July-Aug 2022 edition/ Gulf Agriculture

ISSN 1751-8407

JULY

AUGUST

2022

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

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The increased importance of soil moisture monitoring

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Lambert peat moss : foundation of success

38

A jack made for all trades

40

Press trip to India

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Biosafety in livestock facilities

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Contents Editor M. Matt Associate Editor Jessie Jorge Graphic Design Elizabeth John Contributors Dr. Hansel Geo Thomas Neville J. Chandler Shakeeb Kolakadan Registered Office Matt Media Intl. Ltd. 12 Gateway Mews London N11 2UT United Kingdom US Office Matt Media (USA) LLC. 1713 E. Morgan Court Gilbert, Arizona 85295 Middle East Offices Matt Media LLC. Sharjah Media City United Arab Emirates Al Saad Adv. & Publishing LLC P O Box 25694, Sharjah United Arab Emirates info@gulfagriculture.com www.gulfagriculture.com Gulf Agriculture is a publication from Matt Media Intl. Ltd. (UK) and is read by agri professionals, farm managers & owners, landscape consultants, contractors, agri-equipment suppliers, horticultural engineers, greenhouse managers, agronomists, veterinary surgeons, ministries, poultry & dairy breeders, importers, distributors, manufacturers and wholesalers of food and agri inputs.

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Cover Photo Courtesy: KRBL Limited, India

News

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VIV Europe Review

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Water Management Solutions 24 Water Treatment

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Peat & Substrates

28

Humic Acids

30

Planter Bags

32

Container Farming

34

Agricultural Machinery

36

34

40

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

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

Printed and published by Matt Media© Intl. Ltd.(U.K.) 2022

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Agricultural Equipment Press Trip to India UAE Update Polish Update Livestock Farming Poultry July-August 2022

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News URBAN CROP SOLUTIONS SELLS PROJECT IN SAUDI ARABIA EXTENDING FOOTPRINT TO ARABIAN GULF Urban Crop Solutions have sold their first ModuleX plant factory project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in an exciting new move into the Arabian Gulf, a region with a particular climatic and strategic interest in indoor vertical farming. The agreement comes after Urban Crop Solutions successfully carried the customer through

the primary phase of their well-defined customer journey.

Having initially assessed the feasibility of the customer’s project, Urban Crop Solutions developed a plan that was given the seal of approval by all stakeholders, thus leading to the sale of the project.

The project is set to be developed in several phases.

The initial phase of the project will consist of several ModuleX plant factories, airlock space, cold storage, an operations room, and a distribution area.

With plans for expansion at later stages, the scalability of

Urban Crop Solutions’ growth chambers and modules was a rather important consideration for the customer when selecting their supplier. With this sale, Urban Crop Solutions have therefore entered into a large-scale project which looks set to develop into a longerterm commercial partnership.

With only 1.5% arable land, water scarcity, and a harsh climate, agriculture and local food production in Saudi Arabia has always been challenging.

Furthermore, with an increase in urbanisation as their cities become more populated, and the

EMIRATES FLIGHT CATERING OPENS WORLD’S LARGEST VERTICAL FARM IN DUBAI Bustanica has opened the doors to the world’s largest hydroponic farm, backed by an investment of US$40m.

The facility is the first vertical farm for Emirates Crop One, the joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations serving more than 100 airlines, and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming.

Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the 330,000sqft facility is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms of high-quality leafy greens annually, while requiring 95% less water than conventional agriculture. At any point in time, the facility grows in excess of 1m cultivars (plants), which will provide an output of 3,000 kgs per day.

Bustanica is driven by powerful technology – machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced methods – and a highly specialised in-house team that includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists and plant scientists.

A continuous production cycle ensures the produce is super fresh and clean, and grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals.

Passengers on Emirates and other airlines can look forward to forking these delicious leafy greens, including lettuces, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, onboard their flights from July. Bustanica is not just revolutionising salads in the sky – UAE consumers will soon be able to add these greens to their shopping carts at the nearest supermarkets. Bustanica also plans to expand into the production and sale of fruits and vegetables.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: "Long-term food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the economic growth of any country, and the UAE is no exception. We’ve

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specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate. Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies.

Bustanica will have zero impact on the world’s threatened soil resources, an incredibly reduced reliance on water and year-round harvests unhampered by weather conditions and pests. Consumers buying Bustanica’s greens from supermarkets can eat it straight from the bag – even washing can damage the leaves and introduce contaminants.

July-August 2022

News threat to food security exposed by the pandemic, the Kingdom has hailed indoor vertical farming as an answer to food supply shortages. The leadership in Saudi Arabia has allocated SR100 million ($27 million) to develop and localise vertical farming technologies.

“This is a very exciting venture for us. We have long considered Saudi Arabia a key market for our technology and believed that our solutions would be instrumental to securing local food supply in the Kingdom. Together with our agent for the region, Antoine Barcha, we have been working to introduce and present our offerings to local companies and entrepreneurs. We strongly believe in the complete suitability of our systems for the region and look forward to

extending our footprint with further collaborations” says Jean-Pierre Coene, CEO of Urban Crop Solutions.

MOCCAE TO COOPERATE WITH PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN DEVELOPING AGRICULTURAL SECTOR The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to step up collaboration in developing the agricultural sector in both countries.

The scope covers multiple areas, including soil science and

management, biotechnology, post-harvest transactions, agricultural research and development (R&D), agricultural innovation, protected agriculture technology, and irrigation and water resources.

The agreement aligns with the strategic direction of the UAE leadership to enhance international cooperation and exchange of successful experiences with the aim of strengthening the country’s capabilities to face all challenges and building a better, more sustainable future.

The MoU was signed by Eng Nourah Karam, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, and Her Excellency Hjayceelyn M. Quintana,

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News Ambassador of the Philippines to the UAE. Speaking on the new partnership, Eng Karam said: “MOCCAE is keen to build bridges of cooperation with the concerned authorities in other countries as part of its efforts to achieve the country’s goals in food security, environmental protection, and climate action. The agreement with the Philippines Department of Agriculture focuses on identifying innovative solutions that strengthen food security by implementing technology, adopting modern climatesmart agricultural systems, increasing food production, and ensuring the continuity of supply chains.”

INDICAL BIOSCIENCE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH EVONIK TO DRIVE INNOVATION IN MONITORING THE HEALTH OF POULTRY FLOCKS INDICAL BIOSCIENCE (INDICAL; part of the Vimian Group) announced that it has entered a partnership with Evonik to develop and expand precision monitoring solutions in poultry through the ScreenFloX® service. The partnership aligns with INDICAL’s ambition to continuously drive innovation in pathogen monitoring, disease prevention and

animal welfare for its veterinary and animalproduction customers.

The ScreenFloX® service combines INDICAL’s veterinary diagnostic capabilities with Evonik’s Precision Livestock Farming portfolio to provide proactive analysis of a flock’s pathogen status and greater control over any actions required. The service provides producers with continuous insights into pathogen levels, resulting in greater production efficiency, lower antibiotic use, healthier animals and lower food safety risks.

Utilizing INDICAL’s novel qPCR assays – in combination with dedicated sample extraction and automation – Evonik’s digital ScreenFloX®

BEL GA INCREASES ITS MARKET SHARE WITH SECOND HATCHERY IN VIETNAM To meet the growing demand for poultry in Vietnam and replicating the success of Bel Ga’s first broiler hatchery in the Lam Dong province, the company has established a new hatchery equipped with Petersime’s state-of-the-art incubators in Tây Ninh.

The project is a joint investment by Belgabroed (Belgium) and De Heus Group (Netherlands), who aim to meet the growing market demand in Vietnam and its subregions by augmenting the supply of

sustainable and export-oriented agricultural products. After the success of the first Bel Ga hatchery in Bao Loc (Lam Dong province), the companies have extended their partnership with Petersime once again. The location for the new hatchery was strategically chosen in the Tây Ninh province, which is part of the Southern Key Economic Region (SKER) of South Vietnam, sharing the border with neighbouring country Cambodia.

Kris Van Daele, Operations Director at Bel Ga Vietnam, commented: “The location of our new hatchery directly contributes to improving the quality of the broilers and layers. The day-old chicks would otherwise have to travel long-distance to the Mekong Delta areas and Cambodia, but with the

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new location, we can ensure shorter transport times, which significantly reduces the stress on the chicks.”

Bel Ga has decided to equip its broiler hatchery in Tây Ninh with Petersime’s advanced single-stage incubators to ensure quality and traceability in the value chain of Vietnamese and Cambodian chicken in accordance with ISO 22000 standards, conforming to the conditions required for export to Japan.

To complement the optimal results ensured by our incubators, the machines are integrated with the patented Embryo-Response Incubation™ technology for high efficiency. The design of our equipment fulfills high biosecurity standards and effortless maintenance, in line with the high standards that Bel Ga implements at the hatchery.

July-August 2022

News service can analyze a flock’s pathogen status, providing an early warning system to prevent disease and improve production. “Together with Evonik, we are building a proactive and non-invasive testing system for the active monitoring of flock health in order to prevent disease. This can only lead to increased animal welfare and improved production”, says Brahim

Bozia, Head of Producer Segment at INDICAL. “We’re excited to collaborate with INDICAL BIOSCIENCE, a global leader in molecular pathogen detection in animal health. This partnership will further strengthen and develop Evonik’s provision of deep insights into the health of livestock.” says Dr. Franziska Levy, Global Business Manager for Poultry Health at Evonik.

NETAFIM STUDY SHOWS CORN GROWN WITH DRIP IRRIGATION SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT Netafim, the global leader of sustainable precision irrigation solutions and agricultural projects, announced the results of a Life Cycle Analysis

THE GREEN PLANET AND DUBAI SAFARI PARK ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP The Green Planet and Dubai Safari Park are delighted to announce a Partner Exchange Programme that aims to safely exchange fascinating animals throughout the year. The strategic movement of animals promotes high standards of animal care, welfare, and conservationfocused breeding initiatives through open dialogue and information sharing.

The first dispatch to arrive at The Green Planet at the end of April was a pair of red-handed tamarins. These resilient monkeys have adapted well to their new home and have been living harmoniously with several other species including a family of marmosets and a tamandua anteater.

Ahmad Hussain Bin Essa, Chief Operating Officer of The Green Planet’s parent company Dubai Holding Entertainment, said, “I’m thrilled to announce our Partner Exchange Programme with Dubai Safari Park, which I believe is a positive step, not only for our destinations but also for our visitors.

The strength of this partnership will drive the safe transition of animals between The Green Planet and Dubai Safari Park and will enable both adults, children, and families to

observe and experience new and remarkable wildlife species.”

Muna Abdelrazaq Abdelrahman Alhajeri, Head of Dubai Safari Park, adds, “We look forward to forging a harmonious relationship with The Green Planet that will not only provide visitors with the opportunity to see more amazing species, but also enable us to create a pioneering conservation programme together that will lead the way in the Middle East and create a legacy that we hope will delight generations of wildlife lovers in the future.”

The Green Planet welcomes the tamarins to its successful conservation breeding program that contributes to the survival of species. Over the recent Eid holiday, The Green Planet also welcomed a pair of cotton top tamarins, a relative species that is critically endangered and native to South America.

Known for their eyecatching coloured hands, red-handed tamarins are an arboreal primate native to north-east South America. They eat insects and fruit

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and can weigh approximately 500g, while growing to 25cms in length with tails of an additional 38cms.

Found in the rainforests of Brazil, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana, red-handed tamarins have a life expectancy of around 20 years.

One of Dubai’s most popular attractions for residents and tourists, The Green Planet is a magnificent four-story bio-dome in City Walk, Dubai. The indoor tropical rainforest is filled with more than 3,000 plants and animals.

Stretching across 119 hectares and home to more than 3,000 animals, Dubai Safari Park opened in 2017 in Al Warqa. The beautiful park is split into five zones and has a strong commitment to conservation, education and sustainability.

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News (LCA) study showing that corn grown using drip irrigation creates the least environmental impact and optimal land use when compared to flood and sprinkler irrigation methods.

One of the world’s most productive grains, corn is the third largest plantbased food source in the world, with 1.2 billion metric tonnes produced in the last year. The most important crop in the US, corn is also cultivated in China, South America, India, Ukraine and across Europe, grown extensively as food for both humans and livestock, as a biofuel and as a crude material for industrial purposes.

The results of Netafim’s corn LCA, conducted by EcoChain during 2020, show that drip irrigation is a much more advanced offering than flood or sprinkler irrigation in terms of minimizing negative environmental impact and optimizing yield.

• Corn grown with drip irrigation releases 53 percent fewer carbon emissions when compared to flood-irrigated corn and 39 percent fewer carbon emissions when compared to sprinkler irrigation • Drip-irrigated corn requires 24 percent less fertilizer than when it is grown with flood irrigation, and nearly 17 percent less fertilizer that is used to grow corn with sprinklers • Drip-irrigated corn produces 45 percent more per kg per hectare when compared to flood, and 23 percent more when compared to sprinklers

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In addition to corn, Netafim has also proven that rice grown using its drip irrigation technology out-produces conventional paddy rice farming, uses 70 percent less water, and diminishes methane emissions to almost zero.

TADWEER AND AL AIN MUNICIPALITY SIGN AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP SLAUGHTERHOUSE WASTE AND FALLEN STOCK TREATMENT SERVICES Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) has signed an agreement with Al Ain Municipality for enhancing cooperation and coordination in developing services for the transport, treatment, and proper disposal of slaughterhouse waste and fallen stock.

The agreement seeks to establish an ongoing partnership between the two parties, and exchanging expertise, resources, studies, and research that would help develop and improve the services for slaughterhouse waste treatment. It aims to enhance joint action in ensuring the safe and proper disposal of animal waste produced by municipal slaughterhouses, livestock markets, and fallen stock, with the goal of transforming this waste into an economic resource that serves the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as providing a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment, and

maintaining the public image of Abu Dhabi.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Salem Khalfan Al Kaabi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer), and His Excellency Ali Khalifa Al Qamzi, Director General of Al Ain City Municipality, in the presence of senior officials from both sides.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Centre will be responsible for collecting and transporting fallen stock and slaughterhouse waste in the Municipality of Al Ain City to its treatment plants, where they will be treated and disposed of safely. The Centre will also apply hygiene, disinfection, and sterilisation procedures to

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News slaughterhouse containers and livestock markets, providing annual data on waste and fallen stock received at the Centre’s plants, and sharing the Centre’s studies and research on dealing with animal waste.

The Centre will also hold awareness workshops for those in charge of slaughterhouse and livestock markets to ensure their commitment to applying the best practices in this field and enrol them in E-Manifest system (Bolisaty) online system, which contributes to building an integrated waste database in Abu Dhabi.

SVG VENTURES | THRIVE LAUNCHES GLOBAL IMPACT CHALLENGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ICL PLANET On the hunt for the most innovative, global companies creating the biggest impact in driving toward a net-zero future for agriculture, SVG Ventures|THRIVE – and partner ICL Planet Start-up Hub – have launched the Global Impact Challenge.

The urgency of the climate crisis is more apparent than ever, and disruptive innovation is key to creating a more

sustainable, prosperous, inclusive, healthy and equitable future. The world is already feeling the effects of climate change on a global scale and combating this crisis requires urgent and immediate attention. It is, by far, the defining issue for current times. THRIVE is passionate about playing a significant role in spurring the collective change needed to tackle this crisis, which led to the creation of the Global Impact Challenge.

The THRIVE Global Impact Challenge is a global search for the most innovative startups who are advancing a net-zero future for agriculture.

UAE IMPORTS OF SPANISH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES TOP AED181 MILLION According to data from the Spanish Department of Customs and Excise, Spanish exports of fruit and vegetables to the UAE topped 40,440 tonnes in 2021, totalling more than AED181 million.

The news comes as Fruit Attraction 2022, the leading exhibition for the fruit and vegetable sector, held from 4 – 6 October, has announced the co-hosted event, Fresh Food Logistics, the international meeting point for logistics, mobility, IT, and cold chain management for the food industry,

has now recorded 90% occupancy.

Several importers from the UAE and Saudi Arabia have already confirmed their attendance at the event, a result of Spain exporting a total of 22,827 tonnes of fruit and 17,753 tons of vegetables to the UAE last year.

Fresh Food Logistics, as a platform, is exclusively dedicated to the distribution and logistics sector, providing companies with an opportunity to present their services, products and solutions to the international fruit and vegetable sector. The platform will benefit from synergies with Fruit Attraction, however, it will have its own identity and exhibition area in Hall 6 of IFEMA MADRID. Visitors to the

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event will include head buyers from supermarket chains from all over the world, who will be able to learn about the range of refrigerated transport and logistics solutions in the fresh produce supply chain.

The third instalment of the Fresh Food Logistics Summit will also take place at the event. Organised by Alimarket, under the title New cold logistics challenges: Resources for dealing with the paradigm shift, and will include insights from industry experts, including José Luis Gómez, Director of Logistics and IT at La Sirena; Agustín Planells, Deputy Commercial Director and Director of Logistics at ANECOOP; Ángel Rubio, Head of Supply Chain at COVAP; Pedro Becerril, Director of Logistics at Ultracongelados Virto; Santiago Navarro, Director of Logistics at Delfín Ultracongelados; Julio Nestar, Reefer Manager at MSC Spain, and Alfonso Morenos, Director of Logistics at Aviserrano (Logialcor).

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News The Challenge will focus on three core themes, each central to supporting the transition to net-zero.

The Challenge themes, which align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, are focused on the following areas: Soil health and biodiversity, Increasing food security and Reducing and offsetting GHG emissions.

The launch event was hosted in Tel Aviv, Israel in partnership with ICL Planet Startup Hub, THRIVE’s headline partner for the Challenge. Additional premium partners for the challenge include Bayer, BASF, Driscoll’s, Kubota and Valmont.

Applications are now open and will be accepted through September 15, 2022. Six companies will be selected to

attend the THRIVE | Forbes Global Sustainability Summit in November of 2022 and to pitch their solution for the opportunity to secure a spot in THRIVE’s award winning Global Accelerator Program.

JAIN IRRIGATION TO MERGE INTERNATIONAL IRRIGATION BUSINESS WITH RIVULIS TO CREATE A GLOBAL IRRIGATION AND CLIMATE LEADER Jain Irrigation Systems Limited., India ("Jain Irrigation") and Temasek-owned Rivulis Pte Ltd., Singapore ("Rivulis") are pleased to announce that Jain International Trading B.V. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Jain Irrigation) and Rivulis have

entered into definitive transaction agreements. The International Irrigation Business ("IIB") of Jain Irrigation will now be merged with Rivulis and create a global Irrigation and Climate leader - being 2nd largest in the world with ~ US$ 750 million in revenues. By virtue of this cash & stock transaction, the following is being achieved.

• Cash proceeds will be utilised for reduction of consolidated debt of Jain Irrigation by ~45% which includes all the restructured overseas bonds to the tune of USD ~225 million and complete debt of overseas operating companies comprising of IIB. • Jain International Business will continue to hold stake of

GREENTECH ANTICIPATES THE FUTURE WITH ROBOTICS AND FOOD SAFETY Robotics and contributing to global food issues were the main topics during the 5th edition of GreenTech Amsterdam. This is apparent from the public media attention that the show received, interest from the many country delegations and the conversations with visitors and exhibitors at the show floor.

GreenTech was held from 14 – 16 June at RAI Amsterdam.

A total of 10,890 professionals from 121 countries attended the

trade show. The top 5 countries represented were the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands. The sentiment was that GreenTech is back in business after the pandemic. This is evident from all the positive reactions the team received.

Mariska Dreschler, Director Horticulture - GreenTech Global: “We are back! I am very grateful we could organise GreenTech Amsterdam in full swing.

Never before did we receive so much media attention, official country delegations, and our carefully programmed knowledge theatres were packed to the max. The network possibilities were extensive, all horticulture market

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leaders were under one roof, including innovators, start-ups, growers, investors and policymakers from inside and outside the industry. GreenTech is the connecting international hub for all stakeholders to act on concrete solutions for local food and flower production, based on, among others, the Dutch ecosystem. I look forward to our next event!”

The next edition of GreenTech Amsterdam will take place on Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 June 2023 at RAI Amsterdam. The exhibition is a global meeting place for all horticultural technology professionals with the focus on the early stages of the horticultural chain and the current issues growers face. GreenTech is supported by AVAG, the industry association for the greenhouse technology sector in the Netherlands.

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~22% in merged entity with Temasek holding the balance ~78%.

• Jain Irrigation will also get to release its corporate guarantee given by Jain Irrigation, India of INR 2,275 crs to bondholders & IIB lenders.

• Jain Irrigation will have a long-term supply agreement with the merged entity, which would drive revenues and profits.

• The merged entity will continue to use and promote prominent JAIN Brands in markets where they have significant presence and value.

• In terms of governance, Jain will have representative directors and observer on the board of the Company and will be able to help its growth through its significant expertise in micro-irrigation.

• Jain Irrigation retains potential future value generation from the creation of this large global irrigation leader.

Going forward Jain Irrigation will focus on further improving on the India business to drive higher growth and margin in one of the fastest growing irrigation markets in the world, and eventually aim to reduce debt on the standalone Indian business balance sheet as well – as agreed with the lenders in the recent restructuring.

VIETNAM’S MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE TO HOST AGRITECHNICA ASIA LIVE 2022 As part of ‘AGRITECHNICA ASIA Live 2022’ to take

July-August 2022

place from 24-26 August, in Can Tho, Vietnam, Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) together with the organizers, DLG (German Agricultural Society), VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), have released the program details of the exhibition with seminars as well as the field demonstrations that include some 300 farm machines spanning an expected 50 international and domestic brands.

Covering 10 hectares of rice fields, the event is supported professionally by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

With the overarching event theme “Scaleappropriate mechanization for sustainable agriculture”, AGRITECHNICA ASIA Live 2022 will be demonstrating relevant machinery, from tillage to harvesting, to the expected 4,000 farmers, traders and farm experts attending from Vietnam and surrounding countries.

At AGRITECHNICA ASIA Live 2022, exhibitors will be demonstrating modern technologies, live in the field, that support sustainability for local crops alongside exhibitors’ trial plots, presenting cultivation practices for rice and further regional crops.

Besides the field demonstrations, the exhibition will be showcasing equipment also for processing of agricultural and food products, fruit and vegetable production, livestock as well as aquaculture for which Vietnam ranks in the

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The live demonstrations and exhibition are complemented by practice-oriented conferences and forums on smart farming, sustainable production and mechanization topics delivered by international and national experts from academia, companies, organizations, dealers and government representatives from MARD. Networking events are part of the three-day program and are focused on encouraging the sharing of experience.

AGRITECHNICA ASIA Live 2022 will follow the successful premiere of the event held in Myanmar and launched to offer Southeast Asian farmers and experts the opportunity to see equipment working practically in the field while acquiring knowledge and networking.

AGRITECHNICA ASIA is organized by the DLG and VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, and is a spin-off from the successful AGRITECHNICA, the world’s largest trade fair for farm machinery held every two

years in Hanover, Germany.

PLANT-BASED DOG TREATS WITH EXTRA BITE Ingredients specialist Trigea uses the nutritive and functional properties of wheat texturates for its latest application concept: plantbased chew sticks. The unique application, which can be adapted by manufacturers according to individual requirements, is a high-quality source of plant protein but

TANMIAH FOOD COMPANY AND TYSON FOODS SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, WITH INVESTMENT TO EXPAND POULTRY PRODUCTION CAPACITY As part of sustained efforts to meet growing global demand for protein, US-based Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) and Saudi-based Tanmiah Food Company (“Tanmiah” or the “Company,” 2281 on the Saudi Exchange) have entered into a strategic partnership agreement. The parties to the agreement are Tyson Foods and Agricultural Development Company (ADC) and Supreme Foods Processing Company (SFPC), Tanmiah’s wholly owned subsidiaries.

Tyson Foods is one of the world’s leading food companies and a recognized leader in protein, while

Tanmiah, which established its first company 60 years ago, is one of the biggest providers of fresh valueadded poultry and other meat products, animal feed & health products and a fast-food brand franchise operator, with plans to produce more than one million birds per day by the end of 2025. ADC operates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates. Through ADC, the Company produces and distributes fresh products for sale to food service providers and retailers. SFPC produces a variety of value-added pre-prepared chicken and beef products, with a distribution network spread across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, and Jordan among others.

As part of the agreement,

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Tyson Foods and Tanmiah have committed to invest substantially to expand the processing capacities of SFPC. This investment is aligned with Tanmiah’s strategic expansion agenda and will result in doubling the company’s production capacity in value-added products. Both companies, through a 50/50 joint venture, will also explore opportunities in the fast-growing global Halal market, and as per the agreement, Tyson Foods will own a 15% equity stake in Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) and a 60% equity stake in Supreme Foods Processing Company (SFPC).

The transaction will be subject to approval by the General Authority for Competition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other government entities.

Through this partnership, Tanmiah will continue to support the growth of Saudi Halal products by bringing world-class sector expertise to the Kingdom. Through its expansion, Tanmiah will also create a number of job opportunities in the local Saudi market.

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News needs very few ingredients.

The chew sticks consist mainly of the extruded wheat protein Trigovit® Tex Granules.

After a short soaking time in water, it forms a firm, meatlike and flexible structure – without the need for binders – and can be formed into any desired shape, such as sticks, for example. The plant-based chews are particularly flexible and can be bent up to 25 per cent more than conventional products. They have no flavour of their own and therefore serve as ideal flavour carriers for individual flavourings.

The texturates get their special fibrous structure through the thermomechanical process of extrusion. During

rehydration, the starch within unfolds its binding properties.

The material is further bonded by a mechanical pressing process, so that no additional binder is needed.

In addition to the granules, the Trigovit® Tex range offers texturates in other sizes, shapes and colours, so that a variety of different treats for dogs and cats can be produced. The recipe can also be individually supplemented with flavours or vitamins, for example. The basic concept of Trigea's product development includes two per cent glycerine as a moisturiser, and the company uses only GMO-free wheat from Europe as raw material. Dry Trigovit® Tex is also easy to store and handle.

FPC SEEKS OUTSTANDING WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS TO UK The world’s finest suppliers of cut flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables to the UK wholesale market could win a coveted FPC Fresh Award.

The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) – the UK’s fresh produce trade association – is looking for two of the best international suppliers to the UK wholesale market for the 2022 edition of its FPC Fresh Awards, which takes place in London on 16 September.

Each year FPC recognises a Wholesale Floral/Plant Supplier of the Year and a Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Supplier of the Year.

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July-August 2022

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture

15

News The Wholesale Floral/Plant Supplier of the Year award is a prestigious accolade that recognises hard-working, outstanding horticultural businesses who demonstrate excellence in areas such as: innovation, product quality, supply chain management and commitment to sustainability efforts.

Nigel Jenney, CEO of FPC,

comments: “By nominating yourself or an exceptional exporter, agent, distributor or wholesaler of flowers and plants to the UK market, you are championing the year-round heroes of the horticultural industry. Make sure you enter to be in with a chance of winning to truly stand out from the crowd.”

The Wholesale Fruit & Veg

Supplier of the Year award is equally sought-after, and celebrates the exporters, agents, distributors, and wholesalers of fruits and vegetables to the UK market who have continued to deliver their services to the highest standards throughout the toughest of times. The award is sponsored kindly by Spitalfields Market.

THE WOAH DESIGNATED ADAFSA’S VETERINARY LABS AS THE FIRST COLLABORATING CENTRE FOR CAMEL DISEASES IN THE MIDDLE EAST In recognition of its scientific and technical efforts at the regional and international levels, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has designated the veterinary laboratories of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) as a collaborating center for camel diseases in the Middle East, consolidating the UAE's leading position in the biosecurity field.

The resolution was taken during the 89th General Session, the World Assembly of Delegates of WOAH were decided to designate the ADAFSA camel diseases laboratory which was recently established as a collaborating center as a scientific research arm for the WOAH on camel diseases in the Middle East, aiming at promoting rapid response to epidemics and emerging disease situations and expanding the scope of analyses in line with epidemiology of camel diseases in the region.

Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, expressed her appreciation to OIE for the accreditation that reaffirms the UAE’s active role in enhancing animal health in the region. She also commended ADAFSA’s efforts that have considerably strengthened its

ability to safeguard animal health and led to this important achievement.

The Minister noted that due to the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership and under the direction of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country is keen to boost its competitiveness and meet international standards in all fields to help build a better, more sustainable future for the region.

The designation of the collaboration center for camel diseases in the UAE is a recognition of the significant role played by the camel sector in enhancing food security and providing products with multiple benefits and reflects the international organization’s appreciation for the UAE’s leading role in all areas of camel production.

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority veterinary laboratories carried out many activities during the establishment of the collaborating center, including the establishment of specialized laboratories equipped with the highest levels of biosafety and

16 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

modern diagnostic techniques such as advanced genetic sequencing techniques.

Vaccines have also been developed for camel diseases such as Camel pox and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and epidemiological surveys, as well as enrich scientific research and publish research papers and books, where a number of research papers on camel diseases have been published over the past three years, and more recently. The first ATLAS of camel diseases has been published in the region and a book has been published on camel infectious diseases, and a series of accurate analyses have been activated to detect epidemic and common diseases to enhance One health approach.

July-August 2022

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News Jenney explains: “The ability to show flexibility and forward-thinking processes deserves industry recognition and the Wholesale Fruit & Veg Supplier of the Year award has been developed to do just that. The winner must have gone above and beyond to deliver their time-critical produce to UK wholesalers on time, even in the most challenging of circumstances.”

For more information, visit

www.fpcfreshawards.co.uk.

ZOETIS EXPANDS POULTRY PORTFOLIO WITH POULVAC® PROCERTA® HVT-IBD-ND Zoetis has expanded its poultry vaccine portfolio with the introduction of Poulvac® Procerta® HVT-IBD-ND, a recombinant vector vaccine that provides early, robust

protection against Marek’s, infectious bursal and Newcastle disease viruses with one dose.

“Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD-ND is the culmination of meticulous research conducted by a team of our top molecular scientists using the most advanced technology available,” said Sing Rong, PhD, research director at Zoetis.

“The vaccine has a unique

ELITE AGRO MAXIMISES LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION TO MINIMISE CARBON FOOTPRINT IN UAE FRESH PRODUCE MARKET

Elite Agro (EAG), a leading UAE producer and distributor of fresh produce, is increasing its supply of locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables to create a two-fold benefit of strengthening national food security, while reducing its carbon footprint in the market.

Currently, only 20% of fruits and vegetables consumed in the UAE are grown locally; the rest are imported from around the world.

According to the Abu Dhabi Statistics Centre and Dubai Statistics Centre, the combined 2019 local production of crops, fruits, and vegetables amounted to 523,297 tonnes.

Fruits and vegetables grown around the world need to be stored for days and have lengthy transport times before they reach

UAE supermarket shelves. This means reduced freshness and a higher carbon footprint.

By producing and supplying fresh produce locally, EAG saved 13,258 tonnes of carbon emissions from tomatoes when compared to airfreight imports from Holland and Spain. It also saved 1,501 tonnes of carbon emissions for equivalent airfreight imports of blueberries from the US, and is set to save at least 425 tonnes of carbon emissions for equivalent sea freight imports of potatoes from Egypt this year.

The UAE’s agricultural industry has been gradually increasing its contribution to the local market in recent years, in line with the National Food Security Strategy 2018. The pandemic has triggered a significant momentum for local production, increased the number of health-conscious consumers looking for fresh produce, and raised awareness on climate change and sustainability.

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Said Dr Abdulmonem Almarzooqi, Elite Agro’s Divisional CEO: “With the rising demand for locallyproduced food, along with increasing health awareness among the consumers and the adoption of new technologies to optimise production, we expect the market to continue its steady growth over the coming years.”

In 2020, the UAE Cabinet approved a national system for sustainable agriculture. This includes improving the efficiency of farms and increasing selfsufficiency of the targeted agricultural crops by 5%. It also aims to reduce the amount of water used for irrigation by 15% annually and drive industry-wide adoption of sustainable agri-tech.

“We’re proud to contribute towards the national food security through local production at our farms. This plays an important role in mitigating the impact of global warming, not only through sustainable farming techniques, but also by reducing the carbon footprint of the logistics involved in bringing fresh produce to the shelves,” said Dr. Abdulmonem Al Marzooqi.

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News construction and a strong promoter that helps boost immunogenicity — features that set it apart from other vaccines in the same category,” she said.

The backbone of the new, trivalent vaccine is avirulent herpesvirus of turkey (HVT), which replicates in chickens and is known to be a safe and effective vector for delivering major avian antigens. It is the third recombinant vector vaccine from Zoetis, following the introduction of Poulvac® Procerta® HVT-ND in 2020 and Poulvac® Procerta® HVT-IBD in 2021.

When developing the vaccine, Zoetis scientists started by constructing 43 recombinant prototypes, which were then subjected to rigorous, controlled studies to find the one that provided the best, early immunity. The candidate that was finally selected is the

vaccine that is now Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD-ND.

THE FIRST EDITION OF THE ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL FOOD EXHIBITION (ADIFE) WILL LAUNCH IN DECEMBER 2022 Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the first edition of the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition (ADIFE) is scheduled to be launched on 6 to 8 December 2022 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The Exhibition is organised

by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)

in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and is expected to witness wide-scale local and international participation by major companies specialising in the Food, beverage and hospitality sectors, in addition to many experts, specialists, and decision-makers in this vital industries.

His Excellency Saeed Al Bahri Al Ameri, Director-General of ADAFSA, said: “The launch of the first edition of the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition reflects the growing importance of this sector on local and international levels, and it will provide a real opportunity for major global companies to showcase the latest technologies in the food manufacturing and production, as well as exploring investment opportunities that should help consolidate food security and ensure the better

FLOWERTRIALS® REAFFIRMS ITSELF AS THE MAJOR POT AND BEDDING PLANT EVENT The vibe at FlowerTrials® could not have been more positive is the conclusion shared by both exhibitor and visitor! After a gap of 3 years everyone who has business in pot and bedding plants and was able to travel visited FlowerTrials® to see the latest developments in ornamental breeding, glean information on new commercial opportunities and meet with each other!

An overview of the visitors reveals that except from countries were local conditions make it currently impossible, the world found its way to FlowerTrials®.

From Australia to Brazil and from Vietnam to Zimbabwe, visitors signed in from no less than 89

countries, 30% more than in 2019, reaffirming that FlowerTrials® truly is an international event.

FlowerTrials® was open from 14th to 17th June 2022 in three floricultural regions: Aalsmeer and Westland in The Netherlands and

20 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

Rhineland Westfalen in Germany with 61 breeding companies exhibiting at 29 locations.

FlowerTrials® will welcome visitors again in week 24 in 2023 when it falls from 13th to 16th June.

July-August 2022

News future of coming generations. It will serve as a platform to network with important buyers in a supportive and encouraging business atmosphere that drives partnerships and sales.”

Al Ameri added: “We are happy to enter into this strategic partnership with ADNEC, whose expertise in organising leading exhibitions will contribute the success of the event, ensuring it will be presented in a manner befitting the reputation and standing of Abu Dhabi”.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC, said: “Since its launch, ADNEC has been keeping up with all national efforts that seek to improve the present and future of local industries in a number of promising sectors; the exhibitions and conferences organised and hosted by ADNEC helped develop these sectors and improve their competitiveness.”

The Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition is expected to witness the signing of many contracts, deals and partnership between a wide range of government agencies and private sector establishments, in addition to a series of meetings between buyers and providers in the various supply chains.

MOLEAER EXPANDS NANOBUBBLE GENERATOR PORTFOLIO WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF LOTUS™ FOR AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE Moleaer, the global leader in nanobubble technology, made its U.S. debut of Lotus™, the newest addition to its nanobubble generator product suite. The patented nanobubble system joins in good company

July-August 2022

AGCO INVESTS IN OPTIFARM TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND ANIMAL WELFARE AGCO (NYSE: AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, has announced an investment in OPTIfarm, an emerging leader in precision livestock farming.

OPTIfarm uses proprietary software and an expert team to help farmers create the best environment for their animals. The system improves farm

performance and helps meet key operational livestock targets, such as weight gain, improved feed conversion ratio and uniformity. The system also improves animal welfare by monitoring natural behavior to recommend the best possible conditions for livestock health, welfare and safety.

“Our investment in OPTIfarm aligns with our vision to deliver industry-leading smart

with Moleaer’s other nanobubble generator products, which are used globally by over 500 growers and farmers. Lotus is designed to treat and optimize irrigation water, promote plant growth and reduce water and chemical usage. It’s ideal for indoor growing facilities that use up to 200 LED grow lights and use less than 1,000 gallons of water per day. Moleaer’s nanobubble systems utilize a highly efficient gas-injection technology that converts bulk oxygen into nanobubbles and supersaturates irrigation water with elevated levels of dissolved oxygen, leading to healthier and more robust crops.

Nanobubbles also act as a mild, chemical-free oxidant, which helps reduce biofilm, algae, and pathogens. Along with increased crop health and growth, comes increased yields, leading to higher revenues for greenhouses and indoor farms.

Nick Dyner, CEO of Moleaer, said: “Moleaer’s nanobubble systems are addressing our

farming solutions that improve our customers’ net farm income and address animal welfare,” said Eric Hansotia, AGCO’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that advances in modern animal agriculture, like OPTIfarm, can help producers care for their animals and reduce environmental impact, while maximizing productivity.”

planet’s water quality and scarcity problems by making water do more with less, without added chemicals, while simultaneously improving profitability for growers. With this launch, we are meeting the needs of an important clientele: micro-growers and horticulture devotees, by helping them make the most of their growing operations.”

The Lotus™ nanobubble generator delivers the following benefits: increases plant potency, boosts plant vigor and performance from early growth to flushing, improves plant resilience to environmental stressors, promotes beneficial bacteria while suppressing disease caused by pathogens, increases nutrient uptake efficiency, reduces biofilm and improves irrigation system hygiene, decreases the need for chemical and pesticide applications and reduces water use through increased water uptake efficiency and improving crop yields.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture

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VIV Europe Review

VIV EUROPE BROUGHT THE INDUSTRY BACK TOGETHER AND EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

V

IV Europe successfully closed its 2022 edition after 3 days of networking, face-to-face business, knowledge sharing and a buzzing floor ground at Jaarbeurs Utrecht. The show proved to be the preferred meeting point for global suppliers and buyers with smiling faces walking the floor ground with confidence.

19,024 visitors from 142 countries marked their presence this year. With this stable amount of visitors, VIV Europe even managed to slightly increase its numbers

22 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

of the previous edition.

Western Europe counted for the 68% of the show audience, followed by Middle East and Africa with 14%, Eastern Europe 10%, Asia 4% and rest of the world with another 4%.

Despite the lower attendance from the Asian country, with travels from China and other Southeast Asian countries still affected by covid quarantine restrictions, the overall international appeal of this World Expo from Feed to Food confirmed its relevance once again.

Another milestone in the VIV worldwide series of event around the globe.

The Exhibitors who participated at the show were 435 from 44 countries.

Five continents presenting the latest in the respective sectors in halls 7-12.

Additionally, the co-location with VICTAM International brought around 150 exhibitors in halls 1 and 2.

Together, VIV and VICTAM showcased the Feed to Food industry under one roof. The animal protein sector responded to such a

July-August 2022

VIV Europe Review

powerful platform with a high attendance, despite the current economic situation which is particularly challenging the feed sector in Europe.

Sustainability and circular concepts. Innovations for future-proof animal production VIV Europe affirmed its renown position as the premium showcase for new technologies and remarkable innovations in the production system with a clear attention to better farming.

For the first time, The Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands also honored VIV Europe with an important visit on the second day. H.E. Mr Henk Staghouwer explored with interest the new concepts displayed at the Welcome hall. Inspired by the new ways of production presented by several entrepreneurs, the Minister expressed his enthusiasm and said: “VIV Europe is a showroom for leading technology for the livestock sector. […] In this Inspiration Hall, HubOrange demonstrates how Dutch

July-August 2022

businesses are involved in innovation, focused on sustainability, climate and short chains. I can only be impressed by that. With my background in business, I was fascinated to see how companies tap into new creativity. What appears rather alternative and local today, may well be part of the global mainstream in a few years' time.”

VIV Europe is by definition the place where sector leaders launch their latest developments.

Some of the innovations presented covered safe and effective in-ovo vaccination and nutrition, disease control programs and effective broilers house cleaning and disinfection, circular chain concept making egg production a co-creation project that brings sustainability to the tables, climate control systems for all weather conditions with minimal energy use and superior air quality, new farming approaches to drastically reduce the need for antibiotics while increasing animal health and sustainability.

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture

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Water Management Solutions

THE INCREASED IMPORTANCE OF SOIL MOISTURE MONITORING

H

igher prices for water, fuel and fertilizers combined with more drought and increasing demand for food, require farmers and growers to work even more efficiently. Where in the past it didn’t really matter that we used more than necessary water, there is now a broad realization that water and other resources should be preserved. And that the water which is available, should be used as efficiently as possible to optimize yields.

Many water management solutions are emerging, from the use of stand-alone watering systems to fully integrated Cloud based platforms. However, to manage something it first needs to be measured.

Accurate, real-time soil moisture data is needed to support decision making and to be fed into automated systems. Besides the raw data, it may even be more important to interpret the numbers to make the information actionable.

A key issue with traditional monitoring systems is the expensiveness, complexity of installation, high maintenance and difficulty to integrate one system with another. Smart, wireless Iot sensors are now challenging the status quo, making it a lot easier and cheaper to get an accurate picture of the soil moisture levels in orchards and fields.

Sensoterra’s newest generation wireless soil moisture sensors are

24 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

revolutionizing the way how soil moisture data is monitored: • The sensors are low-cost, which means that more sensors can be placed for less money.

• Data can be retrieved with the free Sensoterra app, but the sensors are built to integrate. The open API, enables integrations with water management platforms and solutions.

• The sensors can be installed in <1 minute without use of additional tools, because the sensors are hammerable (patented).

• The sensors are 100%

maintenance free, with a builtin battery which runs up to 8 years.

• High accuracy is achieved with an extensive library of standard soil calibrations.

• Different lengths are available for different applications.

Many sensors are already in use in the UAE, KSA, Turkey and other Gulf countries, saving up to 50% on water and fuel.

Sensoterra is currently looking to expand the network of Integration Partners in the GCC region.

For more information, visit www.sensoterra.com

July-August 2022

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Water Treatment

IMPROVE WATER QUALITY

T

he OxyBull aeration system ensures that the oxygen concentration in both the water and around the roots of plants is at optimum level (100%). The OxyBull also moves the water around in a water storage tank or pond.

Because water is moving it’s impossible to have algae growth. High levels of oxygen in the water are crucial for water quality and growth of healthy plants. To ensure optimum levels of oxygen input, the OxyBull system is a must have to create the perfect water conditions.

When the OxyBull system is used in combination with our oxygen meter, the oxygen level will be stored every 5 minutes and will be displayed on the computer. This aeration system is maintenance free and has a guarantee of 7 years and a lifetime of at least 15 years.

Plant vitality It’s important to grow more productive plants. The increased availability of oxygen atoms also improves the absorption of nutrients. If roots have a lack of oxygen,

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they have no choice but to replace it with other compounds. They then start with the production of ethylene. However, this causes cell damage and increases the risk of pathogenic diseases.

The temperature is the most important variable that influences how much molecular oxygen the water can hold. The higher the water temperature, the lower the amount of dissolved oxygen that can be retained by the water. This is the reason why aerobic bacteria multiply effectively.

How important is oxygen in water Dissolved oxygen is the first defense against anaerobe bacteria that causes

pathogenic fungus in soil. It also stimulates a faster root growth and a greater density of the fine root hairs, which are in fact responsible for the absorption of water. This intake requires a lot of energy from the plant in the form of oxygen.

Plug-and-play The OxyBull aeration system can easily be connected to the pond or the water storage tank. It is therefore a plug-and-play system and only consumes power and requires no maintenance. Over the years, more than 10,000 OxyBull aeration systems have been installed worldwide.

For more information, visit www.agronagroup.com

July-August 2022

Peat & Substrates

FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS F

or over 90 years, Lambert Peat Moss has offered a wide range of horticultural products ranging from different grades of Canadian sphagnum peat moss to an assortment of ready-to-use professional peat-based substrates. Our special way of screening and mixing our different grade of professional peat will allow you to work with a very specific media that will provide exactly what is needed depending on your personal specifications. Crops, containers or tray sizes, type of irrigation management,

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location, or time of year - all these details are useful in determining which product is right for you.

The physical characteristics of germination or growing substrate of any type are the basis of your success. With that in mind, the process for us at Lambert starts in the peat bog even before the harvest stage. Focusing on harvesting procedures and

EACH STEP OF THE PEAT HARVESTING PROCESS IS IMPORTANT AND IMPACTS SUBSTRATE QUALITY.

field preparation planning is paramount. The integrity of the peat fibers is best preserved when the peat bog is disturbed on a limited basis. Consulting the weather forecast and intuition is very important.

No one can predict an unexpected thunderstorm, so it’s wise to play it safe. We don’t want to harrow the peat bog and then have rain because that will ruin the preparation, forcing us to redo it and break the fibers, creating fine particles that will later reduce the drainage and porosity.

July-August 2022

Peat & Substrates

When the harvest is complete, the quality of peat should be as good as possible. This is the time when the care we took earlier will reward you. We are fortunate to work on young peat bogs which allows us to harvest fibrous peat. Much fewer fine particles and dust than in older peat bogs because the peat gets finer the deeper you go. That’s the reason why we take such care of these peat bogs. Durability and sustainability are crucial.

These fibrous peat fibers will give you structure in the

July-August 2022

mix, allowing for porosity and air space, which is the main quality you want to obtain. Then, these harvested peat piles will be ready for the screening step and final usage.

Each grade of screened peat is dedicated to a specific end use, from Ellepot's line of very clean mixes to very coarse, high porosity ones, including extra-coarse nursery mix.

Between the two, many different options are offered in the category of germination or for any production purposes. We also offer product for those who choose to grow organically by targeting and certifying some mixes with an OMRI certification as organic production is now a trend that will last.

It’s also always preferable for you to share as much detail as possible to allow our sales representative to suggest the best options for each stage of your crops.

Sometimes a small operation will prefer to work with a single product to keep it simple, but it is rare that one size fits all. Selecting the best mix available for each step will make your life easier by eliminating at least one

possible source of adjustment. If further fine tuning is required, we specialize in custom blends with many options to make you totally comfortable with the finished product. Weather variation, fertilization and watering are possible sources of changes. If you can rely on the perfect fit of the mix and the consistency of it, you can concentrate on the rest of your production needs.

Additionally, Lambert Peat Moss has developed a large, efficient, and versatile distribution network ready to deliver the product to your door in an incomparable timeframe. The constant commitment to improve and optimize our customer service allows Lambert to adapt quickly to the requirements of our customers. The competence and dedication of our personnel ensure that it remains competitive, at the cutting edge of technology and at the forefront of the markets by offering products of incomparable quality.

Lambert… At the root of your success since 1928.

For more information, visit www.lambertpeatmoss.com

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 29

Humic Acids

HUMIC ACIDS AGAINST HEAT STRESS AND DROUGHT

F

or an adequate supply of nutrients, an adapted water supply is essential.

During dry periods, you should supply the lawn with about 10 to 20 liters/m² of water once or twice a week. Otherwise, the nutrients are trapped in the dry soil and are no longer available to the plants. The consequences are quickly visible: a pale color, patchy growth, lack of vitality.

If the soil is rather sandy, it has very low water and nutrient storage capacity and needs additional nutrients. The use of preparations to which humic acids are added can significantly increase the storage capacity of such soils, especially with regard to water. In this way, the nutrients remain dissolved and available to the plants for longer.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure To prevent the stress caused by extreme weather, it is important to prepare the lawn accordingly.

In addition to good aeration of the turf and a deep water supply, a second fertilization is recommended starting in June.

It is best to opt for a slowrelease fertilizer that contains potassium. Potassium helps the foliage to withstand the heat and generally strengthens resistance. In addition, it ensures a strong metabolism.

A humus-rich soil with a lot of organic matter reacts much more favorable to usage stress and weatherrelated influences Important: The more stressed your lawn is, the higher its nutrient requirements. A sports field or play lawn needs to be replenished more frequently than an ornamental or all natural lawn. It's worth taking a look at the relevant channels on YouTube and the like. There, enthusiastic lawn lovers pass on their experiences and enjoyment of their home lawns.

An adequate supply of nutrients is essential and depends on the water balance Depending on the nature of the soil beneath your green space, you will need to adjust your fertilization strategy significantly.

Humic acids improve soil properties Humic acids not only increase the water retention capacity of the soil. They also stimulate soil life and thus promote the buildup of humus. This improves the

growth conditions of your lawn sustainably and permanently and also saves costs on fertilizer.

By the way: Increased weed growth between the grass indicates a deficiency of nutrients and air to the lawn.

Especially the formation of moss is more a question of aeration of the turf than a problem with fertilizer or an acidic soil.

HUMAGRA® is suitable for optimal fertilization as needed.

The organic-mineral fertilizer provides the foliage with immediately available nitrogen and potassium. The result is better growth and increased stress tolerance of the soil-plant system. The humic acids contained in HUMAGRA® also reduce the leaching of nitrogen into the groundwater and stimulate the formation of a deep root system.

Particular effectiveness has so far been observed on sandy soils, where the humic acids contained in the product interact with soil life and the formation of stable soil aggregates (topsoil) to produce a more favorable water storage capacity. The dual application of liquid humic acid products with PERLHUMUS® Granules has also proved successful. The special combination of ingredients in HUMAGRA® ensures sustained and efficient nutrient uptake for lush greenery.

This way, your lawn will get through the summer in good shape.

For more information, visit www.humintech.com

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popularity and health benefits saw it transplanted by the Greeks and the Romans Controlled environment throughout Europe and in the agriculture 15th century to the Americas.

The first Olympians consumed the nutritious fruit and were Recyclable also presented with figs as medals.

It isn’t surprising that Figs areHealthy mentioned in ancient roots texts and hold a position of without spiraling symbolism in many world religions representing fertility, Direct peace and control prosperity.of They soilbeen anda culinary plant health have delicacy throughout time. These versatile “fruits” are not actually traditional fruit, but Saveawater rather a syconium with hundreds of inverted flowers Climate-smart each bearing a singleproduct; seed in manufactured for all the each sac.

Middle East Regions

Fig Tree Production in Modern Times UV stabilized including Today, producers world-wide handle stitching see the fig tree as an alternative crop with a bright future.

The duty experience Heavy and of this visionary Chilean long lasting farmer Martin Wielandt, from Doble Valle, is a modern example of it’sEasy cultivation merits.

In an to move and interview for plants El Agro on Radio relocate Agriculture on January 4, 2020, he explains how he Increased return started with a small fig on investment orchard in 2012, and now has a 21-hectare plot and more than 6,500 trees planted.

Organic “In general,friendly it is a simple agriculture plantation, it does not require great care and the trees are quite robust. On the other hand, it Enquiries presents some General challenges during Ph: +61 438 834 379 harvest, as it lasts for 10 weeks, since the Email: info@whsaustralia.com.au

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WANGARA HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES: AN INDUSTRY LEADER

DESERT PLANTER BAG™

fruit matures in layers. This is a fundamental difference compared to other fruits. There are 670 plants per hectare and more specifically actual “flowering” trees, there are fewer plants, approximately 500. A good harvest is between 8,000 and 10,000 kilos per hectare¨.

production level is usually very high, obtaining better results per square meter of planting than with other types of crops. Planting in EasyFill™ grow bags optimises water savings and provides for targeted fertilisation and transferring of plants.

Phytosanitary care is minor, another characteristic that makes this fruit a great option for today’s growers.

Innovative Patented Design

Less water consumption and greater production The new climate scenario has caused agricultural producers to consider fruit trees that are more resistant to heat, and that have less water consumption. In this context, the fig is a fruit that does not require great amounts of water compared to other similar crops, in addition, its

Controlled environment agriculture

* until January 2019 Higher Profitability According to an article published by the Spanish company Innovagri at the end of 2019 in which it contextualizes the economic advantages of the fig with respect to other crops entitled "Super-intensive dry fig

Recyclable Healthy roots without spiraling Direct control of soil and plant health Save water

Trusted supplier to the Middle East for 25 years!

Rustaq Flower nursery in Muscat, Oman

WHS Australia

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Avocado trees in 45 litre Easy-Fill™️ Grow Bags - Australia

production system, a profitable alternative", various UV stabilized including points are listed that explain handle stitching the reason for the profitability of the fig in today’s market.

Once the investment costs Heavy duty and are covered, the production long lasting manages to reach very good profitability, generating an amortisation in the cost of the to move and Easy investment, in addition torelocate a plants considerable reduction in the labour necessary for handling Increased return and harvesting.

If you are a grower andon investment want to start your own production of fig trees, Wangara Horticultural Organic friendly Supplies can advise you agriculture and help you get started with your first Production Test.

Postal Address

General Enquiries

Please email WHS Australia Ph: +61 438 834 379 Unit 2, 65 Prestige Parade, POBags Box- 1656 Cardboard palms growing in 75 litre Easy-Fill™️ Grow Oman Wangara DC, WA 6947 Australiaon: info@growinbag.com.au Email: info@whsaustralia.com.au Wangara, WA 6065 Australia

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Container Farming

ZIPGROW INC. LAUNCHES SUPERSIZED CONTAINER FARM

B

est known for the innovation and installation of vertical indoor hydroponic farms around the globe, ZipGrow Inc. is thrilled to expand its system portfolio and announce its first turnkey container farm innovation; the ZipPod. Backed by years of research on optimal efficiencies for container farming systems, the ZipPod is built onsite at ZipGrow facilities, and was designed and engineered in-house by farmers, for farmers. It will provide communities in all landscapes access to a more nutritious well-rounded diet every day in every climate.

ZipPods are purpose-built composite-steel prefabricated buildings suitable for use in areas +/-40C (-40 to 104F).

Supersized at 40’ (L) x 10’ (H) x 10’ (W), the ZipPod is engineered to prioritize maximum productivity and provide a safe, efficient ergonomic workspace for modern-day farmers. ZipPod

34 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

differs from standard containers, providing an additional 750 cubic ft. of space to increase air circulation, a critical environment for producing quality crop yields indoors.

“The ZipPod is the next generation of container farming,” said Eric Lang, President of ZipGrow Inc..

“After years of successfully supporting farmers in the indoor agriculture space along with consistent research and development on optimized plant health, we feel confident to release a product that will

change the landscape of what a turnkey solution can be.”

The ZipPod harnesses the power of ZipGrow’s patented hydroponic Tower™ technology, used by farmers and home growers worldwide for over a decade. Adopting the knowledge of plant health scientists, lighting specialists, and indoor farming experts the innovative design allows for high density crop production and seamless workflow. It boasts the most space-efficient equipment in controlled environment agriculture including advanced HVAC system and custom controlled plumbing allowing growers to target specific rows for flushing and irrigation.

Around the world, there are many places where food production is limited by a vulnerable supply chain, lack of arable land and climate change.

In an effort to provide more reliable solutions to food security, this turnkey container system will make it simpler for community leaders, individuals and non profits to set up food production quickly and to grow fresh produce in an environment that prioritizes plant health and human health.

For more information, visit www.ZipGrow.com

July-August 2022

Agricultural Machinery

CASE IH LAUNCHES HEAVY DUTY FLEXIBLE ROUND BALERS FOR THE BUSIEST USERS

C

ase IH has topped its range of variable chamber round balers with the new RB HD Pro. Designed for larger livestock farmers and contractors, the new machine produces higher density bales in a wide range of crops, from wet silage to dry straw. For top reliability and throughput, it has been fitted

36 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

with heavy duty components and fewer moving parts.

“We know that for farmers and contractors who use their balers a lot - typically 10,000 bales a year or more durability and reliability are really important. With their needs in mind we have looked at every aspect of the baler, not only to produce the best

bales from every crop quickly, but also to make sure that they get them time after time after time,” says Michal Jankowski, Case IH Product Marketing Manager.

“To do this, we have strengthened and enlarged the rolls, shafts and tailgate and introduced a more powerful gearbox and driveline – which

July-August 2022

Agricultural Machinery also increases the numbers of bales per hour. In some places we have simplified things to help reliability and maintenance, for example reducing the number of driveline chains and sledge rolls.”

Able to handle up to 30 tonnes per hour, the RB HD Pro has been designed to manage everything from straw and hay to haylage and silage at different cut lengths, thanks to new no-slip dual drive rolls and a wide range of knife sets selectable from the cab. An extra-wide diameter rotor helps prevent blockages while a new Active Drop Floor

July-August 2022

means any that do get through can be cleared quickly.

“We have completely re-designed the bale chamber and belt path,” adds Michal Jankowski, “to give us neatly formed, very dense bales that will stack well and efficiently.

Bale size, wraps and density pressure can all be set up on same screen page in the cab”.

In developing and testing the new baler, it has been put through its paces with farmers around the world to understand and match their needs and priorities. 150,000 bales were produced in a

wide variety of crops and weather conditions in the testing programme.

The new balers come in two bale size options: the RB456 HD Pro makes 120cm-wide bales from 90cm to 165cm in diameter while the RB466 HD Pro’s are also 120cm wide but from 90cm up to 190cm in diameter. Each size comes with three rotor options: a feeding rotor, 13 cutter knives or 25 cutter knives, making six models in all.

For more information, visit www.caseih.com

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture 37

Agricultural Equipment

A JACK MADE FOR ALL TRADES

E

NSURING latest technologies are incorporated into its product range underpins Simol's reputation for manufacturing and supplying safe, efficient, reliable and easy-to-use agricultural and industrial equipment.

Its continual investment in research and development has helped position the Italian based company as the Europe's leading

38 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

maximising operating comfort of its products since the 1960s.

Simol's core principle is to develop and deliver innovative solutions that will perform in the field. Resistance to aggressive operating conditions, rapid deployment, minimum maintenance requirement:

designer and producer of specialised supporting wheels and jacks.

These are used by agricultural, construction, industrial and road maintenance sectors in more than 50 countries across the world for trailers, caravans, utility and other vehicles.

Simol has been constantly investing in improving ergonomics, practical usability, resistance to wearing and

July-August 2022

Agricultural Equipment

therefore, it has maintained a premium brand over the years.

Moreover, all supporting wheels and jacks can be modified in terms of design and finish, in response to wideranging customer requirements.

Today SIMOL’s products are the choice of the leading international manufacturers of agricultural machinery: they appreciate the company constant attention to the maximum quality and safety, ensured by using premium materials and by incorporating in its jacks integrated fall prevention systems.

Finding new solutions to make work safer, more comfortable and efficient: that is why Simol has introduced a unique range of jacks (SIMOL-Q range) that meet compliance standards of the international ISO-12140 code.

The ISO-12140 standard applies to mechanically or hydraulically operated telescopic jacks used for supporting and lifting agricultural equipment and machinery. It specifies the functional, safety and reliability requirements, the needed marking information and it establishes the test procedures for certification of compliance.

The SIMOL-Q range jacks must undergo extensive mechanical, longevity and functionality strength testing to comply with

July-August 2022

the ISO code and ensure top class function, safety and reliability.

For this purpose, SIMOL has started a collaboration with the University of Bologna to design and build a test rig that allows the Italian company to try out the extreme performance of its jacks directly at its facilities, subjecting them to the strength tests established by the International Organization for Standardization.

These newest top-class jacks feature the latest SIMOL’s technological innovations, namely the double speed system and the drop leg safety system, which are two international patented solutions.

Already applying to the DG-W models (SIMOL’s high-end line, chosen by the leading OEMs of agricultural trailers, round balers and trailed machinery for multiple uses), the double-speed system is a special device for rapid gear change system, offering a 70% reduction of deployment time and a 10% reduction of the force required to raise the load.

The drop leg safety system specifically features the drop leg jack models: this innovative device is completely integrated in the jack third section, with the aim to avoid any inconvenience due to a traditional outer chain mechanism (such as the risks of

entanglement, wear-and-tear, loss, or theft).

Fitting a SIMOL-Q jack means offering so an even greater guarantee of safety, resistance, and highest level of performance: during testing, specific stresses that apply to using the jacks were fully simulated to guarantee robustness and reliability.

Moreover, through its exclusive test rig, SIMOL can improve existing products and bring them into compliance with ISO-12140 as well as develop customised solution to meet any load requirement.

Aside from the innovative test rig, Simol's manufacturing facilities incorporate advanced production technology, such as latest generation fibre laser cutting. This can shape tube in a range of materials with unparalleled precision and speed.

The company has more than 60 years of operation in specialist equipment design and engineering: its highly qualified technicians use 3D design and simulation software (FEM calculation), to study the stresses specific to each application.

This experience is reflected in the practicality and reliability of its whole ranges.

For more information, visit www.simol.com

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture

39

Press Trip to India

In order to provide an insight into the incredible effort that goes behind the scenes in producing the world's finest basmati rice, the brand India Gate organized a press trip spanning over 4 days in June 2022. India Gate Basmati Rice is part of the KRBL family, a 133-year-old brand and the largest global exporter of rice in the world. Gulf Agriculture Managing Editor M. Matt was invited to be part of the exclusive experience and got an opportunity to visit the brands facilities, farms & factories located in various cities within India. “The four-day trip provided us an opportunity to interact with the real heroes of the agriculture world, stroll mills and facilities, meet the KRBL family to learn and unearth a wealth of knowledge on traditional and modern-day agriculture processes.” wrote M. Matt.

KRBL LIMITED CHAMPIONS RICE PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION IN THE GCC

F

ounded in 1889, KRBL Limited is the largest global exporter of rice, processing and producing over 0.73 million metric tonnes of rice annually across their 6 state-of-the-art & modern manufacturing and packaging facilities located in India. Through various initiatives, KRBL Limited has implemented profitable and sustainable practices to help maximize revenue and stay afloat in a competitive industry, servicing millions of customers across the globe.

Over the years, KRBL Limited and its flagship brand, India Gate has established strong relationships with stakeholders, including farmers, to implement a smooth sailing supply chain,

40 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

where each stakeholder/ partner, part of the value chain, is able to reap rewards. One such program being contract farming, a systematic process developed by KRBL Limited to engage with farmers at the field level and assist them every step of the way, be it distributing high quality seeds, transmitting optimum sowing and transplanting techniques as well as timing, to assist in sourcing good quality inputs.

Through the contract farming initiative, KRBL Limited works with 95,000 farmers, across the country to procure more than 0.64 million metric tonnes of rice each year, for its flagship brands including India Gate.

The meticulous process of Contract Farming involves

hand-holding the farmer every step of the way to produce the highest quality product for end-consumers.

With a keen focus on product quality and innovation, KRBL Limited is also involved in every step of the supply chain and follow the Seed to Shelf process to ensure quality output for all its basmati rice brands, including India Gate.

The process begins with seed development all the way to modern farming, procurement, grading, ageing, processing, packaging, branding, and ultimately marketing and

Priyanka Mittal Director at KRBL Limited

July-August 2022

Press Trip to India

distribution in all the right channels.

Moreover, KRBL Limited has also formed a team of extension officers, designated to specific areas across the country, with the responsibility of educating farmers on the best agricultural practices, modernization, and crop management – thereby helping to keep off pesticides and retaining the quality of crops.

KRBL Limited has also designed programs to frequently hold meetings with farmers to educate them on the latest

technologies, innovations, products, and sustainable practices whilst also being aware about current trends and challenges. This has helped them form

trustworthy and long-lasting relationships with the most important stakeholders of the supply chain – the farmers.

Whilst basmati rice is what the brand is popularly known for, KRBL Limited has also forayed into various health product categories expanding their offering to include super foods & related products like India Gate Quinoa, India Gate Sprouted Brown Rice, India Gate Flax Seeds, India Gate Chia Seeds, and India Gate Amaranth to name a few.

For more information, visit www.krblrice.com

July-August 2022

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture

41

UAE Update

THE COMMERCIAL ADOPTION OF LNC HAS STARTED IN THE UAE

N

orwegian AgTech company Desert Control has developed a liquid natural clay (LNC) that restores soil and reduces water and fertilizer usage for agriculture and green landscapes by up to 50%.

After launching the dedicated sales and distribution company for LNC in the United Arab Emirates, Mawarid Desert Control, commercial adoption is now starting in the UAE. The first commercial projects for implementation of LNC took place recently, starting with the in5 Tech garden in Dubai Internet City, a public park in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, and a prestigious private organic farm in Al Ain. in5 Tech, part of TECOM Group, was the UAE's first LNC pilot for landscaping. Once again, the Dubai-based business incubator demonstrates leadership and action on the UN SDGs by becoming the first commercial adopter of Desert Control's adaptive climate-smart innovation.

"It's inspiring to see firm actions towards the UN SDGs, says Ole Kristian Sivertsen, President and Group CEO of Desert Control. TECOM Group owns, operates, and manages large land areas and demonstrates leadership in climate-smart sustainable land management through the in5 Tech LNC project. The project's objective is to be a reference for preserving natural resources to support a green future while freeing up valuable water resources for food security and climate impact initiatives."

The in5 Tech Garden has an

42 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

existing lawn area and several species of shrubs, trees, palms, and vegetation. The LNC application was completed for the entire property with techniques that combined manual spraying of the liquid and injection for trees with deeper root systems. The project scope aims to cut the water consumption for irrigation considerably while preserving fertile and healthy soil and plants in the landscaping area located in Internet City Dubai.

Together, In5 Tech and Desert Control are proudly honoring efforts toward UN SDG 13 Climate Action and SDG 15 Life and Land.

Masdar City became the 2nd adopter of LNC with its Pump Park, a public track park for the community with a mix of lawns, shrubs, and trees. The application of LNC was delivered through an existing subsurface drip irrigation system. Using existing irrigation systems to apply LNC demonstrates the easy and non-intrusive deployment of the water-saving innovation. Masdar City aims to be a commercially viable city targeting the highest ranking on the happiness index within the

lowest environmental footprint.

A private organic farm in Abu Dhabi is the UAE's first agricultural adopter of LNC. The farm targets significant water conservation for trees, shifting water resources to increase the sustainable production of various high-quality organic crops. Using less water can further decrease the leaching, washout, and loss of organic fertilizers and costly inputs.

Initiatives to improve profitability and enable water resources to reach further are vital for adaptive desert farming. The application of LNC at the farm combines manual filling of irrigation pits, in-soil injection, and existing drip irrigation systems.

The three projects have undergone soil and vegetation studies before delivering a customized application of the LNC for optimal outcomes with measured water and fertilizer saving results to cultivate soil health and provide a higher quality of crops and healthier plants.

For more information, visit impact.desertcontrol.com/ uaefarming

July-August 2022

Polish Update

POLISH PLANTER BAGS M ARTEX®-Jerzy Marek Strenkowski, is a family owned company from Poland engaged in the production and supply of textile products for nurseries, including those can be effectively used in the temperate, dry or even hot climate.

The company offers different kinds of products including a series of containers under the common name of ARBO®. Also there are nursery and transportation bags, bags for general purpose and for the collection of small plastic items (plastic bottles, cans, AL), household waste utilization, and many others.

Under the brand of

July-August 2022

MARTEX®, the company offers mats for protection against weed, containers for ground and water perennials, expanding tape for connecting of tree and its support, multicolour marking tape, protective material for draining pipes and trees located near the roads and streets, tunnels/ sleeves for ventilation and weights used in foil tunnels.

Additionally, the company offers the following range of products: jute textile (in bales and KARO type clothing), jute felt, knitted fabric/net for shading, bedding material for application directly on ground, geo-textile, foil and foam with thermo-insulative properties for plants and

objects (in bales and variety of formats), capillary mats for tables, wrapping band for trees, stabilizers of ground in the slopy area.

Water saving jute mat, for application in dry and hot climate, which effectively reduces water evaporation and its assimilation by weed; aluminum foil coated container which reflects sunlight, and thermoinsulative inserts, for application inside bags, pots or directly on ground are also included in the product range.

MARTEX® delivers its products to more than 24 countries in Europe.

For more information, visit www.arbo.pl

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture

43

Livestock Farming

BIOSAFETY IN LIVESTOCK FACILITIES, THE ROAD TO EFFICIENT PRODUCTIVITY Authors: Oscar Jaime Betancur Cristian Giraldo Ríos

B

iosecurity is a fundamental pillar of livestock production, which allows preserving the health status of the animals.

Biosecurity focuses on preventing both the possible entry of infectious agents, and their spread within the farm. At a global level, there are multiple biosafety studies and protocols that are recommended for livestock farms; the implementation of any of these must be based

44 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

on the epidemiological reality of each farm. Any investment to prevent the entry of infectious agents will pay off financially by maintaining the health of the animals, humans and the environment, one health concept, and obviously the productivity of the animals. Pest control is a fundamental part of biosecurity protocols. It is always suggested to use products (disinfectants, pesticides, vaccines, etc.) of

proven efficacy and good quality.

Mini Review Health, one of the basic pillars of animal production, nowadays finds its best ally in the implementation of biosafety practices. Poultry farmers have come a long way in this regard; however, in some parts of the world, cattle farming systems remain in a “sanitary comfort” zone, where biosecurity programs are not optimally used

July-August 2022

Livestock Farming [1]. When we talk about biosecurity, we talk about prevention. Preventing the introduction of harmful agents (pathogens, toxins or pests) to a farm is known as bioexclusion; on the other hand, to prevent the spread of harmful agents within the farm it is called biocontainment [2]. The main objectives of biosecurity in livestock farms are to preserve the sanitary status of animals and ensure the production of safe food [3].

Some of the benefits of biosecurity on livestock farms include: improving animal health and welfare, which translate into increased productivity, and therefore greater efficiency and profitability; produce safe, healthy and high quality meat, milk and its derivatives; help prevent the introduction of external diseases; decrease the economic losses of some diseases that cannot be treated or controlled using vaccines or other management strategies (for example, leukosis); minimize the spread of infectious agents from one region to another and from one stable to another; reduce disease treatment costs; reduce the use of medications; increase consumer and buyer confidence; protects human health; maximizes genetic export markets [4]. The resources necessary to protect against the incursion of a disease can be compared to the impact of the disease in the event that biosecurity fails. It has been possible to determine a positive cost-benefit ratio of 1:1.6 (for every dollar invested there is a return of 1.6 dollars) in favor of the implementation of a biosafety program [5].

A biosecurity program is normally developed from a risk assessment process, where the most epidemiologically important diseases for the

July-August 2022

particular farm are identified; later, a plan is developed to prevent the introduction of harmful agents or their spread within the herd, which requires an optimal understanding of their biology and epidemiology.

The next step is the implementation of the program and finally its evaluation [6]. The plan must be written as a standard operating procedure of strict compliance, and must be socialized and understood by all the employees of the farm, here the alignment between the producer, the veterinarian and all the employees of the company is key [7].

In general, livestock biosecurity programs should include: a) external barriers, such as functional perimeter fences, closed entrance door and with warning signs for visitors, defined parking area and away from animals, sanitary showers [2]; b) plan for the introduction of new animals, buy only animals with a known sanitary status, buy certified semen free of diseases, an adequate quarantine process that allows total isolation with the other cattle on the ranch (they should not share water,

food, feces, or contaminated fomites), constant clinical diagnosis and laboratory tests, initiation of the vaccination and antiparasitic plan [8]; c) quality food and drinking water; d) cleaning and disinfection plan of vehicles, facilities, tools, equipment [2], boots (correct use of foot baths or disinfection mats) [9], for which it is essential to use products of proven efficacy, and ideally disinfectants that act on presence of organic matter; e) farm staff and visitors, use the stable’s own clothing (boots and overalls), records of entry and origin of external personnel, quarantine of visitors, adequate personal hygiene, employee training programs [10]; f) biofertilization of paddocks with manure, in case the local authorities allow its use, it is very important to know the pathogenic load of any manure that is used for this purpose and its sanitary implications; ideally if that manure is previously bioremediated or sanitized before use g) pest control, implement disinsection practices (especially flies) and rodent control [3].

Today integrated pest management has been

www.gulfagriculture.com | Gulf Agriculture

45

Livestock Farming

commonly referred as bioprotection. Pests are an economic, health and social problem, due to food contamination, damage to facilities, transmission of infectious agents, reduced production, as well as being a constant nuisance for animals and employees. Its epidemiological importance is such that pest control is suggested as a critical control point within livestock facilities [11].

It has been determined, for example, that a rodent can consume 10% of its body weight daily and contaminate 10 times what it is consumed [12]. Rodents can consume and contaminate the balanced feed with feces, urine, and hair, reducing palatability for livestock [13], or worse,

46 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

contaminated feed represents a significant risk of infection for cattle, as it is clearly established the role of rodents as vectors of a wide number of pathogens, including Leptospira spp., Salmonella spp., Cryptosporidium spp., among others [14]. On the other hand, house flies (Musca domestica) are a nuisance for employees and animals, and if not controlled, they can irritate cows, reduce feed conversion and milk production due to the stress they cause in animals. Flies are carriers of a large number of infectious agents; its relationship with infectious mastitis, has been verified, and severe infestations can increase the bacterial count in milk [15]. Control of flies and rodents must be carried out under an integrated pest management model, which requires discipline, creativity, and

the use of products with proven efficacy.

In summary, ranchers need to be aware of the importance of biosecurity plans in their herds.

Prevention will always be better than cure. Any biosecurity program must be adjusted to the epidemiological conditions of each farm, as well as the available resources.

Comprehensive pest control is a key element as a biocontainment and bioexclusion mechanism in livestock herds. Preserving the health status of our animals is the best way for an efficient production.

For more information & references request, please email to: obetancur@hotmail.com

July-August 2022

L

95,000 visitors | 1,500 exhibitors | 2,000 animals E IV

STOCK

.1 N S ’ ROPE °

EU

W S HO

4 > 7 October 2022 L'ensemble des éléments présents sur ce document sont la propriété de Sa au Carré

Clermont-Ferrand | France LOGOTYPE • English version

Design Produits, Packaging & Graphisme BRETAUDEAU Mélissa • 9 Rue de la Poste, 44840 LES SORINIERES • 06 24 48 96 21 melissa.bretaudeau@gmail.com • www.sa-au-carre.com

AGRILYS - juillet 2013

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Poultry

TECNO ANNOUNCES NEW CUSTOMER-CENTRIC STRATEGY AND REFRESHED BRAND IDENTITY

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ecno, a global leader in the design and manufacturer of housing systems for laying hens, recently announced its new strategy focused on helping customers find the right fit to reach their highest potential. Harry Luimes, Director and General Manager at Tecno, unveiled the strategy, including a refreshed brand logo and website, to employees and partners during the brand’s annual meeting.

“The egg business keeps changing, and those evolving standards mean more complexity for our customers.

Helping customers navigate those challenges drives us every single day,” said Luimes.

“Tecno remains fully dedicated to the egg industry around the world, and we’re innovating to meet the needs of each customer while advancing the industry.

Our strategy matches the right

48 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com

system to the customer’s operation, ensuring the highest performance in egg quantity and quality.”

“Our customers want their hens to be comfortable, safe and nourished,” added Stefan Caspari, Senior Vice President and General Manager, AGCO Grain & Protein. “Tecno uses decades of experience to truly understand where our customers want to go and the right innovations to help them get there.”

Tecno’s brand identity has been refreshed as part of the

new strategy. The Tecno logo has been modified to give it a streamlined look with a modern feel; ‘The Eggsperience’ tagline remains unchanged.

“The Eggsperience is much more than a tagline for us,” explains Luimes. ”It defines our process of standing with our customers from idea to installation and beyond to ensure their hens have the right environment to reach their highest potential.”

For more information, visit www.poultryequipment.com

July-August 2022

8-10 NOV 2022 DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

Leading the Future of Food Production 1600 F&B manufacturers from over 60 countries, over the course of three days, are set to convene in Dubai to showcase the latest solutions in ingredients, processing, packaging, supply chain solutions and control and automation.

Platinum Sponsor

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25 - 26 October 2022 Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE Co-located with

FORGING A FOOD-SECURE FUTURE AgraME is the longest running event of its kind in the region and poses a great opportunity to inspire, market the latest innovations and network with key players in the Middle East and Africa.

EXHIBIT AT AGRAME 2022

Network with industry leaders and potential buyers

Generate new business

Increase international presence

Increase brand exposure

Understand your product in the market

Stay up to date and competitive

Launch new product and services

BE PART OF THE MOST ADVANCED AGRICULTURE EVENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. CONTACT Brent Crosbie | T: +971 52 5072847 | E: brent.crosbie@informa.com

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