Club of Bologna: the role of mechanization in the agro-food system
EIMA International provided the occasion for the 25th Meeting of the International Association of experts in agricultural machinery. The focus was on the role that agricultural machinery plays in economy and in the growth of the agro-food production chain
Sixty-six experts took part, members of the Club of Bologna and invitees relateurs, arriving from twenty-two countries and three international organizations, FAO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UNIDO, the UN Industrial Development Organization, and CEMA, the European association of agricultural machinery manufacturers. The issue taken up at this year’s assembly was, Agricultural Mechanization: Engine of Energy for Life, a very pertinent issue in light of EXPO 2015 scheduled for May through October in Milan. The extremely broad theme was dealt with in five work sessions during which eleven reports were presented followed, as is traditional for the work of the club, by in-depth exchanges of opinion and discussion among all those taking part to lead in the near future the draft of an information document for release as Conclusions and Recommendations of the meeting on the Club of Bologna website (www.clubofbologna.org).
On the first day of work, on Saturday, November 15th, the introductory session put emphasis on the role agricultural machinery and mechanization plays in development and the growth of humankind with statements delivered by Luigi Bodria of the University of Milan, Karl Renius of the University of Munich and Norbert Alt from VDMA, the German Mechanical and Plant Engineering Association. This was followed by an examination of the prospects for innovations in intensive farming systems. Speaking for Europe was Evert Niemeijer from Lely and for North America relateur John Schueller of the University of Florida who drew attention to the need to increase production efficiency and pursue environmental sustainability. Later on the matter of extensive farming systems was picked up by Gajendra Singh from Doon University in India and Josef Keinzle and Namal Samarkoon from FAO and UNIDO in Africa who pointed out the fundamental importance of innovations in agricultural mechanization for ensuring adequate food supplies. On the following day, Sunday, November 16th, talk revolved around traceability and food quality, with a report given by Josse De Bardeameaker Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, and structure of organization of farms in the future, presented by Giusepped Gavioli from Case New Holland. The next meeting of the Club of Bologna will be organized in Milan by FederUnacoma for the six-month run of EXPO 2015 on the basis of contributions arriving during this year’s sessions and will be aimed at promoting the fundamental role of agricultural mechanization for supplying food for the planet in the near future.
