Federal Minister Christian Schmidt visits AGCO/Fendt

The Federal Minister for Nutrition and Agriculture, Christian Schmidt, visited the Fendt tractor factory in Marktoberdorf on 1st June 2015. The purpose of the visit was to become acquainted with each other as well as to discuss current issues in the agricultural industry and agricultural engineering.

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“We used the time to talk about the international markets, after all, AGCO is a major global player in the agricultural equipment industry,” said Federal Minister Christian Schmidt. “We talked about the issue of free trade, for example. We also talked about agricultural policy, from the challenges of environmental issues up to the reduction of CO2 emissions for agricultural machinery.”

The visit of the Minister for Nutrition and Agriculture began with a tour through the Fendt tractor production in Marktoberdorf.
“Despite immense technology, these machines are easy to control. I was even able to try this for myself, because Mr Paffen trusted me with one of his products,” confirmed the minister. After the factory tour, he drove to the Fendt Forum customer centre with a new Fendt 939 Vario. “I gave back the tractor without a scratch,” joked Christian Schmidt later.

In the following meeting, the Fendt Management as well as the CEO, Chairman and President of the AGCO Corporation, Martin Richenhagen, talked about important issues in the agricultural industry. “Without technology and innovation, we will not be able to feed nine million people in 2050. That is why it is important to me that we include all levels of agricultural production in a political innovation partnership – first and foremost, companies like Fendt, who can make a contribution here,” sums up Federal Minister Schmidt.

“Under the name Fuse, we at AGCO offer interesting solutions for precision farming or Farming 4.0,” said AGCO boss Martin Richenhagen, explaining the initial concrete opportunities of the collaboration. “The Ministry is planning an initiative in this area and we would be very pleased to be able to contribute here. I think that precisely because we have positioned ourselves completely openly, in contrast to our competitors, we can be a good partner and idea provider,” says Richenhagen.