AGRIBEX 2021, a look ahead

For this first post-Corona edition, the international agricultural fair AGRIBEX is hoping for 85,000 to 90,000 visitors. The fair has always set itself up as a platform, a meeting place between the various sectors directly or indirectly linked to agriculture, and this 72nd edition is no different. During the fair there will be an extra focus on 'smart farming'. This is partly in the context of climate change, which agriculture in particular will have to deal with.

'Smart Farming' on the rise

The fair's organizer, Fedagrim, draws plenty of attention to innovation and insights that help make agriculture more robust and sustainable. For example, a lot of attention is being given to precision agriculture, now known as Smart Farming. On a specific theme island, the fair intends to zoom in on the possibilities that are now available in this field. Especially data collection and real-time processing in the field will be discussed. It enables the farmer to take measurements 'on the spot' about the state of the crop, soil moisture, pest pressure and adjust his treatments accordingly.

Fair coordinator Alain Vander Cruys: "At the fair, for example, we will show a multifunctional field robot. This is a prototype developed at UGent to improve and extend an existing robot from AgroIntelli. Such prototypes will be deployable within this and three years and ensure that field yields can increase while reducing costs through the 'smart' deployment of treatments."

Livestock challenges

Livestock is also a fixture at a fair like AGRIBEX. Of course there are the competitions and animal exhibitions, filled in by the Brussels Livestock Show. But in addition, AGRIBEX also wants to give attention to the business model in animal husbandry. Livestock farming is under heavy pressure due to increasingly strict regulations, especially regarding nitrogen emissions. This significantly increases costs to get farms in line with the applicable standards. On the other hand, there is the consumer who is always looking for local but especially cheap food. This contradiction remains a difficult fact for the sector.

"But on the 'Feed the Future' theme island, we want to increase returns for the livestock farmer - and in particular the pig farmer - by promoting better data management. Permanent screening of the pigs via the RFID ear tags reveals a lot of valuable information. Information with which the farmer can do his thing. He can better tailor nutrition to the animal. He can better monitor group behavior, he can map movements and so on. Through this data management, the farmer can save on labor and costs and thus increase his returns," says Alain Vander Cruys.

What about the green sector?

As for the green sector, no theme island is planned but Federation members active in the green sector have decided to use the amount of money they will receive in principle for the development of the island rather to invite green officials of cities and municipalities and other agencies during the Professional Day.

The impact of Corona

AGRIBEX is one of the largest post-corona indoor fairs in the Benelux. If we may speak of post-corona at all, given the recent evolution of the figures. Alain Vander Cruys: "For this edition, the number of exhibitors fell by 14 percent, mainly due to the fear of the pandemic. This is why the fair is also slightly smaller than previous editions. In order for everything to run perfectly safely, all exhibitors, their staff and visitors will have to present their coronapas. Fortunately, everyone has full understanding of this."

High visit

"Because of all this, the fair has been shortened by one day, starting only on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Everything else, however, has remained. The Hospitality Day, in partnership with ING, falls on the first day of the fair as always. The Ladies' Day will continue on the second day. With this, AGRIBEX wants to ask for more appreciation for the often undervalued work of women in the sector. The official opening will take place in the presence of numerous ministers, this time including Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo," concludes Alain Vander Cruys.