The carrot algorithm is the latest addition to Ecorobotix’s expanding AI suite. (Image source: Ecorobotix)

Ecorobotix showcased its new ARA ultra-high precision sprayer at the LAMMA 2025 event that took place from 15-16 January at the NEC in Birmingham, UK

Celebrating its transformative impact on agriculture, Ecorobotix's new carrot algorithm earned the Silver Award for Arable Crop Care Innovation of the Year. This advanced solution which is currently available as a paid feature for the ARA sprayer helps reduce plant protection products in carrot fields by up to 95%.

It is part of Ecorobotix’s Plant-by-Plant AI Software, which uses crop-specific algorithms to deliver unparalleled precision and efficiency in treatments for various crops. With its ultra-high precision 6x6 cm spraying capability, the ARA sprayer revolutionises crop care by dramatically reducing chemical inputs and enhancing productivity.

During the forum, AGRA and IFDC reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation, capacity-building, and partnerships that prioritise soil health. (Image source: AGRA)

AGRA, in partnership with the International Fertiliser Development Center (IFDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, hosted Mali’s first-ever event specifically dedicated to soils, in celebration of World Soil Day

The event themed: ‘Nourish the Earth, Secure the Future’ focused on preserving the health of arid and semi-arid soils, and marked the beginning of a dedicated national focus on soil health in Mali. It highlighted critical issues of soil degradation and the need to implement collaborative and innovative solutions to restore soil health, safeguard agricultural productivity, and combat food insecurity.

Comprising expert panels and roundtable discussions, the event served as a platform to address soil health and its implications for agricultural transformation, in turn producing actionable recommendations. These included establishing a platform for dialogue, creating synergies of action, updating Mali’s soil mapping, developing targeted policies, and investing in action research on soils.

In his address, the Minister of Agriculture emphasised that sustainable soil management is not only an environmental necessity but also a socio-economic and humanitarian imperative. During the forum, AGRA and IFDC also reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation, capacity-building, and partnerships that prioritise soil health.

The event is scheduled to take place from 18-20 March 2025. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Next year’s Africa Agri Tech 2025, will present a five year forecast into future developments in the agriculture sector, highlighting the major advancements in technology and its impact on the sector

The future-focused event offers a platform for innovators, scientific leaders, technology providers and industry leaders in the agriculture sector to build in-person business relationships through networking opportunities. 

Moreover, it will bring industry thought leaders and change makers cutting across all sectors of agriculture under one roof, with all attendees focused on the need to adopt the latest techniques, and discover scientific breakthroughs and innovations.

The event is scheduled to take place from 18-20 March 2025 at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa. 

The conference was attended by more than 160 representatives from institutions actively involved in food safety initiatives. (Image source: Ministry of Information Eritrea)

In order to acknowledge the complexity of food safety, the Ministry of Agriculture organised a national conference in Eritrea's capital, Asmara under the theme ‘Working Together to Ensure Food Safety’

The conference which was attended by more than 160 representatives included research paper presentations on various topics including the introduction of Codex Alimentarius and Eritrea’s participation, a review of experiences in ensuring the safety of agri-food products, and assessments of sanitary standards in food and drink catering establishments. 

This was followed by extensive discussions, further leading to several recommendations. These included the need to coordinate policies and efforts, strengthen research in food safety, enhance monitoring systems throughout the food chain, and conduct sustainable public awareness campaigns to ensure comprehensive oversight.

Tekleab Misgina, Director General of Regulatory Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, pointed out that the main objective of the workshop was to exchange knowledge and experiences among participants and to generate ideas for improving food safety practices. He highlighted the shared responsibilities among Government institutions in ensuring food safety, and emphasised their commitment to ensuring that food products in the market are safe and meet established standards, with each institution leveraging legal frameworks to address food control issues within its jurisdiction.