Broadening perspectives and networks creates more room to move forward
NXTGEN Day at Agritechnica helped expand the Handsfree Agrifood ecosystem. The morning started with a focused partner tour that offered a compact overview of innovations already taking shape. Around lunchtime we broadened the network with Agrotech Valley, where Regional Development Agencies (ROMs) and Agrotech Valley formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding. In the afternoon a panel discussion on pesticide reduction added depth by bringing biology, data, technology, government and consumers together at one table. This combination strengthened connections and insights throughout the day.
A one-hour tour that broadens your context
The partner tour gave visitors a clear view of how data, robotics and sensor technology create value together. In small groups, participants heard directly from developers about what works today, what is still being tested and where collaboration can accelerate progress.
Partners we visited
OXBO
Develops autonomous harvesting machines that reduce labour pressure and unlock yield potential.
Koppert
Demonstrates biological protection and smart monitoring within a modular robotic platform.
Aurea Imaging
Uses image recognition and AI to guide decisions on fertilisation, irrigation and harvest timing.
Vantage Agrometius
Translates precision data into practical tools for soil, crop and machinery management.
Pixelfarming Robotics
Presents field robots that operate autonomously using data and AI.
Soildata
Makes soil processes visible through measurement and analysis for more targeted cultivation choices.
Broadening with Agrotech Valley, formalised in an MOU
During lunch, the connection with Agrotech Valley took centre stage as we explored how Dutch and German networks complement each other, from test locations to business questions and knowledge exchange. This collaboration was formalised the same day with an MoU between the ROMs and Agrotech Valley to jointly explore, validate and scale innovations. As a result, access to relevant contacts grows, and cross-border testing and learning become easier. The collaboration improves matchmaking between companies, partners, pilots and markets in the Osnabrück region and beyond. The aim is to help companies in both regions find the right partners more easily and accelerate testing, learning and scaling.
Renewing together towards fewer pesticides
In the afternoon, Maikel van Essen (Koppert), Will Kroot (VAA) and Jurrian Ham (Aurea) took part in a panel discussion on the innovations needed to reduce pesticide use and align with the EU Green Deal. The discussion made clear that progress requires the combination of biology, data and technology, supported by government approval and regulation that reflect innovation. Consumers also play a role, as appreciation for products grown with fewer inputs starts with a fair price.
Handsfree Agrifood requires momentum and coherence within a strong ecosystem
Within the Handsfree Agrifood ecosystem we bring together companies, research institutes and test locations to accelerate learning about what works and how to implement it at scale. In collaboration with the ROMs we broaden access to partners, test facilities and markets. NXTGEN Day demonstrated how this approach can effectively expand the network.