In The Spotlight
One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile application that provides farmers with real-time weather data. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
As harsh weather conditions continue to hamper food security strategies globally, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Leicester aims at getting more farmers in Kenya to harness the insights of Earth Observation (EO) technologies
Extreme weather events have led to reduced agricultural yields, especially for those in Sub-Saharan Africa that largely depend on rain-fed agriculture.
A PhD project at University of Leicester focuses on exploring how EO technologies such as remote sensing, satellite monitoring and land surface models for weather predictions and soil moisture assessments can equip farmers with the necessary data to make informed agricultural decisions.
One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile application that provides farmers with real-time weather data, which empowers them to plan their agricultural activities with greater accuracy.
“Earth Observation technologies provide a strategic solution to enhance better farming practices but require better strategies for communicating with farmers to allay any ethical and environmental fears and improve their adoption,” said Fiona Imbali, PhD student in the University of Leicester School of Geography, Geology, and Environment. “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the importance of working with local communities and respecting their indigenous knowledge for climate governance and this research will be working with indigenous farming communities to develop participatory science communication strategies for the adoption of EO technologies.”
In addition, she also emphasised how the disregarding women’s challenges would also hamper technology adoption. “This study will engage communities from the onset of the research to understand their challenges, priorities, as well as their socio-cultural perspectives and more so for the women who have always been considered as a homogenous group in order to develop participatory, inclusive communication approaches,” Imbali added.
For more than 25 years, ICBA has extended its reach to support communities in more than 50 countries. (Image source: ICBA)
The International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) reflects on a journey marked by resilience, innovation and commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture in some of the world’s most harsh environments
Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, ICBA was founded to address the urgent challenges of agriculture in saline and arid environments. Since its establishment in 1999, ICBA has grown from a regional initiative to a global leader in biosaline agriculture and climate-resilient farming solutions.
For more than 25 years, ICBA has extended its reach to support communities in more than 50 countries, addressing pressing global challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and adaptation to climate change. Through its revolutionary research and development, ICBA has helped equip these communities with solutions for sustainable agriculture.
Initially focused on identifying salt-tolerant crops and developing resource-efficient technologies to enable agriculture in water-scarce regions, ICBA today, leads pioneering projects that range from natural resource management and climate adaptation to agri-aquaculture. Moreover, the world’s largest collections of drought-, heat-, and salt-tolerant plants are contained within its genebank.
ICBA has also taken part in groundbreaking initiatives including developments such as the Emirates Soil Museum and the Desert Life Sciences Laboratory, each contributing to a better understanding of soil and plant resources in arid climates. Additionally, ICBA has championed the use of climate-resilient crops, like quinoa and pearl millet, to strengthen food security and support sustainable production in arid regions.
With a strong focus on capacity development, ICBA has collaborated with organisations worldwide to empower farmers, scientists, and policymakers with expertise in sustainable agricultural practices.
As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, ICBA aims to deepen its research, expand its partnerships, and continue building resilient food systems to benefit communities around the world.
Farmers gather at the open day in Kinale to learn more about sustainable cooling. (Image source: University of Birmingham)
Kenyan farmers are getting a chance to attend a Clean Cooling Network open day, which will feature interactive demonstrations of various clean cooling technologies, including solar-powered pre-cooling and cold-storage and temperature-controlled refrigeration transport vehicles and solutions
The event is organised by the the African Centre of Technology Studies (ACTS) which is partnering with the Centre for Sustainable Cooling, University of Birmingham and UNEP to set up the Clean Cooling Network Reference Community Cooling Hub (CCH) in Kiambu County.
Besides practical demonstrations, the Open Day also offered a platform to address challenges faced by farmers in regard to climate resilience, food security, nutrition and markets. Insights on the programme’s support, financing opportunities, and collaborative efforts were also shared by experts.
The project aims to enhance the value of diverse and quality horticultural produce - improving quality, market access and connectivity through collective action to boost the livelihoods of farmers, their communities and the overall economy.
The co-operative seeks to offer a range of services including aggregation enabled by sustainable cold chain technologies and logistics, extension and advisory services, access to quality agro-inputs, and facilitation of wider market connectivity to deliver quality horticulture produce to consumers as well as training on all previously mentioned topics.
Farmers expressed great enthusiasm at the event and were also shown the 'try before you buy' cold-chain facilities that would enable them to understand and test the value-add of cold-chain for protecting the quality of produce and create new markets. Moreover, farmers will be able to use these facilities for an extended periods and
The programme will act as a reference for roll-out into further communities in Kenya as well as new markets across Africa including Rwanda, Lesotho and Senegal as the next phase.
“This is a multi-year investment to build the necessary cold-chain system transformation pan-Africa to deliver inclusive, equitable and future-proofed cooling and cold-chain solutions with minimum environmental impact," said professor of Clean Cold at the University of Birmingham and Centre for Sustainable Cooling and Programme Lead, Toby Peters.
Modern solutions, such as the JOSKIN spreading booms and injectors, ensure greater precision, better distribution and reduced losses. (Image source: JOSKIN)
Once considered a waste product, liquid manure is now recognised as a valuable fertilising resource, with some factories producing liquid wastes such as vinasse, molasses or sludge, which also contain valuable fertilising elements for agriculture
To optimise the properties of these effluents and minimise losses, particularly of ammonia, a specific spreading equipment is required. This reduction in losses limits odour nuisance and economic losses. Traditional spreading methods, such as scatterers, were imprecise and lacked homogeneity, resulting in significant nitrogen losses. In response, modern solutions, such as the JOSKIN spreading booms and injectors, ensure greater precision, better distribution and reduced losses.
JOSKIN spreading booms and implements, such as those with line hoses or skids, have transformed effluent spreading practices. Line spreading booms deposit the liquid directly at the foot of the plants, limiting contact with the air and reducing volatile losses by over 35%. JOSKIN Pendislide line spreading booms with skids, on the other hand, apply nutrients to the soil without contaminating plants, reducing volatile losses by up to 50%. The slurry tanker can also be fitted with a JOSKIN arable injector, which mixes soil and effluent. In this way, waste is used optimally and losses are practically nil.
Technological advances, combined with increasingly stringent regulations, are fostering a more sustainable agriculture. The latest generation of JOSKIN spreading implements preserves the fertilising properties of liquid effluent and reduces the cost of mineral fertilisers, making this investment more profitable. Thanks to the efficient use of livestock effluents, these innovations enable a profitable, sustainable and environmentally-friendly agriculture.
The latest innovation demonstrates the longstanding collaboration between Valio and Berry, and the strength of the partnership between the two businesses. (Image source: Berry)
Berry Global has launched a revolutionary packaging solution to help Finnish dairy pioneer Valio meet its commitment to significantly reduce plastic usage by 2026
Valio aims to cut down the usage of plastic in its single-use and single-serve packaging by 15%, as part of which its popular range of PROfeel protein puddings are being switched to a custom-designed version of Berry’sCombiLight pot.
The CombiLight is a hybrid packaging solution made from a plastic skeleton and carton sleeve, which are melted together to create a strong structure. Valio had already switched its quark products to the CombiLight, but for the puddings the conversion required the development of a new coating with enhanced barrier properties to ensure optimal shelf life.
Working in collaboration with Stora Enso, a leader in barrier technology, the new barrier solution was achieved by Berry. In addition to reducing food waste, this extended shelf life will also provide better export opportunities for Valio.
The protein-rich PROfeel puddings will be available in various flavours including chocolate, caramel, and vanilla-meringue and will be launched by the company in the new packaging this December. Some notable features like enhanced print quality as well as a printable bottom surface for the display of important product information will allow a clean, polished look on the sides of the pot, in turn creating better branding opportunities for Valio.
“Working with Berry is a pleasure,” said Valio’s head of Packaging Development, Juhana Pilkama. “Their team is not only willing to try new things, but they are also highly reliable and open in their approach. We have regular meetings to align on projects and share ideas, and that has been crucial in developing the enhanced CombiLight pot. We could not be more satisfied with the result.”
The 2024 edition of the only international apple trade show stood out for its high-quality audience, exhibitors and contents. (Image source: fruitecom)
The 13th edition of Interpoma took place from 21-23 November in Bolzano, with figures confirming its runway success
Being the only international apple trade show, the Interpoma attracts global stakeholders every two years to the Fiera Bolzano. Around 16,000 visitors and 400 exhibitors registered for three days of agricultural and technological excellence under one roof.
The numerous participants at the events speak to the consolidation of a discerning and high-quality audience consisting of industry experts and visitors. These events were the two-day Congress as well as the nine Interpoma Tours – guided tours for industry stakeholders and the press wanting to discover South Tyrolean best practice.
The 2024 Interpoma Award was presented by a jury that assessed 16 candidates and went on to reward the most promising technology aimed at reducing carbon footprint, fertiliser and phytosanitary products from being used in an orchard. SporeScout by BioScout emerged as the winner. The technology was recognised for its contribution to extraordinary progress when it came to sustainably managing phytosanitary products to protect the apple orchard.
The Visitors' Choice Award was introduced for this time at the 2024 edition and was presented to Agromanager, which also received an honorobale mention. With more than 700 visitors voting on the first day of the trade show, Agromanager, an efficient digital platform used for running an apple farm's daily business, was recognised for its irrigation and fertilisation system control that enabled information needed for numerous decision-making processes to be transfered to specific areas of the orchard.
Another new tool called Trapview also received an honorable mention. By monitoring and forecasting which insects can damage orchards, the tool aids crop protection and stands out for its ease of use as well as its agile system that is far better than the longer times required by manual traps. This enables efficient and remote management of the monitoring system by apple-growers and consultancy services. Moreover, the product’s potential to reduce the use of phytosanitary products mirrors the Award’s criteria, as it forecasts which insects to fight and, therefore, improves the sustainability of apple orchard management.
“Interpoma is where we discover the trends of the future," said Interpoma Brand Manager, Giulia Montanaro. "The choice to focus on the orchards of the future and showcase unprecedented digital technologies and new growing strategies has paid off vis-a-vis Congress footfall – also thanks to the expertise of speakers and companies from all over the world.”
The next edition of Interpoma nis scheduled to be held in November 2026.
One of the main advantages of the new wheel positioning is the lower centre of gravity which allows the plough to be subjected to lower rotational forces, in turn resulting in less strain on the rear lift. (Image source: LEMKEN)
Following the launch of the LEMKEN Diament 16 that was launched six years ago, the new Diament 18 model was presented at EIMA 2024 that took place from 6-10 November in Bologna, Italy
Being a key tool for large agricultural businesses, semi-mounted reversible ploughs, are increasingly used for both traditional in-furrow and on-land ploughing. Often used either as a stand-alone machine or in combination with a furrow press, the Diament series has always offered a wide range of applications to meet individual farm requirements for shallow or deep tillage.
To demonstrate that the Diamant plough series continues to stand for power and reliability, LEMKEN presented a new model at EIMA in Bologna: Diament 18 which enables the plough specialist to address an additional target group.
With its 5 to 8 furrows and a solid 180 x 180 x 12.5 mm box section frame, the robust Diamant 18 is specially designed for large tractors up to 650 hp and extreme operating conditions. Thanks to its optimum soil penetration and stable design, the new LEMKEN plough exhibits exceptional performance, particularly on dry soils. The position of the support wheel has been conveniently updated in order to ensure ideal usage of the extra frame weight, thereby allowing reliable soil penetration and maintaining desirable and consistent working depth.
One of the main advantages of the new wheel positioning is the lower centre of gravity which allows the plough to be subjected to lower rotational forces, in turn resulting in less strain on the rear lift. The protects the plough components, while also ensuring high tipping stability of the tractor/plough combination and a smooth ride. In comparison to the Diament 16, the new model also offers agility and comfortable handling, owing to the innovative steering system for the transport wheel.
The transport wheel also has a hydraulic steering which automatically adapts the steering angle to the turning manoeuvre. In combination with the 90 degree steering angle on the plough headstock, this feature enables the smallest possible turning radii at the headland. Moreover, the transport wheel can be actively controlled and manually steered for manoeuvring work.
The Diament 18 will initially be available in small quantities from next year and will begin full series production in 2026.
For more than 25 years, ICBA has extended its reach to support communities in more than 50 countries. (Image source: ICBA)
The International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) reflects on a journey marked by resilience, innovation and commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture in some of the world’s most harsh environments
Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, ICBA was founded to address the urgent challenges of agriculture in saline and arid environments. Since its establishment in 1999, ICBA has grown from a regional initiative to a global leader in biosaline agriculture and climate-resilient farming solutions.
For more than 25 years, ICBA has extended its reach to support communities in more than 50 countries, addressing pressing global challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and adaptation to climate change. Through its revolutionary research and development, ICBA has helped equip these communities with solutions for sustainable agriculture.
Initially focused on identifying salt-tolerant crops and developing resource-efficient technologies to enable agriculture in water-scarce regions, ICBA today, leads pioneering projects that range from natural resource management and climate adaptation to agri-aquaculture. Moreover, the world’s largest collections of drought-, heat-, and salt-tolerant plants are contained within its genebank.
ICBA has also taken part in groundbreaking initiatives including developments such as the Emirates Soil Museum and the Desert Life Sciences Laboratory, each contributing to a better understanding of soil and plant resources in arid climates. Additionally, ICBA has championed the use of climate-resilient crops, like quinoa and pearl millet, to strengthen food security and support sustainable production in arid regions.
With a strong focus on capacity development, ICBA has collaborated with organisations worldwide to empower farmers, scientists, and policymakers with expertise in sustainable agricultural practices.
As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, ICBA aims to deepen its research, expand its partnerships, and continue building resilient food systems to benefit communities around the world.
The 2024 edition of the only international apple trade show stood out for its high-quality audience, exhibitors and contents. (Image source: fruitecom)
The new Case IH Quadtrac 715 and STEYR Plus models won the 2025 EIMA Tractor or the Year awards. (Image source: CNH)
Developed under the AADGG, the app enables users to search and view historical data on each individual cow. (Image source: AADGG)
In an attempt to boost productivity and support smallholder farmers, an advanced livestock monitiring app has been launched under the African Asian Dairy Genetics Gains Project (AADGG)
As part of the combined effort from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), this tool offers real-time capabilities in livestock health, feed management, and artificial insemination data collection, none of which were previously available with the commonly used Open Data Kit (ODK) system.
How it works
The app replaces a simpler ODK data-gathering system that could be accessed through a tablet or laptop but could not be accessed by farmers, while also making it relatively difficult to retrieve collected data. Developed under the AADGG, the app enables users to search and view historical data on each individual cow. It also makes it easier to register farms, farmers and their livestock, enabling the recording of household information, health, breeding, and productivity data on individual cattle by farmers, researchers, and AADGG collaborators. With improved visibility and data quality through this mobile app, efforts to select adaptable, high-yielding dairy genetics for smallholder dairy farmers in Africa and Asia will be significantly strengthened.
"The app is a game-changer for us, providing a long-term sustainability path for our data collection. It gives us many more opportunities for data capture and of higher accuracy," said Raphael Mrode, ILRI Principal scientist and researcher at CTLGH.
Some of the features and benefits of the application include:
1. Real-time data collection: Enables instant recording and feedback on livestock health, breeding, and productivity.
2. Advanced modules: Tracks pedigree, milk output, farm size, animal traits, and more, offering comprehensive insights.
3. Historical data access: Provides farmers with visibility into past records, enhancing decision-making.
4. User-friendly design: Runs on Android smartphones and is designed for accessibility, with future plans for local language translations.
The AADGG-Dairy Data App runs on Android smartphones and was rolled out by a multi-national team in four African countries, namley, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and in Nepal during the months of September-October. Jennifer Volk, senior Information and Data Systems Lead at CTLGH emphasised that the app's interface and real-time feedback greatly helped farmers to better manage their livestock, while also addressing the key challenges faced by them.
By advancing sustainable livestock management, ILRI and CTLGH have embarked on a quest to empower smallholder farmers through innovative solutions. They have also invited stakeholders, policymakers, and development partners to join efforts in scaling its impact and transforming farming practices globally.
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Modern solutions, such as the JOSKIN spreading booms and injectors, ensure greater precision, better distribution and reduced losses. (Image source: JOSKIN)
Once considered a waste product, liquid manure is now recognised as a valuable fertilising resource, with some factories producing liquid wastes such as vinasse, molasses or sludge, which also contain valuable fertilising elements for agriculture
To optimise the properties of these effluents and minimise losses, particularly of ammonia, a specific spreading equipment is required. This reduction in losses limits odour nuisance and economic losses. Traditional spreading methods, such as scatterers, were imprecise and lacked homogeneity, resulting in significant nitrogen losses. In response, modern solutions, such as the JOSKIN spreading booms and injectors, ensure greater precision, better distribution and reduced losses.
JOSKIN spreading booms and implements, such as those with line hoses or skids, have transformed effluent spreading practices. Line spreading booms deposit the liquid directly at the foot of the plants, limiting contact with the air and reducing volatile losses by over 35%. JOSKIN Pendislide line spreading booms with skids, on the other hand, apply nutrients to the soil without contaminating plants, reducing volatile losses by up to 50%. The slurry tanker can also be fitted with a JOSKIN arable injector, which mixes soil and effluent. In this way, waste is used optimally and losses are practically nil.
Technological advances, combined with increasingly stringent regulations, are fostering a more sustainable agriculture. The latest generation of JOSKIN spreading implements preserves the fertilising properties of liquid effluent and reduces the cost of mineral fertilisers, making this investment more profitable. Thanks to the efficient use of livestock effluents, these innovations enable a profitable, sustainable and environmentally-friendly agriculture.
The latest innovation demonstrates the longstanding collaboration between Valio and Berry, and the strength of the partnership between the two businesses. (Image source: Berry)
In an attempt to drive the consumption of South African stone fruit, Hortgro will once again be using a wide-ranging marketing campaign to support the season in the UK. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile application that provides farmers with real-time weather data. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
As harsh weather conditions continue to hamper food security strategies globally, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Leicester aims at getting more farmers in Kenya to harness the insights of Earth Observation (EO) technologies
Extreme weather events have led to reduced agricultural yields, especially for those in Sub-Saharan Africa that largely depend on rain-fed agriculture.
A PhD project at University of Leicester focuses on exploring how EO technologies such as remote sensing, satellite monitoring and land surface models for weather predictions and soil moisture assessments can equip farmers with the necessary data to make informed agricultural decisions.
One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile application that provides farmers with real-time weather data, which empowers them to plan their agricultural activities with greater accuracy.
“Earth Observation technologies provide a strategic solution to enhance better farming practices but require better strategies for communicating with farmers to allay any ethical and environmental fears and improve their adoption,” said Fiona Imbali, PhD student in the University of Leicester School of Geography, Geology, and Environment. “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the importance of working with local communities and respecting their indigenous knowledge for climate governance and this research will be working with indigenous farming communities to develop participatory science communication strategies for the adoption of EO technologies.”
In addition, she also emphasised how the disregarding women’s challenges would also hamper technology adoption. “This study will engage communities from the onset of the research to understand their challenges, priorities, as well as their socio-cultural perspectives and more so for the women who have always been considered as a homogenous group in order to develop participatory, inclusive communication approaches,” Imbali added.
Farmers gather at the open day in Kinale to learn more about sustainable cooling. (Image source: University of Birmingham)
One of the main advantages of the new wheel positioning is the lower centre of gravity which allows the plough to be subjected to lower rotational forces, in turn resulting in less strain on the rear lift. (Image source: LEMKEN)
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One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile application that provides farmers with real-time weather data. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Farmers gather at the open day in Kinale to learn more about sustainable cooling. (Image source: University of Birmingham)
Modern solutions, such as the JOSKIN spreading booms and injectors, ensure greater precision, better distribution and reduced losses. (Image source: JOSKIN)
The latest innovation demonstrates the longstanding collaboration between Valio and Berry, and the strength of the partnership between the two businesses. (Image source: Berry)
One of the main advantages of the new wheel positioning is the lower centre of gravity which allows the plough to be subjected to lower rotational forces, in turn resulting in less strain on the rear lift. (Image source: LEMKEN)
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One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile application that provides farmers with real-time weather data. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
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