SLIDESHOW: FCI Trade Summit – Americas, Day 1

Posted by David Frabotta|27 August 2014

The largest crop protection event in the Americas began with a keynote talk by macroeconomic futurist Dr. Jim Budzynski, who outlined agriculture’s challenges and opportunities as the world prepares to feed 9.2 billion people by 2050.

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Jim Budzynski

"Continuing to focus on cost is not sustainable for businesses because there can only be one lowest-cost producer in any space," Jim Budzynski said during his keynote address.
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Dr. Ray Hoyum

"Crop inputs aren't costs, they are investments that you can expect a return on," Dr. Ray Hoyum said during the conference.
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FCI Trade Summit Cocktail Reception - Aug. 26, 2014

Cocktail reception hostesses welcomed more than 350 guests.
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FCI Trade Summit Cocktail Reception - Aug. 26, 2014

Entertainment during the cocktail reception included a sword swallower.
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Parijat Agrochemicals

Entertainment was sponsored by Parijat Agrochemicals.
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Guest entertainment at the cocktail reception

A local cigar roller entertains guests.
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Green Valley Ranch

The luxurious Green Valley Ranch hosted the event 26-28 August.
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Parijat Agrochemicals and FCI staff

The Parijat Agrochemicals team and FCI staff capture a moment during the reception.
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Keshav Anand

Keshav Anand, managing director of Parijat Agrochemicals, addresses the reception.
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Cocktail reception - Aug. 26, 2014

The steampunk theme carried through the reception.
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Cocktail reception - Aug. 26, 2014

The evening's entertainers enjoy a photo together.

“Agronomy, biology and chemistry have not been integrated in agriculture, and that must change if we are going to solve the biggest challenges we face in food production going forward,” Budzynski told a capacity audience during his keynote talk.

The evening ended with a steampunk-themed cocktail reception at the luxurious Green Valley Ranch’s Lobby Bar. The Parijat Agrochemicals-sponsored event featured a sword swallower, an electric violin duo and one of the area’s premier cigar rollers.

Check back for other updates on the FCI Trade Summit – Americas and coverage of the conference, which includes Farm Chemicals International’s inaugural Formulation Science Symposium.