AGRO ARCA 2025: A Showcase of Innovation in Agriculture and Food Technologies
A SHOWCASE OF INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD TECHNOLOGIES
AGRO ARCA 2025
The 16th International Fair on Innovations in Agriculture, Food Industry, and Agricultural Machinery (AGRO ARCA 2025) was successfully held from May 15 to 17, 2025, at the Višnjik Sports Center in Zadar, Croatia. The event was jointly organized by the Croatian Union of Innovators, in collaboration with the City of Zadar, Zadar County, and the University of Zadar.
A Diverse Exhibition of Global Innovations
This year’s edition of AGRO ARCA brought together more than 130 innovations presented by over 200 inventors from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Iran, Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand. Notably, a substantial portion of the showcased innovations originated from young inventors including elementary and secondary school students, as well as university students from across Croatia highlighting a strong culture of youth-driven innovation.
Institutional Support and Opening Ceremony
The fair was held under the patronage of several key Croatian ministries and agencies:
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
- Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth
- Ministry of the Economy
- State Intellectual Property Office
The event was co-organized by:
- University of Zadar
- Zadar County
- City of Zadar
- Croatian Association of Technical Culture
- International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA)
Partners included HAMAG-BICRO, Zadar County Technical Culture Community, and the Tourist Board of Nin.
The opening ceremony featured addresses by several dignitaries including:
- Dr. Miljenko Šimpraga, President of the Croatian Union of Innovators
- Mr. Marijan Krpan, Croatian Association of Technical Culture
- Dr. Josip Faričić, Rector of the University of Zadar
- Mr. Danijel Segarić, Head of Agriculture and EU Funds, Zadar County
- Ms. Grozdana Perić, Head of the Zadar City Economy Department
The fair was officially inaugurated by Mr. Mladen Fruk, delegate of the Prime Minister of Croatia and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
Educational Workshops and Innovation Forums
Throughout the three-day event, a rich educational program was conducted. Highlights included:
- STEM workshops for youth, hosted by the Zadar County Technical Culture Community
- Sessions on bioplastics and digital greenhouse control by the Zadar Informatics Society and Zadar Developers Hub
- A drone demonstration in agriculture by the Zadar Aero Club
- Lectures on financial instruments for farmers, led by HAMAG-BICRO
- A session from the State Intellectual Property Office on intellectual property rights
- The Innovation Forum, titled “Science and Innovation: Drivers of Growth and Sustainability in Agriculture”, organized by the University of Zadar
Awards and Recognitions
At the conclusion of AGRO ARCA 2025, a number of prestigious awards were presented to honor outstanding contributions in innovation. Innovators were recognized across two main categories Young Innovators and Senior Innovators with special awards and the GRAND PRIX for the best overall innovation of the fair.
In addition to the gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded to various participants and three Special Participation Awards were granted to:
- The Tourist Board of Nin
- The Rural Development Agency of Zadar County (AGRRA)
- The Innovators’ Society (DIATUS) from Split
Furthermore, the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) presented two special awards:
- To the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences of Osijek for the innovation titled “Methodology for Detecting Microplastics in Soil
- To the Department of Ecology, Agronomy, and Aquaculture at the University of Zadar for their innovation “Development of Sustainable Mariculture I-MORE”
The prestigious GRAND PRIX for best innovation was awarded to Viridisfarm Ltd. for their breakthrough innovation “Vibrophosphate.”
Spotlight on the Winning Innovation: Vibrophosphate
Vibrophosphate is a 100% natural, solid inorganic phosphorus fertilizer, derived through vibro-activation of guano-based minerals. This unique fertilizer provides a stable and bioavailable form of phosphorus, essential for:
- Oil, sugar, and starch formation
- Early plant growth and development
- Enhanced root system establishment
- Improved photosynthesis, nutrient, and energy transfer
- Formation of nucleic acids and regulation of protein synthesis
- Support for stomatal regulation in plants
Viridisfarm’s innovation demonstrates the transformative power of science and technology in modern agriculture, embodying the spirit of AGRO ARCA’s mission to promote sustainability and innovation.