Implementing technology across the region is an opportunity, not a problem. It opens up the range of possibilities for greater economic as well as social development, and that the so-called vacated Spain can be filled with people, enterprises, centers of excellence, companies and opportunities. This culminated in the sixth Activostech Technology for Zone development discussion, organized by EL PERIÓDICO and Mobile World Capital (MWC) Barcelona in collaboration with Cellnex. Edward Martinsmart link director at MWC Barcelona; Òscar Sala, director of TheCollider, MWC Barcelona’s innovation program; Y Xavier TarrusDirector of information systems for the Vall Companys agri-food group.
For the three speakers, the problem of connectivity and information highways reaching the entire region is an ‘important’ element, but even more so in the agri-food sector where development in this area can contribute to the creation of a new ‘Food’ in Spain. Valley of the European reference. Like this, Martin The difference between the two types of technologies: “Just as we distinguish between raw materials and finished products, we must distinguish between technologies that will be communication paths and finalist technologies that allow companies, universities and research centers to develop new products” .
According to him, the biggest bet of this century is “raw material”, that is, perfect communication that represents a big change but “must be able to adapt fairly to the needs of every moment, everywhere”. “The clever thing about communication – he adds – is cleverly linking them together, which can reasonably be connected to cover most of the regions.” Our fiber optic network is one of the best in the world, I think we are second in Europe in the ranking. We have a good foundation.”
This good foundation means: Martin“The enabling technology can be made available in evacuated rural areas and enrich these areas with activities that are not currently being done.” In other words, with good connectivity, “digital businesses can be transferred outside of the traditional agri-food business as well as strengthen the traditional business.”
Before this panorama, Òscar Sala He thinks we are in “undoubtedly one of humanity’s most exciting times” characterized by collaborative work. And for TheCollider’s director, the opportunities presented by technologies will “allow us to solve humanity’s challenges in a different way, such as energy efficiency or sustainability, with completely disruptive models.”
In fact, he firmly believes that Catalonia and Spain “have the necessary elements to become the next “Food Valley” of European reference. Above all, because they have a robust, exporting agri-food industry that invests in technology to improve processes.” “With 7,000 million people, it will have to use technology to face the greatest challenge of the most cross-industry and population growth in existence,” he reflects.
Second, “Barcelona and Spain have an amazing innovation ecosystem in terms of start-ups, investments and talent generation”. And finally, due to the fact that the country stands out for its scientific excellence: “Probably not everyone knows that we are among the top twelve in Europe in scientific knowledge.”
According to the data provided during the discussion, the agri-food sector contributes 15% of Catalan GDP, employs 100,000 people and is “a mature sector in technological innovation”. Last year, approximately 700 million euros were invested in technology in this sector, 200% more than in the previous year.
Again, Living room in this case, he insists on cooperation between science and business to stimulate this impulse “and Spain has no vacant regions” because, in addition, he jokes that “we have a better climate than the Netherlands and Denmark, let’s take advantage of it” doing
Along these lines, he recalls, in Spain “we already have experience doing things with a global impact: we discovered celiacs here, for example.” According to him, it is crucial to create and foster spaces for reflection and collaboration so that the excellence of the industry, currently focused on a mass production model, translates into a new innovative and benchmarking model, “it also helps the small consumer to do things differently thanks to technology and for everyone.” to compete together to generate more value”.
Based on his experience, the information systems director of the Vall Companys agri-food group, Xavier Tarrus, it also points to technology as a lever for transformation to “improve the efficiency, sustainability, safety and therefore competitiveness of companies”. “If we manage to apply the technology to companies in the primary sector, which are normally companies with productive areas in rural areas, in less populated areas, then we will be able to transfer those benefits to this primary sector,” he says. .
For Tarrus, the key to the process lies in managing to create a virtuous cycle that starts by installing more technology in these regions, acting as an attraction for other companies, developing more services, and “normally high-attracting” more of the population. will demand more qualified and technological services. In addition, this process “housing, school, restaurant, etc. “We have transformed an industry that not only increases the income of people in these areas, but also makes it more comfortable, more attractive, that will really attract new generations and encourage people not to go,” he said.
To achieve this, the three experts agreed that the country has “good foundations”, although “working and cooperating to achieve this” is necessary. And as stated MartinIt’s not enough to show that it’s possible with a ‘use case’, “but business models also need to be established, demonstrated to be profitable and encouraged to attract new companies”.
Concerning the challenge of sustainability and climate change, they agreed that “the food industry, which is the most cross in the world with its entire value chain, must be the beginning of change”. Living room reminds that the sector produces 30% of the energy consumed worldwide and produces about 20% of greenhouse gases. These percentages “reveal that there is already a target that needs to be addressed, and we know it won’t improve because we want everything from today to tomorrow without thinking we’re destroying the environment because of the Amazon effect.” Adding to all this, he predicts that by 2050, experts predict there will be 10,000 million people in the world (around 7,000 million now), “there won’t be food for everyone: we’re either rethinking the system or we’re going to have a problem.” highlights the director of TheCollider. And while “technology can certainly help” in this area, he notes that the digital industry itself “must evolve to be more adaptable and more sustainable.” Martin.
Vall Companys agri-food group information systems director explains that his company operates on five sustainability axes: climate and circularity, human and animal welfare, quality, safety and technological innovation, and ethical and sound management. “By analyzing all of the company’s processes under these five axes, we have identified some goals that need to be achieved in the next ten years, using new technologies to achieve this,” he says. Tarrus.
But for three speakers, ultimately, technology is a tool. Citizens should be made aware of the need to change the consumption pattern. “Technology can facilitate this social awareness, but we must all make the effort.” Again, collaboration as a trigger for change.