CAFRE are joining forces with The Irish Society of IT in Agriculture (ISITA) and the British Association for IT in Agriculture (BAITA) to host the ‘IT Connects’ Open Day. The event is taking place at Greenmount Campus, Antrim and will highlight the latest technology as well as providing an opportunity for farmers and growers across the province to meet with technology suppliers.
Roy McClenaghan, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: “DARD remain totally committed to using technology to benefit farmers and farm families. We have a good track record of innovation.
“There are however, real challenges ahead and we as professionals involved in this area, need to be fully engaged in promoting information technology and making sure it is used effectively by the industry.”
More than 20 key IT manufactures and suppliers will be in attendance at the Open Day and the most up-to-date technology will be on display covering areas including Electronic Identification (EID), Farm Management Software and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). BT will also be on hand to discuss broadband access and mobile communications.
The following day, Thursday October 30, ISITA will hold its annual conference at the Greenmount Campus. This is the first time the conference will have come to Northern Ireland and is targeted at IT professionals who provide ICT services to agriculture and rural communities. Frank McManus, BT Head of Wholesale, will be guest speaker.
A list of companies exhibiting at the Open Day on Wednesday 29 October 2008 can be found on www.ruralni.gov.uk/exhibitor_list'
Notes to Editors
- The ICT Open Day will take place on Wednesday 29 October at Greenmount Campus from 10am to 4pm. This will be followed by an ICT conference on Thursday 30 October 2008. Both events will be branded ‘IT Connects’. The ISITA Conference on 30th October is being sponsored by BT.
- The open day and conference are being organised in partnership by CAFRE, the Irish Society for Information Technology in Agriculture (ISITA) and the British Association for Information Technology in Agriculture (BAITA).
- BAITA - The British Association for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and Environment (BAitA) is an organisation which bridges the gap between IT developers and users. BAITA is dedicated to the development and advancement of the use of IT in the agricultural, food and environmental areas.
- ISITA - The Irish Society for Information Technology in Agriculture, ISITA, was inaugurated in 1996. The objectives of the Society are to promote the awareness, study, and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in relation to agriculture and the rural community - research, education, extension, agribusiness, farming and rural development.
- All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, telephone 028 9052 4619. Out of hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440, and your call will be returned.
