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“2023 has been quite a year in the farming industry,” observed John Barrett, Director of Sentry, and Chair of the Agri-TechE Stakeholder Group, as he opened the REAP Conference. “We started the year with wheat prices at a record high and have finished with wheat prices falling and crop input costs seemingly out of control.
“Such is the rollercoaster of farming, but our challenge is to try and take back some of that control and reduce those costs, by adapting our businesses and learning from others. This is very much the ethos of REAP.”
Rapid change has been a feature of the last five years, with far-reaching impacts on global agriculture and horticulture. The mood at the REAP conference was surprisingly buoyant as the agri-tech ecosystem came together to discuss emerging technology, science, and on-farm practices, that are providing opportunities for optimism.
We have attempted to capture some of that positivity in the REAP 2023 report.
REAP Conference 2024 will take place on Wednesday 6 November in Newmarket.
REAP 2023 Feedback
Networking is a big element of REAP – it provides an opportunity for farmers and other end users to talk directly to technology developers and for others in the community to create collaborations and partnerships. Here are some comments from attendees and exhibitors:
“An outstanding REAP, consistent with the high standard of every Agri-TechE event. We were very happy to be part of the Exhibition and to engage with so many new people.
“The Innovation for a Sustainable Supply Chain was extremely valuable, as was the excellent Farmer Insights Panel and as always great to see new agritech companies in the Start-Up Showcase.”
“I had a great time at REAP, it was my first time attending the conference and was so pleased I was able to make it after lots of recommendations from my colleagues. I think the day was incredibly well organised and I really enjoyed the stalls whilst networking.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the REAP conference. I thought the content was very good quality, the structure of the day was good, with each session slightly different; I made a number of good links I shall be following up. Plenty of interesting people to talk with.“
Importance of an innovation ecosystem
Agri-TechE Director Dr Belinda Clarke closed the conference by looking forward to the coming year, when the membership organisation celebrates its tenth year.
“Over the last ten years, significant developments in technology and changes in economics have increased the pull for more automation, changing the dynamics in cost-benefit analysis.
“As a result we are seeing rapid adoption of new technologies and approaches.
“The membership is also changing, becoming increasingly diverse and international, creating a supportive environment in which to scale and expand.
“We have had a record number of new members this year, and over the coming months we will be looking ahead and harnessing the thinking of the membership about the desired direction of travel.
“As the experiences of recent years have taught us, in order to build a productive, profitable, and sustainable agri-food industry, we must move away from the comfort zone and become open to the new opportunities that exist when we ‘stretch’.
“I am excited about the journey ahead.”
Thank you to the sponsors and supporters of REAP 2023
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