Innovation Market at the Finnish Agricultural Machinery Trade Fair

On 17-19 October 2024, the Finnish Rural Network invited Finnish and Estonian Operational Groups, Horizon, and other innovative projects and innovation support service providers to showcase what is happening in R&D in agriculture, forestry, and horticulture during their yearly Innovation Market. This event was organised by the Finnish Rural Network, in collaboration with the AgriHubi Farmer’s competence network, the BioBoosters business accelerator, and the Finnish Future Farm project of Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences. As well as an exhibition area where each project had a stand to display results, the Innovation Market had a rich and diverse programme. There were thematic walking tours, a networking event, discussion panels, short project presentations, and interviews. Over the three days, various topics were addressed, such as increasing profitability through the use of spatial data, cyber threats to agriculture, clearing new fields with data, and cybersecurity threats in a digitalising agriculture. Altogether, there were 26 exhibitors, including 13 EIP-AGRI Operational Groups and 4 Horizon projects.

This free event aimed to bring the innovations closer to the field. It was a chance to get feedback on innovations and projects, find potential new partners for future collaboration, network with a wide range of experts, and gain visibility for projects. The EU CAP Network held a stand at the event informing participants about activities to support Operational Groups and other innovators in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas. The Innovation Market took place this year at the Agricultural Machinery Trade Fair in Helsinki, Finland’s largest indoor trade fair professional event for agricultural and forestry professionals. During the three days, 18 768 visitors visited the fair.

The format of this event can be used as inspiration in other countries.