Valagro to attend the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture in Abu Dhabi

Leader in the development and commercialization of biostimulants and specialty nutrients, Valagro will take part in the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA 2015), scheduled for the 9th and 10th of March in Abu Dhabi.
 
The main theme at GFIA 2015 will be sustainable agriculture and the rational use of natural resources in the face of the challenge of feeding a growing global population.

Valagro will display its range of innovative solutions specifically created to meet the expectations of distributors and farmers while addressing the nutritional needs of different crops around the world. Valagro has continuously invested in R&D, using highly innovative processes and solutions.

The “know-how” acquired over the past 30 years, has allowed Valagro research to create GeaPower®, an innovative technological platform that can enhance natural plant growth and productivity. Premium raw vegetable materials are selected to isolate and extract the natural active ingredients which are then skilfully combined in specific products for crop nutrition. The use of selective research and cutting-edge technologies combined with the targeted use of genomics, proteomics and phenomics make possible the creation of innovative solutions for the growth processes of different crops.
 
More than a technology platform, GeaPower is an approach, a way of tackling the challenge of food production in a manner that is sustainable for the environment and consistent with the commitment of Valagro to enhance agricultural productivity.
 
“The challenge to produce more with fewer resources faced by Valagro and the world is more relevant today than ever – stated Prem Warrior, Chief Operating Officer of Valagro – given the opening of EXPO2015 in a few weeks with the theme of ‘Feeding the planet. Energy for life’”.
 
“Biostimulant compositions that work directly on the physiology of plants – added Warrior – are indispensable since they optimize agricultural productivity, which is what the world needs: environmental sustainability combined with guaranteed yield. This is the only way – concluded Warrior – that we will be able to satisfy the growing demand for food while, at the same time, protecting the environment and its resources”.
 
Today 925 million people in the world are suffering from undernutrition, resulting in 36 million deaths per year. Over the next 20 years we will need 50% more food, 30% more water and 50% more energy to feed 1.2 billion more people in the world. However, over the last 20 years the population growth has been much greater thanthe increase in yield per hectare of cultivated land, while the total area of land worldwide under cultivation has shrunk by 32%.
 
Biostimulants can help to satisfy our demand for food, while at the same time protecting the environment. It is estimated that just within the European Union, biostimulants can contribute to an increase in agricultural production of about 4 million tonnes, the equivalent of an extra 0.6%(1), with an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of 0.8 million tonnes, the equivalent of 0.3%(2). The current value of the biostimulants market in the EU is estimated to be between 350 and 400 million Euros(3).
 
The Forum will deal with the dramatic nature of these figures over six sessions: intelligent and climatic change friendly agriculture; food scarcity and waste; ICT for sustainable agriculture; urban agriculture, so-called edible cities; innovation and changes on the world agricultural scene and, finally, indoor agriculture and aquaculture.
 
(1)    Data processed by Valagro, based on figures from EBIC and FAOSTAT
(2)    Data processed by Valagro, based on figures from EBIC, FAOSTAT EEA greenhouse gas by Agriculture Field, European Environment Agency
(3)    Data processed by Valagro, based on figures from EBIC