Business and Science Forum Programme

Companies offering natural products:

• The Cannabis Growers, Processors and Business Innovators Association (KAPVIA) will introduce a variety of cannabis products and provide a taste of both individual cannabis food ingredients (oils, hulled seeds, protein) and consumer products: chocolate protein bars, seed mixes and protein blends.
• “Dream Food”, business of self-employed Asta Teresevičienė. She is developer and producer of raw fruit and berry dried pulp (sheet) product technology. Nutritional-preserving technologies have allowed the creation of more than 20 products; they have a unique texture, without added sugar or colorants. Producer still improves production technologies, performs qualitative product research.

 Companies offering innovative solutions for business:

• UAB “Nando Labs” innovative solutions “Biospectrum” – it is an organic enriched microbiological product that enhances plant productivity and improves soil conditions. Billions of beneficial bacteria convert nutrients (N, P, K, Si) into plants available forms available to plants and promote their uptake, which in the long run can significantly reduce the need for synthetic mineral fertilizers. Presenter Jonas Ignatavičius.
• Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service (LAAS) innovative solutions:
  • The Applied Innovation Research and Results Information System (TITRIS) collects, publicizes, and compiles data on applied innovation research and results that can potentially contribute to more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly farming. The object of TITRIS is non-commercial research and innovations created in practice that has and can have a lower or higher significance for sustainable agricultural production. Presenter Laura Girdžiūtė.
  • Precision farming. Soil sampling, analyses, and preparation of a variable rate fertilization plan is a complex of services for soil improvement strategy that helps to balance the nutrient content required to achieve optimal and uniform yields on farmers’ fields. Variable rate fertilization plans according to drone data are an alternative to N-sensors in order to arrange early spring fertilization with nitrogen fertilizers. Presenter Lukas Šapranauskas.
  • Electronic services of information, consultation and training in implementing integrated plant protection (the information system) (IKMIS) was created by the Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service in cooperation with researchers, taking into account the needs of farmers, current European agricultural issues, implementing the EU Strategy on Sustainable Use of Pesticides, the Law on Plant Protection of the Republic of Lithuania and other legal acts. Electronic services of information, consultation and training in implementing integrated plant protection (the information system) IKMIS implement the means to provide 4 electronic services, which are accessible openly for public and are free of charge: (1) Monitoring and recommendations for spread of plant diseases, pests and weeds; (2) Catalogs of plant protection products, diseases, pests and weeds; (3) Information on integrated pest control; (4) E-courses. Presenter Ilma Rimkevičienė.

Panel discussion speakers:

• Atkočiūnienė, Vilma. Professor at Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, Vytautas Magnus University, Academy of Agriculture Science.
• Dudutis, Donatas. Deputy Minister of Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania.
• Macijauskas, Aušrys. Chairman of the Lithuanian Grain Growers Association.
• Meyer-Aurich, Andreas. Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Humboldt University of Berlin.
• Pranckietis, Viktoras. Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.

Key themes for open discussion:

• The importance of science in implementation farm to fork strategy.
• Instruments to encourage change in existing practices to ensure healthy and environmentally-friendly food.
• European Green Deal – New Investments Opportunities.
• Barriers to business to produce healthy and environmentally-friendly food.
• Food loss and waste are key to achieving sustainability.

Keynote speakers:

• Make Sustainability Stick for Society and Business: The role of societal culture. Case of Iceland.
  Prof. Dr. Inga Minelgaite, University of Iceland
• The Role of Water in Agricultural Spray Solutions.
  Presenter Jonas Ignatavičius, UAB “Nando Labs”; co-authors Ernestas Zaleckas, Dainius Steponavičius, Vytautas magnus University, Agriculture Academy

Panel discussion speakers:

• Armonaitė, Aušrinė. Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania.
• Augutis, Danas. Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
• Ignatavičius, Jonas. UAB “Nando labs”
• Šermukšnytė-Alešiūnienė, Kristina. VšĮ “AgriFood Lithuania DIH”, PhD student at Institute of Economics and Rural Development (Lithuania)

Key themes for open discussion:

• Challenges of green deal development.
• Investing in environmentally-friendly technologies: is it present or future?
• Business role introducing innovative food products.
• How the food sector is changing, where business needs to move?
• Healthy food at a low price: is it possible?
• Business solutions in reducing the use of chemicals for healthier food.