The Farm & Food 4.0 for digitalization in agriculture conference attracted more than 400 participants from science, economy and politics this year. The use of current technologies for the harvest, data sovereignty in digital value networks, Pioneering AgTech, disruptive technologies, new business models and the AgriFood system of the future are a few examples of topics addressed in the lectures and discussions. As speaker on the topic AgriFood systems of the future, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Bröring from the Chair of Technology and Innovation Management in Agribusiness at the University of Bonn was invited for a keynote speech. Looking ahead to the future, she said: “Companies need certain meta competencies, such as sensing abilities. They must try to think systematically – not only within their own company and outside the classical box but also they must try to keep an eye on the overall innovation system that has become significantly more complex due to political and social trends.”

In keeping with the theme “High-tech is the new sustainable: how we will reduce pesticide contamination in the future”, Dr. Michael Wustmans and Dr. Felix Jakob from the BioSC greenRelease FocusLab welcomed round table discussion to debate the topic. The forum was well received by industry, farmers and press representatives to jointly discuss new strategies for reducing pesticide usage.