argentina Archives

Agri-EPI and CIEL embarked on a trip to Argentina and Brazil over the last few weeks to help strengthen LATAM-UK agri-tech collaboration. Agri-EPI’s International Business Development Manager, Jane Lycett and Head of Agri-Tech (Dairy), Robert Morrison, along with Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock’s Head of Innovation, Dr. Mark Young, met with representatives at Hub4 Agroinnovacion, where they were given a comprehensive overview of Argentine agriculture and agri-tech innovation – including a fascinating insight into circular farming systems being applied to beef production and a visit to Seed Matriz.

Jane Lycett sat on a panel session at the BCR Agtech Forum, hosted by Ingrid Drago from Bolsa de Comercio de Rosario. At the Congreso Aapresid (Argentine No Till Farmers Association), they saw some of the latest developments in Argentine agri-tech.

With Movimiento CREA they agreed some practical steps towards supporting UK agri-tech companies to make an impact in Argentina and identified world class tech solutions from Argentina which can help to address UK farming challenges. This culminated in signing a MoU to formalise Agri-EPI’s commitment to collaborate.

The week in Argentina was wrapped up at The British Embassy in Buenos Aires to agree next steps, working closely with the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Department for Business and Trade.

The Brazil leg included visits to AgTech Garage, Embrapa’s research farms and Cubo.network with AgriTIERRA’s founder, Mark Jarman.

Jane said:

“There is so much potential for sharing best practices and knowledge in both directions between the UK and Brazil, which will be the focus of a series of company exchange visits that Agri-EPI will facilitate and host later this year.

“We are thrilled to embark on this journey of collaboration and innovation. By connecting the vibrant agri-tech communities of Argentina, Brazil, and the UK, we aim to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge solutions that will drive sustainable agricultural practices and enhance food security on a global scale.”

The Agri-EPI team looks forward to strengthening existing partnerships and forging new connections that will propel the agri-tech sector towards a more sustainable and resilient future. The journey signifies an important step towards creating a global network of agri-tech innovators, researchers, and businesses that will work together to address common challenges and leverage emerging opportunities.

Agri-EPI’s Business Development Manager, Duncan Ross, spoke at The Argentinian Embassy in London along with Agri-EPI Centre members: Ian Beecher-Jones from JoJo’s Vineyard, Marc Jones, Business Director at Antobot, and Emil Endres, Operations Engineer from Outfield Technologies, as part of the dissemination activity from the two Viticulture projects funded by Innovate UK and EIT Food. They demonstrated the use of drone and robotic technology and the potential benefits to the viticulture sector to a delegation of visitors from the wine growing Mendoza region of Argentina, and the wider British Argentinian Chamber of Commerce. Agri-EPI’s Communications Officer, Tatiana Boyle, supported with the Spanish translation for the tech in viticulture video shown to the delegation.

This visit follows a trip to Argentina by Duncan and Agri-EPI’s Head of Crops, Claire Hodge, where they attended workshops related to the current state of UK Agri-Tech, and a conference on biofilms near Cordoba. They then travelled to Rosario to meet with numerous Agri-Tech businesses in the area to gain an understanding of Argentinian Agri-Tech, before finally visiting “Glimax” a company that researches and validates Agri-Tech from all parts of the globe to make tech adoption recommendations to their farmer clients in the agronomy side of their business.

Duncan said:

“This was a fantastic opportunity facilitated by the Department of International Trade, to build on the links we are developing with Argentinian contacts both in the UK and in country. I envisage future opportunities for Argentinian Agri-Tech companies to use Agri-EPI Centre hubs as landing pads, and for UK Agri-Tech companies to explore opportunities abroad.”