Gulf agriculture may june 2014

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M AY

ISSN 1751-8407

JUNE

2014 TM

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE MIDDLE EAST AGRIBUSINESS

VISIT

US

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NEW HOLLAND HAY AND FORAGE EQUIPMENT LEAVING NO LEAF ON THE GROUND

TAL TO GET GREENFINGERS AT GREENTECH

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AGRAME ATTRACTS MORE THAN 300 EXHIBITORS

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EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR RED PALM WEEVIL CONTROL

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AVR: HIGH-CAPACITY POTATO HARVESTERS

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URBINATI: INNOVATION IN HORTI BUSINESS

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CONTENTS

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Cover photo courtesy: CNH

NEWS UPDATE

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GREENTECH 2014: WELCOMING THE WORLD OF HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY TO AMSTERDAM

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AGRAME AWARDS CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST AGRICULTURE

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ENERGY BOOST FOR RACING CAMELS IN THE UAE

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THE HAY-MAKING SPECIALIST THAT MAKES THE MOST OUT OF DESERT CROPS

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PAVING THE WAY FOR FISH AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN WATER-SCARCE GCC

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GRACE AND AL DAHRA BREAK GROUND ON FIRST PHASE OF FCC CATALYST FACILITY AT KIZAD

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Editor in Chief Mohammed Nasser Editor Marie Matthew Associate Editor Andrew Thomas Graphic Designer Elizabeth John Marketing Manager Megha Mary Matt Production Manager Abdul Shareef Contributors Neville J. Chandler, P.K. James, Douglas Bott, Shakeeb Kolakadan, Dr. Terry Mabbett Head Office Matt Media International Ltd, Woodgreen, London N22 5AR, UK.

E-mail: gulfag@emirates.net.ae, Web site: www.gulfagriculture.com Middle East Office Al Saad Advertising & Publishing L.L.C., P O Box 25694, Sharjah, UAE, Tel:+971 6 5639494, Fax:+971 6 5639449.

Gulf Agriculture is read by agri professionals, farm managers & owners, landscape consultants, contractors, agri-equipment suppliers, horticultural engineers, greenhouse managers, agronomists, veterinary surgeons, ministries, poultry & dairy breeders, importers, distributors, manufacturers and whole salers of food and agri inputs.

Printed and published by Matt Media© Intl. Ltd.(U.K.) 2014

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.

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NEWS UPDATE African Farmers Expo and Workshop Ploughing Ahead

In only four years, the annual African Farmers Workshop and Expo (AFWE) has grown from a local farming sector exhibition in Gauteng to a highly successful quartet of three-day shows additionally hosted in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the North West Province. The next Johannesburg event takes place from 12 to 14 August at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (Nasrec) and is expected to be the biggest and most exciting yet!

“The show aims to empower emerging and subsistence farmers across South Africa, and boost the national farming sector generally,” explains Mahlatse Masimini, CEO of Moshate Media, organisers of the event. “There has been increasing interest in the African Farmer's Workshop and Expo since the inaugural show, and that prompted our decision to expand the event into the other provinces; the ultimate aim is to stage the expo in all provinces of South Africa, culminating in a flagship Johannesburg expo.

Part of the enormous popularity and success of AFWE is its focus on key elements of the farming business such as a breeder's expo, the Agri Youth Indaba and the Agri Bizniz Summit.

Other components include an indoor expo, outdoor expo, and the highly popular free daily workshops.

“Exhibitors from the broad farming trade understand the importance of educating their markets about the complexities of running a small agricultural or livestock enterprise,” says Masimini. “The shows provide MAY JUNE 2014

an invaluable opportunity for them to connect with farmers and engage with other knowledge leaders in the industry.”

“The show aims to promote and empower farmers in South Africa and across the SADC region, especially small and emerging enterprises, and to assist them in accessing muchneeded finance and resources,” continues Masimini. “It's also a platform to facilitate training and skills development for farmers, encourage better production practices and the use of agricultural resources, share information on how to expand and sustain farms, and instil the spirit of entrepreneurship.”

Participants at this year's show can expect some exciting new features, aimed at increasing value for sponsors and exhibitors. Visitor badges will be colour coded according to sectors, for example fresh produce, dairy, livestock, etc.

“This will enable exhibitors to identify show visitors from specific sectors, saving time and enabling them to get maximum exposure to their specific target markets at the show,” explains Masimini. “We will also invite procurement managers and business development managers to this year's event, as business-tobusiness interaction is a vital component of the show.”

The popular two-day AgriBizNiz Summit will be back this year, the theme for Day 1 covering “Sustainable Food Production to address Food Security in Africa”. The theme for Day 2 is “Promoting Trade and Investment Appeal to drive Agribusiness Growth”. The Summit brings key stakeholders in the

agricultural sector together to discuss pressing issues facing the industry.

The popular Agri Youth Indaba follows objectives of the National Youth Development Agency to provide a platform for young aspiring farmers to discover insights into farming and agriculture as a potential career after finishing school.

The Indaba also enables young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector to be more informed and to share their success stories.

The four African Farmers Workshop and Expo events are sponsored by Ithala, Omnia, Masisizane Fund, Mintek, Standard Bank, University of Limpopo, and Zoetis.

Macfrut 2014, the leading event for the fruit and vegetable supply chain

After the positive results achieved in 2013, with 24,800 registered visitors and exhibitors from more than 35 countries, Macfrut, the international trade fair for the fruit and vegetable supply chain to be held in Cesena (Italy) from 24 to 26 September 2014, is preparing for its next edition.

This year, once again, the key word will be internationalisation, which contributed to the success of the previous editions and will increasingly be the main focus of the event.

With a 20% increase in foreign exhibitors compared to 2012, and a 15% increase in foreign visitors, thus almost reaching 6,000 registered visitors, Macfrut begins a selective process that focuses on two areas: the Mediterranean Basin and the Balkan region, strategic areas for the production of Western Europe and its technologies.

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NEWS UPDATE

Similarly, by examining the potential demand for technologies for the fruit and vegetable sector in these areas, the international scene offers a particularly wide range of opportunities characterised by short distances for continental producers.

Macfrut provides a targeted high value-added offer and has unique features in the sector scenario. It is a trade fair for the supply chain, where visitors can find all the useful elements to set up strong businesses in the global market. These include seeds, for which Macfrut is an international showcase and many innovations in the vegetablegrowing and fruit-growing sectors every year, as well as cultivation and protection techniques, where multinational corporations and leading niche companies specialised in biological pest control play a key role. Last but not least, product processing and preservation technologies, for which the exhibition held in Cesena can rely on the world's leading district specialised in fruit and vegetable applications.

Technological innovation therefore becomes an additional strategic and distinctive element for Macfrut, which makes Cesena's trade fair stand out in an international context, primarily thanks to its unparalleled conference programme: last year, as part of the exhibition, 23 conferences were organised, which involved more than 3,000 participants. In addition, the Oscar Macfrut award ceremony, dedicated to innovative technologies, sees an increase in the number of participants every year and rising expectations of the 4

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public. Finally, the territory in which Macfrut is held is a real “fruit valley”, where visitors to the trade fair can find cuttingedge technological applications. Last year's 820 exhibitors, a 2% increase compared to the previous edition, were involved in more than 480 B2B meetings organised in collaboration with foreign delegations. They are proof of the key role that Macfrut in Cesena plays in this business sector.

Return of the 'cherry Ferrari' as the Glamour fruit season begins Glamour Cherries, the brand which has been nicknamed 'Red Gold' for its high price tag has returned to supermarket shelves, following a further improvement in flavour that has led owner SAT Edoa to claim it now has the globe's best-tasting cherries.

Harvested from high-tech glasshouses in Lleida, Spain, Glamour Cherries are unique in being the only cherries available anywhere in the world during the months of March and April, a full month before the first early-season imports from California.

As they are only produced in small quantities using cutting-edge production methods, the cherries are famously expensive, their price having led some to dub them the 'Red Ferrari'.

In fact, a 100 gram bamboo punnet of large-size Glamour Cherries can cost between Euro 85 and Euro 125 during the eight-week season, leading the brand to be featured in upmarket department stores such as Harrods of London1.

However, the product's exquisite taste and flavour has

been even more important in establishing the brand's reputation than the price tag.

According to SAT Edoa's sales manager, Oscar Ortiz, this reputation for superior taste and quality has been gained by the company's determination to continuously improve the already high standard of the product, leading to an important breakthrough last year.

“Our agricultural research team has as its principal aim to improve quality year after year and last year, we achieved a major improvement in terms of fruit sugars and robustness,” explained Ortiz.

“This year, we are certain we will continue to improve these areas, working so that Glamour Cherries, as well as being the only cherries available worldwide between March and April, are also the best in terms of taste.”

Harvesting for the 2014 Glamour Cherries season began on 10 March at SAT Edoa's glasshouse facility in north-eastern Spain.

The company's total production area for Glamour Cherries currently covers 50,000m2, with an additional 10,000m2 of young plantations that are not due to enter into production for another two years.

“We are proud of the consolidation we have achieved over recent years for the project, business and brand of Glamour Cherries, as it has become established in each and every country in which we have clients,” said Ortiz.

“We continue to work to consolidate the name of Glamour Cherries as the best in the world for their excellent taste and quality.”

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NEWS UPDATE

“Now is the time to remind consumers that Glamour Cherries' moment has arrived,� he added.

EIMA Green: the green machine in the foreground

The market has returned to sound levels in the area of Europe but indications of sales in Italy are still negative though there are hopes for a reversal of the trend in the current year in light of a very limited decline in 2013. The 2014 edition of EIMA Green, the international salon on mechanization in gardening and groundskeeping scheduled for November in Bologna, was unwrapped at the Vita in Campagna, Life in the Countryside Fair in Montichiari.

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The sector of mechanization for gardening and groundskeeping has come through its critical phase and is recovering in dynamics.

Following the international financial and economic crisis of 2008-2009 the European market is returning to substantial sales.

Estimates for 2013 are for sales on the continental market, the European Union and beyond, coming to a total of nearly 15 million units of mowers, brush cutters, garden tractors and ride-ons and other types of machinery and equipment for hobbyists and professional groundskeeping for a gain of 0.6% over the 2012 figure. The United Kingdom was confirmed as the

leader on the continent thanks especially to some types of machine, mainly mowers, with 2013 sales at more than one million units to account for one quarter of the total of 4.3 million for all of Europe.

Sales in Italy climbed steadily in the opening years of the past decade to then plunge with the onset of crisis conditions in 2009. After a 12% drop in 2012 under the previous year, the current estimate is for a much more limited decline of 1.6% shown by one million units sold to signal a possible reversal of the trend in 2014 which might return the sector to the black.

In detail, the data elaborated

by Comagarden on the basis of

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NEWS UPDATE

Weed control with steaming - a successful method For more than 100 years steaming has been successfully applied in horticulture and agriculture. In particular as method for plant protection against all kinds of weeds steaming has been proven successful. Steam completely kills all soil infesting weeds and weed seeds merely through heat - both under glass and on open land. The result is always a completely weed free soil, ideally prepared for consequent planting.

Research spanning over several years made at different German research institutes such as the Service Center Rhineland Palatinate or the university of Hohenheim showed that after surfacial steaming down to 5-10 cm depth with 90 degrees in open field cultures such as arugula or baby leaf salads no weeds grew during the whole cultivation period from sowing to harvest.

The effect against all kinds of weeds was 100%. Furthermore a beneficial side effects could be impressively revealed: The steamed culture showed a significant head start in growth of about 2-3 weeks and hence higher yield than such cultures which have been treated with herbicides.

For beds the company MSD in Durbach / Germany has constructed special tractor suspension hoods with a total area of up to 20 square meters which are relocated step by step after merely 5 minute steaming time. An even later development is MSD's steam robot. It uses three steaming hoods made of aluminium and transports steam boiler and oil on it. Fully automatically and without supervision it drives in the track of the tractor.

After a steaming process of e.g. 6 min (and hence a steaming depth of about 6 cm) the hoods are being slightly lifted up and the total unit moves forward about one hood length and the steaming process continues.

In accordance to the experience of the vegetable farmer Stegemeier from Bielefeld that uses the machine already for 5 seasons of arugula cultures, 0.5 ha can be steamed within 12 hours. Stegemeier grows 4 cultures of arugula with 2 steaming sessions on the same area in one season.

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a sample of farms belonging to Morgan disclosed various trends for each of the products.

Mowers closed the year down 5.7% with little more than 223,300 units sold, chainsaws showed a sharper drop of 12.8% with a total of 277,800 units moved and leaf blowers and vacuums were off by 7.6% at 73,800 units.

On the plus side were advances for brush cutters, up 16.4% with 207,000 units sold, trimmers gaining 4.5% to 65,000 units and hedge trimmers surging by 32% up to 86,900 units. Again on the down side were hobbyist lawn tractors, falling by 1.8% to 14,000 units and hobbyist ride-ons falling 8.7% to 5,100 units whereas professional ride-ons rose 1.6% to 460 units moved.

This round-up of data on machinery and equipment for gardening and groundskeeping was made public 21 March in Montichiari at the Vita in Campagna (Life in the Countryside) Fair - sponsored by the publishing group L'InformatoreAgrario - by Comagarden, the association in FederUnacoma which represents the Italian manufacturers of machinery and equipment for gardening and the maintenance of greens.

Another purpose of the press conference, led by the association's secretary for operations, Federica Tugnoli, was the presentation of the new edition of EIMA Green coming up in the setting of the great EIMA International exposition slated for 12 to 16 November in Bologna.

For the most recent edition, the EIMA Green Salon hosted as many as 160 industries in the sector, including 50 which MAY JUNE 2014

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arrived from abroad, taking over more than 15,000 m2 of exhibition area. A look at the trend of requests for participation in the 2014 edition shows that the number of industries is likely to grow even more with further gains of those coming from countries around the globe, including the United States, Japan, Germany, South Korea and China.

Tugnoli explained, “The review has strong international features and will be a sort of thermometer for gauging the trend of the markets around the world as regards professional end-users as well as the amateur segment.

Within an event like that of EIMA International, attention will be trained on technicians and businesspeople in mechanization for agriculture and forestry and EIMA Green is outstanding precisely because of the salon's dual dimension as a professional review for professionals and experts in the field as well as an outing for the general public of enthusiasts and hobbyists looking for technical equipment and solutions which ensure quality, reliability and safety in caring for home gardens,� the Comagarden secretary added.

Strong recovery following typhoon Haiyan

Tens of thousands of farmers are bringing in their first rice harvest just six months after one of the worst typhoons to ever hit the Philippines left their fields in tatters and their livelihoods at risk, FAO announced recently.

After Typhoon Haiyan hit the central Philippines on 8 November, 2013, the situation MAY JUNE 2014

was dire. More than 6,000 people lost their lives, while some 600,000 hectares of farmland were destroyed, leaving millions of people without a source of income and threatening food security.

"When I saw the extent of the destruction and damage caused by the high winds and storm surge, I thought the situation was hopeless," said rice farmer Lisa Canaber from Leyte Province, one of the worst-affected areas.

However, thanks to an immediate response by the international community, the Department of Agriculture and FAO were able to assist tens of thousands of rice farmers quickly restore and replant their devastated fields in the wake of the disaster, working closely

with the national government at all levels.

Within weeks of the disaster, FAO, the Department of Agriculture and their partners began distributing certified rice seeds to severely affected farmers, reaching 44 000 families in time for the December/January planting season.

Some have already gathered their crops, others will be doing so over the coming weeks and into early June.

And as a result of the timely provision of certified rice seed, complemented by urea fertilizer, many farmers are already seeing much higher yields than normal.

This will supply them not only with food for family consumption, but also with seed

Weather and political tensions impact food markets but cereal stocks remain adequate Weather conditions in various countries and political tensions in the Black Sea region have made food markets more volatile, FAO reports in the new Food Outlook.

In its first major forecast for 2014, FAO puts cereal production at 2 458 million tonnes (including milled rice), down some 2.4 percent from the 2013 record, though global output is still expected to be the second largest ever.

The decline is likely to be more pronounced for coarse grains. Still, inventory levels remain fairly good. Analysts say there is no cause for concern at this early stage before the main 2014/2015 seasons get underway -- assuming trade flows are not negatively affected by tensions in the Black Sea region.

Overall, world cereal stocks are expected to remain at relatively comfortable levels, according to the report, a biannual publication which provides information on the short-term market situation and outlook for major food stuffs. Lower pricing and El NiĂąo weather conditions may keep world rice production lower in 2014, especially in Asia. In Thailand, a softening of producer prices could be the main factor leading to a contraction in rice planting and production.

While production may be lower, international trade could expand to record levels in 2014, sustained by ample supplies in exporting countries and increased purchases by traditional importers like Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The 2014 global food import bill could stabilize at $1.29 trillion but animal product bills are set to increase, sustained by rising trade volumes and prices, the report says.

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for the next planting season as well as surplus rice that they can sell to boost their household incomes.

"Had I not received the certified rice seed to plant in time for the December/January season, I would have needed to rely on external food aid for almost a whole year," said Carmen Cinco, who also farms in Leyte Province. "I am hopeful now. We are on the way to recovery."

FAO also provided 13,000 farm tools and over 4,500 tonnes of fertilizer to 80,000 affected families. Now rice farmers are reaping the benefits of what is, for them, a first and critical step on the road to recovery.

In addition to extensive damage to rice farming, some 33 million coconut trees were damaged or destroyed by Haiyan, affecting the livelihoods of more than one million coconut farmers. Given that coconut trees take six to eight years to become productive again, small-scale coconut farmers needed interim support in finding alternative sources of income -- most relied solely on coconut trees for their livelihoods.

After having consulted local communities, and in close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Coconut Authority, Bureau of Animal Industries and other relevant government institutions, FAO is aiming to help about 30,000 small-scale coconut farmers by providing vegetable seeds, farm tools, postharvest equipment and livestock such as water buffaloes, goats, pigs and poultry.

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Rosalia Garredo, a rice and coconut tree farmer from Leyte Province, said. "This and poultry raising as an alternative livelihood will help me be independent until my trees are productive again."

The goal is to diversify smallholder farmers' livelihoods, thereby increasing their resilience to future disasters.

The typhoon also severely damaged coastal mangroves ecosystems which play an important role in local food security. FAO, in collaboration with the Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, plans to support the rehabilitation of agroforestry systems and mangroves forests and assist nearly 5 000 vulnerable farmers with required agricultural and livestock inputs.

Additionally, the storm destroyed the assets of a large number of fishers, ranging from fishing boats and gear to aquaculture ponds to onshore facilities. An estimated 30,000 boats were damaged, with some 10,000 completely lost or destroyed.

In developing and implementing recovery projects, FAO is ensuring that pretyphoon fishing capacities are not exceeded; that fishers will receive selective, nondestructive fishing gear; input support; and technical guidance in responsible practices. About 17,000 small-scale fishing families will benefit.

Beyond recovery, FAO is looking to enhance the resilience and capacity of fishing communities' to cope with future natural disasters.

FAO's typhoon Haiyan recovery work to date has been

supported by the UN Central Emergency Fund (CERF), the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department of the European Commission (ECHO) and the Governments of Belgium, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Potential of insects as resources for animal feed

Insects can provide a sustainable and environmentally-friendly option for animal feed, in addition to already being a mainstay of human diets for 2 billion people worldwide, FAO Assistant Director-General Eduardo Rojas-Briales told an international gathering of researchers in The Netherlands.

Rojas spoke during the opening session of the conference, “Insects to Feed the World,” jointly organized by Wageningen University and the UN agency. More than 400 participants from 45 countries have gathered for the 14-17 May event to examine the current status and future potential of insects as food and feed.

“The time is ripe to think about alternative sources of food in view of a growing world population, climate change threats and persisting hunger in many parts of the world,” said Rojas, who oversees FAO's work in forestry and related food systems and livelihoods. Wild foods contribute to the food security of millions of people living in and around forests and most of the insects consumed by one-third of the world's people are collected from the wild.

“Certainly insects alone will not solve the world's food MAY JUNE 2014

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security challenges but it would be absurd not to mobilize their full potential in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.”

“Raising insects for feed is an environmentally friendly and efficient way of producing animal feed,” said Rojas.

“Insects can be fed on biowaste, compost and animal slurry, and can transform these into high-quality protein for animal feed.”

“Recognizing the global potential of insects for food in this conference is not to advocate a change in the food patterns of the other two-thirds of the global population that is not used to eating insects, but to ensure that those who consume insects can continue to do so in the future in a sustainable way, and to highlight the different potential contributions insects can make to food security in the future,” Rojas said.

He added that the challenge of feeding a projected 9 billion people in a sustainable way by the year 2050 will “never be achieved based on one single measure, but is only possible by a convergence of perseverant measures that complement each other.”

Rojas mentioned bees as a prime example of the variety of ways in which insects contribute to food security.

Bees provide honey but they are also the predominant and most economically important group of pollinators in most geographical regions of the globe, supporting pollination of 71 of the 100 crop species that provide 90 percent of the world's food. Also, bees are among the most commonly consumed insects in some parts of the world.

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In addition to raising awareness of the potential of insects in sustainable diets and food production, conference participants plan to discuss a variety of related issues, including data-gathering, nutritional analysis, and regulatory and research

considerations, among others.

Rojas said the international scientific community could make “important contributions by generating the right momentum to overcome the still-existing bottlenecks and to unlock the full potential of insects for food and feed.”

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GREENTECH PREVIEW

GREENTECH 2014: WELCOMING THE WORLD OF HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY TO AMSTERDAM

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reentech 2014, the international trade fair for horticulture technology which opens its doors from 10 to 12 June in Amsterdam RAI, will focus on the twin areas of product technology for food and ornamental horticulture, GreenTech will also feature a comprehensive range of innovations (with awards to match) and a unique blend of exhibition and excursions.

Professional flower and vegetable growers from around the world will descend on Amsterdam in June, one of the nicest times of the year to visit this iconic city.

The visitors to Greentech 2014 can expect a return on their investment in time and money.

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“There is no international business-to-business show with such an all-encompassing overview of horticultural technology,” says exhibition manager Mariska Dreschler.

“Professionals cannot afford not to come to Amsterdam this June as, uniquely, every production technology involved in flowers and vegetables will be featured at Greentech. By production technology we mean the technology - in the broadest sense of the word - that is deployed in plant production from seed to tomato or primrose. Dutch companies are among the leaders in this area and GreenTech will serve a broad international platform where the Dutch sector can

present itself as the forerunner it is, but also learn from international marketleaders.”

A fresh wind There has been a distinguished history of major horticulture industry events in Amsterdam, most noticeably the former Horti Fair, also held in the RAI. But here the connections with the past end - there is no structural or financial link with this former trade show and GreenTech has been developed from scratch. In doing so the organisers have been inspired by close consultation with the market to ensure that GreenTech will be a fresh new global meeting place for the horticulture and floriculture sectors.

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with Horti Fair) is another major innovation. This will add to the allure for people visiting Amsterdam at a time when the city is in full bloom. “There are few more beautiful places than Amsterdam in June,” adds Dechering. “What's more, the timing has enabled us to combine the exhibition with an extensive range of trials and excursions.

“The so-called FlowerTrials an open-house route for floricultural breeders - have already been successfully running for the past decade in the second week of June. Now we are hopeful major vegetable seed companies will start an initiative along the same lines. Add in the fact that everything can be seen within 50 km of Amsterdam and it is clear that international visitors will thoroughly enjoy visiting breeders and discovering new species of flowers and vegetables.”

“At the heart of this approach are three sustainable and connected themes,” says horticulture marketing director Frans-Peter Dechering, who played an important role in the concept for GreenTech. “We will be organising sessions and theme pavilions around the themes of water, energy and biobased. This will make it worthwhile for industries other than horticulture to also connect to the platform, including high tech, chemicals, life science & health and energy.”

Out and about The decision to hold GreenTech in the second week of June (rather than November, the month traditionally associated MAY JUNE 2014

Experienced organisers Another crucial advantage that GreenTech has is that the event is not only being hosted in Amsterdam RAI but also organised by the RAI, one of the world's leading international exhibition and convention centres. “Amsterdam RAI is a professional and highly experienced organiser with no ties to any of the participants,” points out Dreschler. “This means short lines of communication and a single point of contact. All the RAI's expertise in organising leading international shows in Amsterdam and abroad will be used to optimise the visitor experience.”

Highlights will include a dedicated content-based portal where visitors can fully prepare for their visit online and make

appointments to visit a particular exhibitor. In addition to being a physical event, GreenTech will serve as a virtual platform where suppliers and buyers can get in touch with each other. The RAI is investing in the creation of an online community, online lead generation systems and matchmaking tools.

Face to face “All these efforts will ultimately ensure that the doors of GreenTech are open 365 days a year,” says Dreschler. “But everyone at the RAI is convinced in the enduring value of face-toface meetings to inspire business, and that's why the exhibition in June is so important. We will focus on solutions - enhancing the quality of products, enhancing productivity, lowering costs, marketing, food safety and sustainable production - while giving people the chance to networking with other quality visitors and industry leaders.”

The issue of innovations is also a keynote feature of Greentech 2014. All companies will be showcasing the very latest products and there will be a GreenTech Innovation Award in the categories of production, equipment and sustainability. “Good nutrition and well-being are crucial to quality of life,” says Dechering. “A growing world population requires sustainable production plus careful attention to scarce resources. It is clear that production technology can make a vital contribution and these innovation awards will stimulate the process.”

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TAL TO GET GREEN-FINGERS AT GREENTECH

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n June, the Rai in Amsterdam will open its doors for the first time for a new exhibition dedicated to horticulture. The biennial exhibition - GreenTech Amsterdam is the new platform of international horticulture technology. UK-based Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF) manufacturer Technical Absorbents (TAL) will join around 100 exhibitors at the inaugural event and will be displaying an array of innovative fibre and fabric technologies that aid efficient water management.

The event - which will take place between 10-12 June - has been designed to revolve around three crucial themes: water, energy and bio-based.

TAL will be in hall 9 closest to the water pavilion and will be promoting its Agrotas range of

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SAF and converted fabrics, yarns and tapes, which allow users to achieve optimum nurturing and growth conditions whilst effectively reducing overall water usage.

TAL's unique superabsorbent technology creates new possibilities for the development of fabrics that can be used for short and long-term solutions, from hanging basket liners to commercial scale projects, even in areas of low water availability. Such fabrics are designed to achieve highly controlled delivery of water and nutrients to root systems, whilst significantly reducing evaporative loss and water seepage. SAF can also be dosed directly to the soil.

“We have developed a portfolio of products for this market” explains Technical Sales Manager Mr Dave Hill.

“From liner fabrics to durable fabrics that can be buried below the grounds surface, our super absorbent technology offers a solution for those looking to reduce water usage or have a need to ensure plants don't dehydrate during transportation.

“Wherever there is a requirement to manage water and nutrient delivery in a controlled and environmentally safe way, we can help devise a solution. At Greentech we will have a team of development specialist's onhand to introduce visitors to our technology and meet about specific projects if required.”

For further information, please email: anita.bemrose@techabsorbents.com MAY JUNE 2014

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AGRAME ATTRACTS MORE THAN 300 LO

His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, has officially opened AGRA Middle East and VET Middle East in Dubai.

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is Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, opened Agra and Vet Middle East on the 25th of March 2014, the regions specialist agribusiness and veterinary trade events.

The three day event has seen an impressive 26 per

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cent year-on-year growth in floor space, which include over 250 agriculture, poultry, fishing and horticulture businesses from 35 countries.

Agra Middle East featured the Agribusiness Outlook Forum where experts discussed the latest developments in GC food security, preservation

and low cost sustainable farming.

The forum discussed the challenges related to agriculture and animal welfare in the region, as climate change, ground water scarcity, population growth and how a higher standard of living contributes to the MAY JUNE 2014

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00 LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS

THE THREE DAY EVENT HAS SEEN AN IMPRESSIVE 26 PER CENT YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH IN FLOOR SPACE, WHICH INCLUDE OVER 250 AGRICULTURE, POULTRY, FISHING AND HORTICULTURE BUSINESSES FROM 35 COUNTRIES

mounting food import bill across the region.

While more than 4,500 visitors passed through the halls of Agra and Vet Middle East, the remarkable success has meant that more than 40% of the floor space has already being occupied for Agra and Vet Middle East 2015!

The fast-growing event for the burgeoning Veterinary industry has witnessed a 71 per cent growth in visitors since MAY JUNE 2014

2010, with the 2014 edition bringing more than 50 international manufacturers and suppliers of veterinary products and services.

Held alongside Vet Middle East was the free-to-attend Veterinary Outlook Forum where leading experts discussed various topics including diagnostics, therapy, and treatment of domestic, farm and exotic animals.

Organised by Informa Exhibitions, Agra and Vet Middle East are held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, with a continued support from the

UAE Ministry of Environment and Water.

Organised by Informa Exhibitions, AGRA Middle East and VET Middle East are held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water. AGRA Middle East is supported by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, and sponsored by platinum sponsor Al Dahra Agriculture, while official supporters of VET Middle East include Conference Sponsors Eithad Cargo and IFT Animal Health; and Lanyard Sponsor Agthia.

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AGRAME AWARDS CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST AGRICULTURE

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he 2014 edition of the AgraME Awards celebrated agricultural innovations from around the world at a glittering ceremony and gala dinner in Dubai.

The awards were judged by an expert panel who selected the winners from a shortlist of 14 projects across five categories. Dr. Rami Hamad, Farm Manager atthe UAEbased Al Rawabi Dairy Company won the Farm Innovation in Agriculture award for his innovative project that helps to eliminate heat and humidity stress in dairy cattle during the summer.

The honour for the Farm Innovation in Poultry went to TEXHA Production Associationfrom Kiev, Ukraine, which was praised for its newly designed cage equipment for broilers growing with a robotised unloading system to minimise human influence on the technological process.

Ma/ag S.R.L from Italy scooped the award for the Best New Agriculture Product for the Gulf Market for their culti-rapid

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new generation machine, an innovative equipment used for working the soil as an alternative to the plough.

UK-based Agri Lamp was given the award for the Best New Poultry Product for the Gulf Market for their induction power systems designed specifically for the poultry industry. The new system contains a patented light induction technology, that is designed to be the safest, most energy efficient and userfriendly lighting system available.

Another sustainable based product was behind the Best New Landscaping Product for Gulf Market Award which was won by Resysta Building Material, for their green, resistant, and sustainable outdoor material, RESYSTA. Richard Pavitt, AGRA Middle East Exhibition Director praised this year's finalists and winners for the achievements they've made in their businesses and their contribution to agribusiness in the Middle East.

“We've had an exciting year

for the AgraME Awards, given the diversity of industries represented across the five categories. All of this year's nominations illustrated the diverse challenges and innovative solutions in implementing good agricultural practices on their farms, at their production facilities, and in the management of their business.

“Informa Exhibitions is proud to have received so many entries for our second edition of the AgraME Awards.

Congratulations to the winners and all those shortlisted.”

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Richard Pavitt, AGRA Middle East Exhibition Director praised this year’s finalists and winners for the achievements they’ve made in their businesses and their contribution to agribusiness in the Middle East.

“We’ve had an exciting year for the AgraME Awards, given the diversity of industries represented across the five categories. All of this year’s nominations illustrated the diverse challenges and innovative solutions in implementing good agricultural practices on their farms, at their production facilities, and in the management of their business.

“Informa Exhibitions is proud to have received so many entries for our second edition of the AgraME Awards. Congratulations to the winners and all those shortlisted.”

AgraME Awards Winners Category Farm Innovation Award Person – Agriculture Farm Innovation Award – Poultry Product Best New Product for Gulf Market – Agriculture Best New Product for Gulf Market – Poultry Best New Product for Gulf Market – Landscaping HeldJUNE under2014 the patronage MAY

Winner Dr Rami Hamad, Farm Manager, Al Rawabi Dairy Company TEXHA Production Association Ma/ag S.R.L Agri Lamp Resysta Building Material

Project New innovative way to eliminate heat and humidity stress during summer in dairy cattle in Dubai The cage equipment for broilers growing with robotized poultry unloading system Cultirapid new generation Agrilamp Induction Power System (ALIS) Resysta

of His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of GULF AGRICULTURE

Environment & Water, AGRA Middle East is sponsored by Platinum Sponsor Al Dahra Agriculture and supported by the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water. The event is co-

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ENERGY BOOST FOR RACING CAMELS IN THE UAE

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More zoom for UAE racing camels: Agrivita Feed Solutions launched their Champion Racing Camel High Performance Feed at AGRA Middle East.

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grivita Feed Solutions, the animal feed division of Agthia Group, has launched a high performance camel feed product specifically developed for the approximately 70,000 racing camels competing throughout the UAE. The Champion Racing Camel High Performance Feed arrives in the UAE for the first time after one year of extensive research and development between animal nutritionists and camel trainers.

The high energy coarse mix was showcased to thousands of visitors at AGRA Middle East.

Rajeswari Gopalan, Trade Marketing Manager at Agrivita Feed, said that the feed is formulated for maximum speed and performance of racing camels, enriched with minerals, vitamins, energy and nutrients to enable endurance and protection against high effort and stress.

“Agrivita has a team of specialists educating breeders and trainers of the benefits of the Champion Racing Camel High Performance Feed that has been developed

specifically for racing camel's unique physiological requirements,” said Gopalan.

“For breeding, training or competing, we recommend that racing camels consume between 1.5 to 2 kg of Agrivita Champion feed per day at the discretion of nutritionists and trainers, in order to maintain optimum health and superior performance.”

The three-day event hosted more than 250 regional and international companies in aquaculture, poultry, and horticulture sectors.

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These include Canadianbased Agri-Plastics, which are showcasing at AGRA Middle East their complete range of calf rearing hutches, including the SL Super Ventilation Calf Hutch, a finalist at the AgraMe Awards for the best new agriculture product for the Gulf market.

Noel Kelly, Director of International Sales at AgriPlastics, said: “The SL Super Ventilation Hutch is our most popular product with an opaque plastic that blocks out the sun, while providing ample ventilation for calves in MAY JUNE 2014

very high temperatures.

“So far we've sold to several projects for farms in Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon, plus a brand new project in Jordan using the SL Super Ventilation Hutch. Before trialling our products, the farm in Kuwait used traditional metal boxes to rear their calves in temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Celsius, with a 20 per cent mortality rate. After using the AgriPlastic SL Calf Hutch in the same temperatures, the mortality rate dropped to just two per cent.”

Agri-plastics showcased their very popular range of calf housing solutions at the three-day trade show for the Middle East agriculture, horticulture, poultry and aquaculture sectors.

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RED PALM WEEVIL CONTROL

SOSPALM: THE MOST EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROL OF RED PALM WEEVIL

THE MIGUEL HERNANDEZ UNIVERSITY OF ELCHE, ALICANTE- SPAIN, PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF THREE YEARS TRIALS ABOUT ENDOTHERAPY WITH THE SOSPALM SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROL OF RED PALM WEEVIL

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he SOSPALM peg is an endotherapy method for the control of the red palm weevil. Its high efficiency and low maintenance costs have made SOSPALM the most used tool by professionals, local authorities, date producers, and nurseries.

The SOSPALM peg is permanently installed on the palm stem and after the simple application of an injection, a dose of systemic insecticide travels to the point of growth, protecting it from the attacks of the red palm weevil. As it is installed in the lower part of the palm, it protects the entire stretch of the stem, which is essential to control lateral and basal attacks in Phoenix dactilyfera.

Technical Conference The director of the Palmeral of Elche Department of Miguel Hernandez University of Elche and head of Plant Growth at the Agricultural Council of Alicante, Doctor of Agricultural Engineering Mr. Jose Manuel Llorens, has recently presented the results of endotherapy SOSPALM trials for the control of the

red weevil in palm trees.

After two days of active presentation, in which around 250 experts took part, the following conclusions were given: l The SOSPALM peg is an efficient method for injecting insecticides into the interior of the palm tree. l As the same point of injection is used, it is not necessary to repeat the perforations in the palm tree.

Results of the trials to measure the efficiency of different insecticides l Monthly injections of 9 cc of Imidacloprid per palm dissolved in SOSPALM LIQUID kept the palm trees alive for more than 2 years. l After monthly injections of 6 gr of Tiametoxan per palm via the SOSPALM peg, all palms had survived after a two year period. l 100% of Phoenix Canariensis and Dactilyfera injected every 30 days with Tiametoxan, Imidacloprid, Abamectine and Acetamiprid remained healthy. l Imidacloprid and Clotianidina had a positive effect in an upward circulation but little effect in downward circulation.

Results of trials to measure the efficiency of Emamectine l In seriously infected palms, 45 cc of Emamectine injected every 90 and 120 days through 3 SOSPALM pegs per palm kept all the palms alive.

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RED PALM WEEVIL CONTROL l In healthy palms, doses of Emamectine of both 30 and 45 cc applied every 180 or 360 days have,

to date, shown 100% efficiency, although new trials are needed in order to confirm these results.

Other notable trials The high pest pressure in the date producing areas, along with a very large number of tall palm trees, led to focus the efforts on creating a protocol that guarantees no pesticide residues in the date, a prime quality factor, and the protection of the point of growth in the highest palm trees. Until these results had been achieved, farmers had interrupted the treatments which left the palms unprotected.

Trials to detect insecticide residues in dates l Metjoul and confitera dates which had been injected with Tiametoxan, Abamectine and Imidacloprid using the SOSPALM endotherapy up to 30 days before harvest, did not show any

insecticides residues above required levels.

Results of trials to detect the presence of insecticides in the stem of tall palm trees l In palm trees of up to 13 meters in height, with monthly injections of Imidacloprid, the presence of this insecticide was detected at the growing point.

Inspection of the condition of the point of installation of the SOSPALM peg after 4 years of use. (Photos courtesy of Alicante Town Hall) l In palm trees installed with SOSPALM pegs in March 2010 and inspected in April 2014, no

necrosis was detected and the stem retained its capacity of circulation of the injected insecticide.

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The full results of the trials can be seen through the following link: http://palmeralelx.umh.es/trabajoscatedra-2/lucha-activa-contra-elpicudo-iii-tratamientos-conendoterapia/ SOSPALM, SYSTEM TESTED IN ELCHE, THE GREATEST PALMERAL IN EUROPE The pest situation in Spain is similar to that of all the Mediterranean countries, but having been the gateway of the red palm weevil into Europe, research has been a priority in Spain, making it the country of reference for research in the fight against the red palm weevil.

SOSPALM is a method that offers added advantages over traditional endotherapy. Fixed installation of the peg in the palm tree without the need to repeat perforations avoids unnecessary damage to the specimen.

SOSPALM improves labor productivity when repeated treatments are carried out as it is not necessary to move complicated and heavy equipment.

The SOSPALM peg has been specially designed for permanent installation into the stem of the palm. What is more the external 22

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The SOSPALM peg has been specially designed for permanent installation into the stem of the palm. What is more the external and internal seal, an exclusive feature of the design, avoids the closure of the capillary vessels of the palm tree and helps functionality over the passage of time.

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and internal seal, an exclusive feature of the design, avoids the closure of the capillary vessels of the palm tree and helps functionality over the passage of time.

As has been proved in all the official trials carried out by the Department of Agriculture of Valencia in Alicante, the Department of Agriculture of Catalonia and by the Department of Agriculture of Ibiza, and other official organisms, garden businesses, gardeners, nurseries and producers of dates, the SOSPALM system is the most efficient and economical as well as being the kindest to the environment in the fight against the red palm weevil.

SOSPALM improves labor productivity when repeated treatments are carried out as it is not necessary to move complicated and heavy equipment.

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THE HAY-MAKING SPECIALIST THAT MAKES THE MOST OUT OF DESERT CROPS

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audi Arabia's agricultural development has been impressive over the last decades. Although widely thought of as a desert, the country has had the strength to convert large desert areas into lush fields and cultivable land.

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The government, with the combined effort of the private sector, has aided the process by implementing major irrigation projects and large scale mechanization. As a result, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can now declare to be self-sufficient

in a number of agricultural and dairy products. This is a major accomplishment for one of the countries with the lowest rainfall in the world. Still, water scarcity remains a major challenge and all the efforts to maintain fertile farmlands must

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be supported by crop yield maximization. No doubt, agricultural equipment plays a significant role in this scenario.

Arabian Auto Agency (AAA) is the Kingdom's main supplier of engineered equipment and for the agricultural sector the company is exclusively distributing New Holland Agriculture products since 1988. “From small up to large corporate farms, New Holland equipment is the

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preferred choice of our customers as it suits well the specific farming needs of our region,” says Gummuluri Rao, Product Manager at AAA. The company complements the product offering with high quality, responsive after-sales service and technical support.

“This is highly appreciated by Saudi Arabian customers and a key pillar to build long-term loyalty with every one of them,” adds Mr. Rao.

Among the renowned customers of AAA there is the National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC), one of the largest agricultural and foodprocessing companies in the Middle East and North Africa and one of the very few vertically integrated dairy businesses in the world.

NADEC produces a wide range of different products, from fruits to olives, from alfalfa to other crops and animal fodder, and it is constantly looking for the latest technology and the best farming practices.

Recently, the company has purchased five New Holland H8040 Speedrower® selfpropelled windrowers. The units were delivered by AAA which also provides dedicated after-sales support and technical training to the highly qualified NADEC operators and technicians. The H8040 windrowers are working in three farming projects across the country, respectively located in Jouf, Hail and Harad. The units are mainly used in the haymaking of alfalfa, which is still the major crop in the Kindgom, largely utilized for cattle and camel feed.

“NADEC is a loyal customer of New Holland Agriculture equipment since many years,” highlights Mr. Rao. “With the recent purchase of five H8040 windrowers, the company has further expanded its fleet which already includes more than sixty rakes, twenty windrowers and a selection of small and large square balers, all marked with the blue and yellow colors of New Holland,” says Mr. Rao. With almost 120 years of experience, New Holland

‘‘

FROM SMALL UP TO LARGE CORPORATE FARMS, NEW HOLLAND EQUIPMENT IS THE PREFERRED CHOICE OF OUR CUSTOMERS AS IT SUITS WELL THE THE SPECIFIC FARMING NEEDS OF OUR REGION Gummuluri Rao

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Agriculture is a global leader in the agriculture equipment sector and a top-player in the Middle East markets. The company offers the widest choice of innovative yet easyto-operate agricultural equipment, including tractors, combine harvesters, balers, and hay tools. With a long history of industry firsts, New Holland has set the standard for haymaking with a complete offering of hay tools and strong

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market positions in the windrower and bale wagon segments.

H8040 Speedrower速 Windrowers: A Truly Hard Worker No matter what the crop, New Holland H8040 Speedrower速 self-propelled windrowers deliver unmatched power and operational capacity. Drawing from over 50 years of windrower expertise, the H8040

models get the job done with ease and speed thanks to a powerful four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that delivers up to 126 hp (94 kW).

This highly-responsive, fuelefficient engine is matched with a capacious 454-litre fuel tank, allowing the H8040 windrowers to stay in the field long hours without refueling. The airconditioned deluxe cab provides best-in-class comfort and control, with outstanding

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overall visibility on the machine and the header. The cab suspension and the independent rear axle suspension give extra smooth ride and speed in all terrains.

Productivity is taken to the next level with the independent hydraulic header flotation system and the windrow shield adjustment that give superior header in-cab control to the operator. Uptime is further maximized by quick access to

daily maintenance points and routine service performed at ground level.

New Holland offers a large selection of draper and sicklebar headers, ranging from 3.73 to 11 m, including the 4.95 m 16HS sicklebar header which is very suitable for cutting and windrowing alfalfa crops.

Combined with a H8040 windrower, the reliable HaybineÂŽ HS Series is recognised for smooth, clean and time-proven alfalfa cutting which ensures up to 9 cuts per year.

High-Quality Bailing That Saves You Valuable Crop Nobody understands baling like New Holland Agriculture.

The company has led the art of baling, ever since it introduced the world’s first successful automatic hay baler in 1937.

More than 900,000 balers later, New Holland has a wellearned reputation for reliability and baler excellence.

The hard-working BC5060 small square balers produce consistent bales that meet the demands of most farm operations and are particularly suitable for bailing alfalfa hay.

The Super Sweep pick-up with a wide pick-up area of 1.65 m, or 1.8 m with the flare, ensures extra crop that is missed by conventional pick-ups. The heavy-duty rotary feeding system is mechanically simple and designed for durability, ease-of-service and for delivering uniform, highquality bales. The compact 36x46 cm bales are very easy to handle and keep their shape over a longer period. Light-inweight, they ensure hassle-free transport.

New Holland Agriculture product offering also

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encompasses dedicated highcapacity solutions for larger bailing operations up to thousands alfalfa bales per year.

Fast Field Clearance with New Holland Bale Wagons For about 50 years, since the introduction of its first automatic baler wagon, New Holland has transformed the back-breaking labor of moving and stacking bales into a job that is almost effortless.

Offered in self-propelled or trailed versions, New Holland wagons are designed to quickly collect bales from the field and automatically stack them for transport. The pull-type New Holland 1037 model is very easy to use: it just needs to be hooked up to the tractor's PTO, allowing the operator to pick up, load and stack bales without leaving the seat. The 1037 bale wagon can handle three-bale-wide loads, up to four tons per load.

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VR's aim is producing robust, secure highcapacity harvesters that are able to deliver potatoes of excellent quality, the High-End machines. The 'total cost of ownership' has to be as low as possible. Quality, capacity and service are the key words here.

AVR's specializations consist of harvesting potatoes on the one hand and soil cultivation before and after the planting of potatoes on the other hand.

The basis of the whole AVR selection lies in the division of

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Research and Development. All developments are carried out inhouse, whether it is a new prototype or a small adaptation to an existing machine. The knowledge about potato harvesters is essential here. Our researchers have a yearlong experience in this sector and often have an agricultural background.

The machines are designed in a modern way, with the help of 3D computer systems. New machines are fully developed on our computer screens and the assembly is optimized.

The modularity of the harvesters

is a guide line here. As such, machines can be finished taking into account the specific conditions and needs of the client.

The machine's construction spells out AVR. The well-known AVR digging unit takes care of the potato influx. The potatoes are then transported to a digging web and a 1st sieving web (with agitator), after which a haulm web (with underneath a 2nd and 3rd sieving web and an in-line pintlebelt) ensures an efficient haulm separation. After that, a final soil and clump separation is conducted on the transversal pintle belt (above which either a 3-row rotary comb, a

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retaining roller set or a 2x2-row rotary comb is mounted). The potatoes pass via the picking-off table with room for about 6 workers to finally end up in the 8+ ton bunker.

All sieving webs, pintlebelts, retaining rollers etc. are hydraulically driven, which makes this machine extremely maintenance- and user-friendly.

For instance, the web speeds can be configured in relation to the driving speed, which ensures an adequate anticipation of all harvesting conditions.

It is also possible to install a cross roller set before the pintlebelt module. This set

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excels in flexibility. Numerous configuration possibilities ensure that the harvester can be used under nearly all harvesting conditions, from soft soil in dry conditions to dense soil after several weeks of rain. As the cross roller set immediately sieves out a large amount of soil and clumps, the capacity of the pintlebelts and therefore the machine augments considerably.

The cross roller set consists of turbine rollers and smooth rollers that are mounted transversally to the product flow.

When all rollers are spinning in the same direction, the potatoes are quickly transported to the ensuing pintlebelt. When an intensive soil and clump separation is called for, the distance between the spiral and plain rollers can be increased and the plain rollers can be made to spin in the opposite direction. This causes the machine's capacity to increase dramatically.

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TURKEY UPDATE

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URBINATI: TOP OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN HORTICULTURE

T Mohamed Adel Zaraa Area Manager for Arab countries

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he activity of the company started in 80 es and was realized in the direction of bringing continue innovation, new solutions to facilitate and improve the conditions of working in the nurseries.

The company is based on the force of the Urbinati family around the figure of Nino Urbinati, founder of the company and spirit of the technical Dpt in a continuous search of innovative technical solutions that are the real life of the company.

Besides Nino, Romina Urbinati with all the collaborators that makes the company so strong and well balanced among every unit,

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from that administrative to the commercial one, the productive are divided into units where every unit is independent and in a position of guaranteeing the maximum productive ability during the arch of all the various productive seasons.

And every unit means seeding dpt, irrigation booms area, wireless transplanter dpt, fillers and compost mixers, tapes for transporting, new prototypes.

And this is the real force of the company, the being a company complete where the machines are developed inside from the beginning, from the project of the technical department managed from internal engineers then

production, welding, assembly and final inspection, all strictly

by Urbinati people.

The innovations space in all the fields, from the new solutions for the seeding to new programs for the complete automatic management of irrigation in greenhouse until the filling for new materials as coco fiber and to the transplant of thousand plants per hour.

All what the market demands Urbinati transforms into machines, what customers need we put into production.

The demand for mixed seeding is growing from the main world-wide supermarket chains so growers are going to produce it from beginning so Urbinati developed new

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control of “robot systems” from every place, far from the nursery, dislocating the traditional way of irrigating within the greenhouse.

Urbinati believes lively in the internationalization of the markets therefore the experience on all markets often so different among them brought the company to reach a high experience in the process of growing that the company is nowadays able to offer this experience through machines that score the real aim and primary necessities of all growers and farmers.

The future in the horticultural sector will be full of innovation - as an always more international market demands - so Urbinati is running the challenge of offering solutions to growers that will need to guarantee the quality of the products “watching” their costs of producing.

For any contacts please contact the email addresses below alessandro.mazzacano@urbinati.com or adel@urbinati.com

software able to manage it saving time and costs of production for growers.

So as the increment of the productive capacity of transplanted vegs, now necessary seen the always higher competition among worldwide growers on the market.

And so as the cost reduction of labor employed in the management of the irrigation phases inside the greenhouse, it has carried to find new solution for the complete automatic MAY JUNE 2014

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PAVING THE WAY FOR FISH AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN WATER-SCARCE GCC

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gricultural advancements taking place in Egypt's desert could pave the way for a whole new approach to cultivating fresh vegetables and fish in the GCC that's four times more efficient than regular farms, and requires no fertile land.

The Bustan Aquaponics farm is a 1,000 square metre operation located on the outskirts of Cairo, and is the first and only commercial aquaponics farm in Egypt, producing pesticide-free tilapia fish, four varieties of lettuce, baby spinach, purple kale, swiss chard, celery, pakchoi, wild rocket, gargeer, thyme and sage.

The system combines conventional aquaculture with hydroponics, where water and gasses from the fish are recycled and utilised by the plants as nutrients. The water is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system. Launched 18 months ago, it has delivered an internal rate of return of between 20-30 per cent, and has the potential to break even within the next six to 18 months.

The farm's owner and manager, Faris Farrag, says the system is ideally suited to water-starved countries in the Gulf and wider region.

“There are many benefits of aquaponic systems, primary among them is the ability to produce significant amounts of organic fish and vegetables from an extremely small amount of water and energy, without the need of agricultural land,” said Farrag.

“As the knowledge base

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grows there is excellent potential for large expansion of aquaponics as a system capable of fulfilling a part of the global food requirement while asking very little in return from the environment.”

He added that the speed and efficiency of the system keeps prices down for consumers, while its output equals that of a traditional farm more than four times its size. Unlike traditional farms, however, aquaponic farms can grow anywhere.

“Aquaponics are water efficient enough to work in extreme water deficient areas, and the economics do work,” he added. “The key is creating enough scale, which is why Bustan is expanding to two or three more units of its size to get to a medium sized commercial scale. At that point it will become very profitable.

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Even now I am cash flow positive.”

Farrag said that the challenges facing aquaponics in the Gulf are in the areas of institutional knowledge and capacity building. As more projects start up, however, and their benefits are understood, the momentum will start to build.

“The Bustan Aquaponics project started with the belief that arid desert regions like ours must begin to think far more widely and creatively about food security and water conservation,” said Farrag. “These two issues are inextricably intertwined and crucially important in many parts of the world such as the Gulf region. As the issues of water conservation and food security gain momentum, so will the need to develop agricultural systems that are better suited for the region.”

THE BUSTAN AQUAPONICS FARM IS A 1,000 SQUARE METREOPERATION LOCATED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CAIRO, AND IS THE FIRST AND ONLY COMMERCIAL AQUAPONICS FARM IN EGYPT, PRODUCING PESTICIDE-FREE TILAPIA FISH, FOUR VARIETIES OF LETTUCE, BABY SPINACH, PURPLE KALE, SWISS CHARD, CELERY, PAKCHOI, WILD ROCKET, GARGEER, THYME AND SAGE

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CASE STUDY

d’VineRipe d’VineRipe Super Super Glasshouse, Glasshouse, South South Australia Australia More than doubling the capacity of the d’VineRipe tomato glasshouse complex inthan Twodoubling Wells, South Australiaoffrom 8 hectares totomato 17 hectares brought More the capacity the d’VineRipe glasshouse comchallenges well asSouth opportunities.

Achieving the massive increasebrought in tomato plex in TwoasWells, Australia from 8 hectares to 17 hectares output along withasthe welcome localAchieving employment opportunities challenges as well opportunities. the massive increasealso in entomato tailed solving issuesthe of welcome water usage and energy efficiency in a climate output along with local employment opportunities also where en® fans temperatures from -2 °C and to +47 °C. efficiency Munters Euroemme tailed solving fluctuate issues of water usage energy in a climate where ® pads play a central role in making it all possible. and CELdek temperatures fluctuate from -2 °C to +47 °C. Munters Euroemme® fans and CELdek® pads play a central role in making it all possible.

The Munters contribution Munters state-of-the-art pad and fan technology was already at the heart of The Munters contribution the d’VineRipe first phasepad 8 Ha house complex.

Here the Munters state-of-the-art andglass fan technology was already at technology the heart of has d’VineRipe already proved ability to consistently maintain temperatures inside the firstitsphase 8 Ha glass house complex.

Here the technology the complex at a permanent 24–28 °C andtemperatures humidity between has glasshouse already proved its ability to consistently maintain inside 65%glasshouse and 75% complex regardlessatofa permanent the outside 24–28 temperature. it was not diffithe °C andHence humidity between cult for adopt theofsame technology for the second of not 9 Ha. 65% andthem 75%toregardless the outside temperature.

Hencestage it was diffiAlso, thethem watertoused forthe cooling humidifying growing environment cult for adopt same and technology for thethe second stage of 9 Ha. is all obtained The general Leon Maree, Also, the waterfrom usedsustainable for coolingsources. and humidifying theManager, growing environment notes that “no from other sustainable type of system couldThe provide theManager, same benefits a pad is all obtained sources. general Leon as Maree, and system and that higherprovide than average percentage notesfan that “no other typeachieving of systemacould the same benefits of as afirst pad gradefan fruits in production is due toathe excellent climate percentage control qualities and system and that achieving higher than average of firstof the system”.

This is a powerful fromclimate the General Manager grade fruits in production is dueendorsement to the excellent control qualitiesofof one of the largest tomato glasshouses in the southern hemisphere. the system”. This is a powerful endorsement from the General Manager of one of the largest tomato glasshouses in the southern hemisphere.

CELdek walls A total of 6,010 CELdek wallsMunters CELdek pads each measuring 1.53 m height, 0.6 m total wideof and 0.15Munters m thick CELdek manufactured frommeasuring the highest1.53 quality materials A 6,010 pads each m height, 0.6 resistant to algae mould.

Total area offrom pad the usedhighest amounted to materials 5,517 m2 m wide and 0.15 and m thick manufactured quality resistant to algae and mould. Total area of pad used amounted to 5,517 m2

HUMICOOL: G l aM s sI C ho HU OuOsLe: p ro d suhcot iuosne, G las p ro d u c t i o n ,

C a s e s t u d y, fCoar steo m s tautdoy, fSooruttohmAautsot r a l i a .

South Australia.

FA C T S

By C installing Munters Euroemme® fans and FA TS ® pads d’VineRipe has: CELdek By installing Munters Euroemme® fans and ® padstemperature • Consistent and humidity CELdek d’VineRipe has: control • Consistent temperature and humidity • control Higher than average percentage of first • grade Highertomatoes than average percentage of first • grade Predictable and higher ROI than with tomatoes • field-grown Predictable crops and higher ROI than with • field-grown Reduced risk of disease crops use of disease herbicide/pesticide • Reduced risk Reduces water power consumption • Reduced use ofand herbicide/pesticide • Reduces water and power consumption

Exterior of a $65 million glasshouse operation spanning 17 Ha with a capacity to produce up to 10,000 tonnes of tomatos per year. operation spanning 17 Ha with a capacity to produce up to Exterior of a $65 million glasshouse 10,000 tonnes of tomatos per year.

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CASE STUDY

Munters WDP stainless steel wet wall system and CELdek cooling pads.

Air extraction A total of 724 Euroemme® 1.5 HP 3phase exhaust fans are precisely located to optimize air flow, temperature and humidity control while eliminating hot spots, drafts and chill that can damage tender plants. Noise levels are also kept to a minimum, averaging less than 40 dB for the comfort of employees inside the glasshouse.

Roofing The glasshouse roof is routinely spray painted by helicopter with white paint for the hottest summer months, then washed clean to benefit from the sunshine during the winter.

Rainwater recycling Rainwater is recycled, processed and used to wet the CELdek® pads.

Water usage All water used to irrigate and cool the d’VineRipe glasshouse comes either from recycled rainwater or is taken and purified from the nearby Bolivar wastewater treatment plant.

Climate Control System from Munters

The CELdek evaporative cooling pads are used in systems where high efficiency cooling is required. It can be used in many different cooling applications and is particularly suitable for the cooling of glasshouses.

Market leading Euroemme exhaust fans are famous for their high energy efficiency; outstanding production quality; tight sealing shutter design and the centrifugal shutter opening system allowing an un-obstructed air passage.

Munters climate control systems include a large variety of equipment to provide the best growing environment from the Poles to the Equator.

Air heaters for cold regions or cold spells during the year. A full range is offered with a variety of designs and fuel types.

Air inlets or shutters to facilitate even air distribution during low ventilation rates, suitable for all construction styles. Light filters for all ventilation openings, reducing the light intensity inside the house sufficiently to be able to utilize artificial daylight programs to full effect.

Air blowers/circulators to optimize air homogeneity. Heated air can be distributed evenly to reduce heating bills.

Controllers to orchestrate activity of all the equipment to create a harmonious functioning house and the best conditions for growth.

Munters AB, Isafjordsgatan 1, P.O. Box 1188, SE-164 26 Kista, Sweden. Phone +46 8 626 63 00. www.munters.com Australia Munters Pty Limited, Phone +61 2 884 315 94, Brazil Munters Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda, Phone +55 41 3317 5050, Belgium Munters Belgium NV, Phone +32 15 20 55 75, Canada Munters Incorporated, Phone +1 905 858 5894, China Munters Air Treatment Equipment (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Phone +86 10 80 418 000, Denmark Munters A/S, Phone +45 9862 3311, Finland Munters Finland Oy, Phone +358 207 768 230, France Munters France S.A., Phone +33 1 34 11 57 50, Germany Munters Euroform GmbH, Phone +49 241 89 00 0, India Munters India, Phone +91 20 3052 2520, Indonesia Munters, Phone +62 818 739 235, Italy Munters Italy S.p.A., Chiusavecchia Phone +39 0183-52 11, Munters Italy S.p.A., Mondovì Phone +39 0174 560 600, Japan Munters K.K., Phone +81 3 5970 0021, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Middle East Hawa Munters, Phone +966 1 241 8808, Korea Munters Korea Co. Ltd., Phone +82 2 761 8701, Mexico Munters Mexico, Phone +52 818 262 54 00, Russia Munters Europe AB, Phone +7 812 448 5740, Singapore Munters Pte Ltd., Phone +65 744 6828, South Africa and Sub-Sahara Countries Munters (Pty) Ltd., Phone +27 11 997 2000, Spain Munters Spain S.A., Phone +34 91 640 09 02, Sweden Munters Europe AB, Phone +46 8 626 63 00, Thailand Munters Co. Ltd., Phone +66 2 642 2670, United Kingdom Munters Ltd., Phone +44 845 644 3980, Turkey Munters Form Endüstri Sistemleri A. , Phone +90 216 548 14 44, USA Munters Corporation Fort Myers Phone +1 239 936 1555, Munters Corporation Mason Phone +1 517 676 7070, Vietnam Munters Vietnam, Phone +84 8 3825 6838, Export & Other countries Munters Europe AB, Phone +46 8 626 63 00.

Your closest distributor

® CELdek and Euromme are trademarks of Munters AB.

WDP stainless steel wet wall system The evaporative cooling pads are held securely by the Munters wet wall system which is manufactured from corrosion resistant stainless steel material for a long, trouble-free service life. The modular system also allows for easy installation, simple routine inspection and periodic maintenance. Water is recycled from the wet wall system for re-use.

Total Climate control Combination of Munters evaporative cooling pads, Euroemme exhaust fans and WDP stainless steel wet wall system helps to maintain the temperature between +24 °C and +28 °C and humidity between 65% and 75% RH, irrespective of out side climate conditions.

SOS ReklamStudio

that assist in maintaining the humidity and temperature inside the glasshouse.

HC/MMA/CsGB-1836-06/11 2000

Munters Euroemme EM50 exhaust fans.

Munters reserves the right to make alterations to specifications, quantities, etc., for production or other reasons, subsequent to publication. © Munters AB, 2011

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UAE UPDATE

GRACE AND AL DAHRA BREAK GROUND ON FIRST PHASE OF FCC CATALYST FACILITY AT KIZAD

W

. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA), with Joint Venture partner, Abu Dhabi-based Al Dahra Agriculture, officially broke ground on phase one, the infrastructure to support the first Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst manufacturing operation in the Middle East.

The investment makes the Joint Venture the latest tenant to build in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) and moves the operation a step closer to becoming an ongoing customer of services at the Khalifa Port in the Taweelah area, with the site located only 70km from the city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

In addressing a gathering of regional business leaders, Grace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fred Festa was joined

by H. E. Khadim Al Darei, Al Dahra's Vice Chairman, Mohamed Al Shamisi, Chief

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Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) and Engineer Khaled Salmeen Al Kawari, Chief Executive Officer of Kizad. The groundbreaking ceremony followed the announcement almost exactly one year ago of the Joint Venture agreement.

“We're excited to put a shovel in the ground and move forward with our commitment to serve the leading refiners in the region,” said Festa. “We're pleased to play a part in the development of Kizad and Khalifa Port and to take our place within Abu Dhabi's vibrant business community.”

“This is the first step in the project that utilizes important foreign investment to create a local source of FCC catalysts.

This will bring new jobs and technology to the UAE,” said H.E. KhadimAl Darei.

For decades, Grace has served the world's leading

petrochemical companies and its catalysts are used to process nearly 40 percent of transportation fuels worldwide.

Grace is the global leader for FCC catalysts and additives.

Grace's research leadership and flexible manufacturing system support catalysts technologies tailored to the individual needs of its customers.

Commenting on the latest high profile ground breaking at Kizad, Engineer Khaled Salmeen said, “The Grace Joint Venture with Abu Dhabi's Al Dahra Agriculture is a strong and important partnership economically, industrially and commercially. It is one that will serve the refining industry in the UAE and beyond. It will allow for knowledge transfer and bring leading catalyst processing technology vital for the transport as well as petrochemical industries in the UAE.” MAY JUNE 2014

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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.aridland-dev.com, e-mail: aridland@emirates.net.ae