The 8th edition of AquaFarm will take place from February 12-13 at Pordenone Exhibition Center, Italy. The event will join forces with NovelFarm and AlgaeFarm, the exhibitions dedicated to controlled environment agriculture and the cultivation of algae and other microorganisms.
The decision to bring together the three events dedicated to innovation in sustainable food production comes from the increasingly strong synergy between the three sectors. Aquaculture and hydroponics are closely intertwined in aquaponics, the cultivation and breeding in the same controlled environment of fish and plants, but also mollusks, algae and mushrooms, building artificial ecosystems where the waste of one species constitutes the nourishment of another, with high food productivity. Fish farming and algaculture are also increasingly becoming synergetic, just consider the importance of microalgae in the production of fish feed with zero impact on ocean resources.
The common thread linking the three events is environmental change. For aquaculture and shellfish farming, the leading players of AquaFarm, the modification of aquatic habitats due to climate, man-made pollution and the intrusion of new species brought in by sea trade have already had major impacts, such as the very serious losses in shellfish production, especially clams, due to the blue crab. Farmers, suppliers and research centers are engaged in a unanimous effort to find mitigations to these phenomena.
Not everything will turn out to be related to climate in the upcoming edition. Aquaculture and shellfish farming guarantee good, healthy, more controlled and short-chain food when produced in Italy. Products from vertical farms are better in every aspect than comparables from traditional techniques: no residues, constant and perfectly controlled organoleptic characteristics, and no contaminants such as nickel and other heavy metals. Microalgae make active ingredients such as antioxidants and useful materials for the pharmaceutical, food and fine chemicals industries available at lower costs than traditional sources.
Climate, research and innovation will be discussed in Pordenone, but also self-production of energy in livestock farms including farms with controlled environments, animal welfare, technologies and animal/human nutrition, reducing the use of plastics. The packed conference program will flank an international exhibition area. Another important theme will be the use of artificial intelligence and autonomous robotics in numerous fields, from breeding and crop management to genetic improvement. Also confirmed the area dedicated to universities with the possibility of exhibiting scientific posters and the show cooking Arena, where national production excellence can be tasted.
AquaFarm is an international conference and trade show on aquaculture and sustainable fishing industry, organized by Pordenone Fiere in cooperation with API - Italian Fish Farmers Association, AMA - Mediterranean Aquaculture Association and Studio Comelli – Conferences & Communication which takes care of the conference program and the press office. The event was first held in 2017 and in 2020 it was joined by NovelFarm, the international conference and trade show on innovations in agriculture, indoor and vertical farming. Lastly, in 2022 AlgaeFarm was born and it represents the only Italian event dedicated to the cultivation of microalgae and other microorganisms, combining research and industries.
Attendance is free of charge. Register online at www.aquafarmexpo.it and www.novelfarmexpo.it.
