EIMA International 2026 (10-14 November) officially opened in the Italian city of Bologna, featuring approximately 1,600 companies specializing in agricultural machinery, equipment, and technology.
The international event showcases the latest innovations and technical solutions designed to advance agricultural production, enhance sustainability, and improve resource-use efficiency.
The opening ceremony was attended by various Italian officials and institutional representatives.
Libyan companies present
Libyan companies were also present at the exhibition, represented by firms specializing in the cultivation, production, and export of dates, as well as businesses operating in the fields of agricultural machinery, equipment, and modern irrigation systems.
Representatives from the Libyan firms expressed their admiration for the scale of the exhibition and the diversity of technologies and capabilities presented by companies from around the world. They viewed their participation as a valuable opportunity to explore the technological shifts transforming the agricultural sector, while also considering the potential for adopting and localizing some of these solutions within the Libyan market.
This participation is particularly significant given the need to modernize agricultural production methods in Libya—integrating advanced technologies for farm management, water conservation, and improved product quality. Furthermore, it opens doors for partnerships with international companies and creates new avenues for Libyan agricultural products—most notably dates—to reach global markets.
In an exclusive statement to Libya Herald, Mohamed Shalouf, owner of a Libyan company specializing in agricultural machinery, equipment, advanced irrigation systems, and fertilizers, stated that participating in the EIMA 2026 exhibition represents a significant opportunity to explore the latest developments in agricultural machinery, equipment, and technologies.
He added that the exhibition offers Libyan participants the chance to engage directly with global manufacturers and discover modern technological solutions—particularly in agricultural mechanization, smart irrigation systems, and electronic control—thereby facilitating the transfer of expertise and technology to help develop Libya’s agricultural sector.
Shalouf noted that the Libyan market stands to benefit greatly from these advancements, especially given the country’s inherent agricultural potential. He emphasized the importance of transferring modern technology and adapting it to suit the specific nature of Libya’s land, climatic conditions, and the needs of its farmers.
He further explained that participating in this exhibition enables Libyan companies to evaluate available technical options and gain insight into the experiences of other nations—ultimately helping to improve the services and products provided to farmers and boosting the overall efficiency of the agricultural sector.
For his part, Hussein Al-Haj Ahmed, a Libyan farmer and specialist in date production and development, noted that Libya possesses great potential in date cultivation. He pointed out that the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, along with advanced farm management and development practices, has already contributed to increased yields and greater operational efficiency.
He explained that expanding the use of modern technology will pave the way for higher production volumes and improved quality of Libyan dates, which in turn will enhance opportunities for marketing and exporting them to international markets. He emphasized the importance of studying global best practices and learning about the latest methods used in date palm cultivation and farm management.
Al-Haj Ahmed further noted that participating in the EIMA exhibition provides an opportunity to identify equipment and technologies that can be utilized to develop date palm farms—improving irrigation, production, and harvesting processes—which will ultimately strengthen the competitiveness of Libyan products in foreign markets.
Representatives from Libyan companies are also focusing on smart irrigation technologies, which allow for the monitoring and control of irrigation processes via mobile phones and electronic systems. Such technologies contribute to water conservation and increased efficiency in water use—a critical factor given the importance of water resource management for Libya’s agricultural sector.