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DESERT CONTROL AND MAWARID ENTER INTO AGREEMENT TO FORM A NEW COMPANY

Further to the results of the previously announced collaborative pilot, the Norwegian company Desert Control and the Abu Dhabi based Mawarid Holding Investment announced their decision to execute stage two of the previously signed MOU. The Parties will enter into a strategic partnership, under which the Parties will establish a new company. The new company is intended to be named Mawarid Desert Control LLC ("MDC") a limited liability company incorporated in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in UAE.

Through this strategic partnership, Mawarid Holding Investment and Desert Control commonly join forces to leverage the competitive advantage and value proposition of Liquid Natural Clay ("LNC") along with Mawarid's global and regional network and substantial capabilities in the sectors of managing natural resources, forests, landscapes, and agriculture. The strategic partnership will promote and increase business for climatesmart ecosystem management in the UAE and across the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) through the new company. The partnership aims to drive accelerated adoption of sustainable products and services to create significant value for the MENA region as an Agri-tech Powerhouse.

“Mawarid's legacy aligns perfectly with our vision of making earth green again, says CEO of Desert Control, Ole Kristian Sivertsen. By joining forces in the Middle East, we aim to develop a blueprint for sustainable ecosystem management and climate-

FOOD FOR FUTURE SUMMIT & EXPO TO DEBUT DURING FOOD, AGRICULTURE & LIVELIHOODS WEEK AT EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has launched its brand-new Food For Future Summit and Expo in association with Expo 2020 Dubai’s Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods Week.

Running from 23rd-24th February at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Food For Future Summit & Expo will be co-located with the Global Agtech Innovation Expo to form a powerhouse of industry innovation and progression.

Hosted by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO) as strategic partners, the Food For Future Summit & Expo will reinforce the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy and galvanise all sectors of the agriculture and food supply chains to create a sustainable food ecosystem for all.

Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “We are proud to host the Food For Future Summit & Expo that brings together likeminded stakeholders from around the world to explore innovative ways of advancing the global transition to sustainable food systems. The event aligns with the UAE’s holistic approach to food security, as reflected in the National Food Security Strategy 2051, and provides an ideal platform to showcase state-of-the-art agricultural solutions that address the critical water-foodenergy nexus. We are pleased to join forces with FAO once again, and are confident that its support will add significant value to the event.”

Key focus sectors will include AI & Nutrition; IoT, cloud solutions, UAV, robotics and drones, automation, adaptive irrigation, grow lighting, data management, supply chain management, climate-smart agriculture, food loss and waste, controlled environment, ICT in agriculture, mechanisation, organic agriculture, precision agriculture, biotechnology, soil plant health, saltwater agriculture, renewable energy and water management.

SOSPALM, THE PERMANENT ENDOTHERAPY SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES IN PALM TREES

اﺧﺘﺮ ﻻاع اﻻﺧﺘﺮاع ﺑﺮاءة ﺑﺮاءة ﺷﻬﺎدة ﺷﻬﺎدة

1065

P1212/2012

25-11-2012

19-06-2018

ا:: اﻟﺮاءة اﻟﺒﺮﺒءة رﻗﻢ رﻗﻢ

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Product protected by industrial property rights granted in the United Arab Emirates and in other international territories under the trade name "Sospalm". The manufacture, sale and use of unauthorized copies of this product may be prosecuted under the Patent Law.

PATENTED "Don't Use Fakes"

www.sospalm.com

smart agriculture in the UAE with global impact. Water, food, and a stable climate is the pathway to peace and prosperity for people and planet - this is the legacy we strive to build.” Mawarid Desert Control LLC ("MDC") will be the driving force for sales and distribution of Desert Control's Liquid Natural Clay ("LNC") across the Middle East and will be Desert Control's exclusive partner in the UAE. Desert Control Middle East LLC in Abu Dhabi will operate Desert Control's LNC production factories in the region to secure LNC supply for the partnership at commercial terms utilizing the know-how and strengths of the Parties to maximize value creation. The new Mawarid Desert Control company shall become a leading provider of climate-smart agriculture solutions to combat desertification and soil degradation. MDC will focus on sustainable ecosystem management for agriculture, forestry, afforestation, and landscaping, to preserve water resources, strengthen food security, restore biodiversity, and safeguard our environment by contributing to efficient use of our natural resources.

BIDFOOD SECURES EXCLUSIVE FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTORSHIP FOR JING™ TEA PRODUCTS IN THE UAE

Bidfood UAE, a leading multichannel foodservice provider of international F&B brands and part of the Bidcorp Group announced official distributorship agreement with JING™ Tea to supply the rarest and most exceptional tea products in the United Arab Emirates. JING™ Tea is the first tea brand in the ever-expanding portfolio of Bidfood UAE and Bidfood KSA; with plans to further

WELSH LAMB SETS SIGHTS ON MIDDLE EAST’S HOSPITALITY SECTOR

Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has launched a new partnership designed to boost sales of PGI Welsh Lamb into the hotel and restaurant sector across the Middle East. Available to buy at Classic Fine Foods and Kibsons from mid December, the demand for UK-produced sheep meat across the region has been steadily increasing year on year.

Market development work by HCC and Welsh processors, in partnership with the Welsh Government, led to a major growth in lamb exports to the wider Middle East region including UAE, Kuwait, KSA, Jordan, Libya and Qatar of 495% between 2018 and 2020. According to HCC Market Development Manager Rhys Llywelyn this is the time to invest again in the region as the tourist and hospitality economy emerges from Covid restrictions. “The Middle East has long been a promising market, with high lamb consumption and a rapidly growing economy and hospitality sector,” explained Rhys. “Our bid to expand this market, for the benefit of Welsh farmers and food producers, really started to pay dividends from 2018 with major increases in exports to several countries.”

Keen to diversify their export markets to include regions beyond Europe post Brexit, the Welsh meat promotional body will embark on an ambitious programme of engagement with importers, hoteliers and restaurateurs. This will include investment into the UAE’s food industry bodies, such as their recent role as headline sponsor of the prestigious Leaders in Food and Beverage Awards, held at Sofitel Dubai the Obelisk hotel at the end of November. The growth in exports will also reflect the UK gaining access to new markets such as Saudi Arabia and persistent trade development activity by HCC and the Welsh Government in new markets like Qatar. 80% of Welsh farmland is unsuitable for growing crops, thereby making raising livestock the most efficient way to turn upland pastures into high-quality food while the grasslands capture carbon from the atmosphere - making it a popular choice for meat lovers considering their own sustainable eating choices this year.

extend its regional partnership in the Sultanate of Oman.

Commenting, Hisham Al Jamil, Bidfood Middle East CEO said, “Our partnership with JING™ Tea is a significant milestone as we work to diversify and grow our sustainable products portfolio in a way that responds to everchanging market and consumer needs. JING™ Tea’s commitment to provide a highquality tea experience is perfectly aligned with Bidfood Middle East’s mission to deliver excellence and value throughout our industry leading foodservice and support services. With this new partnership, we look forward to further strengthening our solid base, distribution network and market share in the region’s dynamic foodservice industry.”

According to recent statistics released by the Market Data Forecast, the Middle East and Africa tea market is worth $6.73 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% to reach $7.88 billion by 2026. Bidfood plans to cater to the growing awareness and demand for luxury tea in the region by leveraging on its value-added distribution network.

AGCO INVESTS IN GREENEYE TECHNOLOGY, AN INNOVATOR IN SMART FARMING SOLUTIONS FOR PRECISION SPRAYING

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE:AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, has announced a 2.9% equity investment in Greeneye Technology, an emerging leader in precision spraying technology.

Greeneye’s proprietary AI-enabled precision spraying system detects and sprays individual weeds, which is designed to significantly reduce herbicide usage compared to standard broadcast spraying. In addition to improving farmers’ profitability, the system is expected to increase productivity by enabling farmers to invest in more efficacious crop protection products that are not affordable when applied on a broadcast basis. Combined with the technology’s ability to identify weeds down to a species level,

this provides a clear path to tackling the growing threat posed by herbicide-resistant weeds. Greeneye’s solution is designed to apply herbicides to emerged crops (green-ongreen) at commercial speeds of up to 20 km/h, ensuring no reduction in productivity for farmers. In line with AGCO’s approach of providing innovative solutions for retrofit installation, Greeneye’s system is designed to integrate seamlessly into any brand or size of commercial sprayer.

“Our investment in Greeneye Technology complements AGCO’s farmer-first strategy, which has been designed to deliver industry-leading smart

TECHNOLOGY FOR COVERED CROPS AND IN THE FIELD HAS POTENTIAL TO INCREASE UK PRODUCTION, SAY EXPERTS

Yield, taste and time to harvest can all be impacted by light. Photosynthesis (the process by which plants convert sunlight to biomass) is a bottleneck in agricultural productivity and thus limits food production. Increasing the rate of photosynthesis in field crops and enabling year around production of green vegetables are among the goals to be discussed at the AgriTechE event “Let there be Light” hosted by the University of Essex Plant Innovation Centre.

“Light is a limiting factor in UK agriculture, but new approaches offer to improve the way plants respond to that light, opening capacity for new crops and year-round production, as the country looks to build more resilient supply chains to increase food security,” says AgriTechE Director, Dr Belinda Clarke.

A blended approach of field and undercover cropping may increase the UK’s potential to be self-sufficient in leafy greens, says University of Essex researcher John Stamford, who is looking at how to use tailored LED lighting recipes to improve crop performance and yield.

“Speaking to farmers, there are a few issues around the supply of leafy greens in the supermarkets. Around November production switches from the UK to Spain which means we are importing these crops over the winter months. The idea here is to improve accessibility of hydroponics to potentially have cost-effective year-round UK production. Light plays an important role in that.”

John has experimented with artificial day lengths and changing the quality of light that a plant receives over time to see the impact that has on flavour and other properties: “A plant responds to light quality and quantity in order to optimise itself for the environment, and we can use this response to customise the flavour and morphology of the plant.”

Lighting can also be used to reduce time to harvest, according to research by Jim Stevens of Vertical Future, an engineering firm that designs controlled environments for clients. Vertical Future recently announced a £21million fundraising round, which will be used to boost its development pipeline and widen the options of what can be grown.

Jim explains: “Growing lettuces at supermarket prices in vertical farms may be feasible if we can get their growth cycle down from 8 weeks to 6 or even 5. The problem is, lettuces suffer from tip burn, especially if they grow too fast. These ugly brown spots on the leaves are caused mainly by slow transpiration of water through the plants and are unsurprisingly rejected by consumers.”

“One option is to change the light spectrum to increase transpiration at higher light levels – for example turning up the blue spectrum to trigger the plant’s stomata to open and cool the plant.”

Field crops could also benefit from technology to accelerate the rate of photosynthesis. Agri-tech start-up Glaia is achieving this by using a naturally occurring carbon-nano material to create ‘sugar dots’ that can be sprayed on to foliage. Once located on the leaves the dots increase the number of lightharvesting antenna, improving the response to light. When applied to wheat, strawberries, and tomatoes they have been shown to increase yields between 20-40%.

farming solutions that improve our customer’s net farm income,” said Eric Hansotia, AGCO’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Greeneye Technology has a strong focus on solving real customer needs and has demonstrated the ability to develop innovative solutions that provide measurable customer benefits.”

IRISH FOOD BOARD APPOINTS KIERAN FITZGERALD AS MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Bord Bia, the Irish government agency that manages the promotion, trade development and marketing of the Irish food, drink and horticulture industry, has announced the appointment of Kieran Fitzgerald as the new Regional Director for the Middle East region.

Kieran will be leading the Irish food board across the Middle East, a market that is immensely important to Ireland. Despite the challenges brought on by Covid19, Irish food and drink exports to the Middle East were worth €344 million in 2020. Premium grassfed dairy ingredients represent the largest category of Irish exports to the region, and have contributed to an overall increase of 6% in exports to Saudi Arabia in 2021 (year to date).

Kieran will be responsible for working with industry leaders to drive the commercial success of Irish food, drink and horticulture exports to the Middle East as well as to support Irish producers and exporters enter regional markets and grow their exports, ultimately enabling both the growth and sustainability of Irish food and drink producers.

There is a rising demand for premium quality, grass-fed Irish, beef and lamb in UAE restaurants, with beef exports to the country increasing by 120% (year to date) and lamb exports having increased by more than 140%, making the country a key strategic market for Irish food producers.

FUTURE CROPS BRINGS VERTICAL FARMING CLOSER TO THE LAND

The challenges posed by urbanization and the

gradual dwindling of arable land is driving more farming indoors. The agri-tech start-up Future Crops, Ltd. has developed the first indoor vertical farming system that grows its crops in a unique soil substrate composition, bringing this nascent farming concept closer to home and to the earth.

The Israeli-Dutch venture has established a fully automated 8,000m2 indoor vertical farm in Westland, Netherlands, the

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“greenhouse hub” of Europe. The facility, towering nine stories, is powered primarily by solar energy, and combined with high precision agricultural technology. It can provide optimal growing conditions for a broad spectrum of leafy greens and herbs.

Future Crops CEO and co-founder Gary Grinspan attests that this method of cultivation not only delivers quality fresh produce, it enables the produce to reclaim its original characteristic taste and aromas that have been degraded following decades of pesticide use and industry pressures to place the focus on boosting output. Future Crops’ advanced technology maximizes yield per area unit in comparison to traditional Silal, and Alan Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Agthia Group, signed the MoU at a ceremony on the sidelines of SIAL Middle East, in which Silal is the key sponsor. The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi. Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi, and H.E. Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, DirectorGeneral of ADAFSA, as well as senior officials from both organisations.

The silos, which are among the largest in the UAE with significant volume and

agriculture, with no compromise on quality.

SILAL SIGNS MOU WITH AGTHIA GROUP PJSC TO CONSTRUCT 10 GRAIN SILOS WITH A CAPACITY OF 200K MT BY END OF 2022

Silal, Abu Dhabi’s fresh produce and agritech company, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agthia Group PJSC (Agthia) to construct 10 grain silos by the end of 2022. These will be located at Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, with a total capacity of 200K MT, and store multiple varieties of key grains, such as wheat, barley, and corn.

His Excellency Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, CEO of

GALLOX, FEED PAN SPECIALLY DEVELOPED FOR MALES

VDL Agrotech has developed the Gallox, a new feed pan for feeding 8-10 males per pan in broiler breeder houses. • The Gallox is equipped with "cups" and extra ridge, so the dosed feed will not spread further into the bottom pan while dosing the feed. • Males have to peck the feed out of the small “cups” in a specific way, therefore it takes them longer to eat the feed. • More quietness in the house during feeding. • The grill-less design ensures that the cocks combs are not damaged and the males have optimal access to the feed.

There are 2 different dosing methods: Method 1: Dosing of feed simultaneous with the feeding

The feed line remains suspended at feeding height and is fitted with extra triangular dosing plates which ensure that the feed is transported faster to the last feed pans. The reduction tube, a low dosage setting and a high auger speed ensures an optimal distribution of the feed over the feed pans, even when the males are already eating from them.

Method 2: Dosing of feed prior to feeding

The feed line has to be winched up manually or automatically after feeding.

The feed pans are set in a dosage position where the daily supply in the hopper can be equally divided over all the feed pans in one time. The Gallox feed pan has 6 dosing positions and 12 different dosing volumes by using or not using a reduction tube. During the feeding, the feed line is winched down to feeding height. For a single dosage, the amount of feed in the transport tube of 400 g/meter should be added to the contents of the Gallox feeding pan.

Gallox has been extensively tested in practice.

capacity, will be considered a landmark project to support and enhance the country’s strategic food reserves programme.

Commenting on the MoU, His Excellency Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, CEO of Silal, said: “The establishment of the silos is crucial for the UAE to ensure sufficient infrastructure is available to support the nation’s goal of achieving food sustainability through the availability of key food items at all times. We are delighted to collaborate with Agthia to increase strategic food reserves within the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

“The silos will play a vital role in food accessibility, and we look forward to working with our progressive partners to enable sustainable and forwardthinking practices. This MoU adheres to Silal’s ethos and is in line with achieving the UAE’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Alan Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Agthia Group, said: “Agthia remains strategically aligned with the UAE’s vision of economic, social and environmental success of the country. Furthermore, we have been a driving force in the ESG sustainability efforts across our business operations, as per global best practices related to the food and beverage industry. This partnership represents another step in that direction.”

Under the MoU, Silal will lead the project execution, while being supported with consulting counsel by Agthia – which will lend support for the overall building of the silos. Furthermore, Agthia will manage the silos’ operation upon the project completion and provide technical consultancy services to support the project through to completion of the construction phase.

Established to diversify the sources of food produce, Silal has a firm commitment towards the vision of the UAE to increase the capacity for strategic food reserves (such as in grain, rice, legumes, edible oils, sugar, and frozen foods).

NSK RENEWS A-SERIES AGRI DISC HUBS WITH AS RANGE LAUNCH

As part of an initiative to ensure its products continue meeting the latest demands of

BAYER’S GRANTS4AG PROGRAM AWARDS FUNDING FOR 21 NEW CROP SCIENCE RESEARCH PROPOSALS

Bayer recently announced its 2022 cohort of Grants4Ag grant recipients who were chosen to receive awards ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 Euros to help them complete research on challenges facing agriculture. 21 proposals make up this year’s Grants4Ag awardees with research goals including reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint, understanding social factors that influence innovation adoption, and improving the drought tolerance of plants in the face of more frequent extreme weather events.

“Bayer is the leader in agriculture research and development, but it’s very clear that given the complexity of the challenges farmers face around the world, we can’t solve every problem on our own,” said Phil Taylor, Open Innovation Lead for Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “We were thrilled at the quality of this year’s submissions and we’re looking forward to working with each of the grant recipients.”

As part of Bayer’s Open4Ag initiative Bayer’s Grants4Ag awardees retain all intellectual property rights to their research, and in addition to financial support successful researchers will also be paired with one of Bayer’s own scientists to provide project guidance as their research progresses. Through this commitment to partnership, and with support from innovation partnering platform Halo, Bayer received more than 350 proposals from researchers around the world during a fiveweek submission window this past fall.

“Bayer’s Grants4Ag program is an amazing opportunity for my research, and I was very pleased to have been chosen as a grant recipient,” says Amy Lemay of Brock University. “Grants4Ag offers not only financial support, but also provides access to leading scientists at Bayer and mentorship opportunities that will help me to understand challenges and tactics that can further develop my research.”

UAE’S FIRST BLUEBERRY PRODUCER ELITE AGRO TO DOUBLE PRODUCTION CAPACITY TO MEET GROWING REGIONAL DEMAND

Elite Agro, a leading UAE producer and distributor of fresh produce, has announced that it will double its blueberry production capacity by adding 14 hectares of greenhouses dedicated to growing an additional 72,000 plants for the 2023 harvest.

Triggered by growing consumer demand for the locally produced high-quality berries, the company has already increased its output capacity for 2022 to 280 tons of blueberries, compared to 205 tons in 2021. The significantly ramped-up crop was harvested during a 17-week period to ensure consumers can obtain the freshest locally grown blueberries from neighbourhood retailers.

Their crop of premium branded ‘Elite Berry’ blueberries is made up of five varieties, including the famous blueberry named ‘Eureka Jumbo’, are all grown at the Al Foah Farm in Al Ain where 20 greenhouses, covering 12 hectares are dedicated to producing this incredibly popular fruit. Each greenhouse is home to over 3,350 blueberry plants that thrive from a climate-controlled environment enabled by state-of-theart automated technology. The company also aspires to plant other varieties of blueberries that will ensure early winter production in addition to an extended harvesting period.

“As the first blueberry producer in the country, we had incredible success in our debut year of 2020 with production doubling after just one year. As we look ahead, we will soon quadruple our production capabilities, which is a testament to how popular our home-grown premium blueberries have become. This has all been made possible through the use of revolutionary technology, our stateof-the-art infrastructure and smart farming techniques at our greenhouses that allow the production of the highest quality, freshest and most reliable harvest,” commented Ian Summerfield, Elite Agro CEO.

The blueberry plant saplings are sown in a growing medium, which is a combination of coco peat, perlite and other substances, explicitly created for blueberries. A drip irrigation system is used to supply them with nutrients that have been mixed with water, while controlling the growth of individual plants by regular soil and foliage analysis.

the agriculture industry, NSK is bringing to market a renewed range of A-series Agri Disc Hub bearing units. The new AS series Agri Disc Hubs will be available from stock to meet Europe-wide demand for quick deliver.

Quality, performance and cost were the three primary factors in NSK’s renewal of its AHU28117A series Agri Disc Hubs. The new range, denoted by the AS suffix, covers three popular sizes: AHU28117AS-01 (four holes), AHU28117AS-02 (five holes) and AHU28117AS-03 (six holes).

These new products deliver a number of attributes that help to enhance performance in challenging agricultural applications, including: contamination prevention through excellent sealing capability; maintenance-free performance thanks to lubrication for life; a strong housing that facilitates high moment load and speed; easy installation with quick changeout for less downtime; and long bearing life.

Such characteristics are ideal for a growing and evolving market like agriculture, where mechanical weeding is expanding rapidly in line with the desire to stop using glyphosate.

There is also increasing demand for integrated solutions that offer strong sealing capabilities in harsh applications such as tillage.

For more than 10 years NSK has produced Agri Disc Hubs at its Neuweg production facility in Munderkingen, Germany. This plant, with its highly flexible production set-up, will also manufacture the latest AS series,

which features a newly optimised flange design among other enhancements.

A top-quality approach, combined with proven flexibility from NSK’s Munderkingen plant, means the agriculture sector can continue enjoying the benefits of Agri Disc Hubs – through the new AS series – for equipment that includes covercrop units, tillers, front packers, seeders, row cleaners, mowers and finger-weeders.

GREEN UNIVERSE PLANS TO LAUNCH ITS NOVEL INITIATIVE FOR GREEN CONNECTION OF UAE

Green Universe from Italy has announced its plan for the launch of its novel initiative “Creative Solutions for a Sustainable Green Connection of UAE”. A grand opening ceremony will be held at Expo 2020 Dubai and attended by a number of establishments and personalities concerned with climate issues, creation of sustainable environment and green economy sector.

Green Universe consists of a group of companies specialized in green economy and environmental issues. The aim is to help countries create sustainable environmental systems and consolidate the quality of life of their communities in such a manner that reflects positively on all economic, social, health and environmental aspects and contributes to building a sustainable future for current and future generations.

The group has already forged partnerships with major scientific and research centers of distinguished Universities dealing with environmental issues such as Politecnico di Milano and the Department of Science of Life and Biology of Systems at the University of Turin.

It’s worthy to mention that Green Universe is present for several years with its regional headquarters in Dubai, UAE for the Middle East.

“The group’s choice of the UAE to be its regional headquarters for the region is based on its officials’ firm belief that the UAE is the best

CITRUS FRUITS - SICILIAN ROOTS FEED ON INNOVATION

In line with the sustainable development strategies of the Unifrutti Group to which it belongs, Oranfrizer in Sicily is experimenting with new technology aimed at improving the quality of fruit, producing healthier plants, optimising the resources used and respecting the environment.

The process of precision farming begins with the acquisition of data using satellites, drones and field measurements to monitor soil and water requirements, the health of trees, soil, air and leaf moisture, the amount of wind and light, and adverse environmental conditions.

The data collected and processed by specialised software provides useful analyses for agronomists who can intervene in a more meticulous manner to improve the management of citrus groves and the quality of the fruit, optimise the use of water and fertilisers and avoid waste as much as possible.

For many years now, Oranfrizer's citrus fruits have been completely edible, including the peel, because they are the result of integrated pest management. In the field and after harvesting, the limits imposed by law on the use of pesticides are strictly adhered to, with very low levels of residue on the harvest (below 70% of the limit imposed by law). The level of control will increase with these new precision farming practices.

The tests started by Oranfrizer in 2019 are still ongoing and involve around thirty hectares of crops located on the slopes of the Etna volcano, in the heart of Eastern Sicily. Oranges are one of the main fruits of the Oranfrizer project, especially the red ones. The crops that were tested are: Tarocco Ippolito, Sciara and Scirè blood oranges, Navelina, Navel Powel and Lane Late blonde oranges, as well as lemons, mandarins and pomegranates. The company’s commitment in the field continues along the production process, in the packaging plant in Scordia, in the Plain of Catania, which has been 30% solar-powered since 2017, and changes are also taking place in the packaging, which is progressively changing its appearance, reducing the use of plastic in favour of paper.

JOHN DEERE REVEALS FULLY AUTONOMOUS TRACTOR AT CES 2022

During a press conference at CES 2022, John Deere revealed a fully autonomous tractor that’s ready for large-scale production. The machine combines Deere’s 8R tractor, TruSetenabled chisel plow, GPS guidance system, and new advanced technologies. The autonomous tractor will be available to farmers later this year.

The 8R410 looks very similar in appearance to a conventional tractor of the series but is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for controlling and monitoring the tractor and mounted excavator. • The autonomous tractor has six pairs of stereo cameras, which enables 360-degree obstacle detection and the calculation of distance. • Images captured by the cameras are passed through a deep neural network that classifies each pixel in approximately 100 milliseconds and determines if the machine continues to move or stops, depending on if an obstacle is detected. • The autonomous tractor is also continuously checking its position relative to a geofence, ensuring it is operating where it is supposed to, and is within less than an inch of accuracy.

To use the autonomous tractor, farmers only need to transport the machine to a field and configure it for autonomous operation. Using John Deere Operations Center Mobile, they can swipe from left to right to start the machine. While the machine is working the farmer can leave the field to focus on other tasks, while monitoring the machine’s status from their mobile device.

John Deere Operations Center Mobile provides access to live video, images, data and metrics, and allows a farmer to adjust speed, depth and more. In the event of any job quality anomalies or machine health issues, farmers will be notified remotely and can make adjustments to optimise the performance of the machine.

Currently, the technology for the 8R410 is available in combination with a special John Deere chisel plow. A limited number of tractors will be delivered to North American customers this year. In the coming years, John Deere will work on the availability of the technology for further machines and attachments. The launch of the brand in Europe is currently not planned, as safety regulations currently do not allow the use of autonomous vehicles.

destination for launching the company’s operations regionally. Thanks to country’s extremely ambitious plan to build a green economy that achieves sustainable development, makes the UAE a leading global hub for green technologies. This is enabled as well thanks to the development of a package of environmental and urban policies aimed at improving the quality of life in the country,” said Mark Nikolli, Green Universe Executive President.

THE FUTURE TRENDS IN AGRICULTURE AT AGRITECHNICA ASIA AND HORTI ASIA 2022

AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HORTI ASIA 2022 are back to the physical show after two years, offering you the chance to meet face-to-face with agricultural professionals to discuss smart farming solutions for more sustainability, the focus of this year's show. Both trade fairs will be held from 25 to 27 May 2022 at BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand as the leading trade fairs for the Asia-Pacific region with a wide range of international exhibitors, a high-class technical program and visitors expected from more than 65 countries.

More than 300 exhibitors from all over the world will be showing off their latest innovation in agriculture and horticulture in the field of Soil preparation, Drilling and Sowing, Irrigation, Crop protection and Fertilizing, Farm Inputs, Harvesting, Processing & Storage, Transportation,

Precision Farming, Digitization, Systems & Components and Energy Decentral. Also planned to remain the hosted buyer program by inviting the potential key buyers across Asia region to meet and match with our top exhibitors from worldwide.

GROSSO FOODS B.V. REBRANDS TO GROSSO.AFRICA, REVEALS EXPANSION PLANS

Agricultural investment and advisory partner, Grosso Foods B.V., has transitioned into Grosso. Africa, a Tanzania based distributor with a handson focus on distribution of conservation agriculture equipment and smart farming solutions.

The rebrand highlights the company’s growth and strategic expansion plans with an unveiling of a new website redesign to reinforce its growing business model.

“Our new name represents where the company is going, shows continued commitment to the customers that helped us get here, and points to the future," said Nuradin Osman, Founder & CEO of Grosso. Africa. “Specifically, our new distribution agreement of leading brands including LS Tractor and Jan Agricultural Equipment reflects our commitment to meeting farmers’ needs with HighHorse Power tractors, precision planting, precision seed drill, self-propelled sprayers, combines and smart farming solutions, simplifying our approach to making accessible and affordable smart farming inquiries, connecting with our specialists, and order services.”

In 2020, Osman launched Grosso Foods B.V. to focus on last mile farmer-level transformations—increasing yields, reducing post-harvest losses, improving market access, and elevating product margins based on three core pillars: investment, advocacy, and project management. As it grew, the business began to supply farmers with a carefully selected offering of agricultural equipment and skilled personnel.

Today, Grosso.Africa rents and sells farming equipment, while offering agricultural contracting and leasing to farmers. The company supports its farmers through highly skilled farm machinery operators and agricultural experts with decades of experience in the agriculture machinery industry and precision Ag technology. Grosso. Africa will advance conservation agriculture practices by focusing on minimal to no-till method of farming.

DISCOVER THE LINGERING TASTE OF MALAYSIA AT THE GULFOOD 2022

Malaysian companies under the national trade promotion agency, MATRADE is all set to participate in the world’s largest F&B show, Gulfood in Dubai, from 13 to 17 February 2022. A total of 67 Malaysian companies in the food & beverages sector will take centre stage at the event. Palm oil-based products, ready-to-eat meals, food ingredients, beverages, confectionary, sauces and paste, snacks, frozen food, bakery items, and healthy and organic foods are among the Malaysian products to be presented at the trade show.

Malaysia’s efforts to build competencies in the Halal industry can be traced back over many years. Malaysian Halal certification is globally recognised and to date, has been proudly labelled by manufacturers that seek to cater to the Muslim market. Malaysian food products are widely accepted in this part of the world because of its stringent standards and high quality. In addition, wide acceptability of Malaysia’s Halal certification gives the products an added advantage in marketing the food products.

For the first 11 months of 2021, Malaysia’s exports of processed food to the GCC region had increased by 13.3% to reach USD303.3 million and the UAE was Malaysia’s second largest export destination in the region last year with 37.4% of the region’s share. “The strong acceptance for Malaysian’s F&B products, demand for new products in the UAE and increasing consumer awareness in the region for healthy and functional food contributed to the sterling trade performance,” according to Mr Remee Yaakub, Director of Halal, F&B and Agro Products at MATRADE. He also cited that the Malaysian food and beverage sector has witnessed a healthy growth over the past couple of years and with this trend MATRADE is all geared to promote our key producers at Gulfood.

EU CONTINUES STRONG SUPPORT TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AGRIFOOD PRODUCTS IN 2022

For 2022, a total of €185.9 million was allocated to the promotion of EU agri-food products in and outside the EU. Similarly to 2021, this year's promotion policy work programme focuses on products and agricultural practices that support the European Green Deal objectives, such as EU organic products, fruit and vegetables, sustainable agriculture and animal welfare.

The promotion policy will co-fund campaigns in line with the European Green Deal ambitions, supporting objectives from the Farm to Fork strategy, Europe's beating cancer plan, the EU organic action plan and the Communication on the European citizens' initiative ‘End the cage age'. Campaigns should inform EU and global consumers about organic farming, EU sustainable agriculture and the contribution of the agri-food sector towards climate action and the environment. Inside the EU, campaigns will also promote healthy eating and balanced diets by increasing the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Furthermore, to increase coherence with Europe's Beating cancer plan, the campaigns' visual promotion material will have to refer to the Food Based Dietary Guidelines of the targeted EU country.

Another focus of the campaigns will be to highlight the high safety and quality standards, as well as the diversity and traditional aspects of EU agri-food products. This includes the promotion of EU quality schemes such as geographical indications in the EU.

SPX FLOW HAS INTRODUCED UHT INNOVATION CENTER IN THE MIDDLE EAST

A new Innovation Center in Dubai allows customers to test a complete delivery solution to accelerate their time to market. This facility stretches the value chain all the way from research and development through processing to final packaging.

SPX FLOW will test products, finding the right balance between optimal temperature and total processing time. This extends product shelf life while retaining the taste, texture and depth consumers expect.

Before the Innovation Center opened, customers across the Middle East, Africa, and throughout Asia Pacific often faced two unappealing options. They could travel to Europe to test recipes, processes and filling solutions, but that could be a logistical challenge that took more time and money. Or they could test products at their own facilities, but that could halt full production and require more material and expenses.

Just days after the Innovation Center opened in November, SPX FLOW announced it will provide its Ultra High Temperature (UHT) technology process lines to one of the Middle East's leading dairy producers. The Innovation Center opens as demand for innovation continues to grow. Consumers want more variety for plantbased beverages, milk drinks, on-the-go breakfast drinks, smoothies with real fruit particulates and functional, ambient yogurts.

In the 1950s and 1960s, SPX FLOW helped pioneer Ultra High Temperature treatment, and today, the company offers a large choice of technology. It ranges from low cost “express” systems to customized solutions that meet exact processing needs and specific product qualities. SPX FLOW helps customers develop recipes using indirect heating with plate or tubular heat exchangers and direct heating using injection and infusion solutions.

Collaborating with SIG is also critical. The company is a leader in the design of systems and solutions for aseptic packaging, and with its food production license, the innovative recipes developed at the Innovation Center can be exported and used for consumer testing.

It will now be much easier for customers to test innovations with their consumers.