Latest news with #Agri
Business News Wales
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Anna Bowen Appointed to Lead the Agri Academy Senior Programme for 2025
Anna Bowen has been appointed the new leader of the Agri Academy Senior Programme 2025. Alongside her freelance work, Anna works as a farm business consultant for The Andersons Centre. She also manages a 300-cow spring block calving dairy herd in Ceredigion. While her specialism is dairy, she has vast experience in different fields and is excited to be able to share good practice from other sectors with the Agri Academy programme. She's previously worked within a fresh produce company, trading into the London markets via importers in Rotterdam and UK growers, the red meat sector as a beef and sheep geneticist for Signet Breeding Services to name a few. Her success in building and managing her thriving Joint Venture dairy enterprise further fuels her enthusiasm for supporting the development of others in the industry. Anna has successfully managed to build the business from the foundation and has been able to overcome challenges and gain business resilience which she is eager to share through the tailored programme. Some of Anna's more recent achievements include being awarded the RABDF Dairy Industry Woman of the Year in 2024 as well as proudly becoming a trustee for the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust in 2023. Through a Nuffield scholarship, she had the opportunity to travel to 11 countries and gather innovative ideas from across the globe. These experiences have further strengthened Anna's extensive UK and international connections within the agricultural industry, links she is confident will further support successful applicants. Anna said: 'Farming Connect has been a key part of my consultancy career. I'm eager to connect people, facilitate the sharing of ideas across different sectors, and explore exciting business opportunities together.' Anna is enthusiastic to begin her freelance role in delivering the programme. A firm believer in 'Controlling the controllable,' Anna is eager to share effective strategies for successfully navigating business challenges to achieving positive outcomes as well as bringing industry leading speakers to aspire and challenge as part of her programme. Anna envisions a positive and collaborative experience for successful candidates. She aims to foster a supportive environment where participants can learn from each other and benefit from opportunities to travel overseas and gain insights from international agricultural practices. Agri Academy 2025 applications (Senior & Junior, 16-21) close on 20 May, 2025. Visit Farming Connect website for information on eligibility criteria, information on what this year's programme includes, and to apply.
Express Tribune
08-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sustainable farming
The writer is a Professor of Physics at the University of Karachi Listen to article For generations, our farmers have relied on age-old techniques, but in recent years, the sector has struggled with declining productivity, water shortages and rising costs. As a researcher in renewable energy, I've often asked: why aren't we harnessing the power of technology and sustainable energy solutions to revolutionise our agricultural landscape? With the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) officially launched in Cholistan, we finally have a chance to answer that question. This ambitious project promises a paradigm shift in agriculture, integrating modern techniques, research-driven policies and renewable energy to enhance productivity and ensure food security. The initiative introduces a Green Agri Mall and Service Company, a 5,000-acre Smart Agri Farm, and an Agricultural Research and Facility Centre - all designed to support farmers with high-quality inputs, cutting-edge technologies and scientific research. More importantly, it recognises that a sustainable agricultural revolution must be powered by clean energy solutions, precision farming and strategic policymaking. The GPI isn't just about modernising agriculture; it's about making it sustainable and self-sufficient. This means integrating solar-powered irrigation, precision agriculture and mechanised farming, ensuring that higher yields do not come at the cost of environmental degradation. The project's affordable rental options for machinery, including drones, will help small farmers access technology previously available only to large landowners, leveling the playing field in a sector where efficiency is key to survival. The 5,000-acre Smart Agri Farm is particularly promising. Equipped with advanced irrigation systems and data-driven farming techniques, this project can serve as a model for the rest of Punjab. By optimising water use, reducing fertiliser wastage and increasing yield efficiency, it demonstrates how large-scale farming can be both economically viable and environmentally responsible. The GPI presents a significant opportunity to integrate renewable energy into agriculture, reducing reliance on inefficient, fossil fuel-based systems. Punjab's solar-powered irrigation can replace diesel pumps, cutting costs for farmers and easing pressure on the energy grid. Biogas from agricultural waste offers an alternative to burning crop residues, providing clean energy for farms and rural communities. Drones and AI-driven smart farming enhance efficiency by monitoring soil health and optimising resource use, while wind and solar hybrid farms could generate independent power, reducing rural dependence on the national grid. By embedding renewable energy at every stage, this initiative can drive profitable and environmentally sustainable agricultural transformation in Punjab. The GPI initiative must ensure that small farmers, livestock herders and rural communities benefit from modernisation and investment. Land allocation should be fair, prioritising underutilised land to prevent displacement. Farmers need access to high-quality inputs, along with training and financial support to adopt modern techniques without excessive debt. To maintain food security, corporate farms should be required to supply a portion of their produce to local markets, stabilising prices for essential crops. Additionally, corporate revenue should be directed toward education, healthcare and infrastructure through CSR initiatives, ensuring that rural communities experience tangible improvements and shared prosperity. The GPI is a groundbreaking step toward transforming agriculture into a modern, technology-driven sector that can compete globally. However, its success depends on strategic planning, regulatory oversight and a commitment to sustainability. If properly executed, this initiative can serve as a blueprint for sustainable agriculture across Pakistan, securing food security, economic stability and rural development. Now is the time for farmers, researchers, policymakers and investors to collaborate, ensuring that this initiative fosters innovation, inclusivity and a resilient agricultural future for all.
