The role of mechanization and new agricultural policies, 2008 Agrievolution

Agrievolution 2008 was intended to become the first specific World Summit on the mechanization in the framework of an agriculture dominated by the rising prices of raw materials, the rise in food prices and a change in agricultural structures.

The Congress, which was intended to analyze the trends of the market of agricultural machinery, sales, and characteristics of the mechanical equipment in Europe, Brazil, China, India, Russia and the United States, as well as to develop the relations between professional associations, eventually converted into an eminently political meeting.

"The agricultural economics and mechanization industry have taken a global dimension that lies at the base of those countries that will be the main actors on the international scene in years to come," said during the Congress the Unacoma PresidentMassimo Goldoni. Guglielmo Gandino, Secretary General of the Association is expressed in similar terms: "Agrievolution is an ambitious initiative because no Summit had this draught in the industry of mechanisation".

Delegates from manufacturers associations in Brazil (Abimaq), China (Caam), Europe (Cema), India (FICCI), Russia (Soyuzagromash) and the United States (Aem), developed proposals on the development of agriculture and mechanization in various areas of the world on the basis of the current economic situation. The common point with regard to the use of machinery is that it manages to reconcile the demands of production and protection of the environment on the basis of the continuous evolution of the global market. Of particular relevance was the last activity, in the form of round table in which renowned journalist Alan Friedman summarized with the rapporteurs the hottest topics at this time: biofuels, rising prices and demand for raw materials, among other issues.

Ansemat was found represented during this meeting by its President, Manuel Roig, its Secretary General, Ignacio Ruiz, who is also a member of the technical Commission of Cema, (European Association of manufacturers of agricultural machinery); and Julio Fernandez, Director General of Kubota Spain, Member of Ansemat and the directive Board of Cema.