Horticulture has traditionally been defined by its local circumstances. The pace of change has increased immensely in the last decades as new technologies are being applied in the horticultural sector. The Japan Plant Factory Association and the RAI GreenTech Exhibition (Amsterdam & Mexico) would like to share some of their insight on these topics. Co-hosted by the Dutch Embassy in Tokyo and in collaboration of leading scientists on this topic, we will show some of the contours of the rapid globalizing market of horticultural technology. We designed this seminar with the interest of both Japanese and an international audience in mind. The event is in response to the interest of Japanese horticultural/plant factory companies to be more active internationally and better informed of global trends among operators and technology providers.
Agenda:
Part 1: Keynote presentation:
"Opportunities in horticultural technology and application"
Ms. Denise Lutz, Agricultural Council will share some of the experience in supporting trade between Japan and the Netherlands. Aware of rapid development in both countries in the horticulture sector, Ms. Lutz will point out opportunities not only for business but also for innovation and research collaboration.
Part 2: "Plant Factory and Horticultural innovations in Japan"
Ms. Eri Hayashi will go over some important Japanese innovations resulting in the rapid expansion in Controlled Environmental horticulture, including plant factories, in the country. The specific climatic, geographic, social, and business circumstances in Japan have resulted in numerous innovations. Also, the topic of sustainability and food security have seen many new companies entering into the horticultural/plant factory arena as tech providers and operators.
Part 3: Interview "GreenTech a Global trade platform watching for trends in tech-driven horticulture"
Ms. Mariska Dreschler, Director Horticulture RAI Amsterdam will present the trends as visible at the GreenTech fairs. These trends and innovation are further underlined during an interview with Mr. Edwin Vanlaerhoven, Business Development Director Certhon. The presentation and interview will showcase a topics of interest to Japanese customers. Among other the fast expansion of the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in horticulture. During the seminar, GreenTech will introduce the exciting collaboration between Denso and Certhon in the field of robotics and their turn-key greenhouses. Among the trends covered will be Sustainability (SDG’s) cannabis and the application of cross-over technologies from other sectors that are impacting horticulture.
Part 4: "Current status and future challenges in vertical farm systems”
Dr Luuk Graamans of Wageningen University and Research, the Netherlands, will, from a scientific perspective, cast some light on the status and limitation of vertical farming and what developments for this are sector on the horizon. This presentation is informed by research done by this internationally leading agricultural university from the Netherlands and their international partners. WUR has an extensive collaboration with both JPFA and GreenTech and is a long-standing partner of both organizations.
Part 4: Q&A
For more information:
Japan Plant Factory Association
www.npoplantfactory.org