Dear Friends and Partners,

Our conference clearly showed that current production systems in Western Europe are challenged in various ways. Therefore, designing and evaluating options for new solutions will be a key project in the years to come. We also learned that precision farming holds significant potential – making it another topic in which we will invest.

In recent months, colleagues from Tragsatec and the agri benchmark Center began work to establish a national network of typical farms in Spain. We are very grateful for Tragsatec joining us and for growing the number of national networks. .

This year, we also generated new insights in sugar economics – from both cane and beets – e.g. produced in Brazil, France or Mozambique. One key finding: Depending on local conditions, manual harvesting can be a rather competitive option. What about processing costs? That is the question to be answered in 2018.

In 2018, we are heading toward China. We’ll be looking at options to minimize the environmental impact from crop production, farmland consolidation and social security, and improving yields. Holding the conference in Asia means we’ll also focus on rice and cassava, predominantly produced by small-holders.

All these important improvements are based on the collaboration of people in agri benchmark. It is great to have you on board and we are very much looking forward to work on new exciting endeavors with you.

But for now, we wish you a relaxing, peaceful, and merry Christmas (those of you who celebrate) and to all of you a perfect start into 2018.