AgraME Conference 2021

 

OPENING

9:00-9:30

Registration and Morning Exhibition Visit

9:30-10:00

Welcome Speeches – Chairperson’s welcome remarks and supporting ministry opening

10:00-10:45

Panel Discussion: Leading the Agriculture Industry Through Uncertain Times to a Sustainable, Secure Future

With the COVID-19 pandemic shaking the world, bringing with it new restrictions and challenges, the importance of biosecurity, food sustainability and efficient use of resources, has become increasingly vital for countries worldwide. The global pandemic has revealed fundamental flaws in food systems and highlighted the fragility of global food supply chains. During this panel session we will be:

  • Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that the pandemic has brought to the industry
  • Discussing how the agriculture and food industry has been disrupted throughout the past year in terms of shifting trends and how different companies, sectors and governments have responded to the implications of the pandemic
  • Strategies to feed the world during global pandemics and climate change and what leadership should be doing to protect the regions food security

10:50-11:10

Coffee & Networking Break

 

AGRATECH

 

11:10-11:40

Transforming to a Sustainable Future for the Agriculture Industry

  • Improving agricultural productivity: new investments and technology solutions needed
  • Exploring predictions for the future of the industry in terms of sustainability and innovation
  • Examples of innovation from around the region

11:45-12:15

Utilising AI and Precision Farming to Analyse and Improve Crop Performance

With the development of modestly priced, while still highly accurate, precision farming technology is becoming increasingly available on the markets, smaller farms are now able to improve crop performance and quality as well as increase their return on investment. During this session we will be:

  • Looking into some key examples of precision farming technologies and how they can be implemented easily and cheaply
  • Discussing how to efficiently analyse crop performance and measure improvements
  • How governments and legislators can encourage and incentivise local farmers to adopt new, sustainable technologies
  • What key farms have been doing to maximise the technology and innovatively improve performance

12:15-1:15

Lunch Break and Exhibition Visit

1:15-1:45

Keynote: Promoting Agri-Entrepreneurship and Building a Strategic Alignment Between Government and Corporates

This session investigates how to promote innovation and communication to drive growth in the agricultural sector. Throughout 2020 and the challenges it brought, governments and corporates were forced to remain agile and innovate. This remains an important aspect throughout disaster recovery and looking ahead for the industry. This session discusses:

  • How governments and corporates can create an open innovation ecosystem and future proof innovation
  • Strategies for aligning your business model to government enablers
  • Clear communication, branding and relation strategies when working with third parties, including stakeholders, corporates, start-ups and investors
  • How to ensure your innovation venture is properly integrated into your core business proposition

1:50-2:20

Efficient Controlled Agriculture Environments: Vertical Farming in the MENA Region

This session investigates efficient urban farming practices that consider space and resource constraints. With new emerging Controlled Agriculture Environment technologies becoming more accessible and the development of established farming practices in the region, vertical farming and hydroponics are a vital step toward urban farming and food sustainability. Our expert speaker will discuss:

  • The challenges and lessons learnt while running vertical and hydroponic farms
  • Alternative methods for effective irrigation and circulation in controlled environments
  • Methods and practical operation tips to reduce water and power consumption
  • Which crops perform well using these farming environments and which have failed

2:20-2:45

Networking Break and Exhibition Visit

2:45-3:15

Case-Study: Analysing Genomes and Gene Editing for Improved Agricultural Production

While the concept of genome sequencing and gene editing is not new, the technology, applications and implications are still being researched and advanced. Resilient crops that are well adapted to their environment can be further improved to increase productivity and economic return. During this session, participants will join a deep dive into various research regarding gene editing and its impacts, including:

  • Advances in applied genetics and its implications for sustainable production
  • Investigating international regulations and how these impact local markets in Turkey and the MENA region
  • Benefits and precautions of diversifying crops and improving biotech tolerance in crops

3:20-3:50

Developing Smart Greenhouses and Adapting to Environmental Changes

  • New sensors, IoT and automation technologies and how they will affect production efficiency
  • Digital technologies employed along the supply chain to maintain freshness in the hot climate
  • Which crops have performed well in the greenhouse environment and which have been abandoned?

4:00

End of Day 1

 

AQUACULTURE

 

9:30-9:40

Chairpersons Welcome Remarks

9:45-10:30

Panel Discussion: Achieving Sustainable and Innovative Aquaculture Practices

Over the past 50 years, aquaculture has sustained a global growth and continues to grow increasingly as consumption increases and to compensate for the declining fisheries. Aquaculture is an important production sector for food security therefore, sustainable strategies, practices and environmentally friendly innovation and technologies are more important than ever. This session will focus on:

  • Exploring new sustainable technologies improving aquaculture environments, including details such as cage culture, fish processing and nutrient and data processing
  • Engaging dialog around feed, including original feed ingredients and improved feed efficiency as well as feeding systems and best management practice
  • Analysing fish health, investigating new disease issues affecting fish farms

10:35-11:10

Panel Discussion: The Critical Importance of Supporting Fisheries and the Aquaculture Sector

  • Discussion around government initiatives in aquaculture and various guidelines for sustainable development of aquaculture
  • Discussing solutions for over-investment and excess harvesting capacity through effectively managing capital
  • Planning co-management arrangements to promote diversity
  • Projections for the future covering opportunities and strategies

11:10-11:30

Morning Networking Break and Exhibition Visit

11:30-12:00

Optimising the Supply Chain from Production to Consumer

By improving the economic efficiency of resources, logistics, productivity and traceability through technology and various management tools, farms are able to boost socio-economic sustainability in the region. During this session, attendees will discover how to use analytics technologies to create value through optimising the supply chain, from production to the consumer. The session will discuss:

  • Tools and models to use to help with logistics and resource management on farms
  • Utilising subscription models for third-party stakeholders to improve productivity and maximise income for the farmers
  • Use of blockchain technology to enhance transparency and traceability in order to prove product authenticity

 

ANIMAL FARMING AND WELFARE

 

12:00-12:30

Preventing and Controlling Disease: Best Practice for Biosecurity in Animal Farms

Biosecurity in farms is a highly critical for farm survival, safety and development. Concerns are of particular importance where production is limited and economic losses due to biosecurity would be significant. The issue of biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreak and disease contamination, has been further highlighted in the public eye considering the COVID-19 pandemic. During this discussion, participants will be looking into:

  • Biosecurity measures currently implemented on poultry farms around the region to be prepared against disease outbreaks
  • Exploration around zoonoses associates with various animal farms and a checklist to decrease human health risks
  • Practical measures and strategies that can be easily implemented to equip farms to contain any potential outbreaks of disease
  • Best practices for vaccination protocols, isolation, cleaning and disinfection
  • Discussion around prevention and guidelines for human and traffic flow for maximised control
  • The future role of antibiotics in the animal farming industry

12:30-1:30

Lunch Break and Exhibition Visit

 

CROP FARMING

1:30-2:00

Organic Farming in the UAE

2:05-2:35

Non-Toxic and Natural Control Methods for Sustainable Food Production/Pest Control

Pests are causing economic losses in the millions on an annual basis, threatening production and livelihoods. Not only are pests costing farmers in losses, but also in preventative costs. During this keynote session, participants will examine:

  • The costs of spraying against pests and alternative techniques to protect crops including pheromone traps injection
  • The environmental impacts and the impact to human health of toxic pesticides
  • Best practices for injection and pest control
  • Updates on development and non-toxic measures

2:40-3:10

Keynote: Employing Biostimulants and Nutrients to Protect Against Abiotic Stress and Support Global Food Security

Across arid climates, abiotic stress and lack of resources are major challenges for the whole industry. This session discusses:

  • The practicalities of implementing biostimulants and micronutrients to protect crop production
  • Challenges and complications faced when following this methodology in arid climates and how to overcome these challenges
  • Measurable results from a successful case-study company

3:15-3:45

Irrigation Best Practices: Innovations for Arid Climates and Scarce Resources

  • The impacts of water scarcity on the agriculture industry and food security in the Middle East
  • Innovation that has been combating water scarcity in the region
  • The future role of new innovations in reducing agricultural water consumption
  • Utilising desalination practices and minimising freshwater consumption

4:00

End of Day 2