The capital’s Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center hosts two professional agricultural exhibitions – “AGROS” and “Potatoes and Vegetables Agrotech”. Their joint holding is aimed at professional dialogue between all interested groups representing different sectors of the agro-industrial complex. The overall goal is to promote the movement of domestic business towards sustainable development and technological sovereignty.
The international exhibition of technologies for the production and processing of potatoes and vegetables “Potato and Vegetables Agrotech” (Potato Horti Agritech) started for the first time this year. Its organizer was Agros Expo Group LLC, the general partner was the Union of Potato and Vegetable Market Participants (Potato Union).
The opening ceremony of the event was attended by Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Agrarian Issues Vladimir Kashin, First Deputy General Director of Rosagroleasing JSC Alexander Suchkov, General Director of Shchelkovo Agrokhim JSC Salis Karakotov, Chief of Staff of the Union of Potato and Vegetable Market Participants Tatyana Gubina, General Director of Agros Expo Group LLC Gennady Myndru.
Welcoming the exhibition participants, Vladimir Kashin emphasized the importance of developing and increasing the profitability of potato and vegetable growing in the overall strategy for the development of the domestic agro-industrial complex. In his speech, Alexander Suchkov expressed hope that the first international exhibition dedicated to technologies for the production and processing of vegetables will become traditional. On its platforms it will be possible to meet regularly, exchange experiences, and work on important business processes. Other speakers also noted the uniqueness of the exhibition, which combines thematically a full cycle: from genetics and technologies for growing potatoes and vegetables to their further processing and delivery to the end consumer.
About a hundred domestic and foreign manufacturers and suppliers presented their own innovative technologies and know-how at Crocus Expo. Their achievements reflect a consistent cycle, starting with the selection of seed material, solutions for the production, storage and processing of potatoes and vegetables, ending with the marketing of products.
The most important issues of potato and vegetable growing were discussed at 27 business events, which attracted about 200 experts from different regions of the country. The partners in their organization were the relevant departments of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, leading industry unions, associations, scientific and educational institutes, and supervisory departments.
The main event of the program was the plenary session “Strategy for the development of the potato and vegetable growing industry.” Representatives of industry departments of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, Federal State Budgetary Institution "Rosselkhoztsentr", JSC "Rosagroleasing", Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Scientific Center for Vegetable Growing", Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Federal Research Center for Potatoes named after A.G. Lorch" took part in its work.
A special point of attraction for numerous visitors was the Potato House, organized by the general partner of the exhibition. A special tasting area for products made from Russian-selected potato and vegetable varieties and a presentation of new books about potatoes and cooking have opened here. And the chefs of the International Alliance of Professional Cooks conducted a number of master classes on preparing a variety of dishes from potatoes and vegetables.
The exhibition hosted a round table “Trade networks: interaction in a new format of trade.” Retailers X5 Group, Auchan, Magnit, Verny, Monetka and others joined the work of the Exchange of Contacts with Retail Chains.
For representatives of medium and small businesses, the Federal Farmers Forum, scheduled for the final day of the exhibition, turned out to be especially interesting. Within its framework, thematic round tables are planned on vegetable growing, seed production and cooperation issues. Discussions will also be held here on the effectiveness of innovation, on the role of small businesses in the production of potatoes and vegetables.