The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the European Green Deal continue to shape priorities for European agriculture to maintain food security and economic growth while mitigating climate-induced failures.1
Widely impacted by changes in governance, growing debt, and tax pressures, European farmers face the intensifying challenge of balancing compliance with sustainable business management, which culminated in major waves of protests at the beginning of 2024.2
As the deadline approaches for the Green Deal’s directive to slash pesticide use by 50% by the year 2030, it’s crucial for agri-food businesses and policy makers to address bottlenecks in product registrations for biological and crop protectants, to compete with global markets, and support start-up innovation.3,4,5,6
More recently, the European Union’s parliament policy on landmark nature restoration gives yet another imperative for data-backed measures on sustainable farming practices across soil, water, biodiversity, and the importance of supply chain collaborations to optimize the value of regenerative agriculture for farmers and businesses alike.7
Fostering cross-country collaborations and partnerships, the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit takes place on September 30 – October 1 in London. It brings together agribusinesses, farming co-operatives, consumer packaged goods (CPGs), policymakers and investors to explore the innovations, regulatory targets, and collaborations critical for catalyzing change and bringing high impact solutions to scale for European agriculture.
By connecting stakeholders across the value chain, the event spotlights the breakthroughs and investments needed from farm to fork to create a resilient food system. It explores topics such as the real-world applications of AI and robotics, fulfilling retailer and farmer demands for biological crop protection, and addressing the tools needed to measure the impact of regenerative and biodiverse agricultural practices.
International leaders, and high-level representatives including Wildfarmed, Copa-Cogeca, Dyson Farming, International Grains Council, BASF, The Nature Conservancy, Syngenta, Kubota, Tikehau Capital, and Barfoots will share their priorities and roadmaps to incorporate resilience and sustainability into business strategies.
Distinguished thought leaders in the industry confirmed to attend include the Director of NASA Harvest, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development, Executive Director at the International Grains Council and more:
Fostering resilient agriculture through supply chain partnerships
Geared for agri-food tech professionals who want to secure the insights and contacts essential to their business success, the programme weaves expert panels, case studies, deep-dive breakouts, small group roundtables and start-up showcases with social events and a 1-1 meeting platform.
The opening panel ‘Achieving Agricultural Resilience in Europe: Navigating Geopolitics, Climate and Risk’ sets the scene for the summit. C-Suite speakers including Patrick Pagani of Copa-Cogeca, Arnaud Petit of the International Grains Council, and Máximo Torero of the FAO, Tim Benton of Chatham House and Melanie Bausen-Wiens of BASF explore the scenarios and policies that need to be accounted for to support long-term agricultural resilience in Europe.
Their discussion will address the implications of climate-induced impact for agricultural economics, the key priorities for research and development, investment, and the essential tools and technologies needed by European farmers.
‘The Farmers’ Outlook’ panel offers critical insights into challenges for farmers to balance regulatory compliance with sustainable business management, and the trade-offs they anticipate making. Helen Browning of the Soil Association, Claes Johansson from Lantmännen and Daniel Cross from Dyson Farming will discuss the impact of financial incentives and support schemes assisting farmers in transitioning to new farming practices.
With AI and bioinformatics ushering in a new era of better, faster and cheaper crop development and discovery, experts will talk about the greatest opportunities to tackle shrinking crop diversity within the food system via plant breeding. They will also explore how new AI-driven approaches could expand varieties for commercial crops and address concerns around future food security.
Alongside the main stage panel debates, smaller featured sessions are designed for delegates to tailor the programme to their priorities, and boost targeted networking:
- Specialized breakout sessions provide a dynamic setting where participants can dig deeper into specific topics, discussing critical operational issues or solving key pressure points, connecting with potential business allies essential to their success.
- Small themed roundtable discussions covering key priorities for agribusinesses, food companies, equipment manufacturing and investment are an ideal setting to ask questions, share insights and exchange contact details.
Decision makers from across the innovation ecosystem joining the summit in London include:
Propelling agri-food innovation forward: Start-Up Arena
A major role of the summit is to facilitate connections between investors and entrepreneurs with ready-to-scale solutions. The summit features international innovators solving the biggest pain points in Europe’s agri-food system, showcasing exciting technologies in pitching sessions and the Start-Up Arena, part of the summit exhibition.
Regional accelerators and investors including EIT Food, CGIAR, Cultivator and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will showcase cohorts from their portfolios, with the latest case studies and success stories around navigating the funding landscape and scaling operations.
From start-ups primed for growth to scale-ups ready for expansion, delegates can meet over 50 hotshots at their booths, during side sessions, or at a booked 1-1 meeting to uncover the next big solution that could future-proof their business.
Complementing the World Agri-Tech summit experience, the summit platform launches on desktop and mobile app two weeks before the summit, for early networking and with simple calendar management for those all-important meetings, plus a contacts directory to keep in touch with valuable new business acquaintances.
Find out more about speakers, full programme and registration.
Download the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit London brochure.
When: September 30 – October 1, 2024
Where: The InterContinental – The O2, London.
Find out more on venue information, nearby hotels and travel tips to London.
References
1. Eureporter. Reimagining the European Union’s Agricultural Policy: A Call for Decentralization.
2. Reuters. European farmers step up protests against costs, green rules.
3. Euractiv. Danish carbon tax on agriculture, a model for the rest of Europe or a splendid one-off?
4. Forbes. ‘Irresponsible’ Global Pesticide Regulations Spark Mass Outrage.
5. Agribusiness Global. Is the EU Regulatory Framework Providing a Benefit Yet for Biological Companies?
6. AFN. Biologicals are ‘economically unfeasible’ for growers. Equipment manufacturers could change that.
7. Edie. EU Parliament passes landmark nature restoration law.
