MARCH-APRIL 2019 EDITION OF GULF AGRICULTURE

MARCH

ISSN 1751-8407

APRIL

2019 TM

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE MIDDLE EAST AGRIBUSINESS

VISIT

US

AT

THE FLOWERTRIALS, A MUST-SEE

18

PLANT-RESPONSIVE IRRIGATION SYSTEM

30

R&D FOR EFFECTIVE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

38

FORAGE AND GRAIN EXPORTING COMPANY

42

MAZOON DAIRY MARKS MILESTONE IN OMAN

46

Introducing

THE WORLD’S FIRST AND ONLY PLANT-RESPONSIVE IRRIGATION SYSTEM. GrowStream™ is a smart microporous tubing that uses organic chemistry to interact with chemical signals released by plant roots to regulate water flow.

MOST EFFICIENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN THE WORLD: USES 30-90% LESS WATER NO ELECTRONICS REQUIRED, JUST LOW PRESSURE WATER SUPPLY (1-4 PSI) WORKS WELL WITH POOR-QUALITY WATER: WELLS, PONDS, RIVERS, EVEN BRACKISH WATER USED FOR FARMING, COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE, LAWN & LANDSCAPE, GREENHOUSE, VINEYARDS, AND TREES HIGH GRADE CROP PRODUCTION IN ALL SOIL TYPES, EVEN IN NON-ARABLE LAND AND SAND Visit www.RESPONSIVEDRIP.com and learn more about our technology, other market applications, and our global efforts to create a more sustainable future. info@responsivedrip.com +1 (941) 792-9788 8050 15th Street East Sarasota, FL 34243 USA

©2019 Responsive Drip Irrigation, LLC All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

34 20

24

Cover photo: AGCO

NEWS UPDATE AGRAME COLLABORATES WITH THE UN TO ADOPT 'SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS' TO INCREASE FOOD SECURITY IN THE REGION SIXTH GLOBAL FORUM FOR INNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURE TO FOCUS ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY PLAY LEADING ROLES AT IPM ESSEN WANGARA HORTICULTURE: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS AND INNOVATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST LINDSAY ANNOUNCES THE MOST UNIVERSAL REMOTE IRRIGATION MONITORING SOLUTION REINKE INTRODUCES THE ANNEX PIVOT CONTROLLER MASSEY FERGUSON HAY AND FORAGE RANGE EXTENDED AND STRENGTHENED OMNIA INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA (OIA) IS EXPANDING STENDER OFFERS PEAT AND SUBSTRATES 365 DAYS OF VEGETABLE GROWTH: CROP IN CLOSED SYSTEMS WITH PERLIGRAN® SAUDI FEED PREMIXES CO. (SAUDI MIX) ALIPHOS INTRODUCES DICAL+TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICAN MARKETS BLUE ISLAND: SPECIALIZED IN MARICULTURE AND FISH FARMING

PAGE 04

35

PAGE 20 PAGE 24 PAGE 26 PAGE 28 PAGE 34 PAGE 35 PAGE 36 PAGE 39 PAGE 40 PAGE 41 PAGE 44 PAGE 45 PAGE 48

39

48

Editor Megha Mary Matt | Associate Editor Jessie Jorge Graphic Designer Elizabeth John | Production Manager Abdul Shareef Contributors Neville J. Chandler, Douglas Bott, Shakeeb Kolakadan, Dr. Hansel Geo Thomas Registered Office: Matt Media International Ltd. 12 Gateway Mews, London N11 2UT, UK E-mail: gulfag@emirates.net.ae Web site: www.gulfagriculture.com

US Office: Matt Media (USA), LLC, 1713 E. Morgan Court, Gilbert Arizona 85295 Middle East Office: Al Saad Advertising & Publishing L.L.C., P O Box 25694, Sharjah, UAE Gulf Agriculture is a publication from Matt Media International and 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 whole salers of food and agri inputs.

All rights reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this 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 reader’s particular circumstance. The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for any error or omissions contained in this publication.

Printed and published by Matt Media© Intl. Ltd.(U.K.) 2019

2

GULF AGRICULTURE

MARCH APRIL 2019

NEWS UPDATE

New Cobb Europe Quality Control Centre Leads the Way in British Laboratory Standards Cobb Europe announced that its newly opened laboratory facility in Norfolk, England, has been accredited with the latest ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard, making it one of the first laboratories in the United Kingdom to receive this recognition. This standard specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of laboratories across the globe, signifying that a facility produces valid and reliable results that can be trusted across countries.

The new edition of the

4

GULF AGRICULTURE

standard was released in November 2017 to encompass the activities of modern laboratories and new ways of working at them, including technical, terminology and scope changes. Cobb Europe set a goal to achieve this standard

by November 2020, but the team, led by Cobb Europe quality control centre manager Gemma Walker, achieved it one and a half years early.

The Norfolk County facility conducts all routine health screenings of company stock in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, where permitted by national requirements. The lab is currently an accredited testing centre for mycoplasma, salmonella, infectious laryngotracheitis and avian

influenza. The team is also responsible for all internal serological screenings, hygiene monitoring and antimicrobial resistance control programmes, and has cell culture technology.

Interpoma China: New location Shanghai for the third edition After the first two editions held in the Weihai Exhibition Centre, Fiera Bolzano brings the apple world back to China, with a change of location and dates: Interpoma China 2019 will be held in April at the Shanghai New International Expo Center.

The Chinese market is getting more and more attractive for the apple sector: China is the first producer in the world, with 44 million tons,

MARCH APRIL 2019

NEWS UPDATE

and has an ever-increasing need to innovate the methods of cultivation and move towards a more sustainable development of the supply chain.

For this reason, Fiera Bolzano is once again organizing Interpoma China this year, an event full of opportunities for all those working in the sector and who want to approach the Chinese apple market in a professional way. The 2019 edition will be held from 15 to 17 April 2019 in Shanghai, the beating heart of the Chinese economy, as part of Fresh Logistics Asia organized by Messe München Shanghai.

These days the exhibitors' campaign is in full swing, with confirmations from Italian,

Technology and quality for over 50 years

European and Chinese companies emerging: "We believe that Interpoma China represents a flagship in the sector. We have chosen to collaborate with Messe München Shanghai to be able to reach an even more professional and international audience," says Thomas Mur, CEO of Fiera Bolzano Exhibition Center.

STK & Sipcam announce an exclusive Distribution Agreement for Timorex® Gold botanical-based biofungicide in Spain STK bio - ag technologies, the innovative Israel-based leader in bio-ag technologies for sustainable agriculture, and Sipcam, a global leader in crop

protection products, are announcing an exclusive agreement for the distribution and market development of Timorex® Gold bio fungicide throughout Spain.

Under this exclusive agreement, Sipcam Iberia will market and sell the product throughout Spain under STK's trade name, Timorex® Gold.

Timorex® Gold is currently approved for use in Spain on cucumber and zucchini, with label extensions applied for grapes, tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins and gherkins.

Timorex® Gold is a highlyeffective, eco-friendly, Maximum Residue Level exempted premium biofungicide, meeting the highest standards for

- Zootechnics-ecology

- Irrigation

- Spraying

- Connection

METALTECNICA srl MADE IN ITALY

6

GULF AGRICULTURE

www.metaltecnicazanolo.com

MARCH APRIL 2019

DURAN® borosilicate glass from SCHOTT

Let‘s bring light to algae.

By developing special glass tubing and couplings, we give algae producers the possibility to have an ideal technical and economic solution for the construction of photobioreactors for algae cultivation. Glass is the ideal material for algae cultivation: Smooth interior surfaces are easy to clean, help to protect against bio-contamination and ensure food grade algae quality. With a lifetime of over 50 years and a consistently high light transmission, glass offers a cost effective and productive solution.

What‘s your next milestone? www.schott.com/pbr

PBR system/microalgae plant: ecoduna, Austria

GFIA – Global forums for innovation in agriculture Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre April 1st & 2nd

SCHOTT AG, Tubing, fritz.wintersteller@schott.com, Phone +49 9633 80-304

NEWS UPDATE

sustainable agriculture.

TimorexÂŽ Gold's unique mode of action protects plants by rupturing fungus cells, increasing overall plant health and yields for a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. TimorexÂŽ Gold works to protect plants from Botrytis, Powdery Mildew, Black Sigatoka and

many other fungal and bacterial diseases.

Macfrut and Sival, Italian-French partnership in the fruit and vegetable sector The internationalisation process of Macfrut, the international trade fair for the fruit and

vegetable sector, to be held from 8 to 10 May in Rimini (Italy), continues: this time, the protagonist is France. In fact, the signing of a partnership between Macfrut and Sival, the trade fair for plant production and services based in Angers (France), was announced at a press conference held during the 2019 edition of the French trade fair.

The agreement covers three main projects. International Asparagus Days, the specialised event on asparagus that was held in October 2018 at the Cesena Fiera exhibition centre, which attracted great interest from visitors and exhibitors, will be held annually, alternately in Italy and France. Therefore, the next edition will be held on 29-30 October 2019 in Angers and, in 2020, it will return to Italy. The second project concerns Macfrut 2019, where there will be a French pavilion, organised

by Sival. In 2020, this initiative will be repeated (third project) the other way around: Macfrut will be present at the Sival trade fair in France with an Italian pavilion.

The London meets the Olive oil The unique olive oil competitions in the heart of Europe. London is a great brand name all around the world. Olive oil producers will win in London IOOC and then their olive oils will be famous all around the world too.

Olive oil marketing strategists agree that brand awareness in any industry gives that company an edge.

Brand awareness accomplishes several objectives for companies seeking to increase sales in the marketplace. The 8

GULF AGRICULTURE

MARCH APRIL 2019

Innovation

A COMPLETE PORTFOLIO OF BIOSTIMULANTS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

you can touch by hand

NEWS UPDATE

company should seek to build customer awareness, promote its products participating in competitions and add value.

Your customers want your olive oil award on the label of your product.

London International Olive Oil Competitions- LIOOC, 11th-13th April 2019, olive oil

producers from all countries can take part by filling out an online request to participate.

Levity CropScience's research shows its products have flower power Levity Conscience has published its latest research on how nitrogen affects the growth

POLYCARBONATE GREENHOUSE GLAZING

E IN THE U AD

K

SI

s at Visit u GFIA l pri 1-2 A 1 C Stand

10

GULF AGRICULTURE

5

8

M

FOR HAPPY TOMATOES!

NCE 19

• Premium quality polycarbonate sheet • Corrugated & multiwall options • Exported to over 70 countries • 10 year warranty

www.brettmartin.com

of plants. The research, published in the Journal of Horticulture and Post Harvest Research, utilised Levity's 'LimiN' technology, present in its Lono product line.

Carried out by Levity's R&D team, the research illustrates how the correct delivery of nitrogen to ornamental plants can significantly improve flowering, growth habit, and the ability to withstand stress.

Ornamental plants are grown for decorative purposes, forming a major branch of horticulture. These plants are utilised in gardens, homes and landscape gardening projects. In the UK, ornamental horticulture is worth close to £2billion annually and creates 15,000 full-time jobs.

Led by Levity's Dr Sally Wilkinson, the research focused on marigold, pansy, petunia and geranium plants, demonstrating how the agronomy specialists' industry-leading Lono product delivers better rooting, faster growth, higher chlorophyll and 25-130% more flowers.

David Marks, Co-Managing Director, Levity CropScience, said: “This research showcases how Levity technology and products can produce better and more resilient ornamental plants, compared to other nitrogen fertilisers.

HortiContact launches new exhibition layout for 2020 The greenhouse horticulture trade fair HortiContact introduces a completely new layout for the 2020 edition. The new playful layout counts several themed areas (HortiPackaging, Soft Fruit Experience, Fossil Free, Cannabis, Innovation Zone), offers more room for innovations and knowledge MARCH APRIL 2019

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

Parking and transportation of planting bags, other types of containers, mulch mats and rings

Mulch mats for weed protection

Small mulch mats

Elastic mulch mat

Packing and transportation

Arrangement and transportation

Arrangement and transportation

Packing and transportation

Metal trunk shaping rings

ARBO®-STRONG

ARBO®-SAUNA

100% jute container in 270-360 g/m2 density

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 UPDATE

Omnia International Australia

0800 774 629

www.omnia.net.nz

*the science of growing

N U T R I O L O G Y *

The most concentrated humates in the world Omnia’s range includes:

TM

• K-humate: K-humate 26% (Liquid) K-humate S100 (Dry) - 100% soluble • FertiCoat: Biostimulant coatings that increase NPK and Urea effciency • K-Fulvate: Organic chelating agent • Seaweed - PuraKelp/K-Kelp: Pure bull kelp seaweed concentrates • Trace Element Range: Organically chelated/complexed • Foliars: For crop management • OmniBio: Microbes

A new cash flow to local farmers

Omnia is currently seeking distributors & agents in all parts of the world

www.omnia.net.nz +61 3 5133 9118 0800 774 629 info@omnia.net.au www.omnia.com.au

sharing and should provide more interaction. A major change is also the top floor that will be converted into one large additional exhibition floor this summer.

"We are noticing a shift in the reason for visitors to come to a trade fair.

Visitors no longer only come for a contact moment, but they also come for new knowledge, want to see innovations and attend lectures. And more importantly, they especially want to experience. The current floor plan did not allow this enough", explains Mariëlle Schonewille, Head of Horticulture on behalf of exhibition organizer Easyfairs.

Local farmers' ability to sell biomass to Iggesund Paperboard's paperboard mill at Workington will return over 1.5 million pounds annually to the local agricultural industry.

The initiative has created a totally new source of income for close to 200 farms in Cumbria and Scotland. It was recently given Rushlight Bioenergy Award. The Rushlight Awards is a set of awards designed specifically to support and promote all the latest clean technologies, innovations, initiatives and deployment projects for businesses and other organisations throughout UK, Ireland and internationally.

In 2013 Iggesund invested in a biomass-fired

combined heat and power plant for the primary purpose of being able to run its paperboard mill on renewable energy.

Overnight the mill switched its energy supply from fossil natural gas to biomass, and thereby reduced its fossil carbon dioxide emissions by 190,000 tonnes a year, the equivalent to the annual emissions of about 65,000 cars. In conjunction with this move, the idea was born to offer local farmers the opportunity to grow and sell energy crops to Iggesund.

“It's been an exciting journey. We began in a situation where many farmers were sceptical, as farmers often are. But gradually, as they saw our commitment and our calculations for how they could earn more from their less-fertile land, more and more of them have joined our project, which we call Grow Your Income,” explains Neil Watkins, Alternative Fuels Manager at Iggesund in Workington.

Croatia is the partner country of the Green Week 2020 Croatia will take over the presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2020. Germany is an important trading partner for agricultural products and foods.

Croatia is the partner country of the International Green Week Berlin (IGW) 2020. A corresponding agreement was signed by Tomislav Tolusic, Deputy Prime Minister and

N U T R I O L O G Y *

*the science of growing

MARCH APRIL 2019

www.greatflavors.eu

Feta P.D.O. Graviera Naxou P.D.O. Pistachio of Molos Fthiotidas P.D.O. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Zante P.G.I. and Thasos P.G.I.) Black Olive Throumpa Thasos P.D.O. Black Currant Zante P.D.O.

T RO

N

•P

ORIGI

•

OF •

OTECTED PR

RAPHIC

A

N

G EO

NDICATIO LI

N

SIGNATIO DE

ECTED G

Unique experience, G R E AT F L AV O R S !

•

NEWS UPDATE

Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia, and Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin GmbH. The EU's newest member has been a regular exhibitor at the world's largest consumer exhibition for agriculture, the food industry and horticulture since 1993.

Croatia's participation is important with regard to agricultural policymaking, as it is due to take over the presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2020. The Green Week 2020 will take place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds (Berlin ExpoCenter City) from 17 to 26 January 2020.

In addition, Germany and Croatia enjoy a long-standing and successful partnership in all spheres of life, as well as very strong economic ties. We do however believe that we can further improve the recognition and representation of Croatian agricultural products on the German and European markets.

Thus, the partnership with the International Green Week 2020 will fulfil a whole range of goals for Croatia and its Ministry of Agriculture.

Germany is one of Croatia's most important trading partners.

According to figures released by the Croatian Statistics Office (DZS), in 2017 Croatia exported goods worth 1.725 billion euros to Germany. At the same time, imports from

Germany amounted to 3.362 billion euros. Exports of agricultural products and foods to Germany were worth 161 million euros, while imports from Germany amounted to 429 million euros.

Global seed companies are addressing climate change and nutrition needs but reach only 10% of the world's small farmers Global seed companies are adapting their products to combat the impact of climate change and address nutrition needs. But limited access to quality seed in many emerging economies persists, with the global seed industry reaching just 10% of the world's smallholder farmers, according to a new study.

The Access to Seeds Index 2019 -- Global Seed Companies, published by the Amsterdam-based Access to Seeds Foundation, evaluates the activities of the 13 leading global seed companies to shine a light on where the industry can do more to raise smallholder farmer productivity, improve nutrition and mitigate the effects of climate change through the development and dissemination of quality seed.

The research shows that sales by the 13 global seed companies only reached around 47 million of the world's 500 million smallholder farmers in 2017, and most investment

went to a small number of countries, mostly in South and Southeast Asia. In these regions, global companies invest heavily in local seed business activities: 12 of them in breeding and 12 in production. In contrast, such activities are rare in Western and Central Africa, with only two companies investing in local breeding and one in production.

"Although the industry is making advances in developing more nutritious and climateresilient varieties, it's clear that more needs to be done," said Ido Verhagen, executive director of the Access to Seeds Index. "Material changes won't be possible without reaching a greater percentage of smallholder farmers, who account for the lion's share -80% -- of global food production."

South Korea ready to partner with Africa on technology In partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB.org), Korea is ready to step up technology transfers to Africa, officials said in Seoul recently.

Speaking at a meeting on potential technology partnerships between Korea and Africa, representatives of Busan Metropolitan City, Busan Techno Park, and Korea's Green Technology Center said there was huge potential for

Official declaration We would like to announce that the advertisement of “Great Flavors”, campaign financed with aid from the European Union and Greece that was published in Gulf Agriculture Magazine issue January/February 2019, incorrectly mentioned the term Gruyere instead of Graviera Naxou P.D.O. www.greatflavors.eu

14

GULF AGRICULTURE

MARCH APRIL 2019

‫‪Z5 E31‬‬

‫حصائر حجبرات التغذية وأرضيات‬ ‫من المطاط لالستخدام في مجال‬ ‫الزراعة‬

‫”مريحة كما في الحقول المكشوفة“‬

‫حصائر لحجيرات التغذية‬

‫منطقة مرور‬

‫‪WWW.IDS-FRANCE.NET‬‬

‫‪+33 479 843 606‬‬

‫‪IDS@IDS-FRANCE.NET‬‬

‫‪GROUP‬‬

NEWS UPDATE

Protect food safety & increase workplace safety DISCOVER BRADY'S RELIABLE SAFETY IDENTIFICATION SOLUTIONS WITH MINIMAL CONTAMINATION RISK

Food & beverage industries account for almost 24% of all manufacturing injuries according to EU OSHA. While workplace safety and compliance is a high priority in the industry, food safety always comes first. Now they can go hand in hand, thanks to a wide range of industrial safety identification solutions with low contamination risk from Brady.

With Brady solutions you will: increase workplace safety: easily inform coworkers where it matters about which PPE to wear, procedures to follow, where to walk safely and much more protect food safety: use our identification solutions with low contamination risk like ToughWash washdown resistant signs and labels, adhesive pipe markers and low linting spill control increase compliance: comply with directives on workplace safety and protection of the environment Protect food safety and increase workplace safety With our industrial grade identification and safety solutions, food & beverage plants can prevent a great number of workplace accidents. Signs are available to warn coworkers about danger and inform them about the PPE they should wear.

With floor marking pedestrian and vehicle traffic can be organised in separate and safer traffic lanes, during maintenance moving objects and valves can be locked with Lockout/Tagout, and spills can be prevented from spreading over the workfloor with spill control solutions.

Discover all solutions to increase workplace safety while protecting food safety in our free food & beverage identification guide!

Brady Middle East FZE, LOB16 office 312, PO Box 18015, Jebel Ali Free Zone Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tel: +971 4 881 2524 www.bradymiddleeast.com

16

GULF AGRICULTURE

cooperation and immense opportunities for job-creating bankable projects.

The range of business options include agriculture, green growth, smart urban transportation management, and numerous business opportunities.

President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina says, "the Future is going to be an exponentially different future," and that the Bank intends to "explore the creation of a strategic partnership with Korea that could lead to the creation of a Korea-Africa research and training Drone Center, that could help pave the way for Africa's 4th Industrial Revolution."

Mineral fuels, fertilizers, plastic, plastering materials, cement & organic chemicals among most exported items to Brazil The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) revealed that Brazil imported goods worth USD 7.6 billion from the Arab World in 2018, recording a Year-on-Year growth of 18 per cent in imports from USD 6.4 billion in 2017. This amounts to 17.6 billion kg of goods in terms of volume.

Exports to Brazil from the UAE climbed to USD 561 million from last year's USD 186 million, recording a staggering 200 per cent YoY growth.

Saudi Arabian exports to Brazil accounted for USD 2.3 billion, up 23 per cent from 2017, while Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain exported goods worth USD 269 million, USD 212 million, USD 124 million and USD 116 million respectively to Brazil in 2018.

MARCH APRIL 2019

NEWS UPDATE

In terms of volume, these Arab countries exported goods worth 1.14 billion kg, 622 million kg, 391 million kg, and 280 million kg respectively.

The most exported items to Brazil from the Arab countries include mineral fuels, mineral oils, bituminous substances and mineral waxes; fertilizers; plastic; salt and Sulphur; earth and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement; organic chemicals; and fish, crustaceans and mollusks, other aquatic invertebrates, preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants; glass and glassware.

Rubens Hannun, President, ArabBrazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: “The figures for 2018 once again reflect the success of ABCC's efforts to bolster the existing trade ties between Brazil and the Arab countries. Thanks to the shared commitment by both

See us in Dubai:

AgraME

Booth Z5.J10 March 5–7, 2019

parties, products from Arab countries continue to find newer markets in Brazil and we expect these figures to rise further in 2019.”

Syngenta Flowers® full of energy and ready for 2019 Syngenta Flowers is looking back at a fruitful IPM 2019 in Essen, Germany, amid an impressive display of novelties, brands and initiatives.

Presenting itself as Syngenta Flowers, it emphasizes to be one company offering world class genetics and solutions to all players in the value chain.

Syngenta Flowers announced recently that as of February 1st it will combine the wholesale activities of Syngenta Flowers and Floranova across Europe. This change will offer its customers a good one-stop shop experience. Dominic Lacey, Floranova's

Managing Director is pleased about this decision: “Although Syngenta Flowers and Floranova continue to operate as two separate companies with own breeding, production and commercial activities, we see Sales as an area where it makes more sense to combine efforts and let our customers benefit from a one-stop shop possibility and the advantages this offers in terms of ease of doing business. Combining wholesale activity in Europe is possible because, unlike most other markets, the European customer base of the two companies is very similar. At the same time customers will continue to benefit from the breeding innovations from two strong companies with a broad product portfolio. We look forward to engaging with customers over the coming weeks to discuss these changes in more detail and the opportunities this presents.”

THE NEW KAHL EXTRUDER TYPE OEE 25 NG Fast knife and die change Knife distance to the die adjustable during operation Up to 450 kW drive power Sinking fish feed up to 10 t/h Floating fish feed up to 8 t/h

AMANDUS KAHL GmbH & Co. KG Dieselstrasse 5–9 · 21465 Reinbek Hamburg, Germany +49 (0) 40 72 77 10 info@akahl.de · akahl.de

MARCH APRIL 2019

GULF AGRICULTURE

17

FLOWERTRIALS

THE FLOWERTRIALS, A MUST-SEE FOR POT AND BEDDING PLANT PROFESSIONALS

G

rab your calendar and block week 24 now!

From 11th to 14th June, over 60 breeding companies in the Westland and Aalsmeer (The Netherlands) and Rheinland Westfalen (Germany) area will open their doors to show their latest assortment in pot and bedding plants to growers, exporters and buyers from across the world.

Where plants meet people FlowerTrials is the key event at which to choose next season's assortment. From Petunia over Phalaenopsis to Pelargonium and Primula, the latest breeding achievements in major crops as well as niche products are presented at 31 locations. The week 24 event truly does justice to its slogan “Where plants meet people.” Over the years,

18

GULF AGRICULTURE

FlowerTrials has become one of the main industry gatherings across the world.

Gill Corless, Chairwoman of the FlowerTrials Foundation: “FlowerTrials is the perfect place to make new contacts and maintain existing relationships.

This event is not only about the latest novelties in the pot and bedding landscape, but also about the people that create, produce, buy and sell these varieties.”

A world of innovations gathered in three regions Where the FlowerTrials originally started out with Dutch and German pot and bedding plant breeders opening their doors, now companies from Europe and beyond search for a presence in Westland and Alsmeer (The Netherlands) and

Rheinland Westfalen (Germany) during week 24.

One of the exhibitors comments : “The FlowerTrials is one of the most important moments in the season where we show our latest innovations to growers, wholesalers and retailers from across the world. The international scope of visitors is certainly one of the reasons why we choose to take part.”

Preparing your visit A detailed overview of each exhibitor's assortment, including photos and videos, can be found on www.flowertrials.com The website also offers further information on visiting addresses and opening times, as well as the possibility to preregister online.

MARCH APRIL 2019

Under the Patronage of H. H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority

Strategic Partner

6th Edition

DISCOVER THOUSANDS OF WAYS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY ON YOUR FARM AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXHIBITION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SOLUTIONS

THE EXHIBITION

THE CONFERENCE

INNOVATION THEATRE

PARTNER WORKSHOPS

INNOVATION AWARDS

CO-LOCATED WITH APIARAB EXPO

Register to attend for FREE at www.InnovationsInAgriculture.com STRATEGIC PARTNER

STRATEGIC SPONSOR

ENDORSED BY

KNOWLEDGE PARTNER

SILVER SPONSOR

CO-LOCATED WITH

AGRA ME PREVIEW

AGRAME COLLABORATES WITH THE UN TO ADOPT 'SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS' TO INCREASE FOOD SECURITY IN THE REGION

U

REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION TO SPEAK AT THE AGRAME CONFERENCE IN DUBAI

20

nder the Patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, AgraME, the regions longest running exhibition for Agriculture have collaborated with the UN to enable food security in the region through adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their upcoming Conference.

Taking place on 5 - 7 March at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the event will be hosting a high level, free-toattend conference which focuses on the SDG's and covers key advancements and trends within the MEA Industry in Agriculture Investment, Animal Health, Aquaculture and Controlled Environment Agriculture.

The UN SDG's have been created as a framework for the global community to work together toward the goal of achieving a more sustainable future for generations to come.

This framework has helped steer the strategy of regional governments and the implementation of some of the goals will be discussed and brought to life at the AgraME Conference.

Commenting on the adoption of the UN SDGs in to the 2019 conference stream is Samantha Bleasby, Exhibition Director for

GULF AGRICULTURE

AgraME “By working with the FAO, the AgraME exhibition and conference will bring together the global Agriculture community to help achieve the UN SDG's in the region. From finding the latest technology, learning best practice, sharing ideas and creating new government to government and business to business connections, AgraME aims to enable Food Security across the MEA region.�

By bringing together leaders in the Agriculture Industry, the three-day AgraME Conference will address seven goals, including Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land and Partnerships for the Goals.

Focussing on sustainability, the conference streams will include Investment opportunities in the Arab World, Urban Farming, Hydroponics, Onshore and Offshore Aquaculture, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, and Sustainability in Livestock, with key organisations such as Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), Innovation Norway, Agritecture, Al Rawabi, World Organization for Animal Health, and more.

A highlight session of the

CPD accredited conference comes from Dr. Markos Tibbo Dambi, Senior Livestock Development Officer at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). In his presentation, titled 'Sustainable Livestock Sector Development for Food Security and Nutrition in the GCC', Dr. Dambi will address specific challenges based on FAO's Flagship report. 'World Livestock: Transforming the Livestock MARCH APRIL 2019

AGRA ME PREVIEW

Sector through the SDGs' According to Dr. Dambi, “The livestock sector contributes to the achievement of each of the 17 SDGs either directly or indirectly. It is important to examine the sector's interaction in the GCC with each of the Goals, and the potential synergies, trade-offs, and complex interlinkages to better support the transformation needed in the livestock sector and enhance its MARCH APRIL 2019

contribution to the SDGs.” “The United Arab Emirates has been a forerunner in adopting new technologies and solutions to increase food security in the region, and the integration of the UN SDG's to the show and conference are aligned perfectly with the UAE Vision 2021 and the UAE Centennial 2071” added Bleasby.

With a targeted focus on the Crop Farming, Animal

Farming, Aquaculture and Animal Health sectors, AgraME 2019 will attract suppliers and buyers, both locally and internationally, looking to source the latest products and innovative solutions in order to create a sustainable food supply across the MEA region.

For more information on the four conference streams and detailed agenda please visit www.agramiddleeast.com GULF AGRICULTURE

21

GFIA PREVIEW

SIXTH GLOBAL FORUM FOR INNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURE TO FOCUS ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

T

he Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA), a leading exhibition on sustainable agricultural solutions returns to Abu Dhabi from the 1-2 April 2019 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of UAE;

24

GULF AGRICULTURE

Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority; the sixth edition of GFIA will focus on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive progress in agriculture towards increasing food production and ensuring food security in the Middle East and North Africa.

Thamer Rashed Al Qasemi, Chairman of GFIA Organizing

Committee, said, “GFIA is conceptualized on the belief that continuous innovation in agriculture is the only way to sustainably feed nine billion people by 2050. It is a driving force globally for innovation in the sector and an ideal platform to discuss and find solutions to the region's need to increase agricultural productivity and find products that will help MARCH APRIL 2019

GFIA PREVIEW

improve yields, combat pests, increase profits, save water and overcome environmental challenges such as climate change, soil salinity and water shortage.”

Al Qasemi noted that GFIA is dedicated to sustainable agriculture across all types of food production and this year's event will incorporate five clearly defined exhibition zones: Indoor Farming and Hydroponics, Livestock and Animal Production, Date Palm Production, Aqua Tech, and Sustainable Crops. GFIA is coMARCH APRIL 2019

located with the 2nd ApiArab Expo, 2nd Arab Beekeeping International Conference, and for the first time in the UAE, the 15th Asian Apicultural Association (AAA) Conference.

“Currently, water scarcity and the small proportion of arable land pose a significant challenge across the region; therefore, this year's conference will expand on indoor farming and hydroponics innovations in addition to the fast-paced advancements in AI in agriculture. We are honored that ApiArab Expo will be colocated with the 15th Asian Apicultural Association (AAA) Conference, for the first time in the UAE,” added Al Qasemi.

With food producers in the region under pressure to adopt more solutions and techniques in order to save natural resources, improve productivity, increase the efficiency of their supply chains and be ready to meet the challenges of climate change, GFIA provides a unique opportunity to showcase products to 7,000 accomplished and forward-thinking food producers, policymakers and investors in the MENA region.

The GFIA conference will witness a line-up of highcalibre and innovative speakers and offer thousands of visitors a powerful mix of keynote addresses, panel debates, innovation presentations and Q&A sessions. The Innovations Theatre will have fifty exciting innovators taking to the stage to showcase how their innovations will shape the future of farming and food production around the world. Furthermore, the GFIA Innovation Awards will recognize innovations that help to improve global food security and honour innovations across

seven different categories across the region.

ApiArab Expo and the 2nd edition Arab Beekeeping International Conference organized by the Arab Beekeeping Association will take place from 1-3 April, as part of a strategic effort by the Abu Dhabi government to increase honey production in the UAE, and to encourage beekeepers across the MENA region to expand on additional revenue streams and develop the sophistication of existing operations.

Professor Ahmad Al Khazam Al Ghamdi, Chairman of Arab Beekeeping Organization; Founding Committee and Vice Chairman of Middle East and Arab World Chapter of International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, said: “With 1,200,000 hives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, billions of bees imported to the region each year, and tens of 1000s of tons of honey produced by Gulf countries, the opportunities within the sector is vast. The 2nd edition of ApiArab will bring together 1,000 technology suppliers, large honey producers and hobbyists for three days of networking and knowledge sharing to give regional beekeepers the tools to expand on additional revenue streams and extend their operations sustainably.”

GFIA strategic sponsorship is provided by Abu Dhabi Farmer's Service Centre, silver sponsorship support by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry and knowledge partner King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

GFIA IS CO-LOCATED WITH THE 2ND APIARAB EXPO, 2ND ARAB BEEKEEPING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND 15TH ASIAN APICULTURAL ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

For further information about speaking opportunities and registration visit: www.innovationsinagriculture.com GULF AGRICULTURE

25

IPM ESSEN REVIEW

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY PLAY LEADING ROLES AT IPM ESSEN

I

PM ESSEN 2019 can look back on four successful fair days. From January 22 to 25, 2019, 1,546 exhibitors

26

GULF AGRICULTURE

from 46 countries showed their new products and innovations along the entire value added chain in horticulture. In total,

around 53.000 visitors came to Messe Essen. They obtained information about the newest trends and ordered goods for the coming season. The world's leading fair for horticulture focused on the society-defining subjects of sustainability and climate change. Because Belgium was the partner country, it was possible to entice more Belgian visitors into the Ruhr metropolis in comparison with the previous year.

"IPM ESSEN has once more proven that it is the absolute must in the calendar of the international green sector. We are making a consistently positive assessment. We are pleased that the world's leading fair for horticulture was again a top-class platform on which the points were set for the horticultural year lying ahead of us," summarised Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen.

The proportion of the visitors from abroad was around 40 percent. "A peak value which shows what international scope IPM ESSEN has," commented Kuhrt.

"Rooted in Craftsmanship Together" Belgium was IPM ESSEN's partner country in 2019 and offered the trade visitors a black-red-andyellow fair programme with multifaceted information events and receptions. The Belgian ambassador H. E. Baron Willem van de Voorde spoke during the opening ceremony. Nine percent of the trade visitors came from Belgium. A plus of six MARCH APRIL 2019

IPM ESSEN REVIEW

percentage points in comparison with the previous year.

Koen Vanswijgenhoven, Regional Manager for Germany of the Flanders' Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) in Brussels, looked back on the cooperation with satisfaction: "The partnership slogan of 'Rooted in Craftsmanship Together' is alive. The past IPM ESSEN has proven that in an impressive way. The Belgian exhibitors unanimously found words of praise for the high internationality and quality of the trade visitors.

Modern trade relies on networking and sounds out synergetic effects with global trading partners. The leading fair worldwide offers the ideal platform for this. In addition to maintaining existing (neighbourly) contacts, a lot of Belgians meet, in particular, their customers from more faroff destinations by the Ruhr.

My compatriots are hoping to expand the trading radius by acquiring new customers. With the best possible memories of the successful IPM partnership MARCH APRIL 2019

in 2019, the Belgian team is bidding farewell to the stage in Essen and is looking forward to seeing everybody again next year!"

A look into the fair halls revealed one particularly conspicuous feature: The exhibitors increasingly presented products which are sustainable and suitable for the climate change. These included plant and woody plant varieties tolerant to stresses and heat, environmentally friendly packaging solutions, organic fertilisers and substrates, fair trade poinsettias, air-cleaning house plants or insect-friendly growths. Eva KählerTheuerkauf, President of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Horticultural Association and Chairwoman of the Advisory Board for the Fair, summarised: "Gardening products promote biodiversity.

Trees provide agreeable shade in summer and improve the air quality. At IPM ESSEN, we were able to provide impressive proof of how efficient our sector is in this field. One thing is certain: We gardeners can do climate.“ GULF AGRICULTURE

27

PLANTER BAGS

WANGARA HORTICULTURE: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS AND INNOVATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST With 2018 coming to an end, Wangara Horticulture would like to personally thank all our business partners in the Middle East for another year of loyalty.

Wangara Horticulture first established itself as a leader in this industry with high quality products and personalised service.

Our proven and unique Easy-Fill™ round bottom planter bags arrived in the Middle East 25 years ago to help the local growers and nurseries achieve much better results for their trees and plants.

Drawing on its experience with the harsh Australian climate, Wangara Horticulture was able to improve all aspects of above ground growing and translate that to a product that has stood the test of time and still continues to be a leading quality product in the world.

Our local business partners have been instrumental in providing us with feedback that led to improvements and new innovative products. The Easy-Fill™ Hedge bag was the first of its kind in the world, when it was introduced.

OTHER PRODUCTS FOLLOWED, LIKE OUR:

Long lasting and specialised SEEDLING TRAYS

Nursery specific TREE COLLAR

Plant and flower specialised HANGING BAG

And our latest addition of a HANGING WALL GARDEN

Despite efforts to try and copy our products, our company's high standards, scientifically tested products and personalised service cannot be duplicated.

Thanks to the warm welcome we received from the Middle East and the personal friendships that have followed, Wangara Horticulture will continue to be present and engaged in an ever changing and flourishing region.

28

GULF AGRICULTURE

MARCH APRIL 2019

WANGARA HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES: AN INDUSTRY LEADER

EASY-FILL™

The Trusted Name In The Middle East FREE SHIPPING TO UAE & BOX OF 900 TREE TIES

*until April 19

EASY-FILL

™

Controlled environment agriculture

Recyclable Healthy roots without spiraling Direct control of soil and plant health Save water Climate-smart product

UV stabilized including handle stitching Heavy duty and long lasting Easy to move and relocate plants Increased return on investment Organic friendly agriculture WHS Australia

Postal Address

General Enquiries

Unit 2 65 Prestige Parade, Wangara WA 6065 Australia

PO Box 1656 Wangara 6947 WA 6947 Australia

Ph: +61 8 6305 0081 Fax: +61 8 6305 0571 Email: info@whsaustralia.com.au

whsaustralia.com.au

Follow us on

IRRIGATION

GROWSTREAMTM — THE WORLD'S FIRST AND ONLY PLANT-RESPONSIVE IRRIGATION SYSTEM

By Ms Jan Gould

30

A

disruptive new irrigation technology, based upon organic chemistry, is poised to rock the irrigation industry, forever changing the way the world irrigates. After more than a decade of research and development, Responsive Drip Irrigation commercially released GrowstreamTM, the

GULF AGRICULTURE

world's first “smart” irrigation tubing that communicates directly with plants to regulate irrigation delivery. This plantresponsive technology is the most innovative approach to hit the market, since drip irrigation was released over a halfcentury ago.

Using the understanding of plant physiology and organic

chemistry, Growstream's “smart” subsurface irrigation tube interacts and responds to chemical signals released by plants' roots. This patented, chemically-infused microporous tubing holds water and nutrients until root exudates are emitted that trigger the release of water.

Growstream's plantMARCH APRIL 2019

IRRIGATION

responsive system provides a slow-release delivery of water that matches the roots' absorption capacity. Since the plant is self-regulating its water delivery, there is less stress on the plant, resulting in higher yields in agriculture.

Lawn and landscape require far less water and achieve superior results. This plantresponsive method of irrigation demonstrates superior efficiency over all currently available subsurface drip systems, using 30-50% less water.

MARCH APRIL 2019

Growstream's water release continually fluctuates, responding “real-time� to plants' needs and changing weather conditions. The chemical responders of this system's patented tubing allow each plant to pull the water that it needs, so the system can support varying plant types on a single line. Along the same tube, different crops or plants with variable water needs (xeriscape to waterthirsty plants) are able to receive irrigation at variable release rates to meet their demands.

Growstream's tube has millions of microscopic openings along its surface to release water. The system has no emitters to clog or malfunction. The system does not require filtration. However, a 40-60 micron filter may be used if sludge is pulled from wells or ponds. The system is

easy to install and maintain.

The installation cost is the same or less than the current sub-surface irrigation. Any repairs to the system can be made in minutes.

This plant-responsive technology operates at extremely low pressure (<4 psi), so it will work in remote locations with a rain barrel or a raised reservoir.

With this minimal operating pressure, the system can deliver water to plants in row lengths of over 1200 feet.

There is no need for electronic components-just a water source. The system is simply a water pressure regulator, fittings and the tube. There are no solenoids, valves, controllers, timers or other electronic devices.

The water source can be a well, a river, brackish water, tap water, reclaimed water, etc.

The system is self-regulating

THIS PLANTRESPONSIVE TECHNOLOGY IS THE MOST INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO HIT THE MARKET, SINCE DRIP IRRIGATION WAS RELEASED OVER A HALFCENTURY AGO.

GULF AGRICULTURE

31

IRRIGATION

and provides more water to the plants (as they â&#x20AC;&#x153;callâ&#x20AC;? for it) when it is hot and dry. High temperatures do not affect the system's efficiency. Responsive Drip Irrigation, LLC offers irrigation system solutions to meet the needs for varying applications. They have developed enhancements and system solutions to facilitate grounds management of large properties and commercial farms, capturing data measurements to provide remote monitoring. This results in a perfect blend of organic chemistry and modern technology.

This irrigation system can supply water-soluble fertilizers and micronutrients directly in the rhizophere of

32

GULF AGRICULTURE

the plants, so plants can be grown in non-arable land and sandy soil. White cabbage was grown in sand and crushed shell, using Growstream to deliver water with low concentrations of diluted nutrients to the root zone of the plants. Traditional surface drip could not sustain quality cabbage growth in the sand, even with more water and fertilizers.

GrowstreamTM is a green technology that works organically to communicate with plants. It's capable of growing plants in the harshest of environments, while using minimal amounts of water. In the past, man's mistakes have had long-lasting consequences on the balance

of nature. Growstream is not just about sustainability, but regeneration. This technology will preserve and regenerate our planet for future generations. All of this indicates that Responsive Drip Irrigation, LLC may be poised to become the next 800 pound gorilla of the subsurface irrigation market around the world.

For more information about RDI: Visit their website at: www.responsivedrip.com or call them in the U.S. at: (+1) 941.792.9788.

Responsive Drip Irrigation, LLC, 6404 Manatee Ave. W. Suite N, Bradenton, FL 34209 Company email is: info@responsivedrip.com

MARCH APRIL 2019

IRRIGATION

File photo used for illustrative purpose only

LINDSAY ANNOUNCES THE MOST UNIVERSAL REMOTE IRRIGATION MONITORING SOLUTION

L THE NEW PRODUCT IS ULTRA-LOW-COST, OFFERS DIY INSTALLATION AND WORKS ON ANY PIVOT BRAND

34

indsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN), a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, recently announced a new addition to its industryleading Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offering: FieldNET Pivot Watch. The patent-pending innovation includes a solar-powered remote telemetry device that mounts onto any center pivot irrigation system, regardless of pivot age or brand, and a monitor-only subscription to Lindsay's award-winning FieldNET irrigation management platform.

FieldNET helps growers optimize water use efficiency, save time and ultimately improve yields and profit.

Zimmatic® dealers will begin offering FieldNET Pivot Watch in North America in early summer 2019, and will become available in select international markets starting later in 2019.

GULF AGRICULTURE

Pivot Watch is compact, lightweight and attaches directly to the span pipe with a simple aluminum band, without the need to connect to the electric circuitry of the pivot. This means growers will have the ability to install Pivot Watch themselves. Though simple in design and low-cost, the device has integrated cellular connectivity, GPS positioning and other embedded sensors, enabling growers to remotely “watch” or monitor their pivot's functions, such as current position, status, direction and speed, using the FieldNET app. With FieldNET Pivot Watch, growers will be able to monitor their irrigation operations around the clock, enabling seamless functionality, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of pivots operating in North America today do not have

remote monitoring capability,” said Randy Wood, president of irrigation at Lindsay. “Pivot Watch was designed with exactly those growers, and their challenges, in mind. It essentially brings remote irrigation monitoring to anyone who wants it; its ultralow price point, DIY installation and access to FieldNET, the industry's leading irrigation management solution, makes the efficiency of remote irrigation management more accessible than ever before.”

Pivot Watch expands Lindsay's aftermarket FieldNET offering, which also includes full remote monitoring and control with FieldNET Pivot Control, and FieldNET Pivot Control Lite, which offers monitoring and a mid-range of control. All three products fit any brand and age of electric pivot, and Pivot Watch will also work on hydraulic pivots.

MARCH APRIL 2019

IRRIGATION

REINKE INTRODUCES THE ANNEX PIVOT CONTROLLER

R

einke introduces RPM Annex™ pivot controller, a device that wires into main control panels allowing growers to upgrade to the latest technology by “annexing” their existing panels.

"Purchasing a new main control panel can be a costly investment,” said Reinke President Chris Roth. “Annex allows growers an alternate way to upgrade their existing systems for a fraction of the cost of buying a whole new panel.”

This device can provide the user interface and controls of Reinke's RPM Preferred, RPM Advanced Plus or RPM Connect. In addition to providing the functionality of this newer technology, Annex allows growers with standard-

MARCH APRIL 2019

‘‘ type main control panels to utilize telemetry.

And, because Annex is compatible with all center pivot brands, growers can upgrade any of their existing units to a Reinke panel.

Annex is ReinCloudReady®, which includes remote access for monitoring

and controlling pivots, the ability to manage multiple systems from one dashboard and notifications when there's a change in the system's status.

Annex is available as an aftermarket component and also carries a five-year warranty.

ANNEX ALLOWS GROWERS AN ALTERNATE WAY TO UPGRADE THEIR EXISTING SYSTEMS FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST OF BUYING A WHOLE NEW PANEL.”

GULF AGRICULTURE

35

AGRICULTURE MACHINERY

MASSEY FERGUSON HAY AND FORAGE RANGE EXTENDED AND STRENGTHENED

M

assey Ferguson a worldwide brand of AGCO (NYSE : AGCO), is proud to announce the addition of new products in the MF Hay and Forage range this season, to further strengthen and expand the range of machines available for farmers and contractors, part of the company's strategy as a full line manufacturer.

The new products will be available for the 2019 season.

The new models comprise an upgraded and new-look MF Fixed Chamber Round Baler range, brand new MF Fixed and Variable Chamber Baler and Wrapper Combination Units

36

GULF AGRICULTURE

and the brand new MF TW 130 Trailed Wrapper.

MF hay and forage machines perfectly represent the quality, reliability, superior design and engineering expertise for which Massey Ferguson is renowned, ideal for the business-oriented farmer who need the productivity and efficiency offered by the MF range.

Francesco Quaranta, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Massey Ferguson, EME comments: “We are striving for perfection in every step of the design and manufacturing process of our products. As a result of our continuous

development we proudly introduce a new range of MF round balers, baler/wrapper combinations and trailed wrappers, packed with new features and innovations.”

“Enhancing our forage range to precisely meet the needs of farmers and contractors is our goal, offering solutions to suit their end use or market requirements, their crops, and their terrain, and this is clearly demonstrated in these new machines.”

“With this new introduction and development, we underline our promise of providing our customers and dealers with a full line offer.”

MARCH APRIL 2019

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 grubber

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

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

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

GULF AGRICULTURE

37

BIOSTIMULANTS

BIOLCHIM GROUP: R&D FOR EFFECTIVE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

BIOLCHIM IS A COMPANY WHERE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT REPRESENT THE MAIN GEAR THAT DRIVES THE WHOLE BUSINESS ACTIVITY

38

BIOLCHIM GROUP Biolchim today is a synonym for biostimulants: innovative products in all aspects, in the raw materials they contain as well as in the agronomic performances that characterize them. Biolchim operates in more than 75 countries worldwide, but it is based in Italy where the production lines and the extraction units are located. Biolchim is a company where Research and Development represent the main gear that drives the whole business activity.

WIN (Worldwide Innovation Network) Within the WIN project, Biolchim Group collaborates with the most important Italian and foreign Universities and Research Centers with the aim of transferring to the field the scientific knowledge gained in

GULF AGRICULTURE

plant biology and nutrition.

Selecting innovative raw materials is a key point to identify the ÂŤbiostimulants of tomorrowÂť: in particular botanical extracts and plantbased compounds capable of combining agronomic efficacy and environmental sustainability.

THE BIOASSAYS Collaborative research allows to identify the biostimulant potential of a raw material or product. This is achieved primarily by tests called bioassays, which provide essential information, such as the type of action of a compound on a plant, or its range of efficacy, or the effect of certain components in mixtures. The three major types of bioassays that are carried out aim at assessing the auxin-like, cytokinin-like and gibberellin-

like activity of extracts on plants or plant parts.

In the laboratory, bioassays conducted on many raw materials of plant origin allow reliable and verified results in an extremely short time compared to field experiments: in one bioassay more than 100 different plants can be tested for a single molecule, at a single dosage.

EFFECTIVE AND WIDELY TESTED PRODUCTS Biolchim offers to its customers thoroughly studied and tested products whose dosages and methods of use, mixability and effectiveness are well known.

This is an essential added value for Biolchim, a guarantee of quality for each of the specialties and products in its catalog.

For further information: www.biolchim.it MARCH APRIL 2019

FERTILIZERS

OMNIA INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA (OIA) IS EXPANDING

O

mnia Holdings is a diversified Industrial Group with specialized services and solutions for the agricultural, mining and chemicals industries.

Omnia International Australia has been a leading manufacturer of humates, fulvates, kelp, biostimulants, fertilizer coatings, organic chelated trace elements, seed treatments and foliars since 1990.

Omnia has substantially expanded its Humate production capacity through investment in new plant and technology; this was completed in February 2018.

Omnia produces the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most concentrated humates and is internationally recognised for quality and proven performance. Not all humates are the same.

Independent testing of various humates, showed large variations in the humic acid content between label values and tested CDFA values (California department of food and Agriculture). CDFA is a worldwide recognized method for analysis of humic acids. Some products were below 10% of their label values. Omnia produces liquid K-humate 26% (26% Potassium Humate) and a granular Khumate S100 (85% Potassium Humate). These MARCH APRIL 2019

OMNIA USES AUSTRALIAN BULL KELP TO FORMULATE PURE KELP AND NUTRIENT ENRICHED FOLIARS THAT CAN BE USED TO MANAGE PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN PLANTS. are minimum values as per the CDFA method.

FertiCoat is a biostimulant coating that improves fertilizer efficiency and profitability.

Ferticoat can also be used to stick trace elements on to fertilizer.

Omnia uses Australian Bull Kelp to formulate pure Kelp and nutrient enriched foliars that can be used to manage physiological processes in plants.

Omnia continues to grow and prosper, offering extraordinary values to its customers by tailoring unique solutions to their business needs through product and service innovation.

Omnia is exporting worldwide and is looking for more distributors that can partner with Omnia. For more information, visit www.omnia.com.au

GULF AGRICULTURE

39

SUBSTRATES

STENDER OFFERS PEAT AND SUBSTRATES

S

tender AG is a leading producer and supplier of peat and substrates. The company has two factories in

40

GULF AGRICULTURE

Germany (Schermbeck, Papenburg) and in the Baltics.

Based on these operations and a sophisticated logistic network, the company ensures the supply of its customers with Stender products.

The decision Stender AG made to consequently develop further approved products and to modulate culture specific soils, gives our clients certainty and time. Stender AG's long standing know-how makes up the base on our development of soils.

Stender Bio Vegetable Substrate is a special soil for potting herbs, vegetables in plantings beds or containers. It is peat reduced and has light fertilization. It follows the requirements of an environmentally friendly product. It is the basis for strong and aromatic herbs and

vegetables. Stender Bio Vegetable Substrate is available in 40 litres bags.

Stender Premium Peat Products are characterised by the high quality of the peat used. Stender uses first class selected white peat only. The peat is sieved in different fractions and made appropriate for later application. Thus, the fine peat which is especially ideal for propagation has a fraction size of 0-10 mm, the peat with a medium structure has a fraction size of 0-40 mm, and the coarse peat, which for example is used in the cultivation of rhododendron, has a fraction size of 10-22 mm or 20-40 mm. All Premium Peat products are available in bales of 250 litres, 300 litres and Big Bales of 6m3.

MARCH APRIL 2019

SUBSTRATES

365 DAYS OF VEGETABLE GROWTH: CROP IN CLOSED SYSTEMS WITH PERLIGRAN®

T

oday's consumers want it all: Fresh vegetables all year long, but produced regionally. What was a contradiction for decades, now has become possible, thanks to cultivation in closed systems. Already widely known in flower cultivation, PERLIGRAN® is a decisive help in enabling the continuous production of the most popular vegetables.

Tomatoes, cucumbers or peppers can be grown regionally all year long. To ensure their successful cultivation in closed systems, an ideal substrate is needed.

Here PERLIGRAN® offers the optimum quality for the cultivation of vegetables: It is based on perlite, a type of volcanic rock, and therefore a natural mineral product.

Thanks to a thorough screening of fine grains, it guarantees best drainage, structural stability and ventilation. Besides fulfilling the requirements of the strict Dutch RHP standard, PERLIGRAN® also is the only perlite product that was added to the FiBL list as a soil additive for organic farming.

PERLIGRAN® can be used in vegetable cultivation in its pure form but also in mixtures with coconut or wood fibre substrates - for example in grow bags, which become increasingly popular in vegetable farming. During processing, a special steaming technique is used that effectively neutralises viruses, fungi and bacteria. So even MARCH APRIL 2019

Substrates are the best choice to enable all-year-round regional cultivation and distribution. RHP-certified PERLIGRAN® offers the best quality for vegetable cultivation.

after a long time the substrate is safe from compaction through degradation. And as it dries more effectively, there is more fibrous root mass available to the plant. Perlite itself is an inert material and therefore inactive in all organic processes. Thus it allows for perfect control of the substrate and also for a reliable specification of fertilisers.

In total the phytosanitarily safe product can be used up to five times after its primary use, helping to preserve valuable resources. And afterwards it can easily be disposed of, as it is 100% compostable. PERLIGRAN® is the substrate of choice, when it comes to 365 day vegetable farming. www.perligran.com GULF AGRICULTURE

41

ANIMAL FEEDS

BARR-AG LTD: PREMIER CANADIAN FORAGE AND GRAIN EXPORTING COMPANY

B

arr-Ag Ltd is a vertically integrated premier Canadian Forage and grain exporting company that is a Farm based company.

Barr-Ag Ltd Farms over 30,000 Acres consisting of both irrigated and non-irrigated

42

GULF AGRICULTURE

lands. The farm land is located across Alberta in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

This area provides favourable growing conditions with long days and cool nights in a pollution free environment for the harvest season. The harsh winter season allows Barr-Ag to use limited amounts of insecticides, herbicides and pesticides.

Barr-Ag Ltd has two separate processing locations in Alberta, of which are over 80% supplied with Barr-Ag's grown forages, and the remainder from local farmers with which Barr-Ag has long term relationships with.

This process allows Barr-Ag to conduct a higher level of quality control, from field to container.

Barr-Ag is unique in this aspect with the fact that they grow,

produce and process 80% of what they produce and export.

In addition to Barr-Ag's ability to grow and process their own forages, Barr-Ag has a highly knowledgeable marketing team with experience marketing Canadian products around the world.

Barr-Ag Ltd offers alfalfa hay, timothy hay, mixed hays, wheat and barley straw, feed barley, feed grain, pulse crops and canola. In addition to the current lines of products, Barr-Ag will be proud to offer dehydrated corn silage available for shipment in December 2019.

For further information, please go to Barr-Ag's website at www.barr-ag.com or email info@barr-ag.com MARCH APRIL 2019

FEED PREMIXES

SAUDI FEED PREMIXES CO. (SAUDI MIX)

W

ith its unique geographical location within â&#x20AC;&#x153;Modon Lakeâ&#x20AC;? industrial city in Dammam Saudi Feed premixes Co. (Saudi Mix) is just few minutes away from all neighborhoods GCC farming customers. Saudi Mix is set to help its valued customers achieving their best feed performance results by providing them with a wide range of feed additives vitamins and minerals premixes and concentrate, Innovative and cost effective specialty produces that is all of superior quality and premium ingredients.

Saudi Mix serve its valued customers through 3 main operational sections:

Technical Support services Saudi Mix helps its customer achieving their best cost effective feed performance by providing feed analysis and formulation services. Together with its global partners we help farmers achieving better productivity with a very reasonable cost.

44

GULF AGRICULTURE

Manufacturing Saudi Mix produces a wide range of superior quality products for Poultry Aquaculture and large animal species. The new, state of art, premises has been designed to operate at the best internationally recognized quality and manufacturing standards.

Distribution Saudi Mix represents a range of globally recognized and quality focused giants including Vitalac (France), Sumitomo Chemical (Japan), Phileo Lesaffre (France) & BASF chemical (Germany) with a wide portfolio of specialty products for ruminant, Poultry and aquaculture industries including: Live yeast, Yeast cellwall, Enzymes, Glucose precursors, Beta Gluconate, Anti Salmonella, Mycotoxin binders, acidifiers, Amino acids pre and probiotics, etc.

P.O Box 9617 Dammam 31423 Saudi Arabia Tel: +966138354970 Fax: +966138328555 www.Saudimix.com MARCH APRIL 2019

FEED INGREDIENTS

ALIPHOS INTRODUCES DICAL+ TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICAN MARKETS

A

liphos, the feed ingredients division of the Belgian group Ecophos, has recently started up its Dical+ factory in Dunkirk, France. This factory produces dihydrated crystalline dicalcium phosphate, based on the innovative Ecophos technology.

This product, commercialized under the brand name Aliphos® Dical+ has the highest digestibility of any dicalcium phosphate one can find in the market, thanks to the high purity of the product (heavy metal Cd level below 1 ppm) and the crystalline form.

Digestibility trials on broilers, according to the WPSA protocol, have been conducted at the University of Wageningen. These trials show a phosphorus digestibility of

MARCH APRIL 2019

82%. This product is now available for European and export markets.

Aliphos has today a production capacity of 620,000 T in Europe with three factories in the Netherlands, Bulgaria and France. It has the broadest portfolio of inorganic feed phosphates, with besides DCP and MCP also MDCP, magnesium phosphate and monoammonium phosphates. Monoammonium phosphate is sold under the brand name Windmill® Aquaphos and is the preferred inorganic feed phosphate for aquafeed thanks to its high concentration (26% P) and high digestibility (>90%) in all kind of aquatic species (salmon, trout, tilapia, carp, shrimp, …).

Aliphos is further expanding its activities and two new

factories of Dical+ are under construction: one in Egypt and one in India. This will bring by 2020 the total capacity at 1 million tons of feed phosphates.

The factory in Egypt will be built in Sadat City in two phases. The first phase with a capacity of 60,000 T and which will start up end of 2018, will be built by Evergrow and the Dical+ will be commercialized by Aliphos.

The second phase with a capacity of 110,000 T and foreseen for 2020 will be a joint-venture Evergrow/Ecophos.

For more information about our company and our products you can visit our website: www.aliphos.com or contact us at: info@aliphos.com

GULF AGRICULTURE

45

DAIRY FARMING

MAZOON DAIRY MARKS MILESTONE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OMAN WITH THE ARRIVAL OF 1,600 DAIRY COWS

M

azoon Dairy Company, the flagship dairy project of the Sultanate of Oman, has marked a significant milestone in the agricultural and economic development of Oman with the arrival of 1,600 cows from Australia to the state-of-the-art dairy farm in Al Sunaynah.

The cows will breathe life into Mazoon Dairy's 15 square kilometre fully-integrated farm, centralized processing plant and other facilities in Al Sunaynah and will help meet the market demand for high-quality, fresh dairy products.

These are the first of 8,250 cows expected to be imported by 2020. Production is planned to commence in the second quarter of this year with the objective to produce over 200 million litres of milk annually by 2026, and to increase capacity to over 900 million litres by 2040.

H.E. Dr. Rashid Al-Masroori, Chairman of Mazoon Dairy Company, said: “The arrival of the cows marks a significant step in our journey towards a more sustainable and productive growth phase for Mazoon Dairy and the Oman economy. It takes us closer to our larger goal of establishing the Sultanate as a self-sufficient dairy producer and a hub for food

46

GULF AGRICULTURE

manufacturing.”

Dr. Arjun Subramanian, CEO, Mazoon Dairy Company, said: “Mazoon Dairy is committed to ensuring the highest standards across the supply chain and this includes ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our cattle. Al Sunaynah was selected as the site for the dairy facility because of the abundance of water, fertile soil and a comfortable climate to accommodate the cattle. We have also invested in a highly experienced team of internationally-trained farm managers and agro-experts, who have spent decades in the agriculture and farming business in various parts of the world and an expert team of Omanis who are now committed to the success of Mazoon Dairy in Oman.”

Once operational this year, Mazoon Dairy Company will provide quality home-produced dairy and juice products, including milk, yoghurt, laban, fresh cream, cheese and ice cream.

Mazoon Dairy Company is one of the largest projects in the Sultanate, with investments from the Oman Food Investment Company, the Oman Investment Fund, Oman Dairy Products and Derivatives, the

Civil Service Pension Fund, Al Hosn Investment Company and the Royal Office Pension Fund.

Mazoon Dairy Company was established in 2015 as a Closed Joint Stock Company between the Oman Food Investments Company and other government investment and pension funds in MARCH APRIL 2019

DAIRY FARMING

Oman with a total capital of RO 100 million.

Mazoon Dairy is now building a technologically advanced, fully-integrated dairy facility in Al Sunayna in Al Buraimi, to help the Sultanate achieve self-sufficiency in food production and enhance its MARCH APRIL 2019

position as a centre of regional excellence in food manufacturing and exporting.

Production is planned to commence in 2019 with the objective to produce over 200 million litres of milk by 2026 and increase capacity to over 900 million litres by 2040.

The company plans to introduce a variety of dairy products and juices to the local and GCC market, including fresh milk (plain), fresh milk (flavoured), fresh cream, fresh laban, fruit yoghurts and desserts, fresh cheese and ice cream.

GULF AGRICULTURE

47

AQUACULTURE

BLUE ISLAND: SPECIALIZED IN MARICULTURE AND FISH FARMING

T

he core of business of the company is the fish farming and trading of the Mediterranean species Sea Bass and Sea Bream and the trading of fresh fish from open sea fishing.

The company was established in 1993 (under the name Blue Island Fish Farming Ltd) as a mariculture unit. A turning point for the company has been its conversion in 1999 into a Public Company and its listing in the Cyprus Stock Exchange. This development contributed to the growth of the company both in the field of mariculture and in the field

48

GULF AGRICULTURE

of fresh fish trading.

Today the company distinguishes itself in the Cyprus market in the fields of mariculture and fish trading, in addition to its size and its modern organizational structure and infrastructure.

Both the structure and the infrastructure of the company are continuously developing, with a view to offering a reliable and complete service to its clients, both in Cyprus and abroad.

Currently the company exports to most of the European countries, the United States, Russia and the Middle East.

MARCH APRIL 2019

CROP FARMING

ANIMAL FARMING

AQUACULTURE

ANIMAL HEALTH

Pure by nature.

SALT AND MINERAL LICK BLOCKS

Suitable for organic production!

The most important mineral nutrients for livestock!

Feed material and mineral feed for cattle, horses, goats, sheep and game.

Advantages for the livestock: • SOLSEL® lick block prevent nutritional deficiencies • SOLSEL® lick block ensure a consistent mineral balance • The animals use the lick block instinctively and only ingest as much as they need

www.solsel.com

K Plus S Middle East FZE • Contact: Richard Smith richard.smith@k-plus-s.com • Phone: +971 50 322 1716 A K+S group company