“Precision farming techniques have turned agriculture into a high-tech sector. From planting to harvesting, precision machines provide farmers with new tools to manage their lands in ever more accurate and sustainable ways. For farmers, this means achieving savings in agricultural inputs while generating higher output, which in the end translates into greater economic viability for them”, underlined Ulrich Adam, Secretary General of CEMA.
Jan Huitema, Member of the European Parliament and a dairy farmer put the focus on the need for continuous innovation and a better understanding of modern agriculture by the public: "We need to feed an ever growing and more demanding world population. Innovations are key in this respect. We have seen some spectacular results that drastically reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by smart innovations. Also the broader public needs to be more aware of the great steps that are being taken. Agriculture is an indispensable part of all our lives, there still is a big challenge educating the wider public. Contrary to the common perception of agriculture, it has entered the area of high-tech already a long time ago and initiatives like this are therefore to be welcomed."
“It is fascinating to see peoples’ reactions when we tell them about modern production techniques that deliver high yields, protect biodiversity and control pests. It’s not about spraying as many chemicals as possible. It’s about Integrated Pest Management. It requires the best combination of cultural, biological and chemical measures to manage diseases, insects and weeds. At the same time, biodiversity is protected by increasing beneficial insects and pollinators and reducing the erosion of the soil”, said Marc Sneyders, Head of Sustainable Development at Bayer CropScience Belgium and responsible for the farm visits.
During both days, tractors, precision seeding machines, sprayers and farming data management systems were displayed. Simulators gave visitors the chance to test-drive the machines and experience how modern farming activities are run today. During the farm tour, participants were guided into a pear orchard, demonstrating integrated pest management (IPM) practices and sustainable agricultural solutions, a potato field explaining erosion reduction measures and a sugar beet field illustrating the need for weed management. Systems for the handling of crop protection products and waste water such as EasyFlow and Phytobac were demonstrated.
