FRA June.cdr - Farmers Review Africa

Volume 2. Issue 3. May - June 2016

FARMERSREVIEW AFRICA

HOW CAMEROON’S STOLENWOOD REACHES INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. p9

FARMERS ADOPT MOBILE PHONESTO BOOST HARVEST. p12

IMPACT OF GENETIC PROGRESS ON THE PROFITS OF DAIRY FARMERS. p36

The�future�of��automatic�milking�comes�to�Africa-p26

Please visit

the website

farmersreviewafrica

.com

F A R ME R S R E V I E W A F R I C A I S S U E 3

Contents

04 Contents

05 Editors note

06 African news

10 Sleeping giant

12 Mobile phones boost harvest

16 Solution to Africa’s power challenges

18 Polyfabric tarp shelters for agric

20 Cultivating success in the agric-industry

22 Mabula Ground Hornbill Project

23 Solution for dying bees

24 Is robotic milking viable

30 Farmers reap rewards from energy

32 Sernick Group announces Country’s rst

35 Growket new company of Symaga Group

36 Genetic progress on prots of dairy farmers

38 Farming Hackathon to take place in Nairobi

40 Healthy layers essential

42 Exhaust cooling fan pad for poultry farmers

45 Next generation antimalarial treatment

46 Pressure washers for farm equipment

49 Massey Ferguson launches new range

50 Efciency for smaller farmers

54 Food security and tobacco in Africa

Buhler feed production plant59

63 Nampo 2016 trumps records

64 Goscor power product debut at Nampo 2016

66 Case IH at Nampo 2016

70 Upcoming events / Advertisers index

May - June 2016 www.farmersreviewafrica.comFARMERSREVIEW AFRICA[4]

20Personality of the month

40

64

68

Editors note


Executive EditorLee Daniels

[email protected]

WritersBertha M.

Maxin Fourie

Subscriptions, News & Press ReleasesMthokozisi M.

[email protected]

Russou Billiard

[email protected]

+27 11 044 8985

Graphic Design & LayoutQue Gibson

Published byMailing Times Media

+27 11 044 8986

[email protected]

This month’s Front cover

Farmers stand out in today's culture for their ability to

make actual decisions, not just choices. Now the

rewards for choosing which decisions to make are about

to multiply.

In this edition of Farmers Review Africa, we take a look

at robotic milking solutions, genetics and dairy farming,

egg production and review of the NAMPO 2016.

There is no doubt that robotic milking is a suitable

solution for large dairies, as there are several examples

of successful dairies working under different conditions

around the world.

Healthy layers are essential for economic egg

production. Carefully selected hens, well housed, fed

and protected against disease reward poultry farmers

with a continual supply of high quality, marketable eggs.

Grain SA's 50th NAMPO Harvest Day shattered more

than one record amidst tough agricultural conditions.

The four-day trade show that was held near Bothaville ,

was attended by a record of 75 116 people while a total

of 685 exhibitors participated – the most ever.

In addition we inform our readers on the importance of

using high pressure washers in the agricultural industry.

We also give some insights from Africa countries e.g

Kenya has given local companies and farmers'

organisations the green light to directly export tea into

international markets and Zimbabwe's poultry farmers

benefit from protein producing maggots.

We are glad to welcome our readers to this second

edition of our magazine. We hope farmers, research

experts and manufacturing companies will enjoy

reading our informative articles.

Volume 2. Issue 2. March - April 2016

FARMERS

REVIEW AFRICA

ZAMBIA FIRST COUNTRY TO

CREATE A SMART FARMING

TRAINING CENTRE. p7

REFUGEES IN KENYA ARE FARMING

THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS. p52

NEW AGRA-WORLD BANK

AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT

FARMING-LED TRANSFORMATION. p6


Over�100�sales�people�

take�part�in

Case�IH�Training�

Camp�in�South�Africa

-p12

Please visit

the website

farmersreviewafrica

.com

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 expressed are not necessarily shared by Mailing Times Media

(Pty) Ltd

FARMERSREVIEW AFRICA[5]

May - June 2016www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Volume 1. Issue 1. November - December 2015

FARMERSREVIEW AFR�CA

TRANSFORMING AGRICULTURE HELPS AFRICA. pp44 WHY IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO

INVEST IN MPUMALANGA PROVINCE’SAGRICULTURAL SECTOR. pp48

TRADITIONAL DROUGHT TOLERANT, NUTRITIOUS CROPS BACK? pp29

NEWTECHSHEDSLIGHTONTHEFUTUREOFFOOD

NEWTECHSHEDSLIGHTONTHEFUTUREOFFOOD

-pp34

F A R ME R S R E V I E WA F R I C A 0 1 - A A - 1 5

Volume 2. Issue 3. May - June 2016


HOW CAMEROON’S STOLENWOOD REACHES INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. p9

FARMERS ADOPT MOBILE PHONESTO BOOST HARVEST. p12

IMPACT OF GENETIC PROGRESS ON THE PROFITS OF DAIRY FARMERS. p36

The�future�of��automatic�milking�comes�to�Africa-p26

Please visit

the website

farmersreviewafrica

.com


Bertha M.

Market InformationNews

Kenya has given local companies and farmers'

organisations the green light to directly export tea into

international markets

The government's decision is aimed at cutting off

unscrupulous middlemen who continue to exploit farmers

and claim a major share of their profits.

Kenyan agriculture cabinet secretary Willy Bett said what

tea producers currently endure at the Mombasa port is

'exploitative and abusive' and that the government would

not let the unscrupulous middlemen have their way.

Speaking at the Kaptel SDA Church, Nandi County, the

minister added, “The government has introduced several

new measures to stamp out the exploitation of tea farmers

and tea companies and now counties have been allowed to

export the tea directly into the world market and seek those

buyers who would buy it at high prices.”

Bett assured farmers that the government would not allow

the tea industry to collapse.

“The tea industry generates billions of shillings annually

towards boosting the Kenyan economy and action has

already been taken to streamline the industry so that the

millions of Kenyans, who rely on the sector for income, do

not suffer,” he said.

Bett's speech comes in the light of farmers in western

Kenya threatening to quit tea farming and venture into

alternative income generating means owing to falling prices

and exploitation by middlemen.

The minister also announced that several other new

measures, which would streamline the tea industry, would

be announced this month.

Kenya permits direct exportstea

NAADS, WFP to build stores in Ugandagrain Na�onal Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) and United

Na�ons World Food Programme (WFP) have signed an MoU to

construct community grain stores in 10 districts of Uganda

This initiative is an effort to address challenges in grain

storage in the country and also enhance the access of

small-scale farmers to quality produce markets. Under the

agreement, NAADS will provide US$1mn to WFP for the

construction and equipment of the warehouses.

The stores will be set up in the districts of Adjumani, Hoima,

Kibaale, Kiboga, Kiryandongo, Kyenjojo, Masindi,

Mubende, Nakaseke and Napak. Each unit will have a

storage capacity of between 200 and 300 metric tonnes and

will support up to 400 farming households. WFP and NAADS

will also jointly support small-scale farmer groups with soft

skills and other capacity building for group marketing.

NAADS executive director Samuel Mugasi said, “This

partnership with WFP will enable NAADS to achieve its

purpose of assisting farmers to reduce post-harvest food

losses, including through modern storage, benefit from

group marketing and improve their household incomes and

livelihoods.”

Describing that partnership with WFP, Mugasi pointed out

that WFP has a good reputation in grain handling,

mobilising farmers for production and supporting

agriculture value chains. WFP has already established 60

storage facilities in the country, through funding primarily

from the United States. According to the organisation,

these stores have helped empower farmers to sell their

grain more profitably. NAADS and WFP also have plans to

work together in constructing another 10 stores next year.

Kenya's huge agricultural base places it at a prime position

to launch run a successful commodities exchange market,

experts have said. Speaking ahead of a Commodity Trading

and Risk Management Seminar that gets underway today,

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO

Matanda Wabuyele said such a market would save farmers

from low prices offered by speculative middlemen. “It will

be a platform where buyers and sellers meet with certain

rules and conditions to ensure that people are able to sell

their commodities in a transparent way and hedging

against price volatility,” said Wabuyele. A commodity

market trades in primary economic sectors such as

agricultural products and minerals as opposed to

manufactured products. In the region, Ethiopia and

Rwanda have such markets. Currently, Kenya only exhibits

aspects of commodity market. Agricultural products are

traded through means such the warehousing and receipting

Kenya for commodity exchangeripemarket, experts say

www.farmersreviewafrica.comFARMERSREVIEW AFRICA[6]May - June 2016

The world's first-ever international agreement

specifically targeting illegal fishing is set to enter

into force in June 2016

Championed by the FAO, the port state measures

agreement (PSMA) has now met the required threshold

with 30 member countries having formally deposited their

instruments of adherence. The accord is set to come into

force as an international fishing law on 5 June 2016.

A statement from the FAO noted that each year (illegal,

unregulated and unreported) IUU fishing accounts for

annual catches of up to 26mn tonnes, with a value of up to

US$23bn. According to the FAO, IUU fishing challenges

efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries and responsible fish

stock management around the world.

The new treaty requires that parties designate specific

ports for use by foreign vessels. Ships will have to acquire

permission to enter ports ahead of time and provide local

authorities with information on the fish they have on board,

and have their log book, licences, fishing gear and cargo

inspected.

International accord

on illegal tofishing

enter into full force

system of National Cereals Board (NCB), the Nairobi Coffee

Exchange and Tea Exchange in Mombasa. NCB relies on

marketing teams from across the counties who announce

prices for farmers to know where prices are better.

However, these are infiltrated by middlemen. According to

Wabuyele, Kenya deserves a full-fledged commodities

market, with clear rules, trading floor and clearing distinct

from Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). Ahead of the

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

(UNCTAD) meeting that will also discuss commodity

market, the forum will set the scene to take the discussion

further. According to John Mwaniki, a senior officer in

Agricultural Ministry in charge of Agri-business, the

seminar at Windsor Golf Hotel will give the government a

chance to learn the skills of running such market. “The issue

of price volatility discourages farmers in Kenya. We need

organised trade and marketing so that the prices are stable

and predictable,” said Mwaniki. Speaking in the same media

briefing, NSE Director of Derivative Markets Terry

Adembesa backed the idea, saying NSE is keen on

embracing new products. “Agriculture is key driver of

economy in addition to recent discoveries in oil and mining

sector. There is therefore need to formalise trading

infrastructure around these aspects,” he reckoned. The

organisers of the two day event, INTL FCStone, a US-based

firm that deals in commodity market are upbeat that Kenya

will join 28 other African countries that are also working

towards establishing a structured commodity market.

By Patrick Alushula

The agreement calls on countries to deny entry or inspect

vessels that have been involved in IUU fishing, and to take

necessary action. To support this, under the agreement,

the parties are obligated to share information about vessels

involved in IUU fishing regionally and globally. The PSMA

applies to any use of a port, so even vessels that are just

refuelling will have to comply with inspection requirements.

African ountries that are parties to the PSMA areGabon,

Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan

and Somalia. Other countries under the agreement include

countries in South America -Chile,Guyana, Dominica,

Uruguay and in Central America - Costa Rica. The United

States of America and the Carribbean - Cuba, Saint Kitts

and Nevis, Barbados, Seychelles also fall under the PSMA.

Those in the Indian Ocean and Asia -Sri Lanka, Mauritius,

Thailand, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, New Zealand are

also included in the PSMA and in the north, Iceland and

Norway as well as the European Union. Oman in the Gulf

and polynesian countries - Palau, Vanuatu and Tonga are

also under the accord.

Kenya is set to launch new varieties of potatoes that will

boost quality and yield.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett told reporters on

Monday that the 21 new varieties are part of a cooperation

deal between Kenya and the Netherlands in agriculture.

The varieties currently being tested at the Kenya Plant

Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS).

Kenya currently has two varieties of potatoes but fast food

makers prefer to import potatoes from Egypt to make

French fries.

The varieties were developed on Dutch soils but will be

tested by KEPHIS to determine their viability in Kenya.

"We want it to be disease-free, and to determine that, we

must subject it to various tests," said the CS.

On Monday, Mr Bett met with Dutch Minister for Agriculture

Martyn van Dam where details of the arrangement were

discussed.

"The kind of MoU we are building is in the area of value

addition. They have been supporting us in capacity building

but we are now building a new MoU to actualise in monetary

terms," said Mr Bett.

Mr Dam said the project is meant to expand existing

agricultural investments by the Dutch, especially in flower

farming.

"Our cooperation has brought both countries a lot of

business and now there is a possibility of growing potatoes

in Kenya," Mr Dam said.

By Aggrey Mutambo

Kenya, Netherlands in deal

to boost yieldpotato

FARMERSREVIEW AFRICA[7]www.farmersreviewafrica.com


May - June 2016

Since October 2015, an El Niño-induced drought has affected the southern Africa region. In Mozambique, this has resulted in severe water shortages in the south and central provinces of the country, with a deterioration of the situation in the first quarter of 2016.In Maputo province alone, IOM estimates that over 5,300 families are facing difficulty gaining access to water for their personal needs and some 123,960 people are already in a food insecurity situation.Following a request from the Maputo Provincial Delegation of the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) and the Provincial Water Department, IOM – with funding from OFDA-USAID – has been carrying out emergency water distribution to support government response efforts. Limited local water trucking capacity means that families only receive an average of 7.5 liters daily.IOM, in coordination with INGC and other government partners, has been targeting seven highly vulnerable communities in Moamba district – one of the worst affected districts in the province.In recent weeks, IOM has distributed over two million liters of potable water to reach 4,333 people, specifically in Sabié administrative post (Malengane, Matucanhane, Suduine and Macaene), Pessene administrative post (Vundissa) and Ressano Garcia administrative post (Chanculo and Mubobo).It has also installed 12 individual 5,000-liter tanks to help 1,000 families cope with the effects of the drought. Over 70 percent of the families have already received a 100-liter tank and two 20-liter jerry cans. The distribution process will conclude this week.The project is part of a resilience-building process that IOM is working with INGC to achieve. In addition to the distribution of tanks and jerry cans, it includes training in water purification, verification and measurement of water quality and water conservation awareness.

IOM Supports Drought-stricken Mozambique Community with EmergencyWater Aid

Projects under the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (NAFSN), an EU-backed G8 initiative to boost agriculture and relieve poverty by working with private companies in Sub-Saharan Africa, need to include environment protection measures and safeguards against land grabs, said MEPs in a resolution voted on Tuesday. They also called on the EU to address transparency and governance issues, to better target development goals.

MEPs stressed that some features of the NAFSN could pose a threat to farmers' rights and the environment. To target development goals better, the EU must address some deficiencies, including transparency and governance, MEPs stressed.

“Supporting family farmers and smallholders would be the most effective way to fight hunger in many African regions. Instead, the EU is contributing its scarce development funding to the New Alliance, which actually undermines sustainable small-scale food production and local food systems. As recent studies showed, there are cases of land grabbing by private companies, which the EU co-funded indirectly. If the New Alliance does not address the severe problems that we witness, the EU should withdraw from the initiative“, said rapporteur Maria Heubuch, (Greens/EFA, DE), before the vote.

Halt land grabbing

MEPs note that family farmers and smallholders have been largely excluded from negotiations, calling on private companies to create appeal mechanisms and publish publicly accessible annual reports. To protect farmers' land rights and prevent land grabbing they want all investments to be subject to independent prior impact studies.

Restrict pesticides

The text advises against "replicating the mistakes of the Asian "Green Revolution model of the 1960s" in Africa, by ignoring the possible negative social and environmental impacts of industrialized agriculture. It stresses that given the health and environmental consequences, the NAFSN must restrict the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and that extensive irrigation in some areas may reduce the availability of water to small-scale farmers.

The right to seeds

MEPs stress that agricultural investment policies are meant to support the development of the local economy, so African governments should invest in local food systems to boost rural economies, ensure decent jobs and labour rights. They also highlight the need to uphold farmers' rights to produce, exchange and sell seeds freely, as this underpins 90% of agricultural livelihoods in Africa and is vital to build resilience to climate change.

The report was passed by 577 votes to 24 with 69 abstentions.

Background

Launched in 2012, the NAFSN aims to boost financial support from donor countries and help big companies to invest in African farming. In return, the ten participating Sub-Saharan African states are expected to change their legislation on land, seeds and foreign investments.

One in four people in Sub-Saharan Africa - the region with the highest prevalence of hunger - are undernourished. Poor nutrition causes nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five. Family farmers and smallholders produce about 80% of the world's food and provide over 60% of jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

International farmprojects in Sub-Saharan Africa need land grab

safeguards

www.farmersreviewafrica.comFARMERSREVIEW AFRICA[8]


May - June 2016

A Greenpeace Africa investigation into

illegal logging operations in Cameroon

has uncovered a trail of stolen timber

leading to Cameroon's main log

exporter Compagnie de Commerce et

de Transpor t (CCT) , and has

reportedly prompted a government

audit into the activities of CCT and its

suppliers. That audit should include

the supplier La Socamba, subject of a

Greenpeace briefing released today.

The evidence presented in the

b r i e fi n g , L a S o c a m b a : H o w

Cameroon's Stolen Wood Reaches

International Markets, demonstrates

how CCT, which supplies timber

companies worldwide, including in

China and Europe, sources timber

from La Socamba, a company

engaged in illegal and destructive

practices, including logging several

kilometers outside their legal logging

title. This new case complements

evidence already presented by

Greenpeace in its reports on CCT

suppliers.

On 25 May, in response to Greenpeace

offer of a right to response, CCT

admitted that Cameroon's Ministry of

Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF) had

ordered an audit of the activities of

CCT and its suppliers to determine

which were involved in illegal activities

and to trace the resulting timber.

“Greenpeace Africa takes note of the

audit of CCT's practices – but stresses

t h a t t h i s p r o c e s s s hou l d b e

independent and transparent, and

that CCT suppliers are properly

sanctioned when illegal activities are

confirmed”, said Eric Ini, Greenpeace

Africa forest campaigner.

In September 2015, Greenpeace

published three cases of illegal

logging in permits supplying CCT:

logging permits exploited by South

Forestry Company (SFC), FEEMAM

and SOFOCAM. The Minister of

Forestry, Ngole Philip Ngwese, has

proc la imed the innocence o f

companies exposed by Greenpeace

for their involvement in illegal

logging.

Cameroon's forests support the

livelihoods of thousands of people

Ye t , o n e o f t h e c o m p a n i e s

investigated by Greenpeace, SFC has

been fined by the authorities twice for

exact ly the k ind of pract ices

Greenpeace exposed, and CCT and its

suppliers are now apparently subject

to an investigation by MINFOF.In

addition, the Dutch authorities

sanctioned the Dutch importer of CCT

timber based on the Greenpeace

evidence.

”If Cameroon is serious about ending

the illegal timber trade, it must work

closely with the EU towards credible

implementation of the Voluntary

Partnership Agreement and, as a first

priority, to re-establish a system of

credible Independent Monitoring of

Forest Law Enforcement, Governance

and Trade in Cameroon”, concluded

Ini.

Next to Belgium and the Netherlands,

the UK government also regards

timber from Cameroon as “high risk”

and has recently investigated UK

operators trading in Cameroon timber.

These actions from the UK government

and the sanction from the Dutch

Authorities are positive first steps.

However, all EU countries must treat

timber from Cameroon as high risk,

and require stringent due diligence

standards from importing companies

until the government of Cameroon can

prove beyond reasonable doubts that it

is properly enforcing the country's

forestry laws and regulations.

While carrying out research for the La

Socamba br iefing, Greenpeace

undertook field investigations in

October 2014 and January 2016 to

document areas where permits for

destructive “cut-and-run” logging,

known as “sales of standing volume”

(or VCs, from the French ventes de

coupe), have been issued to CCT

suppliers and recorded testimonies

from local residents and authorities, as

well as ex-employees. Greenpeace also

discovered timber carrying the permit

number VC 09 01 203 – issued to La

Socamba-- discarded up to 8km

outside the logging title.

Cameroon's forests support the

livelihoods of thousands of people and

are amongst the region's most

biologically diverse forests, providing

valuable habitat for endangered

W e s t e r n L o w l a n d G o r i l l a s ,

chimpanzees and forest elephants,

amongst other species. Unsustainable

and illegal logging in these forests is

leading to deforestation, destruction of

the ecosystem and diminished

resilience to climate change.

How Cameroon’s

stolen woodreaches international

markets



May - June 2016

Mining, Zambia's prime industry is a

wasting asset, it is important, more

than ever before, to explore sectors

that are sustainable to wean the

country from the copper spoon it was

born with.

Zambia has 40 per cent of the water

resources of the entire southern

African region. Of the 58 per cent

arable land, only 14 per cent is

currently cultivated. In real terms, this

means that of 42mn hectares (ha),

only 1.5mn ha is farmed each year.

The agricultural sector employs 85 per

cent of the population and makes up

around 20 per cent of overall GDP.

Food processing

Food processing represents an

outstanding investment opportunity in

Zambia due to vast natural resources,

extensive arable land, ample water

and investment incentives and many

joint-venture options.

T h e Z a m b i a A s s o c i a t i o n o f

Manufacturing (ZAM), said, despite its

strong performance, the country's

food processing industry has achieved

only around one-quarter of its

capacity and potential so far. ''There

are vast opportunities for more

investments in most subsectors of

Zambia's food-processing industry,

for both small-scale and large-scale

projects,'' ZAM said.

High potential sub-sectors encompass

growing and processing oil seeds;

downstream processing of meat and

dairy products; producing palm oil;

manufacturing soy-based food

products; million wheat, rice and

maize to produce flour; producing

juices, carbonated drinks, beer and

o the r beve rages ; p rocess ing

groundnuts; producing ketchup and

other tomato-based products;

roasting and grinding coffee beans;

processing cassava, pineapple,

mangoes and sugar cane; producing

dried fruit and processing fish to

exploit Zambia's vast fish resources.

Other investment opportunities

include producing tinned foods,

confectionary, bread products, honey

and cheese. One example of potential

food processing projects in Zambia is

COMESA's Regional Investment Agency

(RIA) promotion of a greenfield project

to build pineapple-canning factories in

the northwestern part of the country

Mwinilunga district in the province has

been ranked as Zambia's best location

for pineapple production.

In the 1990's, a pineapple processing

facility in the area produced around

11,368 tonnes from 1,421 ha of

pineapple plantations. The facility was

later closed down. The planned new

plant is expected to produce about

12,000 tonnes of processed pineapple

per annum.

Aquaculture

Diversifying away from maize, one of

the sub-sectors which is being

promoted is aquaculture. In August

2015, the Government launched a

US$10mn privately-owned fish farm,

Yalelo. The firm, located on the shores

of Lake Kariba in southern Zambia,

already produces 6,000 kg of tilapia

daily. In a deliberate effort to increase

domes t i c fish p roduc t i on , the

Government is encouraging private

investment.

Zambian agriculture - a sleeping giant


Market InformationMarket Information

May - June 2016

Cattle

The Common Market for Eastern and

Southern Africa (COMESA) recently

received US$400,000 to support the

growth of the leather sub-sector in

Zambia and three other member

countries. Zambia has the potential to

grow its leather value chain to half a

billion dollars a year if all hides are

transformed into finished products.

The state has also agreed to waive

taxes on leather production machines

and equipment to further enhance

growth.

Farm block development

In a bid to grow the agriculture sector,

Government is developing the Farm

Block Development Programme with

vast opportunities for investors. Ten

farming blocks have been identified

(one in each province). ''The Nansanga

Farming Block in Serenje, central

Zambia, is the most advanced, with

roads constructed and power

connected. We have already allocated

pieces of land to small-scale and

commercial farmers. We are in the

process of awarding 10,000 ha of land

to what is referred to as a core

venture,'' Minister of Agriculture,

Given Lubinda said.

Irrigation

Zambia's future indeed lies in

agriculture and President Lungu's

administration has emphasised its

d e t e rm i n a t i o n t o p u r s u e a n

agriculture-led economy through the

rolling out of irrigation schemes and

other innovations throughout the

country. Speaking during the launch

of the construction of the US$28mn

Mwomboshi Irr igat ion Dam in

Chisamba, central Zambia, recently,

Pres ident Lungu re i terated his

commitment to diversifying the

agricultural sector. ''The construction of

this dam gives a practical expression of

my Government's resolve to put

agriculture at the centre of our

economy. Irrigation farming is an act of

diversifying the sector away from rain-

fed agriculture.”

Currently, the construction of dams is

underway in Lusitu (Chirundu) and

Musakashi in Mufulira district. ''We aim

to have over 75,000 ha by 2030. To

achieve this, the Government will

ensure adequate funds for irrigation

development annually. Currently,

K56.7mn (US$6mn) has been set aside

for irrigation in the 2016 national

budget,'' he pointed out.

The Zambia Association

of Manufacturing (ZAM),

said, despite its strong

performance, the

country's food

processing industry has

achieved only around

one-quarter of its

capacity and potential so

far.



May - June 2016

Walking through his dry millet field,

Alioune Djaby, chief of Sikilo village,

waits for a sign that rainfall is coming.

Normally, he would look for clouds in

the sky or birds singing. This time

though, he's expecting a text message

from the National Agency of Civil

Aviation and Meteorology.

Senegalese farmers have long relied

on traditional weather indicators, such

as trees blooming or where birds set

their nests, to manage their crops. But

those have become unreliable as a

result of increasingly variable weather

patterns in the region.

"The overall amount of rainfall has

decreased in the past decades, as the

rainy season starts later and lasts for a

shorter amount of t ime," said

Ousmane Ndiaye, a meteorologist and

r e s e a r c h e r a t t h e n a t i o n a l

meteorological agency.

In 2015 for example, the monsoon was

expected in mid-May in southern

Senegal but started three months late,

in August.

That has huge implications for the

country's agriculture, which relies on

sugar cane, millet, groundnuts, paddy

rice and maize. According to the U.N.

Food and Agriculture Organization,

millet production in Senegal declined

by 38 percent between 2012 and

2014.

To remedy this, the meteorological

agency launched a free weather

information service via text message

with the CGIAR Research Programme

on Climate Change, Agriculture and

Food Security last August, after

testing it with a group of 33 farmers

for five years.

Weather updates are sent by text in

F rench to fa rmers who have

volunteered for the pilot programme

in seven regions across the country.

They relay the information to fellow

farmers in local languages, as needed.

Extreme weather incidents like heavy

rainfall or windstorms will trigger a

text message such as "Forecast:

heavy rain expected in Kaffrine in two

hours."

The project is also underway in Mali,

Burkina Faso, Niger and Ghana - all

particularly vulnerable to climate

extremes.

'Walking without seeing the path'

Djaby and fellow farmers says they use

the updates to make more informed

farming decisions.

To test the service's effectiveness,

Mariama Keita, a farmer who cultivates

millet and groundnuts, allocated two

hectares of her land to millet and

peanuts for a comparative study.

She farmed half of each hectare using

only climate information sent by text

messages, and cultivated the other half

using traditional weather indicators.

In 2015, the plot farmed using

information received by text yielded

1,500kg of groundnuts more than the

one farmed using traditional methods.

She has now adopted the newer

method on the rest of her land.

"We now see that traditional ways of

predicting the weather just don't work,"

said Keita. "With climate updates I

know that if it rains tomorrow I can save

my fertiliser for another day."

To broaden the weather service's reach,

the meteorological agency partners

with the National Community Radio

Senegal’s farmers adopt

phones to harvestmobile boost



May - June 2016

Network - made up of 96 stations which farmers can also

listen to on their phones - to broadcast weather information

in French as well as local languages.

The meteorological agency sends daily weather forecasts -

including marine forecasts for fishermen - to the radio

stations and trains the presenters on how to interpret the

information.

As of last August, 916 village chiefs and farmers had signed

up to the weather text service which, with the addition of

local radio stations, had a combined potential reach of at

least 7 million people across Senegal - more than half the

population.

"We've seen a lot of lives and livelihoods lost in the fishing

and farming industries because of adverse weather

conditions and poor planning," said Tala Dieng, president of

the radio network. "This service helps reduce their losses."

Future plans to expand the service include issuing recorded

voice messages on phones, so that illiterate farmers can

also access weather information.

Farmers in Zimbabwe have been seeking new food sources

to keep their animals, birds and fish alive as the country is

hit with its worst drought in 25 years

According to Lovemore Kuwana, an entrepreneur in

Zimbabwe, prices for maize and soy-based feed have risen

due to shortage. This had led Kuwana to produce maggots

that feed on waste to provide protein for his breeding flock

of 120 free-range chickens and 1,000 quail.

“I have struggled to find nutritious feed for quite some time

now,” said the entrepreneur.

“The birds can't resist the worms,” he added.

The industrial process of producing stock feed that contains

maggots, using a number of tanks in a purposebuilt

structure — produces five times less greenhouse gas

emissions than soy or maize stock feed, according to

Chinhoyi University research.

"We have been producing a sizeable amount of maggots

that are killed in the biogas digester, dried and then mixed

with the maize-based feed we produce," stated CEO

Ephraim Whingwiri.

The mixed feed, which can also be given to pigs and fish, is

given to around 300 chickens at Zim Earthworm Farms.

Zimbabwe’s poultry benefit farmersfrom producing maggotsprotein

Nigerian minister of science and technology Ogbonnaya

Onu has announced that the federal government has

developed a home-grown pesticide to fight the tomato pest

– Tuta Absoluta – which has ravaged farms in the West

African country

Onu said that under the supervision of the Ministry, the

National Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) in

Kaduna State, has developed the pesticide using natural

resources available in the country. He claimed that this

pesticide was effective against Tuta Absoluta – a moth that

lays eggs on tomato plants, which develop into caterpillars

feeding on leaves, stems and fruit.

The minister commended the NARICT scientists for coming

up with the new solution, stating that the institute had

saved the country billions of naira that would have been

used to import pesticide from abroad.

Onu's announcements comes a few days after the governor

of Kaduna State Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai, declared a state of

emergency on tomato farming in the state, stating that 80

per cent of tomato farms have been ravaged by the pest,

locally called Tomato Ebola. He said about 200 farmers in

three local government areas in the state lost one billion

naira in the last one month.

The infestation has caused a severe scarcity of the

vegetable in the Nigerian market. Tomato prices in the

country have sky-rocketed since the crisis with a wholesale

basket containing hundred tomatoes costing US$212, up

from US$1.50 to US$7.50 before the outbreak.

New pesticide to home-grown

fight Nigeria’s crisistomato


Market InformationIdeas & Innovation

May - June 2016

Access to reliable electricity is essential to human development and to a country's sustainable economic progress. Today, having electricity is vital in providing basic social services to people, conducting business and running industr ia l operat ions. Unfortunately, billions of people around the world still do not have access to reliable electricity, with a great number of them living in the rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.

In its publication World Energy Outlook 2015, the International Energy Agency ( IEA) r evea l s tha t the re a re approximately 634 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa without access to electricity, and that the average national electrification rate in the region only stands at 32%.

I t a l so repor ts that a l though electrification efforts are underway in Sub-Saharan Africa, electrification in urban areas has widely outpaced that in rural areas since 2000. In fact, the latest figures show that the average urban electrification rate in Sub-Saharan Africa stands at 59%, while that of rural, in contrast, stands at only 17%.

By virtue of the above observations, IEA says that Sub-Saharan Africa has now become the “most electricity poor region” in terms of the total number of people and the share of its overall population.

In a separate release, the World Bank ascribes the region's energy poverty to various factors, including low access and insufficient capacity, and poor reliability. It notes that the electrification rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is lesser than other low-income countries, and that the entire installed generation capacity in the region (excluding South Africa) is only 28 GW, comparable to that of Argentina.

It further observes that due to poor reliability of the region's existing power infrastructure, Sub-Saharan Africa's residents and industries experience power outages equivalent to 56 days per year. As a result, it adds, businesses and industries lose anywhere between 6% and 20% of sales revenues.

It, then, sounds a warning that the shortcomings in the region's power sector are a real threat to Sub-Saharan Africa's long-term economic growth and competitiveness.

E l e c t r i fi c a t i o n E f f o r t s a r e underway

Today, driving the growth of Africa's energy sector takes the spotlight at various industry conferences and engagement events all around the world, such as the 2016 Africa Energy Forum, which will transpire in late July. These gatherings provide a

venue for a notable number of industry stakeholders, including government officials and head of relevant ministries, regulatory authorities, power providers like Altaaqa Global Cat Rental Power, financial institutions and investors, to talk about salient energy issues and cast a forward-looking gaze at opportunities for the betterment of the sector.

Significantly, key industry stakeholders are now undertaking myriad power projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the objective of increasing the region's overall access to reliable electricity, enhancing the effectiveness and governance of state-owned utilities, and rehab i l i ta t ing age ing and dilapidated power infrastructure, among others.

While the above-mentioned initiatives aim to promote long-term development within Sub-Saharan Africa's power sector, they may, in reality, take several years to come to fruition.

Without denying the merits of the ongoing efforts, we observe that what Sub-Saharan Africa needs are reliable p o w e r s o l u t i o n s t h a t c a n b e immediately deployed, delivered, installed and operated. In the face of the region's suppressed electrification rate and issues of intermittency and unreliability among its existing power infrastructure, what it needs are power solutions that can guarantee a

There is an immediate solution toSub-Saharan Africa’s power challenges



May - June 2016

continuous and reliable supply of electricity anytime and anywhere it is needed. Multi-megawatt temporary power solutions can open doors to a definitive resolution of Sub-Saharan Africa's power challenges.

There is a solution: Temporary Power Technologies

Temporary power plants represent an immediate, reliable, scalable and cost-efficient solution to the region's power concerns.

The installation of temporary power plants does not call for extensive site preparation nor for the refurbishment of transmission and distribution grids. As soon as the generators and other power equipment arrive on site, they

can be immediately instal led, commissioned and powered on within days. In a matter of days, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa will be supplied with a consistent and reliable electricity supply.

The governments, power utility providers, nor industr ies and businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa will not need to spend scarce financial resources on capital expenditure, which is usually the case when p r o cu r i ng l a r ge - s ca l e powe r equipment of building permanent power facilities. The governments and other industry stakeholders can conveniently pay for the rented electricity from their operating revenues. As industry activities grow and the requirement for electricity

increases, they can simply choose to add more power modules to the temporary power plant, precluding the need to buy additional equipment or build other permanent facilities. By the same token, in case the power requirement decreases, the load of the temporary power plant can be proportionally adjusted.

Temporary power providers offer a full range of services, including operating and maintaining the power plants. Temporary power providers have well-trained, expert engineers that will ensure that the power plants run at the optimal level all the time.

As the region eases through its power challenges, and as soon as the long-term power sector development plans a re g radua l l y r o l l ed ou t , t he governments or the power utilities can simply choose to end the temporary power contract. The entire temporary power plant will be demobilized, leaving no i d l e power equ ipment no r permanent power plants running on part-load and requiring constant maintenance, servicing and upgrades.

S u b - S a h a r a n A f r i c a N e e d s Electricity to Progress

Modern and industrializing economies, such as the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, need an efficient and reliable supply of electricity to sustain their social and economic activities that will fuel their further growth. Temporary power solutions can immediately provide them with the much needed boost in power supply, making inroads into a sustainable and viable social and economic progress.

Spotlight on Africa's power sector at the AEF 2016

The development of Sub-Saharan Africa's power sector will be in focus at the 2016 Africa Energy Forum (AEF 2016) , on 22-24 June a t the Intercontinental O2 in London, UK. Dubbed as the most respected and established annual gathering of power players, AEF 2016 with throw the spotlight on the latest innovations that drive the growth of Africa's energy sector, including temporary power technologies.

Altaaqa Global, a leading multi-megawatt temporary power solutions provider, will be at the event to showcase its products and services. Located at Stand #58, Altaaqa Global welcomes the opportunity to talk about its multi-megawatt rental power plants, and how it can help Sub-Saharan African countries gain access to reliable electricity.



May - June 2016

Polyfabric tarpaulin is one of the most

widely used and versatile materials in

industry and agriculture. The fabric

can be used to create low cost shelters

which provide excellent protection

from the elements, and can prolong

the life of machinery and reduce crop

l o s s e s d u r i n g s t o r a g e a n d

transportation.

The low cos t , versat i l i ty and

convenience of polyfabric tarp shelters

have made them a common sight at

mining operations and farms across

the country. Covers can be constructed

to provide protection from dust, rain

and sunlight, yet the material can also

be used to finely control temperature

and humidity and to maintain ideal

conditions for rearing animals or

growing crops. Since the fabric can

now be produced with welded seams

virtually as strong as the fabric itself,

the material can be constructed to

customers exact requirements.

Poultry farmers use the synthetic

fabric to separate poultry and create

ideal conditions for raising poultry. Roll

up doors can be easily installed to

provide easy staff access, concertina

blinds can be fitted to control lighting

conditions and fan covers constructed

to prevent contaminants and airborne

diseases from entering or spreading.

This synthetic fabric can be used

throughout poultry farms to control

conditions to promote the health and

wellness of livestock. With the correct

configuration of polyfabric partitions,

shades, covers and tarp shelters,

rearing poultry can be made less

labour intensive and environmental

conditions can be easily controlled to

ensure the idea temperature and

humidity is maintained.

Although the material is ideal for use

as interior screens, doors and fan

covers, it is also robust enough to

withstand the full force of the

elements. Polyfabric has high tensile

strength and stretches in a uniform

and predictable manner. It is

therefore well suited for use in the

c on s t r u c t i o n o f l i g h twe i gh t ,

temporary or permanent shades and

shelters to protect goods, crops,

vehicles and machinery from the

elements.

Tarp shelters are a low cost choice for

many farmers and are often used for

piggeries. Pig shelters can be cheaply

constructed from polyfabric, with the

shelters ideal as temporary housing

which can easily be relocated. It is vital

to regulate temperatures both in the

summer and winter in piggeries, and

this can easily be achieved with thermal

covers. These can be easily fitted for

use in winter and rolled up in summer

or when not required and provide

sufficient insulation to keep animals

warm, dry and comfortable in winter.

Tarp shelters have also found many

commercial uses, being well suited as

covers for outdoor swimming pools to

provide shade, and for protection from

the sun and rain in parks and play

areas.

Purchasing polyfabric shelters, shades

and sails

If you are considering installing a

shelter, shade or sail it is important to

s e e k a d v i c e f r o m p o l y f a b r i c

manufacturer and to discuss your

specific needs and requirements.

Manufacturers of quality mining

shelters, poultry rearing housing and

piggery tarpaulin shelters will be happy

to discuss bespoke designs to provide

the required functionality. Many

manufacturers also offer 'off the shelf'

des igns wh ich can be qu i ck ly

manufactured and delivered.

Polyfabric Tarp Shelters for Agriculture



May - June 2016

Armed with an MPhil in Development

Studies from Oxford University, an MBA

from Harvard Business School and a

wealth of experience from global

management consulting firm McKinsey &

Company, both locally and

internationally, Soweto-born and -bred

entrepreneur Nhlanhla Dlamini decided

to leave his job as a consultant to try

and start his own businesses.

Through his Maneli Group, Dlamini hopes

to create business opportunities in South

Africa's agricultural sector by operating

in areas of the industry that big business

tends to overlook.

What does Maneli Group do?

Maneli Group is a 100% black-owned

company that looks for opportunities to

build and expand businesses in the food

and agricultural sector. We have two

subsidiaries, Maneli Pets and Maneli

Commodities.

Maneli Pets, created six months ago,

manufactures pet foods using game and

ostrich by-products. We plan to start

exporting these products to a wholesaler

in the US towards August.

We have two factories, one in the

Western Cape and another in Gauteng.

We collect raw materials from abattoirs

and manufacture the pet foods. The

packaged finished product is being

piloted in the US and mass production

will commence in August 2016.

Maneli Commodities is a grain trading

business, one of the first majority black-

owned grain trading businesses in SA.

We sell soft commodities like maize,

sugar, wheat and soya to large food

companies in SA.

Maneli Commodities aggregates raw

materials for big food companies that do

not want to source raw materials from

small farmers or co-operatives. They

would rather deal with a company like

us, aggregate raw materials from across

the country, manage quality and deliver

to clients as per their production needs.

What did you do prior to starting

your own business?

I grew up in Soweto and went to school

in Johannesburg. I graduated with a

Bachelor of Commerce from Wits

University, then went on to do a

Postgraduate Diploma in Management at

the Wits Business School (both cum

laude and top of my class).

I joined McKinsey & Company in 2006,

and worked for them in South Africa,

Europe and in the US. Following the

completion of my MBA in 2012, I came

back to SA, still with McKinsey, where I

stayed until April 2015.

Where did you get seed capital to

start the business?

I used a combination of savings I

accumulated while working and some

initial start-up capital from small

business incubator and SMME

investment company, the Awethu

Project.

Awethu plays in a very unique and

important space because it invests in

entrepreneurs before most formal

institutions would like to get involved.

For one of the Maneli subsidiaries, I had

to bring in co-investors to augment

Awethu's seed capital.

In SA the venture capital industry is still

quite thin (especially outside of the tech

space) unlike Europe and the US.

Entrepreneurship is tough for everyone,

but I think to a certain degree it's tougher

for young black people.

We don't have a strong network of older

black entrepreneurs who have already

made it and are now the “Godfathers”, so

to speak, or angel investors for the

younger entrepreneurs coming through.

I'm trying to build my network and I hope

to play that role for other people in a

couple of years.

How has the one-year journey in

entrepreneurship been?

It's a roller coaster. If you're not one for

highs and lows then entrepreneurship is

not for you. The lows are definitely more

accentuated than you would find in

corporate and, conversely, the highs are

highly rewarding.

But there's never been a month where I

found myself thinking that I was on the

wrong path. I'm working with something

that aligns with my purpose, and at the

same time I'm making a bigger difference

than I would under the employment of

someone else.

What have been the biggest

difficulties you've had to overcome?

In no particular order, I'd say it was

Cultivating success in

the agri-industry

Nhlanhla Dlamini


Market InformationPersonality of the month

May - June 2016

difficult becoming everything and

fulfilling every role in the business. I

started the business on my own and built

capacity as I went along, but initially I

had to multi-task as the marketing,

finance, operations and admin person,

which is different from corporate where

there is specialisation within the team.

I also had to learn to manage my

reaction to events. There were weeks

when I felt like I had cracked it and could

be making money the following week,

but then something would happen the

next day to nullify what I thought would

bring in money.

Resilience is a virtue in most industries,

but even more so in entrepreneurship

because plans can go a little slower than

initially anticipated. You need to be

confident that your plan is going to work.

If you aren't confident, trying to sell it to

funders, employees and partners

becomes impossible.

Biggest lesson learnt?

You need to bring in partners and have a

team around you that can help share the

load. In the beginning it will come at a

cost because you don't have a lot of

money to go around. You need hands-on

experience with managing money.

Your grasp of cash flow and numbers and

projecting where the company will be in

three to six months' time, is the lifeblood

of the company. And I'm more aware

that bad financial management can put

your company in jeopardy, so that skill

I've had to hone a lot more.

Becoming a salesperson is a skill I didn't

get to practise much while growing up,

but it's an important skill to have when

trying to convince industry bodies,

employees and funders to buy into a

business concept or idea.

How tough is competition in your

sector, and what differentiates your

product/service from others?

The competition in the South African

industrial sector is extremely tough. It's

dominated by large companies with

deeper pockets, stronger relationships,

and they can be hostile to new entrants.

Taking them on is not advised and I

have not tried to do that.

My strategy is to partner with them to

get into areas they may not be giving

enough attention. Or serving where I

think I can do very well and make

decent money and decent margins.

Right now I'm lucky in that there's a

need for the industry to be

transformative, so it is more receptive

to smaller or new partners coming on

board.

Since I had wanted to venture into

entrepreneurship for a while, I read a lot

about companies that make it and ones

that don't make it and often the

companies that don't make it are the

ones that tried to take on the big

businesses, so I decided not to follow

that path.

How many people do you currently

employ?

At the Maneli Group in Johannesburg

there's three of us. Maneli Commodities

will be employing about 10 people in the

next four months. And Maneli Pets will

be employing about 30 to 40 people by

the end of the year.

What is the best business advice

you've ever received?

In food manufacturing, cash is king. You

can have great ideas, but if you do not

have the cash the lifeblood of the

company is compromised.

Also: The elements that make up a

successful business are a good idea,

plus a good plan and team and rigorous

implementation.

What was unexpected?

People are the most unpredictable

variable. People's sentiments often

change, which then affects their

motivations and behaviours. Or there

are changes in their lives and your

project is no longer a big priority; so

often it's navigating changes in people. I

really enjoy working with people

nonetheless.

Beyond people, entrepreneurship in

general comes with a lot of curve balls

and uncertainty. I always leave 20% to

30% slack in my schedule every week for

unexpected events that inevitably occur.

How do you stay motivated?

I take time out to refresh, not as much as

I should, but I try to exercise or play

sports four times a week. And I have a

strong circle of family and friends. I'm

present and engaged in their lives.

It's important that I have a job that is a

means of supporting them too. I feel

privileged and also have a great sense of

responsibility for what I'm meant to do in

the time that I'm here and I never want

to feel like I wasted a month or a year not

being as productive as I could have been.

What are your non-work habits that

help you with your work-life balance?

I love sports. I try to put in three to six

hours of exercise or sports per week. I try

and learn something new every week,

even if it's something trivial, by reading,

listening to podcasts or hanging out with

people that I wouldn't normally hang out

with.

I enjoy travelling, but it's a bit tough with

where the rand is at the moment. But

travelling has proven valuable because it

gives you a fresh perspective of your

country and culture.

How would you measure success for

the group?

The hard metrics should be around the

company's performance in terms of the

revenue and profits, and our resources

and reserves for future growth, among

other things.

Going forward, I'd like to segue into

related industries like green energy in

about five years' time. Fast-forward 10

years or so: I have aspirations for us to

be the largest black-owned industrial

company.


Market InformationPersonality of the month

May - June 2016

This article originally appeared in the 12 May

2016 edition of finweek

The Southern Ground-Hornbill is iconic

throughout its Southern and East

African range for its striking black

plumage and bright red throat, along

with its snake-killing prowess and loud

booming call before dawn. Occurring

across the continent from Southern

Kenya, west to Angola, Nambia and

south to South Africa, these large

turkey-sized hornbills can most often

be seen in cooperative groups of up to

12 individuals, walking and foraging

for food items as they go. This unique

spec ies i s now reg i s te red as

Endangered in South Africa with only

about 1500 individuals remaining, and

the population continues to decline.

One of the biggest threats currently

facing the species is secondary

poisoning. Since the increase in

ranching of high-value game within

South Africa, there has also been a

marked increase in wildlife poisoning

f o r p r o b l e m a n i m a l s . A s a n

opportunist ic feeder, any such

poisoned bait made available to

wildlife also presents itself as a food

item for the Southern Ground-

Hornbill, and due to their cooperative

social structure an entire group can be

lost to a single carcass.

Furthermore, it has recently been

discovered that Southern Ground-

Hornbills are highly susceptible to

poisoning from lead which can be

ingested via carrion, containing lead

fragments from spent ammunition, in

the veld. The lead builds up in the

immune system of each individual

until it reaches a level high enough to

cause lead toxicosis, which is fatal

un less t rea ted urgent ly w i th

veterinary care – and it doesn't take

more than a rice grain sized fragment.

Southern Ground-Hornbills are also

highly territorial, with each group

maintaining a territory of up to 2 250km using the loud booming duet

before dawn, to prevent any intrusion

from neighbouring groups. As a

result, the reflection of a group

member in a window is often mistaken

for an invader, and consequently the

species is known and persecuted for

i t s w i ndow-b r eak i ng hab i t s ,

particularly in the rural areas where

replacement of windows is extremely

costly.

The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project,

based in Limpopo, is working tirelessly

in an attempt to slow and reverse the

decline of the Southern Ground-

Hornbill. The project utilises a variety

of mitigation techniques in order to

defuse the major threats to the

species, and many other iconic

savannah inhabitants. The team is

working to promote the use of contra-

vision, a sticky vinyl which can be

used to remove the reflection of a

window without reducing the light

intake. This method has proved

extremely successful at preventing

window-breakages, and therefore

removing the need for the persecution.

Furthermore, the project promotes the

use of affordable non-lead ammunition,

such as copper, in order to prevent the

loss of life due to unnecessary

poisoning.

A loss of just four individuals a year to

unnatural threats is enough to push this

distinctive species further into decline

and therefore the effort to conserve

them is critical if the species is going to

survive for future generations. If you

would like to know more about how you

can help to conserve Southern Ground-

Hornbills in your area or for information

about our research projects, artificial

nests and reintroductions please

c o n t a c t p r o j e c t @ g r o u n d -

hornbill.org.za.

Nthabiseng Monama applying contra-vision to a rural school in KZN, whose resident hornbills had previously broken all of the classroom windows.

Mabula Ground Hornbill Project



May - June 2016

As one of the primary pollinators in the world, it is honeybees – and not farmers – that are responsible for the majority of agricultural production ranging from cotton to crops. Bees are not only important to human survival they also play a central role in the evolution of the earth's ecology. Yet bees are facing a global threat. Because they are so critical to our survival, it is imperative that steps be taken to reduce this threat. The use of pesticides has contributed to the death of some 250 million bees in recent years. Beekeepers lose up to 30 percent of their stock and equ ipment each year due to vandalism and theft, resulting in a loss of poll ination and honey. Diseases such as American Foul Brood play a large role in the decreasing number of bees worldwide. Migratory beekeeping is also contributing to the spread of this disease, as it removes permanency for bee colonies and allows outside factors to threaten the structure of hives. Yet there is a solution. Young South African industrial design student and PPC Imaginarium Awards finalist, Ivan Brown hopes to bring about more stability for beekeepers and their hives through his uniquely

designed concrete beehive. His “Beegin Permanent Hive” was entered as prototype into the PPC Imaginarium Awards and now goes into the testing phase thanks to

further sponsorship from PPC Group Services (Pty) Ltd. Brown plans to produce 20 concrete hives that will be tried and tested via

real-world implementation. Through this process, any remaining design issues will be identified and rectified. The hives will be distributed to a group of 20 urban farmers and existing beekeepers. Brown's vision is to create safe and sustainable beekeeping pract i ces in urban set t ings – empowering urban farmers with the means to earn extra income whilst ensuring the health of their primary pollinators. Speaking of why PPC has chosen to sponsor such a venture, Daniel van der M e r w e , w h o h e a d s t h e P P C Imaginarium Awards, states: “PPC looks forward to seeing the impact of the Beegin Permanent Hive. We hope that it will have a significant social and environmental effect by helping to support a sustainable bee population.”Brown's forward-thinking beehive design offers significant innovations. Each hive will have two chambers that will be easy to access with the use of brood frames. Four thin legs carry the weight of the hive, and these legs can be placed in tins of oil to protect against pests. Furthermore, the permanency of the concrete can prevent the spread of diseases while reducing the vandalism and theft.

Innovative student pioneers solutionto the global plight of dying bees

Ivan Brown Beehive



May - June 2016

Every producer thinking about or

already purchasing a robotic milking

system has heard all the stories that

can go with a transition – the drama,

the tal l tales, the truly rough

experiences. These sagas usually are

the only stories that get re-told over

and over, making it seem like every

robotic milking startup will have an

epic story to tell.

However, there is no doubt that robotic

milking is a suitable solution for large

dairies, as there are several examples

of successful dairies working under

different conditions around the world.

Robotic milking is when a type of robot

called an automatic milking system

(AMS) replaces a person to do all the

jobs involved in milking a herd of cows.

The system is set up to:

· guide the cows to the milking

shed

· identify each cow individually

· milk the cows

· check the milk

· record data about individual

cows.

T h e r e a r e t h r e e t y p e s o f

commercially available automatic

milking systems worldwide:

· Single-stall units utilize one

robotic arm for each stall. This

is the most popular and

proven technology.

· Multiple-stall units – a newer

concept where one arm

serves two or more stalls.

· Automatic Milking Rotary

( A M R ) i s t h e l a t e s t

a d va n c e m e n t i n h i g h -

capacity automated milking.

It combines the highest efficiency of

both conventional and automated

milking by employing a rotary

platform with multiple robotic arms

that can prep, attach and post-spray

up to 90 cows per hour.

Operating one automatic milking

system (AMS) requires the same set

of skills as operating multiple units.

There are two areas where robotic

milking can have a greater impact on

large dairies.

A milking robot will prove a 36%

labour saving on a dairy farm

throughout the year compared to a

conventional milking parlour

Labour

While technology costs go down,

labor costs go up. This irreversible

trend has affected most industries,

and dairy is no exception. Automation

will be the sustainable solution of the

future. When considering robotic

milking, it's important to evaluate

labor efficiency, which is the number

of robots per employee.

Farmers using the dual robotic system

spend considerably less time working

each day and work on average 3-3.5

hours less than the conventional

farmer. On average, the conventional

farmers spend three hours each day

milking/droving cows, while the

farmers using the robots spend

approximately 40 minutes each day

at this task.

Management by except ion

The most ideal group size: one cow.

Regardless of the operation's scale,

technologies included within the

robot, or peripherally, let farmers

focus on individual cows without

Is robotic a viable option for ? milking farmers


Market InformationMachinery Preview

May - June 2016

losing the group management scope.

Those individuals can be monitored

and managed in a unique way to help

drive profitability.

Health benefits

It is difficult to quantify the health

benefits robotic milking might bring for

cows. With robotic milking, cows set

their own milking schedule, which

should better fit a natural pattern of

more frequent milking. In a well-

managed robotic system, farmers note

less stress among cows and fewer

hierarchical battles within the herd.

More frequent milking will allow less

stress on the udder, particularly in

early lactation. Less udder pressure

and stress on ligaments provides more

comfort for the animal, especially

when lying. More frequent milking may

also reduce the time for the growth of

mastitis organisms. However, more

frequent milking and longer total daily

milking time may cause more stress on

teats. This could lead to an increased

number of teat end erosions and

eruptions.

DeLaval offers largest range of

automatic milking solutions

designed to meet the needs of all

dairy farmers

DeLaval now boasts the most

comprehens ive assortment of

automatic milking solutions with the

addition of the DeLaval teat spray

robot TSR. Whether farmers are

seeking to fully integrate and

automate their system or if they wish

to upgrade and complement their

existing systems to future proof their

farm, DeLaval understands and

delivers on those needs.

DeLaval's automatic portfolio ranges

from; i ts commercia l ly v iable

automatic milking rotary (DeLaval™

AMR), its voluntary milking system

(DeLaval™ VMS), DeLaval teat spray

robot TSR, Herd Navigator™ proactive

on farm diagnostic tool and to its

DeLaval Optimat™ feeding system.

Continued investment into developing

leading edge automation is about

offering groundbreaking precision

products and solutions that help drive

down the cost of ownership and

position dairy farms for generations to

come.

DeLaval AMR™- the only commercially

viable automatic milking rotary with 4,

5 million milkings to date.

DeLaval AMR™ (automatic milking

rotary) – represents a state-of-the-art

approach in automat ic mi lk ing

solutions for owners of dairy farms with

300+ cows.

This unique system is flexible enough to

operate in different farming practices,

from free stalls and loose housing to

pasture-based dairying. DeLaval AMR™

can be used as a voluntary or batch

automatic system, and is the only one

of its kind in the world to encompass

both farming types.

DeLaval VMS™ (voluntary milking

system) - a fully automated robotic

milking solution that keeps manual

labour at a minimum while still

delivering maximum efficiency.

One of the main strengths of the

DeLaval VMS™ is that the company has

made upgradability an integral element

of development over the last decade.

This means that even farmers with an

earlier VMS can upgrade it to include

the benefits of the latest model without

having to replace the station.

Conclusion

One controlled Swedish study showed

that with herds of 55 cows, two hours

per day can be saved in an AM system

when compared to a conventional

milking system. This amounts to about

two minutes per cow per day saved

thanks to robotic milking.

The future of large-scale AMS is very

promising. The introduction of efficient

technologies is the best way to face the

different challenges our industry needs

to overcome. Innovations will have the

greatest impact from labor, herd

management and social responsibility

perspectives. When considering robotic

milking for your large herd, make sure

you plan your work and work your plan

– then the result won't be anything but

success.


Market InformationMachinery Preview

May - June 2016

The future of automatic

milking comes to AfricaOrono Trading has just become the first dairy farm in Africa to install the state-of-the-art GEA MIone automatic milking system. This system can be configured with two to five boxes, and is ideal for medium to large herds. Orono Trading has installed two MIone systems with four boxes each at their farm in the Rayton area, just north of Johannesburg. The systems will begin milking around 440 cows on June 1, 2016.

The benefits of the system are manifold. With MIone, each step –

from attaching, stimulating, cleaning, drying, pre-milking and milking, to the removal of each of the four individual quarters – is part of a calm, comfortable, stress-free milking process.

ID monitoring and guided pre-selection gates ensure even distribution of cows per milking station, which translates to perfect, stress-free throughput. Since all tasks can be controlled and monitored from one central management station, staff perform less tedious, repetitive tasks and

are able to better manage the herd. In short, GEA MIone is a cow-friendly system, which ensures not only improved milk production and optimal fertility, but also reduces stress and guarantees healthy, happy cows.

Corporate Media and Press:GEA Southern & Eastern Africa48 Reedbuck Crescent, Corporate Park South, Midrand 1682, RSATel. + 27(0)11 392 7114, Fax. +27(0)11 392 [email protected]

About GEAGEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food processing industry and a wide range of process industries that generated consolidated revenues of approximately EUR 4.5 billion in 2014. As an international technology group, the Company focuses on process technology and components for soph is t i cated product ion processes in various end-user markets. The Group generates more than 70 percent of its revenue in the food sector that enjoys long-term sustainable growth. As of September 30, 2015, the Company employed around 18,000 people worldwide. GEA is a market and technology leader in its business areas. The Company is listed in Germany's MDAX (G1A, WKN 660 200). In addition, GEA's share is a constituent of the MSCI Global Sustainability Indexes. Further information is available on the Internet at gea.com.


http://www.tamalawi.com/


Before any farmer spends money on improving operations there's one crucial question they want to know: what will the payback period be?

Recently Jacobsdal crop farmer Steven Squires undertook a wide-ranging assessment of where he could make his business more efficient and where it could save money. An economist, Squires understood the importance of any investment to pay for itself – and that the bottom line of his business, AIS Farming, should reap the benefits as soon as possible.

AIS Farming irrigates maize, wheat and ground nuts on 500 hectares near the Riet River in the western Free State. Production is in the order of 13.5 tons per hectare of maize, seven tons per hectare of wheat and 3.5 tons for groundnuts. Irrigation is fully mechanised with nuts being dried using axial fans, which use coal as the energy source.

In 2013, acutely aware that energy was a key (and growing) cost to his business, Squires initiated a R1.5 million energy efficiency upgrade. Before deciding what to invest in, he obviously needed to know where AIS Farming was spending money and

how much. Ass i s t ing h im to determine his energy-cost baseline was an Eskom Energy Advisor who not only came to Jacobsdal to help Squires with the number crunching but gave him detailed, practical advice on what the numbers meant.

Working with the advisor, Squires decided on a number of interventions that would help AIS to cut its energy bills. Pumps and motors were replaced with newer and more efficient models. Pumps' suction pipes were enlarged to lower water speeds, effectively eliminating c a v i t a t i o n ( w h i c h i m p a c t s performance and reduces equipment life expectancy while adding to maintenance costs). Moreover, Variable speed drives (VSDs) were installed to ensure that the motors were running at their optimal speeds and not wasting electricity.

A small amount was also invested in soil moisture probes, which would have the benefit of not only making sure that crops were getting the right amount of water but also testing the wisdom of Squires' decision to implement no-till operations - no-till operations has had the effect of improving water absorption while

reducing the need for irrigation.

(The Eskom Energy Advisor was extremely helpful in making Squires aware of what equipment was available from whom at what cost and what likely energy savings could be achieved.)

Payback on the investment

Two years since making the energy-efficiency switch, AIS Farming is as automated as it is ever likely to be. Thanks to the VSDs the business can afford to automatically start and stop its pumps using timer switches to irrigate outside of Eskom's peak periods. “During the week irrigation is done at night when evaporation and wind speeds are lower while additional irrigation is done over weekends when electricity costs are lower,” says Squires, adding: “One of the benefits of the new set-up is that our eight employees are more productive; instead of being involved in the detail of irrigation, they can be used for other tasks on the farm.”

But back to that all-important payback

question. How much did AIS invest and

what has been Squires' experience?

“In total, we spent R1.5 million on the

Farmers reap rewards from energy investments



May - June 2016

upgrade,” he explains. “That includes

upg rad ing the pump s ta t i on

structures and equipment and

replacing our main pipeline. On some

centre pivots the payback has been

less than one year, in line with what

we were expecting and even better

than what we were promised.

“We took detailed readings of

electricity consumption per pivot.

While there were some variances

between the planting seasons we

c ompa red , t he r e su l t s we re

remarkable – as much as four times

what we were expecting. In one case,

for instance, energy consumption

went down from 162 835 kilowatt

hours (kWh) to 89 311 kWh – we

saved 45%. On the pivot where the

pipe was replaced, the payback will be

less than five years. Overall, yes, a

great investment and very acceptable

payback periods.”

So would he recommend that other

crop farmers take a leaf out of AIS

Farming's book? “Definitely,” says

Squires. “The whole process of

deciding what to do, what changes to

make and what investments to make

was challenging but definitely not

difficult. I would certainly advise

every crop farmer using irrigation not

to hes i ta te ; i nves t i ga te the

possibilities, the potential up and

down side. You've got nothing to lose.

And you get great advice and help

from Eskom's Energy Advisors”.

Eskom's national Advisory Service

advises businesses on:

· Conducting walk-through

energy assessments to

identify areas of energy

wastage and pinpoint energy

saving opportunities.

· I m p r o v e t h e e n e r g y

efficiency of their operations.

· Optimise their maintenance

programmes.

They can also support businesses with recommendations and information on:

· Tariffs.

· Energy efficient technologies

and technology suppliers.

· Appropriate energy sources –

whether electrical, fossil

fuelled or renewable.

· Funding for energy efficiency

projects saving more than 250

kW.

E-mail an enquiry to [email protected] or call 08600 37566 and ask that an Energy Advisor contact you. For more information go to www.eskom.co.za/idm.


mailto:[email protected]


Cropping

May - June 2016

Diversified Free State-based agri

business, Sernick Group, has launched

the country's first certified Bonsmara

beef brand, offering consumers

complete peace of mind when it comes

to purchasing 100% authentic South

African Bonsmara beef.

Called Certified Sernick Bonsmara

Beef, the new brand guarantees

consistently exceptional quality beef

with complete traceability, from

Sernick's Edenville farm to every

discerning consumer's plate.

Explains Nick Serfontein, Chairman of

the Sernick Group: “The Bonsmara is

an early maturing breed, which results

in tender and tasty beef. Late maturing

breeds' meat can be a little tougher

and less flavour fu l . So when

consumers see the Certified Sernick

Bonsmara Beef label, they know every

cut they buy, every time, will be

t e n d e r a n d t a s t y, w i t h f u l l

accountability behind that brand that

tells the story of the entire Sernick

value chain, from farm to fork.”

This story includes a flourishing agri

business that is one of South Africa's

few agricultural producers to not only

participate in the complete agri value

chain, but to actually own it.

The Sernick Group boasts its own

5000-hectare family-owned and run

farm with cultivated pastures and

natural grazing that features, among

other aspects, a feed factory, feedlot

and abattoir with a full deboning,

processing and packaging facility.

“This means that at no point does our

Bonsmara beef leave our hands. We

own the whole value chain and ensure

quality control at every step of the

journey. This allows us to guarantee the

quality of our beef – a promise

embodied by our new Certified Sernick

Bonsmara Beef label,” adds Serfontein.

The Certified Sernick Bonsmara Beef

brand will include the full range of beef

cuts, and will be available exclusively

from Sernick's Country Meat branded

retail butcheries in Epsom Downs and

Pineslopes in Johannesburg as well as

their Kroonstad butchery from 16 April

2016.

Sernick Group announces

country’s first certified

Bonsmara brandbeef

Farmers depend on the reliability of key figures and parameters in order to

make crucial decisions for the future and set the course for a favourable

yield. Measuring and weighing provide farmers with the numbers and

reference values they need to ensure they will make the right decisions.

The moisture of agricultural products is an important quality parameter for

the harvest and storage capacity as well as an important measure for

marketing. In order to determine the exact moisture content of harvested

crops, thermal water extraction must be carried out with a drying scale or a

drying oven. In practice this method takes too long.

The Agreto moisture meters provide faster measurements that measure

either the conductivity or electrical capacitance of the sample. One or more

calibrations are converted to the moisture. The Agreto moisture meters

thus provide accurate results within seconds. Agreto offers innovative

solutions relating to livestock scales, hydraulic scales, platform scales,

scales kits, soil compaction meters, temperature probes, moisture meters

for hay, straw and grain.

The company is hoping to expand in Africa and is currently looking for

interested partners who want to distribute their products in their countries.

Measuring and weighing

for agriculture

More than 370,000 kilograms of seeds for the planting

season have been distributed across the country by the

International Committee of the Red Cross. Across the

areas most affected by either drought or violence,nearly

32,000 South Sudanese families received the seeds.

The typical seed distribution package included 5

kilograms of sorghum seeds, 5 kilograms of maize seeds

as well as a variety of vegetable seeds including pumpkin

and okra. Some areas also received 16 kilograms of

groundnut seeds. Food was given out during ICRC seeds

distribution so that families can spend time planting

knowing that they have a ready food supply to eat.

"Given the dry weather El Nino brought last year

compounded with consequences of two years of conflict,

the most recent harvest was very small. That means

there was only a little food left at the end of the season,

sometimes forcing families to eat the seeds that they

would have planted the next season,” said Christa Utiger,

the ICRC person overseeing economic security projects in

the country.

“The timely distribution of seeds is a good start for a

good harvest and we hope this will lead to tens of

thousands of families planting so that they regain an

independent food production capacity," she said.

Through emergency interventions as well as resilience

building projects, the ICRC is committed to continuing its

support to communities affected by two years of conflict.

32,000 families receive for across the country seeds planting

FARMERSREVIEW AFRICA[33]www.farmersreviewafrica.com May - June 2016

Sernick, founded in 1982, is a

diversified organization with its focus

on agriculture and agricultural

processing activities, including a

Bonsmara stud, commercial Bonsmara

herd, a bull testing station, animal feed

product ion, feedlot , red meat

production (abattoir, de-boning and

processing) as well as retail outlets.

Sernick is based in and near Kroonstad

in the Free-state province of South

Africa and consists of 7 business

entities, each adding value to the

group. The group employs 440 people

with annual revenues of R 1 Billion.

About theSernick Group:

CD 996 - ZA du Champ Pourceau21380 Messigny et Vantoux - France+ 33 3 80 48 60 [email protected]

Last June 16 the new brand of Symaga Group, Growket has been presented by Alfonso Garrido, president of the group. Symaga was founded in 1985 by Alfonso Garrido for manufacturing silos and livestock equipment. It is currently a multi-national Spanish company owned by Garrido family, exporting more than 90% of the production and is present in more than 120 countries.

Symaga divided its portfolio into several business lines until 2016: industrial silos, agriculture equipment and livestock equipment (poultry, porcine and ovine). Symaga Group invested huge productive and human resources in order to entitle these divisions as corporative units. Symaga remains the brand for manufacturing and marketing of industrial silos. Growket is born as the brand name for livestock equipment; and Agravid for metal water tanks and vineyard equipment.

Growket is born inside Symaga Group, which strengthened

its business structure after a huge process of investment. Symaga Group has set up a production facility with the latest technology, and has expanded the technical and commercial department. These measures will enhance and professionalise the livestock division to offer a global service in farm silo, poultry, porcine and ovine equipment

Symaga Group ensures the optimal execution of any project. Backed by an experience of more than 30 years in industrial silo sector, the company has exceeded 6,000 installations in five continents. The founder began its trajectory in livestock sector. Historically Symaga has worked in different livestock projects, now the aim is to become a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of poultry, porcine and ovine equipment.

[email protected] Visit our new website: www.growket.com

Growket is a new Company of Symaga Group

Farm animals have been undergoing

human-managed selection ever since

their original domestication. Initially,

selection was probably limited to

docility and manageability, but in the

last 60 years breeding programmes

have focused on the gene t i c

improvement of production traits,

such as milk yield, growth rate and

number of eggs.

The operation of a dairy farm business

has many facets and each must be

managed well if the business is to be

successful.

The progressive dairy manager should

always be seeking improvement in

each of these facets. While most of

those aspects are obvious such as herd

n u t r i t i o n a n d f e e d i n g , h e r d

reproduction, herd health and milking

management there are some aspects

that are not so obvious. One such

facet is herd genetics.

Virtually every aspect of dairy cattle

performance is controlled by genetics

– milk, fat and protein yield,

reproduction, feed efficiency, length

of life in the herd, calving ability, and

ability to resist diseases such as

mastitis as well as all the dairy cattle

conformation traits such as udder, feet

and legs and stature to name a few.

Each cow in the herd has her own

unique genetic makeup. So what is

the importance of the genetics of the

animals in the herd? If every aspect of

dairy cattle performance is under

some degree of genetic control, is there

some way we can take advantage of

this in our dairy herd?

The answer to the first question is that

genetics is only important if you want to

make improvements in an imal

performance in future years. Are heifer

replacements that will become better

performing cows in future years

desirable? If the answer is yes, then

knowing what can be done to bring

about this improvement will provide the

answer to the second question.

Genetic change and hopeful ly

improvement takes place when the

parents of the next generation of

animals are chosen. For a dairy herd,

that means choosing the sires and

Impact of genetic progress on the

profits of farmersdairy


Livestock

May - June 2016

dams of potential heifer replacements

and doing so on the basis of their

expected genetic merit.

Improvement of dairy herd genetics

can affect herd health, longevity,

reproductive traits, and many other

vital aspects of dairy cattle production.

It can also lead to increased milk

production, milk quality, and overall

animal performance. Efficient sire

selection is the primary avenue for an

immediate impact on genetics in a

dairy cattle operation.

Genetic Evaluation

Genetic evaluation is a fully integrated

system. It encompasses signals from

economic markets to determine

economic values and traits of

importance to the value; identifies,

measures and records on-farm;

genetic evaluation techniques and

information technology to provide

genetic estimates. Accurate and

comprehensive phenotypic data

reco rded on- fa rm i s v i t a l t o

strengthen the accuracy of genetic

evaluation outputs.

Genetic evaluation comprises several

key factors that can be broken down

into two main parts:

Animal identification, measuring

and recording (on-farm)

This starts with recording which sire

was mated to which cow, then

assigning the calf to the correct dam.

When progeny are born, body weights

and body condition scores, herd test

results, conformation traits, milking

s p e e d a n d t e m p e r a m e n t

observations, recording reason and

time of exit from the herd are all

determined.

Genetic estimation (off-farm)

Phenotypic data (animal details and

performance) is recorded on-farm or in

the lab, with separation of genetic

effects from environmental effects.

These help produce breeding values

(BV – the genetic estimates) for

individual traits. These BV are

combined with economic values used to

produce breeding worth (BW) or

production worth (PW).

Value of Genetic improvement

The effect of genetic improvement of

dairy cattle is an often forgotten

component of a farm system. This is

perhaps not surprising, as genetic

improvement is about incremental,

long-term gains. These gains often go

unnoticed as years go by. Yet, there are

some real tangible on-farm profitability

and w ider benefits o f genet i c

improvement.


Livestock

May - June 2016

Hack4Farming is calling on Nairobi-

based programmers, developers,

analysts and data scientists to apply

to take part in a two-day

Hack4Farming event in July

The Hack4Farming event will take

place in Nairobi, Kenya in July, with

agriculture stakeholders,

programmers, developers and data

scientists invited from all over the

globe to participate.

Organised by aWhere, an agricultural

solutions company in partnership

with Microsoft, the event is looking to

develop data solutions that can be

utilised by East African seed

companies to offer farmers

actionable information or products to

help them cope with challenges such

as adverse weather conditions, poor

soils, and market access problems.

"We are working to help smallholder

farmers adapt to changing conditions

and to take advantage of new

technologies, but it remains

challenging to provide insights that

are current, relevant, and specific to

the farmer's location and

circumstances,” said event

organisers.

“Fortunately, more data and

technologies are available to East

African agribusiness than ever

before, ready to be packaged into

innovative tools and market

insights,” organisers continued.

“At Hack4Farming Nairobi 2016,

seed company representatives will

present their most pressing

information challenges to teams of

Nairobi-based software developers,

and the hackers will have 48 hours to

design, prototype, and pitch

solutions.”

Hack4Farming aims to demonstrate

the potential of advanced agriculture

intelligence in the East African

market, and will connect agribusiness

actors with developers.

The winning hackathon team, as

determined by a panel of judges, will

receive a shared cash prize of

US$2,000, as well as the opportunity

to work with aWhere and participating

seed companies to develop and

deploy their project.

Farming Hackathon to

take place in Nairobi

Market Information


Animal feed manufacturer MolaPlus Limited has introduced

an organic supplement that claims to improve the nutrition

of poultry without the use of chemicals

The supplement claims to help farmers cut down the cost of

poultry feed. (Image Source: MolaPlus Limited)

The product, MolaPlus Poultry Microbes, has been

developed in the wake of increasing chicken feed costs and

diseases that are taking a toll on poultry farming in the

country even as the sector struggles to stoke growing

competition from Uganda.

“With the increasing cost of feeds, poultry farmers need a

feeding formula that ensures right rations with a good

nutritional mix while keeping the birds free from diseases,”

MolaPlus Limited CEO Henry Ambwere commented.

The MolaPlus Poultry Microbes is a set of beneficial living

microorganisms. The product comes in liquid form and is

said to ensure that the chicken are able to absorb feed

faster while consuming less. This improves the bird's

growth rate and weight. The microbes attach themselves to

the gut of the bird, additionally creating a protective

environment that inhibits attacks from disease causing

organisms. The microbes also assist chicken reach maturity

two and a half weeks earlier than they ordinarily would.

At a time when the country is grappling with aflatoxins

menace, microbes are presented as a cheaper and more

organic solution. The microbes are said to tame aflatoxins

in poultry by secreting key compounds and antioxidants

that scavenge aflatoxins and feed on them, making the

birds and their products safe for human consumption.

New organic supplement for

poultry launchedin Kenya


There is no secret to successful egg

produc�on. Carefully selected hens,

well housed, fed and protected against

disease reward poultry farmers with a

con�nual supply of high quality,

marketable eggs.

The success to economic eg g

produc�on is good hen welfare. If

layers are selected with care and

ensured proper housing, feed and

protec�on against disease, it will lead

to an uninterrupted high supply of

good quality eggs.

It is impera�ve to maintain a good layer

management prac�ce from day one.

During the next 18 weeks, careful and

canny producers will furnish their

flocks with warmth, space, dry li�er,

recommended vaccines, clean water

and appropriate feed formula�ons so

that the chicks grow and graduate into

pullets and finally into mature layers.

Feeding is all about providing correct

ra�ons at the right �me and varying

the composi�on and amount with the

rapidly changing requirements of

growing, developing birds. The starter

diet for chicks up to eight weeks of age

features a high protein (20 percent)

and low crude fibre (five per cent) feed

with coccidiostat inclusion.

As chicks move into the ninth week,

stage protein (18 percent) and crude

fibre (7.2 per cent) are reduced and

raised, respec�vely. These so-called

grower ra�ons are generally quite

cheap to purchase, but producers s�ll

need to guard against spiralling costs

due to feed wastage, which is a

consequence of behaviour pa�erns in

birds of this age and it is typically high.

Layer hen management

Proper layer care for consistent supplies

of high quality eggs requires knowledge

and pa�ence to ensure hens are well

housed, fed and watered, and suffer as

li�le stress as possible.

Successful management of laying flocks

hinges on the following basic factors:

● Housing and light management

● Feed and water management

● Heat stress and cannibalism

● Moul�ng and culling

Housing and light management

In the interests of disease management,

layers' quarters should be located at

least 100 metres from houses where

chicks and growers are raised. Choice of

housing is wide and includes intensive

(ba�ery cages) and semi-intensive

(Californian type ba�ery house, sla�ed

Healthy essential for layers

economic productionegg


Poultry

May - June 2016

floor housing, deep li�er housing and

the aviary type house). Producers

should be aware that the textbook

economic advantages of housing layers

in intensive ba�ery houses can be

outweighed by loss of produc�on

through stress. Where space is not

restric�ve, producers can opt for the

half inside/half outside system that

reduces heat stress on birds during the

hot season months. Where land is

plen�ful and predators not a problem,

they can use the field ark which is

moved onto fresh and clean parts of

the pasture every day. In countries with

high rainfall, chickens can be kept on

pebble yards, which are washed clean

daily by rainfall.

Fe e d a n d Wate r M a n a ge m e nt

Feed and feeding advice for laying hens

may seem contrad ic tor y. Feed

restric�on is essen�al, especially for

heavier breeds, if hens are to start

laying at the best �me and in the best

condi�on. At the same �me, birds

should never be deprived of feed, and

feeders should never be empty i.e. feed

should be provided ad lib.

Hens should start to lay no earlier than

22 weeks old and in the ideal condi�on

(not too fat and not too young). If

sexual maturity is a�ained too early,

the length and quality of overall

performance will suffer. Eggs will be

fe we r a n d s m a l l e r w i t h m o re

prolapses towards the end of the

laying period. Such birds lack vitality,

die early and are more likely to be

culled. These problems can be avoided

by carefully restric�ng feed at the right

�me and in the right way as advised for

specific breeds by the farms that sell

day-old chicks.

H e a t s t r e s s m a n a g e m e n t

Chickens are be�er adapted to

keeping warm than keeping cool.

Normal internal body temperature is

41.3ºC which is just a few degrees

cen�grade below the temperature at

which enzyme inac�va�on and �ssue

death begins. The ideal environmental

temperature for hens is 12.8ºC, a long

way short of the typical day�me

temperatures in tropical Asia where

heat stress is a huge poten�al

problem.

Birds do not have sweat glands and

therefore rely on pan�ng (passing air

over the moist sur faces of the

respiratory tract) to dissipate heat. This

causes excessive loss of carbon dioxide,

needed to make calcium carbonate in

the uterus. The net result is lower egg

shell quality with so� shelled eggs a

common occurrence. Fa i lure to

maintain body temperature leads to a

ge n e ra l fa l l i n e g g p ro d u c � o n .

Farmers can help their layers to keep

cool by:

· Loca�ng hen houses in the

shade.

· Providing shade by plan�ng fast

growing trees and establishing

grass in a 6-metre strip right

around the building.

· Using open-s ided houses

orientated east-west to avoid

sun shining directly inside.

· C o n s t r u c � n g w i d e r o o f

overhangs and placing the roof

angle north and south to avoid

the direct rays of the sun.

· Providing air movement and

evapora�ve cooling.


Poultry

May - June 2016

Henan Golden Egg Poultry Equipment Co,.Ltd. is the

pioneer and specialist in China poultry equipment

manufacture. We are now a large manufacturer for the

poultry cages and coupled automatic equipment including

the automatic feeding & drinking system, Central African

Republic exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming, egg-

collection system, chicken manure removal system,

chicken house environmental control system.

Central African Republic exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry

farming, Our R&D team can supply the scientific integration

scheme by computers for all kinds of chicken farms

according to clients' special requests. We have different

types of cages for layers, pullets, broilers and breeding

chickens, and all OEM cages from clients are available,

because we have the complete advanced production line

including wire drawing, automatic cage meshes welding,

cold & hot galvanization and automatic system in

mechanical working for feeding, egg collection machines,

Central African Republic exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry

farming, so the QC team can control all product quality we

produce for clients in our factory.

We always insist on our development policy of “clients first“

and take the “ producing the highly efficient poultry

equipment ” as our development purposes and gains since

we establish in 1998. Central African Republic exhaust fan

cooling pad for poultry farming, Our A type chicken cages

are of scientific design, solid structure and simple

installation, therefore they are very popular for open house

in tropics countries of Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia.

The H type system are more popular for close house in CIS,

South America and CIS countries, China (Mainland).

Our factory has larger and more advanced designing

software for R&D centre, manufacturing facilities and

production work buildings. Central African Republic

exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming, now our

factory's output quantity can be for more than 50 Million

birds every year and we have completed many successful

large project in China. We also can supply Installation

“We love to breed quality bulls for Africa”

www.devlan.co.za

Tel: 083 454 3095

BreedPlan’s S.A Stud Breeder

Of The Year

ARC National Beef Cattle ImprovementHerd Of The Year 2015

service for clients in foreign market. Henan Golden Egg

Poultry Equipment Co.,Ltd. Will be your good partner for

poultry business!

Should you have any inquiry of Central African Republic

exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming.

Please send Email to , we will [email protected]

do our best to serve you.

Central African Republic

exhaust fan cooling pad

for farmingpoultry


Poultry

May - June 2016


FARM PRODUCTS DIVISIONMEMBER OF AMCAAMERICAN COOLAIR CORPORATIONP.O. BOX 2300JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32203PHONE (904) 389-3646 FAX (904) 387-3449E-MAIL - [email protected]

The Novartis Malaria Initiative is commit ted to dr ive research, development and access to novel drugs to eliminate malaria. Novartis (NVS) announced today that it will further expand its long-standing partnership with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). Novartis will lead the d e ve l o pmen t o f a n t ima l a r i a l compound KAF156 with scientific and financial support from MMV in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions for the development of KAF156 and its future availability to patients.“With a child dying from malaria every two minutes and the threat of drug resistance growing year-on-year, there is a real urgency to step up global efforts to combat this disease,” said Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis. “Partnerships and collaborations like this one with MMV are essential for the development of next generation antimalarials and accelerating efforts to eradicate this deadly disease.” KAF156 belongs to a novel class of antimalarial molecules and is one of the first antimalarial drug candidates to enter Phase IIb clinical development in more than 20 years. It acts against the two parasites responsible for the m a j o r i t y o f m a l a r i a d e a t h s ( P l a s m o d i u m f a l c i p a r u m andPlasmodium vivax) and against

both the blood and liver stages of the parasite's lifecycle. Further, it has the po ten t i a l t o p rov i de a more convenient dosing regimen and to address the multidrug resistance that has emerged in five countries of the Great Mekong Sub-region (GMS). KAF156 builds on the heritage of Novart is in ant imalar ia l drug development and the launch in 1999

®of Coartem , the first fixed-dose Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT). ACT is the current standard of care in malaria treatment.“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Novartis in the deve lopment o f th i s exc i t ing candidate antimalarial medicine with the potential to tackle drug resistance and improve patient compliance,” said Dr. David Reddy, CEO of MMV. “As such, this agreement marks an important mi lestone, as MMV continues its mission to discover, develop and deliver new, effective and affordable antimalarials to the patients who need them most.”The Novartis Malaria Initiative is committed to dr ive research, development and access to novel drugs to eliminate malaria. It is one of the pharmaceutical industry's largest access-to-medicine programs. Since 2001, the initiative has delivered more than 750 million treatments without profit, including 300 million

dispersible pediatric treatments, developed by Novartis in collaboration with MMV, mostly to the public sector of malaria-endemic countries. Although preventable and treatable, malaria continues to kill a child every two minutes and threatens the lives of many more. It is caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bite o f i n f e c t e d m o s q u i t o e s . A comprehensive range of interventions is required to eradicate the disease, from bed nets and spraying for prevent ion to d iagnost i cs and medicines to treat the disease and block its transmission.

· Novartis will lead the development of antimalarial compound KAF156 with scientific and financial support from Medicines for Malaria Venture in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

· KAF156 belongs to a novel class of antimalarials that act against both the blood and liver stages of the parasite's lifecycle

· Antimalarials with new mechanisms of action are urgently needed to tackle emerging parasite resistance to current therapies.

Novartis expands partnership with medicines for Malaria

Venture to develop next-generation antimalarial treatment


Health & Safety

May - June 2016

Why use pressure washersfor equipment?farm

Cleaning farmstead machinery such as

planting and fertilizing machines,

haying and mowing equipment, tillage

equipment, fertilizer and chemical

application equipment, and farm dairy

equipment can be quite challenging

due to the enormity of the application

involved.

Manual cleaning can fall short of

expectation and create hygiene

problems for farm owners. Using

pressure washer machines can help in

keeping farm equipment clean and

free of harmful dirt and germs.

Proper cleaning, maintenance, and

storage not only increase equipment

reliability and performance, it can also

improve resale value when you decide

to go for advanced machinery.

Pressure washers can easily remove

various types of dirt and deposits from

farm equipment. The high pressure

level can easily blast away the

toughest of grime and other deposits

that are difficult to clean using

ordinary cleaning machines.

Pressure cleaning of farm equipment

can he lp in detect ing h idden

problems, such as worn or broken

parts and leakages that can remain

hidden behind mud or debris. Clean

farm machinery and equipment can

deliver better performance and is

easier to work with. Clean engine

compartments and radiators ensure

that the farm equipment works at

peak efficiency.

Nilfisk/WAP Pressure Washers at

a Glance

Nilfsk has for more than a 100 years,

been committed to making the world a

cleaner place. Nilfisk South Africa

markets a wide range of pressure

washers for a number of applications.

Pressure washers are the most

effective way to clean outdoors and are

extremely easy to use: connect the

device to the water supply and power

outlet, turn on the tap, switch on the

pressure washer and let the cleaning

begin! With added accessories, the

devices are transformed into real all-

rounders, the application possibilities

are virtually unlimited. Typical areas of

usage for the machines include

c l e a n i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s i n t h e


Machinery Preview

May - June 2016

agricultural, construction, earth

moving field, mining and heavy

engineering industries.

Nilfisk boast the most comprehensive

range of pressure washers, namely

the MC range, the MH range and the

WAP range. The local range consists of

the Novastar, Powerstar, Jetstar,

Topstar, Centra, Electra and HPU which

are medium and heavy duty pressure

washers. Outside of this range we also

manufacture purpose built units

specific to application. Although many

applications require portable units,

we also produce stationary units for

wa s h b a y a n d o t h e r s i m i l a r

applications.

The Nilfisk MH series takes mid-range

hot water high pressure washers to a

new level. As the powerful engines

provide pump pressures of up to 220

Bar, and the improved EcoPower boiler

system offers high efficiency whilst

saving both the environment and fuel

costs - leaving our customers with an

improved total cost of ownership.

These high pressure washers are

developed for our customers within

agr icul ture, automot ive, l ight

industry, trade and building and

construction. These businesses, with

many daily cleaning tasks, will benefit

from the highly improved and best-in-

class mobile design enabling them to

transport and move the machines

around their facilities and giving them

the mobility to work anywhere. From

light industrial cleaning tasks to

slightly heavier cleaning applications

in rough environments, battling

anything from mud, animal manure to

road dirt, oils and greases.

The Nilfisk MC range of compact cold

water high pressure washers offers

customers the benefits of reduced

running costs, greater cleaning

efficiency and easier overall handling

for general everyday cleaning tasks.

With the MC range, Nilfisk is introducing

three major improvements to the high

pressure cold water range: Detergents

are now supplied more effectively

through a new separate foam sprayer

system. At the same time, a new

patented spray gun holder adds

convenience together with a new

turnable cable hook. They are the ideal

choice for small building companies,

light agriculture such as small crop and

milk farms.

The choice of “the correct” pressure

washer unit is always determined by

the application, availability of power

and water, as well as frequency of

cleaning required.


Machinery Preview

May - June 2016

Massey Ferguson a worldwide brand of

AGCO is proud to announce that it can

now offer its customers a 'one stop

shop ' fo r a l l the i r mach inery

requirements by selling a complete

range of MF Implements which provide

a perfect fit with any Massey Ferguson

tractor from 35 to 130 hp. The range

were presented for its first public

viewing at Vision of the Future event to

held in Lusaka, Zambia on 7-8 April

2016.

It forms part of Massey Ferguson's

strategy to be a full line exclusive

supplier in all markets

This new Massey Ferguson line

consists of a range of more than 100

MF Agricultural Implements for a

variety of different requirements to

complement the existing range of

Massey Ferguson Planters and Drills. It

forms part of Massey Ferguson's

strategy to be a full line exclusive

supplier in all markets.

Designed to fit any tractor from 35 to

130hp, the MF Implements are ideal

partners for the MF 35, MF 200, MF

300, MF 400 until MF 4700, MF 5700

and MF 6700 Tractor Series.

The range of MF Implements

comprises:

· MF Disc plough (fixed and

reversible) from 2 to 5 discs �

· MF Mouldboard plough (fixed

and reversible) from 2 to 4

furrows �

· MF Disc harrow (mounted,

trailed or tandem version)

from 2 to 3.5m working width

· MF Tine cultivator, up to 17

tines �

· MF Subsoiler, up to 5 legs �

· MF Chisel, up to 3 m �

· MF Trailers from 3 to 12

tonnes

· MF Transport box �

· MF Rotary topper �

The MF Implements are designed and

constructed to the same high standards

as the Massey Ferguson tractors, and

have been carefully selected not only to

match the range of tractor power

available, but also to ideally meet the

f a rm ing needs o f ag r i cu l t u ra l

businesses in Africa and the Middle East.

“Massey Ferguson has launched this

range to support the development of

mechanised farming through the well-

known farming concept that originates

f r om Har ry Fe rguson h imse l f :

promoting not only a tractor or some

implements, but a complete solution for

farmers,” said Thierry Lhotte, Vice

President, Marketing, Massey Ferguson

- Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Massey Ferguson launches new implement

range at Vision of the Future Africa


Machinery Preview

May - June 2016

Big for efficiencyAfrica’s smaller

farmersESTABLISHED IN 1780, LEMKEN has

grown to become one of the worlds'

leading manufacturers of premium

agricultural machinery. Yet, despite

the large demand for innovation, the

company has gone back to its roots to

offer two implements specifically for

Africa's developing farmers.

What makes the Achat 70 unique from

other cultivators is the fact that it can

loosen and mix the soil at the same

time. This is thanks to the unique

shape of the share, and the steep

angle which the tine makes to the

ground. What this means for the

farmer, is that the Achat makes it

possible to loosen the soil up to 25 cm

deep and mix in organic material


Machinery Preview

May - June 2016

evenly over the entire working depth without plugging up.

Most cultivators can do only the one or the other, where the

Achat can do both.

The Achat also has an integrated cage roller which is

mounted on the rear and is mainly used to regulate the

working depth. This means that when working in the

ground, the weight of the Achat rests on the roller and not

on the tractor three-point which greatly reduces wear on

the tractor and makes operation much easier for the driver.

But what the roller does to the soil is much more important.

After the tines have loosened the soil and mixed in material,

the roller helps to crumble the surface and greatly reduces

water loss to evaporation. It also helps to level the soil

surface and forms a firm seedbed in one pass. The Achat is

available in three models with 1.5, 1.8 and 2.2-metre

working widths and requires between 40-75 hp depending

on soil conditions.

A well-designed and properly adjusted mouldboard plough

can be a very useful tool to the small scale farmer; and the

Opal 090 is such a tool.

The clean turning action of the LEMKEN mouldboard on the

Opal 090 enables the farmer to loosen and aerate the soil,

whilst also burying weeds so that it is easier to form the

ideal seedbed for the following crop.

In the long run, ploughing can help reduce the use of

chemical weed control and can greatly contribute to soil

fertility when enough plant material and manure is

ploughed back into the soil.

The Opal 090 is a reversible mouldboard plough, which

means that the driver can plough the field from one side

through to the other, and leaves behind no wheel tracks or

unploughed sections as is mostly the case with a

conventional plough.


Machinery Preview

May - June 2016

The SADC Regional Vulnerability Assessment est imates that an a larming 16% of the region's population are food insecure. The effects of the current El Nino phenomenon have further deepened food insecurity in Malawi and the region more broadly. Indeed the volatility of climate change presents arguably the greatest threat to food security and, by extension, human security in sub-Saharan Africa. Hunger and poverty are directly and closely correlated and any threat to food security has a direct knock-on effect on the region achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. SADC has acknowledged the looming crisis in its 'Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security'.One construct ive internat ional response to the threat is the G8's New Alliance for Food Security in Africa. The objective of the All iance is to e n c o u r a g e r e - i n v e s t m e n t i n agriculture in order to allow low-income food deficit countries to improve agricultural productivity and thus reduce their dependency on food imports and food aid.Confronted by the ravages of climate change and global food crop price

fluctuations, what is the correct balance between food crop and cash crop production in sub-Saharan Africa? Some contend that cash crop production discourages food crop production and intensifies human insecurity, yet the tobacco sector may point to a new and better way. While recognising the high cash value of tobacco, which is seven times more profitable than maize and fourteen times more profitable than cotton per hectare, tobacco production in sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly conducted as part of a balanced, holistic and integrated agricultural production system.Food security is dependent on a raft of factors, not least of which is Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Good Agricultural Practices are a series of codes, standards and regulations that seek to achieve four key objectives: ensure safety and quality in the agricultural produce chain, capture new markets by modifying supply chain governance, improve natural resource use, worker's health and working conditions, and to create new m a r k e t s a n d o p p o r t u n i t i e s particularly for farmers in developing countries.

Defined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation as those o b j e c t i v e s t h a t “ a d d r e s s environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes and result in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products”, tobacco companies subscribe fully to GAP objectives and go far beyond the m i n i m u m r e q u i r e d f o r m e r e compliance. While GAP should be fully aligned with national government's own agriculture, sustainability and development programmes, there are, however, economic and material costs to compliance. In this regard the FAO warns that small-scale farmers may not be able to seize export opportunities unless they are adequately informed, technically prepared and organised to take advantage o f compl iance certification opportunities.Guided by the principles of GAP as well as responsible Agriculture Labour Practices, the Integrated Production System (IPS) of tobacco meets and surpasses these FAO guidelines and allows small-scale farmers to seize the opportunities outlined by the FAO. Indeed IPS tobacco farmers don't need to 'mind the GAP', they now 'take the GAP'.

Is security and food tobaccogrowing incompatible in Africa?

Market Information


IPS provides for holistic support to the farmer, which includes dedicated agronomist support, as well as the provision of seeds, fertilizer and cash loans. Little surprise then that IPS farmers are growing tobacco at a better quality, greater yield and securing a higher price than through t r a d i t i o n a l m e t h o d s . W i t h a guaranteed volume of tobacco being purchased from the farmer at prices higher than the national average, IPS farmers are better placed to utilise the cash generated from tobacco to further diversify their agricultural production. Consequently, IPS tobacco farmers are more food secure farmers. More food secure farmers are critical to stabilising and sustaining rural areas, which, for most African countries, is the backbone of the economy.It may come as a surprise to learn that as part of tobacco companies' Integrated Production System, tobacco farmers are encouraged and supported to grow food crops such as maize and soya beans as part of a sustainable and responsible growing and procurement system. Access to technical training and support and the

availability of fertilizers, pesticides and improved seed are critical for food security: in some countries and/or regions it is only smallholder farmers contracted with tobacco companies that have such access and support.A benchmark is for contracted IPS farmers to grow food crops at least in equal weight to tobacco. In some sub-Saharan African countries, IPS farmers are now growing more food crop than tobacco by weight. Perhaps even more su rp r i s i ng i s t he productivity of tobacco farmers growing food crops. IPS tobacco farmers in sub-Saharan African countries are growing food crops at a yield 50% to 300% higher than the national average. Up to 60% of IPS tobacco farmers maize production feeds into the national market, thereby contributing directly to national food security. Due to their productivity under IPS, tobacco farmers, are now net contributors to the food crop supply chain in southern Africa.Notably, the efficiencies gained from the IPS system provide for more time and labour to be spent on the

production of food crops. The IPS system ensures that small-scale farmer production is balanced, sustainable and GAP compliant.There is much that can be learnt from the tobacco IPS system, not merely concerning better tobacco yields, but more fundamentally, about how to implement Good Agricultural Practices, sustainable environmental and labour practices and most importantly for millions across Southern Africa, food security. While the main tobacco growing countries within SADC are already in discussions to coordinate and share sustainability best practices, this knowledge and experience can be shared and tapped into for the benefit of the entire Continent of Africa. Progress, true progress, is not a zero-sum equation, rather it is defined as a p o s i t i v e s u m o u t c o m e , m o r e commonly-known as a 'win-win'. IPS tobacco production in sub-Saharan Africa is an example of a regional win-win.

Reuben MaigwaPresident of the Tobacco Association of Malawi (TAMA) ( )TAMAlawi.com

Market Information



Water has played a vital role in the advancement of mankind. The earliest traces of civilization reveal that those cultures which flourished were able to employ water sources for domestic, and ag r i cu l t u ra l pu rposes . A character ist ic of al l developed countries today is their ability to use productively the water made available to them.Regardless of purpose, almost all water wells must be provided with a means of protecting the borehole and provision made for the entrance of water from surrounding aquifers. While well casing is simply defined as the material that cases or lines a borehole to prevent formation collapse, there are varied interpretations of the meaning of well screen. This is due to the existence of many designs throughout the world. In this guide, screen refers to that structure in

a well, which protects the borehole, but allows the entrance of water. In this sense, screen is a filter. The durability and efficiency of a well depend to a l a r g e d e g r e e o n i t s d e s i g n , construction procedures and selection of casing and well screen. However, casings and screens alone comprise the principal substance of a completed water well.

Strength and Durability Regardless of construction method, water well casings and screens have some common requirements. Strength must be adequate to withstand not only the stresses of installation, but also other forces which may be applied during well completion, development and use. The forces of installation which tend to pull the casing and screen apart must be exceeded by the tensile strength of

the material. The resistance of the casing to collapse must be greater than the external hydrostatic forces calculated.

Handling and Maintenance Ease of transport, handl ing and installation are important considerations. These not only influence cost but are also relevant to the selection of the type of casing and screen field connections. Casing and screen should be designed to facilitate future rehabilitation including c lean ing , inc rus ta t ion remova l , redevelopment and repair. Another consideration is the possibility of future well deepening. Casing and screen diameter as well as type and material se l ec ted a re i nfluenced by the parameters.

A Hydrological survey is essential when extracting waterWater Technology Plastic Industries

A guide to well watercasing and screenselec�on


(WTPI) a company specialises in abstracting water from sand deposits using mud drilling techniques and specialized screening methods.The company is one of the largest manufacturers of PVC Borehole Casings and Screens in the Southern Hemisphere. Founded in 1997 and situated in Randburg South Africa, WTPI supplies PVC Products in all forms, extensively covering all aspects of water supply and the movement of water.According to the company a thorough geophysical survey by qualified hydrologists should be regarded as an essential prerequisite to drilling for water on any farm.From this survey, the farmer will know where his best source of water is located on the farm, and how best to tap the source.For more than 20 years, this company has specialised in working on farms and sites where ground water is flowing through sand and gravel, such as an existing or an ancient river bed, and a survey would show this up but not necessarily result in a call for their services.“But we strongly urge farmers looking for water to have their land surveyed,” says Mr Billy Shield.“To date we have been involved in several major water extraction projects, including the massive Sabie River at Chisambanji in Zimbabwe in 80's where a 12 well point system delivers some 999 240 litres/h, says Mr Shield.It is important, says Mr Shield, that the rate at which the water flows into the

screen be kept as low as possible, with a maximum rate of 0,0305 m/sec (0.1ft/sec). In this way, movement of silt is kept to a minimum, and the gravel envelope around the screen should remain permeable for a long periodA major advantage of this system, says Mr Shield, is that if a farmer finds this well producing less water, it is easy to service the well by re-developing it, or even treating it with acid or other chemicals to clear algae or mineral deposits.Well production and capacity depend on the amount of water in a given formation, what the available head of water is above the screen, and how rapidly this water can permeate through the formation.Where there is too little drawdown (i.e. the level of water above the screen is to shallow), or the rate of replenishment is too slow for a given pump, the well will begin sucking air and cavitation will take place, and the motor could burn out.A thorough knowledge o f the hydrology of the area is essential in order to design a system which will best suit that farmers needs and the nature of the supply.From this survey, the farmer will know where his best source of water is located on the farm, and how best to tap the source.

“For a farmer or land owner who is

serious about getting high-quality clean

water from the drilling operation this is a

worth-while investment”, concludes Mr

Shield

Extracts taken from Farmers Weekly

Dec 12 1986 Edition, written by

Clarke Gibbons.

Contact:

Billy Shield

Managing Director

Water Technology Plastic Industries Pty

Ltd

+2711 708 3691 tel

+2711 026 4251 neotel

+2711 708 3695 fax

Fax: +27 83 654 6771 mobile

Email: [email protected]

www.wtpi.co.za

Mud drilling tri-cones

Johnson wedge wire screenWell configuration drawing

The drill string is turnedat surface, which turnsthe bit at the bottom ofthe hole

The teeth on the drill bitgrind the rock intofragments, or “cuttings”

Drilling mud ispumped down the insideof the drill pipe, through jetnozzles in the bit, and intothe ‘annulus”. This is thespace between the sidesof the hole and the drillpipe.

The mud lifts the cuttingsand circulate them backto surface where they areremoved.

illustration - Mud drilling



ENGINEERING You are the main performer – with our guidance

Bühler is more than just a supp

As a general contractor, we assume the

responsibility for the construction of your feed

mill, during all the project phases: from plant

engineering, via realization and control of each

individual project step, until commissioning.

Single source

lier of machinery.

Customers all over the world appreciate our

reliability, adherence to schedules and cost

effectiveness. That is why Bühler is one of the

leading technology developers in the feed

industry. But our sphere of activity goes far

beyond the mere fabrication of machines and

plants. We offer everything out of one basket:

technology, engineering and project control.

Effective

With our experience, gained in numerous building and development projects, we offer the suitable

system solution for each performance requirement which, of course, is always focused on outstanding

quality. But we want to do more for you. There are many aspects which play an equally important role

– the implementation of the right energy concept for example so that we can build a feed mill which

is effective for your business success.

GRAIN HANDLING Your grain is our passion

Taking responsibility for y our mill: For us that means not just supplying you with machines and

systems for the production of feed. We develop complete solutions for you, solutions which start with

the grain receiving facilities and then support your grain along its path from unloading to further

processing.

Professional grain management

How do we manage to protect the value of your grain? For Bühler the answer is in the development of

machinery and solutions for raw agricultural products: From conveying and cleaning to drying and

cooling and subsequent sorting and storage. Our people work constantly on new ways of transporting

the products gently, extracting dust from the systems and storing the grain safely.

Buhler - Turning a site is turned into a feed production plantgreen field


Market Information

Cleaning and drying

Cleaning and drying in particu lar are two of the key tasks of grain management. Wit h our cleaning

machines and the EcoDry continuous -flow dryer, we offer you the energy

efficient technology for the

job which is also gentle on the product. And thereby create the best possible conditions for the

storage of your raw products and the improvemen t

of your production process.

CLEANING

We separate the wheat from the chaff

Finding technological solutions to the questions that are important for your business –

that is Bühler’s

job. What is the best way of cleaning your grain and other bulk materials? To make sure there is no

loss of volume and to achieve a better and mo re reliable production process? Our machinery and

plants have a proven track r ecord in thousands of applications and are the start ing point for carefully

cleaned end products. Their quality is reflected in a large range of characteristics

DRYING

So much hot air? Not in the

least

Taking technologies and

developing them to

new levels in

short timelines, based on the latest

technologies and knowledge –

is

what Bühler does. The EcoDry

continuous -flow dryer is the result

of our research into a more

effective solution for the drying of

maize (corn), rapesee d, paddy rice,

sunflowers and other grains. Our

drying technology

is gentle on the

product, removes dust particles and

reduces energy consumption.

FEED PRODUCTION

The modular principle – our strategy for your requirements

We are continuously re -examining our approach and considering new and alternative solutions. We

also listen to our customers, to find out what concerns them. In this way, we can meet the

expectations and demands of our business partners in the feed industry; excellent technical solutions,

long plant service life and a high degree of sanitation and process reliability.

An efficient way

Bühler supplies machines and plants to feed producers, for all process steps – from the raw material

intake up to loading of the feed for dairy cows and poultry, as well as for pets, fish and shellfish. In

order to meet the various feed requirements and the special demands from customers, Bühler has

discovered an efficient method: the modular principle, which enables us to adapt feed mills to

changed conditions and circumstances at any time, by installing our machines and plants.


Market Information

Grinding

To each their own

Fine or coarse? The structure of the feed is important for the digestibility, for growth and for hygiene

in

the stables. At Bühler, the development of milling methods is an important focus of research. Our

solutions set standards on the international market –

because we can offer a suitable milling machine

for each feed type which enables a lot of energy to be saved. The savings are so high that, depending

on

the need, we can even recommend you a double solution: the combination of two different milling

lines in one factory.

PELLETIZING

By feed millers for feed millers

We appreciate the knowledge and ideas of our

customers. So we asked them: what are your

experiences with our pellet mills? And how can we

further improve our technology? Customers around

the world have helped us to develop the new

generation of high-performance pelletizing

equipment.

A real milestone

Pelletizing is the heart of the feed mill. We

concentrate a major part of our efforts

on research

and development in this area. Ten years ago, we

set milestones with the Hysys line and the No Loss

System . Thanks to these technologies, we can

ensure that all the product is hygenized, from the

first to the last kilogram. We are able to realize

dwell times up to four minutes and temperatures up

to 87 degrees Celsius.

AUTOMATION

Control and response

Plant reliability and plant safety are important for success. In order to ensure a reli able ope ration of

the feed mill, Bühler has developed the LiteCos automation system. LiteCos offers high- level

interaction of technology, machinery and equipment, for easy and reassuring production control.

Improved utilization

Based upon our know-how in development, engineering and technology, we have created an

automation system which is successfully in use

in Africa. LiteCos provides

process stability and improves plant utilization. It also opens up possibilities for saving energy and raw material.

Control from the office

From a screen in the office,

the entire production sequence can be monitored. The intuitive user

interface can be configured, according to your wishes. Automation system can be extended in such a

way that it exactly corresponds to your application’ requirements


Market Information

Customer Services

Our know-how is your success

What kind of company is able to continuously increase the service life of its machinery and plants? A

company providing special after -sales service.

Comprehensive service package

Our customers need a partner to

rely on, even after commissioning

of the feed mill. Therefore, Bühler

has repeatedly found new ways to

improve the provision of spare and

wear parts, maintenance concepts

and retrofit solutions. The result is

a comprehensive service package

to enable you to maintain the value

of your machines and plants,

irrespective of where you are. We

will be there for you –

quickly.

The training center in Nairobi

Bühler also wants

to share its know- how and experience with you. At the African Milling School

in

Nairobi in

Kenya , your staff members can learn

how to operate Bühler machines and plants –

to

achieve their full potential.

Market Information

Grain SA's 50th NAMPO Harvest Day

shattered more than one record

amidst tough agricultural conditions.

The four-day trade show that was held

near Bothaville, was attended by a

record of 75 116 people while a total of

685 exhibitors participated – the most

ever.

This top attendance figure exceeded

all expectations and positive feedback

from exhibitors confirmed that good

business was concluded by them. Ideal

weather conditions undoubtedly

contributed to the very successful 50th

Harvest Day.

Compared to before last year's 399

light aircrafts and helicopters that

landed on the four days at NAMPO

Park, this year's number amounted to

448. The landing strip is used by

exhibitors, visitor groups, private

pilots and agricultural producers.

The smooth flow of visitors through the

gates despite the large attendance

was remarkable following an electronic

entrance system introduced last year.

A more even distribution of visitors

took place over the four days. NAMPO

2016 once again proved that the

facilities at NAMPO Park enables it to

handle a large number of visitors.

Positive comments were received

about the quality of exhibitors, the

good and clean condition of the terrain

and toilet facilities as well as the

peaceful atmosphere and positive

tone that always prevailed.

'Over the past half-century the

NAMPO Harvest Day has evolved into

a brand that accurately resonates

modern agriculture in South Africa. It

speaks to the general public as

consumers of our agricultural

products; it speaks to all producers in

our country; it speaks to decision

makers in government and the

industry; it even appeals to the

international arena and the growing

interest from abroad confirms it,'

Cobus van Coller, chairman of the

Harvest Day, said.

According to Jannie de Villiers, chief

executive officer of Grain SA, he has

great respect for South African

farmers' appetite for risk. 'Despite

difficult conditions producers are still

prepared to invest in the industry.

They didn't only attend NAMPO to

come and look, but also to make

calculated purchases. They give our

people hope.'

Another aspect that he experienced

positively was the excitement among

guests of Grain SA who visited the

Harvest Day for the first time. 'Senior

people in the structure of agriculture-

related businesses got a picture of the

extent and depth of the industry. Their

feedback about the image of a

competitive, technologically advanced

industry was without exception

overwhelmingly positive,' he said.

During a special function Grain SA

acknowledged exhibitors, volunteers,

agricultural leadership and personnel's

contribution to the NAMPO Harvest Day

over the past five decades since 1967.

Special recognition was given to seven

of the 1967 Harvest Day's eight

exhibitors who still take part today and

to seventeen exhibitors for continued

exhibiting at the current terrain since

1974. 2016's record NAMPO was a

wonderful going away present for

Johan Loxton, who has been the

organiser of the event for the past 20

years. Toit Wessels will take over the

reins with effect from 1 October 2016

under the mentorship of Johan.

Next year's NAMPO Harvest Day will

take place from 16 to 19 May.

NAMPO Harvest Day 2016trumps several records


Event

May - June 2016

“Goscor Power Products' first Nampo

show was a resounding success with

product sales, new dealers and some

140 leads being generated over the four

day agricultural exhibition,” reports

Managing Director, Mark Bester.

It was the first time that the Goscor

Group of Companies exhibited at thNampo and as it was the show's 50

anniversary, the timing was perfect.

Goscor Power Products shared the

stand with three other companies in the

Group – Bobcat, Goscor Hi-Reach and

Goscor Lift Truck Company.

While there was a general feeling that

attendance was somewhat down

compared to last year, Bester indicates

that the Goscor Power Products stand

was very well attended. “In addition to

local farmers we also engaged with

customers from Kwa-Zulu Natal, the

Eastern Cape as well as from Botswana

and Namibia.

“I attribute our success to the fact that

we were well prepared; we really put a

great deal of effort into showcasing our

complete agri-offering,” states Bester.

“We offered excellent show specials on

all our products and we equipped our

dealer in Bothaville, Latgro, with all the

equipment displayed on our stand

enabling farmers to immediately drive

to the dealer and purchase their

products at the special show prices.”

Regular product demonstrations and a

competition also attracted a lot of

attention.

The display of Goscor Power Products'

high quality and affordable range of

diesel and petrol generators, high

pressure cleaners and water pumps

was complemented by the main

attraction, the Fire Fighter equipment.

“The increased fire risk during the

winter months has been exacerbated

by the severe drought prevalent in

some areas of our country. With over

30 years of experience in Fire Fighting

equipment, farmers can rest assured

that our rugged and reliable low, medium

and high pressure Fire Fighters are

experienced campaigners that will not

let them down when i t counts,”

comments Bester.

Nampo presented the ideal platform for

the introduction of a new low cost high

pressure Fire Fighter that delivers on

quality and performance at an affordable

price. This unit is kind on the farmer's

pocket and on the environment,

boast ing impressively low water

consumption. Ideal for grass fires, the

unit is powered by the new rugged and

durable 7 HP Rato engine, a compact,

efficient and economical power pack that

does not compromise on performance.

“When it comes to performance this unit

is more powerful than most of its closest

rivals,” states Bester.

“In a show of solidarity with our farmers

who are under extreme pressure as a

result of the drought, we took care not to

Goscor Power Productsdebut at Nampo 2016yields great

success

Mark Bester MD Goscor Power Products congratulates Taso Christoforou


waste water during the demonstration

of our Fire Fighters by spraying the

water from one container into another.”

With the current scarcity of animal feed,

the company also decided not to use

any hay bales as part of their exhibit.

The high pressure cleaning range was

also a popular attraction with many

farmers who noted that it was the first

time they had seen a complete range of

electrical, petrol and diesel units on

display. These uni ts have wide

app l ica t ion in the agr i -market ;

a longside the c leaning of farm

implements, the units are also ideal for

effectively cleaning out pig pens,

chicken runs and cow sheds. “These

applications demand longer hose

lengths and we can supply up to 30m of

hose with our 300l capacity water tank

unit,” explains Bester adding that they

received positive feedback from

farmers who confirmed that this is

exactly what they want.

Staff from two dealers assisted on the

Goscor Power Products stand and the

company was also able to assist

farmers located in the central areas of

the Free-State by referring them to their

Bloemfontein dealer who has a number

o f b r a n c h e s i n t h e p r o v i n c e .

“Partnering with our dealers during the

show, proved to be very successful and

we received a lot of compliments from

farmers who were really impressed

with our resourcefulness in making

sure that they could get the products

they wanted immediately and at special

prices.” Goscor Power Products also o

expanded its dealer network having

gained three new dealers at the show.

“Located at the show ground's northern

gate, our position was in a somewhat

unpopulated area but the Goscor

Power Products team pulled out all the

stops to attract people to our stand and

make it happen,” continues Bester. A

daily lucky draw which produced three

winners each walking away with a high

pressure cleaner, culminated in a final

draw on the last day of Nampo. Jannie

Strumpher, a wildlife farmer from

Botswana emerged as the lucky winner

of the grand prize, a Fire Fighter.

Strumpher was extremely pleased with

his prize and immediately became a

customer indicating his interest in

purchasing equipment from Goscor

Power Products.

In conclusion, Bester says they consider

the show to be a triumph. “We are

looking forward to next year with great

anticipation and plans are already in the

pipeline to make our stand even better

because we want to become the go-to-

stand for specials, competitions, product

demos and so much more at Nampo

2017!”

Lucky winner of the Fire Fighter Jannie Strumpher (left back) with his son Jannie Jnr (left front) & GPP Marketing Assistant Natania Botha & Wayne Allen Technical Mngr


NAMPO Harvest Day, which was held

from 17-20 May in South Africa, this

year celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The exhibition enables producers and

other role players in the industry to

experience the latest technology and

products in the farming industry.

Case IH's South African distributor,

Northmec, showcased the company's

full line of agricultural solutions, with

an impressive display of tractors

(Quadt rac , Magnum Rowtrac ,

Magnum CVT, Puma CVT, Maxxum,

Farmall JX, Farmall JXM, JXT and JXT

Compact), combines (new Axial Flow

240 Series) and hay and forage

equipment (new Patriot sprayer

Series, Ecolo Tiger). On top of this, the

new JXT Compact tractors made their

first public appearance.

Northmec, with its head office in

Isando, is the leading and oldest

supplier of agricultural equipment in

South Africa. The company supports

Case IH customers in the region

through its network of 32 distributors,

and 16 branches.

Jacques Coetzee, product manager

Case IH at Northmec said, “The

exhibition was a success with Case IH

stand attracting a high number of

visitors throughout the week. The Case

IH team was there with us to welcome

Case IH takes part in Nampo Harvest

Day in South AfricaCase IH has showcased its full line of equipment at one of the largest

shows of agricultural machinery in Africa and the Middle East


customers from across the region and

discuss their requirements. We work

as a team – farmer, distributor and

manufacturer – to help every farmer

succeed.”

Daniel Bordabossana, marketing

manager Middle East and Africa said,

“We as Case IH offer the most

innovative products and market

leading agricultural solutions and

services. We take on challenges to

make life easier for farmers. NAMPO

provides an excellent opportunity for

our brand and our distr ibutor

Northmec to showcase our full range of

products as well as our Advanced

Farming Systems (AFS®), which have

been at the forefront of precision

farming for more than a decade, giving

farmers the ability to control the entire

crop production cycle.”

Northmec took the occasion of the

exhibition's 50th anniversary to show

the evolution of the Case IH brand

that is always improving and getting

higher technological upgrades to meet

the demands of today's farmers. With

more than 160 years in the field, Case

IH has a strong global presence in

agriculture and farm equipment.

“We exhibited a 1981 Model Case IH

1440 combine harvester, owned by

customer Chrislo Nethling (from

Bredasdorp), next to a vintage

Farmall tractor from 1956, that was

supplied by Johnnie Basson (from

Bethehem). The previous generation

of the combine and tractor show the

s t rong her i tage o f Case IH”,

emphasised Jacques Coetzee.

According to Case IH, the new compact

models in the JXT Series tractor range

made their first public appearance at

the NAMPO Harvest Day. The three new

tractors - JX35T, JX40T and JX45T - are

all below 50 hp and offer reliability, high

performance and productivity. Recently

launched, the new compact models join

the JXT Series that consists of five

tractors ranging from 35 hp to 75 hp.

The JXT Series is ideally suited for light

cultivation, grassland or specialty crops

and r ep re sen t a r e l i ab l e and

economical tractor line providing

compact solutions to the farmer.

Below: From left Marcin Ruppert, Jens Van de Mergel, Jacques Coetzee, Anton Stander, Nadir Ekiz, Johan Coetzer


NAMPO HARVEST DAY2016

NAMPO HARVEST DAY2016


EventsInterna�onal Conference on Mucosal Immunology and Vaccine DevelopmentDate: 28-Jul-16 to 29-Jul-16Loca�on: Melbourne / Australia

African Global Economic & Development SummitDate: 11-Aug-16 to 13-Aug-16Loca�on: Los Angeles / California / United States

15th Interna�onal Peat Soil CongressDate: 14-Aug-16 to 19-Aug-16Loca�on: Kuching / Malaysia

Africa Fer�lizer Agribusiness ConferenceDate: 10-Oct-16 to 12-Oct-16Loca�on: Dar es Salaam / Tanzania

Agra Innovate West AfricaDate: 23-Nov-16 to 25-Nov-16Loca�on: Lagos / Nigeria

EALAN 2016 LAND ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCEDate: 20-Jul-16 to 22-Jul-16Loca�on: Dar es Salaam / Tanzania

African Agri Investment Indaba (AAII)Date: 28-Nov-16 to 30-Nov-16Loca�on: Cape Town / South Africa

15th Interna�onal Peat Soil CongressDate: 14-Aug-16 to 19-Aug-16Loca�on: Kuching / Malaysia

Agriworks Expo PotchefstroomDate: 29-Jul-16 to 30-Jul-16Loca�on: Potchefstroom / South Africa

Agri Mega WeekDate: 14-Sep-16 to 17-Sep-16Loca�on: Cape Town / South Africa

AGRIKEXPO 2016Date: 26-Sep-16 to 28-Sep-16Loca�on: Abuja / Nigeria

2nd AIFA ConferenceAgriculture Investment & Funds AfricaDate: 27- Oct-16 to 28- Oct-16Loca�on: Johannesburg / South Africa


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May - June 2016

FRA June.cdr - Farmers Review Africa

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Transcript of FRA June.cdr - Farmers Review Africa