Farmers Review Africa July/Aug 2018

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HOST VENUE

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CONTENTS

Volume 4. Issue 4. July/August 2018

News

Editor’s Note

10 Nigerian states to get US $30m in rice milling machines...............................2

ichelle Bachelet, under the Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women said “When women are empowered and can claim their rights and access to land, leadership, opportunities and choices, economies grow, food security is enhanced and prospects are improved for current and future generations.”

Women are the backbone of the development of rural and national economies. According to the World Farmers Organization, they comprise 43% of the world’s agricultural labor force, which rises to 70% in some countries.

In Africa for instance, 80% of the agricultural production comes from small farmers.

Most of these are rural women. On the other hand, despite their comprising the largest percentage of the workforce in the agricultural sector, women lack access and control over all land and productive resources.

Fortunately, in the duration of the last ten years, African countries are now adopting new land laws. This is with a view to strengthen women’s land ownership rights. This has helped improve the situation of rural women. Farmers Review is happy to be part of the revolution that is Women in Agriculture as well as highlight some of the milestones that are achieved in its wake!

Agribank secures us $10m......................................................................................................3 ERP to underpin Food traceability market................................................................... 4 KALRO to host Farm-Tech Expo Kenya..........................................................................6 Cover: Women in Agriculture

Kenya, Zambia to resolve dairy products’ export to Zambia.............................7

Executive Editor Lee Daniels lee.daniels@farmersreviewafrica.com Writers - Silimina Derick, Bertha M. Contributing Writers Nqobile Bhebhe Zimbabwe Oscar Nkala Botswana Bertha M South Africa Nita Karume Kenya Advertising Executive Russou Billiard, Cleopas M., Mkhululi K., East Africa Advertising Executives Mercy Cherono, Ken Tobby, Anthony Kiganda Project Manager Victor Ndlovu sales@farmersreviewafrica.com Graphic Design & Layout Faith Omudho Art Director Augustine Ombwa austin@arobia.co.ke Correspondents - Isabel Banda zambia@farmersreviewafrica.com Sales & Marketing Cleopas Moyo cleopasm@farmersreviewafrica.com Mandla M. mandlam@farmersreviewafrica.com Mthokozisi M mthokozisim@farmersreviewafrica.com East African Liaison Arobia Creative Consultancy P. O. Box 2922-00200, Nairobi Kenya Tel: +254 772 187334, 790 153505 arobia@farmersreviewafrica.com eastafrica@farmersreviewafrica.com Published by Mailing Times Media +27 11 044 8986 sales@farmersreviewafrica.com

NISRAL urges African governments to upscale cassava production...............8 Rwanda innovators new solar powered irrigation technology...........................9 South Africa to experience higher yields in maize production........................10 Zambia: Government applauds Musika’s facilitatory role...................................12 Zimbabwe’s tobacco delivery at a record of 238m Kilos.................................13

Opinions If Zimbabwe Lifts Maize Ban, South Africa Can Step In.......................................14 Miné van Wyk: CEO of UFF African Agri Investments..........................................15

Features Diversifying market richness - semi-processing and value addition ............16 PETKUS Corn Cob Dryer Houses...................................................................................18 The importance of proper grain storage for food security...............................20 Complete Farmer launches web platform................................................................. 22 AKWA IBOM: Sustainable Development in Nigeria........................................... 24 Advice for female farmers in South Africa................................................................. 26 Forbearance of GMO seeds in Africa........................................................................... 30 Use of organic methods in the control of fall army worms............................. 32 Grain storage bunker covers.............................................................................................. 34 Wintertime for the south african processing industry........................................ 36

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

M

Nita Karume

editor@farmersreviewafrica.com

FARMERS

REVIEW AFRICA

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NEWS

10

Nigerian states

to get US $30m in rice milling machines

T

en Nigerian states will each get rice milling machines worth US $30m. These states, according to the Federal Government that Kaduna, Kogi, Benue, Anambra, Bayelsa and five others.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, said that the aforementioned states would be charged with the responsibility of indicating interest as well as making down payments for the respective mills. He further added the states must express their technical capacity to own and operate the mill.

According to Mr. Ogbeh, the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) is expected to take

over the loans’ repayment in the next 10 years. This is after the installation of the mills.

operating in villages and small corners equipped with the stoners.

He further added that there are about 16 existing large rice mills from the already procured 100 mills. Each of these, he says, have the capacity to mill 100 tonnes of rice paddy daily while others could mill about 300 tonnes daily.

Mr. Ogbeh explained that they are buying smaller mills and giving them out because they tend to produce more than the bigger mills put together. The only challenge they face in this venture, he added, is the fact that the smaller mills are scattered across the country.

He also pointed out that Dangote just brought in 10 milling machines. These are set to produce one million tonnes of rice per annum. This, he says, is in addition to the smaller mills they had doled out earlier; 200 mills of 10 tonnes and 20 tonnes per annum

On the other hand, Managing Director, BoA, Kabir Mohammed, assured that project financing will not be an issue.

Mr. Mohammed too charge of restating commitment to ensure the project is successful while meeting the delivery targets.

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NEWS

AGRIBANK SECURES US $10M in support of agricultural exporters as well as value addition

A

gribank has secured US $10min order to support agricultural exporters as well as value addition for agro processors. The funds, sourced from the Egyptbased African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) are part of efforts to deepen Agribank’s support for agriculture.

materials and/ or spare parts from other countries as a result of delays in approving foreign payments.

The bank’s CEO Mr. Sam Malaba said that this will go a long way towards supporting the government which is currently supporting exporters in an attempt to generate more foreign currency.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is in charge of approving foreign payments. This is in a bid to facilitate payments only for critical raw materials as required by industry, fuel and electricity. Recently, the central bank said it was allocating up to US $90m for fuel imports per month. This, in turn, will result in a strong case for exporters who will then be forced to up their game and generate more foreign currency.

Zimbabwe has been faced with the challenge of foreign currency shortages. This has since resulted in delays by some companies to get raw

Meanwhile, Agribank is also in “advanced stages of negotiations” with a regional financier to secure a US $50m line of credit to support

agriculture. This is according to media reports. According to Mr. Malaba, the transaction will probably be finalized within the next two months.

The acquisition of the aforementioned credit line will serve as a reprieve for farmers who have been facing funding challenges, particularly as preparations for the 2018/2019 summer cropping season begins.

Mr. Malaba also assured of the bank’s support for agriculture in line with focus on agriculture recovery by Government. Agribank is also looking to raise agro-bills and secure lines of credit for agriculture interventions.

These include support to fertilizer, chemicals and seed companies.

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NEWS

ERP TO UNDERPIN FOOD TRACEABILITY MARKET T he food traceability market is expected to reach almost $20 billion by 2022 as increased consumer awareness, strict governance requirements, and advances in technology are resulting in growing standardisation of the segment. Just like any data-driven environment, one of the biggest enablers of this is integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions.

As the name suggests, traceability is the ability to track something through all stages of production, processing,

and distribution. When it comes to the food industry, traceability must also enable stakeholders to identify the source of all food inputs that can include anything from raw materials, additives, ingredients, and packaging.

Considering the wealth of data that all these facets generate, it is hardly surprising that systems and processes need to be put in place to manage, analyse, and provide actionable insights. With traceability enabling corrective measures to be taken (think product recalls), having an efficient

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system is often the difference between life or death when it comes to public health risks.

Expansive solutions Sceptics argue that traceability simply requires an extensive data warehouse to be done correctly, the reality is quite different. Yes, there are standard data records to be managed, but the real value lies in how all these components are tied together.

ERP provides the di gital glue to enable this. With each stakeholder

NEWS

on all parties in that supply chain.

Efficiency improvements Thanks to the increasing digital transformation efforts by companies in the food industry, traceability becomes a more effective process. It is no longer a case of using on-premise solutions that can be compromised but having hosted ones that provide more effective fail-safes.

In a market segment that requires strict compliance and regulatory requirements to be met, cloud-based solutions can provide everyone in the supply chain with a more secure (and tamper-resistant) solution than many of the legacy approaches of old.

This is not to say ERP requires the one or the other. Instead, there needs to be a transition provided between the two scenarios that empowers those in the food supply chain to maximise the insights (and benefits) derived from traceability.

Now, more than ever, traceability is a business priority. Having the correct foundation through effective ERP is essential if a business can manage its growth and meet legislative requirements into the future.

audience requiring different aspects of traceability (and compliance), it is essential for the producer, distributor, and every other organisation in the supply chain, to manage this effectively in a standardised manner.

business drivers.

So, even though traceability is vital to keep track of everything in this complex cycle, it is also imperative to monitor the ingredients and factories where items are produced.

With so many different companies involved in the food cycle, many using their own, proprietary systems, just consider the complexity of trying to manage traceability. Organisations must not only contend with local challenges, but global ones as well as the import and export of food are big

Having expansive solutions that must track the entire process from ‘cradle to grave’ is an imperative. Not only is this vital from a safety perspective, but from cost and reputational management aspects as well. Just think of the recent listeriosis issue in South Africa and the impact it has had

About epic ERP epic ERP is the official Southern African distributor for Epicor Software Corporation. For more information visit www.epicerp.co.za.

CONTACT: Stuart Scanlon Managing Director epic ERP Contact: +2711 367 0620 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY: Stella Carter Stratitude Contact: +2711 449 7333/ stella@ stratitude.co.za

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FEATURE NEWS

to host KA LR O international agricultural expo: Farm-Tech Expo Kenya T

he Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) will in September 12-13 this year host Farm-Tech Expo Kenya, one of the largest agricultural events in the country.

The two day expo, organized by Spintelligent in partnership with KALRO, will provide farmers, agroindustry players, service providers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector the opportunity to showcase their innovations and technologies as well as engage in business networking.

The event will also bring together agriculture scientists small and large commercial scale farmers and stakeholders, and service providers from across the entire agriculture value chain.

“We believe that the expo will provide an all-round platform to network, market and share

knowledge on how to best harness the power of technology in agriculture and ensure the best outcome for farmers’ produce”, says KALRO Director General Eliud Kireger.

The full interview with Dr Kireger can be viewed here: http://www. farmtech-expo-kenya.com/KALROinterview KALRO is expected to showcase cutting edge research products and services available within its 16 Institutes in collaboration with various sponsors, partners and stakeholders.

The organizers have confirmed that many companies that deal with agriculture machinery have already signed up to be in Naivasha in September, including CASE, Toyota, John Deere, SAME, BASF, Chief Industries, Lindsay Africa, FarmCo, Mascor, Massey Ferguson, QBS, E.A.Seed, Trimble and Yara. Among

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the countries that have confirmed participation and will have pavilions to showcase their technologies include Poland and China.

“In Farm-Tech Expo Kenya you have a winning team with a winning formula and we can’t wait to show the agriculture sector in Kenya what we managed to achieve with Agritech Expo Zambia during the last five years” says Dominique de Lauwere, the Spintelligent event director.

For more information contact: Senior communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol Mobile: +278 25627844 Email: annemarie.roodbol@ spintelligent.com or Kalro corporate communications manager: Virginia Wangari Mobile: +254 0780199914 Email: Virginia. Ndungu@kalro.org

NEWS

Kenya, Zambia to meet and resolve dairy products’ export to Zambia

K

enya and Zambia will be holding a meeting later on this month to address the export ban of dairy products to Zambia. The ban has been attributed to outstanding trade issues between the two countries that have since made it difficult to export dairy products to the southern Africa state.

The High Commissioner to Zambia and Malawi Sophie Kombe said negotiations have been going on for some time. Other than dairy, oil products have also been proven difficult to export as well. Nevertheless,

according to Ms. Kombe, the two countries are more likely to come to an agreement as far as oil is concerned.

Dairy products tend to have difference on standards in difference countries, and as such may prove difficult for the countries to reach a consensus on the same. Earlier on this year, Zambia rejected Kenya’s milk. This was amid claims that the milk contains a level of bacteria that’s beyond the country’s required maximum. Zambia allows total bacteria count (TBC) of 200,000 while Kenya follows the international benchmark of 1m TBC.

Similarly, Zambia also has a problem with Kenya’s palm oil over rules of origin. Since the country does not grow its own palm trees, it relies on imported crude palm oil, mainly from Asia. The crude palm oil is then processed for domestic use while the surplus is exported.

Consequently, Kenya is currently looking to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) bloc, which Kenya and Zambia are members, to come up with a common standard agreeable to all to deal with such Non-Tariff Barriers.

COMESA director for trade customs and monetary affairs Francis Mangeni said experts from FAO, the ministries of Commerce, Trade and Industry as well as Agriculture from both countries would look into the matter.

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NEWS

NISRAL urges African governments to upscale cassava production ®

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he Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending PLC (NIRSAL), Mr Aliyu Abdulhameed is urging African governments to come up with collaborative efforts towards the upscale of cassava production.

Speaking at the just concluded 4th International Cassava Conference held in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, Mr. Abdulhammed noted that close collaboration by stakeholders in the area of financing, commercialization and adoption of new technologies in cassava production will in turn result in huge returns on agribusiness and ultimately, attainment of food security in Africa.

However, he was quick to note that inasmuch as cassava stands as the main source of nutrition for over 1Bn people across the globe, its value chain is yet to reach its full potential as a tool for the transformation of African economies through industrialization.

Moreover, cassava production continues to remain low in Africa owing to the fact that the primary producers are smallholder farmers who unfortunately lack access to financial services. This is in addition to lack

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of quality inputs, mechanization as well as knowledge of best agronomic practices. There is also no fair crop markets to enable them to optimize their productivity as well as increase their income.

Mr. Abdulhammed observed that it is unfortunate for Africa to rely largely on imports from other continents to meet industrial requirements for highquality cassava flour production. This is in spite of having a comparative advantage in cassava production.

According to FAO, Africa produces over 54% of the world’s cassava. This is with Nigeria taking the global lead with a production of about 54.8m MT in 2014. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s 7.7 MT per hectare cassava production is still low when compared to the 23.4 MT and 22.2 MT average yield per hectare produced in Indonesia and Thailand respectively.

As such, activities such as the development of industrial processing of cassava are hampered due to the competition between sustenance production, industry and the peculiarities in its cultivation. The other crucial factor is the crops’ short shelf-life.

NEWS

Rwanda innovators come up with solar powered technology that enables “hands free” irrigation

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group of young Rwanda innovators have come up with a solar powered technology that enables farmers to irrigate their farms “hands free”. The technology uses solar-fueled sensors and irrigation to collect data on soil moisture, nutrient needs and water needed to foster crop growth.

The innovation is in line with a project of Precise Agriculture (PA), a modern farming management model using digital techniques to monitor and optimize agricultural production processes. The innovators are members of the Kicukiro District-based STES Group.

According to experts in PA, instead of applying the same amount of fertilizers over an entire farmland, this farming model will measure variations in conditions within a given farm and adapt its appropriate fertilizing or harvesting strategy.

Furthermore, data about the state of soil is displayed on a farmer’s phone screen and the technology gives them a variety of activities to perform accordingly.

The technique seeks to increase the quantity and quality of farm product while using less input. This is with an aim to save costs, reduce environmental impact and produce more and better food. Narcisse Musabirema, one of the team members who created the technology said that normally, people would till the land, sow, de-weed, and harvest without knowing what has occurred within their farms.

They are not privy to the state and quantity of fertilizers and the quantity of water in soil, as well as the level of nutrient deficiency in the soil. This would then form a niche in the market that the system seeks to bridge.

According to STES group Representative Arsène Simbi Rutangira, the system costs between US $300 and US $500.

He explained that one sensor and automated irrigation device can work on one hectare, if it is a flat farmland.

However, there should be availability of water in water tanks or dams as well as irrigation equipment such as drip irrigation tubes.

The system uses sensors put in the soil to measure the state of soil including temperature, moisture and humidity as well as nutrients levels. This enables

them to control the elements. All this is facilitated through the use of an online platform that goes by the name ‘farmbook’. The platform has various options including automatic irrigation, moisture and state of soil nutrients.

This then allows a farmer to monitor what is happening on their farm while at home or elsewhere through their phone. He explained that through signals, the sensors alert the farmer to stop irrigating once the water that a crop needs is enough.

The system comes in handy especially in instances where a farmer may water crops without knowing the quantity of water they have used. The technology helps ensure efficient irrigation to get improved and sustainable yields.

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NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA TO EXPERIENCE

2%

higher yields in maize production

S

mall holder South African Farmers will likely harvest 13.2m tons of maize this year. This i s approximately 2% higher than the previous estimate that was released in May, earlier on this year.

However, the yield will still 21% lower than last year’s crop. 2017’s set the record as the highest yet produced in SA at 16.82m tones. This is according to the crop estimates committee.

Furthermore, rain prices have been

relatively stable after falling sharply last year as a result of the large harvest and a stronger rand.

Free State, Mpumalanga and North West are expected to produce 82% of the maize, which is used predominantly as an input in food production. Production for white maize is estimated at 6.880m tones. This is approximately 2.67% more than what was estimated in May. On the other hand, yellow maize is forecast

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at 6.327m tones. This is also up 2% from the prior estimate.

Meanwhile, the output for soybeans is projected to be the largest on record.

This is with a staggering 1.551m tones. The amount, like the rest, is also up 8.42% on the previous forecast. Sunflower held steady at 792,225 tones. According to media reports, SA is projected to consume about 10.8m tones in the 2018-19 marketing season that started in May.

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NEWS

Zambia: Government applauds Musika’s facilitatory role in the agriculture sector opportunity for Chiefs and companies to collaborate and identify investment opportunities that will help to develop the respective chiefdoms.

Traditional Leaders listen to the opening address by North Western Province Permanent Secretary, Mr Ephraim Mateyo, during the stakeholders’ meeting in Solwezi.

By Pamela Hamasaka, HeadCorporate Affairs (Musika)

G

overnment has commended Musika’s role in facilitating sustainable business linkages between agribusinesses and the smallholder sector resulting in increased adoption of productivityenhancing technologies by rural communities.

willing to invest in the smallholder supply chains. Access to veterinary products and services, irrigation equipment, and mechanization will help to increase productivity of smallholder farmers and diversify their production,” he explained.

In his closing remarks Chief Mumena, observed that the meeting was the ‘first of its kind’ that opened a door of

The meeting was held on Wednesday 18th July, 2018 and was attended by ten traditional leaders including Senior Chief Mujimanzovu, Senior Chief Kalilele, Chief Mulonga, Chief Kizela, Chieftainess Ikelenge, Chieftainess Nyakulenga, Chief Chibwika, Chief Chinyamalitapi, Chief Kucheka, and Chief Mumena, drawn from nine districts. Ten companies including MRI Syngenta, Premiercon, CAMCO, ATS Agrochemicals and Barrick Lumwana were in attendance.

Musika facilitated the meeting between traditional leaders and companies to create an information sharing platform aimed at exploring business opportunities that will translate into sustainable business linkages benefitting rural communities.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by Musika between private companies and North Western Province Chiefs in Solwezi, North Western Permanent Secretary Mr Ephraim Mateyo said that Government appreciated the key role of the private sector in diversifying the economy.

“North-Western Province has good climatic conditions and is therefore well positioned to benefit from the private sector that are

Participants listen to a presentation by MRI Syngenta on the company’s range of products and services tailored for the smallholder market.

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NEWS

Zimbabwe’s tobacco delivery at US $696m with a record 238m Kilos

Z

imbabwe’s 2018 flue-cured tobacco deliveries currently stand at US $696m with a record 238 million kilograms. The previous record was back in 2000 at 237m kg. According to latest Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) statistics, the amount in kilos is a 34% increase from 177m kg sold during the corresponding period last year.

Moreover, stakeholders in the industry are speculating that the volume may get to 240m kg by the end of this year.

Of the total amount, US $599m is from the 203m kg sold by contracted growers. The remaining US $97m was from self-financed farmers who sold 35m kg.

TIMB corporate communications manager Mr Isheunesu Moyo said that peak periods would see deliveries average at approximately 7m kg in a day. However, this has since decreased to 1m kg per day.

On the other hand, many farmers have described the 2018 marketing season as successful as they did not have challenges with prices. According to these, the prices were fair, although others still maintain that there should not be a price cap of US $4.99 per kg at the auction floors.

This is because the highest price of tobacco at the auction floors has always stuck to US $4.99 per kg.

Conversely, contract floors usually register higher prices. For instance, this year saw the highest price at the contract floors at US $6.25 per kg.

The increase in tobacco production has been attributed to high prices and an organized market, availability of funding through contractors and Government. The payment of some of the farmers’ incentives in foreign currency also spurred deliveries. This is all despite the slow start of the season owing to complains of Potato Virus Y. Moreover, other farmers complained about the effect of delays in the onset of the rainy season.

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OPINION

If Zimbabwe Lifts Maize Ban, South Africa Can Step In estimated 2.4 million tons of maize exports for the 2018-19 marketing year is yellow maize, which should flow to the world market. A large share of white maize exports may go to other regional markets.

It is worth noting that there might be limited competition in the 2018-19 marketing year in traditional African export markets from countries such as Zambia and Malawi. They are set to record a decline in maize production.

I

keep a close eye on the Zimbabwe agricultural sector because of its potential impact on regional demand.

Since the collapse of the sector after the land reform programme in the early 2000s, the country has been one of the key markets for South African maize.

On average, South Africa’s maize exports to Zimbabwe accounted for nearly a third of overall maize exports between 2001 and 2017, according to Trade Map data. This came to a halt in October, when Zimbabwe banned maize imports after a recovery in domestic production to 2.2 million tons - its largest harvest in 23 years.

However, this season’s production estimates point to a lower harvest.

Recent data from the US Department of Agriculture shows that Zimbabwe’s 2017-18 maize production could reach 1.2 million tons, 46% lower than last season’s bumper crop. This is largely due to a reduction in area planted, lower yields in some areas and unfavourable weather early in the season.

The expected decline puts the country in a net importing position, but it might not require the large volume seen in the past couple of years as the expected harvest is still higher than some years before the drought of 2015-16.

Moreover, if the Zimbabwe Grain Marketing Board is to be relied on, there are about 500 000 tons of maize from the previous season. This means the total supply for the 201819 marketing year could amount to about 1.7 million tons.

Given that Zimbabwe’s annual maize consumption could vary between 1.8 million and 1.9 million tons, the country will still need to import to supplement domestic supplies, so the government would have to lift the maize import ban. This presents a small window of opportunity for South African farmers and traders to exploit.

The volume available is not large about 720 000 tons, according to national supply and demand estimates committee data. The rest of the

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South Africa will also record a decline in production from last season’s record, but there will still be large supplies. This week, the crop estimates committee lifted its estimate from last month for 2017-18 maize production by 2% to 13.2 million tons.

Considering the domestic annual maize need of about 10.8 million tons, on the back of expected production coupled with an opening stock of 3.7 million tons, South Africa could see maize exports exceed the aforementioned estimate of 2.4 million tons in the 2018-19 marketing year, which ends on April 30.

Overall, the key fact is that Zimbabwe will again be a net importer of maize in the 2018-19 marketing year.

Most important, South African maize traders and farmers will have to look further afield for maize export markets, as the surplus might not all be absorbed by regional markets.

Written for and first published in the Business Times on 01 July 2018.

Miné van Wyk: Director, Co-Founder and CEO of UFF African Agri Investments

‘

I ended up in agriculture almost by accident, but found it so interesting and so different from any other work that I soon realised what a role I could play and how much change I could bring’. Miné was on her way to the UK in 1998 to work in the finance sector when a chance encounter with the directors of a major fruit exporting company led her to change her plans and become their Financial Director.

During her tenure, the company moved from being a pure export company to realising that there was a need to own some of the production sources, and consequently buying their first farms.

Miné ran these first farm projects, which was a period

of intense learning about what farming really entails, whilst gradually realising that there was a gap in the market for a new model of agricultural investment.

Together with UFF’s other founders, Miné developed the uniquely flexible model on which the UFF Agri Funds are based – one in which there are varying types of land tenure and joint-venture with the farmer depending upon the project’s unique circumstances. UFF signed their first major shareholders and investors in 2010, the year in which the first farm of Fund 1 (a citrus farm in Marble Hall) was bought. Today, the company manages two South African funds (totalling 10 farms), and several African funds, with farming investments

in Zambia, Swaziland and Nigeria. There are multiple projects in various countries in the pipeline, and the mood at UFF is vibrant.

Miné acknowledges that the agriculture sector is still quite male-dominated but has not found this an obstacle in South Africa where ‘as soon as people realise that you have knowledge the barriers fall away’. She is careful to stress that this still needs to be explored in the other African countries where UFF is beginning to investigate opportunities, and where ‘there may be unfamiliar cultural sensitivities which we need to respect’. Despite her own success, she is keenly aware of how difficult the lives of rural women farmworkers are; they are typically much more

vulnerable than their male counterparts and she feels that UFF has a role to play here, through transformation and empowerment.

‘We’ve taken a good first step in introducing creches on as many farms as possible, so that women can be free to work while secure in the knowledge that their children are being cared for, as well as providing health care and educational programmes on all our farms. There’s been a lot of progress in South Africa in the last 20 years, but there is still so much to do’.

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FEATURE

Diversifying market richness through semi-processing and value addition on commodities dissatisfactions. To counter attack these challenges as well as postharvest losses, farmers are encouraged to do semi-processing for their produce taking for example mushrooms can be dried and they attract a favourable price if processed in that manner, leaf vegetables and cabbages can be boiled, added with tomato and chilli then dried.

By Innocent Mhangarai ost small scale farmers experience post-harvest loses season after season due to lack of proper handling facilities and this has hindered progress in Sub-Saharan countries agricultural sector. When produce is lost, resources allocated in the production process will be wasted as well and this comprehends seed, fertilizer, water and most importantly labour itself. In the representative African context, most of the agricultural activities take place in rural areas and these places are characterized by lack of consistent water supply and unavailability electricity.

M

Rural areas charm little subsidy when it comes to agricultural activities, most households do farming for subsistence purposes. The little surplus is used to raise funds to purchase what is not available at the farm. The other contributing factor is that little or no investment is done on enterprises like goat production, free-range chickens and in some cases cattle production.

This has made African agriculture to be stagnant over the past decades. On the other angle crop production and horticulture production is agonized

by lack of investment on herbicides and pesticides in order to get a good harvest that can attract a favourable market share at the market place.

Semi-processing of agricultural commodities is one of the activities held up by bottlenecks mainly citing unavailability of constant water supply and electricity in rural areas. Turning a blind eye on these, rural areas have numerous advantages that can be used to advance African agriculture that is to say there is availability of under-utilized land compared to urban areas were land is allocated to households for residential purposes, dams for water sources and most importantly the sun which can be used to process and dry-up agricultural produce. Using this case in point, farmers are called to create diversity to what they offer to the market through processing and value addition on commodities.

The common trend in modern day markets is that farmers carry on trading commodities that are not processed to urban markets. In most cases these commodities attract lower prices, at the end of the day farmer walk away with a lot of

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This eventually gives the farmer a better piece of cake from the market taking into consideration the time and resources they will have allocated towards adding value to these commodities, groundnuts can be shelled at farm level this also increases their value at the market place.

Revolutionizing agricultural science has to go along with customary universal units of measurements for example the use of litres to regulate the price of milk, grammes to regulate the price of honey and other related commodities at farm gate.

Semi handling undertakings like winnowing, boiling and classifying empowers farmers to diversify merchandises from their possessions.

Additionally, processing allows leftovers to be reused as animal feed for example when winnowing, free range chickens feed on what drops into the ground, remains from cabbages and vegetables can be used to feed pigs and goats at farm level. This makes farming to create a sustainable ecosystem as it is the cradle to mankind.

In actual fact, semi-processing activities increases the shelf life of commodities. Although manufacturing completed things in rural areas is a great desire, it’s imperative to recognize activities can be persuasively undertaken.

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FEATURE ŠPETKUS GROUP

PETKUS

Corn Cob Dryer Houses M aize seed production is a growing market in some African countries. But seed production requires special technologies which ensure the quality of the produced seed, thus warranting investments and guarantying return on investments. For seed maize, corn cob dryer houses are essential. In order to prevent seed damage on the field and later on during processing, seeds have to be harvested earlier or wetter (30 – 40% MOI) than commodities (13 - 15% MOI), making cob drying necessary. It is of paramount importance, that stress cracks are avoided, energy is saved and the drying processed is optimized in terms of capacity and workload. Sun dried seeds cannot be managed accurately on the point and often lack in germination ability. The susceptibility for breakage due to stress cracks and tiny fissures shows a linear correlation with temperature, and the proportion of cracked/popped kernels often reach more than 50%. Only in corn cob dryer houses, specific drying for individual genotypes can be controlled in terms of time, tempering phases, air temperature, relative humidity, and air flow rate and air distribution.

PETKUS Corn Cob Dryer Houses have proven their versatility and drying quality in many different environments from South-East Asia to Europe and Russia. Since decades, the company

and its highly qualified engineers have planned, designed, built, delivered, installed and commissioned single as well as double pass dryer houses. The entire product and service range, from design engineering to construction and consulting is done strictly in-house and within the PETKUS Group members to make sure, that clients only deal with experienced professionals.

The drying process is monitored by temperature measurement with several sensors above and below the material in the drying chambers. The sensors are connected to the plant control system. After the drying process has been completed, the material falls through the discharge flap onto the emptying conveyor and is transported away for further processing.

PETKUS Corn Cob Dryer Houses consists of several independent drying chambers based on capacity demands and customer’s requirements. The chambers walls consist of trapezoidal steel profile walls and are equipped with filling hatches, emptying flaps and air flaps as well as fans and burners with combustion chambers.

The material to be dried is softly fed into the drying chamber via the filling hatches. The material is dried on an inclined and perforated steel plate (ventilation floor) through which the air enters and exits.

PETKUS offers a wide range of dryer house capacities for both systems, the single as well as the double-pass reverse. Due to its special design, the PETKUS dryer houses are lightweight and easier/faster to build and install on site. In addition, they fulfil very high EH&S criteria as cob filling hatches are separated from air outlet hatches and therefore, the operating personnel on the dryer house filling level is not at all exposed to contaminated air.

The drying process with upper or lower air ventilation is well controlled via the ventilation door and the supply air flaps. The installed limit switches are connected to the plant control system.

The alternating drying process with top and bottom air results in an even drying of the entire filling layer. This guarantees optimum drying results while at the same time treating the material in a gentle way.

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Access and costs of fuel for the burner can be crucial for some areas.

Hence, PETKUS Corn Cob Dryer Houses can be operated with gas, oil, diesel, petrol, LPG or bio fuels, e.g. from wood chips, rice or maize straw and husks, corn cobs or palm husks. PETKUS installed in Asia dryer houses with corn cob burner with hot water heat exchanger as well as air heat pumps with dehumidifier pumps. Latter showed considerably reduced drying costs of app. 3 cent per kilogram.

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FEATURE

THE D IMPORTANCE OF PROPER GRAIN STORAGE FOR FOOD SECURITY

id you know that there were 37 African countries on the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Low-Income Food Deficit Countries list in 2016?

Furthermore, they state that the estimated number of undernourished people rose to 815 million people globally in 2016. That tells us that food security is a major concern, especially in Africa where cases of widespread starvation have been documented for decades.

What is the state of our grain right now?

Grains are right at the top of the list when it comes to global food staples. Everything from rice to wheat, people eat grains daily in bread, pasta and more other foodstuffs than we can list in this article.

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The problem with this is that, according to The World Bank, FAO and the African Post-Harvest Losses Information System (APHLIS) estimate that 8% and 10-12%, respectively, of SubSaharan Africa’s harvested grain is lost during handling and storage.

That means that grain stores for human consumption as well as animal feed storage are all at risk, with animal feed storage deficiencies further affecting other food products such as meat, dairy, and so forth.

The challenges faced in grain storage While there are various challenges in grain storage, based on the setting and economic conditions of where the storage and handling takes place, there are a few common challenges faced by most farmers and storage sites.

These include temperature, moisture, insects, and rodents, among others.

Effective grain storage: Overcoming the challenges Grain Handling: As mentioned earlier, an alarming amount of grain is lost during both handling and storage. That is why grain storage companies like GSI have begun to manufacture more efficient and gentle handling technology such as chain loops. These chain loops provide a means of conveying large quantities of grain to storage via a gentler, more efficient process which does not harm/crush the grains as much as earlier methods.

Drying When grains are harvested, they still contain a lot of moisture. This moisture, if left, can provide an ideal breeding ground for a variety of moulds

and insect species, as well as lowering the quality of the grain. That is why the most effective modern grain storage facilities and methods involve a strictly controlled drying and aeration process.

In this way you can ensure that your grains have been properly dehydrated before storage, eliminating a host of threats faced in the storage phase.

They have a list of grain handling businesses listed for you to consult with, among various others in other areas.

So… how will you deal with improving grain storage and food security?

Seamless storage facilities: The greatest safeguard against letting in pests and extra moisture is to simply not let them in. That is why you need to make sure that your grain and animal feed storage facilities and properly sealed and watertight, as evidenced by GSI’s Arch Span Structures. And these are not the only innovations in this regard.

While there are various

If you are looking to improve on or learn about your grain storage needs, AgriFoodSA has the ideal solution in their agricultural product directory.

challenges faced by most

challenges in grain storage, based on the setting and economic conditions of where the storage and handling takes place, there are a few common farmers and storage sites.

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www.farmersreviewafrica.com JUly

- August 2018 | 21

FEATURE

Complete Farmer launches web platform that makes farming accessible to anyone

G

hana’s Complete Farmer recently launched a web platform that is making farming accessible to anyone. The platform enables users are to sponsor farms in exchange for guaranteed returns on investment after harvest. Generally, users earn money from owning farms without having to do any of the hard work that farming entails.

Officer said that the platform is the firstof its kinds. He also spoke about its main advantage; people from all walks of life can own a farm and enjoy the benefits without lifting a finger.

In essence, expert farm managers do the actual farm work together with skilled labor from the communities where Complete Farmer operates.

This is while farm sponsors monitor farm progress on their mobile or web devices from wherever they are.

When harvest time comes, Complete Farmer will sell the produce to its purchasers, exporters and agroprocessors. These are sold at a profit to ensure the farm sponsors get returns.

Andrew Quartey, Complete Farmer’s Chief Technology

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This, he says, is with the general aim to ensure food security in Ghana and create jobs for farmers and the youth.

That is in addition to growing Complete Farmer’s clients’ wealth through agriculture.

Since its launch in June, Complete Farmer has made a total of 153 acres of chilli pepper, cassava, and ginger farms available for sponsorship.

Moreover, all 53 acres of chilli pepper farms sold out in the first month. Currently, sponsorship opportunities for cassava and ginger farms are still available on the website at www.completefarmer. com with returns of 22% and 17.5% respectively.

Similarly, Pineapple farms are scheduled to be open for sponsorship in a few days.

Complete Farmer is expected to make at least 2 more crop farms available for funding before the year runs out.

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

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FEATURE

AKWA IBOM Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s Prime Investment Destination

By Udeme Etukeyen

A

KWA IBOM, Nigeria, July 16, 2018/ -- Seen from afar, Nigeria is one large African nation and the continent’s most robust economy, but within the powerhouse that Nigeria represents there are several engines that drive the economy. Best known is Lagos State, which includes Nigeria’s largest city and economic capital, but beyond there a less known success stories that merit global attention.

Of Nigeria’s 36 states, debatably the most impressive is Akwa Ibom state, led by Governor Udom Emmanuel, elected only three years ago. Just last month Governor Emmanuel commissioned seven new roads with 34 additional roads planned to provide over 2000 jobs to the state and stimulate commerce among Akwa Ibom’s population of four million.

A noted adherent of impact investing, Emmanuel selects projects for his state that add value beyond the sums marked on contracts or the profit margins racked up by contractors.

Public benefit must be calculated in far more sensitive and inclusive terms, and Governor Emmanuel’s Sustainable Development Agenda over the last 1096 days does just that.

AGRICULTURE With Africa’s 65% of its land still unexploited and food imports debilitating local economies, Akwa Ibom’s developmental finance strategy included a technical committee on agriculture and food sufficiency which broadened the “Dakkada” mindset in youth people, women and the elderly.

With increased acreage of cultivated land growing by over 40,000 hectares comprising now 11,000 hectares earmarked for an ongoing coconut plantation, 24,000 hectares for new rice projects including two rice mills, 3,000 hectares of cassava lantations with rehabilitated processing facilities for garri, cassava pellets, flour, and ethanol, and the rehabilitation of competitive oil palm and cocoa estates, Akwa Ibom’s position as a leading food producer and exporter in Nigeria is assured.

The state government has facilitated thousands of high yield seedlings of

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oil palm, plantain suckers, maize and citrus seeds to ensure optimal source of farm input for its local population.

The state policy on agriculture is firmly hinged on mitigating food scarcity, ensuring food sufficiency and security which impacts over a million households.

The Ibom Greenhouse Project has induced export capabilities for vegetables, tomatoes, cucumber, encouraging a massive response by young farmers to take up various forms of agriculture as a new economic mainstay. The government via partnerships with investors has also

established a fertilizer blending plant at Abak, a meat processing facility project at Itam, a cattle ranch at Adadia, and an Akwa prime hatchery at Mbiaya and other strategic agribusinesses and related technical services.

exports.

With several MOUs and EOIs in place, the state continues to be the second highest destination for FDI in Nigeria, and prospects for growth in the SME sector look promising. International development agencies and the private sector are both positioned to forge the development of the state’s growing MSME sector. As negotiations result in executable action the huge FDI gap between Lagos and Akwa Ibom states lessens while under-developed opportunities in the later promise to render Akwa Ibom an increasingly attractive investment destination.

To date over 20,000 hectares of land have been cleared providing businesses and economic activity for equipment owners, farmers, input producers and direct/indirect jobs for households within the state and beyond. Akwa Ibom is positioned to feed her people and indeed the nation, making Akwa Ibom an attractive investment destination for those interested in the agribusiness sector.

INDUSTRIALIZATION The innovative industrialization policy of Akwa Ibom State merits some comment too. Leading a much-needed and highly progressive departure from an epoch of oil revenue dependency and federal allocations Akwa Ibom state has understood that the key to industrialization is increasing power generation.

The governor has seen to this by securing additional licensing for the state-owned power company increasing capacity from 190MW to 685MW, unlocking distribution via massive investment in substations and feeder lines, and installing a network of new power infrastructure around the state enabling parts of the state capital with 15-18 hours of power per day.

Dedicated lines and infrastructure have targeted special projects such as the airport, the Ibom Specialty Hospital and the industrial clusters in Onna, Uyo and Itu. With both road and power infrastructure being addressed, the state government has pursued its first phase of its ambitious industrialization agenda by delivering an Electric Digital Metering Plant providing metering solutions that unbundle the legitimate concerns of investors, namely tracking power tariffs.

The state is also proud of its strategic investment in syringe manufacturing with capacity large enough to cater

to Africa’s 2.4 billion-strong demand for syringes by producing 350 million units with capacity to upscale to 1 billion, adequate to cater for both local and international markets.

The state has also increased progress in a proposed flour mill within the Onna Industrial Cluster.

Hundreds of Akwa Ibom daughters and sons have been trained abroad to take up various technical and managerial aspects of these investments as part of the 350-strong human-power needs of the cluster.

As part of the overall vision, companies like the Peacock Paints Factory in Etinan have received fresh funding and rehabilitation, several state-owned enterprises and assets have become the prize possession of new investors who’ve encouraged that resources be assigned to business development from the state’s investment structure.

The recent establishment of the Itu Cluster which houses the Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES) has promoted the creation and opening of a state-of-the-arts toothpick factory, pencil production and particle wood processing facility as well as bamboo conversion facilities increasing economic impact with 200 new, direct jobs and 400-500 indirect jobs, and creating foreign exchange opportunities with these products as

OVERALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT In creating the Economic Strategy and Investment Plan, Governor Emmanuel has been clear in stating that a major plank of his government would be to harness developmental projects that would deliver maximum returns on investment and create employment opportunities for the people of the state while catalysing food production.

His vision for the future is “to transform the economy of our state via industrialization and sustain publicprivate-sector initiatives, and thereby opening up opportunities for growth and improved living standards,” the governor stated, “and to continuously develop, mobilize, and empower our women and youth via planned and well-articulated capacity-building programmes...” The state’s target, he said was to “provide trade, commerce and tourism between Akwa Ibom and the rest of Nigeria, and in fact, the rest of the world.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Udeme Etukeyen.

Media Contact Udeme Etukeyen etukeyen@gmail.com SOURCE Udeme Etukeyen Multimedia content

www.farmersreviewafrica.com JUly

- August 2018 | 25

FEATURE

ADVICE FOR FEMALE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

U

p to 80% of Africa’s agricultural production is delivered by small farms. And though common stereotypes may suggest otherwise, most of these small agricultural enterprises are heavily dependent on rural women.

With the growing acknowledgement of women’s role and contribution within a whole range of South African industries, now is the perfect time for women to assert their right to take on leadership responsibilities in the agricultural sector.

So, here’s some advice for prospective female farmers looking to make their mark in the farming industry:

Find your niche While being keen to work on a farm is undoubtedly a prerequisite - researching and choosing the sector you want to be involved in is absolutely essential.

Livestock farming involving cattle, sheep, goats or pigs is a very different proposition to working an arable farm growing wheat and other cereals or potatoes, onions and similar vegetable crops.

The former requires a knowledge of animal husbandry skills and management techniques, whereas the latter needs a good understanding of plant and seed varieties, as well as a

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familiarity with fertilisers, pesticides, and of course standard machinery and harvesting methods.

It’s important to determine where your agricultural passion really lies.

So, in addition to acquiring a resilient outlook, you must also hone and develop the appropriate skills and attributes required.

What could stand in your way?

It’s not only people’s diverse and demanding expectations that can be a hurdle for a woman to overcome.

As with any industrial sector, you need a range of skills and knowledge to meet the inevitable challenges a

female farmer will have to face.You may have to fight your corner and prove yourself to just about everyone: to attract and keep a skilled labour force, to secure the farm finance that will be required, and sometimes even just to get your offer accepted on a farm for sale.

So, if farming really is your calling, your credibility and future success will depend on knowing your business inside out.

Gaining finance may prove especially difficult, because banks and investors must all be convinced that you really have what it takes to be a successful farm owner.

That means careful preparation is essential: You must prepare a viable business plan demonstrating you have developed a winning strategy which will enable you to turn your chosen farmstead into a profitable business.

Once again, proving your farming skills and know-how will be the first step to gaining your plans a fair hearing, but investors will be more impressed if you can also show the extra value you can offer.

Can you bring added value to the farming industry?

For those ready to meet the challenge, there is an exciting opportunity for women to take the farming industry out of the dark ages and into the 21st century.

to effectively monitor livestock, optimise the application of fertilisers, or use local climate conditions to your economic advantage.

Demonstrating your ability to think and do things differently in this age of new technologies will also show your ability to adopt contemporary eco-friendly practices whilst still managing to create a thriving business capable of returning a viable profit.

This win-win situation will both impress your potential backers and prove more than popular with the growing numbers of responsible, middle-class suburban consumers who expect all their food producers to have impeccable green credentials.

Remember that climate change is now a growing threat to the farming industry all over the world.

So every farmer and farm business owner must remain conscious of the need for sustainability; which should permeate all aspects of their business planning and agricultural practices.

Note too that farming profit margins are usually modest, so it’s important to focus on new innovations within

the industry as an important means of developing your farm’s profitability.

The emergence of more women farmers represents a very exciting and progressive development for the agricultural sector.

The ageing farming population is an increasing problem of global dimensions, which means there is great scope for young female entrepreneurs to develop new businesses. So, if you have always thought you would make a great farmer, it is very much down to you to prepare well, take the plunge, and show you can be part of South African farming’s next exciting phase.

By Jo Thornley, Head of Brand and Partnerships at Dynamis. Joining in 2005 to co-ordinate PR and communications and produce editorial across all business brands.

She earned her spurs managing the communications strategy and now creates and develops partnerships between BusinessesForSale. com, FranchiseSales.com and PropertySales.com and likeminded companies.

Modern South African farming must prove itself sustainable if it is to provide real food security. This could mean, for example, developing hydroponics systems to grow viable crop yields on small parcels of land perhaps in an urban environment and overcoming the challenge of drought conditions by using a small fraction of the water resources usually required.

Or else it might mean using satellite and drone technology on your farm

www.farmersreviewafrica.com JUly

- August 2018 | 27

FEATURE

Is expropriation without compensation debate weighing on investment

in SA agriculture?

By Wadile Sihlobo e typically use the Agbiz/ IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index to gauge the health of the South African agricultural sector, as well as the potential investment path.

Of late, a number of commentaries have surfaced arguing that the discussions about the proposed expropriation without compensation have not negatively affected investment in the agricultural sector, suggesting that investment has actually

W

increased over time. This argument leans on investment in JSE food listed companies, which I believe would not be an ideal measure of observing investment in farming.

Roughly speaking, the food share index is largely driven by shortterm adjustments mainly from the consumption side. Knowing that food and beverages are price inelastic, it is often not surprising that one finds the food share index growing despite the

28 |JUly - August 2018 www.farmersreviewafrica.com

uncertainty in policy.

One data point that we observe closely, but also not a perfect indicator of measuring investment reaction to policy changes in the short term, is the Gross Fixed Capital Formation.

This declined by 3% year-on-year to R16.2 billion in 2017. This decline is largely on the back of unfavourable weather conditions in some parts of the country, which somewhat constrainted investment.

Going forward, however, policy uncertainty could further weigh on investment. In the meantime, we look at agribusiness confidence levels as a guide of investment path for the year. Figure 1 below shows that there is a good correlation between Agbiz/ IDC agribusiness confidence and investment in the sector.

In the second quarter of this year, the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index declined from 58 index points in the first quarter to 54 (see Figure 2).

With the results still above the neutral 50-point mark, albeit having declined, this means that the agribusiness sector was still optimistic about business conditions in South Africa.

Be that as it may, the decline in confidence is concerning, as we pointed out in the official statement of the second quarter index results that ‘the uncertainty around land reform policy, particularly expropriation without compensation, remains a key

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- August 2018 | 29

risk that could potentially undermine investment in the sector.

At this point, however, farmers are somewhat in a wait-and-see mode.

We have not seen a notable dent on investments in the sector yet’.

Additionally, investment figures are not yet available for the period in which the debate escalated to be a major risk to the sector.

In closing, we believe the suggestions that the proposed expropriation without compensation policy have not affected investments in the sector and have actually led to an increase in investment, might be premature.

Given the data presented in the aforementioned figures (1 and 2), we are of the view that the deterioration in confidence could lead to a decline in investment in the sector if uncertainty continues for longer around the proposed land reform policy.

FEATURE

Forbearance of GMO seeds in

AFRICA

By Nita Karume enetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or in this case seeds are manufactured in a lab as a means to boost agriculture and food security in Africa. However, the move continues to face resistance from African countries who are hell bent on preserving its traditional seed base instead.

G

Earlier on this year, Ghana hosted a conference focused on the question of genetically modified organism (GMO) seed varieties versus those that traditionally spawned the continent’s staple crops. Issues such as the increasing commercialization of food and agriculture, the diversity of crops, food as part of culture and identity and sustaining food needs without a switch to GMO agriculture were brought up in their discussions.

The conference, which had experts and activists from Ethiopia, Kenya, Togo, South Africa and Zimbabwe took place in the northern city of Tamale.

Tamale holds the region in Ghana where agriculture is a driving force in the local economy.

In Ethiopia, local farmers have rejected GMO agriculture. This is apart from the genetically modified insect-resistant

Bt cotton. The rejection persists despite intensive lobbying, often by the purveyors of GMO seeds, multinational giants.

Sulemana Abdullai, the board chairman of the African Biodiversity Network, (ABN) expressed his doubts about GMO as well, saying it is not a sure way to go. He goes on to defend his stand by pointing out the lack of sufficient evidence to indicate the success of genetically modified crops not only in in terms of food security, but also nutrition and income security.

Contrary to Mr. Abdullai, Ridwan Mohammed of the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), is of the opinion that sustaining food diversity through the use of traditional seeds is possible in Africa. He insisted that the diversity in question is not only that of crops, but in diet as well.

He was also quick to add that they are working with farmers in order to preserve and conserve traditional seed varieties.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in its literature on GMOs, warns that the transfer of allergenic genes

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in different crops can cause dangerous reactions in people with allergies.

Furthermore, it also outlines some of the concerns that have been raised over seed market dominance by a few agricultural companies on small scale farmers.

In Africa, for instance, Monsato - a US Based agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation and the world’s largest GMO seed and pesticide seller - has been criticized over its market dominance.

On the other hand, a high crop yield is one of the arguments advanced by proponents of GMOs, increasingly as agriculture is seen as a commercial venture.

Many developed nations are seeing a growing trend away from the genetically engineered crops towards organic farming. The advent of genetically engineered foods started with the release of a delayed-ripened tomato more than two decades ago. It has since shifted to cash crops such corn, soya, canola and cotton.

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FEATURE

USE OF ORGANIC METHODS IN THE CONTROL OF FALL ARMY WORMS T he fall armyworm is a known heavy feeder for its quick destruction of the maize crop; it has the ability to destroy an entire crop if not controlled on time. Moreover, it can spread fairly fast and can fly over 30km in one night under windy conditions. As such, its scientific name is derived from its feeding habits.

The pest is native to North and South America and Argentina. Recently, however, it was identified for the first time in West Africa before extensively spreading to Southern Africa. The fall armyworm has also been reported in parts of Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe where there have been reported damages in thousands od hectares of crops.

East Africa was also not spared as emergence of the fall armyworm in Uganda was reported last month. It has also been reported to have spread to some areas of Western Kenya.

Identification For distinction from other armyworm species, the head of the insect should be taken into account. The fall armyworm’s head has a predominantly white, inverted Y-shaped joint between

the eyes. Young larvae are greenish or brownish in color and are also smoothskinned. On the other hand, mature larvae vary from light tan or green to nearly black.

Feeding habits Fall armyworms can feed on almost all types of plants. They prefer to feed on maize but also target other grains. The fall armyworms will take approximately 3 to 5 days for the eggs to hatch.

Once hatched, the developmental time of the larval stage will go from 2 weeks to a month. Pupation occurs in the ground near the plant and usually requires 1 to 2 weeks. The adult female lays about 150 eggs a day for approximately 2 weeks.

This, according to research is among the 1500 and 2000 eggs it lays in a lifetime. The worm will morph into a moth within 10-12 days. It will then proceed to move in groups with the ability to cover several kilometers in search of fresh crops to consume.

Damages According to biology, pests that lack a threat in terms of natural enemies are usually the most destructive. The fall army worm has very few predators-if

32 |JUly - August 2018 www.farmersreviewafrica.com

at all, and even when invading a new area there will probably be none.

Furthermore, the larval stage of the fall armyworm is known to be its most destructive stage. This is because the larvae feed on maize leaves and may attack the tassels. Their damage appears as tattered edges and holes on leaves and tassels. Cases of severe feeding will leave the maize crop looking like it has been through a hail storm. It is important to note that the first attack of the fall armyworm’s invasion often goes unnoticed.

This is due to the fact that the small larvae that hatch from egg burrow into plant parts. This makes them almost impossible to detect but on close observation, and by the time the larvae gets fully developed it will be too late for the plant.

Control More often than not, people use synthetic pesticides in controlling the pest. Unfortunately, this method has proven to be harmful since the chemical sprays contaminate the environment. They are also known to result in major health risks in humans.

Alternative methods include use of pheromone traps and hand picking

of adults and caterpillars. There is also reliance on predators and natural enemies. Cultural control measures also used include management of broad leaf weeds as well as the rapid disposal of crop residues after harvest.

This is one of the reasons why control of the pest has proven difficult.

Nevertheless, farmers in Western Kenya have discovered that organic control methods are much more effective in control of the armyworms.

Organic products for control purposes Farmers in East Africa are currently struggling to get through the invasion of the fall armyworm but it is proving to be very difficult. This is due to the lack of rains as well as increased temperatures; providing the best conditions for the multiplication of the pests. Worse still, the worm has spread to the region just when they have planted maize and other crops.

Some of the biopesticides being by the farmers include Nimbecidine. This neem-based biopesticide is not only able to control the fall armyworm, but also aphids, leaf miners, mites, whiteflies, thrips and wireworms. It not only prevents the pest from feeding on the crop, but also interferes with the pest’s ability to lay eggs.

As is expected, most of the farmers have resulted to the use of chemicals to try and mitigate the spread of the pests. Unfortunately, most of these have not proven to be effective in stopping the pest. This is because they only kill the larvae but the eggs, which have the ability to hatch and replace the fallen soldiers are left.

Another effective method is the use of pyrethrum. The white flowers in pyrethrum have active ingredients called pyrethrin. However, those who opt for this method should be privy to the fact that light reduces the effectiveness of the flowers. As such, the flowers should be picked on a warm day when they are open. These should then be dried and stored in an airtight container in the dark.

For preparation purposes, 20g of pyrethrum powder should be mixed with 10 litres of water. Soap can be added to ensure the mixture spreads and sticks well. Application should take place immediately especially in the evenings when the armyworms are active.

A cheaper option would be the use of garlic, which also garlic has antifeedant properties and can also repel most pests. Mix 85g of crushed garlic with 50ml of vegetable oil and add 10ml of liquid soap. Mix 50ml of the garlic and vegetable oil emulsion with 1l of water, shake thoroughly before spraying.

A simpler way, as discovered by a farmer in Vihiga County in Kenya, is by using ash and chili powder. This was after she noticed a strange worm that was destroying her maize faster than other armyworms. Sprinkling of a mixture of ash and chili powder on the maize funnel did the trick.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com JUly

- August 2018 | 33

FEATURE

Grain storage bunker covers T he use of woven poly/PVC grain bunker storage systems which can be constructed under farm conditions has become an accepted method in providing on-farm temporary storage of grain. They have also proven to be hassle free as they can be constructed under farm conditions.

Initially, pilot applications were carried out in Australia. This was in the construction of large-scale bunker storages that could be supplied successfully to scaled-down on-farm versions. The storages would be used to provide reliable and cost effective grain storage protection Some of the circumstances that would necessitate saving grain quickly and independently of traditional facilities can include: situations where the silos are filled to capacity, or there are delays in turnaround time at grain storage depots. There are also cases of lack and or delays in available transport. Adverse weather conditions also have an impact. In other cases, farmers will retain their crop in anticipation of better selling prices or greater export opportunities Now that the need for on-farm grain storage is undeniable, the next step is consideration for the type of construction materials required as well as its durability.

The Bunker A bunker storage consists of three retaining walls lined with plastic & filled with grain. A suitable cover sheet

is placed over the grain pile and sealed to keep out water, insects and other containments.

Site selection and positioning The bunker must be sited on a well-drained area away from trees.

Furthermore, surface vegetation should be removed. It is also advisable to face the closed end of the bunker into the prevailing wind. This will make it easier to place the top cover. Alternatively, the bunker should run north-south for even exposure of the cover to UV radiation from sunlight.

Lining the bunker A waterproof plastic lining should be laid across the floor and over the walls of a bunker. This will help prevent moisture entering the grain. It also avoids grain contamination from the soil. A large prefabricated lining sheet similar to the top cover can be used as a liner, its main advantage being speed of application in addition to greater security and complete removal of uncontaminated grain when emptying.

Alternatively, lining of 200 micron polyethylene can be laid across the bunker and sealed with tape.

Additional widths are progressively laid as the bunker is filled and are lapped 150mm over the previous width. Each overlay is taped to prevent grain from pushing laps up. Moreover, 1m of sheeting should be left over to extend beyond the walls. This will be sealed later with the cover sheet.

34 |JUly - August 2018 www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Filling the bunker Grain should be stored at greater than 12% moisture content. This will help prevent losses. Bunkers are simply filled by dumping grain from a truck into a grain thrower. The grain peak should be a uniform height along its full length and correct height to suit the distance between the bunker walls. It is advisable to carry out hand trimming of the stack before covering.

This will aid in avoiding depressions in the event of rainfall.

Fitting the cover The cover is fitted by hand from the filled end across the top of the stacks. Furthermore, you should apply the cover as filling progresses to avoid possible damage by adverse weather conditions. A temporary, easily removed cover can be placed over grain at night. It is also important to note that covering should not be attempted under windy conditions.

Sealing Bunker covers must be effectively sealed around the walls and ends of the bunker in order to anchor the top covers to prevent wind lift. It also helps in preventing water and insects from seeping in. The effective sealing will allow fumigation if required.

Furthermore, it also protects earthen banks from erosion by water.

There are several methods for achieving a good seal. For instance, both top and bottom covers can be extended about 1m beyond the base of the walls. These edges are buried in a previously dug trench about 250mm deep at the base of the wall.

As an economic method, used tyres, soil-filled wheat bags or other suitable ballast can be placed on and around the top cover to hold it down and reduce wind flap. However, it is best to avoid objects with sharp projections as they may puncture the cover.

At all times care must be taken not to damage the cover. Whereas reinforced fabrics are much more robust than plastic film, they are susceptible to damage by sharp objects, abrasion, some chemicals etc. It is also best to avoid all contamination of fabrics from machinery and herbicides, oil

FEATURE and other chemicals as these can attack the UV stabilizers in the fabric.

As a result, the life of the cover is significantly reduced and the warranty negated. The cover should also not be cleaned with strong cleaning compounds, as these also have a negative effect on cover life.

Boland Canvas and EF Thompson

B

oland Canvas has been in the manufacturing industry since 1969. We manufacture high quality PVC Products which includes grain bunker covers. We have different methods of manufacturing the tarps to meet the client’s demands. We also offer the clients different types of bunker tarps.

Your standard product that is a 700g food grade Ice blue PVC with the

standard weave inside which 90% of the market uses. Then we went above and beyond and started making covers for clients in very windy areas. This material we use is a 700g food grade ice blue PVC with a panama weave to help against tearing in high winds.

We also supply the belts and ratchets which secures the covers as well.

We also are looking at new securing method that is being used in Australia.

If people are interested they can contact us about it.

We also saw that a “storm net” is needed in some areas where the wind was really gusting. It’s a hand woven Polyester black net 8mm thick which is working well for the clients.

Not only do we supply the top covers, we also import high quality plastics from Spain for the ground sheeting they put down. It’s a 250 micron sheet 16m wide with no welding on it. It gets extruded 16m wide. Since we gotten in to the agriculture sector we also saw a demand for high quality

baling products and silage products.

The grain storage bunkers have gotten very big in South Africa because of high cost to build cement or metal silos. It’s a quick “pick up and go” system if needed. This makes the system work well because you can place the site as close as possible to where the need for storage is.

For any enquires clients can phone Andre Kearley at 0723859051.

In short, we work with all the major Co-ops and we always stay ahead with technology. We are busy testing a new lighter material but are as strong as 700g tearing strength but half the weight. We should if test goes well be able to put it in the market for next year season. I personally like doing a test for 1 season just to get feedback and see what happens to the cover.

We still an old school family owned business and believe in ethical and high quality business.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com JUly

- August 2018 | 35

FEATURE

WINTERTIME FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN Processing Industry

T

he 2017/2018 season was not one of the years one wants to record, but rather a year to remove from one’s memory and start over as soon as possible. To use the proverb that “the Processing Industry is currently going through deep waters” will certainly not fit, given the terrifying endless drought in the Western Cape area.

As can be seen from the attached Marketing Channels document, the drought demanded its toll on the tonnage delivered fruit of the 2017/2018 season.

A better saying would be: “The industry is going through a winter time” because the Processing industry is experiencing one of its hardest times since its inception. It takes courage and faith to know in these dramatic challenging conditions that summer will come again.

The smallest Bulida apricot crop was recorded over the past years, much smaller than estimated at the start of the season. The harvest period was very short and the apricots were small but of good quality. The total harvest was 28 539 tons, compared with 35 808 tons the previous year.

The harvested tonnage figures of this season were generally considerably weaker than estimated in October 2017 at the beginning of the season.

36 |JUly - August 2018 www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Of this total the processing industry took 26 889 tons against 34 708 the previous year. Varying temperatures were on the order of the day, causing both green and overripe apricots when picked. The smaller fruit also has a negative effect on the output in the factory.

The Clingstone Peach harvest time started 10-14 days later than usual, and this trend has been retained for most of the harvest period.

Due to the late season there was a relatively long period of time between apricots and clingstone peaches that factories did not work. The total clingstone peach harvest ended at

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FEATURE

142 tonnes, compared with 170 665 tonnes last year, which is 17% lower.

The processing industry could only get 101 142 tons compared to +/- 140 000 ton in a normal year. The smaller peach size, due to drought, also had a shorter holding capacity. It was a challenging season for all.

The Bon Chretien pear harvest was the smallest crop in many years. The processing industry could only secure 50 223 tons of this tonnage. The pears were particularly small, and the pressure fell rapidly during the last period of intake. Malformed pears due to adverse climatic conditions were the order of the day and large quantities of these pears had to be delivered for juice.

The Processing industry is experiencing difficult times due to:

1. Unfavourable international market conditions (the industry exports +/- 85% of its output).

processed fruits, payment to farmers will be between 10-20% lower than the previous season.

2. A relatively strong Rand, which means that earnings are much lower back in South Africa.

These lowered prices must also be seen in conjunction with the smaller crop produced for the season. Further to this, the juice price paid to farmers was catastrophic low. A bleak cold picture of the industry. This feels like a “perfect storm” were it not only the one wave hitting the ship, with drought plus lower prices plus smaller crops!

It is wintertime in South Africa in the Southern Hemisphere at this moment and the trees are losing their leaves for a dormant period, but it is also figurative “wintertime” for the South African Processing Industry with hopes of a “summer” of better days ahead.

3. 3. Excruciating drought conditions posing challenges to all involved in the industry.

4. 4. Poor crops with small fruit due to the drought and other climatic conditions.

Final payment for farmers will only be concluded in October 2018, depending on sale prices and exchange rates (called “agterskot”, which means payment after final settlement in the market taking selling price and exchange rate into account).

Preliminary calculations are that on all

38 |JUly - August 2018 www.farmersreviewafrica.com

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