NovelFarm, a major event for innovations in agritech, starting from 2023 assumes an autonomous identity

Good news for soilless and vertical farming sectors are coming in. On March 15th, at Pordenone exhibition centre, the 2023 edition of NovelFarm has been presented along with the birth of the first trade association of companies within the sector. The name is ANIFUS, National Association of Soilless Companies, and since the beginning it has been extremely well received from professionals and trade operators. A sector, which is becoming increasingly strategic for the future of agriculture, has been finally recognised.

Mr Stefano Zannier, regional councillor for agri-food, forest, fish and mountain resources, connected in conference call defined the theme of the meeting as a ray of sunshine in a dark period. 'The dramatic situation we are experiencing has underlined the criticalities of the Italian agricultural model. Technological innovation is the answer to overcome the weaknesses in the production of primary goods. This is the reason why companies that are experimenting new cultivation techniques must be supported immediately to be operational in the shortest possible time. The Region supports Pordenone Fiere as always, by considering its role of strategic, entrepreneurial and technological input towards the future.'

The president of Pordenone Fiere, Mr Renato Pujatti, reports a message from Michelangelo Agrusti, president of Confindustria Alto Adriatico, 'We are already working to welcome this new trade association within Confindustria. This news was anticipated to the national president, Mr Bonomi, who considers it essential to expand the confederation to these innovative and rapidly developing companies. The future of agri-food starts from here.' Mr Pujatti, as the leader of the exhibition centre, continues by introducing the development of NovelFarm, the international conference & trade show on new cultivation techniques, soilless and vertical farming, 'NovelFarm has reached its third edition and it is already old enough to plan to walk on its own. The major event in Italy and Southern Europe for new generation agricultural techniques in a protected environment, vertical farming and hydroponics, starting from 2023 will have a different time frame than AquaFarm, the major event on aquaculture and sustainable fishing industry. AquaFarm has always sponsored Novelfarm first as a conference program and then as a co-location event."

The third edition of NovelFarm is scheduled on May 2022, from 25th to 26th, for the last time co-located with AquaFarm. Starting from 2023, NovelFarm along with the brand new AlgaeFarm will be scheduled on March, from 23th to 24th at Pordenone exhibition centre as always. AquaFarm, on the other hand, will continue its historical placement in February from 15th to 16th. NovelFarm and AquaFarm established some milestones in the development of new generation agriculture in a protected environment in Italy: starting from the very first appearance in Italy of Mr Dickson Despommier, the father of vertical farming, to the contest dedicated to urban agriculture in collaboration with the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bolonia, which is able to converge in Pordenone the leading experts within the sector, committed to evaluating international projects for the redevelopment of abandoned buildings with a perspective of vertical farming.

The rising curve of the event followed and, in a certain sense, anticipated the one of the sector. From an utopian curiosity, it has taken the concreteness of an economic segment with increasing value, counting hundreds of millions invested also in Italy with diversified outlet markets, including large-scale distribution. Overtime, NovelFarm has seen the participation of national and international companies, experts and public constantly growing.

The new schedule, starting from 2023, aims at a better positioning towards the target, avoiding overlaps with the major international trade fairs within the sector and strengthening the autonomous identity of the event, including towards the institutions.

The 2023 edition will have a renewed focus on the final product and an extension of the current conference coverage to non-food destinations of vertical farming, in the spotlight of institutions and large international investors, both industrial and venture capital.

In summary, in 2023 NovelFarm and AlgaeFarm will be scheduled on March, 23-24. In 2022 they will be co-located with Aquafarm on May, 25-26.

The Aquaculturists

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