On November 15, 2017, the event “Innovation as a Business Engine in Plant Production” was held, jointly organized by IDEN BIOTECHNOLOGY, CAJAMAR, and BIOVEGEN. The event, which took place at the headquarters of the Navarre Industry Association in Pamplona, brought together more than 70 professionals from the sector, including researchers, companies, and funding entities.
The event served to showcase new technological trends in plant biology and their possibilities, the added value that research brings to the economic activity of the private sector in plant production, and how this can stimulate the private sector to undertake R&D activities and collaborations with public research centers. Financing tools and support for the development of R&D projects were also presented, such as those offered by CDTI and the BIOVEGEN platform.
Additionally, in order to strengthen science-business relationships and develop R&D projects to enhance the competitiveness of the sector, attendees had the opportunity to mobilize R&D proposals and hold bilateral meetings with companies or interested researchers. Several meetings were also held with an expert from CDTI (the main Spanish public agency for financing business R&D) to analyze the innovation interests of the companies requesting the meeting.
Gallery
Program and Presentations from the Event
10:00 AM. Welcome
- Rut Barroso Pérez. Business Director of the Central Territorial Management of Cajamar Caja Rural
- María Jesús Grilló. Director of the Agrobiotechnology Institute (IdAB)
- Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna Gutiérrez. Coordinator of the BIOVEGEN Platform
- Xana Belastegui Macadam. Chief Business Officer. IDEN BIOTECHNOLOGY
- Jesús de Esteban Lizarbe. Operations Director. AIN
Block I FINANCING
10:15 a.m. BIOVEGEN as a catalyst for R&D projects
- Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna Gutiérrez. Coordinator of BIOVEGEN
10:35 a.m. Funding opportunities from CDTI for companies in the plant production sector
- Carlos Franco Alonso. Department of Health, Bioeconomy, Climate and Natural Resources. CDTI
Block II APPLIED SCIENCE
10:50 h. “Genetic Improvement and Biotechnology for Vineyard Diseases and Reduction of Phytosanitary Treatments”
- Gonzaga Santesteban García. UPNA
11:10 h. “Bad Bugs That Smell: A Good Opportunity to Research How to Improve Crop Quality and Yield”
- Javier Pozueta Romero. IdAB
11:30 h. “A Collaborative Experience to Promote Plant Improvement in Cereals (GENVCE) and Vegetables”
- Luis Orcaray Echeverría. INTIA
11:45 h. Break
Block III COMPANY
12:00 h. Examples of public-private collaboration in genetics and plant improvement
- Citrus: CITRUSEQ-CITRUSGENN project. Carlos Baixauli Soria. Cajamar Experience Center in Paiporta
- IDEN BIOTECHNOLOGY. Innovation beyond the use of live microorganisms: new biological products for the agricultural sector. Susana Grocín Hernández. IDENBIOTECHNOLOGY
- Grupo AN: Initiatives to promote public-private collaboration and success stories. Maite Muruzabal and Jon González. Grupo AN
- TIMAC AGRO Chair. José María García Mina. University of Navarra / ROULLIER Group
- GELAGRI. Agronomic innovation in the production of frozen vegetables. Natividad Luqui Muñoz. GELAGRI
13:15 h. Colloquium
1:30 PM. Conclusions and closing
- Manuel Ayerdi Olaizola. Vice President of Economic Development. Government of Navarra