Farmers Review Africa March-April 2020

NEWS

Volume 8. Issue 2 March / April 2020

Building resilience in dairy farming

Inside...

Businesses must support each other during Covid-19 crisis P03 John Deere taps tractorhailingtech for farmers in Africa P20 Looking to the future of agriculture P25

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CONTENTS

Volume 8. Issue 2 March / April 2020

Building resilience in dairy farming

Volume 8. Issue 2. March/April 2020

Editor’s Note

News Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism launched to boost fertilizer supply to 200,000 farmers in Nigeria..................................02

Inside...

Businesses must support each other during Covid-19 crisis P03

Businesses must support each other during Covid-19.................03

John Deere taps tractorhailingtech for farmers in Africa P20 Looking to the future of agriculture P25

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Global food prices drop amid coronavirus outbreak....................04 Please visit the website

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Sierra Leone to count on African Development Bank to help build resilient economy...................................................................................05

Executive Editor Nita Karume editor@farmersreviewafrica.com Writers Silimina Derick, Bertha M. Contributing Writers Nqobile Bhebhe Zimbabwe Oscar Nkala Botswana Bertha M South Africa Nita Karume Kenya East Africa Advertising Executives Ken Tobby, Paul Amimo, M. Cherono Project Manager Victor Ndlovu sales@farmersreviewafrica.com Graphic Design & Layout Faith Omudho Art Director Augustine Ombwa austin@arobia.co.ke Correspondents - Isabel Banda zambia@farmersreviewafrica.com Sales & Marketing Gladmore. N gladmoren@farmersreviewafrica.com Mandla M. mandlam@farmersreviewafrica.com Kholwani. D kholwanid@farmersreviewafrica.com Polite Mkhize politem@farmersreviewafrica.com leslien@farmersreviewafrica.com East African Liaison Arobia Creative Consultancy Tel: +254 772 187334, 790 153505 arobia@farmersreviewafrica.com eastafrica@farmersreviewafrica.com Published by : Mailing Times Media +27 11 044 8986 sales@farmersreviewafrica.com

Uzenzele appointed advisors on R250m cannabis project.......06 “You have been in the trenches with us,” Ghana VP Mahamudu Bawumia tells African Development Bank ...............07 Zambian agriculture business launches $81 million farmer financing scheme................................................................................................08

Poduct Bearings: the unsung hero components in Agricultural machinery................................................................................................................09

Cover Story Building resilience in dairy farming............................................................16

Feature NTN-SNR’s expertise in the agricultural market available for all manufacturers................................................................................................10 Case IH tractors play key role in turning sugarcane waste into valuable commodity............................................................................................12 Investment in technology vital to boost agricultural output and exports ....................................................................................................................13 Coronavirus could threaten global agricultural trade....................14 NAMPO Harvest Day 2020 Postponed................................................14 Global teamwork procures masks for Cummins employees in China..........................................................................................................................15 John Deere taps tractor-hailing tech for farmers in Africa..........20 Why we must rethink the potato for a sustainable use of resources.................................................................................................................22 Looking to the future of agriculture.........................................................25

Holding out hope amidst a pandemic Over the past couple of weeks, the unforeseen speed and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection spread has continued to reach pandemic proportions. So much so that globally we have developed an obsession with figures and statistics — how many new cases have been reported from how many countries?

How is the infection curve growing?

But these are not the only numbers keeping people awake at night. While still uncertain in its magnitude, the economic impact of the outbreak is of great concern too. African governments have been forced to take extreme measures. From cases of complete lockdown of all institutions to barring air travel to and from highly affected areas, the effects of the virus are being felt across the globe.

According to WHO over 600 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the continent as of 19th of this month. Most of the countries have since ramped up testing, ready fragile health systems as well as creation of awareness for their populations.

The economies have already begun to suffer, with many companies closing down because of the government-mandated lockdown.

However, while the food and agricultural sector should in principle be less affected than others, illness-related labour shortages, transport interruptions, quarantine measures limiting access to markets and supply chain disruptions resulting in food loss and waste could affect supply.

Ultimately, while today’s focus is on stopping the interhuman transmission, mitigation and early recovery measures should be anticipated and put in place as soon as possible to minimize the disruptive effect on food systems and market chains, locally and globally. Self-quarantine and sanitization is the order of the day in many an African country, but this, too, shall pass.

Nita Karume

editor@farmersreviewafrica.com

Selina Wamucii: Farmers across Africa benefit from direct market access.........................................................................................................26 Farming by Satellite Prize 2020 Launches.............................................27

Mailing Times Media (Pty) Ltd makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of its publications, but no warranty is made as to such accuracy and no responsibility will be borne by the publisher for the consequences of actions based on information so published. Further, opinions expr essed are not necessarily shared by Mailing Times Media (Pty) Ltd

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NEWS

Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism launches $2.2 million project in Nigeria to boost fertilizer supply to 200,000 farmers

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he Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM) has kick-started a $2.2 million project to provide fertilizer suppliers in Nigeria with financial support to improve supply for 200,000 smallholder farmers.

“We will leverage on existing networks and look for creative solutions to increase the availability of fertilizer in the country,” said Nana-Aisha Mohammed, AFAP’s representative at the ceremony.

The trade credit guarantee project is AFFM’s first in the West African nation and will involve 10 fertilizer suppliers, 12 hub agro-dealers and 120 retail agro-dealers. The project will also train farmers in proper fertilizer use and other agricultural best practices.

Umar Musa, Assistant Director of FMARD’s Farm Inputs Support Services Department who represented the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) said AFAP should work with the Nigerian government and other actors in the fertilizer value chain to ensure that the project complies with Nigeria’s policies and sector strategies.

A project launch held on 3 March in the capital Abuja, was attended by senior director of African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) Nigeria Regional Office, Ebrima Faal and government and industry partners. Participants discussed the project and its implementation with AFFM’s local partner, the Africa Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership, or AFAP.

2 | March - April 2020

access to quality and affordable fertilizer by smallholder farmers and hence contribute to the transformation of the agriculture sector in Nigeria,” said Marie Claire Kalihangabo, AFFM Coordinator.

Kalihangabo expressed her gratitude to the Government of Nigeria for their financial support to the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism.

The Bank’s Nigeria Regional Office Faal said the National Fertilizer Quality Control Act 2019 further serves to reinforce the government’s

“We expect this project to support smallholder farmers and improve their productivity in order to help the country increase its local production and consumption of fertilizer,” he said.

commitment to the sector.

“We are confident that the project will increase

production of fertilizer,” he said.

“This program is timely because the government has placed measures to encourage local

NEWS

Businesses must support each other during Covid-19 crisis

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ll South African business leaders have a responsibility to stand together to keep business moving, protect employment and the economy ticking over. According to Frank Mullen, CEO of Zinia, a leading mid-sized telecoms and ICT provider, “How decisionmakers adapt to the Covid-19 national disaster will determine the knock-on effect to businesses and livelihoods around the entire country.”

“Now is not the time to stop doing business or bring a halt to spending,” he says. “If we do so, it will negatively affect those we do business with, impacting employment and ultimately worsen the current economic situation.

“Our ability to bounce back will be severely affected and by the time the worst of the virus is over, the damage will be done.” He makes his point strongly: “think about what will happen if your customers stop buying from you or you in turn stop purchasing from your suppliers due to Covid-19; what will the impact be? This would have a severe impact on your business as well as your suppliers.

“We are all in this together and have a responsibility to collaborate with our suppliers, customers, employees and peers, to find ways to keep business going, even if it is not how we traditionally would operate,” he says.

He believes that if every business in the country stopped their normal buying behavior, then every business could be impacted, and the ripple effect will be felt throughout every sector of the economy, ultimately hurting society.

From travel bans, quarantines, to social distancing and behavior change, Covid-19 will continue to

affect South Africa in the coming months - he believes these measures will be around for at least three months. As a nation South Africans are particularly resilient and he believes we should challenge all negative decisions, and not react out of fear. He believes leaders need to adapt quickly and he provides the following as a guideline: Implement Covid-19 education and take actions to protect the health of those within your company and those who come into contact with your business. This includes putting in place sanitary and protective supplies, educational information and make sure that the right behaviour patterns are adhered to.

Frank Mullen, CEO of Zinia

limit the risk of spreading the virus, this means doing things differently than we would normally,” explains Mullen. “For example, find another way to get the information you need to make a decision, instead of cancelling a face-to-face meeting - by not making a decision you are further damaging the economy.”

Create a new 90-day business ADAPT action plan that includes dealing with further restrictions on travel and other decisions taken, should the situation worsen as a whole. Continue business as usual as far as possible. Do not stop spending entirely or take the attitude that your business needs to shut down. This behaviour will damage the economy.

“We absolutely must continue the buying cycle,” he says. He emphasises that some sectors like tourism will be majorly affected, but if it is within the control of a business leader they must do everything to support local tourism, businesses and co-workers.

Give all staff the ability to work from home. Check that your business has the right technology and if not, put them in place quickly. This includes giving tools, such as access to data, devices, internet and remote access to work systems, so employees can continue working in isolation if need be. You will do more damage to your business if your employees are unable to work in isolation.

“We should not panic and allow the country to go further into recession. We must rally together, support each other and speak up - including putting pressure on Government to come up with economic reforms and stimulus packages to boost and assist businesses during these times.”

Mullen concludes there is a silver lining: “as the price of oil drops, the price of fuel will lower, and interest rates may come down too, effectively increasing spending power and improving budgets.”

Manage the productivity of employees who are working at home. Instead of travelling use video conferencing and telephony systems.

“As business leaders we need to be open to

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NEWS

Global

T

he Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) latest food price index has reflected a decline in global food prices in February for the first time in four months - averaging at 180.5 points, down by 1.0% from January but still 8.1% higher than a year earlier. This is due to the sharp fall in the export prices of vegetable oils, partly driven by coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak fears.

The price index tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities.

The vegetable oil index declined 10.3% from January, with international palm oil prices falling by even more on account of higher-than-expected output in Malaysia, a temporary drop in India’s import demand and concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

The cereal price index declined by 0.9 in February.

Wheat prices were lower, reflecting well-supplied markets, while maize prices retreated as demand from the livestock feed sector dipped amid expectations of a weakening global economy. By

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food prices drop amid coronavirus outbreak

contrast, international rice prices rose, buoyed by strong demand from Far Eastern and East African buyers. The meat price index was down by 2.0% from January, influenced by reduced imports by China impacted by delays in cargo handling in ports. Drought-induced slaughter in New Zealand exertedcccv further pressure on ovine meat price quotations, while poultry meat prices were affected by lower imports by Asia.

cereal production to 2,719 million tonnes due to higher maize outputs in West Africa and Ukraine.

The brief offers a preliminary forecast of 763 million tonnes for 2020 worldwide wheat production - very close to the near-record level of 2019 - and indicates that coarse grain output in 2020 will likely be strong in Argentina, Brazil and South Africa.

The dairy price index rose 4.6%, led by surging price quotations for cheese, partly linked to reduced milk output in Australia. Milk powders, by contrast, dipped as logistical bottlenecks slowed purchases by China, the world’s largest milk powder importer.

World cereal utilisation in the 2019/20 cycle is now forecast to reach a record level of 2,721 million tonnes, driven by higher food, feed and industrial usages. FAO raised its forecast for world cereal stocks at the close of the 2020 seasons to nearly 866 million tonnes, resulting in the global cereals stock-to-use ratio staying at a comfortable level of 30.9%.

The sugar price index rose 4.5% amid prospects of lower production in India as well as in Thailand, combined with a strong global import demand.

World cereal production estimates revised upwards

FAO also issued a new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, raising its estimates for 2019 world

FAO also forecasts world trade in cereals to rise by 2.3% to 420 million tonnes in 2019/20, the second-highest level on record, with wheat shipments accounting for more than half of the expected increase.

NEWS

Akinwumi Adesina,President of the African Development Bank, left, with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone to count on African Development Bank to help build resilient economy, restore self-sufficiency in rice production

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ierra Leone will look to the African Development Bank to stimulate agribusiness development in the country with a focus on rice production, its president Maada Bio told a visiting delegation led by its president Akinwumi Adesina.

Commenting on the country’s capacity to enhance local production, and the export of rice, Sierra Leone’s staple food, Adesina said, “Sierra Leone should not be spending over $200 million yearly importing rice because its climatic conditions are generally favorable for rice production.”

Adesina began a two-day visit to Sierra Leone on Wednesday, during which he will hold meetings to discuss curbing malnutrition, creating skills and jobs for young people, rapidly scaling up economic diversification and restoring the country to self-sufficiency in rice production.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry data, total rice demand in 2018 was 1.6 million metric tons, against local production of 700,000 metric tons. In July 2019, the Bank approved the $11 million Agribusiness and Rice Value Chain Support Project to stimulate agribusiness development in the country with a focus on rice.

“Our government is working hard to recover the economy, which was on the brink of collapse.

We want to focus on economic diversification, with agriculture as the main driver,” President Bio observed, in a meeting with the Bank delegation.

“We are serious about developing this country and will appreciate the Bank’s support to realize our dreams. Infrastructure is an enabler for development, so we appreciate what the Bank is doing in Sierra Leone,” Bio said, identifying a productive workforce as a top national priority as well as jumpstarting economic activities in rural areas, where 73.9% of Sierra Leone’s poor live.

Sierra Leone also sought the Bank’s support for the implementation of its free quality education programme, which aims to enhance human capital development and facilitate economic transformation.

Adesina encouraged the country to explore the Bank’s Africa Investment Forum to elicit investor interest for the proposed Lungi–Freetown bridge.

The project will link the capital city, Freetown, to the country’s sole international airport, which is presently accessible by ferry or helicopter.

The Bank also expressed keenness to support the development of critical infrastructure in the West African country and to open up space for greater private sector participation in the economy.

Adesina said the Bank would deploy the African Legal Support Facility to help the country better manage its natural resources.

Adesina commended President Bio for his decision to join the African Leaders for Nutrition as a nutrition champion in his country, and for Africa. “Sierra Leone is an important country to the Bank,” We will support you to build a more robust and resilient economy, to transform the lives of your people. That is our role as a bank, putting people at the heart of development.”

“The Bank’s footprint is everywhere in Sierra Leone,” Chief Minister David Francis told Adesina.

“The Bank has remained committed to the postEbola reconstruction. You have remained a faithful partner, and the country is grateful.”

Sierra Leone was one of the Bank Group’s founding members, and the Bank has financed projects there since 1967, to a cumulative sum of $758 million.

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NEWS

Uzenzele appointed advisors on R250m cannabis project C

anna-Q™ - the operator of a major medical cannabis project in Lesotho – has appointed Uzenzele Holdings as part of its advisory team to secure finance and off-take agreements in 2020. Canna-Q™ is a transformative Lesotho-based medicinal cannabis cultivation project which will be actively seeking strategic partnerships in the European Union (EU), Canada and the US amongst others.

Uzenzele is a South African based advisory firm specialising in assisting entrepreneurs raise capital through a variety of different channels including debt, equity and grant incentives.

“The Canna-Q™project is transformative for the Lesotho economy,” says Zahra Rawjee, transaction advisor at Uzenzele. Rawjee notes that while nearly 50 cannabis project licenses have been issued in Lesotho, only a handful will have the necessary technical and financial backing to bring their product to market and this is one of the areas where Canna-Q™is likely to differentiate itself.

Canna-Q™ facilities will be Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified to European Union

standing and the facility is expected to benefit from access to a combination of both technical and financial skills within the group.

“Raising funding is only part of our mandate,” says Nadia Rawjee, a director at Uzenzele.

She adds: “To ensure the sustainability of the project, we need to secure high-quality off-take agreements and strategic partnerships in the export market and identify businesses operating in the fields of medical and pharmaceutical cannabis who are looking for high-quality suppliers.”

According to research gathered by Barclays Bank, the global market for medical cannabis is now estimated at $150bn and could reach $272bn in 2028 and represents a significant new opportunity for high-quality suppliers and manufacturing operations.

With the Southern African economic region desperately seeking new industries and economic growth clusters, projects such as those being undertaken by Canna-Q™ could be gamechangers for the region.

-

Uzenzele Holdings is a consultancy that focuses on business development and accessing governmental funding for business expansion projects. The company uses its expertise to help clients navigate the complex process of applying for government and developmental funding, helping to unlock funds and opportunities that many entrepreneurs aren’t aware of.

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Nadia Rawjee and Zahra Rawjee

NEWS

“You have been in the trenches with us,” Ghana Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia tells African Development Bank

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he African Development Bank’s support for the west African nation Ghana has boosted its government’s efforts to consolidate the economy, the country’s Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia said on Monday.

Bawumia, welcoming a team of Executive Directors and senior officials of the Bank on an official visit, cited various Bank-supported projects, especially in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture and technical innovation, as examples of interventions that have helped to boost the government’s efforts to consolidate the economy.

“Those are areas very critical for us and we are happy to have the African Development Bank helping us. You have been in the trenches with us and things are now going well,” Bawumia said.

The Bank delegation, led by Bright Okogu, Executive Director for Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe, will meet local authorities, the private sector, civil society and other development collaborators.

Bawumia said Ghana’s economy has begun to show great potential following three years of bold fiscal policy reforms, which included the adoption of a law capping fiscal deficit at 5% of Gross

Domestic Product as part of measures to enhance debt sustainability and win investor confidence.

“These are not easy to do but it had to be done and we’re seeing the benefits…. All the indicators are in the right direction; macroeconomic conditions have stabilised, agriculture is doing well, interest rates have come down, while inflation has also come down to its lowest since 1992,” Bawumia said.

Ghana is looking to the Bank for investment in an integrated aluminium industry, using the country’s large bauxite deposit as raw materials. The Bank should also consider supporting Ghana to tackle climate change in line with the Group’s crosscutting interventions, the vice-president said.

The Executive Directors commended the country for its newly constructed Terminal 3 facility at the Kotoka International Airport, which was partly financed by the Bank.

“We flew in through the airport and we are pleased about what we saw,” said Okogu, who is also the Dean of the Bank Group’s Executive Directors.

Later Monday, the Bank delegation met with Bank of Ghana Governor Ernest Addison, who briefed

them on the country’s assessment of the likely impact of the coronavirus on Ghana’s economy.

The group also had a briefing by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, a Governor of the African Development Bank Group.

The Bank’s current portfolio in Ghana is channelled through various projects aimed at job creation, economic inclusiveness, macroeconomic stability and industrialization.

Key financing for development to the country includes mobilizing a seven-year $600 million syndicated receivables-backed loan for Ghana Cocoa Board to improve productivity and domestic value addition; approval of the first phase of the Easten Corridor Road Project estimated at $102 million; and an urban transport project entailing the construction of a three-tier interchange.

The other members of the Bank Group delegation are Kenyeh Barlay, Executive Director, representing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan, Ahmed Zayed for Egypt and Djibouti, and David Stevenson, representing Canada, China, Korea, Turkey and Kuwait.

Director-General for West Africa, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade and Acting Country Manager Sebastian Okeke also travelled along.

March - April 2020 | 7

NEWS sold on local and international markets, he added.

With this new initiative, farmers will be able to grow their businesses with the help of access to markets and credit finance without having to worry about repaying debts. Farmers who do not have access to loans can tap into this initiative to grow their businesses.

Zambia possesses a large land resource base of 42 million hectares of which only 1.5 million hectares is cultivated every year. There are abundant water resources for irrigation and the country has 40 percent of the water in Central and Southern Africa.

Zambian agriculture business launches $81 million farmer financing scheme

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frican Green Resources (AGR), one of Zambia’s largest input suppliers, launched an $81 million financing programme that will provide farm supplies and technology to farmers in exchange for grains. The project comes under the company’s plan to invest up to $150million in the southern African nation

commercial farmers and 250,000 small and middle farmers. The project will be financed through regional and global banks, with the loans paid back from the produce the programme yields. It is also guaranteed by the African Development Bank, the African Union, Sace Italy and Agriculture Grain International.

The project will include the provision of farming equipment, a 50-megawatt solar farm and irrigation dam. It will cover 60,000 tonnes ($55 million) worth of fertilizer for wheat and soy farming as well as $26 million for projects such as the expansion of grain storage silos.

The company is employing a trade-by-barter approach, where farmers will be given farming supplies and technology, and instead of paying back in cash with interest, the debt would be paid with grains. “We will repay the loan from sales of wheat flour, soya processing plant products, and silo revenue,” AGR Chairman Zuneid Yousuf said.

The firm will receive 44,000 tonnes of wheat per season, which will be processed before being

AGR seeks to enhance food security in Zambia and its surrounding regions by investing in 120

8 | March - April 2020

More so, the agricultural sector is the ‘backbone’ of Zambia’s economy, contributing 35 percent to the country’s total non-traditional exports (other than copper and cobalt), with a 10 percent total earnings for the country. But a drought in the south and west hit the economy recently, lowering 2018/19 agricultural production and hydropower electricity generation.

World Food Programme (WFP) records show that over 45 million people in 16 nations of southern Africa are faced with growing hunger after repeated drought, low yields, widespread flooding and sluggish economic growth.

Nonetheless, AGR initiative will help finance agricultural business and would help in ensuring food security for the country. African countries should take a cue from AGR by involving in a flexible trade by barter credit scheme for farmers.

This will help boost the agricultural sector, by encouraging more people to venture into agriculture, and ultimately increase exports and revenue for the country.

PRODUCT

BI agri hub units with tri-ply seal ball bearing arrangement

Bearings: the unsung hero components in Agricultural machinery

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gricultural engineering involves a wide range of machines, equipment and implements. This ranges from tillage machines, tractors, tedders and balers to powerful harvesting equipment such as forage harvesters or combine harvesters. Even if the machines are very different, the operating conditions are always harsh. During the hot seasons, dust and sand often prove to be a menace. On the other hand, moisture is a real challenge for farmers over the rainy seasons.

Heavy soils test the mechanical strength of all machine parts to the limit. Constant vibrations and high shocks are loads that occur throughout the entire year. As such, the bearing supports in tillage machines have to be particularly robust.

Bearings International

BI, a member of the Hudaco Group. is a leading distributor of bearings and power transmission products based in Southern Africa. With its customer-focused approach, BI is committed to delivering value to all its stakeholders, while offering quality solutions that make a real difference to optimising plant availability and turnaround time.

With over 60 years in the bearings and power transmission industry, BI puts its experience to good use by going to great lengths in ensuring their product range and services meet the changing needs of clients, industry and business.

Backed by an elite technical team, BI covers the

full spectrum of customer requirements, and can ensure immediate availability of products through a nationwide network of branches.

In terms of future developments, Gerhard Pienaar, the company’s Business Development Leader Agriculture. reveals that BI will continue to develop its special agri-hub units in conjunction with its major OEM customers. These agri-hub units feature a tri-ply seal ball bearing arrangement to prevent the ingress of dust and dirt, a major problem due to the arduous operating conditions in the agricultural industry.

BI offers continuous development of solutions together with the industry and OEM Manufacturers as well as support and communications with suppliers in order to keep abreast of development throughout the world. They also pride themselves in customer contact and face to face engagement to determine their needs.

BI has five different bearing hub units available for planters that fall under its Agri-Smart banner of value-added products and services for the agricultural sector. All have a fastening kit that can be ordered separately.

Operation and maintenance Gerhard states that to remain relevant in the market, having the right products at the right time and price is key. Moreover, in dealing with high consumption of ball bearings used in a highspeed application, he recommends preventing the ingress of dirt and moisture into the bearings. This, he adds, will help increase levels of production as well as the utilization rates of machinery.

For farmers, it is also best to understand and avoid bearing failures by ensuring that the lubricants do not get contaminated. This is because ideally bearings are supposed to last for a long time.

The Jonnesway agri toolbox from BI has been developed by farmers for farmers

March - April 2020 | 9

FEATURE

NTN-SNR’s expertise in the agricultural market available for all manufacturers NTN-SNR opens up its expertise and experience in agricultural machines for

all manufacturers in the sector by structuring a dedicated commercial offering of 80 products including bearings, bearing units, sealing and maintenance solutions. Having worked with the biggest and most demanding manufacturers in the world for several decades, NTN-SNR is an acknowledged expert in tillage and harvesting. It offers extremely robust and reliable products that ensure optimal use of machines in difficult environments.

NTN-SNR products acknowledged by leading manufacturers of agricultural machines Expertise serving all manufacturers in the sector NTN-SNR has worked for several decades with the leading European and American manufacturers of agricultural machines, supplying them with bearings and bearing units, including technical expertise, specially designed for the entire agricultural cycle. NTN-SNR thus addresses all manufacturers on European markets to enable them to incorporate the most robust and reliable parts into their machines without needing to go through costly development phases.

A relationship of trust and confidence has been existing with Kuhn, a world leader in agricultural machinery for 40 years. “The longer service life and the consistent quality of the supplied bearings are for us a valuable asset”, says Bernard Jacob, lead buyer at KUHN. “Similarly, in terms of innovation, the sustained technical and commercial relations between the project teams of our two companies, the reactivity and quality of these relations enable us to progress and finalize our projects”, he adds.

hub for disc machines) comprising a highperformance bearing with a double row ball bearing. The side exposed to pollution is fitted with an 8-lip sealing system that protects the bearing throughout its lifetime.

Technologies developed for all requirements

For rotary harrow, NTN-SNR also offers tapered roller bearings with improved precision for rapid assembly, and for seeding, 4-point angular contact ball bearings for precise guiding.

Tillage NTN-SNR has designed the Agrihub (integral

This solution also stands out because of its robustness and high impact resistance thanks to its housing in ductile cast iron fitted with a bearing that provides the highest load capacity on the market.

Performance and sealing NTN-SNR has already demonstrated the extreme reliability and performance of its bearings for mowers. Their ball bearing technology (single or double row) and lifelong lubrication ensure very high rotation speed.

For balers and harvesters, NTN-SNR’s range of seals is suitable for all types of environments.

The LLU seal delivers optimal performance; L3 seals (3 nitrile lips) and L4 seals (3 nitrile lips and a labyrinth ring seal) are designed for highly polluted and wet land. The latest AGR seal consists of a 3-lip nitrile rubber seal plus a pressed metal shield assembled on the inner ring, which prevents build-up of dirt and which is robust enough to provide optimal protection against stones.

Easier maintenance for optimal operation of machines NTN-SNR offers lubrication solutions that simplify maintenance and guarantee optimal equipment service life. In particular, it offers a relubricating pump, programmable by smartphone/ tablet. This versatile pump can be used both for multi-line systems or progressive distributors.

Its size allows it to be installed on any on-board machines.

10 | March - April 2020

AN INDUSTRY FIRST FROM BEARINGS INTERNATIONAL 3 in 1 HUB SOLUTION

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FEATURE

Case IH tractors play key role in turning sugarcane waste into valuable commodity

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ith energy generated from renewable sources predicted to be among the major sources of power in the next decade, a company in the Philippines is tackling the challenge head-on and turning trash into a highly prized commodity.

Paul said when looking for an equipment supplier, they recognised Case IH’s position as a leading provider of technology solutions, with a state-ofthe-art machinery line-up that assisted Biopower in sustaining the fuel supply necessary for their electricity obligations.

Biopower is constructing three biomass power stations on Negros, the fourth largest island of the Philippines, with the aim of producing a total of 72 megawatts of green baseload power to feed into the local grid as well as for export to surrounding islands.

The company has purchased over 100 Case IH machines including Farmlift telehandlers and Farmall, Maxxum and Puma tractors through Filholland, the distributor of Case IH machinery in the Philippines.

The key to this clean, green energy is the waste products from the harvest of the local sugarcane crop, the trash that would previously have been left on the ground once the sugarcane was taken from the fields. The collection of this waste is a crucial part of Biopower’s operation and one they’ve entrusted to Case IH, one of the world’s leading agricultural machinery brands.

“The cane farmers leave the trash after the harvest, and we move into the field with our equipment and collect it, taking it to the power station for burning in a controlled environment to produce electricity,” said Paul Coveny, VicePresident Biomass Operations and Materials Management for Biopower.

Tractors and other associated machinery need to collect the trash and get it to the power station as quickly and efficiently as possible, Paul said, and Case IH is delivering on every one of these requirements.

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“Our operation has a very small window to do what we need to do, so we needed reliable tractors that could operate continuously, 24 hours a day,” Paul said.

“The technology in these Case IH tractors has given us that reliability, and along with the support of Filholland, they deliver what we need in the short time we have.”

For the Biopower staff who operate the fleet of Case IH tractors, there’s no doubting their satisfaction with the machines. Paul said the operators regularly commented on the ease of operation, power and speed of the tractors, and the technology features that made their job easier.

Staff also had high praise for the training offered

by Filholland on the tractors and telehandlers.

Biopower has also been able to install GPS-trackers and data loggers into the tractor fleet that identify each machine’s location and provide detailed information on what they’re doing and how they’re

doing it at any given time—it basically provides a live, real-time overview of the entire operation.

The Case IH Farmall JX is one of the models used in the Biopower operation, a small tractor designed with manoeuvrability, visibility and handling top of mind. Powered by an upgraded 8000 Series, Tier 3 turbo-charged engine to provide optimum fuel efficiency and maximum power, the Farmall JX also offers logically-positioned controls with clear, concise instrumentation that make tasks less arduous when in the field all day.

Paul said the performance of the Case IH tractors and telehandlers had been everything they’d expected and this, coupled with the 24-hour service and support, service updates and training provided by Filholland, confirmed they’d made the right choice. When it came to running a highpressure, round-the-clock operation like that of Biopower, Paul said, it was reassuring to have the peace of mind of reliable machinery, and support and assistance when and where it was needed.

“My experience in the sugar industry in Australia means I’ve seen a lot of Case IH equipment, and know the reputation of their tractors and harvesters, so I had the confidence in the brand to introduce it here onto Negros,” Paul said.

“Case IH is well-known worldwide, and with a good partner like Filholland I’d have no hesitation in recommending their products to anyone in the Philippines. “The brand has a great support network, it’s a quality product and that’s important when you’re running any business.”

FEATURE

Investment in technology vital to boost agricultural output and exports

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outh African agriculture needs more investment and the implementation of the latest technology to boost output, not only for local consumption, but also for vitally needed exports to boost foreign exchange earnings.

Opportunities to increase exports exist provided they conform to international standards such as traceability.

One of the ways to unlock agriculture’s potential is to increase investment in research and development (R&D), according to Dr Thulasizwe Mkhabela, Group Executive, Impact and Partnerships at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

Speaking at the Africa Agri Tech Conference and Expo in Pretoria he said that current overall expenditure on R&D in South Africa was only R32-billion a year, which equates to 0.8% of GDP. This is way below the 1.5% R&D investment proposed in the National Development Plan (NDP). Agriculture gets only R2.6-billion or 0.8% of the current amount, which is way below requirements. This sum is made up of a contribution of 44.6% from the public coffers, 38.9% from private organisations and companies and 16.5% from foreign sources.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is another organisation that has a big focus on assisting the agricultural industry and is deeply involved the latest technological developments.

fertilisers and pesticides to replace existing chemical products. This provides South African companies and organisations an opportunity to develop these products as there appear to be no or few local manufacturers at present.

Dr Moses Azong Cho, Research Group Leader, Precision Agriculture at the CSIR highlighted a need to create a dedicated group of scientists to assist in adapting precision farming techniques to suit local conditions and budgets. Current precision farming projects under development at the CSIR are driven using affordable satellite data to produce Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) information.

Ramchuran announced that the CSIR was involved in developing these products and already had some ready for commercialisation.

One of these, in prototype form, had already contributed to an 85.2% increase in wheat crop yield. It is now awaiting proposals from SMMEs to bring this unique product to market.

Dr Santosh Ramchuran, Research Group Leader, Bioprocess Development at the CSIR advocated the use of more bio-based control agents as

Scientific presentations related to agriculture and Africa Agri Tech included content from the Department of Science and Innovation, The Innovation Hub, the Agricultural Research Council and CSIR.

Mkhabela lobbied for more financial support for the ARC which he says will provide big returns for the future growth of agriculture in terms of expanding exports, providing employment and the overriding objective of providing food security, in a world where the population explosion is putting a big strain on food supplies.

March - April 2020 | 13

FEATURE

Coronavirus could threaten global agricultural trade

“At this stage, it is difficult to quantify the economic impact on South African agriculture.

Over the short term we are expecting supply chain and logistical disruptions that may cause harm to export-driven agricultural sectors,” says Van Zyl. Agri SA has called on the agricultural sector to adhere to the precautionary measures as announced by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19. The Covid-19 pandemic is not just an epidemiological problem, but a global health problem.

This pandemic not only impacts on the day-to -ay business of all sectors, but it poses a serious health hazard to all South Africans.

T

he unexpected and alarming spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) has sparked fears of a global economic slowdown. “The current uncertainty of the markets and the subsequent global economic slowdown is adding additional pressure on the debilitating South African economy. The growing impact of the Covid-19 coincides with the announcement of a 1,4% retraction in our economy as well as a decline of 7,6% for agriculture in the fourth quarter of 2019,” says Omri van Zyl, Agri SA’s executive director.

South African agriculture exports approximately 25 commodities amounting to a value of more than $10bn annually.

On Friday, 28 February 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Covid-19 outbreak as a global pandemic, resulting in governments around the world to strengthen their containment measures. Last week, the global market lost more than $6tn resulting in the worst economic week since the global recession in 2008.

There is currently a process underway at NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council) to establish a more comprehensive response regarding the COVID-19 disaster declaration. The various ministerial departments will meet today to develop a contingency plan to mitigate the impact of this disaster. Agri SA will communicate continuously on this process and how the government aims to effectively deal with this outbreak.

It can only be tackled through an integrated and global approach. Let us work together to prevent any action that may lead to the spread of the virus.

NAMPO HARVEST DAY 2020 POSTPONED

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he COVID-19 outbreak is an unpreceded occurrence, and the global pandemic has, in a short space of time, impacted organisations in countless ways. We’re living through a year that is uncharted, and things around us are changing extremely fast.

“The health and safety of visitors, exhibitors, staff, sponsors and the entire agricultural community during the NAMPO Harvest Day are paramount and an event of this magnitude poses too great a risk to continue during the initially stipulated dates.

“While we’re taking precautions and doing some things a little differently, our aim is to still present a diversified agricultural trade exhibition of world standing benefiting our loyal and longstanding partners, the local communities and the broader agricultural sector as a whole.

Following the stringent measures implemented by the South African Presidency, which included prohibiting gatherings of more than 100 people, Grain SA has been monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and under the guidance and recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Presidency of South Africa and the Department of Health, have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 NAMPO Harvest Day which was scheduled to take place from 12-15 May 2020 at NAMPO Park, just outside Bothaville.

Guided by these priorities and best practice, the decision to postpone the event was a necessary one,” Jannie de Villiers, CEO of Grain SA said.

As we continue to adapt to the impact brought on

by COVID-19, Grain SA will remain committed to applying risk-informed-decision making and keeping all stakeholders informed every step of the way,” said Dirk Strydom, Manager of Grain Economy and Marketing.

The 2020 NAMPO Harvest Day will be postponed to 11-14 August 2020, given that Government policies and guidelines permit the postponed date. Grain SA will evaluate and review the date by the end of June 2020 if necessitated by governmental regulations. Grain SA is committed to implementing appropriate action plans in relation to the developments of COVID-19.

In addition, visitors and exhibitors to the 2019 NAMPO Harvest Day, contributed an average of R28 million to the local economy, notably in the Free State and North-West towns of Bothaville, Klerksdorp, Orkney, Potchefstroom and Stilfontein, with many small business owners relying heavily on the income injection made possible as a result of this agricultural platform.

14 | March - April 2020

The NAMPO Harvest Day received 81 345 visitors over 4-days in 2019, with 775 exhibitors and which saw a record of 376 aeroplanes and 63 helicopters descending on NAMPO Park. The economic importance of the NAMPO Harvest Day is absolutely vital to the corporate, medium and small businesses from all over South Africa participating in the show.

Grain SA will continue to adapt and to navigate this situation together as a team and more importantly, a community. We recognise that this is a challenging time for all, and most importantly, we remain deeply committed to the safety of the agricultural sector. We encourage everyone to be kind and considerate and even in the presence of social distancing, we encourage everyone to be there for one another. Let’s all help flatten the curve and support those who need it most.

The NAMPO Cape show, scheduled for 9-11 September 2020 in Bredasdorp, Western Cape is set to continue on these confirmed dates.

FEATURE

Global teamwork procures masks for Cummins employees in China

P

utting their job skills to work, Cummins employees from Johannesburg to Columbus, Indiana in the US sprang into action in February, and procured more than 500 000 protective masks for their fellow employees in China. Chinese residents must wear respiratory masks when in public as the first line of defence against the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). “A lot of colleagues across the world have provided great support in helping us source masks,” Steve Chapman, Cummins’ Group Vice President, China and Russia, comments.

“The procurement of the 500 000 FFP2 masks not only ensures the protection of our employees’ health and safety, but also helps us remove one of the major obstacles for the business continuity of our operations in China.” Groups within Cummins, including Indirect Purchasing and Manufacturing teams within the company’s Supply Chain organisation, as well as the Distribution Business’

Global Operations, aggressively reached out to potential suppliers, and identified other resources to address the issue for their colleagues in China.

Although the team successfully secured some orders from the US, UK, and a few other countries, there was still a huge gap between the demand and supply needed to reopen operations and protect the more than 12 000 Cummins employees in China.

The turning point came in South Africa. After receiving urgent requests from their colleagues in China, the Africa and Middle East Area Business Organisation mobilised immediately. Annie Chu and Yueqian Zhang in Johannesburg spent a weekend searching for a supplier. On 2 February, they successfully secured 500 000 FFP2 masks.

The first batch of 160 000 masks arrived in Shanghai on 8 February. All the remaining masks had arrived by 14 February. The masks played

a critical role in the resumption of business for many Cummins’ China operations. The crossborder teamwork is continuing as another set of masks is readied to ship to China.

Many Cummins employee groups have also mobilised to secure donations for individuals in impacted regions. For example, the Columbus Chinese Association, Cummins East Asia Employee Resource Group, and many others explored various opportunities to source and donate masks and other items.

Those efforts alone resulted in 10 000 masks successfully sent to Cummins employees and local communities in Wuhan and Xiangyang.

“It has been a privilege for us to be in a position where we could do something to help, and I am very proud of the dedication and selflessness of our Africa and Middle East employees and the great collaboration between them and our colleagues in China,” Thierry Pimi, Executive Managing Director of the Africa and Middle East Area Business Organisation, highlights.

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March - April 2020 | 15

COVER STORY

Building resilience in dairy farming

Photo Credit: Getty Images

D

airy farming and farmers are having to adapt to changing conditions not only at an economic, but also at an environmental, socio-cultural and consumer level. Building resilience at the cow, farm and sector level will be important for future-proofing this important and evolving agri-business sector.

It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of the world’s population regularly consumes liquid milk or other dairy products. Whether from cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, camels, horses or yaks, dairy-based foods are rich in micronutrients and an important source of affordable protein, energy and fat; and overall consumption is on the rise.

On the flipside of this positive nutrition and growth story are the well-known challenges facing dairy

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farmers: low milk prices and high feed costs; personnel shortages; changing consumer needs; increased regulation and volatile weather. Farmers must balance these with the need to make some profit, without which they are unable to maintain their herds.

As more studies on dairy farming conclude, researchers agree that a combination of improved feeding strategies, better manure management and excellent cow genetics can create a more resilient dairy industry, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing milk production with less feed. Supported by the right levels of automation and precision livestock farming (PLF) tools, dairy managers can win back precious time, while leveraging data and insights to improve herd health, performance and overall efficiency.

Feed – getting the right mix Feed is often the most expensive line item in a dairy operation, that said, it’s not only farmers who are impacting feed strategies today. While grazing still plays a role in many dairy operations, the intensity and increase in herd size has caused a decline in the amount of time cows spend on grass.

The trend is reversing however, given increased consumer focus on animal welfare, and as a result, more processors are paying a premium for pasture milk. Well-managed pastures confer additional benefits, given they: • Provide cows with valuable feed and reduce farmers’ costs • Become more resilient to drought or wet conditions when managed properly

Inside, GEA automated feed technology delivers precisely measured rations multiple times a day, ensuring feed is always fresh, which minimizes waste. Automating this task frees up personnel to do other jobs while minimizing fuel costs; and the compact barn design means a smaller footprint.

Cows, like all ruminants, produce methane (CH4), a form of GHG, as a result of their digestion, which relies on millions of gut microbes to process and ferment the high fiber foods they consume.

Despite reductions in herd size, CH4 emissions from cows have increased in many countries; therefore, lowering heat increment in the rumen, which improves overall feed conversion in cattle, is key. The dairy industry and scientific community are studying feed and digestion to find ways of reducing methane production in cattle. A few products, such as methane-reducing feed supplements, are now entering the market, however, researchers continue to explore: “Achieving substantial net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector will require action in three broad areas: improving efficiencies, capturing and sequestering carbon and better linking dairy production to the circular, bio-economy.”

Climate Change and the Global Dairy Cattle Sector, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2019 “Given its reputation for quality and durability, GEA manure equipment is often selected by farmers who integrate biodigesters in their operations – whether it’s for moving liquid manure to and from the digester, efficiently agitating pre-and postdigestion or along the entire process.”

Jeramy Sanford, Global Product Manager for Manure Equipment, GEA •

• • • •

Selecting plants and feed mixes that produce less CH4 in the rumen Training the rumen of calves to produce less methane Using breeding and genetics to select for cows that consistently produce less CH4 Achieving substantial net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector will require action in three broad areas: improving efficiencies, capturing and sequestering carbon and better linking dairy production to the circular, bio-economy.”-

Responsible manure management In addition to its many positive nutrient benefits for plants and soil – which reduces the need for artificial fertilizers –manure can also be separated into valuable streams, such as grey water, bedding or used to produce energy.

However, when improperly managed, manure has negative consequences for soil, water and air quality; in some countries, farmers face increased regulation and steep penalties – and even mandates to reduce herd size. Today, expanding a herd or starting a large dairy operation often requires that owners have a manure management strategy in place before permission is granted.

GEA uses its process knowledge and experience to design and implement tailor-made, high-value manure management solutions that meet operator needs while also fulfilling legal requirements.

This includes: the collection and transfer of raw manure; land application; as well as effective separation systems for liquid recycling and bedding production.

In the barn, regular manure collection ensures good hygiene standards, minimizing infection and claw diseases. Using a manure separator, the liquid and solid materials can be separated; the

Are effective for building up and storing carbon and capturing C02

The South West Dairy Development Centre, in Somerset, UK, is using precision farming tools to demonstrate how grazing and automated feeding, in combination with an automatic milking system, can be realized. Using hyperspectral imaging and satellite data, the center can monitor and predict grass growth in its surrounding paddocks.

The herd has access to four fresh areas of grazing per day, which functions via a network of flexible paddocks to encourage flow between the paddocks and the GEA robotic milkers in the barn. The process is managed using GEA herd management software, which communicates between each cow sensor and the segregation gates.

GEA’s manure management portfolio includes solutions for collecting, transferring, applying and separating manure as well as bedding production.

March - April 2020 | 17

COVER STORY

GEA’s manure management portfolio includes solutions for collecting, transferring, applying and separating manure as well as bedding production.

remaining liquid can either be used on fields or in the barn, following further processing, and the solids reused as bedding or sold on.

Greater solid removal means less ends up in the manure lagoon, lowering agitation, hauling and dredging costs. By adding a decanter, nutrients can be further isolated; for example, to produce clarified liquid manure, which is largely free of phosphate and can be spread safely on fields as natural fertilizer.

Farmers around the world are looking for ways to optimize their operational nutrient cycle. To this end, more farmers, including GEA customers,

18 | March - April 2020

are investing in biogas plants with downstream treatment of fermentation residues; this enables them to specifically utilize the electrical power, heat and various fermentation residue fractions generated in this way, both within and outside the farm.

To realize the resulting economic advantages, however, dairy farms in most countries will need financial support and access to an infrastructure that enables the production and utilization of biogas. Economies of scale can be achieved by combining various farm residues with, for example, food waste from other farms. As a result, more and more residues can be responsibly managed

and local and regional nutrient cycles closed.

Given its reputation for quality and durability, GEA manure equipment is often selected by farmers who integrate biodigesters in their operations – whether it’s for moving liquid manure to and from the digester, efficiently agitating pre-and postdigestion or along the entire process.”- Jeramy Sanford, Global Product Manager for Manure Equipment, GEA Developing robustness and resilience in dairy cows Cattle have been selected, bred and crossbred for centuries to improve their performance and

resilience in certain landscapes and climates.

However, over the last few decades, much of the focus has been on increasing milk productivity.

While cattle, like all species, can adapt somewhat to stressors and change, breeding strategies are now being reexamined; additional traits, such as resistance to heat stress, disease or adaptive changes to variations in feed and forage are being looked at more vigorously given they affect productivity and fertility.

Lactation alone increases a cow’s body temperature; therefore, when ambient air temperatures climb even 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal, heat-induced complications may also increase, including decreases in fertility and appetite which impact milk productivity. Somatic cell counts and incidences of mastitis also tend to increase during warm periods. Providing herds with good ventilation, sufficient water and even sprinkling systems helps keep cows comfortable and reduces the chances of infection or disease.

There is also a growing discussion and debate about the use of antibiotics today. While many dairy farmers have stopped using them altogether, this can leave cows more susceptible to disease, including mastitis. Here again, genetics and breeding are playing a stronger role given that cows selected for several traits have a lower

somatic cell count and thus fewer instances of mastitis.

milking systems, resulting in shortened treatment times for cows and increased productivity.

GEA is conducting larger field trials to validate that the amount of antibiotics used during the drying off period can be minimized without causing the onset of mastitis. Earlier trials already suggest that this can be achieved by reducing the amount of milk taken before drying off begins, which in the future can be controlled using GEA herd management software which indicates when milking clusters should be removed.

Using sensor-based technology, GEA CowScout tag records cow activity, eating time and rumination, both indoors and outdoors. The data is available via a real-time dashboard which can be set up to send out alerts. This tool allows for the quick identification and treatment of health problems and can also be used to signal insemination times.

Reducing costs and improving cow health with precision livestock farming (PLF) Getting precise insights into cow behavior, activity and overall health is much easier today given PLF technologies. These digital tools help dairy operators manage their herds more effectively, which includes diagnosing and treating cows more quickly, keeping down costs and supporting improved cow health and productivity.

“To support managers’ goals of monitoring and directing their operations and processes more efficiently, wherever they might be, we’re continually assessing and improving our herd management tools and platforms to further integrate data, while making them easier to use,” assures Dr. Beate Maassen-Francke, Product Manager Farm Management Software, GEA.

To help farmers keep a closer eye on udder health in their herds, GEA developed the award-winning DairyMilk M6850 cell count sensor, the world’s first real-time system for early detection of mastitis infection in each teat during milking. Easy to install and low maintenance, the sensor can be used with GEA DairyRobot R9500 and the DairyProQ

Over the last decade, a lot of data has been captured on farms. The next step is leveraging AI and better integrating data to help dairy farmers take even more informed decisions to increase cow welfare and optimize operational efficiency.”Dr. Beate Maassen-Francke, Product Manager Farm Management Software, GEA

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March - April 2020 | 19

FEATURE

John Deere taps tractor-hailing tech for farmers in Africa

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t’s ride-hailing, farm style. Deere & Co. is teaming up with the “Uber of tractors” in Africa and betting on a future where farmers summon machines with the touch of a button. The world’s leading farm equipment maker is outfitting its tractors with startup Hello Tractor’s technology, which allows farmers to hail the machines via an app, monitors the vehicles’ movements and transmits usage information such as fuel levels.

around 400 tractors in Ghana and Kenya. It told Reuters it plans to roll out the devices across Africa in the second half of this year, offering it to all contractors who buy its equipment on the continent. Jacques Taylor, who heads John Deere’s sub-Saharan Africa business, said that the continent badly needs more machinery to develop its farming industry but most farmers don’t have the scale to justify a large investment.

The aim is to help the U.S. company boost sales of it famous green and yellow John Deere tractors, a tough task in a continent with the world’s highest poverty rate and the least mechanized agricultural sector.

“We would like to see that every farmer has access to mechanization,” he told Reuters. “The gap that we’ve identified is, how do we connect small farmers with tractor owners?”

Deere is currently testing the technology — a small black box fitted beneath dashboards — on

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Deere declined to comment on the investment costs for the rollout. The risks are clear; there is no certainty of any measure of success in Africa,

which accounts for a tiny fraction of its global sales at present.

Held back by low incomes, tiny landholdings as well as a lack of bank financing, tractor numbers have long been stagnant on the continent, even as much of the developing world has experienced a boom in mechanization.

Deere thinks it can help on the financing front: it told Reuters it could pull data from the Hello Tractor platform that showed in precise detail how farmers were using its equipment. That information, it said, could be used by the farmers — who typically lack credit histories — to help secure bank loans.

This would mean they could buy more tractors.

FEATURE

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS? In central Kenya, a Deere tractor zig-zagged across a sun-drenched field, raking up dry grass and dropping bales of hay. The black box monitored its every move.

The tractor belongs to Agrimech Africa, a Nairobibased agricultural services firm that has taken up the offer to have the devices installed on its Deere machinery.

“They do the technology. We do the management,” said Pascal Kaumbutho, who heads the company.

Agrimech, which is paid by farmers to work their land, hopes the new tech will help optimize its Deere tractors and connect them to new customers, allowing it to expand.

Kaumbutho, whose company manages a dozen tractors, envisions a future in which Agrimech runs a 1,000-strong fleet. “Right now, we’re reaching about 1,500 farmers,” he said. “Within the next two or three years, I’d like to reach 20,000.”

FINANCE FRUSTRATION Outside South Africa, the continent’s most developed economy, around 80% of African cropland is still cultivated by hand. Yields are half the global average. With its population set to double by 2050, increasing productivity is a necessity.

One of the biggest barriers to mechanization is finance; though agriculture accounts for around a quarter of Africa’s economic output and some 70% of jobs, banks often view farmers as highrisk because of the lack of credit histories.

“It’s one thing to go to a bank and say ‘You know.

Hey, I work very hard.’ It’s another thing to be able to show it,” Kaumbutho said.

Deere said the data from the Hello Tractor platform shows how often equipment is in use, how much land it’s working, and whether it’s tilling, planting or harvesting. That information

can be used to create financial statements, it added. Tshepo Maeko, vice-president and head of agri-sales at South African-based lender Absa, sees potential to unlock more lending in this kind of technology which gives banks a fuller picture.

“We will be able to see how big the risk is or how big the opportunity is,” he said.

Deere is working with Hello Tractor and the banks to format the data to create easily digestible automated reports. No loan decisions have yet been made based on the information.

But Antois van der Westhuizen, John Deere Financials managing director for sub-Saharan Africa, said that should be possible by the time the scheme is rolled out across Africa.

“The banking systems are trying to adapt,” he said. “It’s a journey for us to really get them to understand it.”

Such opportunities exist in markets across Africa, said Hello Tractor founder Jehiel Oliver, but companies like Deere have lacked the tools to develop them.

“Nigeria alone needs 750,000 (more) tractors to be on the global average,” he said. “Our technology is a market-maker for tractor manufacturers who want to sell into those markets.”

Deere’s annual revenue of about $40 billion is dominated by the Americas and Europe.

It doesn’t break out numbers for Africa, but combined revenue from Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East was $3.9 billion last year.

March - April 2020 | 21

FEATURE

Why we must rethink the potato for a sustainable use of resources

W

e must change how we handle our resources. A rapidly growing population, increased demand for produce and the threat of climate change bring with them risks to the food supply chain, and new approaches must be looked at to enable a sustainable future.

Perhaps often overlooked within the food crisis though is the potato, which has long been a popular staple of westernized diets and is now rising to prominence within new, emerging markets.

Burgeoning demand is good for producers and processors, but is this increase from consumers feasible and stable with the current global state?

A growing demand A huge part of society’s diet for the last 400 years, the popularity of potato shows no sign of slowing down. According to the latest figures, it’s estimated that 388,191,000 tonnes of potatoes are produced annually, with China and India combined accounting for a third of all harvested potatoes. The total value of the products is close to $100bn.

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However, this current trend shows how the potato market has changed over recent years. In the early 1990s, the majority of potatoes were grown and consumed across European and North American markets. Since then however, there has been a huge rise in production within markets such South America, Africa and Asia.

used for processed potato goods; a figure which is increasing year-on-year.

Emerging markets are repositioning the potato as an alternative to rice and wheat, thanks to its nutritional value and being more sustainable to grow – China, in particular, is doing this to help feed the world’s largest population due to the pressures of growing less water-intensive crops.

Studies suggest that growing potatoes requires 30 per cent less water than rice, and also returns a higher yield per hectare.

Problematic production impacting yields Although the increase in demand is a positive sign for the industry, it can also create challenges in terms of ensuring there is an availability of harvests. Climate change is a huge global concern, touching all industries and sectors, and comes as a massive threat to the quality and overall yield of potatoes.

The range of uses for potatoes has also instigated its rise in popularity – especially processed potato products. The likes of frozen French fries and potato chips are increasingly becoming consumed more, with 15-20 per cent of the total crop harvested in China alone being

The unpredictability of weather conditions can impact how, where and when crops can be grown, due to the changes in which are caused to the land and climate. In a time when optimized yields are integral to meeting demand, we need to be more reactive in the field to find new

An ever-increasing population, partnered with diets of developing markets changing, has also fueled the rise in demand for potatoes over the last decade.

ways to manage production in a destabilized environment.

A recent example of where climate change impacted potato yields was during the summer of 2018, when large droughts hit Europe. Potato production in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom dropped due to the unusually extreme heat and lack of rain, with the harvest dropping by around 30 per cent on average.

However, in contrast, other markets have seen such bumper harvests in recent times that they haven’t been able to handle the sheer amount of produce. In 2017, India’s largest potato production region saw such a harvest than producers and farmers couldn’t handle the crop, leaving large amounts wasted due to limited infrastructure.

In both instances, there has to be a change in the behavior of the supply chain to deal with potential circumstances and optimize yields as much as possible. Dynamic technology-based solutions must be implemented to ensure any harvest is grown as sustainably as possible to meet both the growing demand for potatoes from an everincreasing population.

Meeting the customer requirements Consumers are the biggest drivers of change within all sectors and industries – and the potato industry is no exception. There will always be a want for high quality produce, but a change in consumer trends, behavior and preferences is helping the industry’s supply chain to re-evaluate its production process – it must become more flexible and agile to meet the characteristics desired by the customer.

Take the potato chip as an example. Brands have stringent requirements on the potatoes they will use, based on knowing what the customer wants.

For potato chips, they must be round or oval, be no more than 75mm in length, and have less than a quarter dry matter to make the potato chip look more appealing to the customer.

French fry brands have requirements too. To ensure there is no darkened end once fried,

March - April 2020 | 23

FEATURE which can be undesirable to the consumer, there must be a reduced sugar content of 0.25 per cent.

The answer to meeting these requirements is through technology. By adopting innovative potato sorting machines utilizing optical technology, areas such as toxins, defects and the overall size of the produce can be detected early in the supply chain and allow the customer to get the type of potato desired. This, in turn, helps reduce the pressure on producers, as they can both optimize yields and deliver high quality through harnessing the power of sorting systems.

Combating waste through efficient grading and repurposing Within potato production, sustainability is key.

To protect resources, we must ensure that yields are optimized, and waste is reduced as much as possible. Customer demands, expectations and requirements mean potato sorting and grading machines become an integral part of the supply chain and help allow for any potential defected produce to be repurposed.

24 | March - April 2020

Especially with processed potato goods, where the market is seeing new products being released, finding alternative uses for a potato which doesn’t make the grade for one use can be done efficiently. Grading technologies such as Near Infrared (NIR) can help supply chain select specific potatoes for certain uses at any stage based on the suitability.

In a working example, a potato may be graded by the sorting machine and be deemed unsuitable for using as a French fry due to a defect. This doesn’t mean it has to be totally removed from the supply chain, but an alternative purpose can be found.

Once the defect has been removed, the potato can be ‘scaled down’ from its use as a French fry to, if quality allows, a hash brown or novelty children’s potato product. Any potatoes which were once graded as waste can now be used to support a producer’s ‘bottom line’, which not only cuts back on food loss, but also improves sustainability of the supply chain.

At TOMRA, our innovative potato sorting machines are designed with making the most out of a harvest in mind and guarantee the removal of discoloration, defects, bruises and rot.

Our sorting solutions can sort by defects, biological characteristics, shape and size, structure, color, density and foreign materials, to help producers increase yields and quality of produce for customers.

A new era in sustainable potato production

The planet is facing challenges. The ever-growing population and climate change will pose questions on how we grow, produce and process resources – and the potato industry is no exception to this. With a global increase in demand, potato production must adapt to maximize its value, optimize yields and increase the quality of produce through the use of technology solutions.

FEATURE

Looking to the future of agriculture Food Demand Increases The two huge drivers of food call for—populace and profits—are at the rise. The world’s populace is expected to attain 9.1Bn humans in 2050, up from 7.4Bn in 2016. As such, farmers globally must ensure there is growth realized in food manufacture. This will be with a view to fulfilling the desires of the bigger population.

A one-of-a-kind fashion is emerging in tremendously developed countries with more fitness-aware populations. The cognizance on starch-based crops like corn will shift to extra plant-primarily based proteins like soybeans and different legumes, which allows assist different corporations that proportion its imaginative and prescient of producing more crops with fewer resources.

Consolidation Accelerates The 2012 ag census of the US found out a big shift in farmer a long time that holds foremost implications for the future. For the primary time, farmers who are older than 65 outnumber farmers who are more youthful than 45. This, unfortunately, is no different in Africa. The distinction is substantial, with 2.1 older farmers for each farmer younger than 45.2 As incomes rise, consumer choice moves from wheat and grains to legumes, and then to meat. When older farmers exit the business, there are fewer more youthful farmers to update them.

As a result, farm consolidation might be a possible solution.

The consolidation will change farm dynamics to larger, greater managerial complexities.

To put it in perspective, farming will go from a one-man show to some thing corresponding to a mediumto large-size business. Farm consolidation will drive the want for more out of doors labor. Expect high-tech solutions like robotics to come to the rescue. Already, dairy farmers use robotic milkers as a substitute for labor. Moreover, farm equipment producers are checking out prototypes of robot tractors

and sprayers to handle fieldwork without human drivers. The bounce from prototype to business operation of robotic machinery can be short. Many new machines are currently ready with the electronics to manipulate operations with little or no human interaction. first.

For instance, drone technology, with its policies already in place, the technology is poised for a growth in farm usage. Potential use of on-farm drones by using 2050 is huge, from imagery and product utility to transporting materials and jobs not but imagined. As farming is predicated greater on complex system with lots of electronics, information series will play an increasingly larger role in farm management.

There is also the onset of gene technology. This new technology permits scientists to exactly edit genes in DNA with the intention of creating a better crop variety. In the future, gene modifying should allow farmers to pick out unique crop sorts that have features like resistance to extraordinary diseases, drought tolerance or greater applicable oil content. Gene enhancing will provide a greater diversity of vegetation that may be grown by means of editing out traits hampering massive production.

 

     

As we speak, there is a number of new technology springing up across Africa. These devices range from assisting in alleviating postharvest losses, ensuring plants acquire the required nutrients and more, to the advent of genetically modified food and the promise of not just increased quantity but also quality of the food we eat.

Many a farmer are faced with the issue of inability to meet the required crop output as a result of factors such as water, climate and other environmental effect. These factors have been plaguing farmers for the longest time. However, the new technology is likely to help the farmers combat these problems.

The only question that remains, in this regards, is whether Africa is ready.

     

  

March - April 2020 | 25

FEATURE

Farmers across Africa benefit from direct market access as Selina Wamucii Opens up platform to groups & cooperatives •

•

Farmers from any African country will now be able to sell or export their produce directly to buyers anywhere in the world.

At present, 52% of all purchase enquiries on the platform originate from African countries.

Selina Wamucii, the platform that helps businesses from anywhere in the world to buy and import food & agricultural produce from any African country has announced that it is opening up its platform to organized farmers groups and cooperatives to sell or export directly to markets worldwide.

“Selina Wamucii now welcomes farmer groups, associations, processors and cooperatives based in any African country to sign up by visiting selinawamucii.com and start selling their produce directly to a large selection of interested buyers from around the world who are already using our platform”, said John Oroko, the company’s CEO.

“At Selina Wamucii, we believe all farmers and other producers should be seamlessly connected to markets anywhere in the world regardless of geographical limitations, size of farm, facilities or resources.

That’s why we’re building the first truly PanAfrican platform for food and agricultural produce.

The platform uses technologies including artificial intelligence, data, and algorithms to streamline the extremely fragmented agricultural supply chains across entire Africa,” says John Oroko, CEO of Selina Wamucii.

“Our platform is now accessible to farmers in every corner of the African continent who will now be able to easily take to market a wide range of Africa’s food & agricultural produce. From Cape Verde’s mackerel sourced by local fishermen to Madagascar’s vanilla grown by family farmers, we are building a marketplace that connects producers to market opportunities regionally and globally, ultimately unlocking opportunities that

John Oroko, CEO - Selina Wamucii

fuel economic prosperity for millions of farmers and other food producers across the African continent.”, adds Oroko.

Farmers can sell directly on the Selina Wamucii platform as registered, organized groups. The platform enables farmers to control the entire process from growing, harvesting to supplying directly to local markets right in their countries, within Africa (intra-Africa) or even export directly by themselves to any market worldwide.

About Selina Wamucii Selina Wamucii is a platform that helps businesses from anywhere in the world to easily source, buy or import food & agricultural produce from any African country with ease. It simplifies sourcing, payments, and logistics while guaranteeing trust for buyers and producers. The platform now integrates with cooperatives, farmers groups, agro-processors and other organizations that work directly with family farmers including smallholder farmers, pastoralists and fishing communities to form a valuable link to markets around the world.

Among the requirements for farmers to sign up is that the farmers need to be organized in groups of active members with the group having a clear leadership structure in place.

Selina is putting all Africa’s producers (80% of whom are family farmers) and their products in one platform where buyers can reliably find and buy produce from Africa.

26 | March - April 2020

FEATURE

Farming by Satellite Prize 2020 Launches 16 March!

T

he Farming by Satellite Prize rewards young innovators exploring the use of satellite technologies to improve agriculture and reduce environmental impact.

Applications for the 2020 Prize open 16 March. Kicking off its 5th edition, the Farming by Satellite Prize is designed to encourage young professionals, farmers and students in Europe and Africa to create new, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions using Copernicus, EGNOS and Galileo.

A total Prize pool of €10,000 is up for grabs in 2020 with prizes distributed among the top three European applicants as well as the best idea submitted to the Special Africa Prize.

Returning this year, the Special Africa Prize encourages young Africans to seek satellite-based solutions for their agricultural needs.

How does it work?

Each team nominates a leader to register their team and idea on the

application platform. Once registered, teams can start on their applications and return to the platform to keep working on their ideas until the deadline of 15 June.

All applications will then be evaluated, and the top finalists will be selected to continue to the deep dive phase. This next phase will see teams submit a pitch deck to compete for the chance to travel to the live pitch and award ceremony event. Two phases, live pitching and €10k up for grabs!

Interested? Keep reading…

Who can participate?

Individuals or teams of up to four people are invited to register online between 16 March and 15 June 2020.

All team members must be under the age of 32 by the submission deadline and be a citizen or resident of a European or African country. Full eligibility criteria can be found on the Farming by Satellite Prize website at www.farmingbysatellite.eu

March - April 2020 | 27

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28 | March - April 2020

FOR AFRICAN AGRICULTURE THAT IS

NATURALLY FERTILE !

In the future, agricultural production should be intensified sustainably and with respect for the environment.

Who are FCA Fertilisants and Fertilux ?

Proven by the results of official experiments, the performances of FCA Fertilisants and Fertilux solutions provide an answer in the African context.

SUMMARY : Eco-friendly fertilisation has several advantages :

A

ll the continents, and especially Africa, should take on a challenge for the future :

To feed more and more populations under increasingly difficult soil and climatic conditions.

Despite significant progress, productivity in the African continent is still below the other regions in the world and remains a primary concern. At present, one person in four on the continent still suffers from chronic malnutrition.

The situation will get worse over the next decades, considering that demographic growth in Africa, forecast at 1.3 billion additional inhabitants by 2050, will further increase the challenge to the African food system.

This is compounded by intensifying climatic changes which will put crops and animal rearing in peril and heighten food safety issues.

Without adaptation strategies, the production of corn, which is a basic food in Africa, could fall by 40% between now and 2050. Although the extension of cultivated land has considerably increased agricultural production in the past, it has been to the detriment of the environment.

> An increase in yield Located in the middle of Europe, the geographic position of their production sites gives FCA Fertilisants and Fertilux direct access to natural raw materials for the agro-industry and microbiology.

Through their patented know-how in soil life biostimulation technologies, FCA Fertilisants and Fertilux enable farmers to take the initiative towards a naturally fertile agriculture by following four principles : Enriching soil fertility Significantly reducing the carbon effect in comparison to standard fertilisers Increasing the effectiveness of inputs Decreasing the environmental impact

What are the solutions ?

The solutions for eco-friendly fertilisation provided by FCA Fertilisants and Fertilux stabilise the soil by including nutrients and nourishing the microorganisms that are naturally present.

Through a symbiotic relationship with plants, these microorganisms shape plant health in two ways : By helping to fight off diseases or pests By reinforcing the resistance to biotic and abiotic stress

> Sustainable strengthening of soil and plant health > Perpetuation of the biological, physical and chemical fertility of the soil FCA Fertilisants and Fertilux are dedicated to the preservation of relations with farmers and devotedly carry out tests each year directly on "pilot" farms in order to continuously evaluate the pertinence of their solutions and optimise their recommendations and fertilisation programmes.

We invite you to follow the results of these tests and partnerships in the next issues of Farmers Review of Africa...

To contact us : Mr. SĂŠbastien DAVID sebastien.david@group-shfc.com +33.6.51.17.54.62 Mr. Christophe MONNOT christophe.monnot@fertilux.lu +33.6.74.23.68.27

WHAT TO EXPECT 18500+ attendees

GROWING KNOWLEDGE FOR FUTURE FARMERS

7+ international pavilions

220+ exhibitors

70 000 sqm of exhibition space

50 training workshops

AGRITECH EXPO ZAMBIA IS ONE OF THE LARGEST OUTDOOR FARMING TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITIONS IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGION.

2–4

Presented by

Organised by

April 2020 GART Research Centre, Chisamba, Zambia

HURRY SPACES LIMITED. CALL OUR TEAM TODAY: Liam Beckett, Sales Director | +27 79 281 7865 | liam@agritech-expo.com Jerome Dyson, Sales Manager | +27 81 586 1005 | jerome@agritech-expo.com

www.agritech-expo.com

26 live crop trials