WHAT’S NEW
intention of establishing a new forum via which farmers and
organizations from other agricultural regions around the world
can exchange knowledge and experience. For its inception
National Farmers Day will focus on the two farming nations of
France and the UK, including a session on the challenges for
farmers in a post-Brexit era.
“On the Thursday the program will gather topics that are
interesting for French and English farmers, and in future editions
we will focus on other nations,” she says. “Many visitors fi nd it
easier to exchange ideas with those from other countries than with
from within their own communities. Sometimes talking to someone
from halfway around the globe offers a fresh and new perspective
that helps take your business forward. Coming to Hanover is an
opportunity to gain a broader perspective on the industry.”
New for 2019
One of the major new additions to this year’s Agritechnica is the
introduction of the Systems and Components Trophy. To be
considered, a system or component must feature a new or
improved concept that contributes signifi cantly to development
and realization of a product. The winners will come from the list of
exhibitors taking part in the Systems and Components area of
Agritechnica 2019 and will run as a compliment to the existing
Agritechnica Innovation awards.
“Previously we had gold and silver medals for manufacturers
of, for instance, tractors but the companies in systems and
components never fi tted within these groups. We decided they
needed their own award. We invited 17 engineers to Germany to
analyze all the innovations submitted and created a shortlist of 20.
We then asked all the engineers attending Agritechnica to register
online, consider the shortlist and choose their favorite. In other
words it’s an engineers choice. The winners will be announced on
the fi rst day of the event.”
Also for the fi rst time this year Agritechnica offers an exclusive
area for start-ups including space for networking. This is
part-supported by the German Ministry of Economics, but the
newly-created Agriculture Future Lab area incentivises both
national and international start-ups younger than fi ve years to be
a member of this area.
“There has been demand in the past but this year we have
created packages that are manageable for new businesses. By
defi nition start-ups are young and cannot afford huge stands.”
Why Visit?
With innovations being introduced at an exponential rate, the
industry needs exhibitions more than ever because. While there
may be a solution for every problem a farmer might face, it can be
diffi cult to pin down the right one.
“That is a key reason why so many people visit Agritechnica,”
says Servias. “Finding an innovation that suits your machine or
farm is almost guaranteed if the number of innovative product
launches at Agritechnica is anything to go by. The last event saw
more than 300 new solutions exhibited that had never been shown
anywhere before. In fact, farm machinery manufacturers regularly
time their product launches to coincide with Agritechnica.”
By the time November rolls round Servais will be eight months
pregnant, Agritechnica her fi nal working obligation before
departing for maternity leave.
“Will this be my last Agritechnica? In Germany we don’t have to
decide too early. This is such a great project, every year we do
something new and things are never the same. I would defi nitely
think about returning.” iVT
For our full preview of Agritechnica turn to page 68
8 iVTInternational.com September 2019
51
The number of countries
represented in the
exhibition halls
450,000
The approximate
total number of
visitors expected
at Agritechnica
2019
2,750
The approximate total
number exhibitors
(60% from outside
Germany)
40
The total number of
hectares covered by
the exhibition
/iVTInternational.com
