van Slooten, Business Leader Horticulture at Signify, said: “We are very excited about our collaboration with Madar Farms. It’s great to work with partners just as committed to sustainable horticulture as we are, and we’re looking forward to helping them increase growth predictability, crop quality and yields, while growing sustainably all year-round.”

Certhon CEO, Hein van der Sande said: “By providing our indoor farm solutions to Madar Farms, Certhon is very proud to enable sustainable yearround local food-security and foodsafety across the UAE. Based on our customized horticultural solutions, Madar Farms can grow high quality fruits and vegetables using minimal water resources for local off-take markets.”

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 47

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