| INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION |
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Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | SCC | Virtual Symposium |
FORUM DAY 1 | Wednesday, 19-June Click here for a map of the venue: Auditorio Maestro Padilla in Almería |
TIME | SESSION | SPEAKERS |
07:00 – 08:00 | IFAMA Fellows Breakfast
The distinction "Fellow" is awarded to members of IFAMA who have made outstanding contributions to the field of food and agribusiness management in at least two of the following four categories: 1. Practice of management in food and/or agribusiness | Fellows will take taxi to the Auditorium |
07:15, 07:30, and 07:45 | Buses depart Ohtel Gran Hotel Almería front entrance (see map) for Auditorio Maestro Padilla One bus will be doing 3 trips for people who would like to use the bus to go to the Auditorium. Others might prefer to walk as it is not far from the city center. |
08:00 – 08:30 | Registration |
08:30 – 09:00 | Conference Greeting | Yvonne Colomer German Fernandez José Antonio Aliaga Mateos |
Cultural Welcome Anabel Veloso |
09:00 – 10:00 | SESSION 1 Innovation and technology are changing every aspect of farming and food production. The upheaval in the food supply chain, from fruits to flowers, vegetables to row crops and livestock has been enormous and is accelerating. Using examples from the Almería model, the changes in European agriculture and globally the panel will seek insights into the nature of the farm a decade from now. | Keynote Aidan Connolly |
Panel Discussion Moderator: Aidan Connolly | José Luis Molina Arturo Lizon Nordström Joaquín Pozo Dengra Marcelo Rodrigues |
10:00 – 11:00 | SESSION 2 The significance of the seed sector—considering both its scale and structure—has a profound impact on research and development, which in turn affects Spain's export industry. The seed sector is a critical component of the economy, presenting unique challenges while driving innovation and technology for farmers and producers. It plays a key role in shaping agrifood ecosystems, with producers influencing upstream activities and consumers guiding developments downstream. | Keynote |
Panel Discussion Moderator: Jack Keeys | Eduard Fito Andrea Álvarez |
11:00 – 11:10 | Governmental Welcome Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca, Agua y Desarrollo Rural |
11:10 – 11:30 | Coffee Break |
11:30 – 13:15 | Student Case Competition – Graduate Teams Grand Finale This is the 19th year that IFAMA has hosted a Global Student Case Competition. Thirty teams of students and young professionals from around the world have traveled to Almería to compete for the title of World Champion in the only case competition specifically geared for the agribusiness sector. The top advancing teams in three divisions (Undergraduate, Graduate, and Early Career Professionals) will demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills before a panel of judges. All conference attendees are invited and encouraged to attend the grand finale of this capstone event showcasing new talent and future leaders in agribusiness. |
12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch |
13:30 – 14:30 | SESSION 3 What works and what doesn’t? A discussion about the global trends using practical examples of the challenges at different levels of the supply chain of agribusinesses (upstream and downstream). Case studies and examples of how decision makers in finance (debt and capital) are using novel instruments to change the ways in which we use and finance land, food production, intermediaries, providers, technology and consumers. Brainstorming what to expect to see in the next 5 years. With the inherent challenges in the transition to sustainable agriculture how we address the threat of climate change, environmental impact, and diversity loss. Can the Green deal and environmental legislation really help accelerate the availability of biological crop protection solutions? | Keynotes Peter Maes Pierre Broun Sylvain Charlebois |
14:30 – 15:30 | SESSION 4 Regenerative Agriculture is a new trend with an old concept. Besides its broad definition, as of today, there are different perspectives on the how to scale regenerative agricultural practices and commercial inputs in a competitive environment and learning from the shortcomings of “organic” failed as an alternative to conventional approaches. Europe has taken the lead with SBT’s and the CSRDD/CSDDD directives impacting every aspect of farming. Vertical and indoor farming, hydroponics, and even conventional outdoor precision farming will be reviewed in a session designed to present the challenges and potential solutions for scaling regenerative agriculture and offers insights and deep discussions of whether regenerative agriculture is just a fad, a need, or a true opportunity for modern agribusiness sectors in the future. | Keynote |
Panel Discussion The panel will discuss the supply chain as seen on the frontlines in developing countries and trends in regenerative-controlled agriculture farming encompassing vertical farms, insect protein production, cellular meat production, alternative food proteins, and more. Moderator: Tony Salas | Panelists Kai Wirtz |
15:30 – 16:00 | Coffee Break |
16:00 – 17:00 | SESSION 5 The Coop model has endured but does it need to adapt to the continued consolidation of farm size, technology, and the requirements of professionalizing management and talent? Does management needs a different mindset? What are the best practices of public and private global models? A discussion of the European experience, current challenges in the America’s and the pivot to collaborative farming consolidation. | Michael Cook |
Panel Discussion Moderator: Cynthia Giagnocavo | Emilio De Leon Gabriel Rodriguez Marques Marga Vintges Enrique de los Rios |
17:00 – 17:10 | WIKIFARMER SHOWCASE The agricultural industry is crucial for feeding the global population and is the world's top employer, generating €1.2 trillion in Europe. Despite its significance, many farmers lack access to modern practices, making agriculture one of the least digitized sectors. With challenges like population growth, climate crisis, and resource scarcity, farmers face financial struggles. Wikifarmer, based in Athens and founded in 2017, aims to empower farmers by democratizing agriculture through digital technology. The platform's goal is to create a leading B2B marketplace for agricultural products in Europe and provide free agricultural knowledge to support sustainable practices and address the industry's pressing needs. | Miguel Colmenero |
17:15 – 18:15 | Student Case Competition – Undergraduate Teams Grand Finale This is the 19th year that IFAMA has hosted a Global Student Case Competition. Thirty teams of students and young professionals from around the world have traveled to Almería to compete for the title of World Champion in the only case competition specifically geared for the agribusiness sector. The top advancing teams in three divisions (Undergraduate, Graduate, and Early Career Professionals) will demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills before a panel of judges. All conference attendees are invited and encouraged to attend the grand finale of this capstone event showcasing new talent and future leaders in agribusiness. |
18:15 and 18:30 | Buses depart Auditorio Maestro Padilla for Ohtel Gran Hotel Almería front entrance (see map) One bus will be doing 2 trips for people who would like to use the bus to go to the Puerto de Almaría. Others might prefer to walk as it is not far to the city center from the Auditorio. |
20:00 – 23:00 | IFAMA Board Meeting / Dinner Hotel Catedral Almería (see map) |