Tom Braekeleirs on Brightlands AgriTech Event

Tom Braekeleirs is a health nerd and innovation leader in the field of digital health, among other things. He is on hand to lead the Brightlands AgriTech Event on Tuesday, Oct. 8, as moderator. His personal motto? Change the world or go home!

At the Brightlands AgriTech Event, the latest technologies in the field of AgriTech will be given a stage: from the use of drones and sensors in relation to the latest robotic techniques to the data science analytics of the future and the use of artificial intelligence.

According to Tom Braekeleirs, consultant, speaker, lecturer and columnist on innovation, digital technology and entrepreneurship, innovation is the way to tackle major challenges such as climate change, the growing world population and the labor shortage. "These global transitions are forcing the agro and food sector to become smarter, more sustainable and more efficient. In this, cooperation between the various sectors and domains is crucial, because for all these challenges it is not possible to unequivocally determine who has the solution. Every stakeholder - entrepreneurs, education and government - has a piece of that big puzzle to tackle the challenges." The Brightlands AgriTech Event focuses on precisely that meeting between entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers and students. "The event offers not only valuable insights and knowledge, but also the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and pioneers from inside and outside of agrifood. It's about making smart connections that allow innovative techniques to be widely deployed."

Recipes

The driving force behind that innovation, according to Tom, is that things have to be different from the past. "We can't use the recipes of the past anymore. We have to do things differently or do different things and actually start implementing this. All sorts of things are bubbling under the skin. Look at the nitrogen debate: for a long time we have had the attitude that change is a matter of wanting, not having to. But those days are over: we have to change now and can no longer wait and see."

Other view

A great example of this, according to Tom, is tractor and farm machinery manufacturer John Deere, one of the innovators at the Brightlands AgriTech Event. This company has developed special nozzles that make it possible to apply fertilizer and/or crop protection only where it is really needed. "This is not only interesting for agriculture, horticulture can also benefit from this in the future. Precisely by looking at how things can be done differently, and not starting from how we have always done it, the most beautiful innovations arise." Tom sees very clearly a role for each individual in this. "We can look at the big industries and say: take your social responsibility. But by looking at what you can do yourself, you are also already setting changes in motion. Small innovations do not exist: a very small change in your business process, for example, can have big consequences."

Man and machine

In addition to innovation and collaboration, Tom says digital innovation is also crucial. "To meet the challenges and move with the rapidly changing world, digital innovation is essential. Today's problems cry out for solutions and smart technological innovations come in handy. This is not about replacing humans, but rather about the collaboration between humans and machines. That's really going to make a difference. For example, a drone can be used to detect a diseased plant in a field of strawberries. But it is quite difficult for a machine to remove that one plant. For that, in turn, you need a human being. The two are definitely going to reinforce each other in the future."

Open Innovation

Tom will act as moderator during the Brightlands AgriTech Event. "I am really looking forward to bringing the different parties together during this event and seeing the latest innovations in the field of AgriTech. Personally, I am also very much looking forward to the hackathon in which students from different studies will be working with concrete issues from the business community. The past has already proven that this very open innovation really delivers concrete results from which everyone can benefit."

The Brightlands AgriTech Event will take place on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo.