Farmers Review Africa May/June 2019

Volume 7. Issue 3. May/June 2019

Reaping profitability in agriculture Lubricants can aid farmers to increase productivity while reducing total cost of ownership

Nampo’s 53rd edition: Reaping rewards in the agricultural sector P11

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F A R ME R S

R E V I E W

A F R I C A

I S S U E

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Volume 7. Issue 3. May/June 2019

REVIEW AFRICA

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Editor’s Note

UK Engineering Leader establishes base in South Africa............02

Lubricants can aid farmers to increase productivity while reducing total cost of ownership

FARMERS

Volume 7. Issue 3. May/June 2019

News

Reaping profitability in agriculture

Nampo’s 53rd edition: Reaping rewards in the agricultural sector P11

CONTENTS

F A R ME R S

R E V I E W

A F R I C A

I S S U E

Demand for plant based products increase.......................................03

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Cover: Reaping profitability in agriculture

Innovative farm machines solving farming problems.....................04 South Sudan is ripe for agricultural investment................................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 Glad Moren 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

Kenya applying government’s new Acts in sugar regulation......06

Events Agrishow 2019: ABIMAQ.............................................................................07 BMG NAMPO 2019: Boer slim/smart farming.................................09 Africa’s First International Agricultural Technology Exhibition and Conference coming to South Africa.............................................14

Opinion SA agriculture learning to dance with the wind..............................16

Features UK manufacturer Alvan Blanch wins Queen’s Award...................17 Biodegradable & compostable mulch films.........................................18 The Great outdoors guide: off-road caravans...................................21 Shell Lubricants: Reaping profitability in agriculture.......................24 NTN-SNR launches a pack for simplified maintenance..............27 Farm to Fork IoT................................................................................................28 Vodacom’s female farmer programme shines...................................33

Products Cummins engines ideal for pump applications.................................34 ICON Technology for the farming community..................................36 Case IH to bring coffee harvesting experience to Africa...........38 Northmec completes multiple Case IH tractor order.................40

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

W

elcome to the May/ June Farmers Review Africa issue, which brings with it the good news of rains across Africa! Farmers now have a reason to smile as they go about preparing their fields ahead of the planting season.

Unfortunately with the recent change in weather some parts of Africa like Malawi and Mozambique have been hit with cyclone Idai, leading to the loss of lives and devastating destruction of structures. Our hearts go out to them even as they struggle to rebuild.

One of the topical features in this issue agricultural productivity is Biodegradable & compostable mulch films for agricultural application. There is also product launch of simplified maintenance of quarry equipment bearings by NTN-SNR. That and the impact of Internet of Things on food supply across Africa cover a wide aspect of agricultural technology and equipment. Read on to find out more about agricultural equipment lubrication and why you should opt for Shell; who have proven themselves essential in ensuring sustainability for farming businesses.

The contents also include both local and international news on agriculture to keep you abreast of current trends and technologies across Africa. In our new opinion column, get to read about the resilience that is South Africa’s agricultural sector in the wake of climate change, diseases, trade and infrastructure constraints. Enjoy!

Nita Karume editor@farmersreviewafrica.com

FARMERS

REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

NEWS

UK Engineering Leader

establishes base in South Africa

B

ritish company Perry of Oakley Ltd. have over 70 years’ experience in the manufacture and design of continuous flow grain driers, chain and flight conveyors, belt and bucket elevators, belt conveyors, screw conveyors and augers, square bins and grain cleaners for the drying and handling of most granular bulk materials. Having successfully worked in South Africa for several years, Perry have confirmed their commitment to the region by establishing a new wholly owned subsidiary, Perry Africa, based in Johannesburg.

The new company will provide sales support to existing dealers and technical support for both its own extensive range of equipment and also a full range of silos and associated monitoring and unloading equipment.

2 |May - June 2019

Headed up by James Morrish, who has over 30 years’ experience in the industry (including several years in the African continent), the company will also offer technical support for other manufacturers’ grain handling equipment along with advice and guidance on plant design and layout.

will be exhibiting as part of the UK Pavilion

Perry Africa is being launched at Nampo Harvest Day, 14th – 17th May, Bothaville, and

ground” said David Perry, the third generation of

reflecting the strong British engineering heritage of the company. “Perry’s motto is engineering excellence and are proud to serve the needs of farmers, dealers and agri-businesses in South Africa and the surrounding countries directly with our own dedicated sales and service staff on the the family to head up the Perry Group.

For further details please contact Jeremy.Burgess@ perryengineering.com, visit the Perry website www.perryafrica. co.za.

NEWS

Demand for plant based products increase to a whooping 140%

A

ccording to recent statistics by manufacture Nellson, demand for plant-based products development has spiked by close to 140 percent.

From the shelves of your local retailer to organic fresh food startups delivering vegan ingredients straight to your kitchen, the plant-based industry is booming across several popular consumer categories. Both startups and established brands are entering this relatively new, yet competitive space. From a branding standpoint, you might be trying to figure out how to create demand among consumers, as well as retailers, for your plantbased product.

The plant-based food sector is booming! With more people shifting away from meat toward more clean, plant-based protein alternatives, many new start-ups offering innovative products have jumped in to meet growing demand. In fact, the plant-based food sector is currently valued at $5 billion! This move away from animal product is largely to consumers’ rising concerns about

animal welfare, personal health and importantly sustainability.

The movement toward plant-based products, regardless of ingredient source, is being driven by two big trends in the food space: protein demand and clean eating. “Younger consumers, especially millennials, are looking for an alternative for red meat, but they don’t want to give up protein,” Guy Crosby, science editor for America’s Test Kitchen and an adjunct associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.

According to Health Focus data, 17% of U.S. consumers aged 15 to 70 claim to eat a predominately plant-based diet, while 60% report to be cutting back on meat-based products. Of those who are reducing their intake of animal-based proteins, 55% say the change is permanent, and 22% hope that it is. Fortunately for consumers, scientists and ingredient manufacturers have been working to find alternatives to meat that create satisfying, protein-filled foods.

A wide variety of protein sources are being used as ingredients, such as rice, peas, potato, pumpkin, black bean, algae, chia, hemp and soy.

While it has long been the case that people are leaving meat and dairy off their plates more frequently, seeing the incredible rise in plant-based foods as a market sector is a clear indication that consumer habits are changing for the better. As we approach a population of 9.8 billion by 2050, we are being forced to answer the question of how we are going to feed the world without completely exhausting all our natural resources. The answer to this question is falling on the shoulders of companies that are developing more sustainable plant-based products that are not only better for animals, but much better for our own health.

With the rising demand for plant-based products and the amazing outpouring of new innovative foods that satiate our appetition without meat or dairy, there’s simply no denying that future of food is already here — and it’s plant-based.

May - June 2019 | 3

NEWS

Innovative farm machines solving farming problems in Africa

“

After harvesting, farmers spend a lot of time and resources drying maize in the sun.

Sometimes it’s even rained on when there are unexpected showers, resulting to more losses. I thought of how I could manufacture a machine that would solve this problem,” said David Burii in an interview.

produced by burning maize cobs to the maize bed, a suspended table-like structure placed on a canvas bag. Moisture content in grains is a major challenge in the commodities market.

Farmers incur huge losses if the moisture content is high, a situation that can also lead to aflatoxin contamination, posing a health risk to consumers.

David Burii dropped out of school after his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination in 1993 due to lack of fees, shattering his ambition to pursue engineering at the university and fulfill his childhood dream of making an aircraft. But that did not stop him from being an innovator who is today revered across the country and in other parts of Africa where his Jua Kali farm machines are in use.

Mr Burii says according to tests conducted by AflaSTOP: Storage and Drying for Aflatoxin Prevention on the prototype, the machine reduces aflatoxin by 77 percent as opposed to traditionally dried maize at 51 percent. AflaSTOP runs a project that identifies the most promising storage options to control aflatoxin in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Each day, his mind was flooded with ideas on how he could make various gadgets and machines.

Looking at the way farmers were struggling to secure affordable machinery, he aspired to make cheap ones. He was also troubled by losses farmers incurred whenever they harvested grains, especially due to poor drying methods.

In 2013, Mr Burii designed EasyDry 500, a machine that can dry 500 kilos of grains in three hours. It is a portable machine using open technology and can dry maize, wheat, rice among other grains, reducing moisture content from 20 to 13.5 percent. The dryer runs on a small petrol engine which uses about half a litre of petrol per hour to power two fans which direct heat

4 |May - June 2019

Mr Burii has built 70 units and sold 23 of them.

It costs at least Sh70,000 to manufacture one machine, with each going for Sh90,000.

The innovation has become such a success that Mr Burii has sold the machine both locally and in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

“I also offer a service where I charge Sh200 to dry a bag of maize but most farmers don’t understand why they should pay this much. But if you look at the cost of drying maize in the open air for an average of two weeks when the farmer takes them out every day, the labour costs are too high,” he says.

“As part of my service to the community I intend to move from village to another offering this service because I know for sure farmers are suffering,”

adds the father of four, who is a beneficiary of the Laikipia Development and Innovation Program (LIDP) and the County Enterprise Fund.

Job opportunities Mr Burii has also seen his business expand from a staff of two in 2017 to 20 currently, and hopes to provide more job opportunities to the youth.

“Through the help of the county government, I was able to get funding, certification and to market my machines which had previously been a challenge,” he said, adding that he also markets his product at trade fairs.

The innovator is currently working on a motorcycle-engine operated mower for harvesting hay “that is faster and cheaper than other products currently in the market,” to help small-scale livestock farmers.

“My dream is to one day set up an industry where I will manufacture affordable farm inputs and be a global leader in training the youth and create jobs. I did not go beyond class eight but that did not stop me from using my brains and talent and this is the lesson I want young people to learn.

They should not also look down on the Jua Kali sector which I am convinced is the solution to joblessness,” says the 42-year old.

Laikipia County director of innovation Winnie Gathoni said they are supporting Mr Burii’s work.

“We offer training programmes, marketing and exposure to the innovative youth engaged in various projects,” she said.

NEWS

South Sudan is ripe for agricultural investment, says Minister Onyoti

“

We need to uplift each other as Africans so that no country can suffer from hunger”, emphasised the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Onyoti Nyikwec at the recent Invest in South Sudan roadshow held at Sandton Convention Centre.

This was the final leg of the Invest in South Sudan Roadshow, which had previously been held in Washington DC, New york and Dubai. At the event, South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) and the South Sudan Investment Authority (SSIA) signed a memorandum of understanding in terms of which Sacci committed to business collaboration with the South Sudanese business community.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country after it gained its independence from Sudan in 2011, is one of the most food insecure places on earth.

Around 6.1 million or 60 per cent of the population suffers from extreme hunger, according to UNICEF. Minister Onyoti Nyikwec told delegates that 95% of South Sudan’s 648 000 km2 was suitable for agriculture of which 50% was prime land with soils

and climates suitable for production of “cash crops”.

However, only 4.2% of prime land was under cultivation, which is dependent on the country’s average 500 mm to 1 800 mm rainfall a year.

Nyikwec pointed out that the country was rich with surface and ground water resources and that development for irrigation was essential for further development. The country has a 11.7-million-strong cattle herd, with 12.3-million sheep and 12.6-million goats, which posed untapped commercialisation opportunities.

About 32% of the land is covered in timber-rich forests, while the country’s current wild fishery output is 140 000 t/y, with a potential of 200 000 t/y. Opportunities for agriculture include agroprocessing plants for different varieties of crops and fruits, the production of honey, sugarcane, cotton, tea and coffee, as well as Gum Arabic processing and marketing, the construction of agromechanical training workshops and the establishment of research centres for pest control.

Additional opportunities include quality seed production; sorghum, maize, sesame, rice, nut,

and sunflower production; as well as tractor assembly plant establishment and pesticide production projects.

Speaking to Farmers Review Africa the agriculture minister agreed that the situation in the country was “very dire” but not to the extent of famine. “It is in the stage of major food crisis, but also threat of hunger this year (because of) lack of rain last year,” said Mr Nyikwec.

He also cited pest infestations, particularly the fall armyworm, which infected crops across South Sudan in 2017. The FAO developed aUS$26m fiveyear plan last year to tackle the problem.

“Our land is more fertile, we don’t use fertilisers, and we do organic farming. The world now needs organic vegetables, so we’ll be attracting good investors,” he added.

South Sudan’s six ecological zones would provide ample opportunity to cultivate coffee, maize and cassava and the country aims to distinguish itself by growing only organic produce.

May - June 2019 | 5

NEWS

Kenya put to test in applying government’s new Acts in sugar regulation

By Michael Arum, Coordinator of the Sugar Campaign for Kenyan cane growers

P

ublic policy has the power to be transformatory, which is why we invest in it.

For the best of policies change economies, solving old and even persistent problems and creating new dawns: in frameworks constructed by some of our finest minds, political leaders, technocrats, and experts, all with the aim of changing our collective future.

This stands as an aim that is increasingly now enshrined into our law. For what we do not want for our policy-constructing tax spend are, for instance, new sugar regulations that deepen the decline of our sugar industry, increasing imports, driving away farmers, and felling sugar companies.

For which reason, in 2013, Kenya signed into law the Statutory Instruments (SI) Act, which obliged our law makers to carry out an analysis of the impact of any new statute.

Moving to regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) has required new skills, but it is now law, which makes it obligatory. Moreover, six years forwards from the SI Act, it is reasonable to hope that each ministry has developed the posts and modelling skills to deliver impact assessments with each new round of proposed statute.

Unfortunately, for us as sugar farmers, that has not been the case with the sugar regulations that the president’s office is now reviewing. The Ministry of Agriculture has never published a regulatory impact statement for its sugar industry proposals.

The president ordered a task force, and the task force has also proceeded in examining the best possible policies for the future of our sugar industry without any impact statement.

We do not believe that either the ministry or the task force is meaning to disregard the law on the need for an impact assessment. Indeed, it is possible that the ministry of agriculture may have confused the need for a separate regulatory impact statement with the drawing up of the general explanatory memorandum, which is quite different, with different contents.

But the legal requirement of the regulatory impact statement is that it explains the effect of proposed regulation, and that has never been

6 |May - June 2019

done for the sugar regulations. Yet examining the effect of a regulation is extremely important, and even vital in creating a vibrant economy of the future. That is why the Ministry is obliged by law to give an assessment of the costs and benefits of the proposed new rules, of any other means of achieving the same objectives, and of the reasons for not using those alternative means – all in the regulatory impact assessment.

However, with none of this information yet provided by the Ministry, the government’s moves to enhance public participation in legislation have also played out in allowing us to carry out our own regulatory impact assessment, which we have submitted to the Ministry. Under the constitution, the public, communities and organisations affected by any policy decision must be involved in the decision-making process. The newly enacted Public Participation Act 2018 further enhances that public consultation.

In many ways, the need to reinvigorate our sugar industry has shown why these new laws on forming laws are so very important and where their value truly sits.

For at the heart of the currently proposed sugar regulations is a proposal that farmers be ‘zoned’.

This would have meant they were obliged to sell their sugar cane to one, single designated buyer, in a policy that has proven so damaging elsewhere in the world that it has literally been abandoned and banned - in Australia, India, Pakistan, and elsewhere. It is not that these economies didn’t

try zoning, they did, but found it so damaging as to subsequently outlaw it.

In our case, Kenya does not need the further setbacks caused by a damaging policy. The effect of sugar cane zoning will be more mayhem and an accelerating exit by farmers from the growing of sugar.

Thus, the proposed regulations could have actually led to increasing sugar imports, which may have been supported by prominent importers, but may not have been supported by the National Treasury in seeking to curb our nation’s ballooning trade deficit.

Indeed, the prospect of further driving downwards domestic sugar production, affecting thousands of farmers, and even seeking special waivers from our trading bloc COMESA to have such policies, really shows the value of assessing regulatory impact.

It is a must, and thus in the president’s office we now trust in pursuing regulation designed to deliver more livelihoods from sugar growing, rather than fewer.

For where ministries do not observe the laws, it is only right and proper that our president’s office should demand compliance at this latterday juncture, in order for everyone to be able to determine the best way forward in creating a future of better livelihoods and better economic growth.

EVENT

Agrishow 2019: ABIMAQ calls for a modernisation program of agricultural fleet

T

he president of the Brazilian Association of the Machinery and Equipment Industry (ABIMAQ), João Marchesan has called for reforms and requested the release of another R $ 2.5 billion for the modernization program of the agricultural fleet, Moderfrota, until the end of the current harvest, in June.

João Marchesan, said this at the official opening of the Agrishow in Brazil yesterday, which took place in Ribeirão Preto (SP) and was attended by President Jair Bolsonaro. The main agribusiness fair in the Southern Hemisphere continues until 3 May 2019.

The Brazilian Machinery Builders´ Association (ABIMAQ) was founded in 1937, with the purpose of acting on behalf of strengthening the national industry, mobilizing the sector, carrying out actions next to the political and economic instances, stimulating international trade and cooperation and contributing to improve their performance in terms of technology, capacitation of human resources and managerial upgrading.

During an interview with Farmers Review Africa Marchesan said “50 % of the agricultural

machinery is 10-15 years and needs to be renewed, harvesters need to adopt new technology, for better production and explore other means of transport from the field to market as the road is expensive.

At the Agrishow Abimaq launched a (Bank of collaboration of Data (BDCA) Big data collected by farmers, to assist with real-time information.

Brazil agricultural exports amounted to BR $15 billion in 2018 and this is expected the increase by 16% this year. The country is the world’s largest exporter of coffee, soybeans, beef, and crop-based ethanol is capable to produce and export more to Asia, which is growing financially.

Marchesan said the emphasis should be investing in research, analysis, and concession of everything. Their mandate is also financial support to the farmers; acting as a go-between the government and farmers, and that it is important for the government to seek alternatives in order to increase the availability of investment credit as this was a great challenge.

“Machines are expensive in Brazil, rates are too

João Marchesan , ABIMAQ President

high from the banks and bureaucracy. We are appealing the government to approach the banks so that they do release the money at lower rates” added Marchesan.

The other challenge facing the agricultural sector is that a lot of people had retired from the industry, hence leaving fewer producers. In Brazil, 66% of the land is still intact and 70Mill hectares is used out of 850million, only 8% (strict in preserving the land) to avoid challenges of climate change. 25% of the land is still preserved by strict environmental laws.

In conclusion, Marchesan put an emphasis on the importance of new technologies, and that they should assist in enabling farmers in having to access this new technology, as well as collaboration with other countries.

May - June 2019 | 7

EVENT

The Agrishow is a driving force behind innovations: President Fransisco Matturro

T

he Agrishow is a “driving force behind innovations, an engine for success and a marketplace”, said Matturro during an interview with Farmers Review Africa in Brazil.

Francisco Matturro is one of the founding members of the Agrishow.

The Agrishow mandate is to gather new technology under one roof, exchange information and is a point of convergence for everyone throughout the farming world. “The show presents the highest concentration of innovations—making your visit an event to remember, and we expect a 10% increase in this year’s attendance. The amount of technology exhibited strike the most”, he said The Agrishow taking place from the 29th of April to 3rd of May is the largest and most complete agricultural technology show in Latin America and the third in the world, and this year it celebrates 25 years of excellence. Besides the contribution of carrying innovations, new technologies and to improve field handlings techniques, Agrishow also plays an important role developing the sector, by providing a prosperous environment

8 |May - June 2019

for business and, especially, to stimulate the discloser of actions and claims that boost agribusiness evolution in the country. “In 2018, the Agrishow, had approximately R$2,7 billion (about R9,6 billion) worth of transactions and this figure is expected to reach 3+ Billion in 2019”, said Matturro.

According to FNP Economic studies, Brazil possesses approximately 251 million hectares of arable land, of which 66 million (26%) is allocated to crops, and 185 million hectares (74%) are used for pastures. Added to these, the country counts on regular rainfall, abundant solar energy and nearly 12% of all fresh water available on Earth, having excellent conditions for the development of agribusiness, which is currently one of the main drivers of the Brazilian economy.

During his opening address, President Matturro, emphasised on the need for more resources for funding and investments for agribusiness, with lower interest rates. He pointed that interest rates are above the inflation and the basic interest rate, and that many old contracts still pay 14.25%

interest per year, and proposed reforms of Social Security, Tax and Politics. as a remedy. The opening ceremony took place in Ribeirão Preto (SP) and was attended by the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

“87 % of the population of Brazil lives in the city, and agriculture is an important industry in Brazil, The Brazilian agricultural sector is optimistic with the new government”, notes Matturro. This year, the show host about 800 brands covering all of Brazil’s agricultural industries, with equipment and machinery solutions for smallholders, mega farmers and everyone in between.

Matturro said that their future plans is to have the Agrishow incorporating the whole agricultural chain.

“Come here at the show and get the technology and machinery needed” was Matturro’s final message to the attendees. Today, Brazil is an important global producer and exporter of agricultural products. It is the world’s largest producer of orange juice, coffee and sugar, and the second largest producer of soybean.

EVENT

BMG NAMPO 2019: Boer slim/smart farming high-efficiencies

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MG’s stand at Nampo 2019 will showcase the company’s extensive range of agricultural components, which has been carefully selected for farmers, to ensure high productivity, low maintenance requirements and extended service life.

“BMG works closely with farmers, to help them cope with advancements in agricultural machinery.

Farming-sustainability solutions focus on effective food production, the correct use of suitable equipment for specific tasks and the efficient application of the latest technologies.”

“Nampo provides the perfect opportunity for the agricultural team to interact with the local farming community, to keep abreast with exact requirements and changing agri-trends,” says Carlo Beukes, BMG’s agricultural manager.

On display at BMG’s stands - 15 and 16 in the Santam Hall - will be a wide range of agricultural products from the company’s specialist divisions, including bearings, seals, power transmission, drives and motors, materials handling, tools and fasteners, hydraulics and fluid technology.

“We also use this platform to highlight how important it is for farmers to invest in quality equipment and components, to be able to achieve high efficiencies and optimum productivity, in all sectors of agriculture.

“Through BMG’s Boer Slim/Smart Farming initiative, which was launched six years ago, BMG’s agricultural experts prove to farmers that the use of high-quality equipment and replacement parts, rather than ‘cheap’ and inferior components, is critical to long-term profitability.

Of particular interest this year, are frequency inverters that produce an optimised power supply to drive the electric motor, allowing the motor to operate under conditions that simulate a full-load response. Since the efficiency of an electric motor peaks at its full load rating, the motor is ‘tricked’ into functioning at peak efficiency.

Additionally, high starting currents are drawn by directly-connected mains-fed motors, when starting high-inertia loads, such as

compressors.

The ramp acceleration feature of inverters dynamically controls the gradual acceleration of the load, resulting in reduced power consumption.

These frequency inverters, which are easy to programme, have an automatic re-set facility.

BMG’s Motoline solar inverters for photovoltaic (PV) water pumps, designed for dependable use in agricultural irrigation and water feed systems, will also be on display.

All solar powered systems require a solar inverter to convert direct current (DC) generated by solar panels or other alternative sources, into alternating current (AC). The Motoline P19000-S Solar series inverters water pumps have integrated Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms, which support accurate tracking of the PV output, to ensure the best possible power output is achieved.

High-performance features of these solar inverters include dry-run protection, tank water level control and a dual AC and DC supply mode. This series supports AC input connectivity, in addition to the DC input from a PV system, allowing the AC input to feed the drive when the PV supply is limited. A clear LED display indicates the real-time situation and system parameters and the RS485 remote control system enhances the flexibility of the system.

Motoline P19000 Solar inverters have built-in protection and diagnostic mechanisms to provide full electronic protection to the motor and pump system, minimising maintenance requirements and extending the service life of the system.

Conqueror off-road campersBMG’s working demonstrations at Nampo will showcase how electronic, fluid technology, tools and power transmission components operate competently together, to form an efficient system that enhances productivity and minimises energy consumption.

May - June 2019 | 9

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EVENT

Nampo’s 53rd edition:

Reaping rewards in the agricultural sector

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rain SA’s annual Nampo Harvest Day agricultural show, will be held on the 14 to 17 May at Nampo Park near Bothaville, following a record attendance of almost 83 000 visitors last year.

‘NAMPO is our exhibition platform where producers come into contact with the latest technology. The Harvest Day is a wonderful place for father and son to dream together about beautiful cattle or a vehicle, with something to see for everyone in the family,’ said Jannie de Villiers, CEO of Grain SA. Nampo Harvest Day is an annually organized trade fair held for supplementing the farmers in the region with a complete perspective into the latest farming products and equipments. With similar aim this event was incepted way back in 1967 and it has since then been capable of serving the requirements of both the users as well as the suppliers and manufactures of such equipment. Practical demonstrations of usable machinery are one of the most important highlights of this event.

According to Danie Minnaar, chairperson of the Harvest Day committee, NAMPO is a top-class show boasting 775 exhibitors, 50 of whom are international exhibitors, this year. Organised groups of exhibitors from the USA, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Canada, Argentina and Italy, as well as individual exhibitors from Denmark, China and Turkey, are present. ‘The fact that we can accommodate 60 new exhibitors shows that the Harvest Day is a dynamic show that is still growing and remains in line with the most recent developments in agriculture,’ Danie added.

One of the topics during the Nation in Conversation panel discussions presented at the show will be a post-election analysis of South Africa’s future. Nation in Conversation, is a platform where thought leaders from various industries discuss agricultural issues, is one of the highlights at Nampo.

The panel discussions will feature the following topics: where does South Africa stand in the global agriculture business?; public-private partnerships towards sustainable economic growth; supporting and funding a developing agriculture industry; technology and funding: the role of communal land in agricultural development; reviving the platteland; water: a critical commodity; and a glance into the future: opportunities in agriculture.

The facilitators of the panel discussions this year will be Roelf Meyer, politician and businessman; Prof Nick Binedell, director of the Gordon Institute of Business Science of the University of Pretoria; Theo Vorster, CEO of Galileo Capital; Leona Archary, deputy director of rural infrastructure and youth development at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform; Christo van der Rheede, deputy executive director at Agri SA; and Chris Burgess, editor of agricultural magazine Landbouweekblad.

The show will also feature a farmer patents’ competition in which farmers who have invented, designed, or adapted equipment to solve their own practical problems will share their inventions with fellow farmers.

At the Members’ Hall producers will have access to live Safex information, and Grain SA’s economists will be on duty to assist with enquiries. A ‘Seed to seed’ exhibition at the Grain SA/NAMPO Experience Centre in the entrance to the Members’ Hall depicts the grain path and how the organisation contributes to the grain value chain to promote sustainable production.

Other highlights of NAMPO 2019 The best of the breeders is showcased in the livestock division, and include cattle, sheep, pig, horse and goat breeds that are officially registered with SA Stud Book. A daily livestock programme of static exhibitions, inter-breed adjudications, presentation parades, and a youth show are on the programme.

A new livestock arena was constructed behind the Cattle complex, where show-horse and cattle demonstrations take place daily at scheduled times.

Game and game-related exhibitors are present again in the Wildlife Ranching SA (WRSA) Hall, close to the 4x4 trail.

Visitors with an appetite for 4x4 vehicle action or who are adventurous enough to want to experience motorcycles, four-wheelers and side-by-sides first hand, must make sure that they do not miss the daily demonstrations at the Standard Bank 4x4 and Maxxis Adventure Track motorcycle trails.

NAMPO’s well-known competition for resourceful farmer patents is displaying a new face this year. It is now known as Agricultural Farmer Plans, and is still sponsored by Omnia and presented on the same site.

Landbouweekblad’s involvement as media partner gave new momentum to the competition, which also boasts different divisions for entry.

Do not miss this.

Also visit the seed plots to the east of the grounds, where you can view the grain and feed crops of leading seed companies. A couple of seed exhibitors also moved their exhibitions to the seed plots this year.

A fully equipped high-definition studio has been rigged up for the Nation in Conversation programme, which is also filmed during NAMPO. Approximately 80 guests can be accommodated in the audience per discussion.

Each discussion is streamed live to the Nation in Conversation smart phone app and various online platforms. Visitors to the grounds can follow conversations live on the big screens located near to the VIP area.

Stretch your visit to NAMPO 2019 by using some of the nine tractor-trailers that follow three different routes across the grounds.

The white tent close to the Polkadot tea garden is once more the home of NAMPO’s Ladies’ Programme in collaboration with Network 24. With the theme of ‘Give new life to your forgotten resolutions’, this is a must for women.

Well-known personalities like Nadine Vosloo, Mareli Visser, Michelle van Breda, Jak de Priester and Retha de Villiers are performing.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that there is a lack of beautiful things for women at NAMPO. More than 80 exhibitors of household items promise a wonderful shopping experience for female visitors. In addition to Die Padstal, which ensures a true deli experience, about 12% of the exhibition areas are aimed at the finer tastes like clothing, jewellery, accessories, natural products, paintings, decorations, décor, and more.

A brand-new Senwes playground for children has been created behind the SAMPI Hall, where the kids are entertained with educationally stimulating activities, under strict supervision.

May - June 2019 | 11

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EVENT

Africa’s First International Agricultural Technology Exhibition and Conference Coming to South Africa

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rom the 17th to the 19th of June 2020, Cape Town will play host to the first ever Agritech Africa exhibition and conference, aimed at accelerating agricultural advancements on the African continent. Taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the event is expected to draw thousands of professionals in the field of agriculture from around the world who will be exposed to the latest developments and technological innovations in agriculture that can address pressing issues such as climate change, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, job creation and food security.

The event is being brought to South Africa

by Kenes Exhibitions – a market leader in conferencing, exhibitions and educational platforms which has been producing exhibitions and conferences around the globe in the agricultural, water technology, biomedical, and cyberspace arenas for the past decade.

“Agriculture provides a source of livelihood for 61% of the 337 million people living in the

14 |May - June 2019

Southern African Development Community.

It is also crucial for food security, which in turn assists in political stability and is central to the development of agro-industries,” says Dr Max Wengawenga, Assistant Chief Economic Advisor to the President of Malawi.

“However, the local industry is plagued by challenges like climate change, not being able to meet the standards of international markets, changes in consumption patterns and population growth driving increased demand for food. The way forward in overcoming these obstacles and unlocking the opportunities offered by agriculture is technology.”

“It was with this in mind that we decided to host an international agricultural technology exhibition and conference in South Africa – the country at the heart of the African renaissance,” shares Kenes Exhibitions Managing Director, Prema Zilberman. Issues affecting the African agriculture industry, including the management of land and water resources, food security, as well

as the development of an Innovation Ecosystem, will be explored in depth at the Agritech Africa 2020 conference by local and international experts, the names of whom will be revealed over the coming weeks.

Taking place alongside the conference will be an exhibition comprised of an anticipated 200 exhibitors who will showcase cutting edge technologies, products, and systems in the areas of aquaculture; fertilisers and chemicals; livestock and dairy farming; irrigation and water management; plant protection; rural development; poultry; agri-ecology; food security and safety; marketing; exporting and more.

Exhibitors will range from start-ups with exciting new technologies, to existing companies with proven or breakthrough products.

“Agritech Africa 2020 will provide a platform to take on pressing challenges faced within the agricultural sector and find solutions that will allow for sustainable economic growth,” concludes Zilberman

Sustainability is in Our Sights.

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Irragtion pumps are used to pump water from a lower to a higher level from which the water then flows through channels to the fields requiring irrigation (lift operation) or to raise it to the required pressure head so that it can be sprayed on the fields via piping systems (sprinkling). The heads involved range from approximately 1 m for normal lift operation to 40 m for sprinkling. In special cases, heads exceeding 100 m may be required.

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May - June 2019 | 15

OPINION

SA agriculture learning to dance with the wind

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he South African agricultural sector has been facing severe headwinds over the past few years. It came in the form of policy uncertainty, drought in large parts of the country, devastating disease outbreaks, infrastructure constraints and persistent non-tariff barriers and other trade-related problems.

Africa’s landscapes over the past few centuries – as stated by the department of environmental affairs.

However, the industry is learning to dance with the wind, rather than fighting it. It remains resilient despite these major challenges and limitations.

Diseases The pork industry experienced the greatest challenge in its history last year. A listeria outbreak killing more than 200 people was followed by an outbreak of African Swine Fever, a severe haemorrhagic disease of pigs, in the Northern Cape. It shattered the industry’s supply chain.

The sector’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution since the 70’s has been declining consistently from around 8.9% in 1975 to 2.6% in 2017. This is not because agriculture has not been performing; it is just that other sectors in the economy have been performing better.

The gross value of agricultural production was close to R267bn in the 2016-’17 financial years.

Livestock contributed R127bn (47%), horticulture R74bn (28%) and field crops such as maize, wheat, sunflower seed and soya-beans represented 25% (R66bn) of total agricultural production.

In March 2019, food inflation remained subdued at around 2.3%. However, cost pressures (higher fuel prices and electricity tariffs), and concerns about early frost in the maize producing areas may impact inflation negatively.

Last year the country, and particularly the agricultural sector, experienced a year of disaster and misfortune. According to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), farmers were despondent. Land reform (expropriation without compensation), climate variability, policy uncertainty and the listeria crisis knocked investor and business confidence.

The climate South Africa is highly stressed in terms of its water resources. For the past six years the country has been plagued by drought in one part or the other.

Besides the drought the mining sector has been encroaching and good arable land is being lost for farming.

The country is facing increased water pollution which will impact on our food exports if we cannot meet export requirements for minimal residues in our produce. The destruction of our wetlands is another major headwind blowing across the country. Agricultural activities, amongst others, severely affected and dramatically altered South

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Studies in several areas have suggested that between 35% and 60% of our wetlands have already been lost or severely degraded.

During the listeria crisis some producers were losing R1.2m per day. According to the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (Sappo), the price of pork came down from R28/kg (some farmers were receiving R36/kg) to R10/kg in some instances. This resulted in several smaller farmers to exit the industry.

Paul Makube, Senior Agricultural Economist at FNB Agriculture

SA is exploring new markets, and has for the first time exported a shipment of soya-beans to Turkey to see if it was viable. SA is also talking to China to import maize and soya-beans from SA.

And then the new year dawned with news of a foot and mouth outbreak in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. This resulted in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) temporarily suspending SA’s foot and mouth disease-free zone status, which not only affected the export of meat, but also products such as wool.

According to Grain SA, the grain industry has a record-breaking year. Maize consumption reached record highs, and the market is absorbing production. Another record was soyabean consumption, which increased by 472% last year, albeit from a low base since 2000.

The non-tariff barriers The ban on wool-products following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in January is but one of the non-tariff barriers SA is battling.

Government has given soft loans to encourage increased capacity to crush the beans to produce oil, mainly for cooking purposes, and several crushing plants have been set up in the rural areas, of which all are in full production.

Our tariff system is well developed and in place, but the issue of non-tariff barriers remains, according to Agbiz. The Department of Trade and Industry has been engaging with the European Union on their possible limitations on the export of SA’s fruits and citrus because of false codling moth and citrus black spot.

Our statistics shows that hectares under soyabeans have increased 376% in the last decade due to better cooperation between the private sector and Government. Production is up by 450% over the same period.

It is a longwinded process to fight these barriers, hence countries, especially developed ones, get away with applying them.

Another new record was the consumption of sunflower seed – the highest since 1998 - as well as for wheat used in the making of bread with consumption up 30% over the same period.

Learning to dance with the wind Rest assured, the country will once again experience drought, disease outbreaks and policy uncertainty, amongst other challenges. However, for agriculture to continue being resilient, it is essential that we learn how to dance with them.

Crop yields have increased despite a decline in the number of planted hectares. New technology in terms of drought-resistant, disease-resistant varieties, irrigation water saving techniques and changes in livestock breeding and feeding have shown that the industry is getting lighter on its feet.

FEATURE

UK manufacturer Alvan Blanch wins Queen’s Award for expanding exports.

product enhancement and R&D. The last five years have seen a large expansion in global operations for the Wiltshire based manufacturer.

The company has opened sales offices and service centres in several markets in Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe, benefitting customer and dealer relationships.

Managing Director, Andrew Blanch says: We are very proud to have won this award for the third time; it represents a great achievement by everyone here. When we first won it 14 years ago we had managed £3million of export sales, the award in 2012 reflected sharp growth of exports to £8million, while now we have reached £12million.

Over that period, we have doubled our workforce to 120 and we have recently invested very heavily in manufacturing automation and in expanding our factory. We now have a worldclass manufacturing facility that enables us to compete in highly demanding global markets with our world beating products.

But all of that has only been made possible by our 4-fold export sales growth over the 14 years between these awards.

T

he United Kingdom based manufacturer Alvan Blanch, has received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2019 in the ‘International Trade – Outstanding Achievement’ category. The awards, announced today, (Tuesday 23rd April) are the most prestigious business accolades within the UK. This is the third time that the company has received the award – having won previously in 2005 and 2012. Alvan Blanch is the only company, within the agricultural sector, to have received an award within the International Trade category.

Alvan Blanch is a manufacturer of post-harvest processing machinery and industrial drying systems. With regular markets in every inhabited continent, the company has focused on using its international trade to drive growth, while maintaining its established UK customer base.

Understanding the challenges and changes of fast-moving markets has been crucial for Alvan Blanch to achieve its international success. In addition to a well-known grain drier business, Alvan Blanch boasts dedicated engineering and design teams who are constantly working on

May - June 2019 | 17

FEATURE

Biodegradable & compostable mulch films for agricultural application

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n estimated 2-3 million tons of plastics are used in agriculture each year and the use of plastic in agriculture is so prevalent it is now referred to as ‘plasticulture’. By far the biggest use of plastic in agriculture is for plastic mulch films and silage wrap. These are typically made from polyethylene (PE) because it is cheap, easily processed, highly durable and flexible.

However; it is because of PE’s non-biodegradable nature that it is now becoming an environmental concern.

One practical solution to avoid micro plastic pollution and expensive collection and landfill charges, is to switch to biodegradable or compostable plastic. Truly biodegradable plastic films can be broken down by microbial activity in the soil, therefore removing the need for collecting the plastic once it has been planted.

Current research on this topic is considering the effect of biodegradable mulch on crop growth, soil fertility and yields, to gain an optimal balance of maximum yields and complete biodegradation

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It is important to note that not all plastics made from plant biomass are biodegradable; the level of biodegradability does not depend on the resource material but does depend on its chemical structure. Bioplastics are therefore categorised into biodegradable and biobased (non-biodegradable) plastics. Biobased plastics are wholly, or partly made from plant matter; for example, biobased PET, used to make some drink bottles, is 30% biomass and 70% fossil-oil based. To qualify as a biodegradable plastic, a bioplastic has to meet the product standards as set by the EU Certification and Standards Board.

European Bioplastics- Biodegradable mulch films as an integral part of sustainable agriculture 2018 was marked by an active debate on the negative impact of plastic pollution, in particular with regard to the lack of appropriate disposal and, consequently, littering in the environment.

This discussion shows a growing ecological awareness both by the population and by the

industry. Currently, more and more companies are looking for innovative plastic alternatives that present advantages in terms of sustainability. In agriculture, biodegradable plastics offer solutions in the field of mulch films.

In many countries, farmers collect conventional (non-biodegradable) mulch films only partially or not at all - due to cost and time constraints.

Moreover, collected film waste is highly contaminated with soil, sand, and organic material, making the mechanical recycling economically unviable. Usually, films are burned or simply ploughed at the edge of the fields. With the increasing attention to the accumulation of microplastics in the soil, the interest in biodegradable plastic mulch films is growing.

According to current market data from European Bioplastics in cooperation with the nova-Institut, the use of biodegradable plastics in agriculture is expected to increase globally by 25% from 119,500 tons to 150,000 tons by 2023.

Biodegradation is a chemical process during which microorganisms that are available in the environment convert materials into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and compost. Biodegradable mulch films have been used in small quantities on the European Union market for more than 15 years and enjoy high acceptance among European farmers.

In cases where the collection and recycling of conventional mulch films is not possible, certified biodegradable mulch films are a convenient alternative to prevent the formation of microplastics.

Their positive agronomic effects include weed control, increase of yield, better quality of crops, and the reduction of use of irrigation water and pesticides. Additionally, biodegradable mulch films offer further advantages at the end of the crop cycle because they can simply be left on the field and ploughed under.

In early 2018, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published the European standard EN 17033 “Plastics - Biodegradable mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture – Requirements and test methods”. The standard is the basis for the certification of mulch films and a transparent reference for farmers, distributors, and stakeholders who wish to use biodegradable mulch films. This includes ambitious requirements regarding time frame, progress of biodegradation and several ecotoxicity tests.

Plastic films generate roughly 80% of the agricultural plastic waste. For some film applications, such as films for tunnels or greenhouses, collection and recycling is feasible.

However, the realities of waste management of conventional mulch films and the consequent impact of plastics on soil are reason enough for the use of certified biodegradable mulch films, a technology with great potential to improve modern agriculture’s sustainability.

Novamont-Agro Innovative products for agriculture Novamont’s MATER-BI range of proprietary resins biodegradable and made from starch, cellulose and vegetable oils. The mulch degrades naturally in the soil, converting to carbon dioxide and feeding into soil microbial systems.

MATER-BI is the innovative family of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics, developed over twenty-five years of research and innovation to provide solutions for specific environmental problems while combining product quality and performance with an efficient use of resources.

In keeping with the bio-economy model, understood as regional regeneration, these facilities have been converted into innovative industrial plants. All grades of MATER-BI are certified by certification bodies in accordance with the main European and international standards.

MATER-BI is a bioplastics whose properties and characteristics of use are very similar to those of traditional plastics, but at the same time, they are biodegradable and compostable according to the European standard UNI EN 13432, the most important reference for the technical material manufacturers, public authorities, composters, certifiers and consumers.

14th European Bioplastics Conference The leading business forum for the bioplastics industry

REGIS T NOW!ER 3/4 December 2019 Titanic Chaussee Hotel Berlin, Germany @EUBioplastics #eubpconf www.european-bioplastics.org/events

May - June 2019 | 19

FEATURE

MATER-BI’s biodegradability and compostability properties and its high content of renewable raw materials allow optimal organic waste management, reduce the environmental impact and contribute to the development of virtuous systems, with significant advantages throughout the entire production-consumption-disposal cycle.

Reverte oxo-biodegradable additive The incorporation of Reverte oxo-biodegradable additive into Agricultural Mulch films can function correctly in a variety of environments they are exposed to and has the following benefits: The film can be made so thin without the intention for it ever to be lifted from the soil; this allows ultrathin films to be utilised saving on plastic, costs and resources. It is also tough and resistant to damage while lying in the field during service. Reverte film will at a predetermined exposure breakdown rapidly allowing the crop to be recovered and the degraded polymer ploughed in.

This highly degraded material is susceptible to biodigestion and will ultimately biodegrade. Wells

20 |May - June 2019

The cost is much more attractive in all terms ie recycle, collection, reuse where film needs to be made thicker. The formulation is programmed to suit the crop and climate. Testing has shown that incorporating Reverte into the film does adversely affect growth rates. No change in extrusion equipment, output rates of films, change in film density or the need for investment in plant or equipment to process these materials.

Plastics have developed a special agricultural film grade which can be dosed at different levels to achieve different breakdown kinetics to suit the crop. This material has been independently analysed over many years for safety, suitability and of course biodegradability.

The use of a Reverte film has many advantages as compared to compostable films; in particular the weight of the film can be four times greater than that of a light weight polyethylene film. The carbon foot print of a Reverte treated film is far more favourable than that of compostable films currently available.

Reverte has already been used for more than 10 years in various countries and in many different crop types including cotton, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, peanuts, onions, sweet potato leaves, chilli and cabbage.

The biodegradability of Reverte containing LDPE agri mulch film has been shown to meet with the requirements of ASTM D6954-18 which is the landmark international standard test guide for characterising oxo-biodegradable plastics, Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation.

FEATURE

The Great outdoors guide: off-road caravans

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inding the average camping trailer ill prepared for all of the obstacles of life on the road can be difficult. However, a host of independent designers are releasing innovative and well-thought caravans. From campers with foldout kitchens to caravans that can double as boats. In fact, offroad caravans come in many sizes, shapes, and styles. There are many important features that you need to look for when buying the best offroad caravans on the market. Here are some of the most important features to look for on off-road caravans The chassis is the most important component of a quality off-road caravan.

The chassis is made of steel or aluminum in most cases. Most of the box section designs will feature 6in x 2in RHS main rails and a drawbar.

Some manufacturers will weld a second rail to the first. Even though the latter may add a great deal of strength to the caravan, it will also increase the weight of the product. That is why many designers have opted for alternative designs such as completely aluminum or hybrid aluminum/steel

constructions. Ground clearance also plays a big part when choosing the best off-road caravan on the market. You should consider the minimum height off the ground as well as make sure that all components of the caravan are strapped up out of the way when buying the right product on the market.

In fact, a good rear departure angle is essential so that the caravan could handle undulating tracks without scraping its rear end in the process. The right off-road caravan requires a decent water storage capacity. It should also have a payload to suit the weight of the water. In fact, 1 L of water weighs 1 Kg. Some manufacturers will provide split storage systems so that you can keep the drinking water separately. That way you can fill the general use water from more sources. That is because you don’t have to worry much about the quality of such water. Off-road caravan water tanks are generally poly molded in order to give it more strength in the process. But the conventional tanks should come with galvanized sheeting for better protection.

The suspension is another important feature to consider when shopping for the best off-road caravan on the market. The product should be fitted with a great independent suspension system that will help to minimize the amount of shock transfer from the terrain. In fact, independent suspension systems are a firm favorite with offroad caravan manufacturers on the market.

There are many such manufacturers out there.

But all of them are not created equal. In fact, your thorough research plays an important part when doing so. Make sure that you conduct a thorough research before shopping for the best off-road caravan on the market. Investing in a caravan is not an easy task.

Bush Lapa all-in-one offroad caravan solution for the fuss-free adventurer.

Bush Lapa is the all-in-one off-road caravan solution for the fuss-free adventurer. It is light and compact, and as agile as your 4×4. With loads of space, it is designed to match the comfort and convenience of a conventional caravan, and it is easy and quick to set up camp.

Handles like a 4x4 The caravan that will go wherever your 4X4 goes.

Rain or shine, rocks or sand, each Bush Lapa is made to handle tough African off-road conditions.

The stand out feature is the Bush Lapa’s agility.

It’s designed to be aerodynamic and lightweight, yet tough and sturdy.

May - June 2019 | 21

FEATURE

Designed for the bush Designed for comfort, yet rugged and bush-proof.

It looks like a trailer, camps like a caravan and feels like a 4X4. Each Bush Lapa comes with a fully equipped kitchen and high quality adventureproof interiors. To set up camp like a pro is a no brainer. In under 10 minutes, you’ll crack open your first cold one.

Uncompromising quality and safety Whether on the highway at high speed or in lowrange over a rocky section, on- and offroad safety is a stand out feature of Bush Lapa caravans. The body and chassis are made on site from 3CR12 stainless steel, and the interior from high-quality aluminium. We use quality appliances and install SABS-approved parts.

Spacious layout and storage Each Bush Lapa is cleverly designed for maximum space and storage, without compromising on agility and offroad performance. The interior design have got big people with generous hearts in mind. A Bush Lapa is meant to be a home away from home for adventurous families who love to get together under the African sky.

The bush wing® awning The Bush Wing® awning turns any camping spot into prime bushveld property. It is made from durable canvas and lightweight aluminium. The design is truly ingenious. Set-up camp quick and easy, in any kind of weather.

Conquerer Conqueror has over the past 30 years become the benchmark and industry leaders in Caravan

22 |May - June 2019

and Camper trailer designs. Our most prestigious awards won to date has been The Great Outdoors Guide’s Caravan of the Year and Off-Road Trailer of the year awards.

Construction Materials The company’s experience with stainless steel in the past has shown that this material is not the ideal material for the building of campers and trailers as it is still susceptible to corrosion. It is for this reason that we have elected to follow motor industry trends using electrogalvanized steel for all our chassis and core body frames. Aluminium is used in the construction of doors and furniture to reduce weight and all our tents are made from coated ripstop canvas, while nylon or less durable materials are avoided.

Chassis Chassis are manufactured from 3mm steel using NC machines for accuracy. Welding on the chassis is kept to a minimum through the use of smaller components that are bolted together which in turn significantly reduces the risk of metal fatigue and stress concentration zones on the chassis. An added benefit of this technique is easier component replacement in case of damage. Once assembled the chassis is hot dipped galvanised for added corrosion protection.

Axle and wheels Solid beam, braked axles are used in the trailers while a patented independent suspension with stabilizers are used in our caravans. All the campers are equipped with 16” wheels with options to upgrade to alloy rims. Benefits of an independent suspension over conventional solid beam axles

include improved handling both on- and offroad, improved axle articulation over obstacles, increased ride heights and superior ride quality. The independent suspension offers a softer ride which translates into a better towing experience especially on dirt roads and corrugation.

Body Construction Body components are manufactured using a combination of electro galvanized steel and aluminium which is punched using NC Machines for accuracy and then powder coated. Benefits of powder coating over other finishes are a higher degree of resistance to scratches, chipping, wear and fade. All parts are of a modular design allowing for easy panel replacements in case of an accident.

The body is assembled using a range of highquality fasteners and a high modulus polyurethane glue which reduces metal fatigue, corrosion and provides a more durable longer lasting camper. Recently Conqueror also introduced a revolutionary material in the construction of its new range of campers, which significantly reduces weight.

Accessories All models can be equipped with a purpose made range of tents, awnings and accessories. The awnings are recognized as the best designed and of highest quality in the industry. Provision for most accessories and add-ons are made during the design process. Anchor points, mounting holes and routings are thus part of the basic camper allowing for easier equipment installation at any stage.

ADVERTORIAL

Conqueror off-road campers are for good reason

Number 1 in South Africa!

C

onqueror boasts a solid 25 years’ experience manufacturing offroad campers. They are the market leader in South Africa due to their own manufacturing processes, export and good aftersales service.

Conqueror is at the forefront with their and unique manufacturing processes. so Conqueror campers are not only built strong enough to withstand the African bundus, but also any bad road in the world. You can tow a Conqueror with absolute peace of mind, and with all its built-in luxuries, you will camp like a king.

Conqueror initially focused on building military products, and in the early 1990’s applied this know-how to building ers were available for sale during the Nampo harvest festival, and within six months became South Africa’s top seller.

The company’s methods have even been incorporated by other manufacturers in the industry. Conquerer stays ahead of the pack by being cognizant of the latest trends.

Four highly specialised engineers and three programmers have now joined the design team to set the bar even higher.

Conqueror’s factories encompass almost 170 well-trained staff bring these campers to life with streamlined and unique manufacturing processes. These include materials like galvanised steel, aluminium and stainless steel, hot-dip plating on the chassis and epoxy powder-coating for the panels. These panels are joined with, amongst others, a special polyurethane sealant – the same method used in aviation. The layer is strong enough to absorb all the stress on the bodywork from severe towing conditions.

Conqueror campers, unlike most other campers on the road, do not just have a spare wheel. The wheel includes a complete wheel boss with the bearings. A high-pressure fan ensures that the camper stays dust free while you are sleeping, and the harness-coupling to the towing vehicle is made of rubber and is waterproof. The 24 A-power pack is custom-made and is able to work with alternating and direct current (AC/DC) and you are able to see how much power the

system is drawing and supplying. Actually, this system is so sophisticated and modern that it even works with an app from your smartphone for you to control. Conqueror also uses patented, independent suspension that has been tried and tested time and again, and the tent material is of military grade. To emphasize the quality, Conqueror backs their products with a 3-year structural guarantee. Conqueror has built almost 17 000 campers since 1996, some of which have been exported all around the world, including Australia – where it won Camper of the Year – Canada, Europe,

Conqueror is at the forefront with their innovative designs, relentless field tests and unique manufacturing processes.

Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the USA. In the meantime Conqueror also took top honours as the The Great Outdoors Guide’s Caravan of the Year 2017!

Conqueror does not let the grass grow under its feet, and is launching a roadcaravan project mid-year. In so doing enabling it to take over the reins in the road camper market. conqueror.co.za

016 349 6533.

CONQUEROR Bloemfontein (Moto Inn) 051 430 5951 Cape Town (Safari Centre) 021 595 3910 Heidelberg 083 654 0116 or 016 349 6532 www.weg.co.za

Limpopo 015 293 0431 or 071 771 0347

Nelspruit (Opposite Lock) 013 752 2016

Middelburg TJM 013 244 1298 or 082 802 7603

Midrand 082 651 9471 or 010 010 7969

Northgate 011 026 6350 or 083 229 4276

Pretoria 012 567 1378 or 082 442 5713

Namibia

East-Rand 084 491 5898 or 082 350 8166

Western Cape 072 434 9062

CONQUEROR MANUFACTURERS (Pty) Ltd.

Tel. 016 349 6533

go! Drive & Camp April 2018 | 19

c/o Chris- & Reitz street, Heidelberg

info@conqueror.co.za

NEWS FEATURE

Reaping profitability in agriculture Lubricants can aid farmers to increase productivity while reducing total cost of ownership

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ver the last 117 years South Africans have entrusted Shell to make life’s journey more comfortable and convenient - a little better every day. The company’s illustrious history in the country is testament to its commitment in building the nation, and as such, its pledge to support the agriculture sector will continue to grow.

fact be detrimental to machinery, and most often leading to downtime and therefore loss of profit.

In an environment where meeting demand by maximising productivity and minimising costs is key, making the most of the ‘off season’ to conduct proper equipment maintenance is essential to help avoid costly unplanned downtime during peak planting or harvest times.

Selecting the correct lubricant When evaluating the effect that lubricants have related to TCO, Shell Lubricants considers the end to end impact on maintenance budgets and processes, but also any costs related to lost production during equipment downtime.

Therefore, optimising lubrication directly translates into a significant impact on component life, maintenance costs, and unplanned downtime, so it can contribute to cost savings far higher than the price of the lubricant itself.

However, the potential impact of effective equipment lubrication on equipment durability and reliability is too often underestimated, and according to an international industry study commissioned by Shell Lubricants, only 39% of agricultural companies believe lubrication can influence equipment availability and only 29% understand how wear protection delivered by a lubricant can lead to cost savings.

“Specifically, we believe that the engines, axels, and transmissions of farming equipment provide some of the lubrication challenges in the agricultural sector,” discloses Niemann. “It is vitally important to have in-depth knowledge about the products you are purchasing and using in your machinery. Selecting the right lubricant is an important first step in helping to improve reliability, boost productivity, and lower costs.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly in light of this, the study also demonstrated that many companies underestimate the potential extent of these savings, with over 60% of those surveyed believing that cost savings linked to lubricants would not exceed 5%. The truth is however that Shell Lubricants has seen that far greater savings are possible and in recent years has delivered close to $2 million in savings to agriculture customers.

Niemann highlights four main elements associated with engine protection, including protection against deposits, wear control, corrosion protection, and extended oil life. “The right engine oil helps protect equipment in all conditions, even when operating at maximum load,” says Niemann. “By guarding against wear, deposits and corrosion, it can help enable machinery to operate efficiently in conjunction with reducing the risk of costly unplanned downtime.”

“For decades, Shell Lubricants has worked closely with customers to help identify opportunities to reduce maintenance costs and enhance equipment productivity by upgrading lubrication,” explains Anton Niemann, General Manager Lubricants Sales at Shell Downstream South Africa. “There are two equally important elements to seizing this opportunity. The first is selecting the right lubricant or grease; the second is effective lubrication management.”

And in the case of modern farming machinery working under higher loads, the demands on transmission lubricants are increasing. The universal transmission oil is, for most farmers, the most vital lubricant. It must successfully lubricate the transmission, wet brakes and hydraulic systems of machines including tractors, diggers and combine harvesters, to help keep equipment running smoothly for longer.

However, with the recent droughts playing havoc with the agriculture sector, many farmers have looked for ways to cut costs, and often, selecting the correct mechanical lubricants, as well as making use of inferior lubricating products could in

24 |May - June 2019

“In this instance we see wear protection as an important element yet again, and by making use of a lubricant that offers high levels of wear protection will safeguard against wear and tear,” he says.

Further, Niemann expounds on the importance of lubricating longevity particularly in transmission

Anton Niemann - General Manager, Commercial Fuels and Bitumen at Shell SA oils, where good oxidation resistance can resist degradation and break-down over time, lending to a reduction in the downtime associated with frequent oil changes.

Choosing a less effective lubricant rarely results in immediate equipment failure, however, it can lead to increased maintenance expenses over time. For instance, lower levels of wear or corrosion protection can lead to more rapid degradation of equipment components, resulting in increased maintenance costs from more frequent replacement. These mounting costs can be far greater than the savings from selecting a lower price lubricant. Selecting a lubricant with numerous OEM approvals for multiple applications can also enable businesses to take advantage of economies of scale, which creates an overall reduction in operating costs.

“With only 2-3 months to complete an entire harvest, even a single day of unplanned downtime can be extremely costly,” explains Virginie Chan, Shell Lubricants Global Sector Marketing Manager for Agriculture. “A highquality lubricant or grease that keeps machinery clean of deposits and effectively protects against wear and corrosion can help extend equipment life, reduce the frequency of breakdowns and increase equipment availability. This can all contribute to improved equipment reliability and decreased maintenance spend.”

Lubricant management Lubricant management is of utmost importance, with many businesses not realising the potential benefits associated with effective lubrication management.

Niemann explains that even the best of products cannot operate and work correctly if it is not applied and maintained correctly, and as such, effective lubrication management is imperative in unlocking TCO savings.

FEATURE

TURN ON THE TURBO! The new HG 64 turns any high-pressure cleaner into a fully fledged hot water high-pressure cleaner.

With our HG 64 hot water generator you can cost-effectively transform any cold water high-pressure cleaner into a hot water machine with higher cleaning performance.

Read more at www.karcher.co.za

FEATURE Selecting a less effective lubricant rarely results in immediate equipment failure but can lead to increased maintenance expenses over time.

For example, lower levels of wear or corrosion protection can lead to more rapid degradation of equipment components, resulting in increased maintenance costs from more frequent replacement. These mounting costs can be far greater than the savings from selecting a lower price lubricant.

In contrast, a high-quality oil or grease that keeps equipment clean of deposits and effectively protects against wear and corrosion can help extend equipment life, reduce frequency of breakdowns and increase the machine’s availability. Expanding on this, Niemann highlights six key steps in what the company considers integral to proper lubrication management. These include: Right storage & handling – the lubricant must be stored in the right conditions and handled correctly to avoid contamination and preserve its key characteristics.

Right place – for the oil or grease to reach the right surface it must be properly applied to the equipment.

Right time – the correct frequency of oil change or re-greasing ensures the lubricant reaches the surface at the right time. Delays can result in accelerated wear.

26 |May - June 2019

Right amount – the correct volume of lubricant or grease applied and topped up to protect moving parts effectively.

Right monitoring – regular sampling and analysis to ensure the lubricant remains fit for purpose and check for early indications of equipment wear. Inspections also ensure the consistent application of the first four steps.

For a complete analysis service, Shell offers LubeAnalyst, its oil condition monitoring service that helps to ensure that your equipment and lubricants are in optimum working order by identifying potential oil or equipment failures before they become critical. This service is designed to help save money and time on maintenance.

Right people – the competence of those who lubricate equipment can greatly affect its positive impact, particularly when it comes to ensuring all the above happens.

Evolving for the future Committed to delivering value to its customers, Shell Lubricants invests significant resources in the development of new products for the agriculture sector. A network of expert collaborations strengthens the innovation capabilities of Shell Research & Development teams located in Technology Centres in Shanghai, Hamburg and Houston. Working closely with top global agriculture OEMs, including key transmission and

engine manufacturers such as ZF and Deutz, ensures Shell Lubricants products evolve in line with technological and industry advances, such as the introduction of PC-11 in the USA. Additionally, field trials with customers also help validate functionality in real-life scenarios and steer the development of products that improve performance, productivity and profitability. Shell Lubricants products are either approved or meet the specifications of many of the leading farming equipment OEMs, including: Massey Ferguson, John Deere, ZF, but to name a few. By 2050, it is projected that the world’s population will have reached 9 billion.

Meeting increased demand for safe, healthy and nutritious food, while adhering to strict CO2 emissions requirements, minimising environmental footprint and staying competitive by ensuring cost efficiency will require farmers to maximise equipment productivity and reliability.

“It is for this reason, in addition to continuously supporting customers in the present day, that Shell Lubricants is constantly looking ahead to identify opportunities for the next generation of products and services that will help companies overcome the challenges of the future.

“Our future focus and innovation means that our products remain industry leaders and constantly evolving to meet and exceed the needs of our customers,” concludes Niemann.

FEATURE

NTN-SNR launches a pack for simplified maintenance of quarry equipment bearings

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TN-SNR launched its new “quarry pack” for the maintenance of bearings on machine used in these particularly harsh environments. This pack uses premium products to meet the users’ established needs. Kits for belt conveyors form the core of this range. Combining open or sealed bearings, they provide an all-inone solution that optimises site maintenance.

All bearings are part of the ULTAGE highperformance range and NTN-SNR’s AGR technology replaces standard insert bearings for smaller conveyors that use self-aligning bearings and insert bearings. They offer enhanced sealing against pollution and a robust shield against flying rock. For other quarry equipment, NTNSNR offers EF800 ULTAGE bearings for vibrating applications, ductile cast iron SNCD bearings with 80 % better resistance than standard cast iron bearings, or larger ULTAGE bearings with outside diameters of up to 600 mm.

With this new pack, NTN-SNR will consolidate its position in the strategic quarry market by allowing significant productivity gains and optimised equipment life cycle costs. To deploy its “quarry pack”, NTN-SNR is relying on a selection of Industry distributors, for which it has set up a major European training programme.

Replacement kits for conveyors at the core of the offer NTN-SNR is offering three kit families in its pack.

First, a family of 13 kits made up of a sealed

The shaft diameters corresponding to these references range between 35 and 80 mm.

The sealed ULTAGE version provides a service life 3 to 4 times longer than that of an open bearing and benefits from the same advances in terms of metal treatment and optimisation of geometries. It comes factory-lubricated and only requires à single top-up of Extreme Pressure grease a year to guarantee its long service life.

bearing with its specific thrust collars and sleeve.

The shaft diameters corresponding to these references range between 35 and 90 mm. The other two distinct families of kits comprise a bearing and an open or sealed bearing.

These kits have several major advantages: customers can avoid making errors when ordering because they offer an all-in-one solution with 7 different components for bearing replacement with fixed or free bearings; simplified management during storage and assembly; and economic savings, as the sales price of the kit is less than the sum of its components sold individually. To meet the most common demands, the kits comprising spherical roller bearings from the ULTAGE high-performance range are available in 10 open and 10 sealed versions.

Finally, the NTN-SNR single-point Drive Booster lubrication system is available with the open bearing kit for optimised lubrication. With its 120 cm3 tank, it covers one year of lubrication, thus generating grease savings and improved bearing operation thanks to regular dosage of Extreme Pressure grease suitable for conveyor applications.

NTN-SNR ROULEMENTS, headquartered in Annecy (Haute-Savoie, France), belongs to Japanese Group NTN Corporation, a global leader in bearings. NTN-SNR manages and develops all NTN’s activities for the EMEA region and Brazil. NTN-SNR, a major force as a designer, developer and manufacturer of bearings and sub-assemblies for the automotive sector, industry and aeronautics, offers a comprehensive range by also developing maintenance services and solutions. NTN-SNR employs 4,225 people at nine production sites, including six in France, as well as 18 sales offices.

May - June 2019 | 27

FEATURE

Farm to Fork IoT T

he Internet of Things (IoT) is poised to have a major impact on the food supply chain – all the way from the farm to the individual buying food from a retail outlet.

Farm to Fork IoT is the way one can link the information about produce from before it is even planted and up until it is about to be used or consumed by the end consumer. Basically, this will mean that the environment and conditions at the time of planting are recorded and placed in a database and all the information about the farm or location is added to the database through the growing life of the produce. So on the day of planting, what was the conditions of the soil, the temperatures, the water content in the soil, etc.

Factors such as TDS, water conditions, temperature, humidity, and so much more are gathered each day and even a few times a day the measurements from the IoT devices on the farm is recorded. All the data throughout the produce’s growing cycle is recorded.

When produce is picked, all the info about the conditions while picking are recorded. The data for this batch (until serialization occurs in the future) is linked and the produce is marked or labelled from the farm to the final outlet of sale.

This then allows the outlet to give the consumer the ability to trace back the history of the produce from the time it was planted and grown, up to the time it has been in the store and everything in between.

Informed Decisions can assist in this by means of our technology that builds the smart farm of

today. Ultimately monitoring of the six main areas of farming such as soil, machinery, water, weather, chemicals and the crop itself. Using connected sensors, devices, equipment, implements and more to record data as well as automate processes such as irrigation and monitor, report and analyze plant and equipment such as generators, vehicles, etc., we can truly increase yield, reduce waste and drive efficiencies.

until now. Things are however changing and IoT with related technologies are becoming a lot more affordable, especially when purchasing from a local company like Informed Decisions who can design, build and deploy the IoT solutions themselves.

We are also able to provide the data and IoT information and connectivity of various points in the lifecycle of the produce. From the “Farm IoT” of when it was planted, through picking and packing, to transportation, logistics and cold-chain, right up until and including when the goods are in the refrigerated display fridge in the store.

•

As one of the only true ground up IoT solution builders, and incorporating the knowledge and experience of traceability we have done for many years, we are able to link all the data a farmer would be looking for as well as the traceability aspect required by farmers through to retail.

Unfortunately Farm to Fork IoT has not been adopted easily due to the cost of IoT solutions up

Informed Decisions can offer the following farm to fork solutions and services currently:

• • •

• • •

Farm - Collect all the data desired using all kinds of sensors and devices possible.

Picking - Monitor and track conditions at the time of picking and harvesting.

Packing - The environment conditions and data around the packing of the goods after picking.

Storage - Fridge monitoring solutions to ensure goods are kept under the best conditions to preserve and keep the produce in its best condition.

Logistics - Vehicle monitoring as well as cold chain environment of the goods being transported.

Storage & Distribution - Monitoring of environments and conditions during these phases.

Display - conditions that the produce is displayed at in retail outlets.

Trends point to having accountability of all aspects of the supply chain, which one can only get if there is great traceability. Visibility of all the environmental and process conditions the produce has gone through from picking to being in the store will allow food waste to reduce and consumers to be more engaged or have visibility in the supply chain.

Locally designed, built and executed, with a proven track record having installed our technology at a number of locations, we have proven our solutions to be reliable and cost-effective.

For more information on Informed Decisions offerings visit http://bit.ly/ informedec or email

28 |May - June 2019

FEATURE

Farm to Fork Inspection T

raceability has become a ‘buzz word’ with regard to food, particularly following a number of food safety incidents during which traceability systems have been shown to be weak or absent and hence slow or unable to assure consumers of food safety. Food crises in the past, such as the Listeriosis outbreak in 2018 have resulted in the consumer calling for greater visibility and precision in the global food supply chain.

raw materials and ingredients, to be sorted out in the manufacturing plant.

The “farm to fork” food safety concept, is a response to the expectations of modern consumers who more and more often look for high-quality products compliant with high standards of production and animal welfare throughout the farming process.

Production Packaging Systems can assist in the quality control process by ensuring the correct weight of products, contamination checks via metal detectors, which will pick up ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel contaminants. With the use of X-ray equipment manufacturers can detect unwanted bones, glass, stones and metals in fresh produce as well as check the form of the packaging by detecting defects in the packaging as well as whether there is a product or item missing within the package.

The term ‘food safety’ defines the concept that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten according to its intended use as per the ISO22000:2005 international standard for food safety management systems. Food safety is related to the occurrence of food safety hazards and does not include other human health aspects related to, such as malnutrition.

Food safety is relevant at different stages of supply, preparation/processing, distribution and serving. The food chain starts on the farm and ends on the fork. During every stage, great care must be taken to ensure that the end product will be safe for human consumption. This article presents an overview of the areas in which hygiene plays a crucial role in food safety.

The nature of fresh and perishable products means that there can be great variability in

In the farm-to-fork food supply chain, inspection equipment and supporting advanced software help detect contaminants to keep products safe and provide valuable information to enhance the traceability needed in today’s environment.

Due to the proven quality and reliability of our inspection equipment and the vast range we have on offer, we are able to offer the best solution for the industry or process.

In addition, our metal detectors offer a true multifrequency device that can accept both wet and dry products through one machine with very high sensitivity.

For more information on Production Packaging Systems offerings visit http://bit.ly/ Prodpackaging or email sales@ prodpackaging.com

May - June 2019 | 29

FEATURE

Njoro Canning Factory - Delivering Quality The formation of Njoro Canning factory can be traced back to 1978 by Mr TK Patel after a successful acquisition.

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hen in 1981, there was a joint venture agreement with a French company SAUPIQUET to produce canned french beans for the French market. In 1982, Hortiequip Ltd, a subsidiary of NCF was created to supply French Beans to the factory through contracted farmers.

However, in 1990 a new agreement is signed with French company, Bonduelle after they take over the vegetable section of Saupiquet. “Later on, in 1992 we invested in a concentration plant to produce juices and concentrates for the Kenyan Market,” reminisces Mr Patel the director of the company. Between 1995 and 2000, Njoro Canning Factory invested in a freezing and dehydration plants to produce products for the Kenyan & European Market, a new French bean growing area is set up under Hortiequip Ltd. “We implemented HACCP (HACCP) systems and trained our staff on the same and we later updated these systems. in 2001, we invested in the freezing line to produce frozen potato chips and later that year we introduced a new brand Golden Valley into the Kenyan market.”

A programme in western Kenya was incepted to boost the growth of the beans. But by the year 2000 the market had become hostile due to

competition mainly from china. Faced with stiff completion the factory decided to diversify its production.

Today Njoro Cunning has six different processing units for French beans, Garden peace, chick beans, butter beans, tomato products, fruit jams and marmalades, salad dressings and mama.

They also freeze the vegetables, peace corn, potatoes. The factory also does food dehydration.

As Mr Patel explains, “Food dehydration is the oldest known method of preserving foods. We have adopted modern technology in-order to dry the vegetables because: - The products do not take long to dry. The weather does not affect the drying process. The color is maintained, the flavors remain unchanged. No nutrients are lost, No preservatives are required.”

When it comes to spices, the factory provides the best whole spices grown under a favorable tropical climate for the best, rich, authentic taste of the original spice. The factory produces a selection of blended, ground and whole spices. The setup of the company is such that there is administration department, processing department Quality assurance, Sales and Marketing, research and development.

M.D. Mr. Vaidya (Left) together with Chairman Mr. T. K Patel (Center) receiving an award of top 3 best performing companies in East Africa.

Adjudged by Earnst & Young the International fame audit firm & Standard chartered bank group

30 |May - June 2019

FEATURE

The company has appointment distributors in several parts of the country allowing it to reach the market in a timely and efficient manner.

Njoro Canning factory processes are all geared toward sustainability.

Steam is generated from waste recycling dusts to generate energy and sell the surplus. “We follow quality control guidelines throughout our production processes; from the raw material, during processing and after processing. We are now moving towards certifying all their brands,” explains Mr Patel.

Njoro Cunning puts customer satisfaction at the centre of what they do. The Quality process starts right from the farmers. They also advise the client on varieties of crops to plant. The crops are monitored all the way from planting to the delivery at the factory. The purchasing and logistics department takes care of procuring materials like packaging.

All this information comes from the central stores. Products also go through audit certifications by KEBS. When the products are made to the quality standards the efficiency is boosted hence low cost of production.

DENTEX INDUSTRIES LIMITED Manufacture Of Rigid Plastic Products For Packaging

Congratulations Njoro Canning factory on the milestone achievements in the last 40 year stretch.

We are proud to be associated with you.

This means that when you bring quality materials, there are less loses and sorting at the end of the day it also has some cost benefits.

The main challenge is the influx of cheap products and counterfeit in the market from some backyards which have a negative impact to their products, they also don’t conform to the standards.

knowledge when it comes to food science,” says Mr Patel. The company allows employees to exercise their skill s with minimal intervention and interference creating a nice environment for innovation. There are also no major challenges for staff to reach their place of work considering the location of the company.

We are raising this issue through KEBS and KAM to see how to curb this problem. The company has earned respect from the government and employees through appraisals due to their strict quality controls. Secondly through customer feedbacks they can gage the perception on their products and respond accordingly.

Njoro has never had any incident of product quality issues in the market for the last 30 years.

Njoro Canning factory understands that working with communities is very important. One of the CSR activities the company has been involved in includes Cleaning up Njoro river. The company also supply farmers with the seedling at subsidized rates to boost production. The directors are also members of the LIONS club that run a children’s’ home taking care of 38 children.

The competitive advantage of Njoro Cunning lies in the location of the factory. It is located right next to the farmers. This makes it easier and convenient to work with the farmers at the same time get the raw materials when they are still fresh. The company is within reach allowing easy movement of raw material to the factory.

“We also have amassed huge experience in the area of our operation. We have also high quality staff with latest technical

P. O. Box 47770 Addis Ababa Rd, Nairobi Tel: 020-555 752 / 3546 655 info@dentex.co.ke 32 |May - June 2019

The awards and certification achieved are awards like the world food program award, national defense forces award, EY award, energy management award among others.

“The principle is to support farmers get more money per acre they cultivate and give quality healthy products to the customers at the same time pay farmers promptly for their supplies. Njoro treat their customers as long time partners with a symbiotic relationship,” ends Mr Patel.

FEATURE

Vodacom’s female farmer programme shines the spotlight on emerging small-scale farmers in rural parts of South Africa 350 small-scale female farmers in Limpopo province alone have been trained through this programme to date.

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n a move that creates equal opportunities for women and youth from South Africa’s deep rural areas by equipping them with digital literacy for today’s digital economy and knowledge society - Vodacom Foundation, in partnership with UN Women introduced Female Farmers programme in 2018. The programme, which is focused at empowering smallholder female farmers within the country’s agriculture sector, has to date trained 350 small-scale female farmers in rural areas of Limpopo province alone, and aims to increase this number in this new financial period across the country.

According to the Ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the value of agricultural production in South Africa increased by 4,7% and was estimated at R281 370 million in 2017/18, while its contribution to the GDP was estimated to be R90 458 million at nominal prices in 2017. The primary agricultural sector has shown a growth of 7, 5% annually since 1994.

The contribution of agriculture’s value added to GDP declined from 3, 9% in 1994 to 2, 2% in 2017. Despite its relatively small share of the total GDP, primary agriculture is an important sector in the South African economy. Agriculture remains a significant provider of employment, especially in the rural areas and employs around 700 000 workers.

already over 900 000 registered farmers. This partnership with UN Women is part of Vodacom’s support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #2 and #5, on Zero Hunger and Gender Equality.”

Vodacom’s female farmer programme involves: • Linking digital literacy to the day-to-day running of the farming business.

• Using social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram etc.) to enable the female farmers to reach out to the outside world, and promote their farm produces.

• Providing female farmers with the necessary tools and resources to establish

themselves as valuable contributors to the South African agriculture industry.

“Our female farmer initiative shines the spotlight on emerging small scale female farmers within the agriculture sector. We’re confident that going forward, the initiative will help in driving development in rural parts of our country, thereby strengthening food security, and assisting SA female farmers in claiming a stake in the agricultural sector, more so for farmers who find themselves in rural parts of the country,” concluded Netshitenzhe.

Takalani Netshitenzhe, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs at Vodacom, said: “Vodacom believes in using technology to transform people’s lives.

After realizing that the female farmers in the Limpopo UN Women program lacked digital literacy skills, the Vodacom Foundation availed the Vodacom supported Teacher Centres in Limpopo to provide basic computer literacy in order to prepare them for the introduction of the Vodacom “Connected Farmer App” which was launched in 2017 to connect small scale farmers across the agricultural value chain.

The App has already revolutionized small scale farming in Kenya through Safaricom with

May - June 2019 | 33

PRODUCT

Cummins engines ideal for pump applications from firefighting to dewatering and irrigation

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rom agriculture and irrigation to mining and firefighting, Cummins supplies a range of high-quality engines for the pumps segment. Together these diverse industries represent a major growth opportunity and focus for ongoing innovation for the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the Africa and Middle East (AME) region.

This is according to Mohamed Othman, Industrial Pump Engines Segment Leader, who has been with Cummins Africa Middle East for seven years, and therefore has an in-depth knowledge of the market on the continent. “It is important to understand we do not supply pump products per se, but the engines that drive these pumps in various industries. Our focus has been, and will always continue to be, engine technology itself.”

Cummins supplies both end users and OEMs that manufacture pump products themselves. A major application for pumps, from construction to mining, is dewatering. In agriculture and irrigation, Cummins supplies variable-speed engines to optimise centre-pivot irrigation lines, while in the firefighting sector pumps are used to protect a range of assets, from commercial buildings to industrial plants and even oil-and-gas facilities.

34 |May - June 2019

Acknowledging that this is a highly competitive sector, Othman points out that what continues to give Cummins a leading edge on the continent is its distribution network, coupled with its aftermarket service and customer support. The OEM ensures it maintains a strategic stockholding of both engines and critical spares around the continent, thereby giving its customers peaceof-mind that any contingencies can be dealt with effectively and timeously.

From a fuel-consumption point of view, Cummins engine technology is far superior in terms of efficiency and emissions regulations. Cummins has a range of trusted and durable mechanical engines for the region’s specific requirements, arduous operating conditions, remote locations and related issues such as variable quality fuel supply. A major advantage here is simplified troubleshooting where technical expertise is not always available, which reduces downtime dramatically.

Key to Cummins’ customer focus is that it not only supplies products, but focuses on engine selection for the application in hand. “We work closely with our customers to ascertain their exact requirements, and from this information we can specify the most cost-effective and efficient solution, based on the optimum horsepower needed,” Othman explains.

Such a customised approach has the added benefit of reducing overall capital costs for clients.

“The specific value-add that Cummins can bring to the table is that customers are guaranteed the lowest total cost of ownership in opting for our tailormade solutions.”

This extends to customer-focused seminars, with events planned for this year from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Johannesburg in South Africa, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Accra in Ghana. “Here we are able to spread the word about the latest developments in the industrial engine segment as it pertains to pumps in particular,” Othman notes.

Looking at growth opportunities on the continent, Othman singles out Zambia, Botswana, Ghana and South Africa for the mining industry, while agriculture and irrigation enjoy centre stage in North Sudan and Ethiopia. This growth is underpinned by innovative strategies such as introducing Key Account Initiatives, whereby Cummins engages with customers about optimising their existing fleets.

A particular success in this regard has been a repower project for a major mining house in Ghana, which has switched over from a competitor to engines from Cummins, as well as a major contract to supply engines to a major Saudi Arabian oil producer, one of the largest in the world.

REGENERATING NATURAL SOIL

FERTILITY IN WEST AFRICA

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he management of soil fertility is a crucial issue for the African continent. Population growth and soil degradation factors, which are particularly strong in the intertropical zone, exacerbate the challenge. Integrated fertility management, soil regeneration, and the stimulation of their natural fertility are essential pathways to achieving satisfactory levels of agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. This is the price to pay to ensure food and socio-political security in the coming decades.

This is why Fertilux has teamed up with soil fertility management experts in Côte d’Ivoire: BBM Trading. This Ivorian company promotes the integrated management of soil fertility throughout the country and the subregion : by rationally combining the factors that improve fertility (mineral inputs, prebiotic supplement, organic matter and soil-building crops). BBM Trading contributes to the achievement of the key objectives for local agriculture : significantly improve producers’ incomes and restore natural soil fertility.

The integrated management of soil fertility promoted by BBM Trading encourages the spread of eco-friendly alternative farming and the expansion of fertilisation practices.

Maize and cocoa crops play a vital role in the Ivorian and sub-regional economy. It was therefore natural for Fertilux to partner with regional research organisations, and in particular with the National Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA - Centre National de Recherche Agronomique) in Côte d’Ivoire, to carry out trials on various crops, particularly cocoa and maize. After three work campaigns, the regularity of the measured results has established the effectiveness of an integrated fertility management programme : the fertilisation routes including BIOSOL produced by Fertilux make it possible for producers to earn 30% additional income. These results can be explained by the multiple effects of the complete BIOSOL solution on the regeneration of soil self-fertility : Better delivery of mineral nutrients Development of the root system – fight against water stress Balance between mineral fertility and biological fertility Synergy between the plant and soil microorganisms

BIOSOL is thus undoubtedly a promising avenue for the expansion of a productive, ecological and smart agriculture in West Africa in the years to come.

Thanks to these natural nutrients, and its prebiotic complex that promotes soil life, BIOSOL and the Calkorium® solutions developed by Fertilux, are the eco-friendly alternative way that will enable to move forward towards a fertility that enhances mineral inputs and to cultivate on living

soil...Naturally !

To contact us : Mr. Sébastien 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

PRODUCT

Prowalco Tatsuno

ICON Technology for the farming community

A

locally-developed and manufactured fueldispensing and management solution that not only removes the burden from farmers of maintaining logbooks, but allows them to cut costs, improve uptime, and hence focus on their core business of farming, will be on display at the Goscor Group stand at Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day. The proudly South African solution is designed and manufactured by Prowalco Tatsuno, which has a Level 1 B-BBEE rating, and was established in 1960. The company has the lion’s share of both the fuel-pump and dispenser supply and maintenance market in South Africa.

It also specialises in facility maintenance, with longstanding contracts with leading players.

Along with the Goscor Group, both companies form part of the larger Bud Group.

This association has the added benefit of extending Prowalco Tatsuno’s footprint in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, where it can piggyback off the presence of fellow Bud Group subsidiaries from Zambia to Namibia, Swaziland, and Botswana.

In addition, the company has an 80-strong technician team in South Africa, in addition to a maintenance team supporting its distributors in other countries.

Taking pride-of-place on the Prowalco Tatsuno portion of the Goscor Group stand at NAMPO 2019 will be the ICON 5000 Series commercial range, aimed at farms, mines, and large corporates. With a local content of over 70%, and manufactured at the company’s Johannesburg factory, some of the imported components are the Tatsuno pumping unit and meter, which have proven to be of a very high quality.

Tatsuno acquired a 3% stake in Prowalco in January 2018, and is collaborating with the local company in its software development.

The leading-edge ICON electronics is highly advanced, with its reliability proving itself across more than 300 installed sites. “As a result, we are pursuing international accreditation, which means that Tatsuno will be adopting our locally-

36 |May - June 2019

developed electronics for some of their markets,” Prowalco Tatsuno CEO Annali May reveals.

The ICON 5000 series is perfect for small and large-scale farmers, as it consists of both a fueldispensing and fleet-management solution.

This is critical for the agricultural industry, with the latest requirements from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) stipulating a detailed breakdown of fuel consumption per piece of equipment. As a result, Prowalco Tatsuno attracted a lot of attention at NAMPO 2018, and hopes to consolidate its presence at the leading agricultural exhibition again this year.

“The main attraction for farmers is that the ICON 5000 Series is very user-friendly, providing realtime information that can be used to generate statistical reports,” May explains. In addition, the pumps themselves are cloud-based, which means that technicians can log into them remotely and often fix any problems without having to go into the field.

This ‘smart’ capability of the pumps also allows for automatic diagnosis and self-repair, or the unit can flag the issue with the call centre for followup. If technicians are required to be dispatched to site, they can arrive with the exact spares required, which reduces downtime significantly.

“The fact that we manufacture locally means that parts and back-up are readily available, which is critical for the agricultural industry to maintain its productivity,” May comments.

She points out that major oil suppliers are looking at the commercial side of their operations to maintain growth and expansion, which means an increased demand for maintenance and upgrades. This has seen Prowalco Tatsuno enter 2019 with a healthy order book, and a strong foothold in the farming community in particular.

Elaborating on the importance of exhibiting at NAMPO 2019, May stresses that the agricultural exhibition provides for invaluable brand awareness. “We also find that a lot of attendees are from related industries, and on the lookout for solutions to similar requirements for their own

markets. This not only gives NAMPO a broad focus, but makes it a high-level exhibition.”

Looking at the latest trends in the agricultural industry, which is under margin pressure and rising costs due to the ongoing drought, May says farmers – especially small-scale farmers with only a few fuel pumps – rely on equipment that can perform in arduous African operating conditions, and on dependable companies that can provide the necessary back-up and support.

“Uptime and customer service are critical in the farming community,” May highlights.

Prowalco Tatsuno prides itself on providing complete solutions, and on constantly improving its technology. “Our solutions are also easily scalable, and can be customised to specific customer requirements if need be. We are also constantly developing and refining our products,” she concludes.

Visit Prowalco Tatsuno, part of the Bud Group, at the Goscor Group at Stand C17 at NAMPO 2019 from 14 to 17 May in Bothaville in the Free State . For more information go to www.grainsa.co.za/ pages/nampo/nampo-home.

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PRODUCT

Case IH to bring coffee harvesting experience to Africa with selfpropelled Coffee Express 200 Multi Harvester now available to African growers / Machine proven over number of years in Central and South America / Operating system allows full or selective harvesting according to crop readiness / Rollers design and hydraulic brake system minimises plant damage, maximises yield /

C

ase IH is to launch its Coffee Express 200 Multi self-propelled coffee harvester onto the African markets, in a move designed to further extend the brand’s harvest product offering and bring to the coffee sector the same levels of product engineering, efficiency, service and support enjoyed by users of its grain, sugar cane and cotton harvesters, as well as tractors and other farm equipment.

Proven design

Coffee Express harvesters have been manufactured by Case IH for many years, and are well-proven in other markets around the world.

Now they are available to coffee growers across Africa one of the world’s most important coffeegrowing region.

The machines incorporate a pair of vertical rollers, revolving at up to 0.5 turns/minute, which are fitted with nylon fingers to gently remove the coffee cherries, minimising the risk of plant damage. The rollers are fitted with 1,248 fingers which are 576mm long and 480 fingers which are 520mm long, a blend that provides the best levels of harvesting performance and minimum crop and plant damage. As well as rotating, they vibrate to gently loosen the cherries, with an innovative hydraulic brake system allowing the

38 |May - June 2019

level of vibration to be altered on the move. The distance between the two rollers can be adjusted by 80mm according to plant size and plant age.

Retractable ‘fishplates’ at the base of the rollers allow the base of each bush to pass gently but firmly through the machine, and gather the cherries for transfer, before horizontal augers equipped with adjustable-speed leaf fans transfer them, via vertical chain-and-flight conveyors, either directly to the unloading conveyor or via an optional 2,000-litre storage hopper, which means a tractor and trailer does not always have to be present and stopping is unnecessary.

The self-propelled Coffee Express 200 is powered by an MWM three-cylinder engine producing 55hp, supplied by a 75-litre diesel tank. Ground drive is hydrostatic. Operating at a harvesting speed of 0.4-2.0 km/h, the machine can work in crops of up to 3.9m high, on average consuming 5.0 litres of diesel per hour.

Coffee Express 200 operators benefit from an air conditioned cab that also features an adjustableposition steering column and fully-adjustable comfort seat. Key machine operations are easily conducted via a multi-function joystick on the operator’s right.

ADVERTORIAL

Uralkali battles low nutrient efficiency with DripKALI.

U

ralkali launches water soluble grade Muriate of Potash (MOP) for fertigation. The product is available for purchase and is marketed under the brand name DripKALI. Uralkali is focused on sustainable agriculture and the demand for increased crop production per acre of arable land. DripKALI developed and produced by Uralkali is focused on reducing the environmental impact of cropping systems by increasing water use efficiency in agriculture.

It is well known that the simultaneous application of water and mineral fertilizers to a crop positively influences its growth and output. Fertigation allows to adjust mineral nutrients supply according to the specific crop needs in terms of application rates and application timing.

This technique is widely used not only in arid regions, where water resources

are scarce or limited, but is applicable in general for the purpose to have more flexibility in scheduling planting and other crop management activities, control additional applications of nutrients and agro chemicals, increase crop production. Nutrients applied to a crop with water are distributed more evenly compared to dry fertilizer.

Furthermore dry application makes growers reliant on weather conditions or simply on the amount of rain, which should be right enough to dissolve fertilizer, but leave it in a top 20-40 cm soil layer for assimilation by roots.

MOP is commonly used in fertigation for a variety of crops, it is highly soluble in water and is the most concentrated source of potassium among potash fertilizers. It contains 62% K2O compared to 50% K2O in potassium sulphate and 46% K2O in potassium nitrate.

Besides, MOP is compatible with all types of water-soluble fertilizers and can be safely used in fertigation systems. DripKALI is completely water soluble and is marketed in branded 25 kg bags, which makes it recognizable and easy to handle.

Uralkali is the leading global manufacturer of muriate of potash (MOP), mineral fertilizer that contains potassium – one of the vital chemical elements for all living organisms.

The company produces annually about 20% of total world MOP production. Uralkali controls the full supply chain, beginning with ore mining and finishing with shipping the final product to a customer. Export sales are done through Uralkali Trading SIA with its branch offices strategically located all around the globe. For more information about Uralkali and products please visit www.uralkali-trading.com.

May - June 2019 | 39

PRODUCT

Northmec completes multiple Case IH tractor order in presence of South African president Fleet comprises eight 4wd tractors consisting of JX75T, JX95 and Farmall 110 models / Adds to purchase by Department of Agriculture of 50 tractors from 45-110hp / Investment intended to help empower farmers independently run own farms / Cyril Ramaphosa attends handover / Machines add to fleet of Case IH tractors, combines and implements previously supplied /

S

outh African Case IH distributor Northmec has handed over the latest in a series of farm equipment orders from the country’s government, with Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president, in attendance at an event to mark the delivery of eight tractors to the Ebenhaeser community.

At the event, which saw the handover of models ranging from the popular JX75T and JX95 to Farmall 110 machines, Mr Ramaphosa underlined in a speech the need to ensure land was used as productively as possible. The fleet purchase was instigated as part of the South African

government’s land reform initiative to empower individuals to farm in their own right. Under this programme, Northmec has previously supplied a number of Case IH machines, including JXT, JX, Maxxum and Puma tractors, and 5140 Axial-Flow combines.

JX45T tractors, 27 of the 95hp JX95 Straddle machines and 15 of the 110hp JX100 models.

The handover of the new tractors was conducted

by Marc Davids, Mauritz van der Heever and Jacques Du Plessis of Northmec.

The Department of Agriculture also recently purchased a fleet of 50 Case IH tractors which was delivered to the Suikerbosrand and Roodeplaat community, covering some of the most popular ranges in the marque’s product line-up for South Africa. Spanning JXT models to Farmall JX machines, it includes eight of the 45hp

Alongside the new tractors, Northmec has also supplied a number of implements suited to the power of the individual models, enabling farmer buyers to be able to invest in a package of tractor plus matching equipment to perform a complete range of farming tasks.

Advertiser’s index TO ADVERTISE IN FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA CALL: +27 11 044 8986 | Email: sales@farmersreviewafrica.com Bush Lapa.....................................................12

NTN......................................................IFC,IBC

Conquer Campers.......................................23

Petkus...........................................................37

Dentex Industries Ltd...................................32

Paperbags Ltd..............................................31

Euro Bioplastics...........................................19

RJ Obrien........................................................7

Fertilux..........................................................35

TSGC.........................................................OBC

Karcher.........................................................25

Tormac Pumps...............................................8

KSB Pumps & Valves...................................15

Shalom .........................................................17

Mascus .........................................................10

Uralkali .........................................................39

40 |May - June 2019

DOC.AP_AGRIHUB.GBa - NTN-SNR Copyright International 04/2019 - Photos : Pedro Studio Photo

AGRIHUB

UNFAILING PROTECTION FOR THE MOST DEMANDING ENVIRONMENTS NTN-SNR has designed the Agrihub comprising a high-performance 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. This solution stands out because of its robustness and high impact resistance.

Its housing in ductile cast iron fitted with a bearing provides the highest load capacity on the market.

Prepare your ground with complete peace of mind thanks to the strength of NTN-SNR agrihub.

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Do you know YOUR Grain Temperature?

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