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With the support of 40 senior agri-food tech leaders on the summit Advisory Board and more than 30 partners, the organizers of World Agri-Tech are building an unforgettable gathering for the first time in Sao Paulo – save the date and join them!
We asked our trusted advisory board members: what is getting you excited about South America’s agtech sector and what innovation objectives do you have for 2022?
Acting on ESG Goals
“Thanks to innovation and technological advances, we have proven that it is truly feasible to increase our levels of agriculture productivity without deforestation and conversion of new areas in South America. We look forward to understanding the scenario of opportunities we have to develop and apply innovative solutions towards commodities production – soy, cotton, and corn – at the same time that they also help us achieve the ambitious ESG goals that we have publicly committed to, such as a low carbon supply chain.” Juliana de Lavor Lopes, Director of Sustainability, Communication and Compliance, AMAGGI
Fostering an Empowerment Culture
“Latin America is the most fertile region in the world in terms of untapped potential talent. After the explosion of VC in the region in 2021, there is going to be a second wave of niche players that will move the market from technical solutions focused on the farmer to impact start-ups fixing value chains and solving consumer needs providing healthy sustainable food.
As a Venture Capitalist, I see three major objectives to keep working on this year:
- Promote multicultural diverse teams: teams from different nations, different expertises/backgrounds, with a major participation of women in key roles, among other factors. This approach will take teams to the next level.
- Contribute to the creation and development of agtech ecosystems locally and also the connection between ecosystems all over Latin America and worldwide.
- Contribute to the vision of systemic changes throughout the integration of solutions as the way to disrupt the industry from lab to fork.” Tomás Peña, Managing Director, THE YIELD LAB LATAM
Tech Convergence
“The continued and consistent innovation in agtech is showing more and more tangible results, in yields/productivity and contribution to the ESG effort. It’s really exciting to see the convergence of the various technology (AI, Image Recognition, Remote Sensors, Automation/Robotics, etc). It’s like building a puzzle. When you start to see the picture behind the forms and shapes you get re-invigorated to finish it!” John Lin, Chief Commercial Officer, CITROSUCO
Farmer’s Digitization
“It’s exciting how every day we, farmers, are getting closer on our way to produce more with less. We already use VRT (Variable Rate Technology), selective application and many other digital tools. As expected, most digital applications were first tried, shaped and used by early adopters. Now it’s the time to make them available to every farmer. So that’s the challenge: make it easy, make it cheap, make it integrated.
Today, you can find many platforms useful to prescribe considering different data sources and methodologies. But getting into VRT means much more than that. It’s having environmental, sampling points, prescription, application and yield maps at least. Handling all this data each year, along with other information related to crop monitoring satellite/drone images, trials, etc, requires a powerful, open, GIS-based, BI-oriented platform. This year we are co-developing a digital tool capable to handle this information.” Nico Ridley, Technology & Digital Transformation Lead, MSU
“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in the AgTech sector in the last couple of years. New start-ups are continuously tackling the most pressing challenges in our sector. New investors, companies, accelerators, and incubators are contributing to an ecosystem that is more alive than ever. It’s exciting to see how this agtech ecosystem is connecting the dots, and helping digitize the whole value chain. Thus allowing for full traceability: consumers will be able to follow the full journey of their food literally from farm to table.
In 2022 we are pushing forward a complete digital transformation of our processes. A recent study showed that Argentinian farmers are already highly digitized. We are making sure that they have a seamless and efficient experiences with our systems, that adapt to their workflows. This way farmers can focus on what they do best: feeding the world in the most sustainable way. ” Ana Wegman, Innovation & Development, LARTIRIGOYEN
Supporting Sustainable Practices
“We are constantly exploring ways to develop an even more sustainable agriculture. Sustainable farming practices can reduce greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere through improved soil health, efficient land use and carbon sequestration from the atmosphere thus contributing to address climate change. Starting 2022, BASF will launch The Global Carbon Farming Program, an initiative to support farmers becoming more sustainable in farm operations and increase productivity. It supports BASF Agricultural Solutions’ commitment to reduce by 30% the carbon footprint per ton of produced crop by 2030, underlining our efforts to fighting climate change. The program, that will be roll out in phases, embraces a holistic approach to deliver better yield allowing farmers to benefit from practices reducing CO2 emissions.” Sergi Vizoso, SVP Agricultural Solutions Latin America, BASF
Green Financing
“I want to see more agtech companies accessing green capital markets. Technology has been central in ensuring the adoption of more sustainable agriculture practices and there is still a challenge in directing the much needed investment towards these types of companies. I hope that these innovative instruments can support the delivery of technology innovations in South Americas agtech sector at scale.” Leisa Souza, Head of Latin America, CLIMATE BONDS INITIATIVE
Advancing Partnerships and Collaboration
“A global agriculture powerhouse, South America’s agri-food industry is bursting with potential. Agtech and Agri-fintech are changing the landscape at a pace not seen before. More investors and entrepreneurs are entering and disrupting the market, with the international agri-food industry sitting up and taking note. At the farm level, we are seeing a rise in the adoption of data-driven growing systems and climate-smart practices, leading to higher yields, efficiency and profitability. The third edition of the World Agri-Tech South America Summit will reunite the most influential growers, agribusinesses, food corporates, start-ups, investors, and government agencies. From the growing importance of ESG and the complex carbon credits market to the changing role of the ag retailer, the event will foster high-level discussions on the region’s most pressing challenges and break down barriers to innovation.” Theresa Flach, Conference Producer, WORLD AGRI-TECH
Join us at the World Agri-Tech South America summit in Sao Paulo (and online) on June 28-29, as we bring together growers, agribusinesses, food corporates, start-ups, investors, and government agencies from across the globe for two days of high impact networking and knowledge-exchange.