The trade show SIMA, the International Agri-Business Show, will take place from 26 February to 2 March 2017 at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, France.
In a particularly sensitive environment, this 77th edition of the show aims to get even closer to its visitors’ concerns. It will showcase tried and tested solutions while offering a look into the future of the farming profession in the next ten years from the perspectives of manufacturers, start-ups and their innovations.
“The next SIMA will more than ever before be oriented towards tangible solutions, capable of addressing the problems faced by the farming world today,” announces Martine Dégremont, the director of the show. “The ambition of this world-renowned event is twofold: regaining trust at a time when the sector is facing decisive challenges, and putting forward a prospective vision which opens up new perspectives, through the central theme for 2017: “Being a farmer in 10 years.” As for the concept of innovation, which is part of SIMA’s DNA, it will be an integral part of the special events, talks and meetings which will run throughout the forthcoming edition.”
SIMA 2017: CONTINUED TRUST
Following two consecutive years of market decline, the agri-business sector appears to be avoiding further deterioration. This lull comes as a relief to the entire industry and SIMA has also reaped the benefits: as at 1st May, the show had already sold 85% of its available stand space.
Market leaders from across the globe have all booked their pitch, with several among them expanding their stand space substantially. This is a sign which both confirms their anticipation of improving market conditions and demonstrates exhibitors’ continued trust in the show.
SIMA also includes SIMAGENA, the venue for professional meetings and dialogue devoted to the cattle profession from France, Europe and all over the world, and reputed for the diversity of livestock presented and the very latest innovation in the area of equipment and genetics.
AN EDITION HELD UNDER THE BANNER OF SHARING
As a meeting place for all types of agriculture and all sizes of farm, SIMA’s mission is to federate and pass on solutions and technologies for high-performance and sustainable development of agriculture all over the world.
In this regard, the notion “producing more and better” will take centre stage at the show through several events, among which: the SIMA African Summit, an international conference dealing with sustainable mechanisation, echoing the agreement signed by the European Agricultural machinery industry association CEMA and the FAO; the SIMA Dealers’ Day-ting, a day dedicated to exhibitors and dealers from around the world featuring convivial occasions to meet up; and SIMA AgTech, a programme of events revolving around technology to support the sustainable intensification of farming.
INNOVATION FIRST #2: BEING A FARMER IN 10 YEARS
The next edition of SIMA will more than ever before be aligned with the topics that matter to the sector, thanks to the theme “Being a farmer in 10 years” which will be developed into four areas: digital, genomics, ecological economics and robotics (see focus on robotics in agriculture below).
This theme will also come to life at the show in the form of several highlights such as the “Future-oriented Space”, a laboratory for new ideas in farming; the projects of students from French and international engineering schools, international meetings to discuss the challenges of farming specialities, the portraits of innovative farmers and the Start-up Village… not to mention the Innovation Gallery which will display the 2017 vintage of the SIMA Innovation Awards.
Robotics and agriculture: coming soon to a farm near you
The robotic revolution has hit the agri-business world, giving rise to private and public sector initiatives which suggest the shape of things to come in agricultural machinery. Among the projects completed or ongoing, we can note the following.
Private sector initiatives
- The weeding robot Oz by Naïo Technologies, which is now out on sale, reduces both the effort associated with weeding and input use. A high-clearance robot for winegrowers is scheduled to launch in 2017.
- Mars Agricultural robots by Fendt will display the particularity of working in swarms with extremely high accuracy.
Public-private initiatives
- PUMAgri is a consortium of industrial, technical and academic partners working together to design a mobile, autonomous farming robot that is reliable in terms of safety and visual perception. Market launch scheduled for 2018.
Public-sector initiatives
- AdAP2E is a research project do develop robotised working tools for use by the environment and agriculture, as illustrated by this interactive and reconfigurable robotic demonstrator, capable of performing accurate movements in natural environments, and interacting with its surroundings.
- The AgroTechnoPole for innovation in agriculture will from 2017 be an ambitious European centre focussing on mobility, robotics, safety, inputs and digital technology. Based in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region of France, this first-of-a-kind structure will provide a solid structural base to fulfil the French ambition of leading Europe in the agriculture of tomorrow.
- The Agricultural machinery and new technologies academic association: a 2-year course in agricultural machinery will be open from academic year 2016-17 to 4th year students at the Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais (Oise department). This course will provide engineering students with specific expertise in issues relating to mechanical engineering and data processing.
SIMA in the figures*
- 1,740 companies from 40 countries
- 238,848 visits from 142 countries
- 300 international delegations
- 92 % visitor satisfaction rate