Farmers Review Africa Nov/Dec 2017

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Volume 3. Issue 12. November - December 2017

AGCO- Combine and forage harvesters Page 84

t Please visi te si b e the w

FARMERS

AFRICAN DAIRY FARMERS NEED TO BECOME CLIMATE SMART. P10

rica

africa.com

eview iewaf farmersrev .com

www.farmersr

REVIEW AFRICA

A SOLUTION TO POOR FARMERS' PROBLEMS. P48

REALTIME ANIMAL FEEDS AND NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS. P60

www.poltek.co.za

quotes@custommoulders.co.za sales@custommoulders.co.za

www.shrinavkar.com

shrinavkar@shrinavkar.com

Contents 24

8

48

News

Events

9 Tanzania farmers adopts vegetable farming to improve nutrition

93 R130 000 is raised for local schools and old-age facilities

by Tru-Cape

16 Will new regime revive agriculture in Zimbabwe

New Product & Services

Insights

82 How much fuel are you losing to thieves?

84 Combine and forage harvesters

18 Climate smart crops

Cropping

20 New guide to help ensure health and safety of workers in banana sector

59 Naturally balanced nutrition 62 Don't wasteit, roast it

Tech & Innovation Supplement

52 IoT can transform agriculture

40 Heavy duty power transmission oil for agricultural machinery

56 Multispectral sensors and analytics

37 Soil moisture transmitters for irrigation control

Livestock

34 Agricultural grain dryers

60 Realtime animal feeds and nutritional analysis

68 Equipment for fruit and vegetable grading and sorting

62 Don’t waste it, roast it

62

50 November - December 2017

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FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

86 www.farmersreviewafrica.com

F A R ME R S

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Volume 3. Issue 12. November - December 2017

Editor’s note It's no secret we work in a cyclical industry. ere's planting in the spring, harvest

AGCO- Combine and forage harvesters

preparation in the summer and the busy harvest season in the fall. It can be quite a busy,

Page 72

jet-lag inducing time, but it's also bene cial to get out of the farm, or mill or elevator — every once in a while and get exposed to new ideas, ways of doing things and seeing things that are just plain and neat.

Please visit the website

FARMERS

a

com

viewafric farmersrereviewafrica. .com

www.farmers

REVIEW AFRICA

AFRICAN DAIRY FARMERS NEED TO BECOME CLIMATE SMART. P8

A SOLUTION TO POOR FARMERS' PROBLEMS. P42

REALTIME ANIMAL FEEDS AND NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS. P52

Farming is getting more and more sectoral all the time. e kids, who grow up on grain farms, rarely set foot in swine or chicken barns, or know about beef genetics or fruit

Grain harvesters Courtesy of www.AGCOcorp.com

harvest quality.

Executive Editor Lee Daniels

Farming is evolving faster than any of us realize, with farmers solidly in charge. To see

lee.daniels@farmersreviewafrica.com

how, just read the stories in our latest issue and apply their messages to an entire industry.

Writers

Farmers stand out in today's culture for their ability to make actual decisions, not just

Bertha M. Contributers Silimina Derick derrick.silimina@gmail.com Advertising Executive

choices. Now the rewards for choosing which decisions to make are about to multiply.

In our last issue of Farmers Review Africa as we conclude the year 2017, we bring you a lot of insights, machinery and technology guide in the agricultural sector.

Russou Billiard russoub@farmersreviewafrica.com

We have an interesting piece written by David Davies, CEO & Co-founder of AgUnity

Cleopas M.

which talks about AgriLedger, a solution to poor farmers.

cleopasm@farmersreviewafrica.com Mkhululi K.

e solution is to get 50-100 farmers together to collaborate and share, but a lack of clear

info@farmersreviewafrica.com

records and trust stops them from doing that. AgriLedger is the simplest use of block

Project Manager

chain, it's really a record keeping system that works smartphone to smartphone and writes

Victor Ndlovu

to block chain so it can never be altered.

sales@farmersreviewafrica.com Correspondents

We also give you an interesting insight on how farmers in Tanzania are encouraged to

Isabel Banda zambia@farmersreviewafrica.com +260 97 740 4388 Himanot Kelemu

grow elite varieties of vegetables, enriched with high-value nutritional content, in order to ght malnutrition, hunger and double agricultural productivity and income of smallholders.

eastafrica@farmersreviewafrica.com Sales professor@farmersreviewafrica.com Mthokozisi M mthokozisim@farmersreviewafrica.com

Fodder production is providing a lifeline to drought stricken famers in Kenya as it is an important traditional part of the present cropping system both for conserved feed and fertility enhancement and maintenance.

Marketing Mandla M. mandlam@farmersreviewafrica.com Graphic Design & Layout

leading trade fair for agricultural machinery with 2,900 exhibitors from 52 countries.

Que Gibson

Xarvio solutions open farmers the opportunity to optimise the potential of their

gibson.q@farmersreviewafrica.com

individual elds and eld zones.

Bayer launched the new digital farming brand, Xarvio at this year's Agritechnica, the

Published by Mailing Times Media

Are we getting it right? As always, don't hesitate to let us know. Email us at

+27 11 044 8986

sales@farmersreviewafrica.com or visit our website www.farmersreviewafrica.com

sales@farmersreviewafrica.com

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[5]

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

News

Kenya

Fodder farming provides lifeline to drought stricken Kenya Fodder production is an important traditional

Agricultural and Livestock Research

part of the present cropping system both for

Organization.

conserved feed and fertility enhancement and maintenance.

and treatment for pests, he said.

He sells grass bales to herders for 200 Kenyan

Joseph Mureithi, director of the organization,

shillings ($2) each, and makes up to 200,000

said that “rain-fed staple farming is becoming

Kenyan shillings ($1,930) per season.

Up to 10% of the agricultural lands are cultivated

increasingly difficult in Kenya due to poor

with fodder crops. Lack of quality fodder

rainfall, whereas growing fodder can help

'especially during winter' is one of the major

farmers withstand prolonged drought.”

constraints to improve livestock production.

Wild grass like Brachiaria is drought-resistant, nutritious and reduces the need for fertilisers, says the International Center for Tropical Agriculture.

For two years Peter Mutisya has been growing Cattle are fed both on rangelands and in the

Rhodes grass to supplement his income.

Mutisya said the growing demand for fodder from

sheds. In winter all livestock are fed indoors and

“I have made 300 Kenyan shillings ($3) by

herders in times of drought is what makes it such

rely on crop residues and conserved fodder.

selling these today,” said Mutisya in interview

an attractive proposition for subsistence farmers

Many animals are underfed and weak in spring.

with Reuters, a large smile spread across his face.

like him.

Worsening drought and erratic rainfall across

Mutisya was not always so cheerful. He used to

“Pastoralists are realizing that in dry weather it is

Kenya have affected harvests and livestock,

grow maize and beans, but irregular and

better to buy fodder for their livestock instead of

prompting farmers to look for alternative

insufficient rainfall meant he harvested very

walking long distances in search of pastures, and

sources of income.

little – ve bags of maize at most per season,

risk their animals dying along the way,” he

which earned him 10,000 Kenyan shillings ($96)

explained.

A growing number of Kenyans living in arid

at the market.

Paul Melita, an elder from Sonorua village in a

areas are swapping staple crops for livestock

neig hb or ing count y, s aid his v i l l age is

fodder like Rhodes or Brachiaria grass, which

It takes him three hours to plant the grass and,

require less water to grow, according to the Kenya

unlike maize, does not need regular weeding

November - December 2017

[6]

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

experiencing one of its worst droughts in years.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Fodder farming provides lifeline to drought stricken Kenya

“It's simple: when there is no rain there is no

which he says allow him to keep his livestock fed

fodder. Our livestock die,” he said, pointing to the

and alive, even in dry weather.

News

“Pastoralists see ownership of livestock as enhancing a man's status in society,” he said. “So

village path littered with rotting animal

they are reluctant to give their animals up.”

carcasses.

He has had to manage his budget carefully, however. “If I sell one cow, I can raise enough

Trading manure for fodder is another option for

He is not as worried as others, however. Late last

money to buy fodder to feed my other 20 cows

herders who would rather not part from their

year he went to Machakos, a nearby town, to buy

for a month,” he said.

animals, say experts.

grain for his family. “But I got more than that,” he said.

But most herders refuse to sell their stock, said

“Pastoralists rely on fodder grown by farmers. But

Joseph Nkanoni, a project officer at Dupoto-e-

farmers too need products like manure from

Farmers were selling hay bales at the open-air

Maa. e herders' group has been encouraging

pastoralists to farm grass,” said Joseph Ngondi,

market – which came as a surprise as he had

people to sell some of their animals during

coordinator at the Climate Change Network of

never seen fodder sold before.

drought, to buy fodder or pay for family food or

Kenya, a network of organizations tackling

school fees.

climate change.

Melita now buys about 60 hay bales every month,

www.allpower.co.za

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[7]

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info@allpower.co.za

November - December 2017

News

Kenya

African youth go digital to keep climate-smart farming alive Mobile applications and online forums help

According to Amanda Namayi from CSAYN

Young people are also using online forums to

young Africans make a living from farming amid

Kenya, the internet has helped the youth form

share experiences and educate one another,

changing weather, delegates hear on the sidelines

alliances across 28 countries to promote

Mwangi said. “We need to rethink the way we

of climate talks in Bonn.

African campaigners are promoting digital tools

sustainable farming. “is initiative started in

engage the youth in farming… e online forums

Africa but it is now spreading to other parts of

have given us an insight into what challenges the

the world,” she said.

youth faces and the solutions.”

to keep young people involved in farming and prevent migration, delegates heard on the

CSAYN is promoting activities associated with

e other problem that African youth in

sidelines of climate talks in Bonn, Germany.

farming such as marketing, accounting and

agriculture face is a lack of land rights. is,

Youth unemployment averages 10.8% across

manufacturing to help the youth realise that

according to the African Union Commission

sub-Saharan Africa, while nearly seven out of 10

agriculture can also be done by those with

(AUC) advisor in climate change and agriculture,

young people earn less than $3.10 a day. Climate

university quali cations.

Ayalneh Bogale, is caused by the complexity of

change impacts like drought and ooding are making it harder for farmers to get by, with large

land tenure systems in African countries. “e youth is more engaged in social media and

numbers making a risky journey to seek better

they're into technology, which are the tools

“e AUC is helping African governments to

opportunities in Europe.

they're using to get involved in farming,” said

come up with policies to make land more

Catherine Mwangi, a researcher from Kenya.

accessible to those who want to use it for farming,”

In response to this challenge, the Climate Smart

at includes creating mobile applications to

he said.

Agriculture Youth Network (CSAYN) is bringing

inform farmers about weather patterns and help

young people together through digital and

them make decisions on what to plant and

He also encouraged the youth to engage in

conventional means to share knowledge about

when.

rehabilitating damaged land, which may be

climate-smart agriculture.

November - December 2017

eligible for climate nance.

[8]

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

News

Tanzania

Tanzania farmers adopts vegetable farming to improve nutrition e farmers in Tanzania are encouraged to grow

than 6,000 smallholder farmers in seven

elite varieties of vegetables, enriched with high-

districts across Tanzania to promote vegetable

value nutritional content, in order to

farming as a complementary agricultural

ght

project intervention area.

“Data from the project sites in Babati, Kongwa

malnutrition, hunger and double agricultural

activity in the largely maize-dominated farming

and Kiteto districts show that from 2014 to 2016,

productivity and income of smallholders

systems.

farmers increased tomato production, on average,

e Africa RISING project focuses on the need

e result has revealed that many of the small-

production from 8 to 14.4 tonnes per ha and

to take urgent action in achieving Sustainable

scale farmers in the Sub-Saharan African region

Amaranth production from 8.6 to 12.2 tonnes per

from 10.7 to 17.2 tonnes per ha, African eggplant

Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to end to

are showing an increasing trend to turn to

ha following community sensitisation, use of

hunger and undernutrition to African farmers.

farming of the leafy greens. Vegetable farming

quality elite vegetable variety seeds and training in

In sub-Saharan African region, lack of dietary

has become a feasible alternative of agri-

healthy seedling production,” said Justus

diversity is one of the most important factors of

business with high potential for income

Ochieng, a WorldVeg scientist.

malnutrition as majority of the population

generation.

consume staples as their main food, which are low in micronutrients and vitamins.

e project also aims to enable the region's According to the project data, the combined use

smallholder farming households to identify better

of healthy seedlings with good agronomic

methodologies for storing increased quantities of

In order to reduce this lack of dietary gap and

practices has increased the production of

food produced and accessing viable markets, thus

encourage the farmers to produce crops with rich

tomato by 3.4 times and production of African

helping them to extend income generation

nutritional content, project is targeting more

eggplant and Amaranth by 2.8 times each in the

opportunities for them.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[9]

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

News

Africa

African dairy farmers need to become climate smart e African dairy industry was facing its worst

production, while decreasing GHGs in

reducing milk losses in post farm-gate stages,”

challenges as a result of climate change. As

Ethiopia.

Ndambi explained.

such, adaptation and mitigation were needed to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

It was found that most GHG emissions were

Moreover, improving manure management by

that contributed to climate change.

caused by feed production and enteric

promoting animal manure as fertiliser, as well as

fermentation. e study then calculated the

promoting the sale of manure as a fertiliser for

is was according to Asaah Ndambi, senior

effect of multiple cost-efficient interventions.

use on urban and peri-urban farms, prevented

international animal production specialist at

“Emissions vary along the chain depending on

the accumulation of manure, and also assisted in

the Wageningen University and Research

production intensity; about 60% of on-farm

limiting GHG emissions.

Centre (Wageningen) in the Netherlands.

emissions are from enteric fermentation. Feed

Ndambi was speaking at the 13th Africa Dairy

production [also] contributes greatly to dairy

Farmers could also adapt their operations by

Conference and Exhibition recently held in

emissions, [with] manure also an important

increasing system resilience through enhancing

Johannesburg.

contributor,” Ndambi said.

production systems; for example, implementing effective water capturing methods, irrigation,

Ndambi explained that improving farm

Climate-smart dairy production was crucial in

herd management, sequential cropping, genetic

productivity was the best way to mitigate dairy

the effort to reduce GHG emissions.

improvement, and manure management.

sector GHG emissions.

“[Climate-smart dairy production involves]

“Expanding the activities on the farm, such as

reducing the number of animals and

mixed farming and cropping, and exploring other

In 2015 and 2017, eun Vellinga, senior

remaining productive by managing herds

possibilities outside the farm, such as ecotourism,

reseacher at Wageningen's Livestock Research

properly by replacing oxen and unproductive

feed production, and biogas production, [can help

Institute, conducted a study to assess cost-

female animals, increasing crossbreeding

in reducing GHG emissions]” Ndambi said.

effective interventions that could increase

through improved arti cial insemination and

November - December 2017

[10]

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

News

Kenya

Farm Africa: A growing future for Africa World leaders gathered in Germany this month

in how to overcome such challenges via its

attendant problems of ooding, while other

to examine the impact of global warming on

Growing Futures project. “Growing Futures is

areas get progressively more arid. By 2030 crop yields could be in freefall, says Farm Africa.

vulnerable communities need look no further

about investing in communities and giving

than rural Kenya.

farmers the foundation skills needed to build a sustainable horticultural business and turn

e Trans Nzoia project was launched in 2016

International NGO Farm Africa is warning that

themselves into wealth creators,” says Oliver

and provides 400 young farmers with training

extreme weather is already impacting

King, Aldi MD of corporate responsibility.

and technical assistance, helping them increase

ere is now a text messaging system in place

markets. “Many of the people we work with were

impoverished Kenyan farmers.

yields or change focus as well as access new

“Excessive rainfall has destroyed crops and so

to encourage farmers to pay close attention to

farming maize,” says project coordinator Mary

has frost,” says Penny Ruszczynski, head of

weather forecasts. At Oloitokitok, a town in a

Nyale. “Maize production takes about nine

corporate partnerships at the charity. “Many of

semi-arid area of eastern Kenya, farmers are

months and smaller farmers don't make much.

the crops were also covered in blight, which

now successfully managing climate extremes.

By contrast, French beans take just 45 days to

occurs during very cold weather. Farmers had

“e farmers from Trans Nzoia visited and

grow, so you harvest them and have cash coming

to stop planting in August and September.”

looked at how raised vegetable beds can drain

in.”

off excessive water and how crop Previously this might have spelled disaster for

diversi cation helps avoid loss from one crop,”

Growing Futures plans to expand to a further

both the farmers and the country. Many of its

Ruszczynski adds. “ey're also very careful to

2,000 young men and women in neighbouring

farms sit in the Trans Nzoia region, oen

manage the crop during the dry season,

county Elgeyo Marakwet, although there is a

known as the 'bread basket' of Kenya, home to

minimising water use and irrigation expenses

pressing need for more funds. From now until

much of the contry's 17% of farmable land.

while helping maximise plant population for

14 January all donations will be doubled by the

Agriculture accounts for 26% of national GDP

maximum yield production per kilo of seed

British government through its Aid Match

and employs over 80% of the Kenyan

planted.”

scheme. To put this in context, just £6 will

population, making it a vital industry.

Farmers have done the least to cause climate

provide a farmer with a training session. For the

change but are among the rst to experience

farmers, for Kenya and for the food supply to the

But boosted by investment from Aldi, Farm

its adverse effects. Rainfall has been increasing

wider world, the stakes have never been higher.

Africa is now able to educate younger farmers

across East Africa since 1960, with the

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[11] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

News

West Africa

By ending deforestation in West Africa we can turn cocoa farmers into climate heroes World Cocoa Foundation chairman Barry

the world's cocoa. e key here is having the

ere are hundreds of thousands of people

Parkin says the unprecedented deal signed by 21

governments and industry working on this.

living in those protected forests and we need to

cocoa companies with Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire

at is unique. I don't think it has really

develop a plan that tackles environmental and

at COP23 this week will introduce climate-smart

happened in any other commodity, so we are

social issues together

farming practices and li hundreds of thousands

breaking new ground here.”

Central to the frameworks is a commitment to no

e Cocoa & Forests Initiative is the result of a

production and stronger enforcement of national

from poverty.

further conversion of any forest land for cocoa

A g rou n d - bre a k i n g a g re e m e nt t o e n d

meeting convened by the Prince of Wales in

forest policies. It will also restore forests that have

deforestation in West Africa has been signed at

March, where 12 companies in the cocoa supply

been degraded from illegal cocoa planting as well

the COP23 climate talks in Bonn this week.

chain, including Cargill, Olam, Ferrero,

as from other commodities such as palm oil and

Mondelē z Inter nat iona l, e Hershe y

mining, which has caused Cote D'Ivoire's forest

Barry Parkin, who is chief sustainability officer of

Company and Nestlé, met with government

cover to fall from 12m hectares to less than 3m ha

Mars, Inc, and chairman of the World Cocoa

ministers from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana and

since 1960.

Foundation, said in an interview with Ethical

signed a statement of intent to come up with a

Corporation that the agreement, signed between

framework for action in time for this week's

One of the biggest challenges will be developing

21 companies and the world's biggest cocoa-

climate summit in Bonn. Signatories to the

alternative livelihoods for affected smallholder

producing countries, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, is

Cocoa & Forests Initiative have since grown to

farmers, Parkin said.

unprecedented.

35 companies, representing more than 80% of

environmental issue. It's a social, economic and

the world's cocoa users, though only 21 have so

environmental issue rolled into one. It will be

“ose two countries account for around 60% of

far signed the frameworks.

extremely challenging to solve, because there are

November - December 2017

[12] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

“is is not just an

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

By ending deforesta on in West Africa we can turn cocoa farmers into climate heroes

hundreds of thousands of people living in

change. Rather than seeing smallholder farmers

News

As well as the promoting agro-forestry practices,

communities in those protected forests, and we

as the bad guys who went into the forest and

the chocolate and cocoa industry will put in place

need to develop a plan that tackles both the

chopped down trees to grow crops and denuded

veri able monitoring systems for traceability

environmental and social issues together.”

the soil of nutrients, the opportunity is to see

from farm to the rst purchase point for their own

smallholder farmers as the heroes of climate

purchases of cocoa, working with the

Promoting SDG2

action.”

governments to ensure an effective national

is is an approach that is already yielding

supply chain.

framework for traceability for all traders in the

e frameworks signed with both countries both call for what the World Cocoa Foundation describes as the sustainable intensi cation of

results in Côte D'Ivoire, where Mars is working

cocoa production, doubling the amount of cocoa

with its supplier Barry Callebout through the

is is a huge opportunity to bring sustainable

that will be grown on each hectare of land. At the

Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming to end

development to the forest frontier

same time, single-crop cocoa plantations will be

cocoa monoculture and at least double the

Civil society groups hailed the agreements and

replaced with a model that intercrops cocoa with

incomes of smallholder farmers. Mars is

promised their support. Nigel Sizer, president of

a mix of shade crops, hardwood trees, and other

focusing on the one million smallholders who

the Rainforest Alliance, said certi cation

cash crops, providing smallholder farmers a

produce its ingredients in its $1bn Sustainable in

programmes by Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, and the

second source of income, boosting food security

a Generation sustainability plan, which aims to

Fairtrade Foundation will be able to help verify

and nutrition for communities, and improving

cut two-thirds of the CO2 in its entire value

the cocoa industr y's progress on ending

the health of the soil so that it sequesters carbon,

chain by 2050.

deforestation and give con dence to consumers.

“We are ready to roll up our sleeves and with our

Parkin said. is addresses the second Sustainable Development Goal, on ending

“I was in Côte D'Ivoire two weeks ago and saw

team on the ground help with the challenging

hunger and improving nutrition, head on.

one of our rst programmes in this area. We've

work ahead with communities, farmers and

had 600 farmers plant half a hectare of land at a

companies.”

Rather than see smallholder farmers as the bad

time with this mixed agriculture, and it's

guys who chop down trees, the opportunity is

fantastic. We saw maize growing 2 metres high,

Marco Albani, director of the Tropical Forest

to see smallholder farmers as the heroes of

cocoa planted in absolutely straight rows instead

Alliance 2020, said his organisation also stood

climate action

of a monocrop of out-of-control dense canopy.

ready to support the effort: “Sustainable

Importantly for the world, there are also

… ese farmers are now sequestering carbon

intensi cation of smallholders' estate crops like

signi cant climate bene ts. “ere is three times

both in improved management of the soil and in

cocoa is a huge opportunity for delivering

as much carbon protected in agricultural soil as

the trees that they are planting.”

sustainable development at the forest frontier, and a collaboration between business, government

the air,” Parkin said. “is is a massive vehicle of

and civil society is critical for capturing it at scale.”

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[13]

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

News

Zambia Zambia Grappling with 70% Fish Deficit Fishing in Zambia's vast sheries once seemed

we don't have enough and we

inexhaustible but this has led to serious depletion

are forced to import,” Mr

of sh stock.

Ngoma said.

While agriculture is the most important source

Asked the modalities that

of livelihood, Zambia has 15 million hectares of

government has put in place to

water in the form of rivers, lakes and swamps,

scale up sh farming especially

which provide the basis for extensive freshwater

among local sh farmers in the

sheries. Everyone in Zambia, irrespective of socio-economic status, enjoys sh.

country in order to cushion the current 70 percent stock de cit,

However, demand for domestic

sh for

consumption still outstrips production.

Mr Ngoma states that a number of

nancial measures are in

Government is aware of the direct bene ts of sh

place to boost production.

as a source of food of high nutritional value,

“One of them is through the Citizens Economic

the next three years.

especially for vulnerable groups, so the sector is

Empowerment Commission (CEEC) Loan

not underrated.

facility. Right now, the Commission is giving out

“We have a de cit and we are importing sh that is why we are putting in place measures to curb bad shing. We are going around the country to sensitise the communities on good sh practices and other stakeholders. We have the potential and resources in all provinces, we are even encouraging backyard shing,” Mr. Katambo said.

e sector, because of its mostly rural setting,

loans to potential sh farmers and those who are

continues to contribute signi cantly to rural

serious, they can simply apply to CEEC but the

development in terms of employment and

tricky part is they don't usually give to

income generation and reducing poverty.

individuals as they need a cooperative as it is

It is estimated that the sector supports more than

easier to fund a group rather than an individual,”

300 000 people deriving their livelihood directly

he noted.

as

“Also, the other modality is the 2017 budget

shers and

sh farmers, or indirectly as

traders, processors and other service providers,

allocation where Finance minister Felix Mutati

according to the Food and Agriculture

mentioned that there is quite a chunk of money

Organization (FAO).

that has been reser ved speci cally for

And according to the Ministry of Fisheries and

aquaculture. So, these two are the measures that

Livestock, there are nine major

government has put in place to avert sh de cit

sheries in

Zambia namely Kariba, Tanganyika, Itezhi-tezhi,

in the country.”

Bangwelu, Mweru Luapula, Mweru Wantipa,

Earlier this year, government acquired a US$50

Kafue and Zambezi Rivers and Lukanga

Million loan from the African Development

Swamps.

Bank (AfDB) to boost its sh industry. Half of

Chirundu Fisheries Department Assistant

the loan will help 12,000 women and young

research officer Taurai Ngoma says aquaculture

small scale sh farmers.

industry in Zambia is not growing to the

And Livestock and Fisheries minister Michael

expected level due to innumerable challenges

Katambo recently con rmed that Zambia has

facing the sector hence the escalating sh de cit

stock de cit hence depending on imports to

now at 70 percent.

sustain local demand.

Mr Ngoma notes that currently, government is

“As a country, we have a de cit of sh but with sh farmers and projects that are being implemented with the loans from African Development Bank (AfDB) and other measures from Government, the graph is rising, we are managing. We have about 85, 000 metric tonnes, now we are talking about 50, 000 to 60, 000 metric tonnes de cit which means the graph is rising,” he said.

even unable to ban the importation of sh mainly from China on the local market. “...the aquaculture sector is growing at a snail's pace. Although we are growing, we are not growing as fast as we want to grow. ere hasn't been enough sh that has been produced in the country as at now! We still have sh de cit and that is why government is unable to ban the ooded local market with imported

sh. So

maybe in due course, we will be restricting the amount of sh coming into the country because November - December 2017

Mr. Katambo said in an interview that Zambia would become a net exporter of sh once Government implemented all the projects. He said the target is to meet the sh de cit within

[14] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

Meanwhile, Mr Ngoma notes that the sector is still facing teething challenges as it requires enough capital in terms of funding as well as the lack of seed or ngerlings.

“Aquaculture is big business. We may tell people to venture into it but the income injection that is required for one to just venture into full production is just too huge. at's the tricky part of it but once you have all the facilities in place, it's easier but for you to start just digging the ponds requires more funds,” he observed. “en the other challenge that is limiting the production of sh in the country is the source of ngerlings, (the seed). ere isn't many companies that are able to produce seed in Zambia because rst things rst, you need to have seed just like growing maize is. For instance, on the crop production side, we have a lot of seed companies such as SeedCo, ZamSeed, and MRI seed companies among others but on the sh side, we have a situation whereby those people who are growing sh are more than those who are producing ngerlings.”

As government endeavours to promote sh farming, it should go a step further to raise the scale of operations by attracting corporate investment into the sector as a way of realizing its full potential and as well as strengthen the sheries department's policy and legal framework if socio-economic emancipation is to be realised.

By Derrick Silimina

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

News

Zambia

Against All Odds, Dairy Farmer Flourish

Since market liberalization of Zambia's economy

for the commodity is

in the 1990s, the Dairy sector has made

affecting the Dairy

tremendous strides.

industry in the

Although production has been steadily

country.

increasing, dairy farmers and processors are

Eugene Haakalima

unable to meet the growing demand for milk and

65, a small scale dairy

dairy products.

farmer of Mapepe

Dairy farming offers a huge investment

area in Chilanga

opportunity in Zambia due to the country's

district said in an

abundant water, a good climate for crop

inter view that his

production and pasture for animal feed.

desire to join the

In the past, milking a cow was done at a

sector is due to his

subsistence level and it involved a stool, a bucket

passion for the

and patient hands for domestic consumption.

industry.

Today, dairy farming is a viable business venture

Mr. Ha a k a l i m a , a

and farmers have mechanical aids to help speed

trustee of Mapepe

up the process of milking and animal care.

Dairy Cooperative

e dairy sector requires enough resources and

Society since its

capital if it is to realise tangible returns to

i n c e p t i o n

farmers. ese include adequate land for keeping

commenced milk

the desired number of animals with enough

production with one

pasture to feed the animals.

animal but is now a

Since the rains are over, planning is important for

proud owner of four

a pro table dairy business by procuring animal

dairy animals.

feed requirements on time.

“I j oi ne d Map e p e

e farmer is also expected to preserve excess

Dairy Cooperative

fodder or silage and also budget well to ensure

Society in 2005 and i

there is enough money to buy concentrates,

started with only one

mineral licks, vitamins and drugs to maintain the

dairy animal but now

animal's health.

am milking four

According to the Ministry of Livestock, it is

animals. In terms of

estimates that 450 million litres of milk is

milk production, the four animals that I am

feeding, most small scale farmers depends on the

produced by small scale farmers annually but

currently milking give me 25 litres of milk per

income realised from the sale of milk. Lack of

only about 50 million litres gets to the market

day,” Mr. Haakalima said.

good management skills has also been a

while the rest goes to waste.

However, Mr. Haakalima noted that he is not

stumbling block to realise the growth of the

And the Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ)

satis ed with his current production rate citing

sector,” he added.

says milk production in the country is far below

lack of adequate pasture in the area.

And Mr Haakalima has since appealed for an

the installed capacity of 182 million litres per

“It's not a good production at all because I have

upward adjustment of prices milk buyers being

annum.

not been feeding my animals well. Maize bran

offered to farmers as the current rate is too low for

But during the rainy season, milk production

and molasses hasn't been enough to feed my

them to break even.

normally reaches peak levels more especially

animals hence i need to invest more in feed so

“Looking at the current price (Milk processors) is

among small scale farmers.

that i produce more litres of raw milk,” he stated.

giving us, is quite lower but from their

However, it is observed that during this high

Meanwhile, Mr. Haakalima added that the dairy

explanation, I get an impression that it is fair

production, most farmers fail to maintain the

industry has a number of challenges which

because we don't produce as much as the

milk quality levels oen reached during off

needs conceited effort from both government

commercial farmers produce. But if they

season as the high moisture and temperature

and the private sector to resolve if the sector is to

increased a bit to K5 per litre or so, it will help us

conditions favour high bacteria production.

grow.

meet the high cost of production,” Mr. Haakalima

On the other hand, issues such as lack of support

“e major challenges we face as farmers is the

stated.

for locally produced milk and lower market price

high death rate of animals and also in terms of

By Derrick Silimina

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[15]

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

News

Zimbabwe

Will new regime revive agriculture in Zimbabwe Under the Mugabe regime, Zimbabwe's

However, he added that new leadership could

someone who would advance a more liberal

agriculture industry has been deteriorating for

result in a new vision for the sector, and could be

integration of Zimbabwe's economy into the

many years. is was partly due to chaotic land

the start of a new dispensation that rede ned

global market.

reform, a lack of private property rights, and

agriculture in Zimbabwe.

[On the other hand], reports have [also presented]

poorly targeted and partisan-based subsidy

Kapuya also said that to revive the sector,

him as a gure that has advanced a command

programmes.

Zimbabwe needed to rst strengthen property

agriculture [socialist] policy narrative. While

rights in the country, and allow for the private

both are diametrically opposite, the latter could be

ownership of land.

interpreted as a positional play that was deeply

country's agriculture sector needs.

“is would not only promote investment, but

Kapuya also said that white farmers had an

also improve land management as well,” said

important role to play in the revival of commercial

According to Tinashe Kapuya, an agribusiness

Kapuya.

agriculture in the country, and that several

e current military siege of power in Zimbabwe could be the beginning of the transformation the

etched in factional politics,” said Kapuya.

economist, the agriculture sector in Zimbabwe

Current reports suggested that Zimbabwe's

politicians in ZANU-PF, Zimbabwe's ruling

never recovered from the land reform policy

former vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa,

political party, believed this.

initiated in 2000, and has remained subdued over

would lead the transitional government.

the past 15 years.

“I think Mnangagwa will embrace white However, Kapuya said that Mnangagwa's

commercial farmers, but that will obviously need

For this reason, Kapuya said that the military

policies have thus far been de ned by

a new narrative that departs from Mugabe's

capture of the state was unlikely to have an

contradiction.

bigotry and racist politics,” Kapuya said.

immediate effect on the sector.

“On the one hand, he has reportedly shown [an] openness to markets, and was seen to be

November - December 2017

[16] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Insights

Agricultural Policy Research In Africa Official Launched In Addis Ababa e Agricultural Policy Research in Africa

highlighted the AU's agenda for agricultural

(APRA) programme was officially launched at

transformation at the launch.

APRA's research will spread across three work

the ongoing land policy conference in Addis Ababa.

inequality.

A key objective of the AU is to reverse food

streams, compromising of panel studies-

insecurity and increase agricultural

examining people's choices and outcomes and

APRA is a ve-year research programme aiming

productivity, based on the demand for a

longitudinal studies –analysing pathways to

to analyse pathways to agricultural

modernised agriculture system in Africa.

agriculture commercialisation over long periods

commercialisation and their differential impacts

In line with the AU's values, APRA's work will

of time and in different settings.

on empowerment of women and girls, poverty

provide much-needed research in identifying

reduction, and food and nutrition security and in

pro - p o or, g e n d e r e qu it a b l e rout e s t o

Panel studies will include business investment in

Sub-Saharan Africa.

commercialisation.

agricultural commercialisation; growth corridors

e research will address key 'evidence gaps' by

farmers; BRICS interventions and mechanisation;

and commercialisation; rise of medium-scale

It is run by the Future Agricultures Consortium (FAC) and funded by the UK Department of International Development (DFID).

Wit h a d i re c tor ate at t h e Ins t itute of

undertaking in-depth studies on the impact of

livestock commercialisation in pastoralist areas;

ongoing and emerging processes of

and young people and agricultural

commercialisation in African agriculture.

commercialisation.

Looking at a mix of large, medium, small-scaled

e APRA programme aims to produce high-

Development Studies (IDS) in the United Kingdom, APRA currently works in Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya,

estates and outgrowers or contract models,

quality evidence to inform national and regional

Malawi and Mozambique.

APRA is investigating

policies and investments in commercial

ve crucial outcome

Janet Edeme, Head of Rural Economy Division,

areas: agricultural commercialisations;

agriculture as well as provide a much better

Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture

empowerment of women and girls; employment

understanding of the political economy behind

at the African Union Commission and Chair of

rates and conditions; food and nutrition

decision-making on agricultural

the APRA International Advisory Group,

security; assets, poverty, income and patterns of

commercialisation in Africa.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[17] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Insights

Climate smart crops: A necessity for future food and nutrition security Climate change is taking a severe toll on farmers,

current rates of climate change, it is likely that

grow staple crops like maize, millet, and

as they watch their livelihoods disappear with the

global food production will decline by two

sorghum could be lost due to the eects of

onslaught of

higher temperatures, drought, and aridity.

oods, droughts and rising sea

percent every decade until at least 2050, just as

levels and temperatures. With agriculture

the world's population is expected to reach 9.7

currently employing over 1.3 billion people

billion people.

Decreased nutritional quality of crops

throughout the world, or close to 40 percent of the global workforce, it is imperative that we

At the same time, increased levels of CO2 in the As a result of these factors, people may be

atmosphere are already decreasing the

incorporate climate resilience into all aspects of

forced to eat fewer fruits, vegetables, and red

nutritional quality of crops - lowering their

crop breeding and food innovation.

meat products because their availability may

concentrations of vital micronutrients like zinc

Developing ways to improve staple crops so that

be scarce and prices may rise accordingly.

and iron. In a 2014 study on CO2 and crop

they can withstand some of the adverse eects of

Access to food may also be limited by climate-

nutrition, Samuel Myers of Harvard University

climate change will ensure food security and

related vulnerabilities in transportation,

and his colleagues determined that the CO2

agricultural livelihood for generations to come.

storage, and processing.

levels in the second half of this century would

Decline in food production

Projection models from the World Bank

in wheat, rice, peas, and soybeans.

A recent report from the International Food

likewise show that by the 2030s-2040s,

Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) found that at

between 40 to 80 percent of cropland used to

likely reduce the levels of zinc, iron, and protein

November - December 2017

[18] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

Some two billion people live in countries where www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Climate smart crops: A necessity for future food and nutri on security

citizens receive more than 60 percent of their

our global partners recognise the necessity of

Insights

150 varieties of the 12 staple crops we and our

zinc or iron from these foods. Many already

climate resilience and our scientists, plant

partners have developed. We run extensive tests to

suffer from diets that lack enough of these

breeders, and country teams are working daily

ensure crops will be successful, from stress tests in

important minerals, and increased de ciencies

to scale out more climate-resilient crops.

the eld mimicking intense climate conditions to

devastating health consequences.

At the International Center for Tropical

conditions, we generate an environment for

Agriculture in Palmira, Colombia, researchers

testing which allows breeding for climate smart,

A new technology known as bioforti cation - the

are developing beans that can "beat the heat."

robust varieties with high micronutrient and high

of these vital nutrients would have even more

studies in laboratories. Under repeatable stress

process of increasing the nutrient content of

Oen referred to as "the meat of the poor," beans

yield stability. e traits bred into our crops are

staple food crops - is a promising tool in the

offer a crucial source of vitamins and protein as

virus, disease and pest resistance, as well as

well as income for millions of people,

drought and heat tolerance. ese selective plant

particularly in Africa and Latin America.

breeding techniques are just one means of

being felt. Increased drought and aridity are now

But climate modeling suggests that, over the

change, but we have to do more.

a reality in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia, leading

coming decades, higher temperatures will

g lob a l effor t to mit igate t hes e t rends.

securing agriculture in areas vulnerable to climate

Many of the effects of climate change are already

to widespread harvest losses and livestock death.

threaten bean production, reducing yields and

As climate change continues to play a dominant

As a result, malnutrition levels in the area have

quality. Moreover, heat stress could diminish the

role in agriculture and food security, we have to

skyrocketed. In Somalia alone, the UN says more

area for growing beans by up to 50% in eastern

remain committed to continued research to be

than six million people are in need of urgent help.

and central Africa by the year 2050. By

sure people in rural communities receive the most

identifying elite lines of beans that show strong

nutritious and resilient crop varieties available.

Focusing on crop adaptation strategies

tolerance to heat - up to 30 degrees Celsius -

With ongoing crises of famine in ve countries

ough climate change continues to progress at

breeders can develop more productive,

stretching from Africa to the Middle East, farmers

an advanced pace, researchers and policymakers

nutritionally improved beans that are resilient

and vulnerable populations are relying on

can help offset some of the negative impacts on

even in harsh growing conditions.

policymakers, scientists and aid workers to

Indeed, climate resistant traits are integral to all

and prevent additional harvest losses.

provide the necessary tools to mitigate hunger

farmers by focusing on crop adaptation strategies. Organisations like HarvestPlus and

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[19] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Insights

New guide to help ensure health and safety of workers in banana sector Bananas are the most exported fresh fruit in the world - both in terms of volume and economic value - and serves as an essential source of employment and income for thousands of rural households in developing countries.

At the third Conference of the World Banana Forum in Geneva, FAO and the Government of Ecuador have presented a practical guide aimed at making conditions healthier and safer for workers in the banana sector. While initially aimed at workers in Ecuador, the manual can be adapted for use around the world.

A great step forward in defence of workers' rights, safety e publication contains a series of recommendations addressed to trainers and November - December 2017

workers in the sector on how to manage risks on banana farms and how to carry out work more safely.

It includes a wide range of guidelines covering topics including the proper handling, storage and use of agrochemicals/pesticides, measures for adequate personal protection - including rst aid in emergency situations - hygiene standards, information on ergonomic risks, ways to stop gender-related violence and other human rights abuses. "is handbook is a great step forward in defence of workers' rights. is pioneering initiative should be replicated in other banana-producing countries," said Ecuador's Minister of Labour, Raúl [20] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

Clemente Ledesma Huerta, speaking at the conference in Geneva, which brought together over 300 representatives from the banana sector and other stakeholders, including retailers, importers, producers, exporters, consumer associations, governments, academic institutions, United Nations agencies, trade unions and civil society organisations.

Social, environmental and health risks in banana production Bananas, aer cereals, sugar, coffee and cocoa, is the most traded agricultural product in the world, and attempts to lower production costs oen leads to disastrous consequences on the rights of workers and on the environment.

For example, banana plantations use 10 times www.farmersreviewafrica.com

New guide to help ensure health and safety of workers in banana sector

Insights

more pesticides than conventional plantations in developed countries. Elevated exposure to these agrochemicals can cause serious health problems for workers and neighbouring communities - one of the topics addressed in the manual. e manual also serves as a guide to identify risks and also as a source of information regarding current legislation to report on work-related accidents.

Fruit of a cross-sectoral partnership Of the almost 100 million tonnes of bananas consumed each year in the world, around 20 million are exported. Of these, almost six million come from Ecuador, the world's largest exporter and the country chosen by the Banana Initiative for Occupational Health and Safety (BOHESI) - coordinated by the FAO-led World Banana Forum and the non-governmental organisations Solidaridad and Bananalink - as a priority country for the development of the manual. e guide, aimed at both trainers and workers, is the result of an unprecedented consensus between the public and private sectors and civil society and includes all current legislation applicable to the sector in Ecuador. It is expected to be useful for some 250,000 direct workers and from 2 to 2.5 million workers related to banana exports in the country.

Given that banana farming is carried out in a similar way throughout the world - from Latin America to Asia and the Paci c - the initiative can be adapted and replicated in banana producing countries around the world, incorporating their own legislation. e FAO World Banana Forum Secretariat is the neutral facilitator responsible for coordination among the members of this huge industry and aims to actively promote the adoption of the handbook globally.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

mktg@radeecal.in

www.agritecafrica.com

[21] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

kenya@agritecafrica.com

www.adeecal.in

November - December 2017

Insights

Let's develop agriculture and kick hunger out of Africa e rainy season is once again upon us and with

region is likely to receive below normal rainfall

given that some parts of the region are still reeling from a drought that hit the region in 2016.

Southern Africa facing prospects of normal to

from October to December this year and normal

below normal rainfall in November and

to above normal rains from January to March

December, and normal to above normal rains

2018.

And with the effects of climate change likely to

between January and March next year, we urge

cause havoc not only in the region but around the

member countries to seriously invest in

e SADC climate scientists have also predicted

world, we believe it is time for leaders in the region

agriculture so as to avert hunger.

that some parts of the region would be hit by

to think outside the box and come up with sound

Given that most countries in the SADC region

another drought and oods this year.

measures against the effects of droughts, oods

According to SADC experts, the rst phase of

We believe the region can adequately plan for

are heavily dependent on agriculture, good rains would be a boon for their economies while poor

and pest invasions.

rains spells doom for the people of the region.

below normal to normal rains could result in

droughts if there is political will by governments

But as we have said before, it is time countries in

some countries suffering a devastating drought

to invest in dams and irrigation systems that

the region moved away from heavily relying on

while the second phase could result in other

would ensure countries do not have to wait for the

rain-fed agriculture.

member states facing a humanitarian disaster

rainy seasons, but can plant crops year round.

due to oods caused by abnormal rains. ere is need for serious investment in dams and irrigation infrastructure to mitigate the effects of

Examples abound elsewhere where arid countries erefore, they said this calls for member states

have gone on to develop their agricultural systems

climate change which have seen intermittent

to plan carefully and ensure that there were

such that they do not feel the effects of droughts.

droughts sweeping across Africa.

measures in place to deal with issues of security

Climate experts who met in Gaborone,

and disaster in the event of ash ooding.

If a country like Israel, which is largely desert, can

Botswana, in September predicted that the

is does not augur well for Southern Africa

develop its agriculture to a point of being a net

November - December 2017

[22] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Let's develop agriculture and kick hunger out of Africa

exporter of food, what stops countries in

but also for the export market and in turn, lead

Southern Africa from doing the same?

economic growth.

e region is endowed with good climate and has

Insights

the populace.

It is also time for SADC countries to be on high

fairly large rivers which could be dammed for

e region is endowed with good soils and a

alert for pests, and take corrective measures

agricultural purposes.

splendid climate for sound agricultural

before these deal a devastating blow to crops.

production.

We see no reason why year in and year out,

While not much can be done by regional

Last year, a new pest, the fall armyworm which is

countries watch millions of cubic metres of water

countries to prevent oods, as happened last

believed to have originated from the Americas,

year, we believe rebuilding infrastructure

dealt a huge blow on crop yields in the region.

owing to the Indian and Atlantic oceans, but sit and mourn about poor rains.

destroyed by oods should take priority.

It's sad that even countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe that have invested a lot of money in

We urge agricultural experts to be on high alert for We also believe in an early warning system to

such pests and come up with lasting solutions as to

developing dams still rely on rain-fed agriculture

warn about impending disasters and where

how these should be controlled.

when they could develop irrigation systems to

possible, efforts should be taken to make sure

grow crops all year around.

people are not settled in ood prone areas.

Agriculture plays a pivotal role not only in

We believe it is time for the region's leaders to put

As we have reported before, the region is going

therefore calls for concerted efforts to develop it so that we kick hunger and poverty out of Africa.

Southern Africa, but the entire continent and this their shoulders to the wheel and develop a

to experience more such climate calamities due

sophisticated agriculture system that will not

to the climate change and this therefore calls for

only result in food security in Southern Africa,

redoubling of efforts to mitigate the effects on

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[23] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Insights

African agriculture needs young farmers and strong cooperatives Pierre van Hedel, director of Rabobank

Rabobanks in the Netherlands – has long held

Pierre van Hedel, 'e advantages for members

Foundation, believes that well-run farming

that cooperatives of various kinds offer new

of these cooperatives are improved knowhow,

cooperatives and young farmers can help Africa

opportunities for farmers and strengthen their

more market opportunities, higher incomes and

to produce more food across the continent. e

position. African farmers who join forces in

better opportunities for the future. I like to think

Rabobank Foundation supports small African

cooperatives can collectively purchase sowing

of our efforts in Africa as a replication of what

farms in establishing cooperatives to strengthen the position of the farmers.

Small family farms with no more than a few hectares of land supply the bulk of the food to the more than one billion people who inhabit the African continent. Van Hedel states that more professional operations and small investments on these farms can make a signi cant difference. e output can be increased substantially by improved care for crops and animals, good quality of sowing seeds and fertilisers and superior storage facilities to preserve the quality of harvested rice, cassava or cocoa.

Setting up cooperatives e Rabobank Foundation – which is funded primarily through the contributions of local November - December 2017

seeds, fertiliser and animals, as well as fund the

we once did in the Netherlands and at which we

cost of soil investigations and sharing their

have become experts.'

knowhow. In addition, they can also use

'e advantages for members of the cooperatives

cooperatives to improve their position in

a r e i m p r o v e d k n o w h o w, m o r e m a r k e t

terms of the sale of products such as coffee,

opportunities, higher incomes and better

rice, cassava, cocoa and milk. Establishing

opportunities for the future.'

savings and loan cooperatives will help

Pierre van Hedel, director of Rabobank

farmers to provide a part of the required

Foundation

funding themselves. And collectively the farmers have improved access to external

Strong and reliable cooperatives

funding. Oen Rabobank Foundation is also

However, these collective efforts alone will not

willing to take the rst risk.

suffice in giving African agriculture and food

e Rabobank Foundation provides advice

supply the push it needs. Pierre van Hedel feels

mainly across the eastern and western parts of

that supporting farmers' cooperatives by making

the continent, as well as providing support in

sure they are run properly is one of the priorities

strengthening farmers' cooperatives and

when it comes to further developing African

backing these efforts nancially. e

farming. 'e key is effective governance: how do

Foundation reaches a total of 1.2 million

you ensure that cooperative boards are properly

farmers across the continent. According to

trained and that their members are reliable and

[24] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

African agriculture needs young farmers and strong coopera ves

Insights

have the expertise required? How do you

currently hovers between 50 and 55. 'Young

Improving their market position

continue to involve members and make sure

people nd the idea of selling mobile phones in

According to Van Hedel, there is essentially a

business interests and arrangements are

large cities much more modern and appealing,

world of opportunities out there for African farmers. Improving the position of small family

prioritised over family connections? Moreover,

but that market is already pretty much saturated.

how can a cooperative be transparent about who

ere should be more incentive for the younger

farms will make a difference beyond the local

is involved in what, where, and how?'. Van Hedel

generations to pursue a career in farming, and

food supply alone. 'If family farms have the access,

this requires that they can purchase and sell

knowhow and funding needed to improve seeds

cites the example of a cooperative where a truck was not used to safely and efficiently transport the rice produced by the farmers affiliated with the cooperative, but rather to get the director of the cooperative from A to B. Besides costing money, this also prevented the members from

their products through a cooperative. ere also

or fertiliser, for example, they can also enhance

must be sufficient land for their farm and the

the quantity and quality of their output. Once

farm should generate sufficient income. If their

farmers begin joining their supplies, major buyers

farms are slightly larger, they can substitute

will start doing business with them. A single sack

machines for manual labour and start using

of coffee beans is not going to be of any use to

more modern technologies, including more

these larger buyers, but they will be interested in

making any genuine progress in terms of quality

accurate weather forecasts, superior sowing

purchasing larger batches produced on a

and sales.

seeds and cattle species, and soil investigation.

cooperative basis. However, this does require that

ese kinds of improvements require funding.

farmers agree on the terms of the quality of these

Limited interest among young people

Rabobank Foundation can support, but we also

products, and this quality must be monitored as

Cooperatives can play a key role in encouraging

advice farmers to set up savings and loan

well. In fact, cooperatives can play a key role in

young Africans to become farmers. Van Hedel

cooperatives.'

this process. anks to Rabobank's ties with

estimates that the average age of farmers

major international food companies, we are able to connect to farming cooperatives across Africa.'

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[25] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Insights Zambia

Displaced rural dwellers in Serenje district of Central Province

Forced to Leave: Commercial Farms Evict Rural Inhabitants e Human Rights Watch has revealed that rural residents in Serenje district of central province have been displaced by large commercial farms.

lawyers.

economy and reduce rural poverty but it has been

e 101-p age rep or t st ates t hat s ome commercial farmers have acquired thousands of

e renowned international Human Rights

hectares of land while ignoring legal provisions

organization disclosed this in a recent report

meant to protect the environment and ensure

so negligent in enforcing laws on land acquisition and regulating these ventures that some rural communities have suffered severe harm, Human Rights Watch said.

titled, “Forced to Leave: Commercial Farming

local communities are compensated if their land

Government officials say all farm block land in

and Displacement in Zambia.” on the impact of

is taken.

Serenje district was long ago converted from

commercial farms on residents' rights to health, housing, livelihood, food and water security, and education. e report examines how women have been disproportionately affected and oen excluded from negotiations with commercial farmers.

e report further states that some commercial farms have forcibly evicted residents whose families have farmed the land for generations.

“Families that have lived and farmed for generat ions on land now a l lo cate d to commercial farms are being displaced without

Based on more than 130 interviews with rural

due process or compensation. Families have

residents affected by commercial farming, the

been le hungry and homeless,” said Juliana

report examines the human rights record of six

Nnoko-Mewanu, researcher on women and

commercial farms that exemplify much larger

land at Human Rights Watch and author of the

failures of rights protection and governance.

report.

It also draws on interviews with government

e Zambian government is promoting large-

officials, commercial farmers, advocates, and

scale agricultural investments to diversify the

November - December 2017

[26] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

customary to state control. Some advocates and traditional authorities say the processes were so faulty that the conversions should be considered void.

However, Zambian law gives government officials and investors speci c responsibilities over these investments. Commercial farms need to consult affected communities, provide appropriate compensation, adhere to resettlement standards, assess environmental impacts, and comply with relevant laws.

Traditional leaders must also consult affected communities before agreeing to land transfers. www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Forced to Leave: Commercial Farms Evict Rural Inhabitants

Government officials should ensure that

“Government officials and many commercial

investment projects comply with the law.

farmers charged ahead with large-scale farms on

But rural residents in Serenje district told Human Rights Watch that the reality was nothing like that. Many said no one informed them about the new commercial farms nor made any effort to protect their rights.

Some said farmers arriving to survey and measure the land were the rst noti cation they had about commercial farms coming to their communities. Others had earlier warnings and, in some cases, a degree of consultation and compensation.

occupied rural lands, with zero respect for residents' human rights.” Women in the displaced communities have suffered distinctive and disproportionate harmful impacts due to their social roles and status, and had the least opportunity to negotiate and assert their rights.

Women described enormous struggles to sustain their families aer losing safe water for drinking and household use, access to fertile land for cultivating food crops, and hunting or foraging grounds. Some complained about a lack of nutritious meals because they could no

Residents displaced by commercial farms said they lost access to food, water, shelter, and schools.

longer grow sufficient food.

International standards establish that business enterprises, including commercial farms, have a

Many families had to move to areas with poor

responsibility to identify, prevent, mitigate, and

quality soil and could no longer grow sufficient

remedy human rights abuses linked to their

food. ey were pushed further away from water

operations.

sources, burdening women and girls in particular with spending far more time gathering water from distant streams. Many children had to drop out of school because their new homes

International and regional human rights law also prohibits forced evictions, and recognizes the rights to food, water, education, and health. e African Charter on Human and Peoples'

school.

Rights protects the right to a healthy environment.

Zambia has rati ed human rights treaties and

enforcement of legal requirements over

adopted laws and policies that ought to protect

commercial farms. It has failed to enforce laws

rural residents and guide the process of

and regulations that require farms to assess and

resettlement and compensation.

their operations, and is not monitoring whether commercial farming ventures are complying with the law.

Laws and policies regulate how land can be converted from “customary” to “state” status, or otherwise acquired for farm blocks or other economic development projects. Customary lands are administered by traditional leaders and state lands are under government authority.

Commercial farms investing in Serenje district range in size from 150 hectares to more than 5,000 hectares of land. ese ventures are headed up by a broad spectrum of investors, from corporations to family-run farms whose owners live on and work the land directly.

Human Rights Watch called on the Zambian government to safeguard the rights of rural residents in commercial farming areas and rigorously enforce all relevant laws and policies, including on resettlement and compensation.

adequate staffing, resources, and training to enforce laws and monitor the activities of commercial farms, and improve transparency. e Human Rights Watch further recommends that government should adopt a long-awaited customary land administration bill and update its national land policy.

has exercised exceedingly poor oversight and

mitigate the social and environmental impacts of

multiple farms.

It also called for government agencies to have

were too far away and the new area did not have a

e report claims that the government of Zambia

Insights

But commercial farmers in Serenje district told Human Rights Watch that they receive con icting information from government

“e government needs to take dramatic and rapid action to ramp up enforcement of its own laws and regulations,” said Nnoko-Mewanu. “ey need to stop forced evictions, and ensure that displaced families are able to secure a remedy for human rights abuses.”

authorities on their legal obligations toward

e Human Rights Watch is a nonpro t,

Dozens of residents forcibly evicted by one

residents, and government officials admitted

nongovernmental human rights organization

commercial farmer in 2013 have spent four years

that the situation in Serenje has been poorly

made up of roughly 400 staff members around the

in tents or shoddy housing in a forest area where

handled.

they have little access to water, and say they have been told not to cultivate crops. Government officials provided the tents and paltry food assistance in the

rst year, but have largely

ignored this community since then.

globe. Its staff consists of human rights

One commercial farm examined by Human Rights Watch took a different approach, relocating one family and deciding to

professionals including country experts, lawyers, journalists, and academics of diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

implement a “livelihood improvement plan” for

Established in 1978, Human Rights Watch is

dozens of other families remaining on the land

known for its accurate fact- nding, impartial

but impacted by the farm's operations. It had a

reporting, effective use of media, and targeted

fading hopes that the government will resettle

better record of consultations and efforts to

advocacy, oen in partnership with local human

them onto new land.

remedy problems for residents. But even that

rights groups. Each year, Human Rights Watch

farm would bene t from greater government

publishes more than 100 reports and brie ngs on

e residents said they are stuck in limbo, with

“Rural residents in Serenje were blindsided by commercial agriculture,” said Patrick Musole,

human rights conditions in some 90 countries,

oversight.

programmes manager at the Zambia Land

Many commercial farms operate on “farm

Alliance, a group of organizations working for

blocks,” large swaths of land where the

fair land policies and laws that take into account

government has promised to build roads,

the interests of the poor.

irrigation, and other infrastructure to serve

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[27] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

generating extensive coverage in local and international media.

By Derrick Silimina

November - December 2017

Insights Zambia that will in turn increase the levels of employment to about more than 40,000 Zambians as these farmers will employ other people to work on their farms,” Mr Mukumbuta said.

And Premiercon Starch Company limited (PSCL), one of the bene ciaries of funding from CEEC intends to establish a starch manufacturing company in the country.

PSCL chief executive officer Lubasi Yuyi said his company with support from the CEEC intends to establish the plant at a cost of US$3.5 Million.

In a bid to commercialise the crop, Zambia breweries also recently expressed interest to embark on an initiative to source cassava from farmers for the production of Eagle lager, thus providing readily available market for the crop.

According to a media statement issued recently, the company has already started buying cassava from farmers through its agent GroAfrica. “e initiative by the brewing company to source cassava from small-scale farmers is part of its effort to support the development of the cassava value

Cassava: Key to Industrialization

chain with a focus on the commercialization of the crop, as well as

Cassava is a root crop that is rich in carbohydrate present in form of starch and its leaves locally known as 'Katapa' are widely eaten as a vegetable.

It is extensively grown in Zambia especially in the Luapula, Northern and Western provinces and is eaten by many people in different regions of the country.

It is estimated that Zambia produces over 4.5 Million tonnes of raw cassava per year, making it the second largest crop in the country aer maize.

Ministry of agriculture permanent secretary Julius Shawa recently said that the current excess cassava production in the country has attracted mining rms to use cassava starch in its processing plants as well as the beverage industry for beer production. “e raising cassava productivity in Zambia should meet the rising

increasing local market linkages with the farmers,” said Zambia Breweries corporate affairs director Ezekiel Sekele.

“Our dream is to bring people together for a better community and country. We believe that the sustainable growth of the business is tied to the prosperity of our people. Once our people prosper, then can our business manage to grow and register pro ts.”

It is envisaged that the production of various products from cassava under the industrial chain such as the manufacturing of starch, glue, industrial chemicals, fuel, and b eer among others under the cassava commercialization programme will de nitely bolster industrialization in the country which will spur economic growth.

By Derrick Silimina

demand in food Industry hence the country needs to do more to make use of this excess and access the many cassava markets,” Mr Shawa said.

However, the high cost of rural transport, coupled with long distances between production and consumption centres and high number of intermediaries in the supply chain raises the cost of delivery to the market and depress the farm price, a move that lead to farmers losing out on pro t.

It is for this reason that some locally based companies have positioned themselves to invest in the crop via ethanol production from cassava which will be sourced from small holder farmers countrywide.

Ethanol is used to manufacture alcoholic drinks, fuel, solvent for paint, as uid in thermometers, vanish and drugs among others. e Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) is a statutory body under the ministry of commerce, trade and industry which was enacted by Parliament in 2006 under the CEEC Act No. 9 of 2006 whose mandate is to provide broad based economic empowerment to Zambians

Agriculture Not for Retirees – IAPRI

through various measures such as providing nancial support through the Citizens Financial Economic Fund among others.

Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) chief executive

e Commission is geared to spend K60 million on its cassava

officer Chance Kabaghe says agriculture is big business which should not be

commercialization programme in the country.

associated with retirees or poor people in society.

e project which is initially targeted in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Luapula and

And Mr Kabaghe states that there is need to make agriculture attractive to

Northern provinces is the third initiative under the commission's three

the young professionals for them appreciate its value to the country's socio-

value chain programmes.

economic development.

CEEC Director General Likando Mukumbuta recently disclosed that

He notes that the public perception of always associating agriculture with

12,000 micro-entrepreneurs who are cassava farmers will be funded at the

poor people, retirees and the uneducated in society should come to an end

initial stage.

if real growth in the sector is to be realised.

“e programme will put into direct employment about 12,000 farmers

“...in terms of employment, agriculture is one of the major sectors in the

November - December 2017

[28] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Zambia

country that contribute to job creation but we need to polish it up especially in the value chain. People always associate agriculture with poor people,

Insights

will transform agriculture and raise farmer productivity as well as realising diversi cation within the sector.

people who are not educated, retirees and so on. No! Farming is a business,” Mr Kabaghe said.

Mr. Kabaghe further says it is high time agriculture is included in the curriculum if people are to take it seriously without tagging it as a sector for the poor and retirees.

“Agriculture is not for people who are retiring so that they go back to the

is is a welcome move because many farmers in Zambia still depend on hand tools which are time consuming, laborious and inefficient.

In addition, farm mechanization will help realise the Malabo declaration of sending the “Hoe to the museum,” and also ease the empowerment of small holder farmers with tillers.

land. It's more strenuous to go and do agriculture when you are tired and retired,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kabaghe explains that there is need to make agriculture to what he termed as 'sexy' in a bid to make young professionals in the sector appreciate its value to the country.

“I have seen young people with University degrees in economics, in agriculture and so on are now running their own farms and i think this trajectory that's the way to go. So, we indeed can create employment, we can

Mr Mutati further says Government has obtained nancing of US$40 million from EXIM Bank of India that will be used for agriculture mechanisation. e nance minister adds that in transforming agriculture, diversi cation remains key hence government's call to implement measures aimed at raising farmer productivity as well as realising diversi cation within the sector.

raise a lot of foreign exchange because of the exports hence the need not to undermine agriculture,” he added.

“So let us encourage our young people for them to help bring new technologies in terms of innovations in agriculture. Once we do that, you will see our young people move into the Mkushi farm block, Chinsali and Shangombo among other districts to grow for the country as well as the region,” he said.

In terms of how agriculture marketing season is faring in the country, Mr

He says one such measure is the introduction and development of a farm block model of which three will come on board in 2018. ese are in Copperbelt, Muchinga and Northern provinces. “is model is anchored on a core venture, agro processing facilities and small holder farmers. is will further allow small holder and emergent farmers to bene t from technology transfer and have access to ready markets,” Mr Mutati said.

Kabaghe says production of agricultural produce without a rm marketing framework is meaningless.

“You see! You cannot be producing without having a reliable market.

Production follows the market and if the market collapses, the marketing will automatically collapse. e fact that you are going into agriculture does not mean that you are going to make money. You have to be efficient in the entire value chain of the sector,” he said.

By Derrick Silimina

Enhancing mechanization of agriculture can make Zambia, a once food basket of the southern African region to revive its status and become a springboard for the penetration of neibhoring markets.

Farm Mechanization at its Best Ministry of defence permanent secretary Sturdy Mwale recently hinted that plans are underway to have Belarus Tractors set up a tractor assembly plant in Zambia.

Mr Mwale affirms that for many years, Zambia has been dependant on copper mining and now it is time to develop the agriculture sector.

“We have put order in our country and we want to promote mechanization. e range of Belarus equipment includes everything we need, from small tractors which can replace grabbing hoes in the near future to more powerful tractors,” Mr Mwale said.

Among the agriculture equipment that can potentially in uence the future of agriculture in Zambia, a tractor is one of the most exciting. e fact that tractors are prominent and widely used especially among commercial farmers countrywide is an indication of its potential and importance of the technology in a bid to boost national food security.

Farm Mechanization Vital

However, aer considering the importance of farm mechanisation in the sector, the question is, how affordable will these paraphernalia be to most

“Government is facilitating a US$100 million public private sector investment into a tractor and agricultural equipment assembly plant in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone and the plant will be operational by end of 2018,” says Finance minister Felix Mutati.

Speaking when he recently presented a total of K71.6 billion 2018 National Budget under the theme: “Accelerating Fiscal Fitness for Sustained Inclusive Growth without Leaving Anyone Behind,” Mr Mutati said the investment

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small scale farmers in the country? What modalities has government put in place to enable small scale farmers buy the tractors at a subsidised rate? ere is therefore need for government to come up with a consistent policy framework on farm mechanization agenda in order for it stand the taste of time and help diversify the economy.

By Derrick Silimina

[29] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Supplement

Milling and Grinding in African Farms e basis for all of animal agriculture is a

the farmers to accurately formulate feed for a

chamber for introducing steam (heat and

dynamic feed production that provides the

speci c species.

moisture addition) to the feed meal, and the ring-

nutrients essential for animal growth and

Animal feed can be divided into

die and roller assembly.

Grinding or particle-size reduction is a major

reproduction. ve main

function of feed manufacturing. Many

Due to increased mechanization of agricultural

ingredients require size reduction before they

production in mid of 19th century, breeding and

categories: poultry, swine, beef, dairy, and

can be processed into feed. e size reduction

the creation of productive races, rst horses, then

aquaculture; and these can be further subdivided

provides increased surface area, leading to

cattle, and particularly pigs and poultry increases

into several classi cations: animals that supply

greater nutrient utilization, delivering increased

the demands for a higher feed quality. Along with

meat-milk-eggs, and animals for reproduction

animal performance. Size reduction may also be

this, it exceeds from pasture feeding to manure

(breeders). e users of animal feed expect that it

a requirement for further processes such as

feeding, which is considered as one of the most

is nutritionally complete, delivers desired animal

pelleting. e cost of size reduction is

important changes in livestock production.

performance, and is safe for animals and

determined by the type of material undergoing

humans. e ultimate end-users of animal feed

reduction, the physical characteristics of the

Over time, research in the

are the people who buy and consume animal

material, the size resulting from the reduction

nutrition progress thus and enabled more precise

products.

and of course the type of machine used.

eld of animal

de nition of the composition of the meal, mixing all ingredients in a mixture became common.

Commercial and also own farm feed mills

e hammer mill remains the industry standard

worldwide use four basic processes to produce

for size reduction. It is capable of reducing the

animal feed: receiving raw ingredients from

particle size (grinding) of any friable material.

Mix” at larger agricultural African farms

suppliers; creating together with a nutritionists a

Major points of emphasis include the number of

e Company Buschhoff from Germany offers

feed formula; mixing ingredients together to

h a m m e r s / Kw o f m o t o r p o w e r, t h e i r

not only for smaller and medium sized farms but

Buschhoff Feed Mills: High quality “Mill and

make a complete feed; and using it for own

arrangement on the rotor, and screen area

also for large scale farms and smaller commercial

demand or packaging feed to be shipped for

cm2/Kw of motor power.

feed mills a very interesting and economical

commercial or retail purposes.

Sometimes also pelleting of the feed is required.

reasonable application. Instead of using the Tower

Receiving raw ingredients from suppliers is a

Pelleting is a process that provides some

principle (as concentrated feed plants), the plant

ver y imp or t ant pro cess. Up on ar r iva l,

physical and nutritional bene ts, but results in

is built on the oor. So oen existing buildings can

ingredients can be weighed, tested and analyzed

higher costs of the feed. Today´s pellet mills

be used, or at least do not require complex

for various nutrients to ensure their quality and

share the common features of a variable speed

building construction with various levels. e

safety. is process allows e.g. the nutritionists of

feeder mechanism, tubular conditioning

ow of the materials and the processes are clearly

November - December 2017

[30] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Milling and Grinding in African Farms

Supplement

visible; also all plant components are easily accessible for cleaning and

quickly accessed and reported, with simple user-friendly input by the

maintenance work. Such plants are used mainly for the production of cattle,

operator.

pig or poultry feed, but can also be used for other species if required. e feed production for animal feed consists mainly of the interplay e output of these meal or pellet plants can range between 1 to 20 t/hr

between milling, dosing and mixing. Especially for medium and large scale

depending on the equipment speci cations. e efficiency of this system

livestock farms in Africa Buschhoff has developed a suitable solution. e

has been well proven in a range of small, medium and larger sized plants.

interaction of high facility quality, customer-speci c approaches, greatest

Such Feed Mills usually consist of Raw materials storage; Mills for grinding

possible facility exibility and low maintenance costs results has shown as

the grain; the Mixer producing a well mixed homogenous feed, with

very positive for these customers. In this way plants can be designed with

materials delivered by the associated dosing and conveying equipment.

manageable capital expenditure and maintenance costs, which can

e rst stage is the intake of the cereals and proteins into the plant, options

according to the customer-speci c requirements. For an ease of operation

include a range of robust bucket elevators and trough chain conveyors

and for an exact documentation of the produced feed the WIDOMIX® PRO

(capacities: 40 - 150t/hr). Cleaning units can also be integrated into the

control has been specially developed.

produce fully-automated high-quality feed for pigs, cattle and poultry

intake. e storage of raw materials is mostly done in round silos (external use) or smooth surface (internal silos).

All components which are to be ground are conveyed via the dosing auger to the Hammer Mill. e delivery is controlled by a frequency control linked to an electronic load control to ensure optimum loading on the Mill and to save energy. During the grinding process the grain is cracked open, this improves both the utilisation by the animal and the digestibility. e BHOS mill power options range between 11 to 90 Kw according to the required performance. ose mills are equipped with tungsten tipped hammers. Giving a service life of at least 5000t. at means reducing operator maintenance requirements, less heating of the grist and a steady feed structure over the time. Another advantage of those mills is the easily and quickly changing of these screens helping to reduce downtime for the mill plant operator. Located directly next to the grinder, a lter system provides cooling for the meal and also keeps the mill under vacuum to reduce dust. e core process of the feed production is the mixing of the individual components into a single homogenous mix. Large vertical Mixers are the preferred option. ese have as GM industrial version a capacity of between 4 to 7 t. A large slow moving central auger located within the central vertical tube, combines the advantages of a gentle action with a fast mixing of the feed. ese mixers have the advantages that they can produce large batches, with low power requirements and are very robust. e mixing accuracy has been well tested and meets the speci cation of 1:100,000. e discharge of nished feed within these “Mill and Mix” Plants in done

by Buschhoff elevators, trough chain conveyors and trough augers. e location and distance to the nished feed silos, with 60° hoppers is done fully automated by the control system and full indicators within the silos prevent from over lling. For longer distance conveying of nished feed up to 250 m, there is the option of a specially designed Buschhoff pneumatic Meal Blower (SG50/SG80). ese different processes are controlled full-automatic by the Computer system WIDOMIX® PRO, which checks, adjusts and records all the processes in the system. e diets, components and discharge targets can be

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info@buscchoff.de

[31] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.buscchoff.de November - December 2017

tormac@tormacpumps.com

www.tormacpumps.com

Products & Services ag r i c u ltu r a l e qu ipme nt c omp an i e s and equipment dealerships in general. We know the challenges you face as we have seen them at other companies in your industry for more than 30 years. And more important, we know how to help you. By rede ning your processes based on the i ndust r y ' s b e st pr a c t i c e s we tu r n you r organization into a successful and winning dealership. Our expertise can be found in the people that help you and in the soware applications that support your business. We make life easier for you and your people, ultimately leading to better results and customers who will rely on you.

Cutting-edge technology to support your business Dysel's soware solutions are based on cutting-

Dysel brings your agricultural equipment dealership to the next level

edge technologies from Microso that guarantee you of continuity, innovation and userfriendliness. Our soware is easy to learn, pleasant to work with and integrates perfectly

As a dealer of agricultural equipment, you face

one of the largest industries for hundreds of

numerous challenges. Bringing top quality

years and we are proud of that. We have seen

products to the market, providing the best

from close by how agricultural equipment has

maintenance and service, offering rental

evolved over the last couple of decades and how

equipment that meets the standards and

it has contributed to the farming industry all

expectations of your customers, to name just a

over the world. At Dysel we saw the opportunity

few. You need a partner that provides you with

to make organizations in many different

industry expertise and all the tools to run your

countries, active in the sales, rental and service

dealership successfully. And that is where Dysel

of agricultural equipment to become more

comes in. If you want to bring your agricultural

successful with their business. We have helped

equipment dealership to the next level and really

to make dealerships more efficient, providing

make a difference for your customers, we are

them excellent insight into their business,

there to help you.

leading to more sales, improved service and happy customers and employees.

with other technologies and applications you use throughout the organization. e same goes for our mobile solution. It's intuitive and easy to understand for anybody. Training takes a couple of hours and you are ready to go. And you don't need internet connection to operate the mobile solution. It works always and everywhere and is the perfect tool for your technicians, sales people and rental department.

Are you ready to boost your agricultural equipment dealership? Do you want to stand out from the competition and be an industry leader?

Contact Dysel!

Agriculture is in our DNA Dysel is located in the Netherlands and was

Rede ning processes based on the industry's

founded by people with a passion for farming

best practice

and agriculture. In our region, farming has been

What really makes the difference for our

Dysel - Philip van Kemenade www.dysel.com - info@dysel.com T +31 (0)74 205 11 99 – M +31 (0)6 2090 9703

customers is our extensive knowledge of

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[33] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Supplement

AGRICULTURAL GRAIN DRYERS Grain moisture impacts the length of time

Conditions become less favourable for grain to

TOEFLEX

grain can be stored, and its overall condition. In

dry to moisture contents considered safe for

TOEFLEX TRANSFRIO LTD. is a high-tech

some cases post-harvest grain drying is

storage as the harvest is delayed into late fall.

required.

How long grain can be stored without

company devoting to manufacturing the heat pump drying and refrigeration equipment, and

Grain drying has several advantages and

also the research of dry application in

disadvantages.

agriculture, medicine, food and furniture eld.

deterioration depends on the temperature and moisture content at which it is stored,

Advantages include:

TOEFLEX drying equipment has the features of

Increases quality of harvested grain by

high efficiency in energy saving, zero pollution,

Grain drying, refers to the removal of some of

reducing crop exposure to weather.

touch screen and visual control parameters,

the moisture from grain by mechanically

Reduces harvesting losses, including head

simple and unmanned operation as well as

moving air through the grain aer it has been

shattering and cracked kernels.

safety. Our equipment has obtained European

harvested. Grain in the eld dries naturally as

Reduces dependency on weather conditions

CE certi cation.

the crop matures, giving up moisture to the air

for harvest.

until the grain moisture is in equilibrium with

Allows use of straight combining for small

the moisture in the air (equilibrium moisture

grains.

have been successfully applied in European and

content).

Reduces size and/or number of combines and

Asia market to the drying of fruit, herb,

other harvest-related equipment and labour re-

vegetable, noodle, wood, furniture, etc., bringing

Over years, TOEFLEX heat pump equipments

Several types of grain dryers are available and

quired due to extending harvest time.

up with good nish, natural color, low operation

can be categorized in different ways, Varieties

Allows more time for post-harvest eld work.

cost, as well as excellent reputation.

Disadvantages include:

TOEFLEX also supplies full range of relevant

include: natural air, low temperature, high temperature, batch, automatic batch, continuous ow, in-bin and column and self-

Original investment for drying equipment

heat pump system components, the n type heat

contained. Dryers also can be classi ed based

and annual cost of ownership.

exchangers, auto - control valves, dryer lter,

on the direction of air ow through the grain:

Operating costs for fuel, electricity and labor.

copper tube ttings, and so on.

cross- ow, counter- ow and concurrent- ow.

Extra grain handling required may result in further investment for equipment.

November - December 2017

[34] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Supplement

Perry's Savannah Series Driers Perr y of Oakley Ltd are the UK's most experienced manufacturer of materials handling & drying equipment. Along with this year being their 70th anniversary, they have been awarded the accolade of being named SHAPA's 2017 Exporter of the Year. ey have achieved this well-earned title by providing quality products at affordable prices both in the UK and export market, using the knowledge and experience that can only be gained through years of experience.

Perry designed & manufactured their rst continuous mixed ow grain drier back in 1955, the rst Perry grain drier was a considerably advanced piece of equipment for its time, and www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Perry's latest drier, the Savannah Series, is still leading the way with drying technology.

of the drier with feedback, to maintain a consistent moisture content of the discharged grain. If connected to the internet, the panel can

e Savannah series driers are capable of

send you email and text alerts including drier

capacities from 8tph to 800tph. e Savannah

status updates and it will alert you to any issues

series driers have signi cant improvements to

that may have occurred while drying.

their operation and appearance in comparison to their predecessor, the 'M' Series driers.

e PLC panel can also be connected to an app

e Savannah Series driers come with Perry's

connected to the app, you can see your control

(available free on Google Play & iStore). While own advanced PLC panel, which is designed and

panel and control it from the app. It provides a

programmed in house, and the auto control,

direct link to your control panel, meaning you

which uses both the exhaust air temperature and

can control your drier from anywhere you have a

hot grain temperature to give advanced control

mobile phone signal or a WiFi connection.

[35] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Supplement Perry's Savannah Series Driers

Perry's PLC panel can also control up to 10 other

of the Savannah range, provide a truly

some of the most experienced engineers in the

machines. It shows a mimic of your plant, and

commercial speci cation grain drier for use on

UK, which helps us provide solutions to our

allows for automatic routes and so starts. It can

farms and commercial grain stores.

help reduce the number of times a product is

customers that we know will work well for them.

Many of our customers are repeat buyers, we still

handled as it allows you to see the available

David Perry, the current Managing Director of

have customers with Perry machines in use that

routes quickly & clearly.

Perry of Oakley Ltd said: “I'd like to think that, if

were manufactured and installed in the 1940's,

my Grandfather was still here today, he would be

which shows that our machines are made to last!”

To ensure drier longevity the Savannah Series

very pleased at how well the business has

driers are built with a 2mm thick grain column

progressed and how far along our product range

for additional strength, and 3mm thick top ducts

has come. We always try to stay ahead of the

in the grain column to help prevent deformation

competition and spend a signi cant amount of

and wear. To promote consistent movement of

time and money investing in our staff training,

the grain down the grain column, even in very

research & development and manufacturing

wet conditions, all Savannah Series Driers are

techniques.

tted with pneumatically controlled Shutter discharge. is year this has been upgraded to

e factory, based in the south west of the UK,

phosphor bronze bushes on all wearing parts.

has grown signi cantly over the last 20 years,

ese improvements, and the other key features

and we plan for that to continue. We employ

Perry of Oakley Ltd also manufacture a full range of 10tph – 1000tph handling equipment including chain & ight conveyors, belt & bucket elevators, augers & screw conveyors, aspirator pre-cleaners, belt conveyors & much more.

To nd out more about Perry of Oakley & their range of drying and handling equipment call +44 ( 0 ) 1 4 0 4 8 9 0 3 0 0 o r e m a i l sales@perryofoakley.co.uk. You can also nd a full list of products & services at www.perryofoakley.co.uk

www.perryofoakley.co.uk sales@perryofoakley.co.uk

November - December 2017

[36] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Supplement

Soil moisture transmitters for irrigation control Water is a very precious resource and a driving

sensors can be used to irrigate individual zones.

irrigation as well as industrial applications such as

force in irrigation. Optimal use of water is a need

In the case of one sensor for several zones, the

measuring sand moisture content in batch mixing

of the hour. Efficient irrigation watering helps in

zone that is normally the driest, or most in need

concrete to measuring ore & tailings moisture

saving water, getting better plant yields, reduce

of irrigation, is selected for placement of the

content in minerals processing.

dependency on fertilizers and improve crop

sensor in order to ensure adequate irrigation in

quality. Various methods, both laboratory and

all zones.

Neutron Probe Smart503

eld including remote sensing are available to

is article looks at some of the players in the

e 503 ELITE Hydroprobe is a subsurface,

measure soil moisture content, but the quickest

soil moisture industry and the variety of

accurate neutron probe designed to measure soil

and better one is with the use of soil moisture

products they offer.

moisture. e Hydroprobe is an industry

Contributors

in irrigation scheduling, agronomic research and

sensor electronic devices. For successful irrigation, it is necessary to monitor soil moisture content continuously in the irrigation elds.

Most soil moisture sensors are designed to

standard in soil management. It is the ultimate aid 1.

ICT INTERNATIONAL- Enabling

environmental monitoring.

better global research outcomes in s o i l , p l a n t & e nv i r o n m e n t a l

SMM1 Soil Moisture Meter

monitoring.

e SMM1 Soil Moisture Meter is a stand-alone

estimate soil volumetric water content based on

ICT International's unique family of digital

logging instrument for the measurement of

the dielectric constant (soil bulk permittivity) of

sensors and data loggers have been developed to

volumetric moisture content and soil water

the soil. e dielectric constant can be thought of

measure key plant and soil parameters for the

potential of soils and other materials.

as the soil's ability to transmit electricity. e

advancement of plant and soils research, to

dielectric constant of soil increases as the water

address physiological limitations, to water

e SMM1 can support up to 10 standing wave

content of the soil increases. is response is due

availability, climate change, evaluation of plant

sensors (MP406 or MP306). With a soil water

to the fact that the dielectric constant of water is

genetics, breeding programs or fundamental

charac ter istic c ur ve, t he SMM1 can b e

much larger than the other soil components,

understanding of plant function.

programmed to simultaneously measure soil

including air. us, measurement of the

ICT International has its beginnings in soil

water content and soil water potential. Or, up to 10

dielectric constant gives a predictable estimation

moisture monitoring for irrigation scheduling

channels can measure soil water potential. e

of water content.

in 1982. Today ICT International has developed

SMM1 is a fully self-contained unit requiring only

and sells globally: Portable devices for soil

power input from a 22W solar panel ( eld

A single sensor can be used to control the

moisture measurements – e MPKIT has been

applications) or 24V power supply (laboratory

irrigation for many zones (where an irrigation

sold for almost 20 years, is very robust and

applications). Communication is via a USB port

zone is de ned by a solenoid valve) or multiple

widely used for soil moisture management of

or wireless connectivity. e SMM1 is IP-65 rated

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[37] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

moisture transmi ers Supplement Soil for irriga on control

Oxygen Sensors. e SOM1 is a continuously logging instrument, for the in-situ measurement soil oxygen content (%). Sensors are designed to be installed in the eld for days to years at a time. e ICTO2 Soil Oxygen Sensors are individually calibrated by ICT International's technicians. e calibration is stored within the SOM1 for highly accurate and reliable soil oxygen content measurements. e SOM1 is a fully self-contained unit requiring power input from a 20W solar panel ( eld applications) or 24V power supply (glasshouse applications). Communication is via a USB port and has Windows and Mac compatible soware

e STM is a fully self-contained unit

for complete logging solutions including look-up

requiring power input from a 22W solar panel

tables, scripts and sensor calibration capabilities.

( eld applications) or 24V power supply (laboratory applications). Communication is

STM Soil Tension Meter

via a USB port or wireless connectivity. e

e STM Soil Tension Meter is a stand-alone

STM is IP-65 rated and has a Windows and

logging instrument for the measurement of soil

Mac compatible GUI for complete logging

water potential.

solutions including look-up tables, scripts and sensor calibration capabilities.

e STM Soil Tension Meter can support up to 5 pressure transducers. ICT International

SOM1 Soil Oxygen Meter

supplies 3 different types of pressure

e SOM1 Soil Oxygen Meter is a stand-alone

transducers which can measure in the ranges:

logging instrument for the measurement of soil

±7 kPa, ±100 kPa or -100 to +200 kPa.

oxygen content (%) of soils.

Tensiometers include designs for soil columns and eld sites.

November - December 2017

e SOM1 can support up to ve ICTO2 Soil

[38] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

or wireless connectivity. e SOM1 is IP-65 rated and has a Windows and Mac compatible GUI for complete logging solutions including look-up tables, scripts and sensor calibration capabilities.

ICT Universal Telemetry Hub e ICT International Telemetry Hub is a powerful and

exible electronic platform that

operates remotely in any climate, forming the foundation for specialised scienti c and industrial equipment systems.

Typically used as a telemetry gateway to transmit data from ICT International instruments to the 'Cloud', it is supported by an extensive soware suite that can be customised to suit a wide range of IoT applications.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Soil moisture transmi ers for irriga on control

e Telemetr y Hub can be optioned to

principle, the HRM Sap Flow Meter is the only

Supplement

which can be programmed into the controller.

communicate via Satellite (using the Iridium

instrument that can measure zero ow and

Short Burst Data service), Penta-band GSM, Wi-

reverse sap ow rates. e SFM1 Sap Flow

e TDR-315

Fi, 2.4GHz proprietary wireless networking,

Meter is the most powerful and exible

e TDR-315 is a true waveform digitizing Time

Bluetooth, RS485, RS232, Ethernet,

instrument for the direct measurement of

Domain Re ectometer that derives soil

LoRa/LoRaWAN, USB and SDI-12. It can also be

plant water use.

permittivity and water content from the

2.

conveyed along its waveguide. Like many of its

optioned to provide analogue and digital outputs and inputs.

It discovers, connects, concentrates and logs data

propagation time of an electromagnetic impulse Acclima- Delivering Precise Soil Conditions for Efficient Crop and

expensive predecessors (conventional TDR

Turf Management

mainframes) it contains an ultra-fast rise time

collected from Smart Sensors and ICT

Acclima, Inc. is headquartered in Idaho's

step function generator, a waveform digitizer (200

International Instruments in CSV format on its

Treasure Valley (Boise area) where agriculture is

GSPS) and a picosecond-resolution time base

SD memory card, and sends it to the Cloud.

a major force in the local economy.

power supplied to externally connected devices.

(5ps). Unlike these predecessors it eliminates the bandwidth-constraining coax cable, the bulky

e ICT International Telemetry Hub manages Acclima's mission is to help the research,

console, and 90-97% of the cost. Because it is a

e ICT International Telemetry Hub is powered

agriculture, and turf industries become ever

true time domain device its readings are not

by a Lithium-Ion battery, with an inbuilt solar

more productive and efficient with

derived from current and voltage magnitudes and

charging controller. It can also be connected to

breakthrough technologies that have never been

relationships and hence are not impacted by soil

an external 24V DC power supply.

available before. Our soil water content sensors

electrical conductivity and compaction. Its high

e ICT International Telemetry Hub is IP67

are increasingly gaining world-wide acclaim as

immunity to EC allows credible application in

rated for extended operation in a wide range of

the high standard in soil condition monitoring

non-saturated soils wetted with sea water. It uses

environments. It can also be directly mounted on

and control. Acclima is currently involved in a

the standard SDI-12 interface and is compatible

a mast or a at surface. e Hub has the capacity

Cooperative Research and Development

with all data recorders that are version 1.3

to be factory customised to do almost anything,

Agreement with the USDA at their invitation.

compliant.

based on a combination of up to 4 mini-modules that can be plugged in.

How the System Works Like a thermostat monitors that controls the temperature in your

Spectrum Technologies works closely with

SFM1 Sap Flow Meter

home, Acclima® soil moisture sensors and

growers, researchers, consultants, industry

3.

Spectrum Technologies

e SFM1 Sap Flow Meter is a self-contained,

controllers work together to monitor and

suppliers, and others to develop products that

stand-alone instrument for the measurement of

control the moisture of the root zone of your

boost crop production efficiency. Our affordable

sap ow or transpiration in plants. e SFM1 is

lawn and other landscape plants.

plant measurement tools help growers measure nutrient levels, soil qualities, disease, light,

a complete package containing sap ow sensors, data logger, interface soware and

e moisture threshold is set to the percentage

weather, and other factors that directly affect

internal battery which can be charged with an

equivalent to slightly below the “ eld capacity”

plants health and development. WatchDog

external solar panel. e SFM1 Sap Flow Meter

or moisture holding capacity of your soil. e

Weather Stations measure and record important

is a new model which replaces the HRM30 sap ow measurement sensor.

Utilising the Heat Ratio Method (HRM)

controller will apply water if the moisture

information that affect plants and growers bottom

reading is lower than the designated threshold.

line. Data is collected and monitored on soil

If the moisture reading is above the threshold,

moisture and irrigation, disease, leaf wetness

the controller will not allow watering until it

hours, air temperature and humidity uctuations,

principle the SFM1 Sap Flow Meter is able to

falls below the threshold. e optimum

plus other weather events. Globally, over 18,000

measure high, low and reverse ow rates in

threshold of the particular soil can be easily

customers count on Spectrum's easy to use,

both small woody stems & roots as well as large

calculated using data collected by the sensors

dependable technology for the health of plants.

trees. Like the Heat Field Deformation (HFD)

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[39] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Supplement

Heavy-duty power transmission oil for agricultural machinery P ster Hybrid Corn Company is one of the

time Monolec 7500 was added.

characteristics, exceptional oxidation stability

oldest seed corn companies in the Midwest. ey

Without the second cooler the previous

and excellent foam prevention.

grow and market seed corn in six states in the

commercial grade oil would get hot enough to

Midwest Great Lakes area. ey have been in

melt the sight gauges in the tank. Even when the

Monolec Power Fluid meets the requirements of a

business since the early 1930s, and an LE

second cooler malfunctioned, the temperature

wide variety of manufacturers for systems used in

only reached 200°F (93°C), well below the

construction, farming, manufacturing, material

melting point of the sight gauges.

handling, mining, quarrying and trucking. Its

With both coolers working Monolec 7500

just one lubricant for all of your transmission, axle

is piece of equipment operates 300 hours per

stayed down to 150°-160°F (66°-71°C). P ster

and hydraulic protection needs.

customer since 2000.

versatility allows inventory consolidation, with

ey use a 1996 Bryon 8400 with a 250 hp John Deere engine to pick the seed corn in the eld. year in a very dusty, and sometimes hot

Hybrid Corn Company is very pleased with the

environment.

performance of LE's Monolec 7500.

While using a commercial grade hydraulic oil,

Other Products Used

the oil in the hydrostatic drive was running so

Ÿ

e Lubrication Reliability Source™ Bene cial Qualities Superior Wear Prevention

Monolex® Penetrating Oil & Lubricant

Ÿ

Prolongs equipment life, including all metal parts as well as seals and hoses

(2059)

hot it was melting the sight gauges in the reservoir.

Reduces downtime and extends service intervals

Ÿ

Almagard® Vari-Purpose Lubricant (3752)

Ÿ

Synolec® Gear Lubricant (9920)

Ÿ

Decreases operating temperatures Consistent Friction Characteristics

Ÿ

Ensures smooth transmission performance

Monolec® Power Fluid (7500)

Ÿ

Improves braking efficiency

Monolec 7500 is for combination gear-hydraulic

Monolec® Power Fluid (7500) ensures constant,

Ÿ

systems, hydraulic transmissions, wet brakes,

long-lasting performance for most heavyduty

and torque converters. It is non foaming in

transmissions, combination transmission-

e local LE lubrication consultant recommended Monolec® Power Fluid (7500).

Reduces brake chatter Exceptional Oxidation Stability

Ÿ

Improves cleanliness

service, rejects water and reduces transmission

hydraulic (wet brake) systems, and hydraulic

Ÿ

Reduces corrosion-related problems

temperatures. is results in reduced sludging

systems.

Ÿ

Reduces thickening of oil

Ÿ

and varnish build up, increasing oil and

Extends uid and component life Excellent

transmission life.

Its unique blend provides the proven protection of the most advanced wear, friction and

Ÿ

Improves control-valve response

Since the conversion to Monolec 7500, the best

oxidation inhibitors, all in one complete

Ÿ

Reduces pump cavitation

Foam Prevention

bene t was the reduction in temperature of the

formula that you can count on to deliver

Ÿ

Reduces lubricant leakage

oil. A second oil cooler was added at the same

superior wear performance, consistent friction

Ÿ

Eliminates fading in hydraulics

November - December 2017

[40] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

www.LElubricants.com

Tech & innovation

Agricultural laboratory testing & Inspection Services Imagine a world in which every box of Cheerios

Selecting appropriate varieties adapted to the

components, the design of food processing, shelf-

you opened tasted different. In developed

area of production with disease and insect

life studies and sensory evaluation of products.

countries, quality control measures to ensure

resistance, along with other desirable

is is the kind of information food scientists

that food products meet certain safety and

characteristics, is also fundamental to

need when developing new products. Another

quality standards play a key role in agricultural

satisfactory crop performance and yield. In the

bene t of laboratory testing is compliance with

processing. ese measures include testing for

past, many organic growers have been reluctant

regulations for both the import and export of food

bacterial contamination, measuring the amount

to use organic seed due to issues of availability,

products to different countries.

of fat, protein, and other nutrients, and

pricing, and lower quality.

inspecting plants, livestock, and production

erefore, food manufacturers must have

facilities.

Laboratory testing is an important process, which relies on scienti c analysis to identify

products are safe, with no contaminants or

Every grower has at some point observed the

problems with food products. It provides

residues, and to provide accurate nutritional

traceability in their industry to ensure their food

effects of poor seed quality: slow germination,

analytical data on the quality of a product or

information. General laboratory testing of a

damping-off, poor stands, weak seedlings, and

production process to support quality control in

manufacturer's product may include the

mixed or genetically contaminated lots.

the HACCP system.

following techniques:

Because organic growers depend heavily on

e objective of quality control is to identify

Analytical chemistry testing: e study of the

preventative/cultural approaches to promote

contaminants in raw material, or contamination

separation, identi cation, and quanti cation of

crop health, vigorous seed can be viewed as the

aer a product is produced and before it is

the chemical components of natural and arti cial

rst line of defense against the challenges of cold

placed on the market. Additionally, laboratory

materials such as pH, additives, colors,

s oi l , s oi l b or n e p at h o ge ns , an d ot h e r

testing is important for the research and

contaminants, preservatives, minerals and trace

development of new products, including, for

elements, among others.

unfavourable conditions.

example, the choice of ingredients or

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[43] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

laboratory tes ng Tech & innovation Agricultural & Inspec on Services

Food microbiology testing: e study of the

before offering their foods for distribution there.

in food analysis using techniques such as gas

microorganisms that inhabit or contaminate

Food allergen testing: Food allergens are

chromatography and high-pressure liquid

food to help manufacturers assess the safety of

proteins that can appear in large quantities and

chromatography for analysis of the purity, or

raw materials, components, ingredients and nal

oe n re mai n i n fo o d pro c e ss i ng . e

determination of the content, of many substances

products, thus guaranteeing the safety of food

requirement is to nd the target allergen in the

in mixture samples.

products. Testing for spoilage organisms and

ingredients and nished products. e allergens

pathogens may be used to examine and prevent

that must be tested for in food products include

However, food quality control in agricultural

food poisoning outbreaks caused by food

gluten in grains, peanuts, eggs, nuts, milk and

value chains in developing countries, where

products and ingredients. is is important, as

soybeans.

agricultural production tends to be dominated by smallholder farmers, presents particular

the whole supply chain may be contaminated in the process of food production.

Sensory testing: Sensory testing is identi cation

challenges.

of food product properties by using the human Food nutrition analysis: An analysis of value and

senses (sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing) for

Although formal contracting between farmers

the nutritional content in foods and food

the purposes of evaluating consumer products.

and agricultural processors is becoming a norm in

products. It provides information for nutrition

In smell testing, olfactory receptors in the nose

some developing countries, many smallholders

labeling on food packaging that manufacturers

identify rancidity in a product. In tasting, the

continue to market their products through

are required to include to comply with the

sensory organs on the tongue can identify the

informal channels. In such cases, a processor who

labeling regulations of destination countries.

intensity of sweetness in food products.

buys products from a smallholder may be the rst

erefore, manufacturers and

Test results should come from a competent

actor in the value chain to engage in effective

importers/exporters should be fully aware of the

laboratory with appropriate technical expertise

quality control.

applicable laws and regulations of a country

November - December 2017

[44] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Tech & innovation

Merging Agriculture and Technology at Intertek

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[45] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Agriculture Tech & innovation Merging and Technology at Intertek

Innovation is a core part of Intertek's history,

farmers, who utilise this solution to help

About Intertek AgriWorld

stretching as far back as our visionary founder,

manage their crop production risks.

Intertek is a leading global player in the

our business, particularly in Africa. As African

According to the GMSA Mobile Economy

of agricultural commodities. With a deep

businesses experience a digital renaissance, they

report for 2017, “Sub-Saharan Africa accounts

knowledge of market conditions, trade

Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certi cation

omas Edison. is quality is fundamental to

ows,

require a business partner who can support them

for nearly a tenth of the global mobile subscriber

related regulations and the technical aspects of

with technological solutions that drive their

base and is expected to grow faster than every

specialist products, we give our clients the critical

success. Intertek offers these solutions to the

other region over the next ve years. e mobile

technical support they need to mitigate risks and

local agricultural industry in the form of

industry plays an increasingly important role in

meet product research, development and quality goals.

precision agriculture services and the Soil

the social and economic development of the

Manager mobile app.

region.”

One of the world's most valuable resources is

Last year, Intertek developed the Soil Manager

http://www.intertek.com/griculture and

now data. Data provides insight and efficiency,

app, which offers African farmers 24/7

info.africa@intertek.com

Find out more at

and this is precisely how Intertek's precision

convenient access to precision-based farming

agriculture model works. Instead of relying on

services on their mobile device, improving their

About Intertek

just a farmer's knowledge and experience to

agricultural output while minimising input

Total Quality. Assured.

ensure success, Intertek makes use of GPS

costs. e app can map land, indicate the

Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance

services to carry out soil mapping and cutting-

location and method of drawing soil samples

provider to industries worldwide. Our network of

edge equipment to extract and analyse in nite

and expedite delivery of these samples to

more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over

amounts of data from soil, plant and water

Intertek's expert laboratories.

Results are

42,000 people in more than 100 countries, delivers

samples. is raw data allows for a projection of

uploaded to the app and delivered directly to the

innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing,

precise fertiliser requirements needed to

farmer, along with access to an agronomist who

Inspection and Certi cation solutions for our

increase crop yields and preserve soil health. In a

is able to discuss the results and provide

customers' operations and supply chains. Intertek

world where data knowledge is crucial for

recommendations on fertilisers. is mobile

Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered

success, this solution is increasingly attractive to

technology delivers precision farming to any

consistently with precision, pace and passion,

farming project investors who require a positive

farmer with a mobile device, no matter how

enabling our customers to power ahead safely.

return on revenue, as well as independent

remote their location.

November - December 2017

[46] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

info.africa@intertek.com

www.intertek.com/agriculture

Tech & innovation

A solution to poor farmers' problems Firstly the company is AgUnity P/L, the

farmers in the world.

won, both Gates foundation and UNICEF

application is AgriLedger and that's also the name of the charitable trust in HK.

con rmed that it was unique and potentially e people so poor that nobody had speci cally

huge.

focused on building something for them.

In early 2016 my co-founder John and I had just

In the following months as we built further on the

exited one company and we were busy

I mean there are lots of apps that the poor

idea we realized that not only Gates and UNICEF

developing a truly advanced cryptoledger

farmers 'could' use but they are not designed to

but virtually EVERY major NGO simply loved the

technology for data transmission. "Xenect" is

solve problems from their perspective.

Speci

cally for disrupting the

Bloomberg/Reuters market and is something

idea and wanted to support and work with us. It also became clear that we had approached a global

Another issue is that commercial ventures

issue in way that was completely new and original.

like a hybrid of blockchain and BitTorrent. It is

always focus how to make a solution pro table,

far more sophisticated even than Ethereum or

so they don't focus enough on solving a real

When we explain to any westerner or anyone

anything in the blockchain space so we had a very

problem which is what we did without being

that's never experienced severe poverty it takes a

strong understanding of the technology.

constrained by how to make money from the

while to grasp what AgriLedger does. As It is a

poor.

problem that was solved in Australia before most

We happened to attend a FinTech event in

of our grandparents were born. But it is the single

London and John entered into a hackathon for

Finally, most companies and developers have no

major issue that's holding back the very poor of

which the theme was FinTech for Good.

perspective of what it's really like to BE poor, so

the world.

they never really address the right problems for In all honestly, we just wanted to win a prize from

lack of true understanding.

Singularly University, and so challenged ourselves to come up with the most ambitious,

A lack of Trust.

We take this for granted but it's vital for effective

Over the weekend of the hackathon we started

cooperation, and without cooperation small

world changing idea we could. Our idea was a

to realize that we'd inadvertently stumbled onto

farmers are on the wrong end of economies of

way to meaningfully help the 1 billion poorest

an idea that could be world changing. Aer we

scale.

November - December 2017

[48] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

A solu on to poor farmers' problems

Tech & innovation

In everything they do because they are so small

within one season, simply by enabling

It's the 'problem' that matters.

scale it costs them more, is more difficult and

cooperation and trust.

We were lucky early on to get the backing of a

returns less than larger farms.

And the

Billionaire philanthropist from HK, and we are

combination of many inefficiencies adds up

e Kenya (Wheat) and Bougainville (PNG)

hopeful another middle eastern Billionaire will

more then we (who've never been poor) can ever

(Cocoa) studies have shown very similar results,

invest in the current round. at believe in the

surprising for us as well as the NGO's that have

grand vision and mission.

imagine.

been working there for decades. e solution is to get 50-100 farmers together to

e simple matter of trust leading to

Both these people are backing us in our vision to

collaborate and share but a lack of clear records

cooperation and sharing resources has delivered

become the standard global platform for the small

and TRUST stops them doing that.

more gains in a single season than decades of

holding farmers of the world. We're playing for

other more expensive projects. Everyone was

way more than sheep stations because we've found

AgriLedger is the simplest use of blockchain, it's

trying to apply modern ideas before addressing

a way to meaningfully change the lives of millions

really a record keeping system that works

the most fundamental thing that we took for

for the better.

smartphone to smartphone and writes to

granted.

Now we've seen rst hand what AgriLedger can

blockchain so it can never be altered.

But the power of that simple process and its

I don't like to talk as much about "blockchain"

achieve we are morally obligated to use it to help as

applications. As much as I've been a proponent

many of the poor as quickly as possible.

ability to transform groups of individual farmers

of it since the outset it's ONLY a tool. It's very

into an effective collaboration or cooperative

useful for certain purposes but it's not Cold

by David Davies,

should not be underestimated.

Fusion either. It's one technology that we use

CEO & Co-founder of AgUnity)

We've increased farmers income by 3x just

service, etc) to solve a problem.

along with others (low-cost smartphones, cloud

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[49] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Tech & innovation

PE innovator takes farming solution to US Mobile y farm to compete at global forum

“e global population is increasing and by

“e system is 80% automated and uses a

A Port Elizabeth-born innovator will take his

2030 the majority of this population will be in

logarithm to offer the right stimulation at the right

“African solution” for sustainable farming to the

Africa – so we need an alternative [solution] to

time,” he said.

world, when he travels to Silicon Valley to

feed them.” e units operate with little human

compete with entrepreneurs on a global scale. is is aer Bandile Dlabantu, founder and

at is the problem Dlabantu – who grew up

intervention

visiting farms around the Eastern Cape when his

“[It is designed to] send information via SMS if

owner of Khepri Innovations, was crowned the

mother taught in these communities –

there is any issue, and we are working on a second

winner of the Global Cleantech Innovation

identi ed through his experiences.

line of remote support, which lowers the cost and

“My grandfather had a chicken farm where he

farmers.”

introduces modern-day technology to rural

Programme of South Africa earlier this month.

Now Dlabantu, along with runners-up Sara

ground bones to supplement the animals' diet.

Andreotti and Euodia Naanyane-Bouwer, will

“We have big factories in South Africa

e company currently operates a unit at an

take part in the Cleantech Open Global Forum in

producing feed to sell overseas, but there is no

abattoir, with plans to expand with a further 10

the United States in January.

bene t for local farmers.

units in Bronkhorstspruit.

e award, presented to Dlabantu by Science and

“Instead of creating a competitor, we wanted to

“[We want to] build at least six units in six

Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, was made

do it the South African way and decouple feed

provinces, and I also want to come to Port

from the control of large companies – so every

Elizabeth next year,” Dlabantu said.

in recognition of his mobile y farm.

farmer can produce his own feed.” e project used black soldier ies to convert

With this in mind, Dlabantu created the y

“We need partnerships, including hotels, where

organic waste into animal feed, which brought a

farms.

waste is being dumped, because we want to use it

“Basically, it consists of container housing units

“I've seen the same situation in several African

to boost farmers.

sustainable feeding solution for rural farmers across the continent, Dlabantu said.

“Africa is an interesting continent with positive

with temperature control [that] triggers

countries, but we want [to build] a feed-

growth, but we are increasingly dependent on

reactions in the insects.

independent Africa.”

exports,” he said.

November - December 2017

[50] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Tech & innovation

Bicycle Grain Mill: Simple Innovation for Farmers A pedal operated Bicycle grain mill

e socio-economic factors of production affects

prepared a daily busy schedule of load shedding

other farmlands where load shedding is rampant,”

many people living in rural areas especially in a

(power cuts or black outs). ere are millions of

Mr Kaira stated.

developing country like Zambia.

people in remote villages countrywide who live day to day without reliable power supply.

Human muscle power can be good alternative to meet the energy requirements for performing many economic activities like grain milling.

He says Vika Agro Solutions Equipment came up with the manual bicycle hammer mill in a bid to

And in a bid to ful l their demand of a readily

also mitigate the long distance people in rural

available milling plant, their conventional hand

areas cover in order to reach a milling plant.

cranked grain mill without an easy way to power According to Amos Waweru, a Biomechanical

it. is process of hand cranking of stone wheels

“is is a manual hammer mill capable of

and Processing Engineer from Kenya's Jomo

is characterized by slow operation, fatigue and

grinding 60 Kg of maize grain or groundnuts per

Kenyatta University of Agriculture and

low production rate.

hour and is speci cally made for farmers who are

Technology, a pedal operated grain mill is a

in far ung areas where there is no electricity but

machine that consists of a chain drive and a roller

Victor Kaira 38, is a local brain behind Vika

sha that turns the rotors in the processing unit.

Agro Solutions Equipment – a company that

In the processing casing, the grains are crushed

manufactures various agricultural equipment

to produce our.

they just have to mill their maize,” he said.

And Mr Kaira explains that the equipment is

such as Hay Cutter, Feed Mixer, Ground nut

unique in that it is able to grind either

Sheller and Maize Sheller among others.

breakfast maize meal or roller meal by simply

Mr Waweru observes that the machine is

ne

adjusting its sier.

economically viable and can be used by common

With the body in seat, the legs can provide a

people, save time otherwise spent in traditional

pedal work manually on the Bicycle Hammer

“is machine comes with both mechanism of

hand cranking of stone wheels and can also be

Mill just like a normal bicycle.

grinding either breakfast or roller meal. If you put

which could have intermittent operation without

In an interview, Mr Kaira who is a metal

breakfast meal but once you put unpolished maize

affecting the end-product.

fabricator said the bicycle hammer mill is a

direct, it will mill out roller meal,” he stated.

adopted for human-powered process units

maize sample (polished maize), it will make

simple but useful apparatus that relies on pedal e main objective is to design & develop a

power to transfer energy from a human source

It is evident that the bicycle hammer mill is a very

machine which uses human power as source of

through the use of a foot pedal and crank

important peddle operated grain mill which is

energy to drive the machine which basically

system.

easier to use, operate and maintain. e only

“We invented this Bicycle Hammer Mill for

maintenance works by greasing and oiling the

consists of a simple bicycle mechanism.

simple way for the operator is to carry out routine

In Zambia, the gap between the ever increasing

small scale farmers and maize millers who are in

chain, bearing and other moving parts.

demand of power and its generation has

rural areas where there is no electricity and

by Derrick Silimina

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[51] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Tech & innovation

IoT can transform agriculture Using IoT technologies can push the efficiency

and the ability to immediately

of farming to completely new levels as the food

identify problem areas at production

demands of a growing global population puts increasing pressure on agriculture around the

-

world.

management of health of livestock.

-

Management of fuel, another variable

source.

cost that has a direct impact on the

By connecting all legacy machinery

cash ow of any farm. Using a

warehousing / packaging plants can

digitized, connected management

be more productive and efficient.

system allows for exact planning of

Farm managers can, for instance,

fuel supply required for times of peak

published at the end of last year the world will

assess how many packers, machines

and reduced levels of activity.

need to produce 70% more food in 2050 than it

and delivery trucks will be required

According to a report by Business Insider

did in 2006 in order to feed the growing population of the Earth, based on numbers

-

on any given day.

BI Intelligence, Business Insider's research

Energy management, a signi cant

service, predicts that IoT device installations in

produced by the UN Food and Agriculture

cost at large scale farming

the agriculture world will increase from 30

Organization.

operations. Use of power,

million in 2015 to 75 million in 2020, for a

management of irrigation, pumps,

compound annual growth rate of 20%.

André Strauss, Director of Partnerships at

dam levels, water required at

According to the BI report the value of using

IoT.nxt highlights ve key areas where the use

production plants are all aspects of

IoT smart agriculture is evident in numbers

of IoT can dramatically improve efficiencies

energy use that can be managed in

available for the current leader of using IoT in

and reduce costs:

real time and changed seamlessly for

farming, the United States, where 7,340 kg of

-

Digitization of the value and supply

exceptional cost savings and

cereal (e.g. wheat, rice, maize, barley, etc.) is

chains allows for produce to be

improved efficiency.

produced per hectare (2.5 acres) of farmland,

tracked and traced from source to retail shelf, delivering quality control November - December 2017

-

Tracking of livestock which,

compared to the global average of 3,851 kg of

amongst other things, will allow for

cereal per hectare.

[52] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Tech & innovation

Bayer launches new digital farming brand, xarvio Bayer will launch the brand at this year's

to

eld-speci c actionable strategies for the

Agritechnica, the leading trade fair for

most efficient application of crop protection

agricultural machinery with 2,900 exhibitors

products. "With the Field Manager, which uses

from 52 countries

an Android version and accessible through the app stores.

imaging and sensor technology from e.g.

Digital Farming paves the way for a new

satellites, farmers always have the status of their

agricultural revolution that makes farming

eld speci c crop

quicker, more precise, efficient and sustainable.

farmers and for the environment," said Tobias

protection timing and can download eld-zone

Already today, most new farm machinery is

Menne, global head of Digital Farming at Bayer.

speci c variable application maps," said

equipped with precision agriculture features. New

"Our objective is to improve farming - for the

elds at hand, receive

"xarvio technololgies can support farmers all

Andree-Georg Girg, Head of

tools help farmers optimize inputs such as

around our planet to optimise the amount of

Commercialisation Digital Farming and

fertiliser and crop protection agents with

crop protection they need, thus to produce more

Managing Director of Digital Farming GmbH at

corresponding improvements in yields and

efficiently and to increase pro ts while reducing

Bayer. "As a result, the application of

quality.

the impact farming has on the environment."

agricultural inputs can be optimised so that the perfect amount is used exactly when and where

Currently, Bayer provides digital solutions in

At the G49 trade fair booth in Hall 15 at the

it is needed and harvests will be produced more

more than 60 countries and is aiming to achieve

Agritechnica, visitors can learn about Bayer's

efficiently."

rapid further expansion. e new technologies

and the Scouting App marketed by Bayer under

e new xarvio SCOUTING App makes it easy

Canada, the United States, Brazil, Germany,

the new xarvio brand. Agritechnica will take

to detect and identify crop diseases, insects, the

France, Ukraine and Russia, but also for

innovative solutions such as the Field Manager

have huge potential not only in countries such as

place from November 12 to 18 at Hanover

nitrogen status and other leave damages - only

smallholder farmers in developing countries.

Fairgrounds in Hanover, Germany.

take a picture and you get the analysis. Farmers

Enabling smallholder farmers to reach their

also pro t from the data gathered by their

farming potential is key to increase agricultural

xarvio solutions open farmers the opportunity to

neighbours: ey see which diseases are

productivity in a sustainable manner and to

optimise the potential of their individual elds

emerging and see the insect pressure around

improve the lives of their families and

and

them. e app is now available on iOS as well as

communities.

eld zones. Bayer's Field Manager, for

instance, will provide farmers with instant access www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[53] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Tech & innovation

Soil Health Monitoring Soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is

rainwater for use during dryer periods, lter and

de ned as the continued capacity of soil to

buffer potential pollutants from leaving our

function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains

elds, serve as a rm foundation for agricultural

·

Filtering and buffering potential pollutants - e minerals and microbes in soil are responsible for

ltering,

plants, animals, and humans. is de nition

activities, and provide habitat for soil microbes

buffering, degrading, immobilizing,

speaks to the importance of managing soils so

to ourish and diversify to keep the ecosystem

and detoxifying organic and inorganic

they are sustainable for future generations. To do

running smoothly.

materials, including industrial and

this, we need to remember that soil contains living organisms that when provided the basic

municipal by-products and What Soil Does

atmospheric deposits.

necessities of life - food, shelter, and water -

Healthy soil gives us clean air and water,

perform functions required to produce food and

bountiful crops and forests, productive grazing

ber.

·

Cycling nutrients - Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and many other nutrients

lands, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes.

are stored, transformed, and cycled in

Soil does all this by performing ve essential

the soil.

Only "living" things can have health, so viewing

functions:

soil as a living ecosystem re ects a fundamental

·

·

Regulating water - Soil helps control

Physical stability and support - Soil structure provides a medium for plant

shi in the way we care for our nation's soils. Soil

where rain, snowmelt, and irrigation

roots. Soils also provide support for

isn't an inert growing medium, but rather is

water goes. Water and dissolved

human structures and protection for

teaming with billions of bacteria, fungi, and

solutes ow over the land or into and

archeological treasures.

other microbes that are the foundation of an elegant symbiotic ecosystem. Soil is an

·

through the soil.

Understanding soil health means assessing and

Sustaining plant and animal life - e

managing soil so that it functions optimally now

ecosystem that can be managed to provide

diversity and productivity of living

and is not degraded for future use. By monitoring

nutrients for plant growth, absorb and hold

things depends on soil.

changes in soil health, a land manager can

November - December 2017

[54] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Soil Health Monitoring

Tech & innovation

determine if a set of practices is sustainable.

temperature, and light, the risk of frost can be detected. Monitoring can ensure prevention of

collectives to work together to maximise and

IP Soware Distribution Ltd

possible plant diseases or manage watering

prot e c t c rop c u lt i v at i on a n d e mp ow e r

IP Soware Distribution Ltd (IP So (Pty) Ltd in

requirements based on soil humidity.

communities growing their own food in urban

is helps to control conditions in nurseries and

Once ready for transportation, food may become

South Africa) is a distribution company focusing on Libelium, IP-guard Soware and IoT

e Waspmote Agriculture Board can assist

settings.

Solutions Partners to help organisations digitally

to closely monitor high performance or delicate

damaged during transport and storage. e

transform their businesses.

crops, such as vineyards or tropical fruit, where

technology integrated into Waspmote (GPS,

the slightest change in climate can affect the nal

sensors and clock) makes it possible to control in

e privately owned company was formed in

outcome.

real time what conditions the merchandise is in,

2014 as a specialist IT Security distribution

All of this information can also help us to

where and when.

company with its head office in Pretoria (South

determine the optimum conditions for each

Us i ng t h e G P S an d G P R S / 3 G m o du l e s

Africa).

crop, by comparing the gures obtained during

incorporated in Waspmote means food being

For channel partners wishing to source IT

the best harvests. Given their ease of use and

transported can be located at all times, providing

Soware or provisioning their solutions on a

scalability, wireless sensor networks can also be

detailed information on its condition.

global basis in Azure marketplace, IP Soware

used to monitor isolated areas of difficult access,

is helps to improve product traceability and to

distribution offers a single point of expertise and

where mushrooms and truffles grow for

determine liability where applicable if it becomes

assistance. It offers its resellers and developers

example.

spoiled during the logistics phase.

Because Internet connectivity in the rural site can

(ISV's) and their customers a full-service package of technical, sales and marketing

e Waspmote Agriculture Board monitoring

be unstable, a local server system is also deployed

support and practical enablement training.

system can be used to reduce resource intensity

as an interim solution to store information for

and labour requirements on site during the food

task management and

With the fast changing world of Hybrid Cloud,

growth stage.

without incurring data loss.

Big Data and IT S ec urity, IP S oware

Parameters for each crop can be de ned in

eld data collection,

Distribution creates sales and pro tability

advance and crop c u lt ivat ion systems

e collected data are sent to the Cloud when

opportunities for soware developers and

automated based on sensor readings at crucial

connectivity permits: this allows the off-site

resellers through unique marketing programs,

stages of the food production phase.

researchers and collaborators across the globe a

enablement services and technical support.

For urban areas, sensors can assist community

means to access, visualize, and analyse the data

Being in touch with the latest on premise and

and market urban agriculture sites where there

from the on-going experiments.

cloud soware solutions we continuously bring

may be the collective management of crops.

value to our customers and developers.

Monitor soil moisture, health and have complete control with Libelium Smart Agriculture application. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) can be used to monitor different environmental parameters related to agriculture such as temp erature, humidit y, s oi l temperature/humidity, weather station, leaf wetness and many other parameters. e monitoring of these parameters allows to minimize time and money as well as maximize agriculture results whether that is during the production stage, distribution cycle or even in supermarkets.

Use of Waspmote sensors can assist in strengthening the collective understanding of how to protect and manage food systems, using sensor networks to maintain monitoring capacity of crop cultivation throughout the production cycle.

By combining sensors such as humidity,

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[55] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Tech & innovation

Multispectral sensors and analytics- role of big data Aer the occurrence of major natural

to new means of collecting and analyzing data

proper understanding of this continuously

disasters, it is of great signi cance that

generated from the farm to the end consumer.

growing data we need a new fundamental

disaster states are assessed timely and

Big data is a set of methods and technologies

approach to architecture, tools as well as practices.

accurately for decision-making

that require new forms of combination to

departments to draw up effective response

uncover large hidden values from large datasets

programs. Multi-spectral remote sensing

that are diverse, complex, and of a massive scale.

has a great advantage and potential in disaster assessment, with the

To feed the world's rapidly expanding population in the coming decades, agriculture must produce more. A farmer knows the ill effects of weather

e processing of such data using common

such as excess/de cit rainfall, temperature, wind

characteristics of a wide range of data

database management tools or conventional

velocity, sunshine hours etc., but he does not

acquisition, high speed, etc.

data processing applications is a very strenuous

know how to interpret them to make smart

task. Everything around us is contributing to the

decision for pro table farming.

Big data refers to the ability to collect and

generation of Big data at every time instance.

analyze the huge amounts of data that is being generated by different departments

SLANTRANGE Agricultural Information Every social media exchanges as well as digital

Systems

working directly or indirectly involved in

processes involving systems, sensors, mobile

SLANTRANGE systems combine powerful

agriculture. Every day the World generates

devices and every other digital device present

analytics tools with accurate and reliable

2.5quintillion bytes of data.

Big Data in the context of agriculture refers

November - December 2017

are transmitting it. To extract signi cant value

measurement sensors to deliver to the most

from big data, you need optimal processing

actionable and immediate crop information ever

power, analytics capabilities and skills. For

produced for agriculture.

[56] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Mul spectral sensors and analy cs- role of big data

SLANTRANGE systems deliver the information

Tech & innovation

Accuracy in Measurement

of Data Accurac y through S elective

you need at the time and place you need it. at

Changing sunlight conditions will affect your

Measurement.

means pushing powerful analytics tools out and

results. Clouds will appear like stressed areas.

away from the cloud and into the eld where

Measurements taken at noon will give different

Agronomic information is highly perishable, so

your decisions need to be made.

results from measurements taken later in the

making it available to the decision maker as

e SLANTVIEW analytics platform delivers an

day. Without correction, forecasts and trends

efficiently as possible is a core focus for

entirely new approach to crop measurement and

become highly inaccurate.

SLANTRANGE. To eliminate data collection and

analysis – one that works for agriculture.

What does that mean for you? · ·

processing bottlenecks we've developed new To address this, SLANTRANGE introduced an

technologies that dramatically reduce the time

innovative solution with the

spent collecting and processing data so results can

rst frameto-

Valuable new classes of information

frame, on-board, ambient illumination sensor

enabled by low-altitude measurement

back in 2014 – so all of your measurements can

Immediate, on-site results without any

be trusted. No calibration panels necessary.

need for network connectivity ·

·

be delivered in minutes, anywhere.

SLANTRANGE's patent pending algorithms require only 20% overlap between images to

Far more efficient collection and

Accuracy in Analytics

generate maps, compared to traditional

processing work ows for lower

Accuracy involves more than correcting for

techniques which require up to 80%. at's a 4x

operational costs

sunlight conditions. It also involves carefully

reduction in collection costs compared to a survey

Exportable data to be consumed

separating measurements of different objects in

using the same sensor con guration but with a

wherever, whenever, and however

the

traditional processing technique – just by

you'd like Good agricultural decisions and forecasts

eld. SLANTRANGE analytics take full

advantage low-altitude platforms by spatially

processing your data with a system designed for

and spectrally separating crop vegetation

the task!

depend upon good information. So

signals from soil, specular re ection, shadows,

SL A N T R A NG E wor k s w it h a g r i c u ltu re

SLANTRANGE makes reliable, accurate

or other signal types to get the most accurate

businesses across a variety of market segments to

measurements the cornerstone of product

measurements possible.

design and a continuing area of innovation.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

provide custom analytics and data services to support crop research, breeding, and production

SLANTRANGE's Smart Filtering &

programs, including customized tools for high-

Compression Algorithms Achieve New Levels

throughput phenotyping of test plots.

[57] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Cropping

Manure Application Equipment Makes Economic and Environmental Sense For years, livestock farmers have used manure as

JT Boats, LLC- e ultimate oating manure

renewable resource.

a fertilizer, soil amendment, energy source and even construction material.

JT Boats, LLC manufactures fully remote Manure is a valuable resource that should be

controlled

applied in an ecological and environmentally

Operation will ease safety and output-ability.

rst in its class manure agitators.

Integrating manure as a fertilizer for crop

sensitive manner. As the value of the nutrients in

production is the primary accepted mechanism

manure incre as es due to incre as es in

Designed speci cally for agitating manure

for disposal of manure from animal feeding

commercial fertilizer cost, manure application

lagoons, e JT Boat is equipped with the latest in

operations. Successfully using manure as a

equipment becomes even more important.

fertilizer requires assessing the available

oating manure agitator technology. It is fully remote controlled to operate as manure agitator,

nutrients in manure, calculating the appropriate

Proper manure application equipment is

using a potent GES super pump to agitate and

rate to provide the needed nutrients to the crop

necessary to insure that eld application rates

bring solids off the bottom of your manure

and applying the manure uniformly across the eld at the target rate.

Efficient use of manure as a fertilizer is

are consistent with nutrient management plans.

lagoon. e JT Boat does not require a priming

As nutrient plans have attempted to more

system as it Is designed to minimise fuel

accurately balance nutrient supplied by manure

consumption during operation.

and fertilizer and crop requirements, calibration

complicated by the imbalance of nutrients in

is also critical to avoid under applying nutrients

e only boat in the industry that can be pulled

manure, variability in many sources of manure,

and reducing yields

down the road, no trailer needed.

difficulties in estimating nutrient availability, and the relatively low nutrient concentration limiting the distances manure can pro tably be transported for use as a fertilizer. Manure management is most likely to be pro table on farms with a manure source with a relatively high nutrient concentration (like slurry manure) applying manure to elds near the operation and to a crop or crop rotation that can fully utilize all the applied nutrients.

With today's science and technology, we can use manure more efficiently and in new ways like protecting water and air quality and reducing greenhouse gases. When managed improperly, manure can harm the environment. But when properly managed, it can serve as a valuable, November - December 2017

[58] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Cropping

Naturally Balanced Nutrition Intrepid Trio (sulfate of potash magnesia) is an all-natural mineral supplement derived from langbeinite, a unique mineral with potassium, sulfur and magnesium in every granule. e unique formulation of Trio, makes it the perfect addition to your naturally balanced fertilizer program. Alfalfa, corn, cocoa, coffee, cotton, tree nuts, melons, fruits and many other crops all require potassium, sulfur and magnesium to grow. By using Intrepid Trio, you are opening yourself up to potential for higher yields and healthier crops.

Forage: Intrepid Trio improves the vitality and durability of forage crops such as alfalfa by ensuring proper delivery of three essential minerals for all natural, long-lasting nutrition.

Adequate potassium in alfalfa leads to an increased number of shoots per plant, enhanced nitrogen gas xation, and greater stand-survival persistence against weeds and winter kill. When feeding the alfalfa or grass to livestock, they have a need for potassium in their feed to prevent decreased feed and water intake. Lactating dairy cows can require higher potassium levels, especially when under heat stress. e magnesium levels in Trio can help negate a metabolic disorder in cattle known as grass tetany. . e last nutrient in Trio, sulfur, also aids

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in the palatability, digestibility and intake of the forage for animals. Applying a balanced fertilizer like Trio to your forage crops will provide them

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with the nutrients they need when they need them.

Specialty: Specialty crops such as cocoa, avocados, tree nuts, melons, citrus and coffee require adequate amounts of potassium, magnesium and sulfur. Trio readily dissolves in the soil slowly, reducing the risk of leaching and providing the long-lasting nutrients that are immediately available to the plant. Heavy annual removal of nutrients can lead to yield declines in co co a plant at ions if nut r ients are not

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

replenished. e magnesium in Trio can reduce

avor in the crop.

the risk of a magnesium de ciency, which would reduce the quality of beans a cocoa tree could

Intrepid Trio is available in premium, granular

produce. Additionally, the sulfur in Trio is

and standard grades, which means it blends well

immediately available to the crop and is also pH

with other fertilizer materials for an even

neutral, which causes no acidifying effect to the

distribution of nutrients. Standard and granular

soil. In other specialty crops like citrus, the use

grades are also OMRI Listed and approved for

of Trio to manage the levels of potassium can

organic farming, while the standard grade is

help the tree withstand extreme weather

grades arcerti edSafe Food/Safe Fee Safe

conditions while still leaving you with a better

Feed/Safe Food for animal feed.

[59] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Libestock

Real time animal feeds and nutritional analysis Farm consultants have detailed information about their feed supply. ey have the precise nutritional content of each food product in their inventory.

Currently, consultants travel from farm to farm to discuss how to improve the health and productivity of each herd, and suggest the most appropriate animal feed.

Farmers are in tune with their livestock, and are usually the rst to notice when problems related to feed need addressing; a drop off in milk production, failure to thrive, or loss of condition.

Presently much of their discussions with consultants are based on intuition and circumstantial information, not on hard fact backed by actionable data.

Feeding has a direct impact on the growth rate,

November - December 2017

production capacity and health status of the animal. e cost of feeding has long been recognised as the major cost and the largest cash expense in animal production. It has a direct impact on the growth rate and health status of the animal as well as on the animal's product quality. e global demand for livestock products is expected to increase by over 60 percent by 2050. e livestock sector is under signi cant pressure to greatly increase the amount of safe, nutritious feed available to animals to provide the products needed in the future.

Providing animals with adequate, balanced diets, free of toxins and contaminants is essential to enhancing their productivity and welfare. Good quality feed also increases the incomes of producers, ensures a better quality product and a cleaner, greener environment.

[60] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

e safety and quality of animal feed is also vital for preventing hazardous substances entering the food.

Feed analysis laboratories are essential for e n s u r i n g a c c u r at e i n f o r m at i o n o n t h e composition of feed ingredients and determining the level of desirable and undesirable substances, enabling the production of safe, balanced diets for livestock. Without them, it is almost impossible to control what animals eat.

Poor nutrition not only affects the productivity of the animal, but also its health, behaviour and welfare.

Meeting livestock nutritional requirements is extremely important in maintaining acceptable performance of neonatal, growing, nishing and breeding animals.

From a practical standpoint, an optimal www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Real me animal feeds and nutri onal analysis

Livestock

nutritional program should ensure adequate intakes of amino acids (both traditionally cl a s s i e d e s s e nt i a l an d n on e s s e nt i a l ) , carbohydrates, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins by animals through a supplementation program that corrects de ciencies in basal diets (e.g., corn- and soybean meal-based diets for swine; milk replacers for calves and lambs; and available forage for ruminants).

Feed formulation is driven by required formula speci cations and the actual nutritional value of raw materials. Inaccurate information on raw material nutritional values can be catastrophic, as the end result will be a formula that is completely out of speci cation.

Additionally, dietary supplementation with certain nutrients (e.g., arginine, glutamine, zinc, and conjugated linoleic acid) can regulate gene expression and key metabolic pathways to improve fertility, pregnancy outcome, immune function, neonatal survival and growth, feed eďŹƒciency, and meat quality.

Overall, the proper balance of protein, energy, vitamins and all nutritionally important minerals in diets is needed to make a successful nutrition program that is both productive and economical. Both fundamental and applied

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

www.mandoval.co.za

research are required to meet this goal.

Also crucial to the nutrition program for animals is water. Livestock may have health problems resulting from substandard quality water.

Consuming water is more important than

[61] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

consuming food. A successful livestock enterprise requires a good water supply, in terms both of quantity and quality. Safe supplies of water are absolutely essential for livestock. If livestock do not drink enough safe water every day, intake of feed (roughages and concentrates) will drop, production will fall and the livestock producer will lose money.

November - December 2017

Cropping

Don't waste it, Roast It Have you ever heard of roasting your grains? It

commercial miller stated that grinding roasted

has been around for years, but still many people

barley is 25% faster than raw barley. is saves

have never heard of roasting, or better yet, have

time and grinding costs.

ever tried roasting.

and meat.

During hot, humid weather, feed mills can experience more than double the shelf-life in

e advantages for you are so powerful, that you

Roasting increases digestibility by breaking

roasted aked corn over raw or other forms of

need to start now and roast your barley, corn,

down the cell structure within the grain so it will

processing. Roasted soybeans—e soybean

soybeans, wheat and other grains.

be readily available to the animal.

becomes more digestible and you receive more for your money. Swine-fed roasted beans gain 9%

Do you like to save money?

Dairy and swine feeders comment that they are

faster on 9% less feed.

Roasting your own grain will put money back

unable to nd barley oating in the lagoon when

You will have more “by-pass” protein which is a

into your own pocket. Greater pro ts! Meeting

roasted barely is fed. It is more palatable and the

bene t to you because the “by-pass”effect of

high energy needs in dairy and cattle feeds is

animals will be drawn by the sweet fragrance of

protein can rise to an optimum of 6.5% and will

important.

roasted barley.

provide extra milk in the bulk tank. Roasting your soybeans also provides more energy.

is will support better breeding, improve butter

Roasted corn—e advantages are great! You

fat and protein, and maintain body weight

will have higher digestibility because roasting

e oil becomes an available energy source and is

during peak production.

corn increases the speed of starch availability.

2.25% times as much energy as a carbohydrate

e starch becomes more soluble and you will

without increasing the starch content. By roasting

Research on roasted corn for beef cattle was

have a higher energy value.

your soybeans, they are more palatable and this

conducted and the results were dramatic, but

guards against oxidative rancidity.

consistent.

Roasting the corn will increase the energy nearly 13%. Roasting corn through an open ame gives

One thing every farmer loves is to have his milk

Beef cattle gain 8.2% faster on roasted corn

a purer feed because it dries away moisture and

production raised to a higher level. By roasting

compared to raw corn and require 9.7% less feed

burns off the mold spores.

your grain in a ame-kissed grain roaster, you will

per kilogram of grain. You will have a better

Because of the purging effect, the dairy and

receive more milk. University studies show a

quality of feed by roasting it.

cattle feeder can experience lower vet bills,

sound increase in milk production over raw

Roasted barley—Your roasted barley will grind

better breeding, less abortions, and less physical

soybeans, so why waste your grains.

easier because roasting ruptures the kernel. One

stress on the animal for more production of milk

Don’t waste it roast it.

November - December 2017

[62] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Cropping

www.roastamatic.com

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[63] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Products & Services

mechanized the use of this type of bale. is third

Arcusin S.A.

generation, the MultiPack C-14 keeps its essence improving its performance; picks, packs and ties

Arcusin S.A. is a global company, specialist in

AutoStack loaders are high performance

together 10, 12 or 14 small bales of any type of

engineering applied to farming equipment, and

machines that allow with just one operator and a

forage or straw. e result is a bale well compacted

more precisely, to Straw and forage bale handling

tractor collect and stack large amounts of bales

that can be handle as a regular big square bale even

equipment. With 40 years of experience in

for storage either on the eld or under a cover.

with our bale chaser AutoStack.

manufacturing and more than a century of

anks the stability and compaction of the

https://www.arcusin.com/en/productos/multipa

family tradition in the agricultural sector,

stack, bales are preserved in perfect conditions

ck-c14/

Arcusin S.A. exports to more than 40 countries

all year long regardless weather conditions.

along the 5 continents and is considered the

https://www.arcusin.com/en/productos/autost

MultiPack C-14, the new generation: Fitted with

reference brand within the sector.

ack-fsx/

the awarded star shape system for collecting bales

ForStack, bale accumulator: A bale accumulator,

MultiPack: is small bales packer, was a

completely automatic and independent, that

revolution when it was launched since

of delicate products.

allows collecting bales, even from the most difficult areas to access, and makes little stacks from 2 up to 5 bales high. is unique system in the market will represent a new time and cost saver when handling big square bales. Its high productivity and reduced size make ForStack and adaptable tool easy to manipulate and highly efficient. https://www.arcusin.com/en/productos/forstac k-812-bales-accumulator/ AutoStack: Automatic bale loaders for straw and forage bales, models XP & FSX AutoStack loaders are designed to make easier and faster chasing, stacking and handling big square bales. ey adapt to any kind of big square bales from the major balers in the market.

Contractors, industrials and biomass providers are the target market.

November - December 2017

[64] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Products & Services

CALLICRATE BANDERS – “ USA Solution now also champions African Challenges!! ” For Africa, livestock is its' riches…

C A L L I C R AT E BA N D E R ™ / N O BU L L ™

money to live from, but they almost never look

National Herd, by doing castration on

Castration Equipment was developed in USA by

good, they always ght with one another doing

most of the male animals, bad genes are

Mr Mike Callicrate, originally for the feedlot

what bulls do….. Whereas the female animals

eliminated, because not all bulls are

industry - due to expensive labour- and

are kept for reproduction.

good for breeding.

veterinarian costs to castrate all these animals...

castrated is a big job, traditionally it needs to be

– To get them ·

Fact that lots of male animals are

He started off with – what they called - the Smart

done before a certain age, and you need good

castrated, ensure

Bander and it evolved into the Pro- and Wee

infrastructure and strong kraals, traditionally it

Health of herds due to less illnesses

Bander kits, that is widely used all over USA and

is a traumatic experience for the animal and,

transferred

Canada – and now are available in Southern

aer they got castrated they sometimes get

Africa.

infections, some of which resulting in death, the

·

better National

You do not need sophisticated handling facilities to castrate or dehorn with

rest are taking forever to gain some wait again, In Africa we do things a little different, we have

meaning they can't be sold or slaughtered any

C A L L I C R AT E BA N D E R ™ / N O

built our own models of how the livestock

time soon.

BULL™ Castration Equipment etc.

industry work through centuries, we all know that, for an African man his cattle is his riches, a

By using CALLICRATE BANDER™/NO

token of wealth… With cattle we buy our wives,

BULL™ Castration Equipment it offers the

with cattle we pay our respects to the diseased,

following possibilities:

with cattle we have to trade and barter to give our

·

·

Application is simple and quick and can

·

No age restriction for animals to be

be done anywhere, anytime.. castrated or dehorned

When castrating an animal effectively

children education, and of course, eating meat is

and humane, they will be performing

ese Callicrate Bander™ Equipment has earned

what keeps us healthy and make us big and

and growing better in a communal

a reputation as the most humane way – and make

strong. e question is how can a USA castration

area, it is an ideal way to grow out

castration - simple, quick, effective and .. it is a

to ol help u s ? e ans we r l i e s i n he rd

steers in the communal herds.

bloodless and drug-free procedure. e same

Fatter, better quality animals are now

tools can also be used for de-horning as well as for

available for funerals, “labola” and or

prolapse adjustments for male animals.

composition. e African way is a communal

·

way where all the animals graze on common

to trade.

ground, and that brings serious challenges to herd management, almost half the calves born

·

To develop a Grass fed system in line with African Culture that could

every year are male, the grow up to become bulls,

e CALLICRATE WEE Bander™ Kit: ·

Ideal and effective, quick and simple

some good, some mediocre, and some, poor

ensure strong revenue stream,

way to castrate calves not much older

quality bulls. It is those bulls who have to do the

because a big fat grown-out steer /

than 2 weeks

job. ey have to pay the “Lobola,” they are slaughtered for funerals, they are traded to get

·

oxen are easily sold to butchers.

·

De-horn younger animals

To improve general quality of the

·

Amputate tails of sheep

To use CALLICRATE BANDER™/NO BULL™ Castration Equipment, you do not need to be a quali ed veterinarian to castrate and de-horn animals or to adjust prolapses www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[65] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Dam lining systems Failure to hold water is the most common

All liners must be anchored so that they do not

problem with farm dams. Anxious farmers want

move. e simplest way to provide anchorage is

life.

the leak sealed and stopped—fast. However, like

to bury the liner in a trench dug along the

Vinyl (or PVC) resists tearing and is more exible

most business people, they are oen short of

perimeter of the storage.

than woven polythene. Again this material needs

Commercial liners include woven polythene,

sunlight.

funds and want the works to be done as cheaply as possible.

to be covered with a layer of soil to protect it from black polythene, vinyl, HDPE (high density

ere are commercial liners available to seal

polyethylene), butyl rubber and composites of

HDPE and butyl rubber

leaking dams. ese are all exible membranes

bentonite and polypropylene.

HDPE has a longer life and is tougher than vinyl

but offer different levels of strength, durability

Woven polythene, in blue or green, resists

or woven or black polythene. It resists tearing and

and resistance to UV breakdown. e liners have

tearing but is ver y sus ceptible to UV

does not need to be protected from UV exposure.

no structural strength; they rely on a continuous

degradation. If it is not protected from sunlight

Similarly, butyl rubber is resistant to sunlight,

backing for support. is means that the soil on

with a layer of soil, it has a very short life.

which such a liner rests must be well compacted, offer an even grade, have no vegetation and be

exible and very tough.

Both HDPE and butyl rubber are more expensive

Woven polythene is very unlikely to last 5–7

than vinyl and woven or black polythene.

free from protrusions like stones and branches

years in the sun. A grade no steeper than 3:1

Composite materials contain a thin layer of

which would damage the liner.

must be used to keep the soil from slipping off

bentonite sandwiched between polypropylene

the liner.

material. ey are not UV sensitive. Because of

A layer of ne soil or sand is required under

Black polythene also has a short life due to UV

the bentonite material, small ruptures in the liner

thinner liners and the soil is sometimes sprayed

degradation. It is also quite thin, generally less

are self-healed. However, these liners must be

with a herbicide to prevent any plants growing

than 0.4 mm, and is susceptible to puncturing. It

covered with soil to protect them from major

and penetrating the liner.

must be covered with a layer of soil to prolong its

punctures.

www.gundleapi.co.za rudi@gundleapi.co.za

November - December 2017

[66] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Den Braven Sealants When it comes to agricultural and construction machinery, manufacturers understand the need for high quality adhesive systems which increase overall product performance while decreasing costs.

You know how important it is to have your equipment up and running. No matter whether it is your tractor, combine, mower or loader.

Anytime you have broken equipment that has your workers sitting around, wasting time, waiting for something to be xed you are looking at harvest setbacks and lost time.

Den Braven is a leader in sealant supply. Widely used in the construction, sanitary, DIY and industrial sectors where high quality seals, adhesion with high joint movement tolerances are required. Aer application the silicone cures with atmospheric moisture to form a durable rubber seal.

Falling in the class of being both a sealant and adhesive, it is important that the Den Braven silicone sealants provide sound adhesion whilst still remaining exible. Surface preparation is very important in order to obtain that good adhesion. Surfaces must be clean, dry and sound. Den Braven sealants retain their adhesion and exibility even aer many years, and adhere well to many substrates. e sealants mechanical and physical properties remain virtually unchanged to ageing or exposure to weather. e company boasts of a variety of products like, Zinc Aluminium Spray that offers heat-resistant corrosion protection for many materials. It adheres very well to non-ferrous metal, Wood ex HARD which has been developed especially for

lling of cracks and dents in parquet, cork,

laminate and wooden ooring as well as FP Acrylic Sealant, a 1-component re retardant acrylic sealant based on a dispersion.

Den Braven strives strives to meet customer expectations in the supply of choice quality sealing, bonding and related products and services in Sub www.oravgroup.co.za

Sahara Africa markets.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[67] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

info@oravgroup.co.za

November - December 2017

Supplement

Equipment for fruit and vegetable Grading and Sorting Handling (Post harvest) process of fruits and

texture, shape and sizes. Manual sorting is based

design and layout to building the equipment,

vegetables is completed in several steps: washing,

on traditional visual quality inspection

installation and ongoing support. e vegetable

sorting, grading, packing, transporting and

performed by human operators, which is

handling equipment is renowned for quality of

e fruits sorting and grading are

tedious, time-consuming, slow and non-

design and manufacture. is means longer life,

considered the most important steps of

storage.

consistent. It has become increasingly difficult

increased reliability, lower maintenance and lower running costs.

handling. Product quality and quality evaluation

to hire personnel who are adequately trained

are important aspects of fruit and vegetable

and willing to undertake the tedious task of

production. Sorting and grading are major

inspection. A cost effective, consistent, superior

Herbert is distinctive in the market by entering

processing tasks associated with the production

speed and accurate sorting can be achieved with

into dialogue with the industry and by utilizing

of fresh-market fruit types.

machine vision assisted sorting.

the latest technologies and applications in the

Sorting is a separation based on a single

Herbert- Build strong to last longer!

processes. In addition to the production process,

eld of fresh produce processing and production measurable property of raw material units, while

Herbert is a high quality manufacturer, with

the company focuses on developing optimum

grading is “the assessment of the overall quality

over 40 years of experience. ey supply

solutions to set up processes as efficiently, smartly

of a food using a number of attributes”. Grading

handling systems for the agricultural, fresh

and pro tably as possible. Herbert will start

of fresh product may also be de ned as 'sorting

pack, food processing, materials handling and

manufacturing, engineering and design in the

according to quality', as sorting usually upgrades

waste management industries. ey specialize

Netherlands and provides single machines up to

in highly efficient handling systems, designed to

total concepts.

the product.

meet your operational needs. e company offers high quality machinery

Sorting of agricultural products is accomplished based on appearance (color and absence defects), November - December 2017

Herbert, are with you all the way, from initial

[68] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

global, which has exibility built into the design www.farmersreviewafrica.com

that allows our growers to handle their crop in

sacks, nets, and loose trays to satisfy all of your

challenging weather and all soil conditions.

customers' demands.

Reliability With pack-houses frequently operating seven

Herbert consists of a team of dedicated design

days a week machine reliability and the

engineers, commissioning and servicing

High throughputs and volumes

availability of service, spares, and onsite support

personnel that understand and operate within

e company builds systems that achieve

are crucial, particularly at times of highest

farming environments providing.

Flexibility

maximum volume throughput and minimum

demand like Christmas and Easter. With the need

product wastage combined with the lowest

to maintain consistent throughputs and meet the

possible labour costs.

daily expectations of your customers, downtime

e machinery is designed to cope with uctuations in crop quality and soil conditions

caused by breakdowns and maintenance has to be Gentle product handling

minimised. at is why all our handling

that can vary from eld to eld, from day to day

Herbert knows how easy it is to cause damage to

equipment is built stronger to last longer, its

and from season to season. ey recognise the

root vegetables so they design all equipment to

design makes maintenance incredibly quick and

need for systems that allow total exibility for

handle crops with the utmost care and with

simple and cleaning is easy and effective, whilst

packing a whole range of different size bands,

minimal drops to reduce wastage and improve

our aer-sales service is always there when it's

varying quality and different nished product

the quality of the nished product.

needed.

formats, from prepack polys and punnets to

www.tomra.com/tobacco www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[69] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Supplement

Sormac range of knife peelers: further improvements, proven technology, small and high capacity peelers! rough continuous innovation with new

e new design of the knife peelers is

machines and upgrading and re ning existing

characterised by a minimum of all loose parts.

Smaller capacity peelers further improved.

models. Sormac proudly presents the MS-30

e new design features doors that are xed to

knife peeler and the CBS and MBS peelers - the

the machine and can be opened horizontally.

knife peeler type MBS are perfectly suitable for

result of a combination of these core values.

e knife peelers have been designed to

scraping and peeling various tuberous products,

eliminate dead angles, making the machines

such as potatoes, red beets, celeriac and turnip.

e Sormac carborundum peeler type CBS and

Higher capacity

easy and efficient to clean. In addition, the

e use depends on the product, further processing and customer speci cations. ese

e MS-30 knife peeler from Sormac has a 3-

patented ' oating' three-point suspension

metre long drum, which enables the MS-30 to be

ensures calm and stable rotation of the drum.

peelers machines have been developed further in terms of technology, ergonomics and hygiene;

used in production lines with a higher processing

e special shape of the drum and knife

capacity. Depending on the product, quality and

con guration create an attractive end result and

they are more robust and manufactured

required waste percentage, the MS-30 has a

optimal peeling yields. e peeling drum is

exclusively from high-quality materials.

processing capacity of up to 7000 kg/hour.

manufactured from certi ed food grade

Similar to the existing Sormac range of knife

stainless steel and plastic and complies with the

peelers, the MS-10, MS-20 and MS-20/Combi,

latest European certi cation guidelines.

the MS-30 can be used to peel root vegetables like potatoes, red beets or celeriac for the fresh

e machine has several unique advantages:

·

e machine has a large peeling drum

·

e capacity is 20 to 35 kg per batch.

·

e drum is easy to disassemble for

with an internal diameter of 600 mm.

market as well as peeling steamed pre-peeled

-

low energy consumption;

maintenance or cleaning and knives

products. e capacity of the existing Sormac

-

reliability;

and carborundum are exchangeable.

knife peelers varies between 300 and 4500

-

long knife life;

kg/hour, depending on the product, quality and

-

effectively avoids at peeling;

required waste percentage.

-

easy to clean;

-

higher yields than at bed peelers.

e plastic used is blue, food-safe and is supplied with a certi cate.

·

e machine is equipped with a built-in timer, which can be used to set the peeling time.

Robust design

November - December 2017

·

[70] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Supplement

Pressure Washers in Agriculture Pressure washers are ideal for cleaning most

quality and service means we have many loyal

types of farm equipment, barns, wheel tractors,

customers and a reputation of which we're

where there is no electric supply.

sprayers, seeders, reapers, trucks, ploughs,

proud.

All you need is water! All Sitemaster pressure

compactors, hay equipment, grain drying and

A large part of the business is focussed on the

washers are designed to suck water from a barrel /

milk drawing equipment.

farming community and the key reasons that we

container if no mains supply is available. Spares

have a lot of new customers as well as repeat

for all our machines are readily available and are

business is that our machines are well built,

dispatched promptly.

Serving the agricultural sector is needed 12

Our machines are

months each year and understanding the

robust and t for purpose yet easy to use and

manufactured in the UK and are comprehensively

requirements of farmers is essential to serving

simple to maintain.

tested before leaving our factory.

Pressure Washers

Metal Bunded Fuel Tanks

their needs. Washing a tractor, for instance, is about more than just cleaning the piece of machinery.

Nixon pressure washers have been

Brian Nixon Limited manufactures a full range of

manufactured for nearly 50 years and still retain

both commercial and domestic metal bunded fuel

Pressure washers can be used to clean dirt,

the same high quality philosophy that was

tanks using 3mm British steel. Commercial tanks

stains, and more from animal living quarters.

adopted when they were rst built. e range

are available as 1,250 litre, 2,500 litre, 5,000 litre,

ey are also used to clean silos containing grain

Sitemaster Hot Water Pressure Washers house

10,000 litre or 12,500 litre models and the

or wheat. It is very important to clean silos

simple yet robust components inside their

domestic tanks come with either a 1,250 or 2,500

between lls to prevent and kill pests. Tractors or

distinctive steel cabinets.

litre capacity. e bunded tank itself is guaranteed

Our hot pressure

any other farm equipment should be pressure

washers are available in two sizes producing

for 5 years and the mechanical components come

washed without much delay or mud, silt, and

different levels of heat; 80 degrees Celsius (18

with a 12 month warranty. e commercial tanks

other substances may harden. is residue can

Ltr) and 65 degrees Celsius (15 Ltr).

come tted with pump, lter delivery hose and auto-shut off fuel gun that delivers at 60 litre per

also corrode farm equipment. e range of single and three phase electric

minute.

Brian Nixon Limited has a heritage of

machines are used throughout many industries

manufacturing high quality pressure washers,

including agriculture, haulage, plant hire, dairy,

metal bunded fuel tanks and drain jetters which

equestrian, skip hire, estate management and

ey also manufacture a wide range of drain

goes back 40+ years in some areas. As a business

reclamation. In addition to the range of four

jetters suitable for use across many industries and

Drain Jetters

partner they aim to provide our customers

electric Sitemaster pressure washers, we also

applications. ese drain jetters are available as

products which offer a level of reliability and

offer a totally self -contained model tted with

van packs only. Customers can choose between

quality that's hard to beat. Designed and

its own 2.6kva generator driven from 16hp

alternate models (Super 40, Super 60 & Super 80)

manufactured in the UK, the products offer

petrol engine with electric start. is pressure

which offer different levels of pressure and ow

superb value for money. Our commitment to

washer is therefore ideally suited to locations

rate.

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[71] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Supplement

The power transmission stability and efficiency of V-belts In today's world where transportation is perhaps

economical option for industrial, automotive,

employed.

one of the most elements for the business to

commercial, agricultural, and home appliance

succeed, people are always in search of better,

applications. V-belt drives are also easy to

e V-belt drive is a rather popular, widely used

f a s t e r an d c o s t e ffe c t i v e t e c h n i qu e of

install, require no lubrication, and dampen

form of power transmission in agricultural and

transporting, tracking and processing their

shock load.

food industry engineering. At the same time, its

goods.

stability, the lifetime of V-belt is in uenced by

About one-third of the electric motors in the

V belts (also style V-belts, vee belts, or, less

several environmental factors, namely in the food

commonly, wedge rope) solved the slippage and

industry by the contamination affecting the belt

industrial and commercial sectors use belt

alignment problem. It is now the basic belt for

sides, the ambient temperature, humidity and the

drives. Belt drives provide

power transmission. ey provide the best

occasionally aggressive (acidic, alkaline air, air saturated with gases, etc.) medium.

exibility in the

positioning of the motor relative to the load.

combination of traction, speed of movement,

Pulleys (sheaves) of varying diameters allow the

load of the bearings, and long service life.

speed of the driven equipment to be increased or

For high-power requirements, two or more V-

In the case of agricultural machinery, the

decreased. A properly designed belt

belts can be joined side-by-side in an

vibration caused by uncertainly oriented pulleys

transmission system provides high efficiency,

arrangement called a multi-V, running on

with bearing in different plate structures (oen

low noise, does not require lubrication, and

matching multi-groove sheaves. is is known

being shaken in the elds) as well as alignment

presents low maintenance requirements.

as a multiple-V-belt drive (or sometimes a

adjustment inaccuracies jeopardize the reliability

However, certain types of belts are more efficient

"classical V-belt drive").

of the parameters of the drive.

than others, offering potential energy cost savings.

V-belts may be homogeneously rubber or

e agricultural harvesting machines are large

polymer throughout or there may be

plate-body self-propelled structures on which

bers

e V-belt drive systems, also called friction

embedded in the rubber or polymer for strength

most of the power supply of the (threshing,

drives (because power is transmitted as a result of

and reinforcement. When an endless belt does

cleaning, moving, etc.) machine units handling

the belt's adherence to the pulley) are an

not t the need, jointed and link V-belts may be

the crop is realized via belt drives.

November - December 2017

[74] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

vbelts@rubena.cgs.cz www.rubena.cz www.rubena.eu

Belting Edge- Specialists in power transmission and conveyor belting Belting Edge is an organisation specialising in

for indexing) Picture 2 gives reference

information to a reliable belt supplier.

Power Transmission and Conveyor Belting. ey

to this, along with some of the more

ey may come back with one or two

pride themselves in being the only company in

standard tooth pro les available.

added questions but if you are able to

South Africa to incorporate CNC fabrication and

·

generally supplying other belt processing

Flat Drive Belts: Looks like a at piece

send the above via email or even

of belting and is generally used on

WhatsApp this would be enough to nd

companies, as well as a long host of original

non-st andard applicat ions, or

equipment manufacturers.

applications whereby a machine starts up at a very high RPM and the

the correct replacement belt.

How to avoid purchasing on the wrong belt: ·

Anything from China is generally not

ey offer Industrial Timing Belts, Plastic

application requires a belt that will

what you would want unless it's an

Modular Belts and Food Grade Conveyor Belts

rst slip to cater for the load shock

OEM speci ed part, the code on the

as well as having a full CNC Plastic Engineering

then start to grip to create a drive

belt will generally give reference to this.

Facility, which can all be manufactured to

between the two pulleys. Picture 3

If you are looking for top quality parts,

custom speci cations. e company has been trading from Cape Town

gives reference to a at belt drive.

Europe and America are your answers.

How to source and purchase the correct

Even if these countries manufacture the

since 1995 and have agents in various provinces

replacement part without going to the original

belts in China as long as they have

and countries.

equipment manufacturer:

European or American production

Identify what type of belt you are aer

partners it will generally work out as a

Dealing with a variety of customers, on a daily

1.

(V-Belt, Timing belt or Flat Drive

suitable replacement part.

basis, made up of resellers, OEM's and, of course,

belt). If there is a code on the belt

the general user who has limited information

please record this as this could be the

We offer a 30% discount off all of our

regarding what that “belt thingy that connects to

ultimate solution. Reference this code

products to wholesalers or resellers,

·

If it's too cheap, it's too good to be true.

the motor thingy” does, the company likes to

to your supplier and all of the below

therefore most OEM's end up being

make life easier for customers when sourcing

can then be avoided. If not then follow

about 25%-40% more expensive on our

replacement belts.

2.

through on the below steps.

list price but if the OEM is 100 – 200%

Take a photo of the belt both on the

more expensive then I would look at the

Agricultural machines generally make use of

top side with a ruler across the width

speci c requirements of the

power transmission belts (V-Belts, Timing Belts

of the belt, photo underside with a

replacement belt as there would most

and Flat Drive Belts).

ruler across the width of the belt,

likely be something “specialized” on the

e best way to explain these belts are as follows:

photo of a side pro le with a ruler

application (High Torque Application,

across the height / thickness of the

Manufactured out of a special, Non-

·

V-Belts: Looks like a wedge and comes in mainly four different sizes Z=10mm x 6mm, A=13mm x 8mm, B=17mm x

·

belt.

3.

Standard Supply, etc).

Record the length of the belt. If belt is

·

Lastly if the sales man or woman does

11mm and C=22mm x 14mm. Picture

broken then measure from one end to

not sound con dent in what they are

1 gives the required info.

the next. If the belt is still intact then

offering or do not have the ability to

Timing Belts: Commonly known as

wrap a so tape measure around the

explain to you in detail as to how the

toothed belts. ese belts, unlike V-

b e lt or m ar k an d m e a s u re i n

belt works then you could be getting the

Belts, are positively driven and have

increments easy to record and add up

wrong product and I would suggest

superior precision as to speeds and

for a nal measurement.

calling a specialist company such as

Lastly for ward all the above

Belting Edge.

calculated measurements (well suited November - December 2017

4.

[76] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Soucy products are designed by the Soucy

into this market. 12 Years later Soucy Track

models.

group, a manufacturing company founded in

offers the widest range of track systems on the

1967 in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, that

market, being sold in over 35 countries

e main bene ts of using rubber tracks on

specializes primarily in the design of

through a network of 450 outlets.

these equipment are:

components, accessories and track systems for

- Increased otation. 813mm Combine tracks kit

agricultural, industrial, recreational and

During 2011 Mascor a Member of the

defence vehicle markets.

PLENNEGY GROUP became a dealer for Soucy Track in South Africa. Mascor has been

e Soucy group works every day with farmers and the world's largest vehicle manufacturers to develop innovative concepts. With its more than 11 subsidiaries and 1500 employees, the Soucy group can act as a one-stop supplier for

a John Deere dealer in the Eastern KZN province of SA for 50 years, with branches also in Mpumalanga, Kenya and Uganda. Since 2016 Mascor has been appointed as the sole Soucy Distributor for Sub Sahara Africa.

all the projects it undertakes, making it a strategic partner.

= 14 standard size combine tyres.

- Increased traction. Up to 40% more traction compared to tyres.

- Sprayer increased oatation, traction and boom stability - Good agronomic practice with up to 70% less soil compaction with tracks vs. tyres.

- Money, fuel and time saving - Set your own pace access your elds at all

Products ranges from Tracks for Combine

times

Soucy group has over the years established a

Harvesters, Tractors, Towable Sprayers, JD Self

global presence, with distributors, dealers and

Propelled Sprayers, Certain Maize and Soya

For further enquiries please contact Sarel du

strategic warehousing around the globe.

planters, Grain carts, Compact tractors and

Plessis at the below contact details.

Utility vehicles. e latest addition is the

MOBILE: +27(0)726003333. E-Mail:

replacement tracks for CASE and New

sarel.duplessis@mascor.co.za

Soucy Group launched into the agricultural market in 2005 applying all previous expertize

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Holland Quadtrac tractors and some combine

[77] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

www.soucy-track.com www.mascor.co.za

Camso, the Road Free company

Camso is the world's leading manufacturer and

for better access to

elds with so ground

Another new release at Camso is the Camso AG

distributor of tracks and track systems for the

conditions. Its large footprint reduces ground

2500 rubber belt series, the next generation of

agriculture industry. As a preferred supplier of

compaction, minimizes

tracks for standard agricultural applications. is

eld damage and

these products among OEMs, Camso also works

increases stability, maximizing the overall

track series is engineered to perform as well as

with dealers, distributors, and of course the key

efficiency and quality of the farmers' work.

competitive rubber belt products but at a lower

player in all of this: the farmer.

Camso is raising the industry standard with the

out-of-pocket expense, and offers a cost saving of

recent launch of its new CTS High Speed, an

15% per hour of operation. Built with the same

eir passion is to provide excellence in every

exclusive innovation allowing tracked

process, standards and quality expected from

track and track system they build. eir single

harvesting machines to reach roading speed

Camso, the AG 2500 series feature Camso's

cure technology and unique manufacturing

similar to wheeled combines – up to 30 km/h. It's

unique single cure technology, ensuring high

process is like no other in the industry. ey

the industry's rst 100% bolt-on track system for

performance and durability.

believe that they tracks and track systems are one

combines with an integrated nal drive system

tool in a farmer's toolbox to reduce the impact of

and its larger footprint reduces ground pressure

Camso keeps expanding its product range as its

uncertain weather and extend the farming

by 70%.

team believe in providing tracked solutions for all

e Camso Trailed Track Systems (TTS)

applications. ey aim to consistently create

equipment used in the farming cycle, and all AG

season. ey offer the broadest range of rubber tracks in

increase the performance of high capacity AG

enhanced tracks and track systems that meet the

the industry and surpasses any product in

application equipment. e Camso TTS' large

mobility needs of farming.

performance and value. Camso's products are

footprint distributes the weight of heavier, high

engineered to optimize each stage of a farmers'

capacity carts and toolbars and reduces ground

operation from

eld prep to planting to

harvesting and crop delivery.

Camso's Conversion Tracks Systems (CTS)

Camso's tracks and track systems are found on

pressure between 30% to 80% compared to tires.

John Deere 8RT 9RT 9RX, Versatile Delta Track,

It eliminates multi-tire contact points to just two

AGCO Challenger, MT700 MT 800, CNH

track contact points per pass in the eld, thus

Rowtrac CNH Quadtrac, CLAAS lexion

reducing the number of pinch row effects.

combines, and many other makes and models.

increases the machines' mobility and otation www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[79] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Products & Services

Granular Urea Fertilizer Urea fertilizer is the most important nitrogenous

policy, Granular Urea have biuret less than 1%

fertilizer and known as king of fertilizers as it has

is considered best, more than 1.5 % may be

high nitrogen content ie 46 percent (highest

toxic to sensitive crops eg citrus.

concentration dry nitrogen fertilizer available),

volatilization.

Agronomic Advantage: If a Fertilizer particle is not hard enough it will shatter when it is hit by the

white crystalline organic chemical compound

Agronomic Advantage: In high

spreader vanes and the harder they can hit it the

(Urea is considered as organic compound

concentrations, biuret interferes with internal N

further it will go. A cloud of dust following a

because it contains carbon), neutral and can

metabolism and hinders protein formation in

fertilizer spreader is a sure sign the spread pattern

adapt to almost all the land. Urea is widely used

plants, urea having more than 1.5% Biuret it is

will not be very accurate and will negatively

in the agriculture sector as a fertilizer.

very harmful for certain crops like pineapple,

impact fertilizer agronomic efficacy and

Citrus, Tobacco and coffee which are sensitive to

ultimately crop yield, fertilizer handling and

ere has been a worldwide shi from prilling of

Biuret, urea with a lower Biuret content of 0.5 to

application as well.

Urea to granulation due to higher led efficacy

0.8% is preferable for application as a foliar

product and to supply growing fertilizer demand

spray.

4. Optimum Formaldehyde Level: UF85 is an

2. Low Moisture Content: e International

strength, minimizes dust generation and nally

for larger, harder and denser particles, in spite of traditionally higher costs associated with granulation.

anti-caking agent that improves the crushing Standard on the moisture is 0.5% Max for urea

reduces caking tendency (Granular Urea have

(Granular Urea have less than 0.5% moisture),

Formaldehyde 0.45 to 0.55 %, considered the

e main function of urea fertilizer is to provide

higher moisture may increase caking, and

best),. Formaldehyde is recommended in

the plants with nitrogen to promote green leafy

further moisture absorption from environment

amounts of 0.01% to 10% by weight of urea and

growth. It can make the plants look lush green

due to hygroscopic nature will impact quality

preferred range is 0.8 to 2% for slow release

and it's necessary for the photosynthesis of

due to loss of contents eg volatilization.

/volatilization of Ammonia.

plants, so it's primarily used to boost vegetative growth and height, Nitrogen alone contribute

Agronomic Advantage: Urea is highly soluble

Agronomic Impact: Formaldehyde is used in

apx 50% to crop yield.

fertilizer, water solubility (1,080 g/L at 20o C),

urea to control release of nitrogen.

may result in poor product and crop efficiency,

Formaldehyde's rate of decomposition into CO2

Global Trade

will create difficulty in

and NH3 is determined by the action of microbes

eld application or

Ure a is t he maj or fe r t i l i z e r t r a d e d i n

broadcast. Signi cant product quality and

found naturally in most soils. e activity of these

international commerce. In the very near future

agronomic efficacy issues will arise if moisture

microbes, and, therefore, the rate of nitrogen

urea is expected to account for more than 60% of

levels increases.

release is temperature dependent.

the nitrogen fertilizer in world trade. When compared to other dry fertilizers, urea has

3. Higher Crushing strength: e International

5. Iron: High Iron indicates deterioration of Urea

captured more than 65% of the world trade.

Standard on the crushing strength is 2.5 to 3 Kgf

plant equipment, No effect to farmer.

(Granular Urea have crushing strength 3.0, 8 things we must know on Granular Urea

considered the best), less crushing strength will

6. Free Ammonia: High Ammonia essentially

1. Lower Biuret: e International Standard on

increase possibility of granule breaking and dust

leads to agglomeration or lumping of produce.

the Biuret is 1 to 1.5% for urea, depends on

formation and faster dissolution in soil solution

Indorama Granular urea is less hygroscopic and

country to country regulatory and registration

will increase nutrient leaching and

doesn't make lumps and cake so its better than

November - December 2017

[80] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Products & Services others in application n handling, performs better

than prilled urea for continuous and

in low rate of application due to slow and consistence nitrogen release and doesn't

efficient supply of Nitrogen to crops.

before transplanting granular urea

3.

Reduces labor/application cost as its

gives apx 18% more nutrient use

Granular and easy to apply/broadcast.

efficiency in comparison to prilled urea.

4.

Distribution of Nitrogen for Granular

13. Granular urea performs better in low

damages fertilizer application implements so better for large land holding where big and

12. When broadcasted or incorporated just

sophisticated machinery is used, can be stored in

urea in soil is more uniform when

rate of application due to slow and

average storage facilities and better for

compared with prilled urea and gives

consistence nitrogen release.

better microclimate for plant growth.

developing and emerging economy countries where storage facilities are not advanced.

5.

Granular urea conser ves more nitrogen in stress period and reduces

7. Uniform Granule Size: Uniform Granular size fertilizers are easier for use due to easy

Soil application and placement of urea: If

nitrogen leaching and increase use

properly applied, urea and fertilizers containing

efficiency and ultimately crop yield.

urea are excellent sources of nitrogen for crop

Granular Urea has more crushing

production. Aer application to the soil, urea

machinery), size uniformity allow equal

strength and resistance, it checks

undergoes chemical changes and ammonium

distribution in eld result better nutrient use

nitrogen loses and gives better

(NH4 +) ions form. Soil moisture determines how

nutrient use efficiency.

rapidly this conversion takes place.

handling of the product (either by hand or with

6.

efficiency. Uniform application of fertilizer (Broadcasting and Incorporating) reduces

Granular urea is less hygroscopic and

Urea may be mixed with other fertilizers or may

chances of uneven growth of crop, reduces labor

doesn't make lumps and cake so its

be applied on its own. For plants that love acidic

requirement and ultimately gives better return

better than prilled urea in application,

soils, urea is one of the top fertilizers for acidifying

on invest ment. E ach g ranu le cont ains

handling and doesn't damages

soils. For gardeners who grow crops like corn,

conventional and slow release technology to

fertilizer application implements so

strawberries, blueberries and other heavy

provide a consistent and sustained Nitrogen

better for large land holding where big

nitrogen feeders, urea will supply immediate and

release pattern. e slow release Nitrogen bring

and sophisticated machinery is used .

powerful applications of nitrogen.

real bene ts for biomass development and stress

7.

8.

Ammonium nitrogen is better

tolerance. e granules are formulated to allow

av a i l a b l e i n g r a nu l a r u re a i n

even distribution at low rates of application.

comparison to prilled urea.

Under no circumstances should urea or urea-

In stress (biotic/abiotic) condition

based fertilizer be seed-placed with corn.

8. Increased crop yield for West African crops:

granular urea have better fertilizer use

Blending urea with other fertilizers: Urea and

Economic for the farmers as they use 10% less

efficiency

9.

etc. (be crop speci c on recommended quantities: Cash crops: Cotton, Rice (rain and on deep water), Palm oil, Cocoa, Maize, Banana,

fertilizers containing urea can be blended quite

10. Granular urea can be blended easily with other solid fertilizers.

11. Due to hygroscopic nature prilled

Cashew and other food crops.

urea needs excellent storage facilities

Plant Physiology: Plants take up nitrogen from

and deteriorate in quality fast,

readily with mono-ammonium phosphate (1152-0) or di-ammonium phosphate (18-46-0).

Urea should not be blended with superphosphates unless applied shortly aer.

soil in the mineral forms of nitrogen, both

Granular urea is less hygroscopic can

ammonium and nitrate before converting it to

be stored in average storage facilities

By Dr. Balbir Singh, Indorama Fertilizers,

plant protein nitrogen. Plants vary in their

and better for developing and

preference to utilize either form of nitrogen.

emerging economy countries where

Nitrate is considered the main source because it

storage facilities are not advanced.

Basingh@indorama.com.ng , Mob. +2349087070009

is more mobile in the soil. On addition to soil, urea dissolves into soil solution and is converted to ammonium and then to nitrate.

Advantages of Granular Urea over Prilled Urea: 1.

Granular urea supply nitrogen for a large period as per the crop requirement and it's a slow release fertilizer with consistent nitrogen supply to crops.

2.

Releases nitrogen consistently for long lasting action, by research it has been proved; granular urea is more efficient

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[81] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Products & Services

How much fuel are you losing to thieves? ere's no question that fuel is a big expense for

enlightened alarm was not capable enough to

be installed into their trucks, not affecting any

every eet. On average it accounts for around

prevent auto the and also they were very

warranty issues.

30% of total expenses, with many sizable eets

expensive.

Elaborating on the dangers of poor management

spending millions of dollars every week on fuel. at's why fuel the and unauthorized fuel

MD Diesel Guard- Diesel the and how to

purchases could be hurting your business more

prevent it

than you realize. You invest a lot of trust in your

systems, Peter Stubbe, MD Diesel Guard states: “Disorganised companies are losing millions of

“With the ever-increasing fuel prices, it is a

rand to diesel the and other shortcomings, and

drivers, but unfortunately some of them may not

given that fuel and diesel the is very much on

are most likely not even aware of it. It is, in most

reward that trust with responsible behaviour. As

the increase, costing the industry millions.

cases, ignorance and a 'we know it all' attitude. It is

a eet manager it's important to have backup

ieves have become very ingenious in their

all good and well to have a satellite tracking system

systems in place to make sure your eet is not

methods and most anti-siphoning devices

installed or a sophisticated Fleet Management

paying more than it has to for one of its major

cannot do the job as advertised because most of

System monitoring every movement of a vehicle,

operating expenses — fuel.

them still allow vast amounts of diesel to be

but who has the capacity to monitor a eet of 200

siphoned freely! Electronic monitoring devices

plus trucks 24/7/365 ?

In recent years many survey companies revealed

like e-fuelling are a good admin tool, but

that parked vehicle the and fuel the are

nothing else. ese devices cannot prevent

increasing at appalling rate across the whole

diesel the at all.”

word, then people commenced to make use of

Major Southern African

recent months due to ignoring basic checks and eet owners and

the control system in their vehicle and vehicle

operators make use of the products to combat

owner's relay on alarm system to protect their

diesel the effectively and a number of OEMs

vehicle from being the, but even the most

have approved the Diesel Guard components to

November - December 2017

A number of transport businesses went under in

[82] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

balances to monitor performances within their business.

"To effectively protect their liquid assets www.farmersreviewafrica.com

How much fuel are you losing to thieves?

operators need to install not only a rst-class

Products & Services

have competent staff in place to execute the

anti-siphon device to the tanks, but also take

entire monitoring chain of events and

care of other weak spots in a fuel system,

processes."

namely the breather valves, sender units and fuel lines, which need protection by installing

Stubbe concludes: “My advice to transport

covers and non-removable drain plugs, etc.

operators is that they should start listening

“It is important to check the on-board systems

seriously to specialists who have the knowledge

regularly and check the fuel quantity indicator

and competence to provide advice on how to

for accuracy by taking dip stick readings to

combat diesel the in a professional manner.

double check functionality of the system or to see

ey should take the time and listen carefully to

if somebody has tampered with it.

what is said and see what products are available on the market that provide all-round protection.

"orough administrative rules and regulations,

Insist on physically holding the products in

including departure checklists, should be in

your hand, and

nd out why one unit has

p l a c e . We t s t o c k m a n a g e m e nt c a n b e

double the price tag over another one. ere is

problematic if not properly controlled and

a reason. But the biggest problem at company

monitored by using video surveillance and

level is ignorance."

recordings, including returning fuel amounts and fuel dispensed. But the main problem is to

www.dieselguard-gauteng.com info@dieselguard-Gauteng.com

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[83] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Products & Services

AGCO - Combine and forage harvesters e MF2168 rice and grain harvester is simple

Valtra

One of the highlights of this machine is the

to operate, reliable and dependable. Its tough 4

Valtra offers a range of combine harvesters to

comfort of the cabin. e low operating cost is

cylinder engine economically drives an efficient

suit the need of medium-sized professional

also an important feature, since all components

threshing mechanism that delivers grain to

farmers.

and assemblies are designed and selected for

either a hopper with unloading auger or a

maximum performance and durability.

bagging system. e tracked drive keeps the

e hybrid combines are engineered for

units working in even the worst harvesting

optimum performance in grain and rice. is

e only hybrid combine harvester in the market

new class of combine harvesters combines

developed for grains.

conditions.

simplicity and robustness with efficiency and e MF7240 Activa offers no-nonsense

versatility.

Challenger

harvesting. Providing exceptional economy and

e Challenger range of rotary combines is

low running costs, the versatile MF Activa combines are aimed at owners/operators with smaller to medium-sized arable areas offering high-performance and reliable machines.

With a range of options and headers to choose from, the MF32 Combine will guarantee optimum output and minimum losses in a wide range of crops, including rice, maize, soya beans and cereals. A modern cab with enhanced controls and visibility reduces operator fatigue and helps to increase output during long harvesting days.

November - December 2017

[84] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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AGCO - Combine and forage harvesters

Products & Services

designed to provide maximum productivity and efficiency for large scale professional farmers. e harvesters are powered by AGCO Power 6 and 7 cylinder engines. ese Class 6-8 machines are designed to boost performance while enhancing grain threshing quality. e engine is positioned in line with the rotor, therefore only 2 belts are needed to drive the rotor. e result is exceptional fuel efficiency. e unique self-cleaning V-cool system gets rid of t h e rot ar y s c re e n t hu s m i n i m i z i ng maintenance while ensuring maximum cooling capacity. e operator environment is optimized for ease-of-use, comfort and visibility.

Technology packages include Auto-guide and telemetry.

About AGCO AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions and supports more productive farming through its full line of equipment and related services. products are sold through

AGCO

ve core brands,

Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Va lt r a ® , supp or te d by Fu s e ® pre c i s i on technologies and farm optimization services, and are distributed globally through a combination of approximately 3,000 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2016, AGCO had net sales of $7.4 billion. For more information, visit http://www.AGCOcorp.com.

For company news, information and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For nancial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR

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[85] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Products & Services

Trimble Introduces GFX-750 display system for agriculture applications Trimble has introduced the Trimble GFX-750

wireless options including Bluetooth , Wi-Fi

ecosystem.

display system for agriculture applications,

and BroadR-Reach high-speed

Abe Hughes, general manager of Trimble's

aiming to provide farmers with more robust

communications, seamless communication

agriculture division, said, “is integrated system,

signal availability to ensure more active working

from tractor to farm equipment through Field-

plus the implement control solutions offered by

time, especially in hilly terrain

IQ basic or ISOBUS control, ability to connect to

Müller-Elektronik, a Trimble C ompany,

e display system comes with the roof-

signal corrections including CenterPoint RTK,

continues to deliver on our vision to provide a

mounted NAV-900 guidance controller which

CenterPoint VRS, Trimble RTX technology and

uni ed platform that seamlessly connects the

features Trimble's multi-constellation GNSS

SBAS through the NAV-900 controller,

hardware and soware needs of farmers

receiver.

c omp at ibi l it y w it h Tr i mbl e Autopi l ot

worldwide.”

e high-resolution 10.1-inch display aims to

automated guidance systems for both hydraulic

“is comprehensive display system can enable

work with tractors and is ISOBUS-compatible, a

and electric installations and interoperability

farmers to more easily adopt precision agriculture

universal communication protocol. ISOBUS

with Trimble Ag soware to support the needs

solutions across their farm, regardless of vehicle

aims to allow one display or terminal to control

of the farm management across the farming

make, model or year,” Hughes added.

several implements and machines, regardless of m a n u f a c t u r e r. It f u r t h e r f o c u s e s o n standardising the control settings, reducing downtime and minimising installation and interface challenges and simplifying data exchange and machine control. e announcement was made at AgroComplex, an international agribusiness exhibition held in Kiev in Ukraine. e company said that the GFX-750 display will also be showcased at the upcoming Agritechnica show which will be held in Hanover from 13-17 November 2017. e features of the display system include exible connectivity between devices through integrated November - December 2017

[86] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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www.vantage-ssa.com

Products & Services

Kubota L45 a natural choice for 2Hire In a capital investment decision the owner terms

Kubota L45 seemed a natural choice.”

a 'natural choice', 2Hire, a Western Cape-based

2Hire dug its way into the plant hire business

with the effects of the res and apart from cleaning

plant hire company, has taken delivery of a new

back in 2006 and currently has three hire

and clearing, it is also being used to load 2Hire's

Kubota L45 TLB from Carlu Trekkers, the

branches in the Garden Route, situated in

tipper truck hauling demolition waste. Once all

e Kubota L45 was speci cally sourced to deal

authorised distributor of Smith Power

Knysna, as well as George and Mossel Bay. A

the demolition is done, the L45 will be deployed to

Equipment, the sole importer of the Kubota

service-orientated business with its eyes on

dig foundations and assist with the rebuilding of

mainly the building and civil construction

the properties.

range of equipment in South Africa.

markets, 2Hire specialises in the rental of small e downside of unreliable plant hire equipment

gear, including 3-tonne sit-on rollers,

Key considerations

is two-way. For the end-user, unplanned

pedestrian rollers, compressors, mini-

One of the key drivers in 2Hire opting for the

downtime translates into project delays, while

excavators and typical hand-held compaction

Kubota L45 was its compact size that allows it to

for the plant hire company, faulty gear is

and demolition gear, among others.

be operated in smaller areas, especially inside

Recently, the company decided to add a TLB to

access.

its existing eet. Without much deliberation, a

Iando Minnie of Carlu Trekkers, explains that the

tantamount to channelling both potential pro ts and reputation down the drain.

buildings, where conventional TLBs are unable to

Having been in the plant hire business since

decision to buy a Kubota L45 was reached. In its

L45's 3,2-tonne operating weight makes it a lot

2006, 2Hire, a plant hire company that specialises

rst assignment, the TLB was deployed to clean

lighter than most TLB offerings in the market. “It

in the rental of compaction equipment, is well

and clear rubble in the Knysna area following

is not as heavy. It is narrow and a lot compact that

aware of the dangers of compromising quality

the devastating res that wreaked havoc in the

it can t easily into buildings, tting the bill for

when it comes to selection of equipment.

area in June this year, destroying hundreds of

building contractors, landscapers and property

Consequently, when the company recently

properties. e total damage to properties was

developers. is machine is also ideal for civil

scouted for a tractor loader backhoe (TLB),

an estimated R5 billion in a tragedy that saw 700

contractors and rental companies. e versatility

settling for a Kubota L45 became a “natural

homes and other structures destroyed by the

also leans it perfectly to farm use,” says Minnie.

choice”. To sustain a hire business, buying a

runaway res.

quality product is non-negotiable. For 2Hire, the

Clearing efforts are well under way in the area.

November - December 2017

[88] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

e L45 is said to be a radical redesign and www.farmersreviewafrica.com

Products & Services The L45's 3,2-tonne opera ng weight makes it a lot lighter than most TL...

upgrade of the previous model. e real game

resulting in smo other, more p owerful

features a four-point quick-mount attach/detach

changer on this machine is the new Kubota HST

performance, while maintaining the superb fuel

system, allowing the backhoe to be removed and

Plus hydrostatic transmission which replaces the

consumption.

installed easily.

Several other features on the L45 are geared at

record in the area in terms of greater parts supply

conventional Glide Shi transmission (GST) on the predecessor model, the well-known L39. e

Apart from product quality, Carlu Trekkers' track

L45 is also powered by a four-cylinder Kubota

increasing the machine's uptime. e simple to

and overall aermarket support was another key

diesel engine which generates 45 gross

use quick coupler on the front loader offers easy

factor in 2Hire's buying decision. “As we have

horsepower (hp), compared with the 3 cylinder,

on/off for buckets with no need for any tools, but

learnt over the years, a product is only as good as

39 hp on the previous model. With 1,6t of

only mounting pins and hose couplers. is

the support you receive from the dealer. Once

breakout force, the L45 has a liing capacity of 1 t

allows the operator to move onto the next task in

again, it seemed a natural choice to go with Carlu

at a maximum liing height of 2,8 m. e

a matter of minutes, reducing downtime related

Trekkers.”

hydraulic pump ow has been increased by 12%,

to changing of attachments. e backhoe also

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[89] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Products & Services crush, also commonly referred to as a squeeze chute or standing stock. It is purpose built for holding cattle or other live stock and is another place PT Limited load cells are frequently used.

Squeeze chutes are oen made by farmers and our LCSB load cell with swivel feet is regularly installed to accurately weigh cattle/livestock. A digital indicator such as the PT272 is oen paired with this type of installation as it features an IP rating and is enclosed in a rugged stainless steel case, perfect for daily use on the farm where it may be subject to rain and muddy ngers.

Another agricultural application where load cells are usually found are grain silos and hoppers. Our world class Accupoint is ideal when a low pro le solution is needed.

Weighing for Agriculture and Farming

e Accupoint Weigh Module incorporates an unparalleled level of protection for load cells and maintains performance speci cations, improves safety whilst reducing load cell damage and plant down-time.

Each is a self contained weigh point have both

Weighing plays an important role in the

particular job needs careful thought and

upli and side restraint built-in, the installation of

Agricultural and Farming products industry.

evaluation. And as with any capital investment,

which only requires bolting the Accupoint Weigh

Whether tracking arable yields, managing feed

it's always best to get professional advice to nd

Module into place. Completely manufactured in

ingredients and livestock performance, or

the most appropriate solution for your

stainless steel with special long life hardened

trading in raw agricultural produce such as

particular needs.

contact points the units will give years of high

wheat, rice, lentils/pulses, sugar-cane, tea or

Weighing solutions take away the guesswork

precision weighing with minimal maintenance.

spices, weighing is critical to your bottom line.

and provide farmers with a powerful tool for

Alternatively, the CSC3 Load Cell with type 2

If you are in farming or have an agricultural

optimising land-use. Accuracy and reliability

heavy duty restraint mount kit is great for tall

based business, you understand the importance

however, are crucial factors when choosing a

hoppers. It is an excellent selection for many

of weighing your produce accurately. Having

weighing system for your farm and you should

hostile environments due to its welded heavy-

dependable scales allows you to carry out high-

partner with an experienced supplier of

duty stainless steel construction and wide range of

volume weight measurements with ease,

agricultural weighing equipment which has an

weighing capacities, coupled with a quality IP68

especially during the peak of the harvest season

in-depth understanding of the farming

protection rating and inbuilt surge protection.

or when you receive huge orders from your

industry.

PT Limited offer a wide range of compatible digital instrumentation. From basic digital

customers.

PT Global

indicators that display only through to advanced

important in the agricultural industry and many

PT Limited load cells are popular in the

models with built in features such as pro net,

farmers have recognised the very valuable role

agricultural industry. eir shear beam load

ethernet, pro bus etc. Choose from analog and

that it plays in helping them to better manage

cells are commonly used in feed out systems;

digital output options, together with basic

their operations.

they are oen found under the tray or deck of

automation via outputs from relay triggers where

Digital technology is becoming increasingly

One area where technology has been a true

trailers and are used to monitor the amount of

needed.

business enabler for farmers is in the eld of

feed being deposited for stock. ey are also

We've got you covered with everything you need

weighing systems such as weighbridges,

used in similar designs for fertiliser spreaders.

for a complete weigh system, from load cells and

weighing scales and product inspection

A load cell that is commonly used, is the PT5100

accessories to read only screens right through to

equipment, which despite their oen rugged and

shear beam, a quality stainless steel load cell,

full systems connected via today's common

remote locations, consistently produce accurate

welded sealed to IP68 for use in demanding

factory automation protocols to PLC and internet

and precise measurements thanks to their

environmental conditions or where peace of

based automated systems.

advanced design.

mind from a long life of demanding use is

PT Ltd is an ISO 9001 accredited manufacturer

But whilst there's no doubt that weighing

desired.

and has been designing and engineering

systems have become essential equipment on

Other farming equipment can also bene t from

measurement solutions for the weighing industry

many farms, choosing the right solution for your

having weigh systems installed, such as the cattle

from Auckland, New Zealand since 1979.

November - December 2017

[90] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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Products & Services

Sperm Warmer: Key Gadget for Dairy Farmers Dairy farming in Zambia is moving into the

attributed the traditional methods that small

because it precisely gives you the temperature

future as more farmers incorporate automated

scale farmers use to inseminate their animals

reading and it maintains this particular

technologies in their operations.

which do not guarantee the results as the semen

temperature at all levels that this is a required

Individual Farmers may have common

get destroyed due to lack of tools and technical

body temperature at 37 which should not be

expectations on why they opt to rear cattle in

know-how of the procedure.

exceeded or below because its at that particular

order to bene t from products such as beef or

“e major reasons why Small scale farmers

temperature that conception is likely to happen. It

milk. Others raise cows for breeding purposes

have low conception rate due to the quality of

is also a good potable gadget that you can move

while some keep cattle for prestige whereas

their animals in terms of feeding. is means

about in the eld due to the 8 hours it has to

others do so in readiness to pay 'Lobola' or bride

that they are not able to keep their animals

continue working aer charging especially for

price for their family members.

healthy. e other factor is their traditional way

farmers who have various outdoor farms,” he

A thawing device commonly known as a Sperm

of inseminating their animals which does not

stated.

Warmer is a vital modern equipment meant to

guarantee the results and temperature is not well

Mr. Muzundu affirmed that livestock production

facilitate and regulate temperature for semen

regulated. For them, it is just guess work and

is big business and small scale farmers should

during Arti cial Insemination (AI) of cattle.

semen gets destroyed during the process of AI,”

treat it as such and not leave it to their commercial

And arti cial insemination has the potential to

Mr. Muzundu said.

counterparts.

improve quality of cattle by bringing in desired

“e other cause is lack of skills for small scale

“We can only safely say that commercial livestock

genes which small holder farmers can

farmers to detect the exact period when their

farmers are the ones able to manage the sector as

signi cantly double their livestock production

animals are on heat whether it is mild or not.

they have the capacity to maintain quality feeding

and increase household income.

ere is a period when the animal is supposed to

of their animals and because of that they have

Despite the availability of water, green pasture,

be on mild heat and when it becomes mild, that's

higher production rate,” he said.

and vast land at 752,000 square kilometres,

when insemination is supposed to be done.

“Livestock is serious farming; we want to reach to

Zambia realistically is not doing well in terms of

Again, for small scale farmers they just assume

a certain level where production becomes high for

its cattle population which is slightly over 3.5

during this period. Guess work again lowers the

all farmers including the small and medium scale

million as compared to a lucrative livestock

conception rate. Furthermore, small scale

farmers in the country by embracing such

industry in Botswana which is a desert and has a

farmers fail to select quality straw semen

technologies of the Sperm Warmer which would

total cattle population of 2.5 million.

required to attain the needed conception rate.”

give them a guaranteed result in terms of

“Currently, it is worrying to note that the

It is for these reasons highlighted above that a

conception.”

conception rate of cattle belonging to small scale

Sperm Warmer device comes in very handy to

In his national budget speech on November 11

farmers in the country has signi cantly gone

mitigate the challenges small scale farmers face

2016, Finance minister Felix Mutati pledged that

down,” says Christopher Muzundu, an expert in

in the sector.

the government would continue with

Livestock production.

Mr Muzundu bubbled with con dence that the

construction of 18 arti cial insemination centres

Mr. Muzundu who is also director for Agri-Cm

gadget is precisely made to give the farmer a

country wide in order to enhance the livestock

Investments limited a company that distributes

correct temperature reading and maintains the

sector.

feed supplements; premix and animal health

particular temperature at all levels at a required

However, it is yet to be established whether this

products cited poor feeding as one of the major

level which is 37 degrees centigrade which

project has kicked off or it was just one of those

reasons why the low conception rate of cattle is

cannot be exceeded or below because it is at that

plain political rhetoric aimed at drawing farmers'

widespread.

level that conception is to take place.

attention.

In an exclusive interview, Mr. Muzundu further

“e sperm warmer device comes in very handy

By Derrick Silimina

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[91] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

alfred.andrag@agrico.co.za

Events

Patrick Phillander was the fastest male runner in the grueling 15km trail run in a me of 01:16:07.

R130 000 is raised for local schools and old-age facilities

by Tru-Cape sponsored Eselfontein MTB Fest and Trail Run e October Eselfontein MTB Festival and

Schulling in 02:38:24 and Giuseppo Pennisi in

Trail Run was such a success this year it raised

02:44:16.

three stages within 06:45:59 and also beat last

more than R130, 000 for local Ceres charities,

Suzanne Meyer-Nell was the fasted female

year's record of 07:20:31 achieving a bonus prize

completing the 40km in 03:07:31, followed by

of R30, 000.

R30, 000 more than hoped.

partnership, took rst place in completing the

Carla Du Toit in 03:16:15 and Nienke Mostert According to Janene Malherbe, h-generation

in 03:48:39.

Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, the largest exporter

grower of the Tru-Cape apple and pear farm

Patrick Phillander was the fastest male runner

of South African apples and pears, many of

Eselfontein, in the Warm Bokkeveld area of

in the gruelling 15km trail run in 01:16:07

which come from the Ceres valley, into more

Ceres in the Western Cape, the market

followed, seconds later, by Marqhuin Smit in

than 104 countries, says its support of the

atmosphere and entertainment offering this

01:16:22 and Ryno Adams in01:20:32.

Eselfontein MTB is in line with healthy lifestyle

year meant that participants and supporters

e rst three fastest women were Daniel

events that also raise funds for local charities

spent longer at the farm and spent more money

Feldman clocking 01:20:04, Arnosjca Santana

like the schools and homes for the aged to which

at the vendors who also donated 10% of their

in 01:30:20 and Chrisna Du Toit in 01:30:42.

proceeds towards the local schools and homes

the Eselfontein MTB has contributed R130, 000.

“Tru-Cape congratulates Deon and Janene

for the aged. “e Eselfontein MTB is the most

In the Eselfontein three-stage MTB which

Malherbe on another successful event,”

affordable MTB on the race calendar and also

included a perilous night ride, Jean de Villiers

Managing Director Roelf Pienaar ends.

features some of the most challenging single

completed the three stages in 07:08:26 while

track and downhill descents that always stretch

Esther Lategan, the fasted female solo rider in

By Brian Berkman

riders to their limits,” Malherbe says.

the three-stage, achieved a time of 09:47:44.

083 441 8765

In the October 14, one-day event, Jacques Steyn

e Breedenet team of Matthew Keyser and

BB@BRIANBERKMAN.COM

came rst in the 40km MTB in 02:34:45, Bob

Charl-Pierre Esterhuyse, although a late

On behalf of: Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing

www.farmersreviewafrica.com

[93] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

November - December 2017

Events

Advertisers’ index 02 POLTEK 03 SHRI NAVKAR METALS 07 ALL POWER 21 AGRITEC AFRICA 25 KSB 31 BUSCHHOFF 32 TORMAC PUMPS 36 PERRY 38 ICT INTERNATIONAL 42 LE LUBRICANTS 36 JOHN DEERE 47 INTERTEK 59 INTREPID TRIO 61 MANDOVAL

November - December 2017

63 SCHNUPP’S GRAIN ROASTING 58 MASCOR 66 GUNDLE API 67 ORAV GROUP 69 TOMRA 72 KARCHER 75 RUBENA 78 MASCOR 83 DIESEL GUARD GAUTENG 87 TRIMBLE AGRICULTURE 92 AGRICO 95 JOHN DEERE 96 CHARRIAU

[94]

FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA

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