Farmers Review Africa May/June 2016

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Volume 2. Issue 3. May - June 2016

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The future of automatic milking comes to Africa -p26 t Please visi te si b e w the

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HOW CAMEROON’S STOLEN WOOD REACHES INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. p9

rica

farmersrevie.cowmaf

FARMERS ADOPT MOBILE PHONES TO BOOST HARVEST. p12

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

Contents 04 Contents 05 Editors note 06 African news 10 Sleeping giant

20

12 Mobile phones boost harvest 16 Solution to Africa’s power challenges 18 Polyfabric tarp shelters for agric

Personality of the month

20 Cultivating success in the agric-industry 22 Mabula Ground Hornbill Project 23 Solution for dying bees 24 Is robotic milking viable

40

30 Farmers reap rewards from energy 32 Sernick Group announces Country’s rst 35 Growket new company of Symaga Group 36 Genetic progress on prots of dairy farmers 38 Farming Hackathon to take place in Nairobi 40 Healthy layers essential 42 Exhaust cooling fan pad for poultry farmers

46

45 Next generation antimalarial treatment 46 Pressure washers for farm equipment 49 Massey Ferguson launches new range 50 Efciency for smaller farmers 54 Food security and tobacco in Africa 59 Buhler feed production plant

59

63 Nampo 2016 trumps records 64 Goscor power product debut at Nampo 2016 66 Case IH at Nampo 2016 70 Upcoming events / Advertisers index

May - June 2016

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Editors note

Volume 2. Issue 3. May - June 2016

3

The future of automatic milking comes to Africa -p26 Please visit the website

FARMERS

farmersreviewafrica .com

REVIEW AFRICA

HOW CAMEROON’S STOLEN WOOD REACHES INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. p9

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

FARMERS ADOPT MOBILE PHONES TO BOOST HARVEST. p12

This month’s Front cover

Executive Editor Lee Daniels lee.daniels@farmersreview africa.com

Writers Bertha M Maxin Fourie

Subscriptions, News & Press Releases Mthokozisi M. mthokozisim@farmersreviewafrica.com Russou Billiard russoub@farmersreviewafrica.com +27 11 044 8985

Graphic Design & Layout Que Gibson

Published by Mailing Times Media +27 11 044 8986 sales@farmersreviewafrica.com

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

Farmers stand out in today's culture for their ability to make actual decisions, not just choices. Now the rewards for choosing which decisions to make are about to multiply.

In this edition of Farmers Review Africa, we take a look at robotic milking solutions, genetics and dairy farming, egg production and review of the NAMPO 2016.

There is no doubt that robotic milking is a suitable solution for large dairies, as there are several examples of successful dairies working under different conditions around the world.

Healthy layers are essential for economic egg production. Carefully selected hens, well housed, fed and protected against disease reward poultry farmers with a continual supply of high quality, marketable eggs.

Grain SA's 50th NAMPO Harvest Day shattered more than one record amidst tough agricultural conditions.

The four-day trade show that was held near Bothaville , was attended by a record of 75 116 people while a total of 685 exhibitors participated – the most ever.

In addition we inform our readers on the importance of using high pressure washers in the agricultural industry.

We also give some insights from Africa countries e.g Kenya has given local companies and farmers' organisations the green light to directly export tea into international markets and Zimbabwe's poultry farmers benefit from protein producing maggots.

We are glad to welcome our readers to this second edition of our magazine. We hope farmers, research experts and manufacturing companies will enjoy reading our informative articles.

Bertha M.

F A R ME RS REV I E WA F RI CA

Volume F A R ME

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2016

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les people Over 100 sa take part in ining Case IH Tra th Africa Sou Camp in -p12

NEWTECHSHEDS LIGHTONTHEFUT URE OFFOOD se visit Plea site ica the web

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TO COUNTRYNG FIRST ZAMBIA A SMART FARMI E E. p7 CREAT CENTR TRAINING

FARMING

A ARE IN KENY ESS. p52 REFUGEES TO SUCC WAY THEIR

BANK -WORLD ORT N. p6 NEW AGRA T TO SUPP MATIO AGREEMENED TRANSFOR FARMING-L

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

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TRANSF ORMING HELPS AFRICA. AGRICULTURE pp44

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WHY IS NOW THE RIGHT INVEST IN MPUMALANGA TIME TO AGRICULTURAL PROVINCE’S SECTOR. pp48

TRADITIONAL NUTRITIOUS DROUGHT TOLERA CROPS BACK? NT, pp29

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May - June 2016

Market Information News Kibaale, Kiboga, Kiryandongo, Kyenjojo, Masindi, Mubende, Nakaseke and Napak. Each unit will have a

Kenya permits direct tea exports Kenya has given local companies and farmers' organisations the green light to directly export tea into international markets The government's decision is aimed at cutting off

storage capacity of between 200 and 300 metric tonnes and

unscrupulous middlemen who continue to exploit farmers

will support up to 400 farming households. WFP and NAADS

and claim a major share of their profits.

will also jointly support small-scale farmer groups with soft

Kenyan agriculture cabinet secretary Willy Bett said what

skills and other capacity building for group marketing.

tea producers currently endure at the Mombasa port is

NAADS executive director Samuel Mugasi said, “This

'exploitative and abusive' and that the government would

partnership with WFP will enable NAADS to achieve its

not let the unscrupulous middlemen have their way.

purpose of assisting farmers to reduce post-harvest food

Speaking at the Kaptel SDA Church, Nandi County, the

losses, including through modern storage, benefit from

minister added, “The government has introduced several

group marketing and improve their household incomes and

new measures to stamp out the exploitation of tea farmers

livelihoods.”

and tea companies and now counties have been allowed to

Describing that partnership with WFP, Mugasi pointed out

export the tea directly into the world market and seek those

that WFP has a good reputation in grain handling,

buyers who would buy it at high prices.”

mobilising farmers for production and supporting

Bett assured farmers that the government would not allow

agriculture value chains. WFP has already established 60

the tea industry to collapse.

storage facilities in the country, through funding primarily

“The tea industry generates billions of shillings annually

from the United States. According to the organisation,

towards boosting the Kenyan economy and action has

these stores have helped empower farmers to sell their

already been taken to streamline the industry so that the

grain more profitably. NAADS and WFP also have plans to

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

work together in constructing another 10 stores next year.

not suffer,” he said.

Bett's speech comes in the light of farmers in western Kenya threatening to quit tea farming and venture into alternative income generating means owing to falling prices

Kenya ripe for commodity exchange market, experts say

and exploitation by middlemen.

Kenya's huge agricultural base places it at a prime position to launch run a successful commodities exchange market, experts have said. Speaking ahead of a Commodity Trading and Risk Management Seminar that gets underway today, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Matanda Wabuyele said such a market would save farmers from low prices offered by speculative middlemen. “It will be a platform where buyers and sellers meet with certain rules and conditions to ensure that people are able to sell their commodities in a transparent way and hedging against price volatility,” said Wabuyele. A commodity market trades in primary economic sectors such as agricultural products and minerals as opposed to manufactured products. In the region, Ethiopia and Rwanda have such markets. Currently, Kenya only exhibits aspects of commodity market. Agricultural products are traded through means such the warehousing and receipting

The minister also announced that several other new measures, which would streamline the tea industry, would be announced this month.

NAADS, WFP to build grain stores in Uganda Na onal Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) and United Na ons World Food Programme (WFP) have signed an MoU to construct community grain stores in 10 districts of Uganda This initiative is an effort to address challenges in grain storage in the country and also enhance the access of small-scale farmers to quality produce markets. Under the agreement, NAADS will provide US$1mn to WFP for the construction and equipment of the warehouses.

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

May - June 2016

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Market Information News system of National Cereals Board (NCB), the Nairobi Coffee Exchange and Tea Exchange in Mombasa. NCB relies on marketing teams from across the counties who announce prices for farmers to know where prices are better.

However, these are infiltrated by middlemen. According to Wabuyele, Kenya deserves a full-fledged commodities market, with clear rules, trading floor and clearing distinct from Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). Ahead of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) meeting that will also discuss commodity market, the forum will set the scene to take the discussion further. According to John Mwaniki, a senior officer in Agricultural Ministry in charge of Agri-business, the seminar at Windsor Golf Hotel will give the government a chance to learn the skills of running such market. “The issue of price volatility discourages farmers in Kenya. We need organised trade and marketing so that the prices are stable and predictable,” said Mwaniki. Speaking in the same media briefing, NSE Director of Derivative Markets Terry Adembesa backed the idea, saying NSE is keen on embracing new products. “Agriculture is key driver of economy in addition to recent discoveries in oil and mining sector. There is therefore need to formalise trading infrastructure around these aspects,” he reckoned. The organisers of the two day event, INTL FCStone, a US-based firm that deals in commodity market are upbeat that Kenya will join 28 other African countries that are also working towards establishing a structured commodity market.

By Patrick Alushula

The agreement calls on countries to deny entry or inspect vessels that have been involved in IUU fishing, and to take necessary action. To support this, under the agreement, the parties are obligated to share information about vessels involved in IUU fishing regionally and globally. The PSMA applies to any use of a port, so even vessels that are just refuelling will have to comply with inspection requirements.

African ountries that are parties to the PSMA areGabon, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan and Somalia. Other countries under the agreement include countries in South America -Chile,Guyana, Dominica, Uruguay and in Central America - Costa Rica. The United States of America and the Carribbean - Cuba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Seychelles also fall under the PSMA. Those in the Indian Ocean and Asia -Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Thailand, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, New Zealand are also included in the PSMA and in the north, Iceland and Norway as well as the European Union. Oman in the Gulf and polynesian countries - Palau, Vanuatu and Tonga are also under the accord.

Kenya, Netherlands in deal to

Kenya is set to launch new varieties of potatoes that will boost quality and yield.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett told reporters on Monday that the 21 new varieties are part of a cooperation

International accord

deal between Kenya and the Netherlands in agriculture.

The varieties currently being tested at the Kenya Plant

on illegal fishing to enter into full

boost potato yield

Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS).

force

Kenya currently has two varieties of potatoes but fast food makers prefer to import potatoes from Egypt to make French fries.

The world's first-ever international agreement

The varieties were developed on Dutch soils but will be

specifically targeting illegal fishing is set to enter

tested by KEPHIS to determine their viability in Kenya.

into force in June 2016

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

Championed by the FAO, the port state measures

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

agreement (PSMA) has now met the required threshold

On Monday, Mr Bett met with Dutch Minister for Agriculture

with 30 member countries having formally deposited their

Martyn van Dam where details of the arrangement were

instruments of adherence. The accord is set to come into force as an international fishing law on 5 June 2016.

discussed.

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

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

unregulated and unreported) IUU fishing accounts for

addition. They have been supporting us in capacity building

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

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

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

terms," said Mr Bett.

efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries and responsible fish

Mr Dam said the project is meant to expand existing

stock management around the world.

agricultural investments by the Dutch, especially in flower

The new treaty requires that parties designate specific

farming.

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

"Our cooperation has brought both countries a lot of

permission to enter ports ahead of time and provide local

business and now there is a possibility of growing potatoes

authorities with information on the fish they have on board, and have their log book, licences, fishing gear and cargo

in Kenya," Mr Dam said.

inspected.

By Aggrey Mutambo

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May - June 2016

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

IOM Supports Droughtstricken Mozambique Community with Emergency Water Aid

“Supporting family farmers and smallholders would be the most effective way to fight hunger in many African regions.

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

Since October 2015, an El Niño-induced drought has affected the southern Africa region. In Mozambique, this has resulted in severe water shortages in the south and central provinces of the country, with a deterioration of the situation in the first quarter of 2016.

In Maputo province alone, IOM estimates that over 5,300 families are facing difficulty gaining access to water for their personal needs and some 123,960 people are already in a food insecurity situation.

Following a request from the Maputo Provincial Delegation of the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) and the Provincial Water Department, IOM – with funding from OFDA-USAID – has been carrying out emergency water distribution to support government response efforts.

Limited local water trucking capacity means that families only receive an average of 7.5 liters daily.

IOM, in coordination with INGC and other government partners, has been targeting seven highly vulnerable communities in Moamba district – one of the worst affected districts in the province.

In recent weeks, IOM has distributed over two million liters of potable water to reach 4,333 people, specifically in Sabié administrative post (Malengane, Matucanhane, Suduine and Macaene), Pessene administrative post (Vundissa) and Ressano Garcia administrative post (Chanculo and Mubobo).

It has also installed 12 individual 5,000-liter tanks to help 1,000 families cope with the effects of the drought. Over 70 percent of the families have already received a 100-liter tank and two 20-liter jerry cans. The distribution process will conclude this week.

The project is part of a resilience-building process that IOM is working with INGC to achieve. In addition to the distribution of tanks and jerry cans, it includes training in water purification, verification and measurement of water quality and water conservation awareness.

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

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

The right to seeds MEPs stress that agricultural investment policies are meant to support the development of the local economy, so African governments should invest in local food systems to boost rural economies, ensure decent jobs and labour rights.

They also highlight the need to uphold farmers' rights to produce, exchange and sell seeds freely, as this underpins 90% of agricultural livelihoods in Africa and is vital to build resilience to climate change.

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

Background

International farm projects in SubSaharan Africa need land grab

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

One in four people in Sub-Saharan Africa - the region with the highest prevalence of hunger - are undernourished.

Poor nutrition causes nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five. Family farmers and smallholders produce about 80% of the world's food and provide over 60% of jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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

They also called on the EU to address transparency and governance issues, to better target development goals.

May - June 2016

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Market Information News

How Cameroon’s

stolen wood reaches international

markets A Greenpeace Africa investigation into illegal logging operations in Cameroon has uncovered a trail of stolen timber leading to Cameroon's main log exporter Compagnie de Commerce et d e Tr a n s p o r t ( C C T ) , a n d h a s reportedly prompted a government audit into the activities of CCT and its suppliers. That audit should include the supplier La Socamba, subject of a Greenpeace briefing released today.

The evidence presented in the briefing, La Socamba: How Cameroon's Stolen Wood Reaches International Markets, demonstrates how CCT, which supplies timber companies worldwide, including in China and Europe, sources timber f r o m L a S o c a m b a , a c o m p a ny engaged in illegal and destructive practices, including logging several kilometers outside their legal logging title. This new case complements evidence already presented by Greenpeace in its reports on CCT suppliers.

On 25 May, in response to Greenpeace offer of a right to response, CCT admitted that Cameroon's Ministry of Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF) had ordered an audit of the activities of CCT and its suppliers to determine which were involved in illegal activities and to trace the resulting timber.

“Greenpeace Africa takes note of the audit of CCT's practices – but stresses that this process should be independent and transparent, and that CCT suppliers are properly sanctioned when illegal activities are www.farmersreviewafrica.com

confirmed”, said Eric Ini, Greenpeace Africa forest campaigner.

In September 2015, Greenpeace published three cases of illegal logging in permits supplying CCT: logging permits exploited by South Forestry Company (SFC), FEEMAM and SOFOCAM. The Minister of Forestry, Ngole Philip Ngwese, has proclaimed the innocence of companies exposed by Greenpeace for their involvement in illegal logging.

Cameroon's forests support the livelihoods of thousands of people Ye t , o n e o f t h e c o m p a n i e s investigated by Greenpeace, SFC has been fined by the authorities twice for exactly the kind of practices Greenpeace exposed, and CCT and its suppliers are now apparently subject to an investigation by MINFOF.In addition, the Dutch authorities sanctioned the Dutch importer of CCT timber based on the Greenpeace evidence. ”If Cameroon is serious about ending the illegal timber trade, it must work closely with the EU towards credible implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement and, as a first priority, to re-establish a system of credible Independent Monitoring of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade in Cameroon”, concluded Ini. Next to Belgium and the Netherlands, the UK government also regards timber from Cameroon as “high risk” and has recently investigated UK [9]

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operators trading in Cameroon timber.

These actions from the UK government and the sanction from the Dutch Authorities are positive first steps.

However, all EU countries must treat timber from Cameroon as high risk, and require stringent due diligence standards from importing companies until the government of Cameroon can prove beyond reasonable doubts that it is properly enforcing the country's forestry laws and regulations.

While carrying out research for the La Socamba briefing, Greenpeace undertook field investigations in October 2014 and January 2016 to document areas where permits for destructive “cut-and-run” logging, known as “sales of standing volume” (or VCs, from the French ventes de coupe), have been issued to CCT suppliers and recorded testimonies from local residents and authorities, as well as ex-employees. Greenpeace also discovered timber carrying the permit number VC 09 01 203 – issued to La Socamba-- discarded up to 8km outside the logging title.

Cameroon's forests support the livelihoods of thousands of people and are amongst the region's most biologically diverse forests, providing valuable habitat for endangered Western Lowland Gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants, amongst other species. Unsustainable and illegal logging in these forests is leading to deforestation, destruction of the ecosystem and diminished resilience to climate change.

May - June 2016

Market Information Information Market

Zambian agriculture - a sleeping giant Mining, Zambia's prime industry is a

only around one-quarter of its

COMESA's Regional Investment Agency

wasting asset, it is important, more

capacity and potential so far. ''There

(RIA) promotion of a greenfield project

than ever before, to explore sectors

are vast opportunities for more

to build pineapple-canning factories in

that are sustainable to wean the

investments in most subsectors of

the northwestern part of the country

country from the copper spoon it was

Zambia's food-processing industry,

Mwinilunga district in the province has

born with.

for both small-scale and large-scale

been ranked as Zambia's best location

Zambia has 40 per cent of the water

projects,'' ZAM said.

for pineapple production.

resources of the entire southern

High potential sub-sectors encompass

In the 1990's, a pineapple processing

African region. Of the 58 per cent

growing and processing oil seeds;

facility in the area produced around

arable land, only 14 per cent is

downstream processing of meat and

11,368 tonnes from 1,421 ha of

currently cultivated. In real terms, this

dairy products; producing palm oil;

pineapple plantations. The facility was

means that of 42mn hectares (ha),

m a n u f a c t u r i n g s o y- b a s e d f o o d

later closed down. The planned new

only 1.5mn ha is farmed each year.

products; million wheat, rice and

plant is expected to produce about

The agricultural sector employs 85 per

maize to produce flour; producing

12,000 tonnes of processed pineapple

cent of the population and makes up

juices, carbonated drinks, beer and

per annum.

around 20 per cent of overall GDP.

other beverages; processing groundnuts; producing ketchup and

Aquaculture

other tomato-based products;

Diversifying away from maize, one of

roasting and grinding coffee beans;

the sub-sectors which is being

outstanding investment opportunity in

processing cassava, pineapple,

promoted is aquaculture. In August

Zambia due to vast natural resources,

mangoes and sugar cane; producing

2015, the Government launched a

Food processing Food processing represents an

extensive arable land, ample water

dried fruit and processing fish to

US$10mn privately-owned fish farm,

and investment incentives and many

exploit Zambia's vast fish resources.

Yalelo. The firm, located on the shores

joint-venture options.

Other investment opportunities

of Lake Kariba in southern Zambia,

The Zambia Association of

include producing tinned foods,

already produces 6,000 kg of tilapia

Manufacturing (ZAM), said, despite its

confectionary, bread products, honey

daily. In a deliberate effort to increase

strong performance, the country's

and cheese. One example of potential

domestic fish production, the

food processing industry has achieved

food processing projects in Zambia is

Government is encouraging private investment.

May - June 2016

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Market Information Information Market

The Zambia Association of Manufacturing (ZAM), said, despite its strong performance, the country's food processing industry has achieved only around one-quarter of its capacity and potential so far.

Cattle

Farming Block in Serenje, central

Chisamba, central Zambia, recently,

The Common Market for Eastern and

Zambia, is the most advanced, with

President Lungu reiterated his

Southern Africa (COMESA) recently

roads constructed and power

commitment to diversifying the

received US$400,000 to support the

connected. We have already allocated

agricultural sector. ''The construction of

growth of the leather sub-sector in

pieces of land to small-scale and

this dam gives a practical expression of

Zambia and three other member

commercial farmers. We are in the

my Government's resolve to put

countries. Zambia has the potential to

process of awarding 10,000 ha of land

agriculture at the centre of our

grow its leather value chain to half a

to what is referred to as a core

economy. Irrigation farming is an act of

billion dollars a year if all hides are

venture,'' Minister of Agriculture,

diversifying the sector away from rain-

transformed into finished products.

Given Lubinda said.

fed agriculture.”

Irrigation

underway in Lusitu (Chirundu) and

The state has also agreed to waive taxes on leather production machines

Currently, the construction of dams is

and equipment to further enhance

Zambia's future indeed lies in

Musakashi in Mufulira district. ''We aim

growth.

agriculture and President Lungu's

to have over 75,000 ha by 2030. To

administration has emphasised its

achieve this, the Government will

Farm block development

determination to pursue an

ensure adequate funds for irrigation

In a bid to grow the agriculture sector,

agriculture-led economy through the

development annually. Currently,

Government is developing the Farm

rolling out of irrigation schemes and

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

Block Development Programme with

other innovations throughout the

for irrigation in the 2016 national

vast opportunities for investors. Ten

country. Speaking during the launch

budget,'' he pointed out.

farming blocks have been identified

of the construction of the US$28mn

(one in each province). ''The Nansanga

Mwomboshi Irrigation Dam in

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[11] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Market Information Information Market

Senegal’s farmers adopt mobile phones to boost harvest Walking through his dry millet field,

sugar cane, millet, groundnuts, paddy

Alioune Djaby, chief of Sikilo village,

rice and maize. According to the U.N.

extremes.

'Walking without seeing the path'

waits for a sign that rainfall is coming.

Food and Agriculture Organization,

Djaby and fellow farmers says they use

Normally, he would look for clouds in

millet production in Senegal declined

the updates to make more informed

the sky or birds singing. This time

by 38 percent between 2012 and

farming decisions.

though, he's expecting a text message

2014.

To test the service's effectiveness,

from the National Agency of Civil

To remedy this, the meteorological

Mariama Keita, a farmer who cultivates

Aviation and Meteorology.

agency launched a free weather

millet and groundnuts, allocated two

Senegalese farmers have long relied

information service via text message

hectares of her land to millet and

on traditional weather indicators, such

with the CGIAR Research Programme

peanuts for a comparative study.

as trees blooming or where birds set

on Climate Change, Agriculture and

She farmed half of each hectare using

their nests, to manage their crops. But

Food Security last August, after

only climate information sent by text

those have become unreliable as a

testing it with a group of 33 farmers

messages, and cultivated the other half

result of increasingly variable weather

for five years.

using traditional weather indicators.

patterns in the region.

Weather updates are sent by text in

In 2015, the plot farmed using

"The overall amount of rainfall has

French to farmers who have

information received by text yielded

decreased in the past decades, as the

volunteered for the pilot programme

1,500kg of groundnuts more than the

rainy season starts later and lasts for a

in seven regions across the country.

one farmed using traditional methods.

shorter amount of time," said

They relay the information to fellow

She has now adopted the newer

Ousmane Ndiaye, a meteorologist and

farmers in local languages, as needed.

method on the rest of her land.

researcher at the national

Extreme weather incidents like heavy

"We now see that traditional ways of

meteorological agency.

rainfall or windstorms will trigger a

predicting the weather just don't work,"

In 2015 for example, the monsoon was

text message such as "Forecast:

said Keita. "With climate updates I

expected in mid-May in southern

heavy rain expected in Kaffrine in two

know that if it rains tomorrow I can save

Senegal but started three months late,

hours."

my fertiliser for another day."

in August.

The project is also underway in Mali,

To broaden the weather service's reach,

That has huge implications for the

Burkina Faso, Niger and Ghana - all

the meteorological agency partners

country's agriculture, which relies on

particularly vulnerable to climate

with the National Community Radio

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[12] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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Market Ideas & Information Innovation

Network - made up of 96 stations which farmers can also listen to on their phones - to broadcast weather information in French as well as local languages.

The meteorological agency sends daily weather forecasts including marine forecasts for fishermen - to the radio stations and trains the presenters on how to interpret the information.

As of last August, 916 village chiefs and farmers had signed up to the weather text service which, with the addition of local radio stations, had a combined potential reach of at least 7 million people across Senegal - more than half the population.

"We've seen a lot of lives and livelihoods lost in the fishing and farming industries because of adverse weather conditions and poor planning," said Tala Dieng, president of the radio network. "This service helps reduce their losses."

Future plans to expand the service include issuing recorded voice messages on phones, so that illiterate farmers can also access weather information.

New home-grown pesticide to fight Nigeria’s tomato crisis Nigerian minister of science and technology Ogbonnaya

Zimbabwe’s poultry farmers benefit from protein producing maggots

Onu has announced that the federal government has developed a home-grown pesticide to fight the tomato pest – Tuta Absoluta – which has ravaged farms in the West African country Onu said that under the supervision of the Ministry, the

Farmers in Zimbabwe have been seeking new food sources

National Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) in

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

Kaduna State, has developed the pesticide using natural

hit with its worst drought in 25 years

resources available in the country. He claimed that this

According to Lovemore Kuwana, an entrepreneur in

pesticide was effective against Tuta Absoluta – a moth that

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

lays eggs on tomato plants, which develop into caterpillars

due to shortage. This had led Kuwana to produce maggots

feeding on leaves, stems and fruit.

that feed on waste to provide protein for his breeding flock

The minister commended the NARICT scientists for coming

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

up with the new solution, stating that the institute had

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

saved the country billions of naira that would have been

now,” said the entrepreneur.

used to import pesticide from abroad.

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

Onu's announcements comes a few days after the governor

The industrial process of producing stock feed that contains

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

maggots, using a number of tanks in a purposebuilt

emergency on tomato farming in the state, stating that 80

structure — produces five times less greenhouse gas

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

emissions than soy or maize stock feed, according to

locally called Tomato Ebola. He said about 200 farmers in

Chinhoyi University research.

three local government areas in the state lost one billion

"We have been producing a sizeable amount of maggots

naira in the last one month.

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

The infestation has caused a severe scarcity of the

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

vegetable in the Nigerian market. Tomato prices in the

Ephraim Whingwiri.

country have sky-rocketed since the crisis with a wholesale

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

basket containing hundred tomatoes costing US$212, up

given to around 300 chickens at Zim Earthworm Farms.

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

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[13] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Market Ideas & Information Innovation

There is an immediate solution to Sub-Saharan Africa’s power challenges Access to reliable electricity is essential to human development and to a country's sustainable economic progress. Today, having electricity is vital in providing basic social services to people, conducting business and running industrial operations.

Unfortunately, billions of people around the world still do not have access to reliable electricity, with a great number of them living in the rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.

In its publication World Energy Outlook 2015, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that there are approximately 634 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa without access to electricity, and that the average national electrification rate in the region only stands at 32%.

It also reports that although electrification efforts are underway in Sub-Saharan Africa, electrification in urban areas has widely outpaced that in rural areas since 2000. In fact, the latest figures show that the average urban electrification rate in SubSaharan Africa stands at 59%, while that of rural, in contrast, stands at only 17%.

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

May - June 2016

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

venue for a notable number of industry stakeholders, including government officials and head of relevant ministries, regulatory authorities, power providers like Altaaqa Global Cat Rental Power, financial institutions and investors, to talk about salient energy issues and c a s t a f o r wa r d - l o o k i n g g a ze a t opportunities for the betterment of the sector.

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

Significantly, key industry stakeholders are now undertaking myriad power projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the objective of increasing the region's overall access to reliable electricity, enhancing the effectiveness and governance of state-owned utilities, and rehabilitating ageing and dilapidated power infrastructure, among others.

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

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

Electrification Efforts are underway Today, driving the growth of Africa's energy sector takes the spotlight at various industry conferences and engagement events all around the world, such as the 2016 Africa Energy Forum, which will transpire in late July. These gatherings provide a [16] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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

Market Ideas & Information Innovation increases, they can simply choose to add more power modules to the temporary power plant, precluding the need to buy additional equipment or build other permanent facilities. By the same token, in case the power requirement decreases, the load of the t e m p o ra r y p o w e r p l a n t c a n b e proportionally adjusted.

Temporary power providers offer a full range of services, including operating and maintaining the power plants.

Temporary power providers have welltrained, expert engineers that will ensure that the power plants run at the optimal level all the time.

As the region eases through its power challenges, and as soon as the longterm power sector development plans are gradually rolled out, the governments or the power utilities can simply choose to end the temporary power contract. The entire temporary power plant will be demobilized, leaving no idle power equipment nor permanent power plants running on part-load and requiring constant maintenance, servicing and upgrades.

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

Spotlight on Africa's power sector at the AEF 2016 continuous and reliable supply of electricity anytime and anywhere it is needed. Multi-megawatt temporary power solutions can open doors to a definitive resolution of Sub-Saharan Africa's power challenges.

There is a solution: Temporary Power Technologies Temporary power plants represent an immediate, reliable, scalable and costefficient solution to the region's power concerns.

The installation of temporary power plants does not call for extensive site preparation nor for the refurbishment of transmission and distribution grids.

As soon as the generators and other power equipment arrive on site, they www.farmersreviewafrica.com

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

The governments, power utility providers, nor industries and businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa will not need to spend scarce financial resources on capital expenditure, which is usually the case when procuring large-scale power equipment of building permanent power facilities. The governments and other industry stakeholders can conveniently pay for the rented electricity from their operating revenues. As industry activities grow and the requirement for electricity [17] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

The development of Sub-Saharan Africa's power sector will be in focus at the 2016 Africa Energy Forum (AEF 2016), on 22-24 June at the Intercontinental O2 in London, UK. Dubbed as the most respected and established annual gathering of power players, AEF 2016 with throw the spotlight on the latest innovations that drive the growth of Africa's energy sector, including temporary power technologies.

Altaaqa Global, a leading multimegawatt temporary power solutions provider, will be at the event to showcase its products and services.

Located at Stand #58, Altaaqa Global welcomes the opportunity to talk about its multi-megawatt rental power plants, and how it can help Sub-Saharan African countries gain access to reliable electricity.

May - June 2016

Market Ideas & Information Innovation

Polyfabric Tarp Shelters for Agriculture Polyfabric tarpaulin is one of the most

to prevent contaminants and airborne

which can easily be relocated. It is vital

widely used and versatile materials in

diseases from entering or spreading.

to regulate temperatures both in the

industry and agriculture. The fabric

This synthetic fabric can be used

summer and winter in piggeries, and

can be used to create low cost shelters

throughout poultry farms to control

this can easily be achieved with thermal

which provide excellent protection

conditions to promote the health and

covers. These can be easily fitted for

from the elements, and can prolong

wellness of livestock. With the correct

use in winter and rolled up in summer

the life of machinery and reduce crop

configuration of polyfabric partitions,

or when not required and provide

losses during storage and

shades, covers and tarp shelters,

sufficient insulation to keep animals

transportation.

rearing poultry can be made less

warm, dry and comfortable in winter.

The low cost, versatility and

labour intensive and environmental

Tarp shelters have also found many

convenience of polyfabric tarp shelters

conditions can be easily controlled to

commercial uses, being well suited as

have made them a common sight at

ensure the idea temperature and

covers for outdoor swimming pools to

mining operations and farms across

humidity is maintained.

provide shade, and for protection from

the country. Covers can be constructed

Although the material is ideal for use

the sun and rain in parks and play

to provide protection from dust, rain

as interior screens, doors and fan

areas.

and sunlight, yet the material can also

covers, it is also robust enough to

Purchasing polyfabric shelters, shades

be used to finely control temperature

withstand the full force of the

and sails

and humidity and to maintain ideal

elements. Polyfabric has high tensile

If you are considering installing a

conditions for rearing animals or

strength and stretches in a uniform

shelter, shade or sail it is important to

growing crops. Since the fabric can

a n d p r e d i c t a b l e m a n n e r. I t i s

seek advice from polyfabric

now be produced with welded seams

therefore well suited for use in the

manufacturer and to discuss your

virtually as strong as the fabric itself,

construction of lightweight,

specific needs and requirements.

the material can be constructed to

temporary or permanent shades and

Manufacturers of quality mining

customers exact requirements.

shelters to protect goods, crops,

shelters, poultry rearing housing and

Poultry farmers use the synthetic

vehicles and machinery from the

piggery tarpaulin shelters will be happy

fabric to separate poultry and create

elements.

to discuss bespoke designs to provide

ideal conditions for raising poultry. Roll

Tarp shelters are a low cost choice for

the required functionality. Many

up doors can be easily installed to

many farmers and are often used for

manufacturers also offer 'off the shelf'

provide easy staff access, concertina

piggeries. Pig shelters can be cheaply

designs which can be quickly

blinds can be fitted to control lighting

constructed from polyfabric, with the

manufactured and delivered.

conditions and fan covers constructed

shelters ideal as temporary housing

May - June 2016

[18] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Market Information Personality of the month

Cultivating success in the

agri-industry

Armed with an MPhil in Development

sugar, wheat and soya to large food

Studies from Oxford University, an MBA

companies in SA.

from Harvard Business School and a wealth of experience from global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, both locally and internationally, Soweto-born and -bred entrepreneur Nhlanhla Dlamini decided to leave his job as a consultant to try and start his own businesses.

Through his Maneli Group, Dlamini hopes to create business opportunities in South

Maneli Commodities aggregates raw materials for big food companies that do

Nhlanhla Dlamini

not want to source raw materials from

to bring in co-investors to augment

small farmers or co-operatives. They

Awethu's seed capital.

would rather deal with a company like

In SA the venture capital industry is still

us, aggregate raw materials from across

quite thin (especially outside of the tech

the country, manage quality and deliver

space) unlike Europe and the US.

to clients as per their production needs.

Entrepreneurship is tough for everyone,

What did you do prior to starting

but I think to a certain degree it's tougher

your own business?

for young black people.

I grew up in Soweto and went to school

We don't have a strong network of older

Africa's agricultural sector by operating in areas of the industry that big business tends to overlook.

What does Maneli Group do?

in Johannesburg. I graduated with a

black entrepreneurs who have already

Bachelor of Commerce from Wits

made it and are now the “Godfathers”, so

University, then went on to do a

to speak, or angel investors for the

Postgraduate Diploma in Management at

younger entrepreneurs coming through.

company that looks for opportunities to

the Wits Business School (both cum

I'm trying to build my network and I hope

build and expand businesses in the food

laude and top of my class).

to play that role for other people in a

Maneli Group is a 100% black-owned

and agricultural sector. We have two subsidiaries, Maneli Pets and Maneli

I joined McKinsey & Company in 2006,

couple of years.

and worked for them in South Africa,

How has the one-year journey in

Europe and in the US. Following the

entrepreneurship been?

Maneli Pets, created six months ago,

completion of my MBA in 2012, I came

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

manufactures pet foods using game and

back to SA, still with McKinsey, where I

highs and lows then entrepreneurship is

ostrich by-products. We plan to start

stayed until April 2015.

not for you. The lows are definitely more

Where did you get seed capital to

accentuated than you would find in

start the business?

corporate and, conversely, the highs are

Commodities.

exporting these products to a wholesaler in the US towards August.

We have two factories, one in the Western Cape and another in Gauteng.

We collect raw materials from abattoirs and manufacture the pet foods. The packaged finished product is being piloted in the US and mass production

I used a combination of savings I accumulated while working and some

But there's never been a month where I

initial start-up capital from small

found myself thinking that I was on the

business incubator and SMME

wrong path. I'm working with something

investment company, the Awethu

that aligns with my purpose, and at the

Project.

same time I'm making a bigger difference

will commence in August 2016.

Awethu plays in a very unique and Maneli Commodities is a grain trading business, one of the first majority blackowned grain trading businesses in SA. We sell soft commodities like maize,

May - June 2016

highly rewarding.

important space because it invests in

than I would under the employment of someone else.

entrepreneurs before most formal

What have been the biggest

institutions would like to get involved.

difficulties you've had to overcome?

For one of the Maneli subsidiaries, I had

In no particular order, I'd say it was

[20] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Market Information Personality of the month difficult becoming everything and

deeper pockets, stronger relationships,

fulfilling every role in the business. I

and they can be hostile to new entrants.

started the business on my own and built

Taking them on is not advised and I

capacity as I went along, but initially I

have not tried to do that.

had to multi-task as the marketing, finance, operations and admin person, which is different from corporate where there is specialisation within the team.

I also had to learn to manage my reaction to events. There were weeks when I felt like I had cracked it and could be making money the following week, but then something would happen the next day to nullify what I thought would

but even more so in entrepreneurship

initially anticipated. You need to be confident that your plan is going to work.

If you aren't confident, trying to sell it to funders, employees and partners

30% slack in my schedule every week for unexpected events that inevitably occur.

enough attention. Or serving where I think I can do very well and make decent money and decent margins.

Right now I'm lucky in that there's a need for the industry to be transformative, so it is more receptive to smaller or new partners coming on

You need to bring in partners and have a team around you that can help share the load. In the beginning it will come at a cost because you don't have a lot of money to go around. You need hands-on experience with managing money.

Your grasp of cash flow and numbers and projecting where the company will be in

entrepreneurship for a while, I read a lot about companies that make it and ones that don't make it and often the companies that don't make it are the ones that tried to take on the big

of the company. And I'm more aware

your company in jeopardy, so that skill I've had to hone a lot more.

Becoming a salesperson is a skill I didn't get to practise much while growing up, but it's an important skill to have when trying to convince industry bodies, employees and funders to buy into a business concept or idea.

I take time out to refresh, not as much as I should, but I try to exercise or play sports four times a week. And I have a strong circle of family and friends. I'm present and engaged in their lives.

means of supporting them too. I feel privileged and also have a great sense of responsibility for what I'm meant to do in the time that I'm here and I never want to feel like I wasted a month or a year not being as productive as I could have been.

businesses, so I decided not to follow

What are your non-work habits that

that path.

help you with your work-life balance?

How many people do you currently

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

employ?

hours of exercise or sports per week. I try

At the Maneli Group in Johannesburg there's three of us. Maneli Commodities will be employing about 10 people in the next four months. And Maneli Pets will be employing about 30 to 40 people by the end of the year.

What is the best business advice you've ever received?

three to six months' time, is the lifeblood

that bad financial management can put

How do you stay motivated?

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

board.

becomes impossible.

Biggest lesson learnt?

general comes with a lot of curve balls and uncertainty. I always leave 20% to

get into areas they may not be giving

Since I had wanted to venture into

because plans can go a little slower than

Beyond people, entrepreneurship in

My strategy is to partner with them to

bring in money.

Resilience is a virtue in most industries,

nonetheless.

In food manufacturing, cash is king. You can have great ideas, but if you do not have the cash the lifeblood of the company is compromised.

Also: The elements that make up a successful business are a good idea, plus a good plan and team and rigorous implementation.

and learn something new every week, even if it's something trivial, by reading, listening to podcasts or hanging out with people that I wouldn't normally hang out with.

I enjoy travelling, but it's a bit tough with where the rand is at the moment. But travelling has proven valuable because it gives you a fresh perspective of your country and culture.

How would you measure success for the group?

The hard metrics should be around the company's performance in terms of the revenue and profits, and our resources and reserves for future growth, among other things.

What was unexpected?

Going forward, I'd like to segue into

People are the most unpredictable

related industries like green energy in

How tough is competition in your

variable. People's sentiments often

about five years' time. Fast-forward 10

sector, and what differentiates your

change, which then affects their

years or so: I have aspirations for us to

product/service from others?

motivations and behaviours. Or there

be the largest black-owned industrial

are changes in their lives and your

company.

The competition in the South African industrial sector is extremely tough. It's dominated by large companies with

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

project is no longer a big priority; so often it's navigating changes in people. I

This article originally appeared in the 12 May

really enjoy working with people

2016 edition of finweek

[21] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Market Information Information Market

Mabula Ground Hornbill Project The Southern Ground-Hornbill is iconic throughout its Southern and East African range for its striking black plumage and bright red throat, along with its snake-killing prowess and loud booming call before dawn. Occurring across the continent from Southern Kenya, west to Angola, Nambia and south to South Africa, these large turkey-sized hornbills can most often be seen in cooperative groups of up to 12 individuals, walking and foraging for food items as they go. This unique species is now registered as Endangered in South Africa with only about 1500 individuals remaining, and the population continues to decline.

One of the biggest threats currently facing the species is secondary poisoning. Since the increase in ranching of high-value game within South Africa, there has also been a marked increase in wildlife poisoning for problem animals. As an o p p o r t u n i s t i c f e e d e r, a ny s u c h poisoned bait made available to wildlife also presents itself as a food item for the Southern GroundHornbill, and due to their cooperative social structure an entire group can be lost to a single carcass.

Furthermore, it has recently been discovered that Southern GroundHornbills are highly susceptible to poisoning from lead which can be ingested via carrion, containing lead May - June 2016

fragments from spent ammunition, in the veld. The lead builds up in the immune system of each individual until it reaches a level high enough to cause lead toxicosis, which is fatal unless treated urgently with veterinary care – and it doesn't take more than a rice grain sized fragment.

Southern Ground-Hornbills are also highly territorial, with each group maintaining a territory of up to 250km2 using the loud booming duet before dawn, to prevent any intrusion from neighbouring groups. As a result, the reflection of a group member in a window is often mistaken for an invader, and consequently the species is known and persecuted for its window-breaking habits, particularly in the rural areas where replacement of windows is extremely costly.

The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project, based in Limpopo, is working tirelessly in an attempt to slow and reverse the decline of the Southern GroundHornbill. The project utilises a variety of mitigation techniques in order to defuse the major threats to the species, and many other iconic savannah inhabitants. The team is working to promote the use of contravision, a sticky vinyl which can be used to remove the reflection of a window without reducing the light intake. This method has proved [22] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

extremely successful at preventing window-breakages, and therefore removing the need for the persecution.

Furthermore, the project promotes the use of affordable non-lead ammunition, such as copper, in order to prevent the loss of life due to unnecessary poisoning.

A loss of just four individuals a year to unnatural threats is enough to push this distinctive species further into decline and therefore the effort to conserve them is critical if the species is going to survive for future generations. If you would like to know more about how you can help to conserve Southern GroundHornbills in your area or for information about our research projects, artificial nests and reintroductions please contact project@groundhornbill.org.za.

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

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Market Ideas & Information Innovation

Innovative student pioneers solution to the global plight of dying bees As one of the primary pollinators in the world, it is honeybees – and not farmers – that are responsible for the majority of agricultural production ranging from cotton to crops. Bees are not only important to human survival they also play a central role in the evolution of the earth's ecology.

Yet bees are facing a global threat.

Because they are so critical to our survival, it is imperative that steps be taken to reduce this threat. The use of pesticides has contributed to the death of some 250 million bees in recent years. Beekeepers lose up to 30 percent of their stock and equipment each year due to vandalism and theft, resulting in a loss of pollination and honey.

Diseases such as American Foul Brood play a large role in the decreasing number of bees worldwide. Migratory beekeeping is also contributing to the spread of this disease, as it removes permanency for bee colonies and allows outside factors to threaten the structure of hives.

Yet there is a solution. Young South African industrial design student and PPC Imaginarium Awards finalist, Ivan Brown hopes to bring about more stability for beekeepers and www.farmersreviewafrica.com

their hives through his uniquely designed concrete beehive. His “Beegin Permanent Hive” was entered as prototype into the PPC Imaginarium Awards and now goes

Ivan Brown Beehive

into the testing phase thanks to further sponsorship from PPC Group Services (Pty) Ltd. Brown plans to produce 20 concrete

[23] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

hives that will be tried and tested via real-world implementation. Through this process, any remaining design issues will be identified and rectified.

The hives will be distributed to a group of 20 urban farmers and existing beekeepers. Brown's vision is to create safe and sustainable beekeeping practices in urban settings – empowering urban farmers with the means to earn extra income whilst ensuring the health of their primary pollinators.

Speaking of why PPC has chosen to sponsor such a venture, Daniel van der Merwe, who heads the PPC Imaginarium Awards, states: “PPC looks forward to seeing the impact of the Beegin Permanent Hive. We hope that it will have a significant social and environmental effect by helping to support a sustainable bee population.”

Brown's forward-thinking beehive design offers significant innovations.

Each hive will have two chambers that will be easy to access with the use of brood frames. Four thin legs carry the weight of the hive, and these legs can be placed in tins of oil to protect against pests. Furthermore, the permanency of the concrete can prevent the spread of diseases while reducing the vandalism and theft.

May - June 2016

Market Information Machinery Preview

Is robotic milking a viable option for farmers?

Every producer thinking about or

There are three types of

already purchasing a robotic milking

commercially available automatic

system has heard all the stories that

milking systems worldwide:

can go with a transition – the drama,

·

Single-stall units utilize one

conventional milking parlour Labour While technology costs go down,

the tall tales, the truly rough

robotic arm for each stall. This

labor costs go up. This irreversible

experiences. These sagas usually are

is the most popular and

trend has affected most industries,

the only stories that get re-told over and over, making it seem like every

·

robotic milking startup will have an epic story to tell.

However, there is no doubt that robotic

·

proven technology.

and dairy is no exception. Automation

Multiple-stall units – a newer

will be the sustainable solution of the

concept where one arm

future. When considering robotic

serves two or more stalls.

milking, it's important to evaluate

Automatic Milking Rotary

labor efficiency, which is the number

milking is a suitable solution for large

(AMR)

dairies, as there are several examples

advancement in high-

of successful dairies working under different conditions around the world.

is

the

latest

capacity automated milking.

It combines the highest efficiency of

of robots per employee.

Farmers using the dual robotic system spend considerably less time working each day and work on average 3-3.5

Robotic milking is when a type of robot

both conventional and automated

hours less than the conventional

called an automatic milking system

milking by employing a rotary

farmer. On average, the conventional

(AMS) replaces a person to do all the

platform with multiple robotic arms

farmers spend three hours each day

jobs involved in milking a herd of cows.

that can prep, attach and post-spray

milking/droving cows, while the

The system is set up to:

up to 90 cows per hour.

farmers using the robots spend

·

guide the cows to the milking

Operating one automatic milking

approximately 40 minutes each day

shed

system (AMS) requires the same set

at this task.

·

identify each cow individually

of skills as operating multiple units.

·

milk the cows

There are two areas where robotic

Management by exception

·

check the milk

milking can have a greater impact on

The most ideal group size: one cow.

·

record data about individual

large dairies.

Regardless of the operation's scale,

cows.

May - June 2016

A milking robot will prove a 36%

technologies included within the

labour saving on a dairy farm

robot, or peripherally, let farmers

throughout the year compared to a

focus on individual cows without

[24] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Market Information Machinery Preview

position dairy farms for generations to come.

DeLaval AMR™- the only commercially viable automatic milking rotary with 4, 5 million milkings to date.

DeLaval AMR™ (automatic milking rotary) – represents a state-of-the-art approach in automatic milking solutions for owners of dairy farms with 300+ cows.

This unique system is flexible enough to operate in different farming practices, from free stalls and loose housing to pasture-based dairying. DeLaval AMR™ can be used as a voluntary or batch automatic system, and is the only one of its kind in the world to encompass both farming types.

DeLaval VMS™ (voluntary milking system) - a fully automated robotic milking solution that keeps manual labour at a minimum while still delivering maximum efficiency.

One of the main strengths of the losing the group management scope.

DeLaval offers largest range of

Those individuals can be monitored

automatic milking solutions

and managed in a unique way to help

designed to meet the needs of all

drive profitability.

dairy farmers

of development over the last decade.

This means that even farmers with an

D e L a va l n o w b o a s t s t h e m o s t Health benefits

comprehensive assortment of

It is difficult to quantify the health

automatic milking solutions with the

benefits robotic milking might bring for

addition of the DeLaval teat spray

cows. With robotic milking, cows set

robot TSR. Whether farmers are

their own milking schedule, which

seeking to fully integrate and

should better fit a natural pattern of

automate their system or if they wish

more frequent milking. In a well-

to upgrade and complement their

managed robotic system, farmers note

existing systems to future proof their

less stress among cows and fewer

farm, DeLaval understands and

hierarchical battles within the herd.

delivers on those needs.

More frequent milking will allow less

DeLaval's automatic portfolio ranges

stress on the udder, particularly in

from; its commercially viable

early lactation. Less udder pressure

automatic milking rotary (DeLaval™

and stress on ligaments provides more

AMR), its voluntary milking system

comfort for the animal, especially

(DeLaval™ VMS), DeLaval teat spray

when lying. More frequent milking may

robot TSR, Herd Navigator™ proactive

also reduce the time for the growth of

on farm diagnostic tool and to its

mastitis organisms. However, more

DeLaval Optimat™ feeding system.

frequent milking and longer total daily

Continued investment into developing

milking time may cause more stress on

leading edge automation is about

teats. This could lead to an increased

offering groundbreaking precision

number of teat end erosions and

products and solutions that help drive

eruptions.

down the cost of ownership and

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

DeLaval VMS™ is that the company has made upgradability an integral element

[25] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

earlier VMS can upgrade it to include the benefits of the latest model without having to replace the station.

Conclusion One controlled Swedish study showed that with herds of 55 cows, two hours per day can be saved in an AM system when compared to a conventional milking system. This amounts to about two minutes per cow per day saved thanks to robotic milking.

The future of large-scale AMS is very promising. The introduction of efficient technologies is the best way to face the different challenges our industry needs to overcome. Innovations will have the greatest impact from labor, herd management and social responsibility perspectives. When considering robotic milking for your large herd, make sure you plan your work and work your plan – then the result won't be anything but success.

May - June 2016

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

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

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

ID monitoring and guided preselection gates ensure even distribution of cows per milking station, which translates to perfect, stress-free throughput. Since all tasks can be controlled and m o n i t o r e d f r o m o n e c e n t ra l management station, staff perform less tedious, repetitive tasks and

are able to better manage the herd.

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

Corporate Media and Press: GEA Southern & Eastern Africa 48 Reedbuck Crescent, Corporate Park South, Midrand 1682, RSA Tel. + 27(0)11 392 7114, Fax. +27(0)11 392 7000 info-sea@gea.com

About GEA GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food processing industry and a wide range of process industries that generated consolidated revenues of approximately EUR 4.5 billion in 2014. As an international technology group, the Company focuses on process technology and components for sophisticated production processes in various end-user markets. The Group generates more than 70 percent of its revenue in the food sector that enjoys long-term sustainable growth. As of September 30, 2015, the Company employed around 18,000 people worldwide.

GEA is a market and technology leader in its business areas. The Company is listed in Germany's MDAX (G1A, WKN 660 200). In addition, GEA's share is a constituent of the MSCI Global Sustainability Indexes. Further information is available on the Internet at gea.com.

May - June 2016

[26] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Market Information Information Market

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

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

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

In 2013, acutely aware that energy was a key (and growing) cost to his business, Squires initiated a R1.5 million energy efficiency upgrade.

Before deciding what to invest in, he obviously needed to know where AIS Farming was spending money and May - June 2016

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

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

A small amount was also invested in soil moisture probes, which would have the benefit of not only making sure that crops were getting the right amount of water but also testing the wisdom of Squires' decision to implement no-till operations - no-till operations has had the effect of improving water absorption while [30] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

reducing the need for irrigation.

(The Eskom Energy Advisor was extremely helpful in making Squires a wa r e o f w h a t e q u i p m e n t wa s available from whom at what cost and what likely energy savings could be achieved.)

Payback on the investment Two years since making the energyefficiency switch, AIS Farming is as automated as it is ever likely to be.

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

But back to that all-important payback question. How much did AIS invest and what has been Squires' experience?

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

Market Information Information Market upgrade,” he explains. “That includes upgrading the pump station structures and equipment and replacing our main pipeline. On some centre pivots the payback has been less than one year, in line with what we were expecting and even better than what we were promised.

“We took detailed readings of electricity consumption per pivot.

While there were some variances between the planting seasons we compared, the results were remarkable – as much as four times what we were expecting. In one case, for instance, energy consumption went down from 162 835 kilowatt hours (kWh) to 89 311 kWh – we saved 45%. On the pivot where the pipe was replaced, the payback will be less than five years. Overall, yes, a great investment and very acceptable payback periods.”

So would he recommend that other crop farmers take a leaf out of AIS Farming's book? “Definitely,” says Squires. “The whole process of deciding what to do, what changes to make and what investments to make was challenging but definitely not difficult. I would certainly advise every crop farmer using irrigation not to hesitate; investigate the possibilities, the potential up and down side. You've got nothing to lose.

And you get great advice and help from Eskom's Energy Advisors”.

Eskom's national Advisory Service advises businesses on: ·

Conducting walk-through energy assessments to identify areas of energy wastage and pinpoint energy saving opportunities.

·

Improve the energy efficiency of their operations.

·

Optimise their maintenance programmes.

They can also support businesses with recommendations and information on: · ·

Tariffs.

Energy efficient technologies and technology suppliers.

·

Appropriate energy sources – whether electrical, fossil fuelled or renewable.

·

Funding for energy efficiency projects saving more than 250 kW.

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

Cropping

Sernick Group announces country’s first certified

Bonsmara beef brand Diversified Free State-based agri

and less flavourful. So when

and abattoir with a full deboning,

business, Sernick Group, has launched

consumers see the Certified Sernick

processing and packaging facility.

the country's first certified Bonsmara

Bonsmara Beef label, they know every

“This means that at no point does our

beef brand, offering consumers

cut they buy, every time, will be

Bonsmara beef leave our hands. We

complete peace of mind when it comes

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

own the whole value chain and ensure

to purchasing 100% authentic South

accountability behind that brand that

quality control at every step of the

African Bonsmara beef.

tells the story of the entire Sernick

journey. This allows us to guarantee the

Called Certified Sernick Bonsmara

value chain, from farm to fork.”

quality of our beef – a promise

Beef, the new brand guarantees

This story includes a flourishing agri

embodied by our new Certified Sernick

consistently exceptional quality beef

business that is one of South Africa's

Bonsmara Beef label,” adds Serfontein.

with complete traceability, from

few agricultural producers to not only

The Certified Sernick Bonsmara Beef

Sernick's Edenville farm to every

participate in the complete agri value

brand will include the full range of beef

discerning consumer's plate.

chain, but to actually own it.

cuts, and will be available exclusively

Explains Nick Serfontein, Chairman of

The Sernick Group boasts its own

from Sernick's Country Meat branded

the Sernick Group: “The Bonsmara is

5000-hectare family-owned and run

retail butcheries in Epsom Downs and Pineslopes in Johannesburg as well as

an early maturing breed, which results

farm with cultivated pastures and

in tender and tasty beef. Late maturing

natural grazing that features, among

their Kroonstad butchery from 16 April

breeds' meat can be a little tougher

other aspects, a feed factory, feedlot

2016.

May - June 2016

[32] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

About the Sernick Group: Sernick, founded in 1982, is a diversified organization with its focus on agriculture and agricultural processing activities, including a Bonsmara stud, commercial Bonsmara

Measuring and weighing

herd, a bull testing station, animal feed

for agriculture

production, feedlot, red meat production (abattoir, de-boning and

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

processing) as well as retail outlets.

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

Sernick is based in and near Kroonstad

yield. Measuring and weighing provide farmers with the numbers and

in the Free-state province of South

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

Africa and consists of 7 business

The moisture of agricultural products is an important quality parameter for

entities, each adding value to the

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

group. The group employs 440 people

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

with annual revenues of R 1 Billion.

crops, thermal water extraction must be carried out with a drying scale or a drying oven. In practice this method takes too long.

The Agreto moisture meters provide faster measurements that measure either the conductivity or electrical capacitance of the sample. One or more calibrations are converted to the moisture. The Agreto moisture meters thus provide accurate results within seconds. Agreto offers innovative solutions relating to livestock scales, hydraulic scales, platform scales, scales kits, soil compaction meters, temperature probes, moisture meters for hay, straw and grain.

The company is hoping to expand in Africa and is currently looking for interested partners who want to distribute their products in their countries.

32,000 families receive seeds for planting across the country More than 370,000 kilograms of seeds for the planting

the most recent harvest was very small. That means

season have been distributed across the country by the

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

International Committee of the Red Cross. Across the

sometimes forcing families to eat the seeds that they

areas most affected by either drought or violence,nearly

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

32,000 South Sudanese families received the seeds.

the ICRC person overseeing economic security projects in

The typical seed distribution package included 5

the country.

kilograms of sorghum seeds, 5 kilograms of maize seeds as well as a variety of vegetable seeds including pumpkin

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

and okra. Some areas also received 16 kilograms of

good harvest and we hope this will lead to tens of

groundnut seeds. Food was given out during ICRC seeds

thousands of families planting so that they regain an

distribution so that families can spend time planting

independent food production capacity," she said.

knowing that they have a ready food supply to eat.

Through emergency interventions as well as resilience "Given the dry weather El Nino brought last year

building projects, the ICRC is committed to continuing its

compounded with consequences of two years of conflict,

support to communities affected by two years of conflict.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[33] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

CD 996 - ZA du Champ Pourceau 21380 Messigny et Vantoux - France + 33 3 80 48 60 16 contact@ecolacteo.com www.ecolacteo.com

Growket is a new Company of Symaga Group Last June 16 the new brand of Symaga Group, Growket has been presented by Alfonso Garrido, president of the group.

Symaga was founded in 1985 by Alfonso Garrido for manufacturing silos and livestock equipment. It is currently a multi-national Spanish company owned by Garrido family, exporting more than 90% of the production and is present in more than 120 countries.

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

Growket is born inside Symaga Group, which strengthened

its business structure after a huge process of investment.

Symaga Group has set up a production facility with the latest technology, and has expanded the technical and commercial department. These measures will enhance and professionalise the livestock division to offer a global service in farm silo, poultry, porcine and ovine equipment Symaga Group ensures the optimal execution of any project. Backed by an experience of more than 30 years in industrial silo sector, the company has exceeded 6,000 installations in ďŹ ve continents.

The founder began its trajectory in livestock sector.

Historically Symaga has worked in different livestock projects, now the aim is to become a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of poultry, porcine and ovine equipment. growket@growket.com Visit our new website: www.growket.com

Livestock

Impact of genetic progress on the profits of dairy farmers Farm animals have been undergoing

reproduction, herd health and milking

some degree of genetic control, is there

human-managed selection ever since

management there are some aspects

some way we can take advantage of

their original domestication. Initially,

that are not so obvious. One such

this in our dairy herd?

selection was probably limited to

facet is herd genetics.

The answer to the first question is that

docility and manageability, but in the

Virtually every aspect of dairy cattle

genetics is only important if you want to

last 60 years breeding programmes

performance is controlled by genetics

make improvements in animal

have focused on the genetic

– milk, fat and protein yield,

performance in future years. Are heifer

improvement of production traits,

reproduction, feed efficiency, length

replacements that will become better

such as milk yield, growth rate and

of life in the herd, calving ability, and

performing cows in future years

number of eggs.

ability to resist diseases such as

desirable? If the answer is yes, then

The operation of a dairy farm business

mastitis as well as all the dairy cattle

knowing what can be done to bring

has many facets and each must be

conformation traits such as udder, feet

about this improvement will provide the

managed well if the business is to be

and legs and stature to name a few.

answer to the second question.

successful.

Each cow in the herd has her own

Genetic change and hopefully

The progressive dairy manager should

unique genetic makeup. So what is

improvement takes place when the

always be seeking improvement in

the importance of the genetics of the

parents of the next generation of

each of these facets. While most of

animals in the herd? If every aspect of

animals are chosen. For a dairy herd,

those aspects are obvious such as herd

dairy cattle performance is under

that means choosing the sires and

nutrition and feeding, herd May - June 2016

[36] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Livestock dams of potential heifer replacements

information technology to provide

Genetic estimation (off-farm)

and doing so on the basis of their

genetic estimates. Accurate and

Phenotypic data (animal details and

expected genetic merit.

comprehensive phenotypic data

performance) is recorded on-farm or in

Improvement of dairy herd genetics

recorded on-farm is vital to

the lab, with separation of genetic

can affect herd health, longevity,

strengthen the accuracy of genetic

effects from environmental effects.

reproductive traits, and many other

evaluation outputs.

These help produce breeding values

vital aspects of dairy cattle production.

Genetic evaluation comprises several

(BV – the genetic estimates) for

It can also lead to increased milk

key factors that can be broken down

i n d i v i d u a l t ra i t s . T h e s e B V a r e

production, milk quality, and overall

into two main parts:

combined with economic values used to

Animal identification, measuring

production worth (PW).

animal performance. Efficient sire selection is the primary avenue for an

produce breeding worth (BW) or

immediate impact on genetics in a

and recording (on-farm)

dairy cattle operation.

This starts with recording which sire was mated to which cow, then

The effect of genetic improvement of

Genetic Evaluation

assigning the calf to the correct dam.

dairy cattle is an often forgotten

Genetic evaluation is a fully integrated

When progeny are born, body weights

component of a farm system. This is

system. It encompasses signals from

and body condition scores, herd test

perhaps not surprising, as genetic

Value of Genetic improvement

economic markets to determine

results, conformation traits, milking

improvement is about incremental,

e c o n o m i c va l u e s a n d t ra i t s o f

speed

temperament

long-term gains. These gains often go

importance to the value; identifies,

observations, recording reason and

unnoticed as years go by. Yet, there are

measures and records on-farm;

time of exit from the herd are all

some real tangible on-farm profitability

genetic evaluation techniques and

determined.

and wider benefits of genetic

and

improvement.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[37] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Market Information

Farming Hackathon to take place in Nairobi Hack4Farming is calling on Nairobi-

as adverse weather conditions, poor

present their most pressing

based programmers, developers,

soils, and market access problems.

information challenges to teams of

analysts and data scientists to apply

"We are working to help smallholder

Nairobi-based software developers,

to take part in a two-day

farmers adapt to changing conditions

and the hackers will have 48 hours to

Hack4Farming event in July

and to take advantage of new

design, prototype, and pitch

The Hack4Farming event will take

technologies, but it remains

solutions.”

place in Nairobi, Kenya in July, with

challenging to provide insights that

Hack4Farming aims to demonstrate

agriculture stakeholders,

are current, relevant, and specific to

the potential of advanced agriculture

programmers, developers and data

the farmer's location and

intelligence in the East African

scientists invited from all over the

circumstances,” said event

market, and will connect agribusiness

globe to participate.

organisers.

actors with developers.

Organised by aWhere, an agricultural

“Fortunately, more data and

The winning hackathon team, as

solutions company in partnership

technologies are available to East

determined by a panel of judges, will

with Microsoft, the event is looking to

African agribusiness than ever

receive a shared cash prize of

develop data solutions that can be

before, ready to be packaged into

US$2,000, as well as the opportunity

utilised by East African seed

innovative tools and market

to work with aWhere and participating

companies to offer farmers

insights,” organisers continued.

seed companies to develop and

actionable information or products to

“At Hack4Farming Nairobi 2016,

deploy their project.

help them cope with challenges such

seed company representatives will

May - June 2016

[38] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

organic supplement for poultry launched New

in Kenya Animal feed manufacturer MolaPlus Limited has introduced an organic supplement that claims to improve the nutrition of poultry without the use of chemicals The supplement claims to help farmers cut down the cost of poultry feed. (Image Source: MolaPlus Limited) The product, MolaPlus Poultry Microbes, has been developed in the wake of increasing chicken feed costs and diseases that are taking a toll on poultry farming in the country even as the sector struggles to stoke growing competition from Uganda.

“With the increasing cost of feeds, poultry farmers need a feeding formula that ensures right rations with a good nutritional mix while keeping the birds free from diseases,” MolaPlus Limited CEO Henry Ambwere commented.

The MolaPlus Poultry Microbes is a set of beneficial living microorganisms. The product comes in liquid form and is said to ensure that the chicken are able to absorb feed faster while consuming less. This improves the bird's growth rate and weight. The microbes attach themselves to the gut of the bird, additionally creating a protective environment that inhibits attacks from disease causing organisms. The microbes also assist chicken reach maturity two and a half weeks earlier than they ordinarily would.

At a time when the country is grappling with aflatoxins menace, microbes are presented as a cheaper and more organic solution. The microbes are said to tame aflatoxins in poultry by secreting key compounds and antioxidants that scavenge aflatoxins and feed on them, making the birds and their products safe for human consumption.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[39] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Poultry

Healthy layers essential for economic egg There is no secret to successful egg produc on. Carefully selected hens, well housed, fed and protected against disease reward poultry farmers with a con nual supply of high quality, marketable eggs.

The success to economic egg produc on is good hen welfare. If layers are selected with care and ensured proper housing, feed and protec on against disease, it will lead to an uninterrupted high supply of good quality eggs.

It is impera ve to maintain a good layer management prac ce from day one. During the next 18 weeks, careful and canny producers will furnish their flocks with warmth, space, dry li er, recommended vaccines, clean water and appropriate feed formula ons so that the chicks grow and graduate May - June 2016

production

into pullets and finally into mature layers.

Feeding is all about providing correct ra ons at the right me and varying the composi on and amount with the rapidly changing requirements of growing, developing birds. The starter diet for chicks up to eight weeks of age features a high protein (20 percent) and low crude fibre (five per cent) feed with coccidiostat inclusion.

As chicks move into the ninth week, stage protein (18 percent) and crude fibre (7.2 per cent) are reduced and raised, respec vely. These so-called grower ra ons are generally quite cheap to purchase, but producers s ll need to guard against spiralling costs due to feed wastage, which is a consequence of behaviour pa erns in [40] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

birds of this age and it is typically high.

Layer hen management Proper layer care for consistent supplies of high quality eggs requires knowledge and pa ence to ensure hens are well housed, fed and watered, and suffer as li le stress as possible.

Successful management of laying flocks hinges on the following basic factors: ● Housing and light management ● Feed and water management ● Heat stress and cannibalism ● Moul ng and culling Housing and light management In the interests of disease management, layers' quarters should be located at least 100 metres from www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Poultry houses where chicks and growers are raised. Choice of housing is wide and includes intensive (ba ery cages) and semi-intensive (Californian type ba ery house, sla ed floor housing, deep li er housing and the aviary type house). Producers should be aware that the textbook economic advantages of housing layers in intensive ba ery houses can be outweighed by loss of produc on through stress. Where space is not restric ve, producers can opt for the half inside/half outside system that reduces heat stress on birds during the hot season months. Where land is plen ful and predators not a problem, they can use the field ark which is moved onto fresh and clean parts of the pasture every day. In countries with high rainfall, chickens can be kept on pebble yards, which are washed clean daily by rainfall.

Feed and Water Management Feed and feeding advice for laying hens may seem contradictory. Feed restric on is essen al, especially for heavier breeds, if hens are to start laying at the best me and in the best condi on. At the same me, birds

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

should never be deprived of feed, and feeders should never be empty i.e. feed should be provided ad lib.

Hens should start to lay no earlier than 22 weeks old and in the ideal condi on (not too fat and not too young). If sexual maturity is a ained too early, the length and quality of overall performance will suffer. Eggs will be fewer and smaller with more prolapses towards the end of the laying period. Such birds lack vitality, die early and are more likely to be culled. These problems can be avoided by carefully restric ng feed at the right me and in the right way as advised for specific breeds by the farms that sell day-old chicks.

Heat stress management Chickens are be er adapted to keeping warm than keeping cool.

Normal internal body temperature is 41.3ºC which is just a few degrees cen grade below the temperature at which enzyme inac va on and ssue death begins. The ideal environmental temperature for hens is 12.8ºC, a long way short of the typical day me temperatures in tropical Asia where heat stress is a

[41] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

huge poten al problem.

Birds do not have sweat glands and therefore rely on pan ng (passing air over the moist surfaces of the respiratory tract) to dissipate heat.

This causes excessive loss of carbon dioxide, needed to make calcium carbonate in the uterus. The net result is lower egg shell quality with so shelled eggs a common occurrence.

Failure to maintain body temperature leads to a general fall in egg produc on.

Farmers can help their layers to keep cool by: · Loca ng hen houses in the shade. · Providing shade by plan ng fast growing trees and establishing grass in a 6-metre strip right around the building. · Using open-sided houses orientated east-west to avoid sun shining directly inside. ·

·

Construc ng wide roof overhangs and placing the roof angle north and south to avoid the direct rays of the sun.

Providing air movement and evapora ve cooling.

May - June 2016

Poultry

Central African Republic

exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming Henan Golden Egg Poultry Equipment Co,.Ltd. is the

service for clients in foreign market. Henan Golden Egg

pioneer and specialist in China poultry equipment

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

manufacture. We are now a large manufacturer for the

poultry business!

poultry cages and coupled automatic equipment including

Should you have any inquiry of Central African Republic

the automatic feeding & drinking system, Central African

exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming.

Republic exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming, eggcollection system, chicken manure removal system,

Please send Email to sales@chinagoldenegg.com, we will

chicken house environmental control system.

do our best to serve you.

Central African Republic exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming, Our R&D team can supply the scientific integration scheme by computers for all kinds of chicken farms according to clients' special requests. We have different types of cages for layers, pullets, broilers and breeding chickens, and all OEM cages from clients are available, because we have the complete advanced production line including wire drawing, automatic cage meshes welding, cold & hot galvanization and automatic system in mechanical working for feeding, egg collection machines,

“We love to breed quality bulls for Africa”

Central African Republic exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming, so the QC team can control all product quality we

Tel: 083 454 3095 www.devlan.co.za

produce for clients in our factory.

We always insist on our development policy of “clients first“ and take the “ producing the highly efficient poultry equipment ” as our development purposes and gains since we establish in 1998. Central African Republic exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming, Our A type chicken cages are of scientific design, solid structure and simple installation, therefore they are very popular for open house in tropics countries of Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia.

The H type system are more popular for close house in CIS, South America and CIS countries, China (Mainland).

Our factory has larger and more advanced designing software for R&D centre, manufacturing facilities and production work buildings. Central African Republic exhaust fan cooling pad for poultry farming, now our factory's output quantity can be for more than 50 Million birds every year and we have completed many successful

ARC National Beef Cattle Improvement Herd Of The Year 2015

BreedPlan’s S.A Stud Breeder Of The Year

large project in China. We also can supply Installation May - June 2016

[42] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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FARM PRODUCTS DIVISION MEMBER OF AMCA AMERICAN COOLAIR CORPORATION P.O. BOX 2300 JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32203 PHONE (904) 389-3646 FAX (904) 387-3449 E-MAIL - agfans@coolair.com

Health & Safety

Novartis expands partnership with medicines for Malaria Venture to develop next-generation antimalarial treatment The Novartis Malaria Initiative is committed to drive research, development and access to novel drugs to eliminate malaria. Novartis (NVS) announced today that it will further expand its long-standing partnership with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). Novartis will lead the development of antimalarial compound KAF156 with scientific and financial support from MMV in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions for the development of KAF156 and its future availability to patients.

“With a child dying from malaria every two minutes and the threat of drug resistance growing year-on-year, there is a real urgency to step up global efforts to combat this disease,” said Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis.

“Partnerships and collaborations like this one with MMV are essential for the development of next generation antimalarials and accelerating efforts to eradicate this deadly disease.”

KAF156 belongs to a novel class of antimalarial molecules and is one of the first antimalarial drug candidates to enter Phase IIb clinical development in more than 20 years. It acts against the two parasites responsible for the majority of malaria deaths (Plasmodium falciparum andPlasmodium vivax) and against www.farmersreviewafrica.com

both the blood and liver stages of the parasite's lifecycle. Further, it has the potential to provide a more convenient dosing regimen and to address the multidrug resistance that has emerged in five countries of the Great Mekong Sub-region (GMS).

KAF156 builds on the heritage of Novartis in antimalarial drug development and the launch in 1999 of Coartem ® , the first fixed-dose Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT). ACT is the current standard of care in malaria treatment.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Novartis in the development of this exciting candidate antimalarial medicine with the potential to tackle drug resistance and improve patient compliance,” said Dr. David Reddy, CEO of MMV. “As such, this agreement marks an important milestone, as MMV continues its mission to discover, develop and deliver new, effective and affordable antimalarials to the patients who need them most.”

The Novartis Malaria Initiative is committed to drive research, development and access to novel drugs to eliminate malaria. It is one of the pharmaceutical industry's largest access-to-medicine programs. Since 2001, the initiative has delivered more than 750 million treatments without profit, including 300 million [45] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

dispersible pediatric treatments, developed by Novartis in collaboration with MMV, mostly to the public sector of malaria-endemic countries. Although preventable and treatable, malaria continues to kill a child every two minutes and threatens the lives of many more. It is caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. A comprehensive range of interventions is required to eradicate the disease, from bed nets and spraying for prevention to diagnostics and medicines to treat the disease and block its transmission. ·

·

·

Novartis will lead the development of antimalarial compound KAF156 with scientific and financial support from Medicines for Malaria Venture in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation KAF156 belongs to a novel class of antimalarials that act against both the blood and liver stages of the parasite's lifecycle Antimalarials with new mechanisms of action are urgently needed to tackle emerging parasite resistance to current therapies.

May - June 2016

Machinery Preview

Why use pressure washers for farm equipment?

Cleaning farmstead machinery such as

Pressure washers can easily remove

Nilfisk/WAP Pressure Washers at

planting and fertilizing machines,

various types of dirt and deposits from

a Glance

haying and mowing equipment, tillage

farm equipment. The high pressure

Nilfsk has for more than a 100 years,

equipment, fertilizer and chemical

level can easily blast away the

been committed to making the world a

application equipment, and farm dairy

toughest of grime and other deposits

cleaner place.

equipment can be quite challenging

that are difficult to clean using

markets a wide range of pressure

due to the enormity of the application

ordinary cleaning machines.

washers for a number of applications.

involved.

Pressure cleaning of farm equipment

Pressure washers are the most

Manual cleaning can fall short of

can help in detecting hidden

effective way to clean outdoors and are

expectation and create hygiene

Nilfisk South Africa

problems, such as worn or broken

extremely easy to use: connect the

problems for farm owners. Using

parts and leakages that can remain

device to the water supply and power

pressure washer machines can help in

hidden behind mud or debris. Clean

outlet, turn on the tap, switch on the

keeping farm equipment clean and

farm machinery and equipment can

pressure washer and let the cleaning

free of harmful dirt and germs.

deliver better performance and is

begin! With added accessories, the

Proper cleaning, maintenance, and

easier to work with. Clean engine

devices are transformed into real all-

storage not only increase equipment

compartments and radiators ensure

rounders, the application possibilities

reliability and performance, it can also

that the farm equipment works at

are virtually unlimited. Typical areas of

improve resale value when you decide

peak efficiency.

usage for the machines include

to go for advanced machinery.

May - June 2016

cleaning applications in the

[46] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Machinery Preview

agricultural, construction, earth

system offers high efficiency whilst

customers the benefits of reduced

moving field, mining and heavy

saving both the environment and fuel

running costs, greater cleaning

engineering industries.

costs - leaving our customers with an

efficiency and easier overall handling

Nilfisk boast the most comprehensive

improved total cost of ownership.

for general everyday cleaning tasks.

pressure washers, namely

These high pressure washers are

With the MC range, Nilfisk is introducing

the MC range, the MH range and the

developed for our customers within

three major improvements to the high

range of

WAP range. The local range consists of

agriculture, automotive, light

pressure cold water range: Detergents

the Novastar, Powerstar, Jetstar,

industry, trade and building and

are now supplied more effectively

Topstar, Centra, Electra and HPU which

construction. These businesses, with

through a new separate foam sprayer

are medium and heavy duty pressure

many daily cleaning tasks, will benefit

system. At the same time, a new

washers. Outside of this range we also

from the highly improved and best-in-

patented spray gun holder adds

manufacture purpose built units

class mobile design enabling them to

convenience together with a new

specific to application. Although many

transport and move the machines

turnable cable hook. They are the ideal

applications require portable units,

around their facilities and giving them

choice for small building companies,

we also produce stationary units for

the mobility to work anywhere. From

light agriculture such as small crop and

wash bay and other similar

light industrial cleaning tasks to

milk farms.

applications.

slightly heavier cleaning applications

The choice of

“the correct” pressure

The Nilfisk MH series takes mid-range

in rough environments, battling

washer unit

hot water high pressure washers to a

anything from mud, animal manure to

the application, availability of power

new level.

road dirt, oils and greases.

and water, as well as frequency of

provide pump pressures of up to 220

The Nilfisk MC range of compact cold

cleaning required.

Bar, and the improved EcoPower boiler

water high pressure washers offers

As the powerful engines

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[47] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

is always determined by

May - June 2016

Machinery Preview

Massey Ferguson launches new implement range at Vision of the Future Africa Massey Ferguson a worldwide brand of AGCO is proud to announce that it can now offer its customers a 'one stop shop' for all their machinery requirements by selling a complete range of MF Implements which provide a perfect fit with any Massey Ferguson tractor from 35 to 130 hp. The range were presented for its first public viewing at Vision of the Future event to held in Lusaka, Zambia on 7-8 April 2016.

It forms part of Massey Ferguson's strategy to be a full line exclusive supplier in all markets This new Massey Ferguson line consists of a range of more than 100 MF Agricultural Implements for a variety of different requirements to complement the existing range of Massey Ferguson Planters and Drills. It forms part of Massey Ferguson's

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strategy to be a full line exclusive supplier in all markets.

Designed to fit any tractor from 35 to 130hp, the MF Implements are ideal partners for the MF 35, MF 200, MF 300, MF 400 until MF 4700, MF 5700 and MF 6700 Tractor Series.

The range of MF Implements comprises: · MF Disc plough (fixed and reversible) from 2 to 5 discs · MF Mouldboard plough (fixed and reversible) from 2 to 4 furrows · MF Disc harrow (mounted, trailed or tandem version) from 2 to 3.5m working width · MF Tine cultivator, up to 17 tines · MF Subsoiler, up to 5 legs · MF Chisel, up to 3 m · MF Trailers from 3 to 12

[49] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

tonnes · MF Transport box · MF Rotary topper The MF Implements are designed and constructed to the same high standards as the Massey Ferguson tractors, and have been carefully selected not only to match the range of tractor power available, but also to ideally meet the farming needs of agricultural businesses in Africa and the Middle East.

“Massey Ferguson has launched this range to support the development of mechanised farming through the wellknown farming concept that originates from Harry Ferguson himself: promoting not only a tractor or some implements, but a complete solution for farmers,” said Thierry Lhotte, Vice President, Marketing, Massey Ferguson - Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

May - June 2016

Machinery Preview

Big efficiency for Africa’s smaller farmers ESTABLISHED IN 1780, LEMKEN has

offer two implements specifically for

shape of the share, and the steep

grown to become one of the worlds'

Africa's developing farmers.

angle which the tine makes to the

leading manufacturers of premium

What makes the Achat 70 unique from

ground. What this means for the

agricultural machinery. Yet, despite

other cultivators is the fact that it can

farmer, is that the Achat makes it

the large demand for innovation, the

loosen and mix the soil at the same

possible to loosen the soil up to 25 cm

company has gone back to its roots to

time. This is thanks to the unique

deep and mix in organic material

May - June 2016

[50] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Machinery Preview

evenly over the entire working depth without plugging up.

A well-designed and properly adjusted mouldboard plough

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

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

Achat can do both.

Opal 090 is such a tool.

The Achat also has an integrated cage roller which is

The clean turning action of the LEMKEN mouldboard on the

mounted on the rear and is mainly used to regulate the

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

working depth. This means that when working in the

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

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

ideal seedbed for the following crop.

on the tractor three-point which greatly reduces wear on

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

the tractor and makes operation much easier for the driver.

chemical weed control and can greatly contribute to soil

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

fertility when enough plant material and manure is

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

ploughed back into the soil.

the roller helps to crumble the surface and greatly reduces

The Opal 090 is a reversible mouldboard plough, which

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

means that the driver can plough the ďŹ eld from one side

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

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

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

unploughed sections as is mostly the case with a

working widths and requires between 40-75 hp depending

conventional plough.

on soil conditions.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[51] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Market Information

Is food security and tobacco growing incompatible in Africa?

The SADC Regional Vulnerability Assessment estimates that an alarming 16% of the region's population are food insecure. The effects of the current El Nino phenomenon have further deepened food insecurity in Malawi and the region more broadly. Indeed the volatility of climate change presents arguably the greatest threat to food security and, by extension, human security in sub-Saharan Africa. Hunger and poverty are directly and closely correlated and any threat to food security has a direct knock-on effect on the region achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. SADC has acknowledged the looming crisis in its 'Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security'.

One constructive international response to the threat is the G8's New Alliance for Food Security in Africa. The o b j e c t i ve o f t h e A l l i a n c e i s t o encourage re-investment in agriculture in order to allow lowincome food deficit countries to improve agricultural productivity and thus reduce their dependency on food imports and food aid.

Confronted by the ravages of climate change and global food crop price May - June 2016

fluctuations, what is the correct balance between food crop and cash crop production in sub-Saharan Africa? Some contend that cash crop production discourages food crop production and intensifies human insecurity, yet the tobacco sector may point to a new and better way. While recognising the high cash value of tobacco, which is seven times more profitable than maize and fourteen times more profitable than cotton per hectare, tobacco production in subS a h a ra n A f r i c a i s i n c r e a s i n g l y conducted as part of a balanced, holistic and integrated agricultural production system.

Food security is dependent on a raft of factors, not least of which is Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Good Agricultural Practices are a series of codes, standards and regulations that seek to achieve four key objectives: ensure safety and quality in the agricultural produce chain, capture new markets by modifying supply chain governance, improve natural resource use, worker's health and working conditions, and to create new markets and opportunities particularly for farmers in developing countries.

[54] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

Defined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation as those objectives that “address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes and result in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products”, tobacco companies subscribe fully to GAP objectives and go far beyond the minimum required for mere compliance. While GAP should be fully aligned with national government's own agriculture, sustainability and development programmes, there are, however, economic and material costs to compliance. In this regard the FAO warns that small-scale farmers may not be able to seize export opportunities unless they are adequately informed, technically prepared and organised to take advantage of compliance certification opportunities.

Guided by the principles of GAP as well as responsible Agriculture Labour Practices, the Integrated Production System (IPS) of tobacco meets and surpasses these FAO guidelines and allows small-scale farmers to seize the opportunities outlined by the FAO. Indeed IPS tobacco farmers don't need to 'mind the GAP', they now 'take the GAP'. www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Market Information IPS provides for holistic support to the farmer, which includes dedicated agronomist support, as well as the provision of seeds, fertilizer and cash loans. Little surprise then that IPS farmers are growing tobacco at a better quality, greater yield and securing a higher price than through traditional methods. With a guaranteed volume of tobacco being purchased from the farmer at prices higher than the national average, IPS farmers are better placed to utilise the cash generated from tobacco to further diversify their agricultural production. Consequently, IPS tobacco farmers are more food secure farmers.

More food secure farmers are critical to stabilising and sustaining rural areas, which, for most African countries, is the backbone of the economy.

It may come as a surprise to learn that as part of tobacco companies' I n t e g ra t e d P r o d u c t i o n Sy s t e m , tobacco farmers are encouraged and supported to grow food crops such as maize and soya beans as part of a sustainable and responsible growing and procurement system. Access to technical training and support and the

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

availability of fertilizers, pesticides and improved seed are critical for food security: in some countries and/or regions it is only smallholder farmers contracted with tobacco companies that have such access and support.

A benchmark is for contracted IPS farmers to grow food crops at least in equal weight to tobacco. In some subSaharan African countries, IPS farmers are now growing more food crop than tobacco by weight. Perhaps even more surprising is the productivity of tobacco farmers growing food crops. IPS tobacco farmers in sub-Saharan African countries are growing food crops at a yield 50% to 300% higher than the national average. Up to 60% of IPS tobacco farmers maize production feeds into the national market, thereby contributing directly to national food security. Due to their productivity under IPS, tobacco farmers, are now net contributors to the food crop supply chain in southern Africa.

Notably, the efficiencies gained from the IPS system provide for more time and labour to be spent on the

[55] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

production of food crops. The IPS system ensures that small-scale farmer production is balanced, sustainable and GAP compliant.

There is much that can be learnt from the tobacco IPS system, not merely concerning better tobacco yields, but more fundamentally, about how to implement Good Agricultural Practices, sustainable environmental and labour practices and most importantly for millions across Southern Africa, food security. While the main tobacco growing countries within SADC are already in discussions to coordinate and share sustainability best practices, this knowledge and experience can be shared and tapped into for the benefit of the entire Continent of Africa.

Progress, true progress, is not a zerosum equation, rather it is defined as a positive sum outcome, more commonly-known as a 'win-win'. IPS tobacco production in sub-Saharan Africa is an example of a regional winwin.

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

May - June 2016

A guide to water well

casing and screen selec on Water has played a vital role in the advancement of mankind. The earliest traces of civilization reveal that those cultures which flourished were able to employ water sources for domestic, and agricultural purposes. A c h a ra c t e r i s t i c o f a l l d e v e l o p e d countries today is their ability to use productively the water made available to them.

Regardless of purpose, almost all water wells must be provided with a means of protecting the borehole and provision made for the entrance of water from surrounding aquifers. While well casing is simply defined as the material that cases or lines a borehole to prevent formation collapse, there are varied interpretations of the meaning of well screen.

This is due to the existence of many designs throughout the world. In this guide, screen refers to that structure in

May - June 2016

a well, which protects the borehole, but allows the entrance of water. In this sense, screen is a filter. The durability and efficiency of a well depend to a large degree on its design, construction procedures and selection of casing and well screen. However, casings and screens alone comprise the principal substance of a completed water well.

Strength and Durability Regardless of construction method, water well casings and screens have some common requirements. Strength must be adequate to withstand not only the stresses of installation, but also other forces which may be applied during well completion, development and use.

The forces of installation which tend to pull the casing and screen apart must be exceeded by the tensile strength of

[56] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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

Handling and Maintenance E a s e o f t ra n s p o r t , h a n d l i n g a n d installation are important considerations.

These not only influence cost but are also relevant to the selection of the type of casing and screen field connections.

Casing and screen should be designed to facilitate future rehabilitation including cleaning, incrustation removal, redevelopment and repair. Another consideration is the possibility of future well deepening. Casing and screen diameter as well as type and material selected are influenced by the parameters.

A Hydrological survey is essential when extracting water Water Technology Plastic Industries

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Mud drilling tri-cones

(WTPI) a company specialises in abstracting water from sand deposits using mud drilling techniques and specialized screening methods.

The company is one of the largest manufacturers of PVC Borehole Casings and Screens in the Southern Hemisphere. Founded in 1997 and situated in Randburg South Africa, WTPI supplies PVC Products in all forms, extensively covering all aspects of water supply and the movement of water.

According to the company a thorough geophysical survey by qualified hydrologists should be regarded as an essential prerequisite to drilling for water on any farm.

From this survey, the farmer will know where his best source of water is located on the farm, and how best to tap the source.

For more than 20 years, this company has specialised in working on farms and sites where ground water is flowing through sand and gravel, such as an existing or an ancient river bed, and a survey would show this up but not necessarily result in a call for their services.

“But we strongly urge farmers looking for water to have their land surveyed,” says Mr Billy Shield.

“To date we have been involved in several major water extraction projects, including the massive Sabie River at Chisambanji in Zimbabwe in 80's where a 12 well point system delivers some 999 240 litres/h, says Mr Shield.

It is important, says Mr Shield, that the rate at which the water flows into the

Johnson wedge wire screen

Well configuration drawing

screen be kept as low as possible, with a maximum rate of 0,0305 m/sec (0.1ft/sec). In this way, movement of silt is kept to a minimum, and the gravel envelope around the screen should remain permeable for a long period A major advantage of this system, says Mr Shield, is that if a farmer finds this well producing less water, it is easy to service the well by re-developing it, or even treating it with acid or other chemicals to clear algae or mineral deposits.

Well production and capacity depend on the amount of water in a given formation, what the available head of water is above the screen, and how rapidly this water can permeate through the formation.

Where there is too little drawdown (i.e. the level of water above the screen is to shallow), or the rate of replenishment is too slow for a given pump, the well will begin sucking air and cavitation will take place, and the motor could burn out.

A thorough knowledge of the hydrology of the area is essential in order to design a system which will best suit that farmers needs and the nature of the supply.

From this survey, the farmer will know where his best source of water is located on the farm, and how best to tap the source.

serious about getting high-quality clean water from the drilling operation this is a worth-while investment”, concludes Mr Shield Extracts taken from Farmers Weekly Dec 12 1986 Edition, written by Clarke Gibbons.

Contact: Billy Shield Managing Director Water Technology Plastic Industries Pty Ltd +2711 708 3691 tel +2711 026 4251 neotel +2711 708 3695 fax Fax: +27 83 654 6771 mobile Email: billy@wtpi.co.za www.wtpi.co.za

“For a farmer or land owner who is

illustration - Mud drilling

Drilling mud is pumped down the inside of the drill pipe, through jet nozzles in the bit, and into the ‘annulus”. This is the space between the sides of the hole and the drill pipe.

The drill string is turned at surface, which turns the bit at the bottom of the hole

The teeth on the drill bit grind the rock into fragments, or “cuttings” www.farmersreviewafrica.com

The mud lifts the cuttings and circulate them back to surface where they are removed.

[57] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Market Information

Buhler - Turning a green field site is turned into a feed production plant ENGINEERING You are the main

performer

– with our

guidance Bühler is more than just a supp lier of machinery.

As a general contractor, we assume the responsibility for the constructionof your feed mill, during all the project phases: from plant engineering, via realization and control of each individual project step, until commissioning.

Single source Customers all over the world appreciate our reliability, adherence to schedules and cost effectiveness. That is why Bühler is one of the leading technology developers in the feed industry. But our sphere of activity goes far beyond the mere fabrication of machines and plants. We offer everything out of one basket: technology, engineering and projectcontrol.

Effective With our experience, gained in numerous building and development projects, we off er the suitable system solution for each performance requirem ent which, of course, is always focused on outstanding quality. But we want to do more for you. There are many aspects which play an equally important role – the implementation of the right energy concept for example so that we can build a feed mill which is effective for your business success.

GRAIN HANDLING Your grain is our passion Taking responsibility for y our mill: For us that means not just supplying you with machines and systems for the productionof feed. We develop complete solutions for you, solutions which start with the grain receiving facilities and then support your grain along its path from unloading to further processing.

Professional grain management How do we manage to protect the value of your grain? For Bühler the answer is in the development of machinery and solutions for raw agricultural products: From conveying and cleaning to drying and cooling and subsequent sortingand storage. Our people work constantly on new ways of transporting the products gently, extracting dust from the systems and storing the grain safely.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[59] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Market Information Cleaning and drying Cleaning and drying in particu lar are two of the key tasks of grain management. Wit h our cleaning machines and the EcoDry continuous -flow dryer, we offer you the energy efficient technology for the job which is also gentle on the product. And thereby create the best possible conditions for the storage of your r aw products and the improvemen t of your production process.

CLEANING We separate the wheat from the chaff Finding technological solutions to the questions that are important for your business – that is Bühler’s job. W hat is the best way of cleaning your grain and other bulk materials? To make sure there is no loss of volume and to achieve a better and mo re reliable production process? Our machinery and plants have a proven track r ecord in thousands of applications and are the start ing point for carefully cleaned end products. Their quality is reflected in a large range of characteristics

DRYING So much hot air? Not in the least Taking technologies and developing them to new levels in short timelines, based on the latest technologies and knowledge – is what Bühler does. The EcoDry continuous -flow dryer is the result of our research into a more effective solution for the drying of maize (corn), rapesee d, paddy rice, sunflowers and othe r grains. Our drying technology is gentle on the product, removes dust particles and reduces energy consumption.

FEED PRODUCTION The modular principle – our strategy for your requirements We are continuously re -examining our approach and considering new and alternative solutions. We also listen to our customers, to find out what concerns them. In this way, we can meet the expectations and demands of our business partners in the feed industry; excellent technical solutions, long plant service life and a high degree of sanitation and process reliability.

An efficient w ay Bühler supplies machines and plants to feed producers, for all process steps – from the raw material intake up to loading of the feed for dairy cows and poultry, as well as for pets, fish and shellfish. In order to meet the various feed requirements and the special demands from customers, Bühler has discovered an efficient method: the modular principle, which enables us to adapt feed mills to changed conditions and circumstances at any time, by installing our machines and plants.

May - June 2016

[60] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Market Information Grinding To each their own Fine or coarse? The structure of the feed is important for the digestibility, for growth and for hygiene in the stables. At Bühler, the development of milling methods is an important focus of research.

Our solutions set standards on the international market – because we can offer a suitable milling machine for each feed type which enables a lot of energy to be saved. The savings are so high that, depending on the need, we can even recommend you a double solution: the combination of two different milling lines in one factory.

PELLETIZING By feed millers for feed millers We appreciate the knowledge and ideas of our customers. So we asked them: what are your experiences with our pellet mills? And how can we further improve our technology? Customers around the world have helped us to develop the new generation of high-performance pelletizing equipment.

A real milestone Pelletizing is the heart of the feed mill. We concentrate a major part of our efforts on research and development in this area. Ten years ago, we set milestones with the Hysys line and the No Loss System . Thanks to these technologies, we can ensure that all the product is hygenized, from the first to the last kilogram. We are able to realize dwell times up to four minutes and temperatures up to 87 degrees Celsius.

AUTOMATION Control and response Plant reliability and plant safety are important for success. In order to ensure a reli able ope ration of the feed mill, Bühler has developed t he LiteCos automation system. Lite Cos offers high- level interaction of technology, machinery and

equipment, for easy and reassuring production control.

Improved utilization Based upon our know-how in development, engineering and technology, we have created an automation system which is successfully in use in Africa. LiteCos provides process stability and improves plant utilization. It also opens up possibilities for saving energy and raw material.

Control from the office From a screen in the office, the entire production sequence can be monitored. The intuitive user interface can be configured, according to your wishes. A utomation system can be extended in such a way that it exactly corresponds to your application’ requirements

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[61] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Market Information

Customer Services Our know-how is your success What kind of company is able to continuously increase the service life of its machinery and plants? A company providing special after -sales service.

Comprehensive service package Our customers need a partner to re ly on, even after commissioning of the feed mill. Therefore, Bühler has repeatedly found new ways to improve the provision of spare and wear parts, maintenance concepts and retrofit solutions.

The result is a comprehensive service package to enable you to maintain the value of your machines and plants, irrespective of where you are. We will be there for you – quickly.

The training center in Nairobi Bühler also wants to share its know - how and expe rience with you. At the African Milling School in Nairobi in Kenya , your staff members can learn how to operate Bühler machines and plants– to achieve their full potential.

Event

NAMPO Harvest Day 2016 trumps several records Grain SA's 50th NAMPO Harvest Day

handle a large number of visitors.

people hope.'

Another aspect that he experienced

shattered more than one record

Positive comments were received

amidst tough agricultural conditions.

about the quality of exhibitors, the

positively was the excitement among

The four-day trade show that was held

good and clean condition of the terrain

guests of Grain SA who visited the

near Bothaville, was attended by a

and toilet facilities as well as the

Harvest Day for the first time. 'Senior

record of 75 116 people while a total of

peaceful atmosphere and positive

people in the structure of agriculture-

685 exhibitors participated – the most

tone that always prevailed.

related businesses got a picture of the

ever.

'Over the past half-century the

extent and depth of the industry. Their

This top attendance figure exceeded

NAMPO Harvest Day has evolved into

feedback about the image of a

all expectations and positive feedback

a brand that accurately resonates

competitive, technologically advanced

from exhibitors confirmed that good

modern agriculture in South Africa. It

i n d u s t r y wa s w i t h o u t e xc e p t i o n

business was concluded by them. Ideal

speaks to the general public as

overwhelmingly positive,' he said.

weather conditions undoubtedly

c o n s u m e r s o f o u r a g r i c u l t u ra l

During a special function Grain SA

contributed to the very successful 50th

products; it speaks to all producers in

acknowledged exhibitors, volunteers,

Harvest Day.

our country; it speaks to decision

agricultural leadership and personnel's

Compared to before last year's 399

makers in government and the

contribution to the NAMPO Harvest Day

light aircrafts and helicopters that

industry; it even appeals to the

over the past five decades since 1967.

landed on the four days at NAMPO

international arena and the growing

Special recognition was given to seven

Park, this year's number amounted to

interest from abroad confirms it,'

of the 1967 Harvest Day's eight

448. The landing strip is used by

Cobus van Coller, chairman of the

exhibitors who still take part today and

exhibitors, visitor groups, private

Harvest Day, said.

to seventeen exhibitors for continued exhibiting at the current terrain since

pilots and agricultural producers.

According to Jannie de Villiers, chief

The smooth flow of visitors through the

executive officer of Grain SA, he has

1974. 2016's record NAMPO was a

gates despite the large attendance

great respect for South African

wonderful going away present for

was remarkable following an electronic

farmers' appetite for risk. 'Despite

Johan Loxton, who has been the

entrance system introduced last year.

difficult conditions producers are still

organiser of the event for the past 20

A more even distribution of visitors

prepared to invest in the industry.

years. Toit Wessels will take over the

took place over the four days. NAMPO

They didn't only attend NAMPO to

reins with effect from 1 October 2016

2016 once again proved that the

come and look, but also to make

under the mentorship of Johan.

facilities at NAMPO Park enables it to

calculated purchases. They give our

Next year's NAMPO Harvest Day will take place from 16 to 19 May.

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[63] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Goscor Power Products debut at Nampo 2016 yields great

success Mark Bester MD Goscor Power Products congratulates Taso Christoforou

“Goscor Power Products' first Nampo show was a resounding success with product sales, new dealers and some 140 leads being generated over the four day agricultural exhibition,” reports Managing Director, Mark Bester.

It was the first time that the Goscor Group of Companies exhibited at Nampo and as it was the show's 50th anniversary, the timing was perfect.

Goscor Power Products shared the stand with three other companies in the Group – Bobcat, Goscor Hi-Reach and Goscor Lift Truck Company.

While there was a general feeling that attendance was somewhat down compared to last year, Bester indicates that the Goscor Power Products stand was very well attended. “In addition to local farmers we also engaged with customers from Kwa-Zulu Natal, the Eastern Cape as well as from Botswana and Namibia.

“I attribute our success to the fact that May - June 2016

we were well prepared; we really put a great deal of effort into showcasing our complete agri-offering,” states Bester.

“We offered excellent show specials on all our products and we equipped our dealer in Bothaville, Latgro, with all the equipment displayed on our stand enabling farmers to immediately drive to the dealer and purchase their products at the special show prices.”

Regular product demonstrations and a competition also attracted a lot of attention.

The display of Goscor Power Products' high quality and affordable range of diesel and petrol generators, high pressure cleaners and water pumps was complemented by the main attraction, the Fire Fighter equipment.

“The increased fire risk during the winter months has been exacerbated by the severe drought prevalent in some areas of our country. With over 30 years of experience in Fire Fighting [64] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

equipment, farmers can rest assured that our rugged and reliable low, medium and high pressure Fire Fighters are experienced campaigners that will not let them down when it counts,” comments Bester.

Nampo presented the ideal platform for the introduction of a new low cost high pressure Fire Fighter that delivers on quality and performance at an affordable price. This unit is kind on the farmer's pocket and on the environment, boasting impressively low water consumption. Ideal for grass fires, the unit is powered by the new rugged and durable 7 HP Rato engine, a compact, efficient and economical power pack that does not compromise on performance.

“When it comes to performance this unit is more powerful than most of its closest rivals,” states Bester.

“In a show of solidarity with our farmers who are under extreme pressure as a result of the drought, we took care not to www.farmersreviewafrica.com

waste water during the demonstration of our Fire Fighters by spraying the water from one container into another.”

With the current scarcity of animal feed, the company also decided not to use any hay bales as part of their exhibit.

The high pressure cleaning range was also a popular attraction with many farmers who noted that it was the first time they had seen a complete range of electrical, petrol and diesel units on display. These units have wide application in the agri-market; alongside the cleaning of farm implements, the units are also ideal for effectively cleaning out pig pens, chicken runs and cow sheds. “These applications demand longer hose lengths and we can supply up to 30m of hose with our 300l capacity water tank unit,” explains Bester adding that they received positive feedback from farmers who confirmed that this is

exactly what they want.

Staff from two dealers assisted on the Goscor Power Products stand and the company was also able to assist farmers located in the central areas of the Free-State by referring them to their Bloemfontein dealer who has a number of branches in the province.

“Partnering with our dealers during the show, proved to be very successful and we received a lot of compliments from farmers who were really impressed with our resourcefulness in making sure that they could get the products they wanted immediately and at special prices.” Goscor Power Products also o expanded its dealer network having gained three new dealers at the show.

“Located at the show ground's northern gate, our position was in a somewhat unpopulated area but the Goscor Power Products team pulled out all the stops to attract people to our stand and

make it happen,” continues Bester. A daily lucky draw which produced three winners each walking away with a high pressure cleaner, culminated in a final draw on the last day of Nampo. Jannie Strumpher, a wildlife farmer from Botswana emerged as the lucky winner of the grand prize, a Fire Fighter.

Strumpher was extremely pleased with his prize and immediately became a customer indicating his interest in purchasing equipment from Goscor Power Products.

In conclusion, Bester says they consider the show to be a triumph. “We are looking forward to next year with great anticipation and plans are already in the pipeline to make our stand even better because we want to become the go-tostand for specials, competitions, product demos and so much more at Nampo 2017!”

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

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[65] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Case IH takes part in Nampo Harvest Day in South Africa Case IH has showcased its full line of equipment at one of the largest shows of agricultural machinery in Africa and the Middle East NAMPO Harvest Day, which was held

(Quadtrac, Magnum Rowtrac,

supplier of agricultural equipment in

from 17-20 May in South Africa, this

Magnum CVT, Puma CVT, Maxxum,

South Africa. The company supports

year celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Farmall JX, Farmall JXM, JXT and JXT

Case IH customers in the region

The exhibition enables producers and

Compact), combines (new Axial Flow

through its network of 32 distributors,

other role players in the industry to

240 Series) and hay and forage

and 16 branches.

experience the latest technology and

equipment (new Patriot sprayer

Jacques Coetzee, product manager

products in the farming industry.

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

Case IH at Northmec said, “The

Case IH's South African distributor,

new JXT Compact tractors made their

exhibition was a success with Case IH

Northmec, showcased the company's

first public appearance.

stand attracting a high number of

full line of agricultural solutions, with

Northmec, with its head office in

visitors throughout the week. The Case

an impressive display of tractors

Isando, is the leading and oldest

IH team was there with us to welcome

May - June 2016

[66] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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customers from across the region and discuss their requirements. We work as a team – farmer, distributor and manufacturer – to help every farmer succeed.”

Daniel Bordabossana, marketing manager Middle East and Africa said,

Northmec took the occasion of the emphasised Jacques Coetzee. exhibition's 50th anniversary to show According to Case IH, the new compact the evolution of the Case IH brand models in the JXT Series tractor range that is always improving and getting made their first public appearance at higher technological upgrades to meet the NAMPO Harvest Day. The three new the demands of today's farmers. With tractors - JX35T, JX40T and JX45T - are more than 160 years in the field, Case all below 50 hp and offer reliability, high

“We as Case IH offer the most

IH has a strong global presence in performance and productivity. Recently

innovative products and market

agriculture and farm equipment.

leading agricultural solutions and services. We take on challenges to make life easier for farmers. NAMPO provides an excellent opportunity for our brand and our distributor Northmec to showcase our full range of products as well as our Advanced

launched, the new compact models join “We exhibited a 1981 Model Case IH the JXT Series that consists of five 1440 combine harvester, owned by tractors ranging from 35 hp to 75 hp. customer Chrislo Nethling (from The JXT Series is ideally suited for light Bredasdorp), next to a vintage cultivation, grassland or specialty crops Farmall tractor from 1956, that was a n d r e p r e s e n t a r e l i a b l e a n d supplied by Johnnie Basson (from economical tractor line providing Bethehem). The previous generation compact solutions to the farmer.

Farming Systems (AFS®), which have

of the combine and tractor show the

been at the forefront of precision

s t r o n g h e r i t a g e o f C a s e I H ”,

farming for more than a decade, giving farmers the ability to control the entire crop production cycle.”

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

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[67] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

NAMPO HARVEST DAY 2016

May - June 2016

[68] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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[69] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

May - June 2016

Events Interna onal Conference on Mucosal Immunology and Vaccine Development Date: 28-Jul-16 to 29-Jul-16 Loca on: Melbourne / Australia

African Agri Investment Indaba (AAII) Date: 28-Nov-16 to 30-Nov-16 Loca on: Cape Town / South Africa 15th Interna onal Peat Soil Congress Date: 14-Aug-16 to 19-Aug-16 Loca on: Kuching / Malaysia

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agra Innovate West Africa Date: 23-Nov-16 to 25-Nov-16 Loca on: Lagos / Nigeria

2nd AIFA Conference Agriculture Investment & Funds Africa Date: 27- Oct-16 to 28- Oct-16 Loca on: Johannesburg / South Africa

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

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May - June 2016

39 JABECO WIRELESS SOLUTIONS 42 DEVLAN 43 AMERICAN COOLAIR 44 US TECH 48 NILFISK 52 CLEAR ASSET 56 WTPI 58 CONTINENTAL 62 MTN FOUNDATION 71 BAGTECH 72 NEDBANK

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