African Farming July August 2012

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www.africanfarming.net July/August 2012

Europe m14.50 - Ghana C1.3 - Kenya KSH150 - Nigeria N200 - South Africa R18 - UK £9 - USA $15

Poultry

Mycotoxins: when prevention is worthwhile

Cocoa

for a better life

Irrigation

Serving

AGRICULTURE for

32

YEARS New Holland’s TDS tractor. See page 41.

www.africanfarming.net

Micro-irrigation use in horticulture

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CONTENTS

Contents

www.africanfarming.net July/August 2012

News and Events

4

Europe m14.50 - Ghana C1.3 - Kenya KSH150 - Nigeria N200 - South Africa R18 - UK £9 - USA $15

A topical digest of news, views and events including Farmers’ Calendar.

Poultry

Mycotoxins: when prevention is worthwhile

Poultry

Cocoa

10

for a better life

Irrigation

Mycotoxins: when prevention is worthwhile.

Good hygiene vital for high chick numbers.

Analysis

16

Serving

AGRICULTURE

Finding solutions for climate change mitigation.

for

32

YEARS New Holland’s TDS tractor. See page 41.

Avocados

18

Over 100,000 cocoa farmers in Central and West Africa are to benefit fom a $14mn package from the Africa Cocoa Initiative.

A boost for avocado farmers in Kenya with a $5mn investment.

Cocoa

www.africanfarming.net

Micro-irrigation use in horticulture

21

The IFDC’s Cocoa Abrabopa Association project is designed to increase incomes and improve the livelihoods of resource-poor cocoa farmers in Ghana

Livestock

24

The FAO is acting to stop the spread of a livestock epidemic in the DRC that is causing havoc, and is also joining forces with the World Organisation for Animal Health to combat foot and mouth.

Feeding technologies

28

Adoption of improved feeding technologies has helped Kenya’s smallholder dairy farmers beat the prohibitive cost of feeds and increase milk production and profits

Irrigation

Nervous system caused by afloxins.

30

Dr Terry Mabbett looks at the various types of micro-irrigation, which can maximise efficient water usage in agriculture and so revolutionise food production.

Power supply

34

The decision – to rent or buy? – is faced by most farm and food-process managers who deal with capital equipment.

Fogging

36

Helping to reduce crop losses caused by pests and diseases is just one of the important and sometimes surprising uses for fogging machines.

Micro sprinkler system performing irrigation watering.

Managing Editor: Zsa Tebbit Editorial and Design team: Bob Adams, David Clancy, Andrew Croft, Immanuel Devadoss, Ranganath GS, Prashanth AP, Ian Roullier, Genaro Santos, Nicky Valsamakis, Julian Walker and Ben Watts Publisher: Nick Fordham Advertising Sales Director: Pallavi Pandey Magazine Sales Manager: Richard Rozelaar Tel: +44 (0) 20 7834 7676, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7973 0076 email: richard.rozelaar@alaincharles.com Country China India Nigeria Russia Singapore South Africa Qatar UAE USA

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ISSN: 0266 8017 Serving the world of business

African Farming - July/August 2012 3

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EVENTS

Farming Calendar

Ethiopia hosts APIEXPO 2012

August 5-9

XXIV World Poultry Congress www.wpc2012.com

27-29 AGRIKEXPO 2012 www.agrikexpo.com

SALVADOR LAGOS

September 2-6

11th Intl Conference on Goats www.iga-goatworld.org

4-5

1st Rubber Plant Africa www.cmtevents.com

5-6

2012 AgriBusiness Congress www.agribusinesscongress.com

5-6

2012 Palm Oil Africa www.cmtevents.com

26-30 3rd ApiExpo 2012 www.apitradeafrica.org

LAS PALMAS ACCRA LUSAKA ACCRA ADDIS ABABA

October 13-16 AddisAgrofood www.addisagrofood.com

ADDIS ABABA

THE THIRD ALL-AFRICA International Exposition (ApiExpo 2012) is scheduled to take place at the Millenium Hall in Addis Ababa from September 26 – 30 2012. This event is being hosted by the Ethiopia Apiculture Board (EAB).

Being held under the theme: ”Beekeeping for food security and combating climate change”, the expo presents Africa with a great opportunity to inspire its own people to gain access to the EU and other markets for bee products.

ApiExpo Africa is an initiative of ApiTrade Africa which was endorsed in 2008 as a biennial event to rotate across the African continent.

The main aim of the Expo is to showcase Africa’s apiculture industry by creating awareness on market and investment opportunities as well as demonstrate clear relationships between beekeeping and other industries.

Over 2,000 delegates, exhibitors of bee products and technologies, exporters, importers, researchers, policy makers, honey trade support networks (private, public, NGOs), development partners, international media, and other stakeholders are expected to participate in the event.

Participants will come from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, Egypt, Eritrea, Zambia, Burundi, South Africa, Camerron, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, Middle East, Europe, USA and other parts of the world.

November 1-2

Aviana Uganda 2012 www.avianaafrica.com

KAMPALA

For more information – www.apitradeafrica.org Nawa Mutumweno

FCI trade summit in Ghana helps deliver solutions to Africa’s food security MORE THAN 230 delegates from 16 countries gathered at the Accra International Conference Center in May, marking FCI’s third event in Africa since launching in 2007. Here in West Africa, agricultural industry experts and NGOs, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s CNFA, Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa and USAID discussed how improving smallholder farmers’ access to knowledge and technology can boost the region’s lagging productivity to help knock out food insecurity.

In the backdrop of the conference, hundreds of crop input suppliers and distributors from around the world met on the tradeshow floor to connect with new trading partners and gather market intelligence.

“This event and those who participated in it represent a success story for food security, and in a very pragmatic way, the results are measurable and lasting,” says FCI Editor David Frabotta. “Better distribution of crop production technologies will create stronger local agribusinesses that help support farmers, ultimately leading to better agronomic systems and more prosperous farming communities. We provide a venue that benefits the entire value chain. Our programme and delegate recruitment hinges 4 African Farming - July/August 2012

on the belief that private enterprises are best positioned to deliver the right input in the right place at the right time.”

The FCI Trade Summit drew people like Kristopher Klokkenga, who co-founded Africa Atlantic Farms in Ghana three years ago and is searching for more reliable access to inputs for his corn crop along the shores of Lake Volta.

“Farmers want to have access to quality products so they can improve their productivity. Without an increase in incomes they are never going to have the motivation to continue to invest in farming,” William Kotey, president of CropLife Ghana and general manager of Ghana Weinco, said in his address to the delegation. In Africa, just 10 per cent of smallholder farmers use crop inputs while soil health remains severely depleted.

Crop protection products are instrumental in stopping pest attacks like those currently affecting West Africa’s cocoa farmers. Ghana heavily subsidises cocoa inputs and its production is rapidly rising. But in Nigeria, the world’s fourth-largest cocoa producer, farmers in the southwest Oyo state are being warned that large volumes of their cocoa crop may be destroyed if insect attacks are left unchecked.

Leaders also stressed responsible use of crop inputs. CropLife Ghana, for example, has worked with regulators for the past two years under its CleanFarms Ghana programme to collect and dispose of obsolete pesticides. Damaged packaging, labels that are no longer readable or products that are no longer in demand are also targeted.

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NEWS

IFDC fertiliser market studies RECENT IFDC STUDIES of fertiliser markets in Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania were presented and discussed during a workshop held recently in Nairobi. The workshop was organised by IFDC and the Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP).

Workshop participants used the market studies to start a public-private dialogue to develop a fertiliser sector investment strategy to help meet national agricultural growth targets. The studies estimate the amount of fertiliser required to meet these targets and identify the primary challenges that could hinder their achievement. The assessments also outlined recommended policy changes to reduce fertiliser costs, improve farm productivity and facilitate policy dialogue. The assessments were funded by USAID under the Feed the Future (FTF) initiative. The assessments of the fertiliser markets in Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania are the first three of 12 that IFDC is conducting on national fertiliser markets.

In 2003, African Heads of State adopted the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) as a framework that represents African leaders’ collective vision to restore agricultural growth.

CAADP created new opportunities for African countries to develop individual plans outlining their own agricultural priorities. In 2006 the Africa Union held the Africa Fertilizer Summit, which resulted in the development of a roadmap for achieving food security in Africa – the Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for an African Green Revolution.

While there has been progress in implementing components of the roadmap, an ‘African Green Revolution’ requires a holistic approach to all agro-input supplies, improved output markets and pro-market policies and regulations. While some attempts to increase fertiliser use have achieved short-term success, they have often collapsed once the external funding ended, making them unsustainable in the long term.

AGCO boosts sustainable nutrition THE PLANT-A-SEED Foundation, based in Modesto, USA, teamed up with AGCO to make a difference for the students of the Kabale Trinity College in Uganda. AGCO recently donated a MF 435 tractor with a disk plow and disk harrow to the students. The tractor was shipped to Uganda and delivered to the college and will be used for many applications, including tilling fields, moving materials, and transporting crops to the school and to market.

In 2007, Plant-A-Seed purchased 20 acres of land and a local farm that produces bananas, pineapples, corn and goats in order to improve the students’ daily diets and generate additional income for the college. The Massey Ferguson 435 is a particularly robust model that can be used in challenging environments like Uganda. Massey Ferguson tractors have been used in Africa for many decades, so a maintenance and support infrastructure is already in place.

"Our mission is to enable creative projects that are inspiring, well planned and will ultimately be self-sustaining," explained Rick K. Gray, President and CEO of Plant-A-Seed Foundation. “This Massey Ferguson tractor is going to help bring more food to the tables and also to the local communities around the school.”

"We are very pleased to donate a tractor for a good cause that makes a positive difference for the students at Kabale Trinity College," said Martin Richenhagen, Chairman, President and CEO of AGCO. “We are very fortunate to be in a unique position to help feed the world.”

African Farming - July/August 2012 5

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NEWS

Global breakthrough in malaria control BIOTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD, a leading UK company in world disease and typhus. infection control, has launched commerically Mozzimort, a Mozzimort is a clear liquid which constructs itself as a molecular "sandwich" when it is applied to surfaces and then pherimones which product designed to help eradicate the spread of malaria.

Manufactured in the UK, Mozzimort is a transparent water-based attract the female mosquitoe in the same way they are attracted to surface coating that kills both flying and crawling disease and humans. Once the mosquitoe starts to feed from mozzimort it is non-disease carrying insects including mosqitoes, assassin bugs, instantly killed. The product contains a World Health Organisation ticks, lice and bed bugs. The product has been ten years in (WHO) approved killing agent-Lambda Cyhalothrin. development and has been produced in association with the Mozzimort has been successfully trialled and is in current use in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Angola.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Mozzimort is harmless to humans and animals, is odourless and Biotech International is now planning to target potential can be applied even in food areas as it causes no ecological customers as a replacement or support to mosquito nets. damage. Most sprays that are currently used to kill insects John Coombs, chief executive of Biotech International, destroy the adjacent bio system and therefore affect the general commented: “The creation of mozzimort has been ten years in the making. It has been a fantastic achievement for all those involved environment. to bring the product into commercial Mozzimort is applied by using a brush or production. Malaria is still a worldwide roller to areas where insects land, crawl and scourge and although there are many reside. e.g. in nine inch strips to walls , door products available, we believe that frames and skirting boards. It dries within two mozzimort is the only one that can guarantee hours and rooms do not need emptying as the results. painting is taking place.

Sprays currently used damage the eco systen One litre of the product covers between 20 sq in which they operate which mozzimort does m and 30 sq m and is ideal for use in domestic not and mosquitoe nets are only used at housing, offices, hospitals, school classrooms, night. With mozzimort deployed in a school, hotel rooms and community centres. hospital or hotel room, those using such One application of mozzimort will remain places will have the piece of mind that they effective for two years and kills insects carrying all vector-borne diseases including: A Global Breakthrough in Malaria Control – Mozzimort are protected from all known air borne diseases.” malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, chagus announces its commercial launch

Zimbabwean seed company targets Nigeria ZIMBABWE-BASED SEEDCO is due to sell its first pack of seed in the Nigerian market during the 2013-2014 season.

“Entrance into the Nigerian market will be a game changer in terms of the population size of that country. Its market is bigger than all the markets we operate in combined,” SeedCo group chief executive officer, Morgan Nzwere said.

The company made a profit after tax of US$19mn for the year ended March 31 2012. Revenues for the year went up 20 per cent to $117mn, while sales volumes rose 22 per cent to 67 240 metric tonnes.

The company released eight new varieties in 2012 and was in the process of building a new technology laboratory.

Cameroon govt launches palm oil processing factory CAMEROON’S MINISTRY OF Industry, Mines and Technological Development has launched a US$960,000 palm oil processing factory at Sombo in Nyong and Nkelle Division in the Center Region. The plant, which will take 48 months to construct and will produce 16 tons per day, is sponsored by the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization [UNIDO].

It is the first of the four planned, with a cost of some $3.8mn, to boost the country’s output, currently estimated at 215,000 tons, so as to meet the needs of the two countries as well as the five nations that make up the Central African Economic and Monetary Community [CEMAC].

The community includes CAR, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Cameroon alone suffers palm oil deficiency of 150,000 tons although the country has a very high production potential to even more than double the current production rate.

6 African Farming - July/August 2012

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NEWS

Intensive irrigated rice cropping systems

Rust-resistant Zimbabwean soya bean varieties

THE SUSTAINABILITY OF highly intensive irrigated rice cropping systems is of great importance worldwide, particularly in the context of Rio+20.

With German support, long-term fertility experiments (LTFEs) for intensive rice-based irrigated systems in the Senegal River valley were established at AfricaRice’s research farms in the Senegal River delta and middle valley in 1991 and these trials continue today.

These trials are without doubt unique in Africa. The LTFEs contain six fertiliser treatments and rice is grown twice a year.

As of December 2010, some 40 crops had been grown in succession on both research farms (Senegal River delta and middle valley).

The main aim of this research is to analyse the effect of intensive irrigated rice cropping on rice yield and the soil resource base by studying the changes of soil characteristics over time and by comparing soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium supply in different fertiliser treatments.

The results over 40 consecutive seasons showed that the best treatments at both sites yielded on average 7.1 to 7.5 tons per hectare. Soil organic carbon remained stable or increased irrespective of fertiliser application. The LTFEs have shown that intensive monocropping of irrigated rice is sustainable in the Sahel.

Yields remained stable at around three to four tons per hectare without the application of any fertiliser. Higher yields could be obtained by applying nitrogen every season, and phosphorus and potassium once a year.

PART OF ZIMBABWE’S agricultural success involved a sophisticated research capability, and portions of it have endured the ten years of general economic and political upheaval from about 2000 to 2010.

The production of soya beans, used in pressing for oil and as an important part of livestock feed, suffered tremendously.

Nevertheless, research in soya production has produced much sought-after rust-resistant soya bean varieties that have attracted interest as far as Brazil and the US, both countries being soya research and production powerhouses, according to Zimbabwe's agriculture minister.

"We are the largest producers of rust-resistant soya bean," Joseph Made boasted at a recent Harare conference. "That material (soya bean) we are now sending to Brazil and the US (is) developed in our own seed houses," he said, while emphasising government's longheld position against the importation of genetically modified grains.

Despite this success, the many problems still plaguing agriculture mean that the new in-country developed rust-resistant soya varieties have not led to the recovery of Zimbabwe's soya bean self-sufficiency.

Local 'cooking oil processing industries have been spending US$180mn year on imports to make up for Zimbabwe's soya production shortfall. An industry executive said the country imported 60,000 tonnes of soya seed oil from South Africa annually, valued at $90mn. 144,000 tonnes of soya meal are also annually imported from India. ''We have the ability of sending $180mn per year to India and South Africa for these two products; (but) our farmers require $120mn per year to produce them. “

African Farming - July/August 2012 7

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NEWS

Kenya to use GPS to combat cattle theft

Desert poultry farms may reduce bird flu risks

THE KENYAN ADMINISTRATION Police plan to use a global positioning system (GPS) to fight cattle theft and recover stolen animals "A GPS chip will be inserted under the skin in one animal of the herd.

With it we will be able to monitor the movements of the whole herd," said Administration Police commandant Kinuthia Mbugua.

Cattle rustling in Kenya has been made a commercial activity and combating it through disarmament of the communities involved have failed.

Mbugua said that research by security and livestock experts has shown positive results and was confident the menace would be stamped out in regions prone to rustling.

All the provincial and district offices in the country have been computerised and administration officers have been trained on modern ways of dealing with the problem using the latest technology.

RESEARCHERS AT EGYPT’S Desert Research Center are asking the country's government to support implementing poultry farms in desert regions, saying that such a move could reduce the risk of transmitting avian flu to humans.

During a pilot project that ran from December 2011 to February 2012, researchers on five small poultry farms in the Egyptian desert adopted procedures that helped avoid the transmission of infection, introduced indigenous desert plants into poultry diets and evaluated varieties of poultry capable of resisting hot temperatures and drought. "With the emergence of the avian flu virus in Egypt four years ago, the idea of moving poultry farms out of residential areas was raised, as having farms adjacent or close to housing was one of the main reasons why the virus was...being easily passed from poultry to humans," said Ismail Abdul Jalil, a former Desert Research Center president and leader of the research team that implemented the project.

While the initial costs of setting up a farm in the desert are 10 per cent more than a regular farm, production costs could be less. "Providing poultry with food represents 70 per cent of the price of breeding them, so by depending partially on desert plants, the price of poultry-rearing in arid regions could decrease," said Ra'afat Khedr, president of the Desert Research Center. "Furthermore, the pilot project showed that egg production was not affected by new nutrition and diets."

The project was funded by a US$600,000 grant from the US Agency for International Development.

With a GPS chip in one animal, the movements of the entire herd could be monitored.

Olam acquires Kayass in Nigeria OLAM INTERNATIONAL LTD, a leading global, integrated supply chain manager and processor of agricultural products and food ingredients, has acquired 100 per cent equity interest in Kayass Enterprises S.A. for approximately US$66.5mn (subject to working capital adjustments at completion).

Kayass, with its principal focus on dairy products and beverages in Nigeria, fits well into Olam’s Packaged Foods strategy. The company has been an important customer of Olam for the past six years. In addition to offering a strong geographic and product category fit, Kayass provides Olam with opportunities to realise back-end supply chain synergies in the sourcing of key raw materials, logistics, distribution and marketing.

Multinational producer of high quality gloves ESTABLISHED IN 1987, Rubberex is a leading global player and manufacturer of technical, nitrile industrial, disposable vinyl and household rubber gloves.

Serving the export markets with product quality surpasses international requirements, Rubberex gloves are used in major industries such as agriculture, fisheries as well as meat and food handling.

Rubberex adopts good manufacturing practices through ISO 9001. Daily monitoring on batch quality and stringent inspection regime assures customers of consistent product quality.

Working hand in hand with consultants in Europe and North America, Rubberex is well updated with the latest regulations, user expectations and product performance.

An 1SO 14001 certified company, Rubberex is a trusted and reliable gloves manufacturer with a wide range of innovative glove styles and production capacity enable it to serve the multiple needs of the customers. Rubberex's products are CE certified and also conform to US FFDCA.

8 African Farming - July/August 2012

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NEWS

Livestock development and animal health projects launched ZAMBIA, THROUGH THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, is implementing the Livestock Development and Animal Health Project (LDAHP) with support from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank.

The objective of the project is to improve the productivity of key livestock production systems for targeted female and male smallholder producers in selected areas of the country. Specifically, the project will target selected species including cattle, small ruminants (sheep and goats), pigs and poultry for smallholder producers in Eastern, Southern and Western provinces and the Disease Free Zone comprising Central, Lusaka and parts of Copperbelt provinces.

Valued at US$50mn, the project is set to benefit over 400,000 smallholders in the said areas. In addition, one million farmers who keep livestock will benefit indirectly from the project, through improved control of animal diseases.

Speaking at the signing ceremony recently, Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda said that the government’s overall plan is to provide dip tanks in all areas with high concentration of cattle.

There has been a decline in cattle population, coupled with pervasive diseases which should be controlled to enhance agricultural development.

Mr Chikwanda attributed the low productivity in the livestock sub-sector to underinvestment. Significant investment is necessary to boost animal husbandry and disease control.

“The support from the World Bank, which I hope will be increased and sustained, will help to improve the livestock sector. This support will further entrench and consolidate the country’s food security requirements, a precondition for any country’s sustainable development,” he pointed out.

Ms. Kadiresan said the project supports the government’s aspiration to diversify both the economy and agriculture from focusing on maize alone.

There is a need to improve the productivity of key livestock production systems for small-scale farmers in targeted areas.

The project aims at improving production of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry products. Over 70 per cent of the Zambian population is dependent on agriculture, including livestock.

The project will strengthen both public and private veterinary services and contribute to improving technology for livestock development, among others.

The project will have three components: ● livestock services provision; ● productive on-farm investments; and ● project management.

One of the three sub-components of the Productive On-Farm Investments Component under the project is the Support for the Livestock Improvement Grant Facility. A Livestock Improvement Grant Facility (LIGF) will be created to allow eligible smallholder producers (groups of cooperatives) and other livestock industry stakeholders to establish productive livestock investment packages (i.e. sub-projects).

These packages would include, inter alia, essential infrastructure (e.g., communal cattle handling facilities, milk collection centres, feedlots, grass fodder production methods, etc.), enhanced genetic merit (e.g., grade dairy cattle, pigs, goats), access to improved services (e.g., veterinary, artificial insemination, community livestock/animal health worker training)marketing and value addition activities.

Nawa Mutumweno

Cobb Africa technical school hosted by Irvine’s Zimbabwe MORE THAN 100 delegates from nine African countries took part in a three-day Cobb technical school organised by Cobb Africa and run at Irvine’s Zimbabwe in Harare.

Twenty international parent stock customers from countries stretching from Senegal to Mauritius were joined by customers from Zimbabwe, contract growers for Irvine’s Zimbabwe and technical staff.

“There was excellent participation from all

delegates making the school a huge success,” said Patrick Murphy, general manager of Cobb Africa. “The school provided very useful training with guest speakers from four countries.

“The delegates told us afterwards what a great help and good experience it was meeting all these Cobb customers, adding up to a really memorable event.”

The school included interactive lectures and practical demonstrations, with delegates

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African Farming - July/August 2012 9

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POULTRY

The occurrence of mycotoxins is ubiquitous, which is why it represents a worldwide problem for the animal industry. Even with the use of prevention techniques in the field or during storage, it is actually impossible to avoid mycotoxins completely in agricultural commodities.

Mycotoxins: when prevention is worthwhile

T

HANKS TO MODERN analytical methods and growing interest in this field of research, more than 400 different mycotoxins have currently been identified. The toxicity of different mycotoxins brings serious risks to humans and animals. Mycotoxicoses are animal or human diseases caused by mycotoxin ingestion, inhalation or skin-contact. In animals, these range from immunosuppression and performance effects to hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, dermal, carcinogenic, reproductive, teratogenic and gastro-intestinal effects depending on animal-, environmental- and toxin-related factors.

Mycotoxins and decreased performance Poultry are farm animal species sensitive to mycotoxins as they suffer from several toxic effects. Broiler chickens are more resistant to aflatoxins than other poultry like ducks, geese or turkeys.

Predominately, aflatoxins are the most immune suppressive. Type A trichothecenes (T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscripenol) are of major concern to the poultry industry as they cause economic losses in

Nervous syndrome caused by aflatoxins.

productivity. They are highly toxic to poultry, especially for chickens, because of the LD50 values (2 mg/kg for diacetoxyscirpenol and 4 mg/kg for T-2 toxin). Particularly, T-2 toxin reduces feed intake, body weight, egg production and causes oral lesions.

Young chicks and turkey poults are highly sensitive to ochratoxins.

These nephrotoxins can suppress feed intake, growth and egg production. In addition, it causes poor eggshell quality.

Fumonisins are associated with spiking mortality in poultry. Signs of dietary fumonisin are decreased body weight and average daily weight gain as well as increased gizzard weights. In comparison to other species like pigs, poultry are less affected by zearalenone and also appear to be less sensitive to type B trichothecenes such as deoxynivalenol.

Poultry are farm animal species sensitive to mycotoxins as they suffer from several toxic effects.

Mycotoxins increase the costs of poultry production Modern broiler operations are under enormous pressure to produce chicken meat at the lowest possible cost. Feed conversion, growth rate, mortality and hatchability are all monitored carefully and strategies are constantly reviewed to maximise efficiencies. As production is fine-tuned, there is increased attention placed on the effect of mycotoxins on the bird. Consumption of even low levels of mycotoxins can lead to decreased feed consumption, poor growth rate and increased susceptibility to disease challenges. Higher levels lead to clinical signs such as beak and intestinal lesions, fatty liver, kidney disorders and mortality.

However, the effects of mycotoxins in poultry depend upon the age, physiological state and nutritional status of the birds at time of exposure.

Unfortunately, mycotoxins often occur in low concentrations that are difficult to detect, interactions between individual mycotoxins are not well characterised and unidentified mycotoxins may be causing sub-optimal performance. The dilemma for broiler producers is to counteract the 10 African Farming - July/August 2012

S03 AF July - August 2012 Poultry_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:51 Page 11

POULTRY

enzymatic deactivation and only a combination of different strategies will lead to success.

Successful mycotoxin risk management Mycofix® product line represents a complex solution for successful mycotoxin risk management. The bio-transformation may become the technology of choice, as enzymatic reaction offers a specific, irreversible and very efficient way of detoxification that leaves neither toxic residues nor undesirable by-products. The elimination of adsorbable mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins and ergot alkaloids can be achieved through adsorption while selected plant and algae extracts that counteract the effects of non-degradable mycotoxins complete the picture for the successful control of mycotoxins. h Moisture contamination is responsible for the development of moulds, bacteria and fungus. These moulds produce a mycotoxin which can have a significant and detrimental effect on poultry.

Biomin

risks associated with mycotoxins, against the cost of ensuring that they do not adversely affect bird performance.

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Prevention is more than just treatment Although extensive efforts and preventive actions are taken during growing, harvesting and storage periods, the likelihood of mycotoxin contamination is real. Therefore successful detoxification procedures after harvest are important. Detoxification procedures are divided into three categories: physical, chemical and biological (adsorption and biodegradation) methods.

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Unfortunately, mycotoxins often occur in low concentrations that are difficult to detect.

Can Can be be suspended suspended

Deactivation of mycotoxins The addition of adsorbent materials to animal feeds is a very common method to prevent mycotoxicosis, especially aflatoxicosis. These compounds bind the toxin during the digestive process in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a reduction of toxin availability absorbed into the blood stream. Efficacious adsorption of mycotoxins requires that polar groups of the adsorbent and the mycotoxins are in suitable positions to bind together. Due to this, only a few mycotoxins can be adsorbed efficiently (eg aflatoxins).

So far, no single adsorbent was tested to be effective against most types of mycotoxins.

Usage of binders, for example, resulted in almost total protection against aflatoxicosis, but limited efficacy against zearalenone and ochratoxin and practically no protection against trichothecenes.

Biological detoxification of mycotoxins by microorganisms and/or enzymes has been researched for over thirty years. This method is based on the deactivation of mycotoxins directly in the gastrointestinal tract and offers a very specific, irreversible, and efficient way of detoxification. Consequently, less or nonadsorbable mycotoxins have to be treated by

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POULTRY

Sub-standard hygiene can reduce hatchability by up to 15 per cent, but it can be easily avoided by using simple on-farm measures such as collecting floor eggs separately from nest eggs. Dr Baksch reports.

Photograph: Pas Reforms Hatchery Technologies

Good hygiene vital for high chick numbers

G

OOD POULTRY PRACTICE is often a matter of common sense and none more so than health and hygiene measures required for high hatchability of healthy chicks.

All else being equal, the cleaner the eggs, which are set for hatching in the incubator, the better are the results achieved as healthier and higher quality chicks. The science is simple. Pathogenic bacteria, which can never be totally eliminated from poultry practice, respond rapidly to the warm and humid conditions in the incubator.

The bird’s egg is not only designed to exclude pathogenic microbes but also to allow free gaseous exchange as the chick embryo respires, grows and develops. This requires a porous calcium carbonate shell to allow oxygen to diffuse in and carbon dioxide to diffuse out. But egg shell pores are potential weak points through which bacteria can enter to disrupt and destroy developing chick embryos.

Microbial contamination of hen’s eggs can occur congenitally or extra-genitally. Congenital contamination invariably happens in the ovary and involves a range of well-known pathogenic microorganisms including salmonella bacteria, mycoplasmas and certain virus particles.

These egg-transmitted pathogens are controlled by vaccination, blood testing and subsequent removal of infected hens or, in the case of mycoplasmas, the use of antibiotic egg dipping.

Extra-genital contamination is something which happens after the egg is laid and typically causes rots, mould growth, bangers (eggs that explode once inside the incubator), early dead chick embryos and a higher first-week on-farm chick mortality, the latter often being the result of yolk sac infection. Heavily contaminated eggs, such as those laid-on and collected from the floor, will be the most heavily contaminated by potentially pathogenic microbes and therefore most at risk.

The eggshell has thousands of pores which are sufficiently large to permit bacterial cells and fungal spores to pass through and enter the egg. Passage through most of these pores is prevented by the presence of a blocking cuticle, but sufficient numbers are open to allow the entry of microbes. Two inner shell membranes act as a further barrier and an antibacterial lysozyme, located in the egg albumen, is active against Staphylococcus bacteria.

12 African Farming - July/August 2012

Infection route Under normal circumstances, a healthy breeder hen lays eggs with an essentially sterile shell. At the point of lay (oviposition) the eggs are hot and moist but they cool down quickly, and this has the effect of drawing (pulling in) contaminating bacteria through the eggshell.

It follows that the environmental conditions, into which the egg is oviposited, will have a significant influence and effect on the concentration and range of pathogenic microorganisms that it carries and holds, and can transfer into the incubator. Motile bacteria in large numbers, especially in the presence of moisture (e.g. condensation) on the external surface of the egg, pose the biggest risk and likelihood of egg penetration and yolk colonisation and contamination.

Even eggs which are visibly clean can carry anything from 50,000 to one million bacteria. Soiled and dirty eggs may carry a bacterial load in excess of 10mn.

Condition of the floor litter further affects contamination. Damp litter sticks to the birds’ feet and feathers while exceptionally dry litter creates dust. Condition and depth of nest-box litter will affect contamination level of eggs laid there, while the manner in which eggs are handled and treated post collection will affect contamination level, irrespective of whether they were laid in a nest box or on the floor.

Clean nests means clean eggs Key issues involved in the production of clean eggs for incubation and hatching are: design, nature and condition of the nests; separation of soiled eggs from clean ones; frequency of egg collection; degree of care exercised in egg handling; personal hygiene of those involved in the procedure; and the disinfection of eggs.

Nest boxes must be easily accessible (to hens), clean and hygienic, generously supplied with litter and sufficient in number with at least one nest allocated for every four hens. Overall, they must be sufficiently attractive so that hens do not lay any eggs on the floor. Nest boxes must be in place and position prior to the onset of lay. They should be positioned for easy accessibility and comfort of hens, rather than convenience for the farmer, as the number one priority.

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POULTRY

Nests should be started near the floor surface and elevated gradually up to 30-40cm from the litter. Softwood shavings are one of the best choices for litter and should be replenished (topped up) or replaced every seven days. Populations of bacteria in the litter can be reduced to safe levels by using paraformaldehyde prills deployed at the rate of 25g per box per month.

Automatic nests function best in slatted floor areas and should be closed up at night. This is because hens which sleep in nests, as well as hens with dirty feet resulting from wet floor litter, are significant factors which increase the contamination of nests.

Nest eggs and floor eggs must be collected separately while always making sure egg collectors wash their hands between collections to avoid cross contamination. Floor eggs should be packed separately with clear identification to avoid any mixing of clean and soiled eggs.

Some nests will invariably be more popular than others with the hens, and if the eggs are not collected sufficiently frequently from these over-loaded nests, then breakages will be unavoidable.

Operators should collect eggs at least four times every day with a late afternoon collection to avoid eggs staying in the nest boxes overnight.

Disinfection and dry cleaning There is general agreement amongst veterinarians that treatment of hatching eggs is the best way to control shell-borne infections such as salmonella. Disinfection of eggs can be carried out by dry cleaning followed up by fumigation with formaldehyde or alternatively by wet sanitising the eggs.

Dry cleaning using Scotchbrite pads or sandpaper is an ideal mechanical method for cleaning slightly soiled eggs and should be

supported by follow-up fumigation using formaldehyde vapour as a chemical disinfectant. Fumigation with formaldehyde will usually destroy a high proportion of bacteria on the external surface of the shell but several important requirements must be satisfied for its success.

Eggs must be placed on plastic trays to allow adequate circulation of the formaldehyde vapour and the procedure should be conducted in a custom-designed chamber. This must be hermetically sealed (gas tight) to maintain a biocidal concentration of formaldehyde and to stop any vapour from escaping. Last but not least, operators must use the recommended dose and employ a gas neutraliser at the end of the procedure. Fumigation will not be effective if eggs are very dirty or badly soiled because the active formaldehyde disinfectant will not be able to reach the pathogenic bacteria inside the particles of dirt and soil.

Sanitising machines effectively and efficiently disinfect the eggshell and thus avoid practical problems associated with the ‘wet cleaning’ hatching eggs. Standard sanitising machines are designed to accept trays of eggs on a conveyor and to subsequently spray them with high-temperature disinfectant. When used correctly they are more cost effective due to significant labour savings.

Temperature of the disinfectant should be higher than that of the egg to prevent bacteria from entering the egg by suction.

Operators should only use the concentration recommended on the disinfectant product label which will be high enough to kill pathogenic bacteria without any risk of damage to the egg.

Chlorine-generating products are popular but require constant monitoring and replacement with fresh product when the concentration falls below that required for effective disinfection. h

African Farming - July/August 2012 13

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Aviana Uganda 2012 in November THE INTERNATIONAL EXPO for poultry and livestock “Aviana Uganda 2012" will present a gateway to East Africa by providing a platform to exhibit products, services and innovative technologies to top decision makers and create business partnerships, with exhibitors from more than 20 countries. Aviana Uganda is a Poultry and Livestock Expo exemplifying a single aim of prosperity in the African animal health sector: with the mission, “Animal's Health, Nation's Wealth".

Aviana Uganda 2012 is intended to give businesses the opportunity in East Africa

to exhibit and showcase in the animal health sector. Attendees will have opportunities to learn innovative technologies such as poultry and dairy farming, disease control, health management, nutrition etc with leading experts from different foreign countries.

Livestock represents an essential part of Uganda’s agriculture, culture and economy. The total number of cattle, sheep, and goats more than doubled between 2002 and 2008, and the number of pigs and chickens grew by 88 and 59 per cent, respectively.

While income from livestock provides only one of many sources of income for rural households, people typically rank livestock as their second or third most important means of livelihood. Indeed, smallholders and pastoralists dominate the livestock sector. Farming households with mixed crop and livestock production and pastoralists together own 90 per cent of Uganda’s cattle and almost all of the country’s poultry, pigs, sheep and goats.

Uganda’s poultry products are on high demand in neighbouring countries like South Sudan, DR Congo and Rwanda.

Namib Poultry Industries aims for 95 per cent market share NAMIB POULTRY INDUSTRIES (NPI) is aiming for 95 per cent of Namibia's poultry market share with its new brands, saying that a 46 per cent excise duty placed on all poultry products coming into the country will make imports less competitive.

Namib Poultry Industries' first poultry plant, a US$59.9mn(N$500mn) investment, will be operational on June 1. The project will enjoy the Namibian government's protection status for the next eight years, with the 46 per cent levy active for the next four years, 30 per cent for two years after that and 20 per cent in the last two years.

“The price of chicken is not expected to go up, however, even with the import levy. Our benchmark will always be the import parity price," said Namib Poultry Industries general manager Gys White.

"The price that you get in South Africa plus one per cent for the

additional VAT plus transport cost, which is on average US$0.14 per kg."

The poultry plant is currently slaughtering 40,000 to 50,000 birds per day, and is expected to produce 2,000 metric tons of chicken per month by the end of June. The facility has the capacity to expand production to 500,000 birds per week.

Meanwhile, Namibia's infant industry protection levy on imported poultry products, a 46 per cent excise duty meant to give domestic production a boost in the country, has poultry importers uncertain of the effects the move may have on their bottom lines, according to reports.

The levy was supposed to go into effect on June 1, but the implementation date has been deferred pending completion of the official notification process. Importers say millions of dollars and at least 2,000 metric tons of poultry products that cross Namibia's borders

NPI plans to supply the whole Namibian market with chicken.

each month are involved in their concerns. They say they worry that the levy is contrary to regional integration efforts, as it will stifle cross-border trade, and could wipe out small businesses.

Importers also believe the levy could lead to NPI charging higher prices to domestic consumers, something the company has refuted. It has said it will "strive to price its products competitively, which will be to the benefit of the Namibian consumer," in

addition to the $59mn investment the company has already made in the local industry. The company also said that the levy will benefit Namibia's entire poultry industry, not just NPI. The infant industry protection status would see imported poultry products levied 46 per cent from the first year until the fourth year. The levy would be gradually reduced to 30 per cent before it comes down to 20 per cent in the last two years of the eight-year period.

Kenya poultry farming grows significantly in 2011 KENYAN POULTRY FARMERS in the Central province earned US$47.3mn (Sh4.1bn) in 2011 from the sales of chicken meat and eggs, as the industry grew significantly due to an increase in demand, according to Central Provincial Director of Livestock Production Mary Kanyi.

More farmers in the region are embracing poultry due to the current small size of farms as a result of a high population density.

"A high demand for poultry products in the country's major urban areas greatly fuelled the industry to thrive, with local hatcheries struggling to cope with the current demand by farmers for day-old chicks," said Kanyi.

14 African Farming - July/August 2012

The current price for a day-old chick in the region is $0.69 (Sh 60) for broilers and $1.15 (Sh100) for layers. It is expected, however, that high demand will push prices even higher. Poor quality of poultry feeds, lack of organised markets, shortage of breeding stock to improve indigenous chicken and high prices of day-old chicks continue to hamper the growth of the sector, said Kanyi, providing challenges to the industry. "As a result, my department had embarked on training farmers to prepare nutritious homemade poultry rations and encouraging the formation of marketing groups to get maximum returns as well as encouraging the establishment of more hatcheries in the area," she said.

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S03 AF July - August 2012 Poultry_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:51 Page 15

African Farming - July/August 2012 15

S04 AF July - August 2012 Feature A - B_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:59 Page 16

ANALYSIS

Farmers in Ghana could save up to one million tons of carbon a year.

Finding solutions for climate change mitigation

S

MALLHOLDER FARMERS NEED more income and the world needs to cut emissions of greenhouse gases that are contributing to climate change. Although both of these needs can be met through carbon markets, it's notoriously difficult to link smallholder farmers to these markets. Researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) are working in four countries to assess the contribution that small farmers can make to carbon markets and ways to link them to these markets.

Climate friendly agriculture Greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced and carbon sequestered through the adoption of climate-friendly agronomic practices - for example crop-residue management and no-tillage farming - and through improved use of organic and chemical fertilisers. By 'trading' carbon stored or emissions reduced, a carbon market provides a means to turn this useful activity into a profitable one. In a carbon market, a wealthy emitter who does not want to pay the high cost of reducing emissions pays someone else to reduce enough emissions to offset their pollution.

Greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced and carbon sequestered through the adoption of climate-friendly agronomic practices.

"With the proper financial incentives," explains Alex De Pinto, a senior researcher at IFPRI, "smallholder farmers in developing countries could reduce emissions and sequester carbon while generating much-needed income." But carbon markets, currently dominated by developed and emerging economies and industrial sectors, have not been designed to include smallholder farmers with tiny plots, sometimes in remote areas. "It is difficult to design a way to effectively and predictably measure and track how much carbon these farmers reduce or store," De Pinto adds. "Without such a system, it is difficult for farmers to join such markets."

De Pinto and colleagues, including senior IFPRI Research Fellows Claudia Ringler and Gerald Nelson, are examining agricultural systems and their policies in Ghana, Morocco, Mozambique and Vietnam to determine which agronomic practices have the highest climate change mitigation potential and possible ways for smallholder farmers to take advantage of carbon markets.

A combination of on-site measurements and crop-modelling simulations were used to assess the mitigation potential of smallholders in Ghana and Mozambique where very little, if any, organic or inorganic fertiliser is used and smallholders rely on the soil fertility regenerating power of a long fallow period. In collaboration with scientists at the Soil Research Institute in Ghana and at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, IFPRI researchers found that, adjusting applications of manure, nitrogen fertiliser, and

16 African Farming - July/August 2012

In Mozambiqiue smallholders rely on the soil fertility regenerating power of a long fallow period.

crop residue management, farmers in Ghana could save up to about one million tons of carbon a year and, in Mozambique, up to about 600,000 tons. These amounts could translate into significant earnings in a carbon market: Ghana could earn up to US$38mn a year and Mozambique up to $24mn*.

Advantage Vietnam With high use of inorganic fertiliser and a focus on rice production, Vietnam has an even greater potential for climate change mitigation.

Key mitigation strategies could include alternative wetting and drying (AWD) and direct seeding of rice, which both considerably reduce methane emissions. AWD, for example, could reduce emissions by 63mn metric tons CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent), with potential gains of US$627mn annually for farmers.

Many farmers are already using these potentially lucrative mitigation options to reduce production costs and increase yields. For example, dry seeding for the spring rice crop in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam is already common. However, although the overall potential is enormous, varying planting dates, fertiliser applications, and soils lead to a range of potential outcomes across agro-ecological zones and provinces. For example, while AWD has a large potential in the Red River Delta, it is less likely to find acceptance in the Mekong Delta, where water control is more limited.

These results are timely for Vietnamese policymakers. In December 2011, the government signed a 'Decision' officially committing to increase agricultural production and reduce emissions and poverty (each by 20 per cent) by 2020 through 'green and safe agricultural production' methods. In a recent workshop in Hanoi, researchers** met with policymakers to address implementation challenges including measurement, reporting and verification, capacity building within the government, and the impact of agricultural mitigation on adaptation and economic development - and to identify potential ways to achieve these commitments and benefit small farmers. h

S04 AF July - August 2012 Feature A - B_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:59 Page 17

AGRA to help implement new G8 global partnership Initiative on Food Security THE ALLIANCE FOR a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) was given a key role in the G8’s next phase of a shared commitment to achieve global food security. The Scaling Seeds and Other Technologies Partnership, part of the new initiative focused on increasing agricultural food production in Africa, will be housed at AGRA and will focus on strengthening Africa’s seed sector.

“African food security will only be met by increased agricultural production,” said Strive Masiyiwa, AGRA’s acting chair addressing the G8 leaders and four African heads of state at the G8 Summit. ”The approach being put forward by the G8 is modeled on some of AGRA’s on-going work on behalf of Africa’s smallholder farmers and we are pleased to play a major role in this global initiative.”

The Scaling Seeds and Other Technologies Partnership will strengthen the seed sector and promote the commercialization, distribution and adoption of key technologies improved seed varieties, and other technologies to meet concrete targets in partner countries. AGRA has been working since its creation five years ago through many partners to create breadbaskets in Africa through support to millions of smallholder farmers.

“AGRA is working with its main partners to create breadbaskets in Africa through support to smallholder farmers,” said Jane Karuku, AGRA President. “We are now seeing smallholder farmers prospering due to bigger crop yields and entire communities benefiting from the growth of small agribusinesses.”

Particularly impressive are results in significantly boosting staple crop production. Through the support of AGRA and its partners, an additional 40,000 metric tons per annum of hybrid seed, representing one-third of the commercially produced seed in Africa, is now reaching smallholder farmers.

These seeds have been produced by 60 small, African-owned seed companies launched with capital and strengthened by AGRA - a 100 per cent increase in the number of such companies. In terms of food production, this means an additional four million metric tons of staple crops per annum.

AGRA’s experts believe that the tipping point to food security with respect to improved seeds is 500,000 metric tons per annum of high-yielding, improved crop varieties.

AGRA has invested in training African scientists who will develop research capacity, and strengthen the capacity of seed companies both technically and in terms of management capability. It has established MSc and PhD programmes at 13 key African universities – more than 400 post-graduate students have been enrolled, a hundred of whom have graduated. This represents a quarter of the scientists known to be working in this field today. AGRA’s experts believe that 1,000 new scientists in this field are required to sustain the Green Revolution. To date, these and other AGRA-supported scientists have produced 342 new crop varieties – a 100 per cent increase in available improved varieties.

AGRA has developed almost 15,000 agro-dealer businesses, which are an integral part of the value chain in sustaining a private sector-led, market-oriented agriculture sector.

In partnership with African governments and their central banks, as well as domestic and international banks, AGRA has pioneered innovative, risk sharing, finance schemes that have already allowed millions of smallholder farmers in six countries to access nearly one billion dollars in credit from their own banking systems for the first time.

African Farming - July/August 2012 17

S04 AF July - August 2012 Feature A - B_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:59 Page 18

AVOCADOS

The Alivando Group of companies has invested over $5mn to boost avocado farming in Central Kenya. They have started a pilot factory in Murang'a to boost production. Mwangi Mumero reports

Boost for avocado farmers in Kenya

T

HE ALIVANDO GROUP of Companies is investing US$5mn in the construction of an avocado factory in Murang’a County, Central Kenya.

The factory, which will take three years to complete, will benefit many avocado farmers in the region who have to bear with low producer prices.

Alivando chief executive Gary Hannan said that the company had engaged farmers in various parts of the province to improve production of avocado. Already, the firm has contracted and trained 1,030 farmers to grow high quality avocado.

The factory produces avocado oil, which is sold in the domestic and export markets where the demand is higher than the current production.

The oil is mainly exported to the UK, Belgium, France, Holland, Russia, Germany and Asia.

The new facility is expected to boost avocado earnings through value addition and benefit farmers.

Market trends now favour Hass avocados over Fuerte.

Even bigger farmers are elated with the prospects of an avocado factory.

Over the years, the mainly smallholder farmers have been exploited by middlemen and brokers fleecing them of their labour with getting little income from their investment.

Incentive to produce better quality “It will give us incentives to produce better quality avocadoes since we will be making a better return. Previously we could only wait for our sweat to go down the drain with middlemen”, observed Kariuki Macharia, a smallholder farmer at Kiangunyi within the county.

But even bigger farmers are elated with the prospects of an avocado factory.

Simon Ngang’a King’ara of Ruiru Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is also an avocado farmer, said that the factory will offer them better earnings compared to middlemen.

With an avocado plantation of 7,000 trees, Mr. Simon Ng’an’ga from the neighbouring Kiambu County notes that the factory pays $1.9 (Ksh150 for a kilo of avocado fruit while the middlemen buy at $1(Ksh80) - a better bargain for local farmers.

The factory officials say that the region is better placed to produce high quality avocado products noting that those grown in hot, humid climates have saturated fat and too much wax for oil production.

Central Kenya, which is hilly and rainy, provides a suitable climate for avocado growing compared to other regions in the country.

“To meet demand, Alivando needs upwards of 750,000 litres monthly. In the next five years, Kenya should be able to produce 0.3mn litres of high quality avocado oil monthly for export and local consumption if farmers embrace the practice” Gary noted.

18 African Farming - July/August 2012

S04 AF July - August 2012 Feature A - B_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:59 Page 19

AVOCADOS

European Union has recently shot by up to 23 per cent since 2006.

This is attributed to increased awareness of the fruit and its potential uses and benefits.

Producing countries such as South Africa, Chile, Israel and Peru have been among those recently been running consumer awareness campaigns in Europe.

France is currently the largest EU consumer of avocados, and, along with Spain and Netherlands, is an important redistribution centre for the trade.

Of the main African producer, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon together accounted for 12 per cent of world output in 2008, but at present Kenya’s share of the EU avocado market is currently at seven per cent. h

More than four fifths of the trees in Kenya are Fuerte.

Production on the rise Over the last few years, avocado production in the country has been on the rise. Reports indicate that in 2009, 2,500 tonnes of avocadoes compared with 1,800 tonnes the year before.

Since the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) introduced the fruit in Central Kenya in the late 70’s, the country has grown just two varieties.

Hass, a warty, medium sized, roundish fruit that turns purple at full maturity, has a tough, pebbly skin, with an impressive shelf life.

Fuerte, a Mexican-Guatemalan hybrid is a shiny-green, pear-shaped fruit that weighs 250 to 450g with high oil content.

More than four fifths of the trees in Kenya are Fuerte, which was in high demand in the late 1970s and early 1980s when most farmers were establishing their orchards.

Hass favoured over Fuerte But market trends now favour Hass, with horticultural companies like Alivando Kenya and KARI encouraging farmers to plant Hass or invest in grafting services that change Fuerte into Hass.

However, across both types of avocado the market is growing.

KARI has also been working at ways to increase the fruit’s shelf-life – from five to as many as 10 days – by slowing the production of the ethylene hormone responsible for its normal ripening. “Many of our avocados have been rotting in the farms or as they await for being exported and that is bad for our exports.

Everyday we are looking for new strategies to ensure our fruits stay fresh a little longer and thus increase our exports,� notes Mr. Kori Njuguna, a fruit research co-ordinator at KARI. The Kenya Horticulture Competiveness Project released a report last year highlighting the scope for increased avocado exports to the EU, if current Kenyan production can be expanded.

Demand for avocados in the

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S05 AF July - August 2012 Cocoa - News_Layout 1 12/07/2012 11:00 Page 20

COCOA

$14mn package for cocoa farmers in Africa OVER 100,000 COCOA farmers in four Central and West African countries, including Ghana, are to benefit from a US$14mn package from the Africa Cocoa Initiative (ACI) within the next five years.

The ACI, a public-private partnership with interest in cocoa production, is expected to use the $14mn to complement locally grown cocoa support mechanisms in Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria and Côte d’ Ivoire to increase and improve the crop‘s yield in the coming years.

The initiative is at the instance of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) with support from the governments of the four beneficiary countries and some stakeholders in the cocoa industry.

The chief of party of the ACI, Mr Kwasi Yeboah-Konadu, said, after the official launch of the initiative in Accra, that ACI is aiming at doubling the cocoa production figures of an estimated 100,000 farmers in the four beneficiary countries within five years.

To achieve such an objective, Mr Yeboah-

20 African Farming - July/August 2012

Konadu said ACI would be working at strengthening investments in cocoa sectors, increasing cocoa productivity by improving input supply chains, enhancing training programmes for cocoa farmers and fostering market-driven services in the cocoa sectors of the four countries, which the various countries are already working at.

The president of the WCF, Bill Guyton, however, explained that “ACI is not coming to tell the countries what they should do because they are already doing some of these things. What the initiative seeks to do is to complement the efforts of these countries and the various stakeholders in the sector so that cocoa production figures can go up for the farmers and the countries to get more incomes and revenue.”

He said the ACI’s $14mn was the result of contributions from the USAID, IDH and some 14 companies with interest in cocoa that were partners to the initiative.

He could, however, not say how much of the money would be allocated to each benefiting country except to say each country would benefit from the package

based on the country’s accessed priorities and needs in cocoa-related issues.

The Public Relations Manager of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Noah Amenya, said at the briefing that the board was grateful to the brains behind the initiative and expressed the hope that it would work to complement the efforts of COCOBOD, the body that oversees all activities related to the country’s cocoa industry.

S05 AF July - August 2012 Cocoa - News_Layout 1 12/07/2012 11:00 Page 21

COCOA

Much of the world's population agrees that things go better with chocolate! A report of IFDC’s Cocoa Abrabopa Association project designed to increase incomes and improve the livelihoods of resource-poor cocoa farmers in Ghana.

Cocoa for a better life

T

O WEST AND Central Africa, cocoa, chocolate's primary ingredient, is a crop of huge economic and social significance.

Cocoa exports generate over US$8bn for the region's national economies. Moreover, cocoa supports about two million smallholder farm households in West and Central Africa.

West and Central Africa are critically important to the global cocoa/chocolate industry. This area is the source of 70 per cent of the world's cocoa supply. With projected strong, long-term demand, cocoa can be a very profitable cash crop for more smallholder farmers and their families in this region.

Currently there are several new efforts to double cocoa productivity for at least 100,000 farm households in the region, particularly in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. The African Cocoa Initiative (ACI) is a public-private partnership (PPP) bringing together the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), cocoa industry members, the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and USAID. This five-year, $13.5mn Global Development Alliance programme also advances

Cocoa pods.

the goals of USAID's Feed the Future Initiative, which is active in a number of African countries.

The ACI, which began in January 2012, will help further develop the cocoa sector in the four countries in four critical areas; foster public-private co-operative investments in cocoa and agriculture;

African Farming - July/August 2012 21

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COCOA

improve the genetic quality and productivity of the cocoa varieties under cultivation; expand farmer education and training programmes; and improve the agro-input supply chains that serve the farmers.

One of the implementing agencies for the ACI, IFDC is providing expertise to improve participating farmers' access to fertiliser and is recommending appropriate fertiliser use. Other agencies joining the initiative are the IITA, which will provide expertise in genetics, and the Alliance of Cocoa-Producing Countries, experienced in cocoa policy development. The programme will be headquartered at the WCF's office in Accra.

From 2007 to 2009, IFDC was involved in an association-building project to increase incomes and improve livelihood of resource-poor cocoa farmers in Ghana.

The project (establishment of the Cocoa Abrabopa Association [CAA]) was a PPP-funded by the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands and Wienco. IFDC helped CAA become financially sustainable, improved members' business skills and technical knowledge, improved their access to agro-inputs, improved cocoa quality and helped to create a favourable trade environment.

CAA’s membership doubled IFDC also worked to build CAA's capacity in integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). Before Abrabopa, cocoa production in the project area was declining. Farmers were harvesting only 250-450 kg of dried cocoa per hectare (ha). This was far less than the 800/ha that was produced using ISFM and appropriate fertiliser recommendation packages. Farmers noticed the significant yield improvement in their cocoa crops with these changes and, by project-end, CAA's membership totaled over 10,000 Ghanaian cocoa farmers. Today membership has almost doubled.

22 African Farming - July/August 2012

Farmers need additional instruction in ISFM principles and that it is important that sitespecific fertiliser formulation and validation be offered to Ghana's cocoa producers.

Recently, IFDC and its partners conducted a baseline study on the soil fertility management practices used by cocoa farmers. Surveys were conducted with about 150 cocoa farmers in each of the seven cocoa regions of Ghana (Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Volta, Western North and Western South). This was followed by an assessment of soil fertility of the major soils on 21 cocoa plantations located in the various agro-ecozones of Ghana.

According to Dr Abdoulaye Mando, IFDC country representative and programme leader for IFDC's Natural Resource Management programme in NWAFD, the survey revealed that cocoa farmers in Ghana do not yet have adequate know-how in ISFM and other yieldenhancing production practices. Poor farm management practices appeared to be the major constraint to farmers achieving higher cocoa yields. Mando and other IFDC staff members are convinced that farmers need additional instruction in ISFM principles and that it is important that site-specific fertiliser formulation and validation be offered to Ghana's cocoa producers. Mando reports that Participatory Learning and Action Research modules are being fine-tuned and finalised to meet the farmers' specific needs.

The original IFDC cocoa project was aptly named. Abrabopa means 'cocoa for a better life' in Twi, a local Ghanaian language.

IFDC seeks to contribute to a better life for cocoa farmers in West and Central Africa and to stronger economies for their countries. h

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COCOA

Hybrid cocoa variety promises to increase yield in Nigeria THE NIGERIAN MINISTER of agriculture has told farmers in the country's cocoa-producing states that they will soon benefit from the distribution of a much improved variety, as part of the government's efforts to kick-start several sectors of the country's longneglected agriculture.

Akinwunmi Adesina said the new cocoa hybrid was an improvement on the old variety and had the capacity to produce 2,000 cocoa buds

per tree, versus 350 produced by the old cocoa variety. He added that the new variety had a maturity time of two to two-and-half years, while the old cocoa variety took four or more years to mature. ''We want to restore the lost glory in the world trade of cocoa,'' said Adesina. ''We have completely lost those things we used to have, because of the excessive emphasis the country has placed on importation. In the past, Nigeria

was a leading force in oil palm production, but Malaysia has taken over, but they got the seedlings from Nigeria. My job as an agriculture minister is not to import food, but to export food.''

Recent press reports indicated that Nigeria plans to increase its production of cocoa from the latest harvest of 250,000 tonnes to a targeted one million tonnes from 2018. Various steps are reportedly underway to increase yields from 350 to 500 kg of per hectare.

Global cocoa processing to rise GLOBAL COCOA BEAN processing this season will rise by 2.4 per cent, the smallest increase over the last three years. Bean grindings, an indication of demand, will reach four million (MT) in the 2011-12 marketing year started in October.

Cocoa processing fell six per cent in 2008-09 as global economies entered the worst recession since World War II. The global economy is still struggling to recover to pre-2008 levels, especially in the major consumption hubs of Europe and North America, so such a modest consumption growth should not come as a surprise.

Grindings in the EU will total 1.499mn tons in 2011-12, up from 1.479mn tons in 2010-11.

Processing in the US is forecast at 415,000 tons in 2011-12, up from 397,000 tons last season. The rise in global grindings this

season is mainly due to expansion in origin, of which the Côte d’Ivoire will rise the most.

Producing countries account for 43 per cent of global grindings, up from 30 per cent in the 1990s. The Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s biggest cocoa grower. Bean processing will rise three per cent to 4.1mn tons in the 2012-13 season that starts in October as the economic outlook improves.

Sales of cocoa butter, which accounts for as much as 20 per cent of a chocolate bar, will remain stronger than those of cocoa powder, used in cookies and ice-cream. Demand for cocoa powder is being driven by emerging markets. This suggests that grinders are well covered and thus orders have been easing, or that supply availability has improved in response to the attractive prices over preceding months.

J

African Farming - July/August 2012 23

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LIVESTOCK

The FAO is acting to stop the spread of a disease that has killed 75,000 goats and threatens neighbouring countries. It is also trying, along with the World Organisation for Animal Health, to combat foot-and-mouth disease on a global scale.

Livestock epidemic causing havoc in DRC

T

HE FAO IS mobilising emergency support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to counter the rapid spread of peste des petits ruminants (PRP), a virulent livestock disease of goats and sheep.

The disease not only threatens food security in the country, but could also result in a spill-over to southern African countries that have never had the disease.

According to the national government's Directorate for Animal Production and Health, PPR has infected tens of thousands of goats, and more than 75,000 have already died from the disease.

The government estimates that another one million goats and 600,000 sheep are at risk of contracting PPR, representing onequarter of goats and two-thirds of sheep throughout the entire country. Sheep and goats are generally kept by the poorest farmers, who have the least ability to absorb the loss of one of their few assets.

"This is the worst livestock epidemic in the country in more than 10 years," said the FAO representative in DRC, Ndiaga Gueye.

"We're seeing that in response to the threat of their animals contracting the disease, farmers are moving their animals away from infected villages to where, so far, there have been no disease outbreaks, and this has been spreading the virus to healthy flocks of animals," said Gueye.

"Excellent vaccines exist to protect small ruminants from PPR, and these can be a key weapon in combating it.

Rapid assessment and response A recent emergency mission by the Crisis Management Centre Animal Health, jointly operated by the FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported that the current outbreaks are particularly lethal, with an 86 per cent mortality rate in goats.

FAO funding for emergency response An FAO emergency project will provide funds for: ● Vaccinating 500,000 sheep and goats in areas that aren't yet affected; ● Limiting animal movements, by preventing them from moving to communal grazing areas and temporarily interrupting sale and transport of animals; ● Raising awareness via rural radio and village-level meetings to educate farmers about steps they can take to prevent PPR; ● Increasing active surveillance for PPR throughout the area; ● Training of field veterinarians and para-veterinarians in the recognition of PPR and field investigation techniques.

Risk of PPR moving ever further south The DRC is believed to have been infected since 2008, when the

24 African Farming - July/August 2012

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) poses a huge threat to the livelihood of small farmers and herders.

provinces of Bas-Congo and Kinshasa both reported outbreaks.

Neighbouring countries, like Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Kenya and Tanzania, are affected by the disease, and some areas are considered to be endemic.

The Southern Africa Development Community, including Angola, Botswana and Zambia, which are on the frontline of the disease's march southwards, have made stopping PPR a major animal health priority. Eliminating PPR is seen as key to poverty reduction in the world's most vulnerable countries.

Global united front needed "Peste des petits ruminants is caused by a virus that is similar to measles in humans and rinderpest in cattle. When the FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) declared rinderpest eradicated in mid-2011, it was the first animal disease eradicated by mankind," said Juan Lubroth, the FAO's chief veterinary officer.

"Excellent vaccines exist to protect small ruminants from PPR, and these can be a key weapon in combating it. Rinderpest was eradicated only thanks to the full commitment from donors, the scientific community, development organisations, our main partners the OIE and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), member governments and farmers the world over. We can do the same with PPR should there be the political will," Lubroth added.

Combatting foot and mouth Meanwhile, the FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are joining forces to combat foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a global scale, laying out a detailed strategy to bring the devastating livestock disease under control - another disease that can cause havoc.

The two organisations underlined, however, that only solid commitments from global partners will make the strategy possible, as they opened an international meeting in Bangkok supported by the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives.

FAO emphasises the need for collective action to better control FMD where it is a high burden to millions of farmers, pastoralists and commercial operators.

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LIVLESTOCK

The Global Strategy combines two tools developed by FAO and the OIE. The OIE tool, called the Performance of Veterinary Services Pathway (PVS), evaluates national veterinary services with the aim of bringing them into compliance with OIE quality standards. Reliable veterinary services ensure the quality and safety of Global Strategy livestock production. In turn, strong "One main objective of the Global veterinary systems protect the safety of Strategy is to allow FMD control food sources, trade and animal health, worldwide through the strengthening and as such, are a global public good. of veterinary services responsible for The FAO developed the Progressive animal disease control," explained Control Pathway for Foot-and-Mouth Bernard Vallat, OIE director general.

Disease, the PCP-FMD, which guides "Positive effects of the strategy will A veterinarian examines a cow to determine foot-and-mouth disease infection countries through a series of extend far beyond the control of FMD incremental steps to better manage because it represents an opportunity FMD risks, beginning with active to initiate long-term actions which will enhance veterinary services' capacity to fight other high-impact surveillance to establish what types of FMD virus strains are circulating in the country and neighbouring areas. diseases of livestock." he added.

The process moves countries continuously towards improved levels "The successful eradication of rinderpest, a joint effort by scientists, governments, donors, veterinarians and farmers, clearly shows that of FMD control and thus an eventual opening to trade and we can reduce and even eliminate the threat of major diseases," Juan international markets. A key pillar of the PCP-FMD involves coordinating efforts with countries in the same region in order to control Lubroth, FAO's chief veterinary officer.

"We could apply lessons learned and appropriate approaches the disease systematically across porous national boundaries. The aim when it comes to foot-and-mouth disease: better surveillance, co- is to decrease the impact of FMD worldwide by reducing the number ordination and control to reduce FMD outbreaks and finally of disease outbreaks in infected countries until they ultimately attain eliminate the virus, to safeguard food security, animal health and FMD-free status, as well as by maintaining the official FMD-free status of countries that are already free. h human health," he said.

"Recent FMD outbreaks around the globe demonstrate that animal diseases have no boundaries, can have a devastating impact and require a global response," said Hiroyuki Konuma, the FAO regional representative for Asia and the Pacific.

26 African Farming - July/August 2012

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S06 AF July - August 2012 Irrigation_Layout 1 12/07/2012 14:06 Page 28

DAIRY FARMING

Adoption of improved feeding technologies has helped Kenya’s smallholder dairy farmers beat the prohibitive cost of feeds and increase milk production and profits. Mwangi Mumero reports.

Improved feeding technologies

N

EARLY 800,000 KENYAN smallholder households depend on dairying for their livelihoods, and the dairy sector provides employment to over 350,000 people in milk collection, transportation, processing and sales.

The dairy industry plays an important role in meeting the livelihood needs of poor ruralbased households as well as contributing to Kenya’s economic development.

The dairy industry plays an important role in meeting the livelihood needs of poor ruralbased households as well as contributing to Kenya’s economic development.

Like in most parts of the country, farmers in Nyeri County in the Central Highlands rely on Napier grass to feed their animals. But the concentrates, such as dairy meal, maize germ and bran, are expensive and sometime poorly formulated – compromising quality.

However, local dairy farmers have learned to incorporate various feedstuffs into the rations of their dairy cows boosting their milk production.

“I only buy dairy meal for each cow per month, which I mix with the hay, calliandra and Lucerne using specified measurements. I

28 African Farming - July/August 2012

have never been in formal employment, but I am comfortable with my engagement in the milk production venture,” said Eliud Wandera, a farmer in Mweiga in Nyeri. Wandera is one of the 2275 members of the Mweiga Cooperative Society in Kieni west district through which they supply their milk to the market.

In rural Kenya, economies of scale dictate that farmers market their milk through a cooperative society to reduce costs, access credit and be able to negotiate for better prices with the milk processors.

The Mweiga Co-operative Society has worked closely with the East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) project. The EADD is a regional programme led by Heifer International in partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), TechnoServe, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the African Breeder Service Total Cattle Management (ABS-TCM). It is implemented in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the project works with 179,000 families living on one to five acre plots and keeping a few dairy cows Members of the Mweiga Co-operative Society have been trained on feeding and feed preservation and also on breeding by the EADD project extension officials. This training has helped local farmers benefit more from their dairy enterprises.

At exactly two a.m. every day, 35-year-old Eliud Wandera wakes up to run his milk

Milk churns await collection by the road side in rural Kenya.

production business. Together with a farmhand, he milks five of his seven Friesian dairy cows and delivers the 110 liters of milk to nearby co-operative. He will milk again at noon, before calling it a day.

Improved lives for farmers Before the training on feeding and feed management, local farmers used to suffer due to erratic weather which led to reduced forage during the dry season and overproduction during the rainy season.

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DAIRY FARMING

“With just five litres of milk from one cow, returns were minimal.

We had to practice crop farming by growing main and vegetables for sale”, remembers Wandera, a father of two.

Two years ago, his fortunes changed after accessing extension services and consequently he increased his stock to four improved breed cows. The cows’ milk production has increased to 16 liters per cow on any given day. He attributes this to improved feeding.

Currently, he earns about US$900 (Ksh80,000) monthly from his dairy enterprise, a relatively huge amount from farming by local standards. Training on feed management has enabled him to cut down his costs by preserving 400 bales of hay which come hardy during the dry season. He has also increased acreage under fodder to meet feed demands.

He currently supplies 110 litres to Mweiga Co-operative Society and sells some to the neighbouring school. Occasionally, he sells some hay bales to neighbours. Earnings from dairy have transformed the farmer’s life. Today, he is busier, but works less hard and makes more than three times the money he previously made.

His children attend private school and he recently bought an additional piece of land where he plans to put up commercial buildings.

Feeding manual for dairy farmers Recently, the East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) Project launched a feeding manual for dairy farmers and extension officers.

The manual covers information on the basic nutrients a dairy cow requires, the available feed resources that provide these nutrients and practical aspects of feeding the animals.

It also has information on livestock production systems and pasture production and management.

Smallholder farmers like this lady produce most of the milk in Kenya.

Issues of pasture utilisation and use of feed supplements are also discussed in a language-friendly to rural farmers and extension officers.

The manual also discusses feeding of calves, heifers and dairy cattle. The manual is both in hard copy and in pdf version. h 01R08B

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IRRIGATION

Dr Terry Mabbett looks at the various types of micro-irrigation, which can maximise efficient water usage in agriculture and so revolutionise food production.

Micro-irrigation use in horticulture Micro sprinkler system performing irrigation watering.

M

ICRO-IRRIGATION IS defined as the application of water to less than 100 per cent of a crop area, the term microirrigation covers both drip/trickle and micro-sprinkler/micro-jet irrigation systems.

Each has advantages and disadvantages and can be modified and adapted to different crops, soil types and climatic conditions. As a general rule drip irrigation systems find widest application in row crop vegetables and bush/vine crops while micro-sprinklers prove most popular in fruit orchards and groves.

Micro-sprinklers for fruit tree crops Micro-sprinkler irrigation systems are designed to deliver and distribute water as a fine rain-like shower of drops. Water is generally transported to and through the field via a network of tubes and delivery to micro-sprinkler devices for localised but highly efficient and effective irrigation.

The main difference in delivery through a micro-sprinkler or a micro-jet is the water jet rotating in the former, while being static in the latter. Micro-sprinkling is traditionally used for ‘straight’ irrigation of crops, but as an adaptable multi-purpose system, it can also be used for fertigation and chemigation, frost protection in orchards and evaporative cooling in greenhouses.

30 African Farming - July/August 2012

Water requirements for a microsprinkler system are usually calculated and determined from the evaporation rate from the crop and/or soil or by measurements of soil water content. Early tests conducted by the Israeli Agricultural Extension Service showed that the efficiency of micro-sprinklers at between 94 to 97 per cent was higher than for any other comparable method of irrigation.

Such ultra-high efficiency was attributed to uniform wetting of the irrigated area and to the correctness and exactness of the volume of water used.

Micro-sprinklers apply the amount of water needed by the plants to a set volume of soil. This strategy allows uniform development of the root system and dense spread of roots throughout the entire volume of wetted soil. When micro-sprinklers are the main means of water application throughout the year, trees are assured of a continuous and adequate supply of water and nutrients.

This is in complete contrast to orchards and groves where tree crops are predominantly rain-fed and only need irrigation for relatively short but critical periods of time during the dry season. In this situation the tree’s root system develops according to the distribution of natural rainfall. Only the micro-sprinkler with its modular design and wide range

Micro-sprinkler irrigation systems are designed to deliver and distribute water as a fine rain-like shower of drops. of options is capable of supplying the required quantity of water and nutrients accurately and efficiently to the already developed root system during this critical dry season period.

The uniform rate of irrigation provided by micro-sprinkling means it is relatively easy to calculate the amount of water required by each tree. Given the low water volume applied there is no problem with water ‘runoff’ or water ‘ponding’ on the surface of the soil and irrigation rate is easily matched to soil type and climatic conditions. And through the application of optimum amounts of water, there will not be any seepage out beyond the root zone nor problems of aeration within the root zone caused by water-logging of the soil. Furthermore, uniform wetting of the soil by using micro-sprinklers makes for easier use and application of soil monitoring equipment and instrumentation.

The pattern of root distribution is a close and complete reflection of the distribution

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IRRIGATION

Drip or trickle irrigation systems are ideal for row crop vegetables: the image depicts a homemade drip irrigation system.

of water in the soil and numerous field trials comparing micro-sprinkling and other methods of irrigation (including classical drip irrigation) in orchard crops show distinct differences in the pattern of root distribution.

In the micro-sprinkler treatment the roots are evenly distributed in the area/volume of wetted soil and grow to a depth of some 80 cm, as well as being far greater in number.

On the other hand, roots in classical drip irrigated treatments are concentrated in a relatively shallow and small volume of soil beneath the dripper. Furthermore microsprinkling produces a superior tree canopy/root system relationship that is much better balanced.

Only some 40 to 80 per cent of soil surface area is wetted with microsprinklers in mature orchards but may be adjusted according to the pattern and extent of root development without incurring of any extra costs. In addition the shape of the wetted surface area may be altered from a full circle to a half circle or strip shape. A small full circle (progressively enlarged) is commonly used for small young trees as they grow and develop.

The actual sprinklers are connected to the lateral via a flexible tube thus allowing underground installation of the distribution pipes. This assists in prevention of damage typically caused by birds and rodents.

Each micro-sprinkler unit may be equipped with a flow regulating device to ensure an even rate of water supply to each tree irrespective of any differences caused by water head pressure or ‘lay of the land’.

Visual inspection of micro-sprinkler irrigation systems is easy and rapid taking considerably less time than for inspection of several emitters at every tree for the typical drip irrigation system. The considerably larger mesh filter employed in micro-sprinklers allows longer

Use of micro-sprinklers additionally allows the introduction of fertilisers into the system and application by what is commonly known as fertigation. operating times before filter cleaning is required.

Micro-sprinklers are particularly appropriate for marginal lands and saline water resources for which they outperform other irrigation systems, often by as much as a third. Salinity is a key factor and one of the main aims of any irrigation system is to avoid the accumulation of salinity related salts in the root zone of the tree.

And this becomes overriding in importance when farmers are forced to use brackish or saline water for irrigation.

Saline water and soil cause damage to the root system which in turn negatively affects transpiration rate, photosynthetic efficiency and therefore crop yield and fruit quality. Experiments that have used a saline water (E.C. 2.8 mmhos) supply show that the level of salinity in the root zone is less

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IRRIGATION

under micro-sprinklers than drippers. It is much better to control salinity of the soil by periodical flushing with water than by continuous irrigation with large volumes of water, which will invariably lead to soil aeration problems in the longer term.

Use of micro-sprinklers additionally allows the introduction of fertilisers into the system and application by what is commonly known as fertigation. Not only does this provide more measured nutrient application targeted at different and changing seasonal and crop developmental requirements (economising on fertiliser), but also reduces overall labour requirements. Even nutrients with comparatively low soil mobility are suitable for application through micro-sprinklers.

A system of irrigation in greenhouses by mirco sprinklers is preferable.

Drip irrigation for row crop vegetables Drip or trickle irrigation systems are ideal for row crop vegetables. They were initially developed sixty years ago but did not find widespread application until the advent of polyethylene plastic mulches some twenty years later. Drip irrigation applies small amounts of water on a daily basis to the root zone and can be designed to irrigate any size of vegetable production unit.

Four major components: • delivery system comprising line source dripping tube • filters (sand, disc or valve) • pressure regulators (spring or valve)

32 African Farming - July/August 2012

• valves (hand-operated, hydraulic or electrical) and two different options which are: • a controller (basic clock or computer) • fertigation system (electric pumps, hydraulic pumps, venture systems etc) Plastic mulches have been used successfully on wide range of vegetables (and fruit) including tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, squash, eggplant, ochra, peppers and strawberry.

Traditionally, three colour types used depending on climate and benefits required: • Black plastic mulch to retard weed growth and to warm the soil • Clear plastic mulch mainly in colder regions because it warms the soil even more, although herbicides are required to control weeds that can grow under the clear film • White or white-on-black plastic mulch which is most popular to reduce soil temperature in hotter climates More recently a wider variety of colours, including blue, yellow and silver, have been employed to deter insect pests or encourage natural enemies through visual colour stimulation.

Plastic mulch and drip irrigation complement each other so it is worth looking at the advantages of each.

Advantages of plastic mulch over bare soil • Higher bed temperature leading to more rapid crop growth and development and consequently earlier harvests and yields • Reduction in water evaporation from the soil to maintain a more uniform soil water profile with consequent reduction in irrigation frequency and volume • Fewer weed problems because light levels reaching the soil are reduced, and because weeds generally fail to survive

•

•

•

•

•

under the mulch. Exception is for clear plastic mulch Reduction in fertiliser usage because soil losses through run off and leaching are reduced Lower levels of ground compaction because soil under the mulch stays loose, friable and well aerated to provide adequate oxygen to the roots Elimination of root pruning except within inter-row area (no mulch) which can be kept weed free with herbicide Cleaner fruits and vegetables with less fungal and bacterial rots because mud splash is eliminated Mulches reduce frequency of waterlogged drowned crops and other stresses caused by free water laying on and around the crop

Advantages of drip irrigators over over-head systems • Lower levels of water may be used to achieve the same results. Generally speaking drip irrigation halves water usage compared with overhead systems • Reduced pressures and lower flow rates and less power are required which means lower energy usage and cost for pumping • Generally less disease because foliage and fruit are not unnecessarily wet for long periods of time • Labour and operating costs are generally lower and more automation is possible • There is no wastage of water deposited between the rows and therefore less weed growth • General field-operations can continue unhindered because the inter-row walk-ways are always dry.

• More efficient and targeted application of fertiliser direct to the root zones is possible h

S07 AF July - August 2012 Equipment A - Power Supply_Layout 1 12/07/2012 11:00 Page 33

NEWS

AGCO builds new parts warehouse in Jo’burg AGCO RECENTLY BEGAN construction of its new African Master Parts Distribution Centre together with its South African distribution partner Barloworld in Johannesburg.

"Africa offers tremendous growth opportunities in the agricultural equipment sector,” said Martin Richenhagen, Chairman, President and CEO of AGCO. “AGCO is committed to growing its presence within Africa by investing in distribution infrastructure and new training sites. Our new warehouse will allow us to better serve our customers in sub-Saharan Africa.”

The new AGCO Parts Distribution Centre will be located close to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg with optimal logistical connections. A wide range of up to 40,000 parts will be stocked locally to significantly improve order response times and machine uptime for AGCO’s African customers. “Investing in AGCO’s after-sales service infrastructure in Africa allows us to be closer to the market and provide better service levels to our local distribution partners and customers,” explained Hubertus Mühlhäuser, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Europe, Africa & Middle East.

“A continent like Africa has significant potential for growth in the agricultural sector. With 11 per cent of the world’s arable land, much of which is uncultivated, Africa will benefit from modern, mechanised farming techniques,” continued Hubertus Mühlhäuser. “Overall, AGCO plans to invest up to US$100mn in its Africa business over the next few years. The new master parts warehouse in Johannesburg is a first step to improve our after-sales infrastructure for African markets.”

AGCO’s technology-driven products will contribute to the modernisation of the African agricultural market, and the local presence will allow AGCO to better serve African customers with

high quality products and services.

With over 50 years of experience in Africa through its Massey Ferguson tractor brand, AGCO already leverages alliances with governments, foreign investors and donors to improve agricultural practices in Africa. AGCO plans to fund the development of Model Farms and Training Centres in Zambia, Ethiopia, Morocco and South Africa that will allow local farmers and dealers to be trained on new farming methods and technology.

The construction of AGCO’s African master parts warehouse will be completed by the end of 2012. In addition to supporting AGCO’s distributors in Southern Africa, AGCO Parts shipments to Barloworld’s dealer network will also be prepared from the new AGCO warehouse. The joint approach will allow Barloworld to offer an even better service to its customers due to the expanded range of locally stocked parts.

African Farming - July/August 2012 33

S07 AF July - August 2012 Equipment A - Power Supply_Layout 1 12/07/2012 11:00 Page 34

POWER

The decision – to rent or buy? – is faced by most farm and food-process managers who deal with capital equipment. In the case of an engine generating set, the answer depends on how to maintain output at all times.

Get set for better profits

D

IESEL-POWERED GENERATING sets of the size used in farming and food processing are costly items of long-lasting equipment. Often the question arises whether it is best to purchase/install a genset from new, or to hire it in.

Sometimes handy third and fourth options – used-plant purchase or ownership within a co-op – are available, too, but not often for the first in Africa’s booming power markets these days.

With smaller gasoline- (petrol-) fuelled generators the decision to purchase outright is usually much easier to make.

We checked top diesel manufacturers’ websites and found that many now often offer a rental option, and provide sound cost-based arguments for and against this too. “Ask your dealer” is the normal bottom line advice.

At the same time we noticed that general plant-rental operators, who deal with generating sets regularly, argue convincingly from their own point of view, sometimes providing a series of handy online calculating tools to help you decide. An example from the European Rental Association can be found at www.erarental.org At the huge Intermat trade fair earlier this year - major farm machinery manufacturers exhibit at this building-orientated Paris venue - this was evident along with a handy single-page summary on the total cost of ownership of construction equipment, one of the Guidance Documents coming from the ERA’s Brussels-based Committee on Equipment Technology. Most of today’s contractors’ plant is derived from basic farm machinery, and there are many common issues.

Good residual values throughout SSA This new user-friendly document can be downloaded from the site. It covers both first- and second-priority deciding issues relevant to all stages of ownership of a capital-intensive item like a genset: acquisition; operations and maintenance; and eventual divestment. Both fixed and mobile sets usually have very good residual values throughout subSaharan Africa, whether mains power is available or not.

And whether installed for ‘prime’ (24/7) or emergency standby service reliable output is invariably indispensable for coping with routine conditions on the farm, and for emergencies such as when the mains supply fails or a major process interruption is experienced in the crop drying or intensive livestock unit. For this reason the case is usually skewed towards an outright purchase whenever the demand for power requires a serious diesel package.

But if there is time to ship in a replacement or add-on (expansion) facility – to cope with a foreseen increase in post-harvest processing, for example - the hire option may be the optimum one nevertheless.

Large static diesel gensets with all their ancillary gear (tropicalised sound-attenuating housing, control and instrumentation facilities, fuel tankage and so on) can reach six-figure dollar sums these days, so for predictable temporary use or in an emergency a locally negotiated hire contract may still be the best solution.

One of the key factors influencing this decision is that it takes time to adequately size and install a new or replacement generating set on an outright-purchase basis. No reputable manufacturer would supply 34 African Farming - July/August 2012

Massey Ferguson 990 Series generating set for standby power prior to despatch for Angola.

Whether installed for ‘prime’ (24/7) or emergency standby service, reliable output is invariably indispensable for coping with routine conditions on the farm, and for emergencies. a busy customer on an off-the-shelf basis without taking full account of all the operating circumstances, which could mean several visits to an up-country location. This is why some offer different ranges of equipment for their rental and outright-sale markets. Maintenance requirements including personnel vary significantly, for example.

Generally, the hire option is indicated whenever the increase in demand for power is predictable but temporary. The keys to resolving the issue are a thorough analysis of cash flows, including some – like opportunity costs (how else could this expenditure be used?) - which are not so obvious to the busy unit manager. And making a realistic estimate of for how long and how often the genset will be needed; allow for a huge under-estimate on the second, say the experts used to dealing with customers in the field.

To achieve all this, it is vital to have on-hand accurate information about past power demand patterns, recent utility performance (if any!) and reasonable estimates of how these are likely to change as the farming or crop processing operation grows.

Therefore, obtain basic data about all the costs involved – initial purchase and/or rental, usage in hours per year and therefore variable fuel consumption, servicing etc. Then calculate the full and comparable costs of operation over the expected time, according to which option is taken. Remember that when the rental option is taken fixed maintenance costs are usually built into the package – but what about the downtime this will bring with it? Remember that the service may not be available precisely when you need it, either.

Then compare the total costs anticipated, building in weighing factors such as the importance of versatility, keeping within a budget and, above all, maintaining continuous output so produce quality is maintained. h

S07 AF July - August 2012 Equipment A - Power Supply_Layout 1 12/07/2012 11:00 Page 35

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African Farming - July/August 2012 35

S08 AF July - August 2012 Fogging_Layout 1 12/07/2012 11:59 Page 36

FOGGING

Helping to reduce crop losses caused by pests and diseases is just one of the important and sometimes surprising uses for fogging machines. Mike Williams reports.

Fogging for healthier crops

F

OGGING EQUIPMENT PRODUCES billions of tiny liquid droplets, typically ranging between about 0.15 to 25 microns, depending on the type of machine. This compares with about 150 to 200 microns for droplets from standard high volume spray equipment. Although they are small enough to float in the air, droplets are produced in such large numbers by fogging machines that they can limit visibility and create a fog.

Crop protection is not the only use for fogging machines. Droplets containing water only are also used on farms to reduce high temperatures in livestock buildings and to maintain required humidity levels for protected crop production. A fog of floating water droplets can also improve the appearance and extend the shelf life of recently harvested fruit, vegetables and salad crops during storage, a blast of high density fog is sometimes used to discourage intruders in high security buildings and water based fog can be used for suppressing dust to improve the environment in work areas. Fogging, often using liquid nitrogen or dry ice, is also used in the entertainment industry to create special visual effects in films and at pop music events.

One obvious benefit is that fogging uses very small volumes of water to carry the chemical.

The droplets can also be used to carry tiny amounts of chemicals, and this creates important additional uses for fogging technology.

These include outdoor fogging to control mosquitoes and other harmful insect pests, particularly in some African and Asian counties.

Fogging with pesticides and disinfectants can be particularly effective inside buildings. This is because the fog droplets remain suspended in the air long enough to circulate throughout the enclosed space, enabling the active chemical to reach areas that would be difficult to access with conventional spray equipment. The technique is already used commercially on protected crops grown under glass or plastic and as a routine treatment to deal with pests in buildings used to store grain and other foods. Fogging is also increasingly used to disperse disinfectants to combat infection inside highly sensitive areas such as hospital wards and where food is prepared in order to control disease organisms.

Fogging for crop protection is a well-established technique, using the droplets to carry pesticides on to the crop plants, and, for some situations, it offers advantages compared with conventional spraying methods. One obvious benefit is that fogging uses very small volumes of water to carry the chemical, which means a portable machine or equipment carried on a small trolley can be more cost-effective for small to medium crop areas than using a tractor-powered sprayer with a big tank. This applies to outdoor crops, but the benefits of fogging are particularly important for protected crops where the small size of a fogging machine can free additional space for growing plants.

Fogging can also be used for large plants, including trees, but in this situation a larger machine may be needed to produce an airstream strong enough to carry the fog droplets to the full height of 36 African Farming - July/August 2012

A trolley mounted IGEBA fogging machine working in a tomato crop.

the trees. The equipment, which is usually operated from the back of a pick-up truck or a small utility vehicle, can be used for disease and pest control fogging in orchards and plantations.

Another important benefit of fogging is the fact that the tiny droplets can be a highly efficient method of applying crop protection chemicals to plants. This is partly because the fog particles and the pesticide they contain move about randomly after they are blown into the crop, allowing them to contact the underside of the leaves as well as the upper surface. This can provide more effective pesticide deposition on the plants to give better protection, particularly in crops with a well developed leaf canopy which may be difficult to penetrate effectively with conventional crop spraying equipment.

Fogging’s effectiveness is also because the small size of the droplets means more of the liquid remains on the surface of the plants. This improves the deposition by reducing losses due to splashing and runoff when the larger droplets from sprayer nozzles fall on plant leaves and stems.

Some limitations There are also some limitations to the use of fogging, and for outdoor crops a major factor is the weather, and particularly the wind strength.

Anything more than a gentle breeze is likely to disperse the fog droplets rapidly over a large area, reducing the amount of pesticide available to protect the crop.

Another potential limitation is that the level of pest and disease control achieved by hand-operated fogging, particularly on outdoor crops, is influenced by the skill of the operator, and some of the progress in portable fogging equipment has been aimed at improving user comfort and convenience to encourage optimum performance and reduced operator fatigue. Most portable fogging machines for professional use are powered by a small petrol engine and the total weight is supported on shoulder straps or a backpack with a harness, and the design should be comfortable to wear for long periods and

S08 AF July - August 2012 Fogging_Layout 1 12/07/2012 11:59 Page 37

S08 AF July - August 2012 Fogging_Layout 1 12/07/2012 11:59 Page 38

FOGGING

easy to put on or remove. Engine designs have also improved, reducing noise and vibration levels and making electric starting increasingly available.

Because of their small size, the engines are not expensive to operate. The 9.0kW power unit in the basic SH-1 model in the Blackstone fogging machine range from the Indian manufacturer, Vinit Engineering, averages one litre of petrol per hour, which allows about one hour’s work from a full tank of fuel. The machine, suspended on a shoulder strap, weighs 16kg with full fuel and solution tanks. The fuel consumption figure is only slightly higher at 1.2 l/hr for the top model in their shoulder-strap range, the SH-2ESS, weighing 15.5kg with full tanks and equipped with a 15kW engine with push-button electronic starting and a 5.3 litre solution tank.

ULV fogging, with some type of impeller to direct the stream of droplets, is particularly suitable for enclosed spaces such as greenhouses.

Thermal and ‘cold versions Fogging machines are available in thermal and ‘cold’ versions which have different characteristics and uses. As the name suggests, thermal fogging uses heat to vaporise the liquid and form the fog particles.

The liquid used in a thermal fogging machine can be based on water, mineral oil, glycol or a mixture of water and glycol producing a fog with droplets that are typically at the smaller end of the size scale, usually up to about 10 microns. Thermal models, which are nearly always engine-powered, are available from most of the leading fogging equipment manufacturers.

Cold or ultra low volume (ULV) fogging does not involve heat, but uses an aerosol system to form droplets that are usually in the 10 to 25 micron range, although some of the more versatile machines have an adjustment that allows larger droplets to be produced when required. ULV fogging, with some type of impeller to direct the stream of droplets, is particularly suitable for enclosed spaces such as greenhouses but is also used for small areas of outdoor cropping.

Dyna-Fog Africa, the South African subsidiary of the Americanbased fogging equipment specialist, Curtis Dyna-Fog, offers both thermal and ULV equipment, but, to protect crops in greenhouses and tunnels, their ULV equipment offers a number of advantages, they say. These include the ability to make an adjustment to select the most appropriate droplet size range for the type of pesticide being applied, and another feature of their more powerful ULV machines is that they can often be used to treat greenhouses from the doorway, allowing the operator to remain outside the treated atmosphere. With the Dyna-Fog Nightstar ULV machine up to 6,000 sq m of greenhouse space can be treated without the operator being present.

Setting equipment to operate automatically to treat greenhouse crops without an operator in attendance is a feature of the ULV machines offered by the German based manufacturer IGEBA. They use a time control that can be set to operate at night or in the evening, enabling the pesticide treatment to be carried out while none of the staff are working in the greenhouses.

A different approach to fogging control is available for the larger thermal machines, and the IGEBA range is an example. These are often mounted on pick-up trucks, and a remote control system can

38 African Farming - July/August 2012

Anti-fogging drip agriculture film application is widely used on wheat, corn and vegetables.

be fitted to allow the operator to switch the machine on or off from the driver’s seat. This could be useful, for example, for turning at the end of each row while spraying plantation trees.

One of the design features available from some manufacturers is the widespread use of stainless steel to combine strength with high levels of corrosion resistance. An example is the Microfog range of thermal fogging machines made by Britain’s Micron Group. Stainless steel is used to make the air pump, the fuel and the solution tanks, the frame and the cooling jacket. The specification of the smaller AR9E model also includes push-button electronic starting, plus a fog tube that is reversible to allow either water or oil-based formulations to be used. The output is 11.0kW, the fuel tank holds 1.2 litres – enough for about one hour’s work – and the solution tank capacity is 6.0 litres.

Micron Group’s product list also includes the Electrafan air-assisted applicator for low volume and ULV applications. It uses a spinning disc to produce more evenly sized droplets, using an electric motor which can be operated by a 12 volt battery giving about 90 minutes’ work before recharging is required, or by a 110 or 240 volt motor powered through en extension lead from a socket. The Electrafan is a popular choice for treating grain stores and it is also used for applying crop protection chemicals in outdoor crops including small vineyards as well as in greenhouses and for insect and pest control in livestock buildings. Both water and oil based formulations can be used and the disc that produces the droplets rotates at up to 11,000 rpm. h

Corrosion resistant stainless steel is used extensively in the production of the Microfog thermal fogging machine from the Micron Group.

S08 AF July - August 2012 Fogging_Layout 1 12/07/2012 12:00 Page 39

FOGGING

Disinfection in poultry houses with Swingfog thermal fog generators TO PROVIDE HYGIENIC and healthy conditions, disinfection in animal keeping - especially in the poultry industry - is a crucial necessity.

The total application quantity for the disinfection of poultry houses is generally between 10 and 20 litres for 1000 cubic metres, dependent on the disinfectant used.

Most disinfectants are water-based preparations, and “total application quantity” means the quantity of the disinfectant (according to the prescription of the manufacturer) plus water as a carrier substance. There are also preparations available which can be fogged directly, without the addition of a carrier substance (for instance Formaldehyde).

This relatively high application quantity requires a high flow rate from the applicator to finalise the disinfection job in an acceptably short time.

Usually fogging machines are used for this purpose. Thermal fogging machines generally allow much higher flow rates, compared, for instance, with electrical applicators. However, these high flow rates are only possible when oilbased fogging mixtures are fogged. Because of the high surface tension of water, it is difficult to fog water-based fogging mixtures at high flow rates and with a suitable aerosol droplet spectrum. Almost all thermal fogging machines

fail to fulfil the target to generate good aerosol droplets at high flow rates, because they can only handle water at relatively low flow rates.

With such machines it is only possible to do the application with extremely reduced flow rates, which need a rather long application time.

In order to speed up the disinfection process, most users use big nozzles with high flow rates, and the result is quite a poor application. The droplet spectrum is not homogenous, with big droplets up to 200μm++ and all droplets, which are bigger than 40/45μm, fall down in front of the machine creating a huge wet puddle. This has two negative effects: disinfectant (approximately 20 per cent) is wasted, due to the big droplets (disinfectant is no longer active), and the wet surface has to be cleaned.

These poor results have unfortunately already created a negative image in the use of thermal fog machines with water-based fogging mixtures.

However, results are completely different with Swingfog high performance fog generators.

Swingtec has developed a high performance fogging tube, especially for the application of water-based fogging mixtures. This fogging tube is available for all types of Swingfog machines.

Using this high performance fogging tube with

Swingfog disinfecting a large poultry house in Thailand.

the hand-carried Swingfog SN 50 types, flow rates between 20 and 32 litres per hour are possible and with the big Swingfog SN 81 and SN 101 types flow rates of up to 70 litres per hour are possible. Even at such high flow rates, the droplet spectrum is very homogenous. The droplets are real aerosols which are floating in the air, which has the effect that not a single droplet will fall down in front of the machine.

With the high performance fogging tube Swingfog machines are the only devices which are allowing the application of water-based fogging mixtures at high flow rates and with a suitable droplet spectrum. These features provide for a real effective application advantage.

www.swingtec.de

Harvest Starts Here

Leading the world in tillage, seeding and planting technology

For more details of the Great Plains range, contact

Ryan Haffner Tel:+1-785-787-5744

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Email: ryan.haffner@greatplainsmfg.com

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Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. 1525 East North Street, Salina, Kansas 67401-5060 USA Tel: +1-785-823-3276 Fax: +1-785-822-6722 e-mail: gpi@greatplainsmfg.com www.greatplainsmfg.com | www.simba.co.uk

African Farming - July/August 2012 39

S09 AF July - August 2012 Greenhouse - Equipment B C_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:34 Page 40

GREENHOUSES

It is possible to build greenhouses with relatively simple means in tropical lowland regions, in which crops can be protected against winds and pests, and can be grown at practically the same temperature as outside.

New Wageningen greenhouse gives high yields in the tropics

I

N TROPICAL LOWLANDS, crops growing outside are frequently destroyed by torrential rainfall or diseases and plagues. Under such conditions, food crops produce a limited yield, while the resulting products contain excessive levels of pesticide residues. The irony is that many of these regions have more than enough sunlight and water available.

Wageningen scientists used computer models to develop a greenhouse type that makes it possible to maintain almost the same temperature inside the greenhouse as outside without the need for expensive hightech cooling systems, which normally consume a great deal of energy. For that development, they used their well-known The new greenhouse, which was developed by researchers of Wageningen UR, can be built from local materials. ‘adaptive greenhouse’ concept, in which they flourish within the greenhouse. The plants stay healthy and produce take local factors like weather conditions into account.

The scientists have developed a greenhouse that can be built large numbers of good quality tomatoes. Moreover, with virtually with locally available materials. They used a plastic type that partly no pesticides required, the resulting products are also healthier.

According to Impron, the basic Wageningen design can also be insulates the greenhouse against the outside heat. The design also makes the most of the natural ‘chimney effect’ of the greenhouse used to develop greenhouses for other tropical countries. The and the cooling effect of the plants themselves. Plants can slightly Department of Agriculture in Malaysia has already constructed a cool their own tissue and surroundings by evaporating a lot of similar greenhouse. Impron carried out this research on the island water. By absorbing the water required for evaporation, plants can of Java at the premises of PT East West Seed Indonesia. The greenhouses were built by Rovero Systems BV and the new extract sufficient.

Mr Impron, who hails from Indonesia, has carried out research insulating plastic roof was made by Oerlemans Plastics BV and in a newly designed Wageningen greenhouse in his home country. Plasthill BV, all three of which are based in the Netherlands. The He spent two years in Indonesia studying the climate in the new research was co-financed by the Dutch government.

It has a strong natural ‘chimney effect’ and therefore uses the greenhouses, comparing the results of various roofing options with the computer predictions. He also compared the growth and cooling capacity of the crop in an optimal way. Thanks to that, the development of so-called bush-tomato plants inside the temperature in the greenhouse is (in spite of the sun) hardly any higher than outside. h greenhouse with those planted outside.

There are two spearheads in greenhouse horticulture as regards clean and efficient cultivation.

Impron found that the computer models were a good way to predict the climate in the new greenhouses. The best possible ratio of greenhouse length, width and height proved to depend on the wind speed. In places with little wind, the greenhouses need to be kept relatively narrow and long in order to retain the chimney effect required for sufficient ‘ventilation’ of the warm and moist air.

Enormous benefits for yields The new greenhouses offer enormous benefits in terms of tomato yields, Impron discovered. While plants growing outside can quickly die as a result of disease and bad weather, they positively

40 African Farming - July/August 2012

Impron showed that tomato plants grown in the newly designed greenhouse provide for a high and good qulaity yield.

S09 AF July - August 2012 Greenhouse - Equipment B C_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:34 Page 41

EQUIPMENT

A new vision for Africa: the Blue Economy at Nampo 2012 FUEL EFFICIENCY AND low emission technologies were the key themes of New Holland Agriculture participation at Nampo Harvesting Day, the annual agricultural machinery and livestock show that took place in May in South Africa.

The New Holland stand raised considerable interest with numbers of visitors coming to touch first-hand the full product range on display.

Spotlights were on the new TD5 (88-110 hp)and TT Compact tractor series (35-47 hp)officially presented for the South African market.

These excellent power-to-weight ratio and fuel-efficient machines are the ideal support for farmers looking for all-purpose and reliable units that they can use for soil preparation, to operate implements, pull trailers, and for transport.

New Holland gave centre stage to the NH2TM hydrogen powered tractor prototype, displayed for the first time to an African exhibition, as part of the company’s Clean Energy Leader strategy.

With more than 70,000 visitors, the show achieved this year one of the best attendance results in its 46-year history: a perfect occasion to spread widely to the southern hemisphere New Holland’s strategy for the active promotion of sustainable practices, including biofuel, lowemission technologies, biomass, carbon footprint, the NH2TM and Energy Independent Farm concept and conservation agriculture.

Africa has tremendous challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector. Agriculture generates a significant proportion of the continent’s GDP and employs the majority of African people.

Considering that Africa has the largest reserves of arable land in the world, the outlined development is enormous. Nevertheless, more than 60 per cent of the continent’s potential arable land is currently not being farmed, while a FAO report estimates that African yields are up to 40 per cent lower than they should be due to soil degradation.

The continent’s vulnerability to climate change and water shortages in some areas represents additional threats that call for a more structured approach to agriculture. In this respect, although the majority of rural Africans are still engaged in subsistence practices, a sustainable agriculture could lead to an improvement of the economy for the entire continent. Other world areas, such as some Asian countries and China, experienced the same process in their recent past.

By investing in science and technology and accelerating technological change, Africa has an opportunity to increase productivity swiftly while preserving environmental resources. With much of Africa’s land still undeveloped, moving straight to organic or conservation farming, or introducing new cultivation technologies could be easier as the soil has not been altered by the heavy use of fertilisers and pesticides, and overall it could provide a significant increase in yields’ productivity.

With such high-growth opportunities, the discussion on sustainable farming could be one of the keys to Africa’s development. New Holland with its Clean Energy Strategy is ready to offer its contribution. The company runs training courses for the efficient use of

its wide product offering, for the safeguard of soil quality and for water conservation to help farmers become more productive.

New Holland is already involved in many projects such as a largescale biomass power generation programme in Sierra Leone and rural mechanisation activities in collaboration with Governments. Its attention to environmental preservation has also led to awareness campaign initiatives such as the sponsorship of the Climate Action Campaign within last year’s Climate Change Convention and this year’s tractor donation to the Ntlo ya Lerato Rhino orphanage to preserve wildlife - both in South Africa - till the recent sponsorship of the Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Development. Well-aware that only agricultural mechanisation and sustainable cultivation methods can secure a better future for the continent, New Holland looks beyond the horizon of today, outlining the farming of tomorrow.

New Holland’s TT35 tractor.

Tel: +27 (0) 11613 3103 Fax: +27 (0) 11613 2095 Email: francois@ghtech.co.za Web: www.ghtech.co.za P.O. Box 83460 South Hills, 2136 South Africa

New Holland’s TD5 tractor.

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African Farming - July/August 2012 41

S09 AF July - August 2012 Greenhouse - Equipment B C_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:34 Page 42

Master Drier 2012 range IN 2012 MASTER Driers celebrates its 30th anniversary of supplying both the UK and export markets with its highly acclaimed range of mobile grain driers. From small beginnings, back in 1982, supplying a small five ton drier, the company has grown to become one of the leading grain drier suppliers in the UK. The range today covers models from five to 45 tons incorporating tractor pto drive or electric drive with the option of full automation with Mastermatic control systems. In addition there is dust extraction, a three stage burner system and a 450 mm diameter centre auger for rapid batch circulation.

A brand new moisture meter is being introduced, that can be fitted by the farmer, with the exact moisture of the crop throughout the drying cycle from loading to unloading.

Today Master Driers are drying rice, maize and most combinable crops in many African countries.

For further information, please go to: www.masterfarm.co.uk

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S09 AF July - August 2012 Greenhouse - Equipment B C_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:34 Page 43

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S09 AF July - August 2012 Greenhouse - Equipment B C_Layout 1 12/07/2012 10:34 Page 44

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