Agrimachinery.Africa

Redesigned Self-propelled Beet Harvester

CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES EQUIPMENT EVENTS

Publisher: Venus Africa

Managing Editor: Anthony Gikanda

Financial Controller: Eng. Ingrind Vaughan

Editors: John Kaloki

Millicent Aketch Oyoo

Reporters:

Ruth Angwenyi

Thomas Mulandi

Pious Ogoma

Johnson Camel

Orita Jackson

Special Correspondent: Prof. Owino Akeyo

Marketing Manager: Ken Okore

Advertising Executives: Nelson Denga

Eliud Njomo

Philip Wekesa

Design & Layout:

Davy Kinyua

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Quality

Oliver Gupta Eng. Peter M. Kisemi

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James Mwangi

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New farming tech is leading the fight against global food insecurity

Farmers are embracing technology to become more efficient and using equipment worth millions of dollars in the drive to reduce food insecurity. Higher yields with fewer resources. That’s the challenge that farmers around the world are trying to solve. According to data from the United Nations, global food insecurity has reached 29 percent, which means more than one billion people are facing the issue.

Considering that the world’s population is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, there will be a huge increase in demand for food. At the same time, the shortage of agricultural production is affecting food chains.

Farmers and ranchers report that they’re struggling to find people willing to harvest and process the food that’s produced, even if the search is extended outside their borders.

In 2021, the UK National Farmers’ Union (NFU) wrote to then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson requesting the launch of a COVID-19 Recovery Visa to alleviate the shortage of labor throughout the supply chain.

In the United States, with a declining rural population and increasing opportunities outside the farm, many farmers have turned to bringing in labor from other countries through the H-2A agricultural visa program.

Resources are scarce

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 37.6 percent of the Earth’s land is dedicated to agriculture, and in countries such as Mexico, most of the use of water is in this sector (77 percent according to the Mexican national water authority, Conagua).

Sustainable use of land resources is crucial to mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss. Thanks to new technologies, farmers can contribute to making

their food supply chain more sustainable by reducing their carbon emissions.

The use of drones, autonomous tractors and agricultural robots are some of the innovations that could be key to the future food supply.

“Until recently, agriculture has always been about doing more with more – more horses, more inputs, more hectares – but the digital age is changing all that. In the last decade, it has been about doing more with less and providing farmers with tools to make informed decisions,” said Jahmy Hindman, Chief Technology Officer of John Deere, the world’s largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery, speaking at the launch of its first 100 percent autonomous tractor in Las Vegas.

“Until recently, agriculture has always been about doing more with more – more horses, more inputs, more hectares – but the digital age is changing all that.” – Jahmy Hindman

Driverless tractors aim to free farmers from 8–12 hours of driving by controlling the tractor through an app on their phone or comput-

er. The farmer can use the app to place the tractor where it needs to be, drive along a field, turn around, come back, as well as maneuver it to navigate obstacles.

The company has not said how much these tractors will cost or when would they be available in the retail market, other than orders will open soon. They made their debut in early 2022, and are currently being tested on farms in the United States using 8R tractors.

Those in this series have from 230 to 410 horsepower and, without the autonomous technology, retail for US$272,000 to US$427,000, a comparable price point to that of a Ferrari, but with considerably less horsepower.

Farmers are also using drones to help increase production and control crop growth for maximum yield. With this technology, farmers can remotely extract soil samples and check temperature, humidity and altitude, as well as spray pesticides.

Harvesting data

Each robot will also be harvesting around 40 gigabytes of data per day.

“This not only helps us understand what’s ready to be picked today, but also to plan future harvests,” Herbert says.

This data, as well as that produced by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), provides agricultural operations with real-time information and control for more precise and efficient management of crops and livestock.

“We see that data-driven decisions and IoT solutions help farmers increase not only productivity but also yield,” says Jeff Horton, Chief Revenue Officer of FreeWave Technologies, creator of an IoT platform for the agricultural sector.

“They can make better-informed decisions based on what their devices tell them about water consumption, soil conditions and much more, from wherever they are.”

“We see that data-driven decisions and IoT solutions help farmers increase not only productivity but also yield.” – Jeff Horton

There are other benefits as well, he claims.

“Sustainability and limiting the impact of agriculture on the environment is a priority for our clients, and we are delighted to help them understand what their data is telling them,” Horton adds.

Michael Barr, Senior Analyst at Neuberger Berman, an asset manager with operations in 39 cities in 26 countries worldwide, believes that the answer to food insecurity could lie in space.

“Currently, farmers have a new tool, satellites, which offer a wealth of real-time data and can put farmers at the forefront of technology to help solve food insecurity,” Barr says.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers estimates that the adoption of precision agriculture could increase crop yields by six percent, decrease fertilizer use by 14 percent and reduce water spending by 21 percent.

According to a Global Market Insights study, the autonomous agriculture sector worldwide is expected to exceed US$95 billion in 2027. To put that figure in context, according to a report from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, agriculture in that state represented US$81 billion in 2021.

Looking at equipment, the 2022 John Deere X9 1100 grain harvesting combine has a starting price of US$900,000, easily exceeding US$1 million with key options. That is equivalent to five Lamborghini Huracán EVOs or two Aventadors.

More change is imminent, according to Herbert, but it has also been happening gradually over time.

“It’s not a revolution, it’s a transition,” he says. “If you look at it now, the difference between a modern farm and one from 150 years ago is enormous, and that didn’t happen overnight.”

“We see that data-driven decisions and IoT solutions help farmers increase not only productivity but also yield.” – Jeff Horton

Azelis boosts Agriculture with new laboratory in India

Azelis, a leading innovation service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest laboratory for the Agricultural & Environmental Solutions (A&ES) industry in India.

This advanced facility is an important milestone in the group’s commitment to innovation and providing formulation services to customers and principals.

The new laboratory is furnished with the latest equipment and staffed by a team of highly skilled and experienced agricultural technical specialists.

The laboratory focuses on formulation support for crop protection, seed treatment and micronutrient formulations that are aligned with international methods and standards for formulations.

Why family farmers need greater access to technology

With new technologies cropping up, family farming – one of the world’s oldest economic activities – is evolving to harness emerging opportunities for productivity and sustainability gains.

Family-owned farms make up around four fifths of Earth’s farmland and are responsible for over 80% of global food production in value terms, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Despite producing much of what we eat – paradoxically – family farmers, many operating on a small scale, face hunger and poverty, especially in developing countries.

A global action plan launched in

The opening of this A&ES laboratory, in addition to Azelis’ Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Personal Care, Food & Nutrition and Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomers (CASE) laboratories in India, allows Azelis India to deliver high-quality technical solutions to customers and principals across a range of industries.

“We are thrilled to open this new laboratory and expand our agrochemical capabilities to better serve our customers and principals.

By offering support across all stages of the formulation development process, we demonstrate how Azelis provides value-adding services in addition to our extensive portfolio of products. Our commitment to innovation has always been at the core of our business, and this new laboratory demonstrates our promise to continuously invest in expanding our innovation capabilities.”

2019 to shore up support for family farmers in a rapidly changing world highlighted the need to empower family farmers with technology and tailored innovations that meet their needs.

“Technology boosts family farming by enhancing agricultural productivity and livelihoods and promoting environmentally friendly solutions to agriculture,” said Clovis Freire, who leads UNCTAD’s work on technology and innovation policy research.

“Increasing the access of young

farmers to technologies can expand rural employment opportunities and enhance the sustainability of family farming,” he added.

Technology as a game changer for family farming

Technology strengthens all four dimensions of food security –availability, access, utilization and stability, according to experts.

Genetic modification, for instance, can increase food supply by speeding up the process of creating new varieties with desired traits.

Agro-processing technologies

Aparna Khurana, Azelis India Managing Director says:

reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality of processed products, making food more accessible.

Biofortification, known for improving nutrition, helps mitigate human micronutrient deficiency.

Drones and satellites, used for territory surveillance, mapping and crop health monitoring, contribute to more stable agriculture production.

Promoting cooperation and knowledge sharing

Backed by the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, to which UNCTAD provides substantive support, various South-South cooperation initiatives – from a science, technology and innovation perspective – are underway to bolster developing countries’ technological capacities.

During a recent workshop on the use of advanced technologies for family agriculture, UNCTAD and its partners jointly launched an industrial innovation cluster of agribusiness, based in Petrolina, Brazil.

The cluster aims at helping Brazilian family farmers tap technology

to raise productivity, generate more jobs and make their farming practices more sustainable.

The workshop brought together participants from 14 developing nations, who shared experiences on cooperative practices, technology assessment and the environmental benefits of precision farming – where modern technologies, such as data and digital tools, help monitor and optimize agricultural operations.

How family farmers benefit from technology

Kenya, for example, is carrying out a precision agriculture pilot project using satellite technology to analyse soil carbon and fertility. It includes advising smallholder farmers – through mobile apps and text messages – on when to plant and how much fertilizer to apply.

In Seychelles, farmers are trained to use fertigation technology –combining soluble fertilizers with micro-irrigation techniques – to improve crop quality while reducing energy consumption.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, enables farming families to add more value to agricultural products by

Siemens to equip Continental tire factories with automation technology

providing modern machinery and production centres, which convert raw materials to primary and secondary products such as wool, dry fruits and cosmetic oils.

And Uruguay’s ministry of livestock, agriculture and fisheries is designing a digital inclusion strategy targeting rural populations, particularly women farmers.

What policymakers need to do

To narrow the tech gap for family farmers, UNCTAD calls for greater investments – nationally and globally – in research and development to make technologies more affordable, accessible and user-friendly.

Skills training and capacity-building are key to enabling technology adoption by smallholder farmers. UNCTAD also underscores the need for adequate infrastructure – such as farming equipment, internet broadband and waste management facilities – to reach family farmers, particularly those living in rural areas.

Also, promoting knowledge transfer and international cooperation is crucial to fostering inclusive transformation of family farming, as well as resilient agrifood systems worldwide.

ontinental’s tire division and Siemens have signed a strategic supplier agreement.

As Siemens announces on the sidelines of the Tire Expo trade fair in Hannover (Germany), the company will supply automation and drive technology for Continental’s tire factories worldwide in its capacity as a preferred supplier.

The aim of the cooperation is to further optimize Continental’s global tire production with innovative control and automation technology. As part of the agreement, standards will be established which will help Continental make its production machinery even more efficient throughout their lifecycles.

“Tires connect cars and roads,” says Cedrik Neike, member of the Managing Board at Siemens AG and CEO

As Siemens announces on the sidelines of the Tire Expo trade fair in Hannover (Germany), the company will supply automation and drive technology for Continental’s tire factories worldwide in its capacity as a preferred supplier.

Digital Industries.

“Without modern and innovative tires, we cannot reach our safety, efficiency, and sustainability targets. That’s why Continental Tires and Siemens have formed a close partnership, one that we are now expanding.”

To drive standardization, Continental will purchase its automation systems and large parts of its drive technology for new machines and developments from Siemens.

The supplier will equip Continental tire factories with Simatic controllers, I/O systems, WinCC Unified operator control units, and industrial PCs. Siemens will also train the relevant employees at Continental tire factories in TIA Portal.

The high degree of standardization will be even further developed, especially where software is concerned. The Siemens Tire Library, a software library for standardizing the control of sensors and actuators, will also provide support on this matter.

This will simplify mechanical

engineering as well as maintenance for machines and equipment for Continental and its machine suppliers as well. Standardization also enables the machines to operate uniformly, regardless of machine supplier.

In addition, the use of these digital technologies promotes sustainable production, a key concern in the tire industry. In this regard, Siemens offers particularly long lifecycles for the hardware products to be used in the future and enables software and hardware innovations to be easily integrated throughout the machines’ lifecycles.

Siemens also provides technical support and is working on long-term availability of spare parts.

Siemens and Continental Tires have worked together in the past around digitalization. One example is the digital twin of an extrusion plant, which is used, among other things, for virtual commissioning. Continental Tires also uses Siemens edge technology and cloud hosting for Mendix applications.

“Without modern and innovative tires, we cannot reach our safety, efficiency, and sustainability targets. That’s why Continental Tires and Siemens have formed a close partnership, one that we are now expanding.”

Farm Equipment sector sells 33,622 Units in India during March 2023

Exports) during March 2023 were at 35,014 units, as against 29,763 units for the same period last year. Exports for the month stood at 1,392 units.

The company clocked its highest ever annual sale of 4,07,545 units (Domestic + Exports) in FY’23.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), part of the Mahindra Group, today announced its tractor sales numbers for March 2023.

Domestic sales in March 2023 were at 33,622 units, as against 28,112 units during March 2022.

Total tractor sales (Domestic +

Commenting on the performance, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “We have sold 33,622 tractors in the domestic market during March 2023, a growth of 20% over last year. Increase in crop output, mandi prices staying firm, Government support for increase in MSP for major crops and increase in wages under MGNREGA scheme will help improve the financial security of rural households and boost tractor demand in the coming months. In the exports market, we have sold 1,392 tractors.”

Mahindra’s

The company clocked its highest ever annual sale of 4,07,545 units (Domestic + Exports) in FY’23.

Kenyan researchers develop striga resistant sorghum variety

Continental and partners present Agro Tyre Pressure App

Parasitic weed Striga is a huge constraint to the production of sorghum and other cereal crops. The parasite attaches to host crops and siphons nutrients leading to severe growth retardation and death of infected plants.

And now scientists from Kenyatta University in Kenya have developed a sorghum variety that is resistant to striga weed, providing a major boost towards achieving food security in the arid and semi-arid areas where the crop is majorly grown.

The striga smart sorghum has been developed through modern technology of gene editing, which involves the use of naturally occurring molecular scissors to improve crops interaction with the environment for better traits such as weed resistance.

The invention has been done by Steven Runo, an Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology at Kenyatta University.

Most cultivated cereals, including maize, millet, sorghum, and rice, are parasitized by at least one Striga species, leading to enormous economic losses. The Striga genus has over thirty species distributed over 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, causing an estimated 7 billion dollars worth of crop losses every year.

Striga control technologies include intercropping with non-hosts,

weeding, and chemical control.

However, these strategies are either inefficient or not adaptable to smallholder farming systems. The most efficient and cost-effective way to control Striga infestations would be to develop crops that are resistant to Striga.

Overall, integrated control strategies that exploit natural resistance are universally recommended. However, to date, only a few resistant varieties are released and adopted by farmers and often the resistance is weak or rapidly overcome by the parasite.

Over the past few years, Prof. Runo’s research team has been exploring different methods of building Striga resistance in sorghum and other cereal crops that are key staples in Africa.

The team is working with local farmers and extension officers to select – from a set of Striga-resistant varieties already tested under laboratory and field conditions, sorghum varieties with preferable traits. In this participatory variety selection process, farmers are able to grow sorghum varieties on their farms before making their selection.

This has been particularly important in the identification of farmer-preferred, locally adapted sorghum varieties with improved potential to maintain resistance in farmers’ fields.

Continental is now offering the Agro Tyre Pressure App, in cooperation with other tire manufacturers. This application combines the databases of each manufacturer like pressure, load and speed tables.

The app is now available in English, French, German and Polish for iOS and Android.

In agriculture, the variety of vehicles, applications and implements require regular and appropriate adaptation of tire pressures to ensure their service life and other key performances like traction, fuel savings and soil protection.

Usually, after identifying the axle loads and speed of use, the farmer should refer to the manufacturer’s documentation to define the right pressure.

If the farmer has multiple brands of tires on the fleet of agricultural vehicles, this gets even more complicated. The main challenge for the farmer: where to find all relevant information?

The new smartphone application provides easy and quick access to correct tire pressure data. By selecting load, speed, size and the tire brand, this new app truly supports farmers and dealers in their daily work.

New Holland, EFTA partner to boosts farm mechanisation in Tanzania

ing network across the region to ensure that our customers receive the services, they need to keep their investment running.

HAT is a preferred agricultural and automotive solution provider company in Tanzania. HAT is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Al Futtaim Group. It is a multi-franchise organization and represents some of the world`s leading brands. New Holland Agriculture is the agricultural equipment brand represented in Tanzania.

Leasing company Equity for Tanzania Ltd (EFTA) and New Holland Agriculture, a brand of CNH Industrial have announced a ground breaking partnership that is expected to bring mechanization to Tanzania’s 3.7m smallholder farmers.

The partnership also involves Hughes Agriculture Tanzania Ltd (HAT), New Holland Agriculture’s local distributor in Tanzania, and CRDB, one of Tanzania’s leading banks.

Nicomed Bohay, Managing Director of EFTA, commented: “We have done a deal of 200 new tractors with one of the respected top brands in the world for farmers and SMEs in Tanzanian agricultural sector.

This is to reaffirm EFTA’s commitment in collaboration with our business partners, CRDB Bank, Hughes Agriculture and New Holland Agriculture; to provide access to finance without collateral to farmers who wouldn’t have met eligibility criteria from mainstream financial institutions, a special segment of SME’s usually referred to as the “missing middle”, who are too big for microfinance but too small for conventional banks. The delivery of this transaction, and many more to come, confirms EFTA’s position as a leading financial leasing company in Tanzania.”

HAT and EFTA have been working in partnership for over five years, this is the first time a broader partnership, including New Holland Agriculture and CRDB, has been formed to significantly scale up tractor access by smallholder farmers.

It is expected to be the beginning of an ongoing partnership to grow mechanization in East Africa, including in Kenya, through EFTA’s sister company, EFKen Leasing Ltd (EFKen). Both EFTA and EFKen are subsidiaries of EFAfrica Group Ltd of Mauritius.

Stuart Leishman, Managing Director of HAT, commented “Mechanization is key to ensure the longterm goal of Tanzania becoming food secure, and we are proud to be able to play our part in increasing the number of emerging farmers using tractors and implements to improve their yields.

Thanks to our valued partnership with EFTA, New Holland Agriculture and the support of CRDB, we have created a solution where farmers can acquire New Holland tractors from EFTA, at affordable rates. This can be done without the various collateral hurdles that might have otherwise prevented them from accessing this equipment previously.

Hughes Agriculture will provide after sales support via their expand-

New Holland Agriculture is a brand of CNH Industrial, a global leader in the capital goods sector with established industrial experience, a wide range of products and a worldwide presence. In Tanzania, New Holland Agriculture has a strong position in agriculture sector for many years and providing a full line of equipment from tractors to harvesting.

As being the established and reputable manufacturer of agricultural equipment partner of this deal, the representative of the Company, Özkan Eren, New Holland Business Director, Middle East and Africa, stated “New Holland has built a strong presence in Tanzania and constantly providing crucial product improvement feedbacks. This plays a key role to enhance New Holland’s commitment to continue innovating and adapting to market demands.

Through this partnership, our common objective is to provide the best possible products like TT75 tractor model and services to increase the mechanisation level of smallholder farmers in Tanzania and we are also committed to train the farmers and provide technical support they need to raise the bar on their productivity and profitability together with EFTA.

It is certain that we will continue to invest in Tanzania in support of our local partners”

The commercial bank partner of this deal, CRDB Bank is an integrated financial services provider and the largest Bank in Tanzania, with an asset base of over TZS 10 trillion. It is active in corporate, retail, business, treasury, premier,

and wholesale microfinance. CRDB Bank is rated B2 (Stable Outlook) by Moody’s rating agency.

Mr. Abdulmajid Nsekela, The Group CEO and Managing Director for CRDB Bank Plc, commented: “This partnership with EFTA to support the SMEs in Tanzania demonstrates our readiness to support the agriculture sector. SMEs are the engines of growth for the economy, contributing heavily to the country’s GDP and employment.

We will continue with this partnership to ensure mechanisation in agriculture brings the desired outcomes”.

Lastly, Michiel Timmerman, Chairman, EFAfrica Group, said “We are very excited by this ground-breaking deal. This is because of the impact it will deliver, by providing affordable mechanisation and access to a leading tractor brand with excellent after-sales service and parts provided by Hughes Agriculture throughout the country. But also, because it is a landmark for the Group, having achieved a size and maturity where we can work directly with OEMs in partnership with their dealers in-country, backed by leading local financial institutions. We now look forward to developing the partnership in Tanzania in 2023 and expanding it to Kenya.”

From January 2022 to date, EFTA has already financed 330 tractors, and in addition to this EFTA has directly purchased 200 units of New Holland Agriculture branded TT75 4WD tractors for leasing to smallholder farmers to support the country’s 2025 vision for mechanization, increase agricultural production, and improve food security.

EFTA currently has 1,045 active leases to SMEs and has financed over USD 69 million in equipment for SMEs and farmers who would otherwise be unable to access finance. Annual Tanzanian tractor sales are estimated at 1,800 units, meaning EFTA’s 530 tractors boost Tanzanian tractor access for farmers by 23%.

Netafim boosts precision irrigation in Morocco with new manufacturing plant

Netafim, an Orbia business and a global leader in precision agriculture solutions has opened its first manufacturing plant in Morocco to enhance the successful implementation of precision irrigation in the country and strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.

Investment in this plant illustrates the company’s long-standing commitment to helping countries in the region achieve food security and combat climate change.

Morocco is a rapidly expanding agricultural hub in North Africa with its agri-food sector driving economic and social development, contributing 21% the GDP and accounting for almost 39% of national employment.

Its prime location in the heart of EMEA and extensive transport infrastructure enable its high-value crops to be easily shipped to European markets. Morocco’s government initiatives include developing a million hectares of agricultural land while conserving water and creating 350,000 jobs for young people as part of the country’s “Green Morocco” and “Green Generation 2020-2030” plans, to support and modernize the agricultural sector.

While Morocco is a developed agricultural market, the climate poses serious challenges to farming. A devastating drought in 2022 led the United Nations to warn that water shortages will cost the region up to 14% of its GDP by 2050: the largest estimated loss to GDP due to water scarcity in the world.

Netafim’s precision irrigation technologies are ideal for use in arid conditions, maximizing yields while conserving resources. Investment in this new plant contributes to Orbia’s purpose to advance life around the world through scaling clean, smart and efficient solutions that benefit people and the planet.

“Opening this plant is both the culmination of our investment in the region and a gateway to further expansion. We are proud to support the “Green Morocco” and “Green Generation” plans championed by the government to realize the potential of Morocco’s diverse and rich natural landscape and climate. Netafim’s sustainable farming practices will help the Moroccan people and the wider region achieve prosperity and agricultural resilience,” said Gaby Miodownik, Executive Vice President and President of Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business (Netafim).

“Netafim’s factory is built right in the heart of an agricultural region to enable farmers in Morocco and across North Africa to derive enormous benefit from precision irrigation. Netafim will provide local farmers with our state-of-the-art products and services and share our agronomic and technical expertise for greater yields and long-term sustainable agriculture practices,” said Gal Yarden, Senior Vice President of Netafim’s EMEA division.

The manufacturing plant will officially open on March 2, 2023 in the Kenitra region of Morocco. The opening is expected to create 200 jobs.

Dewulf going full ISOBUS for the 2023 planting season

As supplier of a complete range of agricultural machines for the cultivation of potatoes and root crops, Dewulf will be introducing full ISOBUS on nearly all CP and Structural potato planters from autumn 2022.

Manufacturer-independent system

ISOBUS operation is manufacturer-independent and therefore available both via the tractor and via an additional display in the cabin. This means that joysticks in the tractor can be used to control the planter. If the tractor is not equipped with ISOBUS, an individual ISOBUS cable set can be ordered separately.

Additional GPScontrolled display options for

Display options

the

tractor include License Section Control and License Variable Rate. The latter, for example, makes it possible to use task cards to configure which areas of the field fertiliser should be applied. These functions are accessible and can be individually adjusted according to specific needs at any particular time.

Additional GPS-controlled display options for the tractor include License Section Control and License Variable Rate. The latter, for example, makes it possible to use task cards to configure which areas of the field fertiliser should be applied. These functions are accessible and can be individually adjusted according to specific needs at any particular time.

Delivery of ISOBUS will be possible from January 2023, so the updated planter will be ready for use for the next planting season.

Self-propelled beet harvesters of the REXOR series fundamentally revised

More than 20 years of experience

and many customer requirements have gone into the new REXOR 6200 with 30m³ and the REXOR 6300 with its 45m³ bunker volume.

The new design, the completely redesigned digging attachment and the driver-friendly operating and assistance systems are setting new standards in terms of performance, economy and comfort.

The innovative digging attachment has 7 cleaning rollers as standard, which ensure a more powerful and intensive cleaning. Thanks to the external frame, the driver always

has an unobstructed view of the roller table and the entire digging unit.

Both the Oppel wheel and digging unit with walking shares are equipped with a maintenance-free

The new digging unit

drive and a new maintenance-free constant scalper, which works much more agilely and quickly due to its lower weight.

All chopper versions are now guided by guiding skids in front of the chopper shaft, which ensures optimum defoliation at all times with reduced wear.

New Oppel wheel

The new version of the Oppel wheel digging unit has 4 instead of 2 beet feelers, which are also used as feeler skids. The redesigned unit can therefore be guided even more precisely along the row

and at the optimum height. This relieves the driver and improves the steering behaviour of the auto pilot when cornering. With this new concept of height guidance, there is no need for a feeler wheel shaft between the chopper and the Oppel wheel. This significantly improves visibility into the digging unit, reduces the weight of the intake and minimises wear.

Everything in sight and immediately accessible

The new REXOR is equipped with the CCI 1200 ISOBUS operator terminal and the GRIMME SmartView video system. The GRIMME Digital Interface (GDI) also offers the operator an improved overview of the machine parameters to be set.

With the GRIMME SmartView and its unique features, such as the “Slow-Motion”, the driver can easily display any video image in slow motion to check the current work result.

Using the “zoom function”, the operator can choose which section of the image is to be displayed.

In order to have all important video images in view at the same time, the user can display up to 8 camera images on the 12-inch touchscreen monitor.

Connection to myGRIMME

As standard, the new REXOR is equipped with a telemetry unit that enables a connection to the customer portal myGRIMME.

The module “Live Information” shows the current work progress

on a computer or on another mobile device. This is advantageous when planning the transport logistics or further machine tasks.

With the “myJobs” module, all machinery jobs (tasks) and the associated information are automatically documented and saved chronologically. Data such as operating times, fuel consumption and process steps are stored for each task. It is also possible to save further data such as the name of the farmer or the plot when the task has been completed. The data generated can later be used in a farm management information system (FMIS) and thus provide an optimal basis for accounting.

The connection to myGRIMME provides a direct interface to the AGRARMONITOR agricultural software, enabling contractors and farmers to easily manage and document their tasks.

Operational reliability and calculable costs

The current situation in the global sugar market is difficult and hard to predict. In order to give users maximum operational safety with a manageable risk of investment, the new REXOR generation is available with a 4-year guarantee. This package, available for the first time, is rounded off by attractive and flexible rental models. In combination with the service packages, nothing stands in the way of a successful campaign. Thus, the new REXOR has not only been raised to a new level technically, but also economically.

With the GRIMME SmartView and its unique features, such as the “Slow-Motion”, the driver can easily display any video image in slow motion to check the current work result.

AFDB to Setup Fourteen Agro Processing Zones Across Africa

The African Development Bank is ready to set up fourteen agro-processing zones across Africa, with Nigeria as its pilot country. Wole Oshin, the AG Head AgriBusiness, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc., revealed this development at the Social Media Week Lagos 2020 (SMW Lagos).

Mr. Wole divulged this information during his panel session on the 26th of February, 2020. The session dubbed ‘Roundtable: Agritech Youth Empowerment’ was hosted by MyFarmbase Africa, an Agritech platform that leverages technology for research, advocacy, and sustainable agriculture consulting. The startup aims to leverage all at its disposal to boost food production in Africa.

My Farmbase invited Wole Oshin, Ag. Head AgriBusiness, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc; Aliu Iyanuoluwa, CEO/Co-founder MyFarmbase Africa; Segun Oworu, Digital Farming project Lead, Bayer Middle Africa Ltd.; and Angel Adelaja-Kuye, Consultant to Ogun State.

“The AFDB would invest N300 million in Nigeria, the pilot country to help smoothen the kick-off of the processing zones,” said Mr. Wole.

He further explained that the pilot would begin in the middle of the third quarter of 2020, and the private agro companies in the country will spearhead the program.

To further smoothen things for the agricultural value chain in Africa, the AFDB will be partnering with the fintechs in the continent. Fin-

techs will leverage the partnership to drive financial solutions across the agro value chain.

The agro-processing will focus on Maize, Soya, rice, aquaculture, cocoa, poultry, cassava, and livestock farming.

More on MTFC:

• UNDP Launches Cultivate Agro Initiative for Innovative Agritech Startups

• How Logistics Can Scale Agro Trade in Africa

• The Future of Technology in Agriculture

• Dealing with Agricultural Challenges in Africa

• UAE’s Interest in Non-oil Trade Relations with African Countries

South Africa Agricultural Equipment Market

was led by Export Demand backed with Increasing Need for Mechanization in the Agriculture Industry: Ken Research

Increasing need for accuracy, productivity & efficiency and growing demand for larger and four wheel tractors will majorly drive South Africa agriculture equipment market in upcoming years.

Agriculture has played an important role in the South African economy. It is one of the few countries in Africa which is economically developed and that has aided the adoption of agriculture machinery in the country. A large number of countries in the GCC and other parts of the Arab world are highly dependent on South Africa for vegetables, fruits and grains. The agriculture equipment market in the country has gained momentum after the economic recession of 2008 and in terms of market share South Africa is the largest market for farm equipment in Africa region. During the review period, farmers in the South Africa agriculture equipment market are supported by the government which has aided overall market

growth. The agricultural equipment market witnessed major surge in demand from the tender business backed with huge demand for exports majorly from African countries. In recent years the demand of larger and four wheel tractors has inclined at a rapid pace driven by need for high productivity and efficiency in the agricultural fields.

Market witnessed volatile growth over the years majorly owing to huge drought in the country which resulted in import of food from foreign countries. Heavy drought, lack of skilled manpower, lack of awareness about new technologies, lack of purchasing power and fluctuating commodity prices have been major constraints of the market growth. The farmers and the government are focusing on overcoming market constraints thereby providing easy credits to purchase agriculture equipments. It was witnessed that agriculture machinery market was majorly driven by tractors and combine harvesters with a well developed ecosystem

of manufacturing and sales by a number of regional manufacturers. Entry of new players in the market, growing demand for mechanization and huge export demand were the major growth drivers of South Africa agricultural equipment market during the review period.

The report titled “South Africa Agricultural Equipment Market by Major Products (Tractors, Combine Harvesters, Tractor Implements and Rice Transplanters), By Application (Land Development, Sowing & Planting, Weed Cultivation, Harvesting & Threshing, Post-harvest & Agro Processing), By Planting Equipment (Row Crop Planters, Air Seeders, Grain Drills and Others) and By Major Regions – Outlook to 2022” by Ken Research suggested that growth in international trade of agricultural equipment will majorly account for the overall revenue growth of South Africa agricultural equipment market in next 5 years till 2022.

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Ginger is one of the many cash crops that is grown on the fertile soil of Africa. We drink, spice our food, bake our cookies, and benefit from its antioxidant and medicinal properties. It contains Gingerol, an active ingredient in the treatment of inflamed arthritic joints, infections, high cholesterol, stomach cramps, cold, fever, diarrhoea, etc.

Background

Ginger is one of the strongest spices in the world, dating back to 5000 years AD. The earliest mention was in the writings of Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher, and the Romans. It was first discovered among the Austronesia people in South-East Asia before it graced the East African soils.

The Austronesians used it for rituals, for healing, and in blessing their ships. In the first millennium, it was later carried in voyages to the Pacific Islands, India, and off to Madagascar and Comoros. The

14th century holds the earliest records of trade and barter; a pound of ginger in exchange for a sheep.

Cultivation

Ginger is a herbaceous perennial crop that is cultivated in the humid tropics. There are about 50 known species of ginger in Africa. It is a root crop with trumpet-shaped and scented flowers that appear in lilac, pink, pale yellow, or white variants. It has small, berries-like fruits, and its leaves smell like the crop. Ginger grows well on fertile, well-drained soil, and humid environments. It grows between 300m and 900m high, and 30cm depth.

The seed or rhizome is first treated before planting to prevent pest infestation and diseases. The soil is cleared and ploughed 12 inches deep and 24 inches apart. The preferable planting season is between May and June where there is low rainfall.

The farmer then weeds, applies fertilizer, and spreads green leaves on the plant beds, 45 to 90 days after planting. This process is defined as mulching and it is done to conserve soil moisture. The crop should be rain-fed or irrigated every two weeks to ensure high-quality yield. Harvest takes place between 4 to 5 months after planting.

Nigeria is the largest producer of ginger in Africa and the third-largest exporter in the world after India and China. South Africa, DR Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, and Ghana.

Written by Joy Ejere Uche

In this edition of “Where this is found in Africa Series,” we will study GINGER. We will be looking at how ginger is cultivated, the largest producers, and a little background on its origin.

Ginger is one of the strongest spices in the world, dating back to 5000 years AD. The earliest mention was in the writings of Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher, and the Romans. It was first discovered among the Austronesia people in South-East Asia before it graced the East African soils.

Maintaining farm equipment is important since most of them are prone to expensive breakdowns and can be hardly cheap. If for any reason farm equipment is not maintained while in use, it will probably not perform as expected. There are several ways of maintaining farm equipment, but

every farmer should adopt these 7 simple tips.

Operator Training

There are different types of farm equipment used for farming activities, however, they all operate in different ways. If you, as a farmer, operator, or manager, knows how

to effectively man the farm equipment, then the chances of missing out on maintenance are lowered.

Lubricate Your Equipment

There’s nothing as ineffective as a part of equipment undergoing friction as a result of rust. Be sure to always apply good quality

lubricants to every movable part of your equipment. It will enhance good performance and longer life expectancy for your equipment.

Check for Signs of Wear

It is possible for your farm equipment to be in perfect shape and excellent condition once you

Keep Farm Equipment Clean

Maintain a proper cleaning routine such as filter cleaning, build up removal, vacuuming and dusting inside farm equipment so your equipment will look great for a longer time to come.

Have A Maintenance Schedule

The best way to be sure that your farming tools and machinery are in good shape is by having a proper maintenance schedule. This way, you are rest ensured that you are not missing out on repairing farm equipment. It is also recommendable to take operator training lessons especially if you are working with sophisticated farming equipment.

Keep Children and Animals Off Equipment Building

Farms offer a world of adventure for curious kids. To avoid any disastrous accidents, keep your child’s play area separate from your work area. Know where your children are even when you are mowing the lawn. Don’t let a split-second accident impact your child forever.

Observe Safety Precaution Measures

The spread of infectious diseases like COVID- 19 demands that we adhere to safety precaution measures. Ensure to wash your hands with clean water and soap before and after the use of every farm equipment. In cases where water and soap are not readily available, use hand sanitizers. Avoid bringing your hands in close contact with your eyes and mouth.

check for signs of wear. Did you discover a sign of wear and tear on any part of your equipment? Ensure to replace the part as soon as possible to prevent a major breakdown from happening.

In conclusion, farm equipment is a crucial investment that you cannot afford to lose. It should serve you for years, and the best way to ensure that it stays in service for as long as possible is by taking proper care of it. These simple maintenance tips should get you started and keep your farming equipment safe and effective.

Written by: Nene Nseabasi

Global climate change is one of the most significant challenges of our time. The extreme weather conditions, change in rainfall, temperature, and humidity patterns have a drastic impact on agricultural activities and yield.

Agriculture is greatly affected by the global climate shifts caused by the Greenhouse effect. The release of malign gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxide depletes the ozone layer and leads to an increased risk of flooding, soil erosion, droughts, and wildfires. It invariably decreases crop productivity and affects the global agricultural value chain. Researchers are looking at alternative farming techniques, as well as solutions to the environmental condition. Thus, the need for farmers and all agro stakeholders to adopt a sustainable solution to avoid a global food crisis.

The first step in addressing the impact of climate change on food production is to inform the farmers. They need to understand the causes and consequences of environmental challenges and mitigate them through safer farm practices.

Farmers need to understand the risk involved in not minding the relationship between environmental factors and food production. It is the farmers who have to adapt their agricultural practices to a changing environment.

This may include adjustments in planting dates, crop varieties, drainage systems, and land management regimes to maintain soil fertility and maximize yields. An example of adaptation is the use of cover crops to protect the soil from erosion and the minimization of tillage.

Global warming should be treated with urgency. Those who deny its anthropogenic sources do not know the implications of carbon emissions. The government is in a better position to endorse climate change mitigation policies. It

should regulate industrial activities associated with the emission of harmful gases into the environment.

These industries should leverage technology to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration/storage. The government should also set up legislative mandates to reduce emissions and tax defaulters. This way, more people will become more intentional in protecting the environment.

Farmers, industries, the government, and we all should understand the impact of our changing climate on food production. Climate change-related shifts in long-term weather patterns will cause damages to crop, heat-induced pollination, and a higher incidence of pest infestation and crop diseases.

Therefore, we should be concerned about the impacts of climate change on global food production and take additional steps to raise awareness of the issue. Farmers should adapt to, while the government should mitigate climate changes.

Written by Joy Ejere Uche

The first step in addressing the impact of climate change on food production is to inform the farmers

Women in agriculture play an important role in the quest for global food security. They provide most of the labor, yet their work often goes unrecognized. Their seeds, mixed with sweat drops as a result of the scorching sun, have produced food that has fed generations.

A woman puts her all in ensuring that the earth yields its increase. She cultivates her farmland and grows crops for domestic consumption; nurturing her plants the same way she handles her young. She weeds and ensures that the soil is regularly watered throughout the planting season. After harvesting, she handpicks and separates the crops – takes some home to feed her family and the rest to the market for sale. This is the reason why there are more women in local markets.

Women’s involvement in agriculture dates before the earliest existence of civilization – when they had to bore many children to help out in farmlands belonging to their families. This is because the continent has a history of relying on family farming, which depends on family labor.

Women have been the backbone of African rural agriculture and the guardians of the continent’s food security.

African women constitute about 70% of the agricultural workforce. According to a report by the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women produce up to 80% of foodstuffs for household consumption and sale in local markets.

The United Nations estimates that Africa will have a population of two billion people by 2050, the majority being women and youths. The most direct consequence of this exponential population growth is that there will be more mouths to feed. This feat can be achieved by empowered women. They are the major drivers of both rural and international trade of agro commodities.

The high level of participation of African women in the agricultural

Women’s involvement in agriculture dates before the earliest existence of civilization

sector comes with challenging working conditions. Although the agricultural labor force is comprised mostly of women, the rules governing ownership and transfer of land rights are less favorable to African women than those in Asia and Latin America. According to FAO, women possess less than 1% of land and are often ignored in rural development projects which often target male-dominated activities.

Women deserve equal rights to own farmlands and agribusinesses. To improve yields, women should have better access to lands, mechanized tools, markets, fertilizer, credit facilities, and information. Hence, for International Women Day 2020, we have chosen to celebrate the unsung productive labor of the African women in agriculture. Although she is not yet where she wants to be, she is not where she used to be centuries ago.

At MTFC, we believe that Africa can feed the world, and empowering women is the major way to achieve food security. Happy International Women’s Day to the women in agriculture.

Written by: Joy Ejere Uche

Agrishow 2023 has new entry schedule for visitors

The 28th edition of the main agricultural technology fair in Latin America changes the time of entry of visitors in order to improve mobility for participants

The 28th edition of the main agricultural technology fair in Latin America changes the time of entry of visitors in order to improve mobility for participants.

Agrishow 2023 – 28th International Fair of Agricultural Technology in Action will be held in Ribeirão Preto, in São Paulo, between May 1 and 5, with a new entry time for visitors: it will be at 9 am and the

exit time remains at 6 pm. The change promoted by the organizers aims to improve the mobility of exhibitors and visitors, reducing the impacts of heavy vehicle traffic in the region.

The new entry time proposal was based on statistical data and analysis, which showed the periods of greater movement of cars on the highway, access roads and local

streets. Thus, the start of the fair at 9am will not only bring benefits to the participants of the event, but also to the people who travel in the region.

In its 28th edition, the fair, which connects people and technologies, will have many attractions to enrich the experience of rural producers and agro professionals present at the event.

Among the 2022 successes confirmed are: Agrishow Pra Elas, a space dedicated to women in agriculture with content and relationship activities, Agrishow Labs, with the participation of startups that increase productivity and quality to Brazilian crops, and the Drones Arena.

Sustainability will be in focus during Agrishow 2023, through sustainable initiatives in the areas of waste and energy, such as the proper collection and disposal of different types of waste, the recycling of materials, the use of renewable sources and energy savings.

Agrishow this year will count on the participation of more than

800 brands from Brazil and abroad, which means an opportunity to get to know the main technological innovations and important launches that will make a difference for the production of grains, carbohydrates, fibers and proteins throughout the country, to carry out business and to strengthen relationships.

Among the segments present at the event will be: machinery, equipment and agricultural implements, precision agriculture, irrigation, storage, livestock, seeds, correctives, fertilizers, pesticides, miscellaneous inputs, bags, packaging, software and hardware technology, family farming, financing, insurance, parts, auto parts, tools, tires, valves, pumps, engines, yellow line and commercial vehicles. The fair will also have the participation of the main banks directed to agriculture.

Agrishow 2023 is an initiative of the main agribusiness entities in the country: Abag – Brazilian Agribusiness Association, Abimaq – Brazilian Association of Machinery and Equipment Industry, ANDE – National Association for the Diffusion of Fertilizers, Faesp – Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of São Paulo and SRB – Brazilian Rural Society, and is organized by Informa Markets, a member of the Informa Group, one of the largest promoters of fairs, conferences and training in the world with public capital.

More info:

AGRISHOW 2023 – 28th International Fair of Agricultural Technology in Action

Date: May 1st to 5th

Location: Rodovia Antônio Duarte Nogueira, Km 321 –Ribeirão Preto (SP)

Time: from 9 am to 6 pm

www.agrishow.com.br

Sustainability will be in focus during Agrishow 2023, through sustainable initiatives in the areas of waste and energy, such as the proper collection and disposal of different types of waste, the recycling of materials, the use of renewable sources and energy savings.

Belarusian Agroindustrial week will be held from 6 to 10 June 2023

International specialized exhibitions “BELAGRO-2023” , “BELFERMA”, “BELPRODUCT” , “PRODMASH. COLD. UPAK” will be held in Minsk as part of the Belarusian Agro-Industrial Week from June 6 to 10, 2023.

It will be possible to get acquainted with the advanced directions in the development of crop production, animal husbandry and poultry farming, modern technologies for processing, packaging and storage of products, as well as a variety of agricultural machinery at the new site in the exhibition center of the China-Belarus Industrial Park “Great Stone” .

This agrarian forum traditionally brings together not only Belarusian farmers and workers in the food and processing industries, but

also their foreign colleagues and partners.

Collective expositions will be presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Industry, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Belgospischeprom Concern, Belkoopsoyuz, all regions of the Republic of Belarus. Enterprises of the regions of the Russian Federation will be presented in separate exposition blocks.

Everyone who comes into contact with agriculture in any way is interested in what’s new on the market and what mechanical engineers are working on. What new technologies are already being used today, and what to expect tomorrow.

What is still an idea today, and what we will see in the near future in new agricultural machinery. All these questions can be answered by visiting Belagro . More than 200 samples of modern equipment

Enterprises of the regions of the Russian Federation will be presented in separate exposition blocks

used in agriculture are traditionally exhibited at the open area of the exhibition.

Fertilizers and plant protection products, equipment for fertilization and plant protection, for harvesting grain and fodder, machines for land reclamation, cultivation and harvesting of potatoes, sugar beets and other vegetables will be widely presented. Agricultural products, machinery, equipment will be demonstrated in the technological chain with modern energy-saving technologies of all industries related both to the production of products and their processing, transportation, storage and sale.

The exposition of the exhibition “Belferma” will demonstrate the latest achievements in the field of animal husbandry. Feeders for animals and equipment for their maintenance, cellular equipment and incubators, automated installations for dairy farms.

At the exhibition it will also be possible to get acquainted with the automated herd management system; milking machines of various modifications; milk cooling installations, both stationary and mobile for work on pastures. New feeds and feed additives, veterinary preparations and medicines, new technologies in bioenergy, including energy equipment and its software, will be shown here.

Every year, both specialists and young visitors of the exhibition are of great interest to visit the “Fisherman’s Village”, organized by the NGO “Belvodkhoz”.

The exhibition pavilion will feature modern equipment and materials for the processing of agricultural products. The expositions of the exhibitions “Prodmash. Cold. Upak” – equipment for food industry enterprises; “Belagro” –equipment for processing agricultural products, and “Belprodukt. Food industry – food products.

More than 100 Belarusian producers will present a wide range of food products: sausages, semi-finished meat products, poultry, dairy products, canned food, groceries, baby and diet food, bakery products and much more. Food industry enterprises will please visitors of the exhibition with tastings

of their products.

Producers of vegetable products will form a separate exposition in the open area. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity not only to get acquainted with new varieties of vegetables grown in our country, but also to purchase them.

Every year Belagro becomes one of the main platforms for business negotiations. A wide range of issues on ensuring the competitiveness of agricultural products, the use of land resources in terms of environmental and economic efficiency, the prospects for cooperation between Belarus and countries of near and far abroad in the production of innovative technologies in agriculture, as well as other topical issues can be discussed during thematic conferences and seminars.

During the days of the exhibition, the nationwide tasting Competition “Champion of Taste”, “Competition for the Best Breeding Cow”, Competition “Best Breeding Horse”, Competition “Best Ploughman”, an exhibition of farm animals, demonstrations of equipment and other events will be held.

Traditionally, the focus will be on Belagro-2023 innovations. Along with traditional exhibits, innovative products, advanced solutions and technologies will be demonstrated. Visitors will not be left without attention of the “Trading City” , which will be a kind of exhibition of the achievements of the food industry and a food fair. Guests of the trade town “Belagro – 2023” will be able to purchase the best products produced by domestic food industry enterprises.

Colorful design of expositions, presentations and tastings of products, the “city of masters”, a fair-sale and performances by creative teams will make the exhibition a bright, memorable holiday for all visitors.

The international specialized exhibition “Belagro-2023” will be held from June 6 to 10 at the exhibition center of the Chinese-Belarusian industrial park “Great Stone” , located 25 km from Minsk and 6 km from the National Airport (Smolevichi district, Pekingsky ave., 29).

Nampo 2023 promises latest trends and technology in agriculture

A showcase of the newest trends and technology innovations is NAMPO’s promise to visitors at the 55th presentation of the Harvest Day from 16-19 May 2023.

Since its inception, the NAMPO Harvest Day has been the leader in showcasing agricultural innovation and providing that one stop platform to agricultural enthusiasts in South Africa. After an extremely successful and long-awaited return to the agricultural calendar last year, the 2023 NAMPO Harvest Day promises to exceed all expectations once again!

The theme “Agriculture Innovated” confirm the positive role attributed to the Harvest Day and its contribution to the future of agriculture. It will showcase agriculture’s latest technology, machinery, innovations, and productivity solutions.

In its efforts to ensure that NAMPO is the agricultural sector’s most relevant platform and marketplace for innovation, technology, information exchange and discussion, Grain SA has stepped up to have expansions and improvements on the grounds and to the programme, ready for the 2023 NAMPO Harvest Day.

“NAMPO plays an important role in developing the agricultural sector by providing a successful environment for business and producers to interact and do business.

It gathers all Agri-role players which present their products and services in the areas of production, machinery, food-processing, inputs as well as other products and services related to the sector. NAMPO is also the place where producers meet and the only trade show that bring together agricultural solutions for all types of farms and crops,” Dr Dirk Strydom, Grain SA’s NAMPO, Marketing & Research Development Lead said.

What’s New

Many exhibitors have upgraded and expanded their NAMPO offering and newly paved roads will improve the distribution of feet on the park. The new weapons and outdoor apparel offering has been added with the inclusion of new exhibitors. New outside exhibition spaces on the southern side of the grounds bring the total number of exhibitors to more than 800. A new coffee bar will satisfy any coffee-lover’s appetite offering a relaxed lounge atmosphere situated on the southern side at Gate 2.

The delicatessen stalls have been moved to the NAMPO Padstal offering visitors the freshest and tastiest treats on offer. NAMPO’s food stalls have also expanded, still benefitting non-profit organisations such as schools, churches, and community organisations. An exclusive restaurant, which will offer exhibitors the opportunity

to reserve tables for client discussions, has been added to the Fanie Ferreira Hall.

The AFGRI Ladies’ programme has been moved to ensure better visibility and promises fun-packed mornings with well-known personalities like singer Chris Else performing, Mynhardt Joubert showcasing the ability to prepare and present a meal in colour, and Willem Botha who will ensure magic transformations with makeovers.

Old Favourites

The traditional NAMPO favourites still part of the programme, include the popular 4×4 vehicle demonstrations on the Standard Bank 4×4-track and the Adventure Track for side-by-side, motorcycle and quad trails. The well-know Farmer’s Patent Competition with Omnia & Landbouweekblad boasts different divisions for entry and is an exhibition not to be missed. The seed plots on the eastern side of the park, offer a view of grain and feed crops and grass varieties of SA’s leading seed companies.

The Nation in Conversation popular discussion forum bring together role players in the agricultural sector to reflect on issues, locally and internationally. Filmed during NAMPO and accommodating approximately 80 guests in the audience, the discussions are streamed live on various platforms.

The livestock division, include cattle, sheep, pig, and goats, representing almost 100% of the largeand small-stock breeds, as well as miniature horses. Daily livestock exhibitions are also scheduled at the TAU Livestock arena where all standard foot & mouth disease protocols will be followed.

Getting around

Getting around the vastness of the NAMPO Park grounds are covered in more ways than one. Media partner OFM will broadcast live from NAMPO Park with a dedicated Agri hour from 11am and dedicated traffic updates throughout the day will ensure listeners travel safely to and from the event. The “Mieliehop” shuttle service will be running between NAMPO & Bothaville daily and offer long distance shuttles from the OR Tambo airport as well as the surrounding towns. For the air traffic, the Absolute Aviation airport lounge welcome visitors to the northern side of the park with a shuttle service available to Gate 3. Visitors on the park can use some of the nine tractor trailers that follow different routes across the grounds, to ease the burden on the feet.

Agricultural Highlight

This year, NAMPO Harvest Day aims to really realize the NAMPO dream of old. The 2023 NAMPO Harvest Day is definitely a highlight on the agricultural calendar and offer visitors the ideal platform to network with the agricultural industry’s top players and suppliers, strengthen friendships and above all, come and enjoy what this unique and ever-growing agricultural show has to offer, all in one place.

Tickets are available from TicketPro with discounted entry fees when purchasing online. Gates open at 07:00 and close at 17:00. Route directions as well as details on the private air strip appear on the website and the NAMPO App. No pets, bicycles, self-propelled carts or motorcycles will be permitted on the premises. Visitors can use the transport carts moving along three different routes on the grounds throughout the day at no charge.

Agritech Israel 2023

AGRITECH taking place in Tel Aviv, Israel, is the world’s leading agri-innovation exposition for food security solutions.

The international agricultural technology exhibition and conference Agritech has been known worldwide as one of the leading agriculture exhibitions, which is no surprise since Israel is an R&D centre of agriculture, agri-tech and food tech.

Every three years all marketeers, manufacturers and growers from various agricultural sectors come to Agritech. After a hiatus, the international agricultural technology exhibition and conference is

returning, taking technology innovation and R&D to the next level.

Join us and discover all the new breakthrough solutions and technologies used to challenge crop and fruit growing, irrigation and water shortage, climate change, desertification, post-harvest and food tech.

Let’s create professional connections and learn about agri-innovation, meet the manufacturers, technology suppliers, new startups and fellow visitors from other countries.

The AGRITECH will take place on 3 days from Tuesday, 02. May to Thursday, 04. May 2023 in Tel Aviv.

Every three years all marketeers, manufacturers and growers from various agricultural sectors come to Agritech. After a hiatus, the international agricultural technology exhibition and conference is returning, taking technology innovation and R&D to the next level.

The 8th edition of AgriTech Expo Zambia

The 8th edition of AgriTech Expo Zambia returns to the GART Research Centre in Chisamba from 20–22 April 2023.

Bringing new and state of the art solutions to the farming community of Zambia, the show aims to attract more than 18 500+ farming professionals and 180+ exhibitors – all in one location and with the goal of driving Zambia’s Agri sector forward!

AgriTech Expo Zambia is the ultimate business-to-business buying platform for agricultural professionals, from small-scale farmers to commercial enterprises, to engage and conduct business with some of the leading suppliers to the agricultural industry.

The goal of the expo is establishing a marketplace for industry professionals, young agripreneurs and farmers of all scales, to come together in one location to conduct exclusive agribusiness transactions while being educated on the latest global industry trends to advance into the next generation of food production.

From live crop trials and machinery demonstrations to technical and practical workshops and business lounges for commercial players, AgriTech Expo presents the gateway to industry innovations with the leading outdoor exhibition in the region for the agri community.

AgriTech Expo is simply the only professional business led event servicing the needs of the entire agri-value chain in Zambia and its neighbouring countries.

What’s new?

• Live Planting Demo and Aquaculture Zone

• An all-new site layout including an inverted indoor exhibition – bringing this showcase to life in the outdoor environment.

• Boasting 33 live crop trials –more than any AgriTech Expo has seen in years before.

• Increased workshop zones, focusing on providing farmers with targeted knowledge covering machinery, livestock, DroneZone, finance, and more.

• Our usual fan favourites, which include:

• Net-house showcase

• Musika Green Zone

• Workshops

• Live crop trials

• Machinery demonstrations

AgriTech Expo is simply the only professional business led event servicing the needs of the entire agri-value chain in Zambia and its neighbouring countries.

15th edition of International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco

The 15th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco will be held in the imperial city of Meknes, from April 14 to 19, 2020.

SIAM, launched in 2006 by the Royal Will, continues to benefit from the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The previous editions of the exhibition were inaugurated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, by His Royal

Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, as well as by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Moulay Al Hassan.

This particular solicitude for the SIAM; considered as the showcase and spearhead of PMV, illustrates the specific royal attention given to the agricultural sector. The agricultural sector is an essential core of the economy of

Morocco, it is a major player in the rural development, responsible for the social stability of the country, and is the proof of safety for the future generations.

SIAM, through its role as a platform for exchanges, connections and exposure, is contributing to the development of the agricultural sector.

Agrilevante 2023: The organisational machine is up and running

Registration continues for exhibiting industries that will take part in the Agrilevante 2023 event in Bari from 5 to 8 October.

Great expectations for an exhibition dedicated to technologies for agricultural supply chains typical of the Mediterranean area, and which aims to repeat the levels of public attendance and international prestige achieved in 2019, before the suspension due to the health emergency.

Agrilevante returns to the international exhibition calendar and celebrates its seventh edition from 5 to 8 October at the Bari exhibition centre.

Organising body, FederUnacoma surl, opened registration for exhibiting companies on the specially prepared on-line platform, thus starting the march towards the October event, one of the most important for the agricultural sector in the entire Mediterranean area.

After the suspension of the 2021 edition due to the health emergency, the biennial Agrilevante – which has always been organised with

the support of the Presidency and the Department of Agriculture of the Apulia Region and in collaboration with the Nuova Fiera del Levante – aims to confirm the results of the 2019 edition, when the number of exhibiting companies reached 360, representing 19 countries, and visitors from 65 countries exceeded 80 thousand.

The international character is the strong point of this exhibition, which includes the active collaboration of the ICE Agency for the organisation of foreign delegations, and which offers technologies for all the main production chains of the Mediterranean and African regions: grains, olive oil, wine, fruit and vegetables, livestock, and non-food and energy raw materials.

Agrilevante returns to the international exhibition calendar and celebrates its seventh edition from 5 to 8 October at the Bari exhibition centre

Operators from Southern Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa will find a vast selection of tractors, harvesting machines, equipment, irrigation and treatment systems, and advanced electronic devices for every type of processing and every model of agriculture in the Fiera del Levante pavilions.

Along with the more than 8,000 models of machinery and equipment, significant interest will be aroused by the exhibition of prized breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, goats and poultry breeds.

The presence of a section dedicated to technologies for Agriculture 4.0 will also draw interest, while in the coming weeks the programme of conventions, conferences, and workshops will be drawn up in collaboration with prestigious institutions such as the University of Bari and the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute, and with important organisations in the agricultural sector and the agro-mechanical supply chain.

Brand new Straddle Tractor

TE6 Range arrives

The new range is inspired by the Straddle Tractor Concept created in collaboration with Italian design firm Pininfarina.

It’s a multifunction tractor designed for narrow vineyards, with an elegant and compact design, great comfort and manoeuvrability. Created to work with multiple implements combinations, keeping them attached without leaving the cab, activated at a flick of a switch

It features the best innovations available on New Holland’s tractors, including efficient hydraulic system Intelliflow™and MyPLM Connect to maximize productivity through technology

New Holland introduces the new Straddle Tractor TE6 Range –TE6.120N and TE6.150N – multifunction tractors specifically designed for narrow vineyards that require machines with an extreme manoeuvrability and compact dimensions, and that will be available starting from the end of 2023.

The new Straddle Tractor range’s design is inspired by the Straddle Tractor Concept, created by New Holland in collaboration with Italian design firm Pininfarina and winner of the Good Design Award and of the German Design Award in 2022. The Concept tractor featured a futuristic and stylish look inspired by the shape of a glass of Champagne as a homage to premium wine growers of regions such as

The new TE6.120N and TE6.150N are in fact specifically designed for some of the most prestigious wine-producing regions, adapting to the narrow French vineyards and to any terrain that has similar characteristics.

The new tractor range is highly multifunctional: it features three independent tool zones for multiple possible implement combinations. They are also designed to grant an extra quick hitch – less than 10 minutes for the sprayer – and to allow the operator to keep the tools attached without leaving the cab, saving time and maximizing efficiency. Maximum manoeuvrability is granted by the Superlight new steering system.

Thierry Le Briquer, Grape, Olive and Coffee Harvester Global Product and Platform Manager at New Holland says “Multifunctionality, maneuverability, compact design and power: these are the key elements of the new Straddle Tractor range that is completely revolutionizing our offering in Straddle tractors. The best quality is ensured by our engineering and manufacturing at the Centre of Excellence in Coëx, France, where these tractors are produced and that is specialized in grape, olive harvesters and straddle tractors, serving customers worldwide.”

Just like the rest of New Holland’s new generation tractor range, the Straddle Tractors are equipped with innovation technology: Intelliview™ IV Plus display and its rearview screens give a total control of the tractor and My PLM Connect® allows operators to manage data in real time, on board or remotely, to maximize efficiency and productivity.

The Blue Power livery reflects New Holland’s new styling lines and balances elegance with comfort. The ergonomics have been completely reshaped with a renovated cab offering comfort and high visibility all around the machine. The FTP Industrial Stage V engine in the row ensures total stability on slopes and inclines, and the IntelliFlow hydraulic system gives a balanced distribution of power all around the tractor.

Carlo Lambro, Brand President of New Holland Agriculture says: “It’s with great pride that we add these Straddle tractors to our already excellent range, featuring a new design that combines our long-lasting identity with the most innovative features and inspired by the collaboration with a great design firm such as Pininfarina. It brings elegance, comfort and performance to our customers specialized in viticulture and I’m excited to see it in action very soon in the most prestigious vineyards.”

Champagne, Médoc and Burgundy.

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New Holland Straddle Tractor Concept wins German Design Awards 2023

Straddle Tractor Concept wins Gold Medal at German Design Awards in the category

Excellent Product Design

The Concept was presented at SITEVI 2021 through a video and it ìs a co-production of New

Holland Agriculture and Pininfarina design firm

German Design Awards honors the best innovations in design since 2013

New Holland’s Straddle Tractor Concept is the winner of a gold medal at the German Award Design 2023 in the category Excellent Product Design. The German Design Award is the prestigious prize awarded by the German Design Council, Germany’s design and brand authority based in Frankfurt am Main. The jury members form a unique network of experts in innovations and design.

Revealed at SITEVI (salon international des équipements et savoir-faire pour les productions vignevin, olive et fruits-légumes) 2021, the Straddle Tractor Concept is a co-production of New Holland Agriculture and Pininfarina, the internationally recognized design house.

The concept has been developed in a video, that has been watched

thousand of times on New Holland Agriculture channels from users all over the world: the idea was specifically designed to meet the requirements of the narrow vineyards. These operations produce high-quality, high-value wines from grapes grown in rows less than one and a half meter wide, often on steep slopes and on small vineyards. In these conditions, grapes are picked by hand and most of the vine maintenance work is done by means of a tractor travelling overhead the rows.

The futuristic design developed by Pininfarina combines safety, comfort, and technology: it is inspired by the shape of a glass of Champagne – tall, wide at the top and tapering down at the bottom – as a homage to premium wine growers of regions such as Champagne, Médoc and Burgundy. The cab is completely made by glass, providing the operator with exceptional visibility on the vines and all around and it is angled in the direction of travel, adding dynamism to the design. The overall exterior look of the machine stands out for the flowing and dynamic automotive-inspired lines. The exposed frame confers a sporty look.

The interior features a large single door and rotating seat, with use of wood contributing to the cab’s plush, luxurious feel, again remind-

ing of wine barrels. In keeping with New Holland Agriculture long standing and ever-growing commitment to all aspects of sustainable agriculture and the brand Clean Energy Leader strategy, the concept has been created as ready for the electric traction, for a future of alternative energies fuelled machines.

Carlo Lambro, Brand President of New Holland Agriculture says: “The revolutionary Straddle Tractor Concept is the result of the cooperation of two specialists in their respective area which offer an elegant design, outstanding innovation and forward thinking idea of machines in agriculture. It is an honor for New Holland to receive this unexpected award, it makes us even more willing to continue to develop safe, comfortable, high-quality and of course, well-designed machines.”

Alfredo Palma, Chief Transportation Designer says: “The futuristic design of the Straddle tractor Concept is a balanced mix of functionality and style, where comfort and safety meet a unique personality inspired by the shape of the champagne glass. We are very proud of the collaboration with New Holland and the assignment of the German Design Award is a further endorsement of the great result reached together.