Volume 2. Issue 5. September - October 2016 D A R ME R S
RE VI E W AF RI CA
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5
Innovative financing needed for growth in demand for farming equipment -p16
t Please visi te si b e w the
FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
KENYA HOSTS CASE IH COMMERCIAL AND OPERATOR TRAINING. p10
rica
farmersrevie.cowmaf
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF MASTITIS IN DAIRY HERD. p31
AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY: HOW GIS CAN HELP YOU WIN THE FARM. p48
Contents 04 Contents 05 Editors note 06 Biggest Africa farm takes shape 08 How imports are aiding in drought
6
09 Over $600 million worth of agri projects 10 Kenya hosts CASE IH training 14 $30bn boost for African agriculture 16 Innovative nancing needed for growth 14 $30bn boost for African agriculture 18 Environmentally intelligent farming 21 Zambia’s agro impetus 26 Animal health & production
10
28 Regulatory harmonisation 31 Prevention & control of mastitis 36 Farm animal identication 38 Poultry processing wastewater 40 Grain temperature monitoring systems 42 Seed potato grower of the year 2016 44 Innovation by Africa based companies
28
46 How sustainable are your egg cartons? 48 How GIS can help you win the farm 51 Precision control from planting to harvest 54 The use of technology in mechanised irrigation 56 Waste not, want not 58 Where is the re 61 Managing moisture
51
62 Smart technology for future farming 66 Advertisers index
September - October 2016
[4]
FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
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Volume 2. Issue 5. September - October 2016 D A R ME R S
RE VI E W AF RI CA
I S S UE
5
Editors note Innovative financing needed for growth in demand for farming equipment -p16
We are excited to bring you our Sept-Oct edition of Farmers Review Please visit the website
FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
KENYA HOSTS CASE IH COMMERCIAL AND OPERATOR TRAINING. p10
Africa, where we tell stories of food production, and draw insights
a
farmersreviewafric .com
on the challenge of feeding the global population of nine billion
AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY: HOW GIS CAN HELP YOU WIN THE FARM. p48
ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION. p26
projected by 2050.
Front cover : Thomas Mason Courtesy of www.dudutech.com
Food, like water and air, is life. We also look at how our food is produced and whether that is done in a sustainable, efficient, and
Execu ve Editor
safe manner.
Lee Daniels
Farming has an impact on our water supply, which can be polluted
lee.daniels@farmersreviewafrica.com
by pesticides and fertilizer runoff. It affects climate, releasing, by
Writers
some measures, more greenhouse gases than all the cars, trucks,
Bertha M.
and planes in the world. Dams rearrange and disrupt rivers to
Maxin Fourie
provide water for crops. Landscapes are stripped of trees to create
Adver sing Execu ves
cultivable land.
Russou Billiard
Farmers stand out in today's culture for their ability to make actual
russoub@farmersreviewafrica.com
decisions, not just choices. Now the rewards for choosing which
Cleopas M.
decisions to make are about to multiply
cleopasm@farmersreviewafrica.com
Most farmers use the winter to ensure their equipment, inputs and
Mkhululi K.
workforce are all perfectly prepared for peak performance the day
info@farmersreviewafrica.com
they can hit the field in the spring.
Project Manager
Now there's a counterpoint in the business cycle too. It emphasizes
Victor Ndlovu
using the summer to ensure the farm is primed to make maximum
sales@farmersreviewafrica.com
gains from its business management opportunities once the
Correspondents
fieldwork slackens.
Maambo Hakayobe
Today's farms are evolving faster than we are able to quantify. It
zambia@farmersreviewafrica.com
isn't just a matter of acres or equipment; there's also the harder-
+260 97 238 1801
to-measure matter of business growth and sophistication.
Himanot Kelemu
We're all fond of quantifying how our field productivity is steadily
eastafrica@farmersreviewafrica.com
climbing. Could you compete with your neighbours for land if your
+254 71 123 7910
yields were still where they were a decade ago?
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Looking ahead, Farming Review will be even more aggressive in
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solving farmers' challenges while continuing to serve our readers.
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Information about the farmer is just as important as the
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Can we feed 10 billion people on organic farming alone? -p12
-pp34 FARMERS REVIEW AFR CA Please visit the website
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PRECISION FARMING - THE WAY TO GO FOR AFRICA. p26
NEWTECHSHEDS LIGHTONTHEFUTURE OFFOOD
12 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ROBUSTA FARMING. p40
TRANSFORMING AGRICULTURE HELPS AFRICA. pp44
WHEN THE TIME IS RIPE . p44
Over 100 sales people take part in Case IH Training Camp in South Africa -p12
WHY IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO INVEST IN MPUMALANGA PROVINCE’S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. pp48
TRADITIONAL DROUGHT TOLERANT, NUTRITIOUS CROPS BACK? pp29
Bertha M.
Mailing Times Media (Pty) Ltd makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of its publications, but no warranty is made as to such accuracy and no responsibility will be borne by the publisher for the consequences of actions based on information so published. Further, opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by Mailing Times Media (Pty) Ltd
The future of automatic milking comes to Africa -p26 Please visit the website
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HOW CAMEROON’S STOLEN WOOD REACHES INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. p9
FARMERS ADOPT MOBILE PHONES TO BOOST HARVEST. p12
IMPACT OF GENETIC PROGRESS ON THE PROFITS OF DAIRY FARMERS. p36
Please visit the website
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ZAMBIA FIRST COUNTRY TO CREATE A SMART FARMING TRAINING CENTRE. p7
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
REFUGEES IN KENYA ARE FARMING THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS. p52
NEW AGRA-WORLD BANK AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT FARMING-LED TRANSFORMATION. p6
[5]
FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
News
Biggest Africa Farm Takes Shape in Central Ivory Coast In central-eastern Ivory Coast, a
plantations doesn't exist anywhere
million metric tons after plantations
cocoa plantation that will be Africa's
else in Africa.”
were hit by the worst desert winds in
biggest, spanning an area equal to
About 800,000 farmers grow cocoa
30 years. A smaller-than-forecast
about 3,000 soccer fields, is taking
in Ivory Coast using a limited
African harvest in the season ended
shape.
amount of fertilizer and reaping
Sept. 30 led to a global shortage of
Solea, a unit of Brussels-based KKO
beans from aging trees. The result?
350,000 tons, the worst in decades,
International SA, is developing about
Yields of about 500 kilograms (1,102
Olam International Ltd, said.The
2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of land
pounds) of beans per hectare, half of
nation became the world's No. 1
near Bocanda and is trying to secure
those in Malaysia.
grower at the expense of its forests,
another 1,000 hectares. The project
Production 'Archaic'
which have made way for plantations.
in the nation that's the world's top
Methods “remain archaic,” said
Output Crunch
cocoa producer is unusual, because
Ghosh. “Every year it's the same:
While demand for beans to make
90 percent of its cocoa comes from
production is good when rains are
chocolate and cocoa butter for
family-run farms of 2 to 4 hectares.
good, production is bad when rains
pharmaceuticals and cosmetics is
“We want to shake things up,” Solea
are bad. We can't go on like this. It's
increasing, global output isn't, Ghosh
Deputy Managing Director Indranil
like when Apple upgrades its
said. “Everyone is obsessed with
Ghosh said as he was driven in a
operating system. In Ivory Coast,
processing, but there's no sustainable
pick-up truck between lines of cocoa
cocoa has remained at version 1.0,
approach to make production answer
trees set to produce the chocolate
we want to improve the protocol and
tomorrow's needs.”
ingredient for the first time this
create a cocoa 2.0 and go higher.”
Solea wants to plant 4 million cocoa
season. “Such a large area of
Ivory Coast's output fell 13 percent
trees on 3,000 hectares by the end of
irrigated and fertilized cocoa
in the 2015-16 season to 1.57
2018 and targets production of as
September - October 2016
[6]
FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
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News much as 15,000 metric tons of
plantation -- that's never been
“We let the trees grow, suffer and
beans, with a yield of 5 tons a
done," Solea Chief Financial Officer
then identify the best soldiers that
hectare, when its trees reach
Laurent Skrypczak said. “We're
resist dryness and we clone them on
maturity in 2024.
adapting to cocoa what was done
weaker trees," Ghosh said as he
Its two plantations -- Kotokonou and
with fruit trees in Europe 40 years
pointed a “mother tree” full of green
Akossikro -- are located on either
ago.”
pods as long as 20 centimeters (8
side of the 725-kilometer (450-mile)
Securing the land was difficult, KKO
inches).
N'Zi river in the central-east of the
Managing Director and Founder
KKO is in talks to acquire an
country, which was the hub of its
Remy Allemane said in Abidjan, the
Ecuadorian company that specializes
cocoa belt in the 1960s. After years
commercial capital. “Finding 20 or
in intensive cocoa farming as it aims
of extensive cocoa and coffee
50 hectares is easy, but 2,000
to develop at least 1,500 hectares of
farming, the soils became unfertile,
hectares in one piece is almost
densified plantations in the South
and decimated forests led to a drop
impossible."
American nation, Madagascar and
in rain, prompting thousands of
Once found, it took months of talks
Ivory Coast. An agribusiness group in
farmers to move to the nation's west
to reach a deal with the local
Nigeria has approached KKO to
in the search of better land.
population. He signed leases of 35
develop a cocoa plantation on a
Irrigation System
years, the lifespan of a cocoa tree.
10,000-hectare area, Allemane said,
Kotokonou is divided in 24 blocks of
In return, he committed to hire
without giving further details.
20 hectares each, surrounded by 47
villagers and give landowners 5
In Kotokonou's experimental section,
kilometers of tracks. Trees were
percent of the company's revenue.
Solea is looking at ways to have 6,000
planted every 2.5 meters on 400-
Solea employs 800 people.
cocoa trees per hectare -- compared
meter straight lines. Akossikro is still
The company has spent 17 million
with 1,300 in a regular Ivory Coast
being developed.
euros ($19 million) on the project
plantation. This has only been tested
To overcome the lack of rain, Solea
and wants to issue 12 million euros
on an experimental farm in Ecuador,
has set up a micro-irrigation system
in convertible bonds by the end of
under different climate conditions.
that supplies each of Kotokonou's
the year to complete it and expand
“Cocoa trees will grow more compact;
800,000 trees. A 2.5-kilometer tube
overseas, Allemane said.
we'll prune the leaves and pods will
links the N'Zi river to a relay station,
Mercedes Seed
grow on the trunks," said Ghosh. “We
which connects to cocoa plants
Solea uses a more-productive hybrid
know we're not going to succeed at
through thinner pipes. Each tree gets
cocoa seed called Mercedes,
first try, we'll probably make many
as many as 10 liters (2.6 gallons) of
developed by an Ivorian research
mistakes. But it's worth it. If it works, it will be a revolution.”
water and some soluble fertilizer
institute. Its one flaw is that trees
from two drippers every second day.
grow unequally, which the company
“Drip irrigation on a large cocoa
wants to address through cloning.
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[7]
FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Market Information
How imports are aiding in the relief of the
drought Adam Orlin, Head of Investec Import Solutions
In 2015, South Africa experienced
sector, many expect that while the
declined while imports have
the worst drought ever since 1992,
short-term impact has already been
increased.
which had a severe effect on the
felt, unfortunately, we are still likely
The impact has been greatly felt in
agricultural sector - with farmers
to see the impact for many years to
Southern African countries such as
witnessing their livestock dwindle
come.
Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe,
and crops shrivelling to dust. And the
If you take maize harvest for
Lesotho, Zambia and Mozambique
effects are still being felt – as the
example which has been significantly
who usually rely on agricultural
country waits for the summer
lower and which has not met the
imports from South Africa – in fact,
rainfalls that we so desperately need.
demands of the country's citizens
up to 40% of their food is grown in
In fact, the drought didn't just affect
has resulted in the need to import 5
this country. Lesotho, Namibia,
crops and cattle, but also had a
tons of maize from May this year.
Swaziland and Zimbabwe have
negative impact on the country's
This import rate is expected all the
declared national emergencies in
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which
way through to mid-2017, which of
response to drought conditions and
has declined at an alarming rate.
course impacts consumer pricing
will require more imports than usual.
According to a report by Agri SA* the
directly.
As such, the reduced agricultural
2015 drought severely impacted all
As a result, we have seen an
exports have seen the Government's
areas of food production locally –
increase in imports, not only from a
revenue decline more than the norm
including maize, wheat, sugar, beef
commodity perspective but also from
and the import of foodstuff, from
and sheep. Given that South Africa is
the broader industry, which in itself
overseas, increase exponentially.
the largest producer of maize on the
is widening the trade deficit. While
The biggest challenge local
African continent, which to many is a
South Africa has a large agricultural
agricultural goods importers are
basic and staple food, this is a
export market, due to
currently facing is directly related to
continent-wide crisis. Given the wide-
underperforming crops and a deficit
inflated prices and shortage of goods.
spread impact across the agricultural
of output, exports in this sector have
While we are speaking specifically to
September - October 2016
[8]
FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
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Market Information the agricultural sector here, this is a
a partner who is able to remove the
averages to forecast costs without
common challenge for any importer.
administration and complexities
fully appreciating how forex gains or
There are many steps involved in
associated with managing the import
losses that remain unallocated for,
importing goods – from order, forex
process, as well as leverage
and freight costs relative to the value
management, payments and logistics
economies of scale to ensure
of the import can impact on the true
to port, incorporating inland
competitive rates and potential cost
cost of the goods. With the impact of
transport and product costing. When
savings. Additionally, online access
the drought still being felt, operational
these elements are not managed on
to real-time orders, foreign
costs set to increase and not to
an integrated basis, delays, errors
exchange information, shipment and
mention the uncertainty around the
and indirect costs can occur –
delivery details, as well as payment
Rand value; the industry cannot
something importers cannot afford to
particulars, enables importers to
afford to get their calculations wrong.
get wrong as the overall impact could
immediately have a dashboard view
Ultimately, it's about managing the
be detrimental.
of their stock and investment. This
transactional risk – which could make
Finding the right partner becomes a
enables them to determine their
or break the sector.
critical step in the value chain. The
total landed costs, including the cost
Adam Orlin
import process is not an easy one to
of finance and other disbursements.
undertake and importers need to find
Many organisations still rely on
Over $600 million worth of agri projects to be presented in Cape Town this November
looking at getting in the double digit returns that the African agri sector has to offer ... half of the projects we've found thus far are greenfield and the half focus on expansion and existing projects...with 30 projects already in we expect this number to exceed our 100 project target by November” says Ben Leyka, Executive Director of the African Agri Council who organises the event. Some of the heavyweight finance and investment companies already on board include Acorn Private Equity, Thebe Investment Corporation, 1K1V, JIC Holdings, Agri Vie Investments, Octopus Investments, Industrial
The African Agri Council in partnership with Wesgro and
Development Corporation (IDC), Scibus Investments PTY
the Western Cape Department of Agriculture brings the
Ltd., Old Mutual Investment Group, Signature Agri
African Agri Investment Indaba (AAII), to Cape Town,
Ventures Ltd., Camscorp, Old Mutual Investment Group,
South Africa 28 – 30 November 2016.
FNB, Deutsche Bank to name a few.
The AAII features a unique and key highlight -- the
“We are building a platform where delegates can do more
“Investment Discovery Matchmaking” sessions where
to accelerate investment into this sector,” says Leyka.
project owners looking for investors will get the
With participation from Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, South
opportunity to pitch a robust panel of investors - a
Africa, DRC, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe to
highlight of the Indaba.
name a few - the African Agri Investment Indaba is a must
Over 30 projects have already been submitted from 10
attend for any financier or investor involved or interested
African countries covering a range of sectors such as
in the African agri sector, whether seasoned or a new
technology, poultry, aquaculture, meat and livestock,
entrant. Not only can delegates expect a number of
fisheries and agro processing to name a few.
opportunities to network with and learn from industry
“The Investment Discovery Sessions' database of
heavyweights and pioneers, but the unique forum offers a
projects will appeal to a broad range of investors who are superb opportunity to fill their pipelines.
Country Focus Market Information
Agriculture Kenya hosts Case IH commercial and operator training The push for productivity in countries across Africa is generating an increasing demand for agricultural equipment and training on mechanised farming and machinery operation. To meet this growing requirement across African markets, Case IH held a theoretical and practical training course for more than 30 participants in Kenya – a country where agriculture is a key sector for the economy. Case IH has provided an in-depth
140hp Farmall A models and right up
Product specialist, Nadir Ekiz, in
training course designed to appeal to
to the 112-141hp Maxxum and 142-
attendance also gave the
distributor sales people and
213hp Puma tractors at the heavier
participants the chance to provide
operators from across the Middle
end of the scale.
feedback on the type of
East and Africa, with models specific
“This event was the perfect
specifications that they feel are
to each country, at a site in
opportunity for the sales people from
most suitable for the local market
Naivasha, Kenya. With a focus on the
our distributors to come and spend
conditions.”
latest Case IH tractor lines, the
time using our products in the field
Nadir Ekiz, Case IH Product
courses offered a blended
with a variety of implements,”
Marketing Specialist for Middle East
programme of theoretical and
commented Herve Vermersch, Case
and Africa added: “The training
operational sessions. The training
IH Trainer. “This has given them a
offered in Kenya was a great
programme covered a wide range of
better understanding of the
opportunity for our distributors and
Case IH tractors, from the 35-75hp
capabilities and suitability of our
their salespeople to expand their
JXT and the 80-88hp Farmall JXM at
products for different applications
knowledge about the advantages of
the smaller end, through the 110-
and environments. Having the
the Case IH tractor range with
September - October 2016
[10] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Market Information hands on experience. We will
Toyota, together with Case IH, are
Equipment, who travelled from
continue to deliver our best-in-class
putting all our efforts into expanding
Zimbabwe for the training event
training in the region to the benefit of
mechanisation, so that improved
concurred: “This was a great event
our distributors.“
yields can be obtained in order to
which I have enjoyed attending. I
feed the increasing population.”
have learnt a lot of new selling points
Kenya, host country – The
The company's main goal is to
on the tractors. What I found most
importance of developing
continue to grow the Case IH market
interesting was there are so many
mechanisation of agriculture
share and be the most highly
other specifications on a tractor other
For the host, Kenya distributor Toyota
respected agricultural machinery
than the horsepower, which I need to
Tsusho East Africa, demand for
supplier in the region. This focus on
bring to our customers' attention.”
tractors in the 75hp (56kW) range is
sales and operator training is
particularly high. There is also
particularly important to the
For more information contact:
growing popularity for machinery
successful development of
Silvia Kaltofen
with both two- and four-wheel drive
mechanisation in the country.
in the 80-90hp (60-67kW) range.
Ph: +43 7435 500 652 Case IH Communication Specialist
“The agricultural sector represents
Positive Feedback
25% of Kenya's GDP, employs 80%
“The event was very positive,
of the population and is therefore a
especially the operator training
key sector of the economy,” said Ian
aspect,” said Mr Allen. “This further
Allen, General Manager Case
strengthens the confidence of our
Agriculture at Toyota Tsusho.
sales force to show our customers
“The Government´s focus on
the real benefits of the correct
developing agriculture is extremely
operation of the tractors, ensuring
important. It encourages the private
the customer understands all of the
sector to be a major player in
features and benefits.”
developing agriculture and in
Steven Griffiths, Agricultural Sales
particular mechanisation. We at
Representative of Agricon
Africa & Middle East Email: silvia.kaltofen@cnhind.com www.caseih.com
Herve Vermersch, Case IH Trainer
Training in Kenya
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[11] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Market Information
Collaborative approach results in new guidelines for greenhouse management Consumers are increasingly looking
using a science based approach,
for quality food which is healthy, safe
both to identify the sustainability
supply chain can be improved. The
and at the same time cultivated
“hotspots” within a supply chain and
challenge before us, then, is to work
sustainability performance of the
sustainably.
to define ways in which these
collaboratively, developing an
Greenhouse hydroponic cultivation
“hotspots” can be addressed by
approach that drives better
already uses water more efficiently
implementing specific
understanding, standardization, and
than field based production systems.
improvements. A sustainable food
informed decision making.
However large amounts of water are
production sector is the only way we
The information provided within these
still lost in so called 'open' systems.
can provide a planet of nine billion
“Best Practice Guidelines for
Water use efficiency can be
people with adequate food and
Greenhouse Water Management” is an
significantly improved by collecting
water. According to the United
example of such a collaborative
drain water and reapplying it to the
Nations, only 0.5 per cent of the
approach, where GRODAN, Priva and
crop. Grodan, Priva and Groen Agro
water on Earth is available fresh
Groen Agro Control have come
Control have collaborated to produce
water and 70 per cent of the fresh
together to offer advice to help
The Best Practice Guidelines for
water which is consumed is used in
facilitate improved environmental
Greenhouse Water Management.
the agriculture sector. Through its
performance in the greenhouse sector
The guide has been written to
Food, Beverage, and Agriculture
via more efficient use of water
provide greenhouse owners and
(FBA) working group, TSC aims to
resources and a reduction or
managers with an overview of
drive improvement in the
elimination of pollution. The two firms
current best practice. It can also be
environmental and social
will also explore the environmental
used to help train greenhouse
sustainability of global agricultural
problems caused by fertiliser run-off.
employees and as an aid to help
supply chains”.
TSC's own research has also
businesses answer questions from
Increasingly, within the greenhouse
highlighted these two issues, amongst
the general public on water and
industry, there is mounting pressure
others, as being environmental
nutrient management in greenhouse
to reduce the environmental impacts
“hotspots” within the greenhouse
horticulture.
associated with crop production.
sector. The guidance on water use and
The guidelines have been endorsed
Retailers, producers, suppliers,
water management within this
by Koen Boone, managing director
governments, NGOs, researchers
document should help to drive
Europe of The Sustainability
and consumers all hold a stake in
improvements in the horticultural
Consortium (TSC) and employed
the sustainability of global food
supply chain. This, in turn will allow
within the LEI Wageningen UR, the
production and consumption,
producers to communicate clearly
Netherlands.
including that coming from the
with other stakeholders about the
Boone explained, “At The
greenhouse sector.
tangible steps they are taking to
Sustainability Consortium (TSC) we
In this context, it is critical to
make their contribution to improving
work with multiple stakeholders,
identify the areas where the
the sustainability of the sector.
September - October 2016
[12] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
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Market Information
$30bn boost for African agricultureLets turn pledges into businesses at the Agri Investment Indaba! Has Africa's growth run out of steam?
Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) as
While African agriculture has seen
This question has been on the minds
African leaders, businesses, and
significant progress, there's a greater
of many investors, business leaders
major development partners pledged
need to emphasize on the impact of
and policy makers as they observe
more than US$30 billion dollars in
lack of financial resources in the
increasing interest in key industries
investments to increase production,
agriculture industry to ensure a good
such as agriculture, energy and
income and employment for
return for our progress. Much more is
smallholder farmers and local African
needed for African countries to feed
technology, with however limited access to financial resources. Companies (African and international) are looking for business-building opportunities and governments are seeking to
agriculture businesses over the next
themselves and the world.
ten years. The collective pledges at
Do you want to gain access to
the 2016 AGRF are believed to
investment and key partners that will
represent the largest package of
take your company and agri projects
financial commitments to the African
to the next level? The African Agri
agricultural sector to date.
Investment Indaba (AAII) 2016, taking place from the 28 – 30
accelerate growth by diversifying
There's a call for investors and
their economies.
financiers to join the “Seize the
November 2016 at the CTICC in Cape
The time has come for businesses
Moment” campaign and keep the
Town, is the meeting place for senior
and governments across the African
momentum by turning these pledges
government officials, executives and
continent to translate opportunities
into actual business. With a key
entrepreneurs across the agri value
into tangible economic benefits.
focus on production of scale,
chain. With over $1bn worth of
Although Africa's economies have
technological advancement and
projects already in our database and a
diversified to an extent, more is
access to market tabled at
growing investor participation
needed to overcome economic
agricultural forums and government
competing for the best projects to
vulnerabilities. With the need for
cabinets, the African Agri Council
grow their agri portfolio, AAII 2016 is
large companies to power the
(AAC) has developed the African Agri
the ideal deal-making forum.
continent's growth, the agriculture
Investment Indaba (AAII), the
industry is certainly committed to
gateway to bankable agri projects in
For more information, please visit our
play its part.
Africa, as a move towards seizing
website (www.agricouncil.org and
It was a blockbuster moment for
the moment.
www.agri-indaba.com).
African agriculture at the African September - October 2016
[14] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Market Information
Innovative financing needed for growth in demand for farming
equipment
AFGRI, one on the largest distributors of agricultural machinery in South Africa, predicts subdued growth in the market for agricultural machinery to 2020, provided farmers can get access to financing.
The market for agricultural
counterparts in South Africa. “The
He says as Africa is the lowest
machinery in South Africa is expected
high demand for mechanisation will
mechanised continent, the growing
to grow by between 3% and 5% over
definitely play a role in the growth in
demand for mechanisation will drive
the next four years.
the agricultural machinery market on
the market for agricultural
Patrick Roux, Managing Director at
the African continent. The vast new
equipment. According to the
AFGRI Equipment, says in South
developments in Africa on clearing
Technavio report this will be
Africa the growth in the market for
bush for arable land will force the
supported by the announcement that
agricultural machinery will be
mechanisation route for all farmers
agricultural departments across the
supported by the rapid expansion of
and innovative plans for structured
continent will allocate more than US$
technology that will improve yields
deal making on equipment will also
48 million in subsidies to small
and make farming more cost
play a role.”
farmers during 2015-2017.
effective.
AFGRI has taken the lead with
Roux says in some countries, notably
Globally, the agricultural machinery
innovative finance schemes in
Zambia, there is good support to
market is expected to grow at a
Zambia and Uganda.
make finance available for farmers to
compound annual rate of over 7%
In Zambia, AFGRI's John Deere
buy mechanised equipment, but the
during the period 2016-2020,
dealership, in partnership with
difficulty to access finance can
according to global research
Zanaco and the Zambia National
hamper the growth rate.
company Technavio.
Farmers Union (ZNFU), provide
Technavio expects that Asia Pacific
In its latest research report on the
agriculture asset finance to help
(APAC) will continue to generate the
agricultural machinery market
farmers mechanise their operations.
bulk of the revenue for the global
(released in June), Technavio says
In Uganda, the Abba Mechanisation
agricultural machinery market. In
globally growth will be driven by
Circle, through AFGRI's Agricultural
APAC the market is expected to reach
growing urbanisation, and different
Development Services Division,
US$74 billion by 2020 compared to
initiatives from governments
provides farmers with access to
US$46 billion expected in North
regarding agricultural activities. Many
mechanisation, which is purchased by
America. APAC has a larger share of
governments, especially in
AFGRI and made available to them
the market mainly due to the growing
developing countries, are offering
through rental agreements.
population in this region, which
credit facilities and subsidies to
Much more is needed in Africa to
gradually boosts the demand for food.
farmers, which help them in
drive the agricultural sector and
Increased mechanisation is supported
purchasing advanced machinery.
increased demand for agricultural
by government initiatives such as
Roux says the growth in the market
equipment. To assist farmers in
subsidies for agriculture and credit
for agricultural machinery in South
Africa to increase their yields
availability.
Africa will largely depend on cyclical
through the use of modern
In contrast to this rapid growth, the
factors, especially seasonal rains,
equipment, government involvement
agricultural machinery market in
whilst the consolidation in the sector
is crucial, and so is the availability of
North America has reached maturity
due to the drought of the past few
financing for agricultural equipment,
and is expected to witness slow
years will also play a role.
says Roux.
growth due to a decline in the price of
He expects a more robust growth in
According to Roux, this will require
commodities and a weak forecasted
Africa, where the commercial farmers
the banking sector to take some
economic cycle in North America.
are less mechanised than their
calculated risks.
September - October 2016
[16] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Market Information
DudutechEnvironmentally intelligent farming Thomas Mason, Dudutech Managing Director
Dudutech is an Integrated Pest
successful IPM is more than
Africa. We have offices in the UK,
Management (IPM) business which
products; it is a philosophy of
Netherlands, Kenya, South Africa and
researches, produces and provides
growing that is supported by a
distribution partnerships in the USA,
on-farm technical support for an
number of crop management
Canada, Colombia, Guatemala,
extensive range of our own biological
techniques, physical interventions
Ecuador and Mexico.
control agents. Established in 2001
and biological control. Central to this
Our close working relationships with a
as a research hub we have rapidly
is a 'prevention mentality' as
number of International Research
grown into a global biotechnology
opposed to treatment of pest and
Institutions and Government Bodies,
business, employing leading
disease with agrichemicals.
as well as the cooperative work
entomologists and microbiologists to
Dudutech markets a range of
between Dudutech staff and Flamingo
develop solutions to reduce pesticide
products and solutions with more in
Agronomists has resulted in the
usage on our farms globally. Our
development. Our product range
development of practical, efficient
name Dudutech comes from the word
consists of 16 biological agents and
products.
'dudu' a Swahili word for insect.
these can be categorized into 5 main
The Flamingo group having its own
types of product:
We look forward to working with you,
bio control business Dudutech has
Ÿ
Insect parasitoids
the farmer, and trust you will enjoy
promoted a close collaborative
Ÿ
Insect predators
Dudutech's services and products
working relationship between IPM
Ÿ
Insect killing nematodes (EPNs)
scientists and growers. We
developed - By Growers, For Growers™.
developed IPM solutions for our own
Ÿ
Insect killing fungi (EPFs)
farming operations across the world
Ÿ
Soil Health Products
and it is this heritage which makes
Dudutech has sold these products,
Managing Director
Dudutech unique, an IPM company
alone or in combination to solve pest
Dudutech
set up; By growers, For growers™.
problems and reduce pesticide use
As farmers, we believe that
farms in Europe, the Americas and
Thomas Mason
Animal Products CRV is the distributors of a range of products by a South African start-up company, BOViTIME Animal Products. They approached us in 2012 with their first product, a scratch-off heat detector under the BOViFLAG brand. After evaluating several similar products in the past, we were immediately impressed with the product's adhesive ability. Some farmers even reported they needed pliers to remove the sticker. Following the typical challenges that faces a start-up company, BOViTIME later added a range of leg and tail markers, BOViTAG, as well as tail paint under the BOViPAINT brand. Both these products have proven to be working really well with our farmers, and we have seen many farmers converting to these brands.
Earlier this year we presented them a challenge to supply us also with a lubricant for AI procedures. Within one month they have developed a product, and started supplying our representatives with BOViLUBE. The product is packaged in a one litre bottle which is very convenient to handle. What strikes us about BOViTIME, is that they not only put a product on the market, they also do it stylishly. Their product and brand designs are world class, and its no surprise that they managed to export their products to seven countries already. It is great to be part of a South African success story in the dairy supply manufacturing industry, and we are proud to partner with BOViTIME in this regard. From what I hear there are a
few exciting new products under development, and I trust we will soon hear more from this exciting young company. More information on them is available at www.bovitime.com The products available under the BOViTIME stable are: ·
BOViFLAG scratch-off heat detectors.
·
BOViTAG animal leg or tail markers
·
BOViPAINT tail paint markers
·
BOViLUBE AI lubrication gel
These products can all be ordered from your local CRV consultant. To locate the consultant in your area, visit www.xseed.co.za
Country Focus
Zambia's Agro Impetus Of all Zambia's economic sectors,
percent of the population and makes
more investments in most sub-sectors
agriculture holds more promise than
up around 20 percent of overall
of Zambia's food-processing industry,
any other in the country's march to
gross domestic product (GDP).
for both small-scale and large-scale
economic diversiďŹ cation.
projects,'' ZAM says.
Since mining, the country's prime
Food Processing
High potential sub-sectors encompass
industry, is a wasting asset, it is
Food processing represents an
growing and processing oil seeds;
important more than ever before, to
outstanding investment opportunity
downstream processing of meat and
explore sectors that are sustainable
in Zambia due to vast natural
dairy products; producing palm oil;
to wean the country from the copper
resources, extensive arable land,
manufacturing soy-based food
spoon it was born with.
ample water and investment
products; million wheat, rice and
Zambia's has 40 percent of the water
incentives and many joint-venture
maize to produce our; producing
resources of the entire southern
options.
juices, carbonated drinks, beer and
African region. Of the 58 percent
The Zambia Association of
other beverages; processing
arable land, only 14 percent is
Manufacturing (ZAM), says despite
groundnuts; producing ketchup and
currently cultivated. In real terms,
its strong performance, the country's
other tomato-based products;
this means that of 42 million
food-processing industry has
roasting and grinding coffee beans;
hectares, only 1.5 million hectares is
achieved only around one-quarter of
processing cassava, pineapple,
farmed each year.
its capacity and potential so far.
mangoes and sugar cane; producing
The agricultural sector employs 85
''There are vast opportunities for
dried fruit and processing ďŹ sh to
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[21] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Country Focus
exploit Zambia's vast fish resources.
taxes on leather production
Government will ensure adequate
Other investment opportunities
machines and equipment to further
funds for irrigation development
include producing tinned foods,
enhance growth.
annually. Currently, K56.7 million has
confectionery, bread products, honey
been set aside for irrigation in the
and cheese.
Farm Block Development
2016 national budget,'' he pointed
One example of potential food
In a bid to grow the agriculture
out.
–processing projects in Zambia is
sector, Government is developing the
COMESA's Regional Investment
Farm Block Development Programme
Key players in Zambian
Agency (RIA) promotion of a
with vast opportunities for investors.
agribusiness
greenfield project to build pineapple
Ten farming blocks have been
These include, inter alia, Zambeef
–canning factories in the north-
identified (one in each province).
Products, Zambia Sugar and the
western part of the country
''The Nansanga Farming Block in
Zambia Breweries Group, a subsidiary
Mwinilunga district in the province
Serenje, central Zambia, is the most
of South African giant SABMiller, one
has been ranked as Zambia's best
advanced, with roads constructed
of the world's largest beer
location for pineapple production. In
and power connected. We have
manufacturers.
the 1990s, a pineapple processing
already allocated pieces of land to
facility in the area produced around
small-scale and commercial farmers.
11,368 tonnes
We are in the process of awarding
Zambia must take action to invest in
from 1,421 hectares of pineapple
10 000 hectares of land to what is
industrialization in order to be
plantations. The facility was later
referred to as a core venture,''
competitive and take advantage of the
closed down. The planned new plant
Minister of Agriculture, Given
business opportunities in the region,
is expected to produce about 12,000
Lubinda said.
Zambeef Joint Chief Executive Officer Dr Carl Irwin told delegates at the
tonnes of processed pineapple per annum.
Zambeef
Irrigation
fifth Zambian International
Zambia's future indeed lies in
Investment Forum (ZIIF) this week.
Aquaculture
agriculture and President Lungu's
“Zambeef strongly believes in
In diversification away from maize,
administration has emphasized its
Zambia's potential to feed itself and
one of the sub-sectors which is being
determination to pursue an
the region given its abundant
promoted is aquaculture. In August
agriculture-led economy through the
resources; good soils, climate, readily
2015, the Government launched a
rolling out of irrigation schemes and
available as well as the ability to
$10 million privately-owned fish
other innovations throughout the
produce most crops given the right
farm, Yalelo. The firm, located on the
country.
investment. But only in adding value
shores of Lake Kariba in southern
Speaking during the launch of the
to our produce can we fully realise the
Zambia, already produces 6,000kg of
construction of the $28 million
sector's full potential,” said Dr Irwin,
tilapia daily.
Mwomboshi Irrigation Dam in
who was speaking at the opening of
In a deliberate effort to increase
Chisamba, central Zambia recently,
the high-level conference, which was
domestic fish production, the
President Lungu reiterated his
officially launched by H.E. the
Government is encouraging private
commitment to diversifying the
President, on. Edgar Chagwa Lungu
investment.
agricultural sector.
and attended by Minister of
''The construction of this dam gives
Commerce, Trade and Industry Hon.
a practical expression of my
Margaret Mwanakatwe.
The Common Market for Eastern and
Government's resolve to put
Dr Irwin highlighted some of the
Southern Africa (COMESA) recently
agriculture at the centre of our
benefits of focusing on value adding
received $400,000 to support the
economy. Irrigation farming is an act
operations and the opportunities
growth of the leather sub-sector in
of diversifying the sector away from
presented for the national economy;
Cattle
Zambia and three other member
rain-fed agriculture, President Lungu
increased national food security, social
countries.
said.
development in rural areas, job
Zambia has the potential to grow its
Currently, the construction of dams
creation, and tax and duty generated
leather value chain to half a billion
is underway in Lusitu (Chirundu) and
as result.
dollars a year if all hides are
Musakashi in Mufulira district.
Zambeef alone has generated US$220
transformed into finished products.
''We aim to have over 75,000
million in revenue for the financial
The state has also agreed to waive
hectares by 2030. To achieve this,
year 2015 and US$38 million of
September - October 2016
[22] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Country Focus
foreign exchange income for the
sorghum in the country.
impact on 3,500 households in the
nation; invested more than US$150
The group purchases a signiďŹ cant
year to March 31, 2015.
million in the last eight years;
quantity of raw materials locally. A
From 2015, the company introduced
employed more than 6,000 staff and
total of 40,000 tonnes of maize is
cassava into its Eagle lager formula. It
contributed US$18 million in tax and
bought from small-scale farmers for
is now developing an end-to-end
duty paid to the Zambian
use in the production of opaque and
supply chain supporting small-scale
government
clear beer.
farmers in Northern and Luapula
The group has engaged close to
provinces, and with innovative
commercial farmers in the growing
technology will deliver a high quality,
Margins in both the regional and EU
of barley, with a planned annual
affordable clear beer that will grow to
export markets are expected to
uptake of 12,,000 tonnes. In 2015,
become a leading brand within the
remain under pressure from surplus
two small-scale barley outgrower
company's portfolio.
sugar stocks on the world market.
pilot programmes have been
Zambia's agriculture is on the rise and
Realization in these markets will
introduce with a view to further
is changing many lives in various
continue to be inuenced by
expansion
corners of the country.
More than 10,000 tonnes of sugar
As the Ministry of Agriculture
were consumed towards the
rightfully acknowledged: ''Agriculture
Zambian Breweries
manufacture of non-alcoholic drinks.
is the only sector that assuredly
Zambian Breweries and National
A further 1,750 tonnes of sorghum
alleviates poverty in the country. The
Breweries are among the largest
was used in the production of its
focus is to grow this industry that is
buyers of maize, barley, cassava and
affordable Eagle lager, with a direct
the future of the country.''
Zambia Sugar
exchange rate movements.
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[23] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
P.O. Box 129, Bellville 7535 | Tel: +27 (0)21 959 8400 | Fax: +27 (0)21 959 8545 Email: nevilles@johnthompson.co.za | www.johnthompson.co.za
Livestock
livestock herd health
Animal health and production Livestock are important in supporting
private sector is the most effective
At the same time, consumers want
the livelihoods of poor livestock
response to this alarming situation.
virtually risk-free food and their belief
keepers, traders and labourers
The recently experienced animal
is that food safety should be
throughout the developing world.
disease crises have provided a
addressed on farms as well as during
Diseases affecting livestock can have
clearer understanding of the beneďŹ ts
processing.
a devastating impact on animal
to the international community of
productivity and production, on trade
applying the appropriate animal
Disease prevention, control and
in live animals, meat and other
health policies and programmes in
eradication
animal products, on human health
order to safeguard public health and
One of the main functions of an
and, consequently, on the overall
ensure food safety.
animal health service is to control
process of economic development.
A number of activists, consumer
and, if possible, eradicate the major
As a result of globalisation and
groups, politicians, scientists and
epizootic diseases, e.g. foot-and-
climate change the world is currently
stakeholders all want to make
mouth disease, rinderpest, African
facing an unprecedented increase of
signiďŹ cant changes to livestock
swine fever, contagious bovine
emerging and re-emerging animal
production practices.
pleuropneumonia, tick-borne
diseases and zoonoses (animal
These changes include modiďŹ cation
diseases, animal trypanosomiasis, etc.
diseases transmissible to humans).
of stocking densities, limitations on
All of these major epizootic diseases
Improving the governance of animal
use of antibiotics and requirements
have very serious effects on animal
health systems in both the public and
for access to the outdoors.
production. It is only after they have
September - October 2016
[26] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Livestock been brought under control that
·
the economic impact of the
Livestock diseases contribute to an
improved breeding, production and
disease on the country and
important set of problems within
control of other enzootic and more
the benefits to be gained by
livestock production systems. These
readily suppressed diseases can be
its eradication. This should
include animal welfare, productivity
achieved.
include any direct effects,
losses, uncertain food security, loss of
Major epizootic diseases generally
such as loss of production,
income and negative impacts on
can only be controlled by well-
milk supply, draught power,
human health. Livestock disease
planned programmes, coordinated
etc., as well as the effect on
management can
and implemented by a strong central
trade in animal products and
disease through improved animal
veterinary authority. In large
exports;
husbandry practices. These include:
countries much of the day-to-day
·
methods of preventing a
reduce
controlled breeding, controlling entry
running of programmes can be
resurgence of the disease
to farm lots, and quarantining sick
decentralized to the provinces or
after it has been eradicated.
animals and through developing and
regions. It is essential that there is a
These methods may involve
improving antibiotics, vaccines and
strong control point responsible for
border control and
diagnostic tools, evaluation of ethno-
surveillance;
therapeutic options, and vector
methods of controlling and
control techniques.
setting up, coordinating and implementing policy.
·
When planning disease control
eradicating the disease.
Appropriate sustainable livestock
policies the following must be
These must be practical and
management practices are required so
sustainable;
considered: ·
the distribution of the
·
disease, i.e. how widespread it is in the country and how far it is expected to spread;
·
availability of sufficient
that livestock keepers can take advantage of the increasing demand
financial support;
for livestock products (where this is
the presence of necessary
feasible) and protect their livestock
legal powers.
assets in the face of changing and increasingly variable climates.
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[27] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Livestock Vaccinating a cow against East Coast Fever. Regulatory harmonisation will accelerate delivery of livestock health products to farmers. GALVmed/Karel Prinsloo
Regulatory harmonisation: Improving access to safe, effective and quality veterinary medicines across East Africa The costs of animal disease
from applicants. Harmonisation of
countries – Burundi, Djibouti,
In Africa, millions of people depend
the registration system for
Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan,
on livestock for their livelihoods.
veterinary medicines across nations
Tanzania and Uganda. Only three
However, the high prevalence of
simpliďŹ es the process, saves time
countries already possessed a
livestock diseases, such as East
and resources and helps to ensure
recognised registration system
Coast Fever and Newcastle disease,
drug quality, safety and efďŹ cacy.
(Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda).
to name just a few, are a major
In 2011, a GALVmed initiative
Participants were asked what would
constraint to increasing smallholder
'Harmonisation of Registration
be needed to achieve a harmonised
incomes and enhancing agricultural
Requirements for Veterinary
system for registering veterinary
development, food security and
Immunologicals and Development of
vaccines and it was concluded that
resilience. Accessibility and
a Mutual Recognition Procedure
the development of a set of
distribution of high quality veterinary
(MRP) in East Africa' was launched
harmonised technical documents was
medicines is therefore the best tool
to provide support in this critical
required.
to combat animal diseases and help
area. The enterprise was undertaken
As a result of the workshop, a
curb economic losses.
to assist the East African Community
technical working group (TWG) was
(EAC) in harmonising registration
formed consisting of participants from
Cross-country registration of
requirements in the established
the national regulatory authorities of
veterinary medicines
regulatory authorities and
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Registering veterinary medicines in
strengthening their veterinary
Burundi, Rwanda and the EAC
Africa through the currently
vaccine regulatory systems.
Secretariat are also members of the
established processes is cumbersome
GALVmed's work commenced with a
TWG whose role was to work on and
and time consuming, requiring
workshop in Nairobi, involving
develop the following registration
considerable technical information
regulators from eight East African
documents: a harmonised application
September - October 2016
[28] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Livestock form to send to EAC Regulatory
need for separate applications and
Ethiopian regulatory authority said:
Authorities when applying for
time consuming assessments by
“Harmonisation and MRP of vaccine
marketing authorisations;
each country. Gilly Cowan,
regulation benefits local farmers,
harmonised product information
GALVmed's Regulatory Affairs
product applicants, vaccine producers
templates to be included in the
Consultant said, “MRP saves time,
and regulators. Farmers will enjoy
summary of product characteristics,
effort and is predictable. Assessors
increased availability of safe,
product labels and package leaflets;
and inspectors from different
effective, quality vaccines at
a guide to the structure of a
Regulatory Authorities will build trust
affordable prices in the market for
registration dossier for a veterinary
in each others' work, enabling
livestock diseases. National medicine
immunological product; and a guide
valuable veterinary vaccines to be
regulatory authorities will be better
on the data required in the
registered quickly and
equipped to register medicines in a
registration dossier to demonstrate
simultaneously in as many EAC
cost-effective and timely manner by
product quality, safety and efficacy.
countries as the applicant wishes.
improving regulatory processes and
Once the harmonised Marketing
making better use of scarce technical
Progress of the Mutual
Authorisations are granted there are
skills. Vaccine producing companies
Recognition Procedure (MRP)
other advantages for applicants. No
and their local representatives/
The rationale for the MRP is to obtain
longer will they need to wait for the
agents will benefit from simplified and
marketing authorisations for a
last approval from a Regulatory
standardised regulatory approval
particular product without incurring
Authority before making a change to
processes. It will become possible to
long delays. An assessor in one
the production, testing or label
submit dossiers for much-needed
country is responsible for evaluating
claims of their product. The approval
medicines simultaneously in multiple
the registration dossier before writing
process will happen simultaneously
countries, and evaluation turnaround
the assessment report. The same
in all the countries that were
times will improve.”
report is then shared with all other
involved in the MRP.”
By Sophie Reeve, WrenMedia
applicant seeks marketing
Who benefits from MRP?
Find out more about our work at:
authorisations. This eliminates the
Dr Zelalem Gebretsadik of the
www.galvmed.org
regulatory authorities where the
GALVmed/Sephi Bergerson
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[29] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Livestock Professor Pamela Ruegg
Prevention and control of mastitis in dairy herds Milk and milk products are well
is real and may mean the difference
animals.
recognised as highly nutritious and
between the success or failure of a
That means mastitis detection and
quality foods. Milk is used daily in
dairy operation.
treatment protocols should be built
most homes, offices and eating
Mastitis is the inflammation of the
specifically for each farm with the
establishments worldwide. At one
mammary gland and udder tissue,
herd's veterinarian involved.
time in the UK all young children
and is a major endemic disease of
The universal aid to Mastitis control is
were supplied with 1/3 pint of fresh
dairy cattle. It usually occurs as an
through teat disinfection which should
milk every morning and this had to
immune response to bacterial
be carried out after every milking and
be drunk! Today, in a very different
invasion of the teat canal by variety
sometimes before as well, if high yield
part of the world, the Chinese
of bacterial sources present on the
animals are involved. The teat
population is now being encouraged
farm, and can also occur as a result
disinfectant should be effective in
to drink liquid milk. Substantial
of chemical, mechanical, or thermal
killing the organisms which cause
investment has been made in dairy
injury to the cow's udder.
mastitis and also maintain the
farms and the milk processing
In a recent study, roughly four cows
condition of skin on the cows teats.
infrastructure. Various flavours are
out of every 10 received treatment
Evans Vanodine are specialists in this
added to liquid milk to further
for mastitis during lactation.
sector and have a range of products
encourage consumption and to make
Other studies suggest at least 20 to
designed for all environmental
it an attractive 'in-drink'.
25% of cows are culture negative at
conditions
Mastitis is the most costly and
the time they receive treatment, and
common disease in a dairy farming
some portion of cows get treated for
How to break the mastitis cycle –
enterprise. Undetected at a
bacteria that doesn't respond well to
the Solution is from EVANS
subclinical level, it may not be
antibiotics. Those statistics are scary
VANODINE – the Masodine Teat
effectively prevented or controlled.
and difficult to defend to consumers
disinfectant range.
Profit loss, while often not quantified,
worried about antibiotic use in food
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[31] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Livestock
Mr. Peter Thompson International Division Manager Evans Vanodine International plc
Profit from Hygiene on the Dairy
areas clean. The farm buildings in
and treatment of clinical cases of
Farm
which the animals are housed should
mastitis; dry cow therapy; and early
Total dairy farm hygiene is by
be maintained in good condition.
culling of cows with repeating or
definition essential; carefully thought
Cubicle bedding, ideally, should be
persistent infections. Evans Vanodine
out procedures developed to achieve
mucked out and changed daily. All
have been involved in this concept
real levels of Biosecurity are of
cubicle floorings must have soiling
since 1919 and now have a range of
paramount importance. An
removed before disinfectant
Dairy Farm Hygiene products
appropriate programme, diligently
treatment.
benefiting 60 countries worldwide.
followed, will lead to the highest
The maintenance of a very high
quality of milk possible from healthy
Biosecurity programmes
standard of farm hygiene has to be
animals and enable the best price ex
More dairy farmers are now
today's most important milk
farm for a satisfactory economic
exploring the application and
production objective. We know that
gain, in other words good hygiene =
benefits of a clear, totally
hygiene levels influence economical
more profit
comprehensive, formal programme
results and that legislators, dairies
It is encouraging to note that dairy
pertinent to their particular farm and
and supermarkets are continuously
farmers determined to stay in
circumstances. The need is to
demanding and enforcing higher
business are rising to the challenges
identify each Critical Control Point
standards for liquid milk and further
and employing total farm hygiene
(CCP) on the farm, develop a plan to
processed milk products. Consumers
programmes. Environmental
control the risk at each point,
are becoming more aware of and
Hygiene, using for example Evans
implement the plan, record all
concerned about issues of safety
FAM 30, the UK's leading Iodophor
actions, audit the records and, most
concerning the foods they buy and
disinfectant, ensures that walkways
importantly, train all staff to follow
consume.
and collecting yards are kept free
the plan with a full understanding of
The goal is, therefore, to produce the
from microorganisms and, ideally,
the needs and benefits to cow and
highest quality milk possible on each
such areas should be kept as dry as
milk hygiene. Evans Vanodine
farm, from healthy cows under top
possible. Pools and areas of standing
Biosecurity programmes provides
management. Each farm must rise to
water should be drained.
the platform for this important
the challenge of providing top level
Farm vehicles, equipment, boots,
management method.
hygiene conditions in order to
etc., must be cleaned and disinfected
We recommend a five point plan
maximise customer satisfaction and
regularly. Foot and wheel baths
involving: pre- and post-milking teat
economic return. A complete Dairy
containing a suitable disinfectant
dipping with fully authorised and
Farm Hygiene programme is essential
concentration should be installed at
well proven disinfectant products
in the achieving of this and
all access points.
that have global usage experience;
importantly maximising the
The use of automatic scrapers is
daily milking machine cleaning, and
profitability of the milk producer
beneficial for helping to keep floor
regular servicing; early diagnosis
themselves.
September - October 2016
[32] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Livestock
Dar Al Dawa Veterinary & Agriculture Industrial Co. Ltd DADvet's reputation as a leading
buildings, machinery, environment,
the high quality DADvet range,
veterinary and agricultural products
operations and products, equivalent
include exporting to Middle East, Asia,
provider in the region and worldwide,
to the requirements for human
Africa & Europe markets.
is becoming exceedingly impressive
pharmaceuticals.
The following production lines are in
due to the company's commitment to
Under the supervision of highly
operation at Dar Al Dawa Veterinary &
excellence, and making sure that
qualified veterinary doctors, DADvet
Agriculture Industrial Co.
each DADvet product manufactured
carries out veterinary and
and delivered is of absolute optimal
agricultural field trials that are
quality.
conducted in coordination with
The company was established in
scientific and academic institutions
1988 upon the initiative of Dar Al
in the region, and worldwide.
Dawa Development and Investment
Quality philosophy in DADvet is
Co., with a vision of meeting the
based on the clear understanding
various needs of the veterinary and
and complying with the concept of
agricultural sectors in Jordan, and
the international equal treatment of
other exporting countries.
veterinary and human medicines
DADvet, the sister company to Dar
from the regulatory and technical
Al-Dawa, was built according to the
aspects.
GMP requirements including design of
Development of regional markets for
September - October 2016
[34] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
·
Syrup and suspension
·
Creams and ointment
manufacturing and filling line. manufacturing line. ·
Disinfectants manufacturing and filling machines.
·
Veterinary powders manufacturing line.
·
Injectables filling and sterilizing line.
·
Bolus production line.
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Livestock
Farm Animal Identification-Ear Tags BEING able to identify individual
example, all cattle must have an
animals on your property is critical to
electronic national livestock
process. Ensure you can achieve this
good farm management. Although
identification tag before moving
in your facilities before you start the
most farmers don't name every
properties. All sheep must have a
job.
animal they have, knowing which
visually readable identification tag
Some ear tags come as separate male
animal is which is still very
and both cattle and sheep tags must
and female parts, while other tags are
important.
be stamped with a Property
single tags that wrap around the edge
One of the most common methods of
Identification Code – PIC.
of the ear. Each requires a slightly
identifying livestock is to apply an
Identification tags vary in size,
different technique.
ear tag. While this is not as reliable
colour, material (metal or plastic)
In most cases a two-part tag is
quality animal restraint during the
as branding, ear notching or ear
and shape. They are made by a
applied through the middle part of the
tattooing, it is quick and allows for
number of companies, each with
ear. This means it is less likely to get
visual or electronic identification of
their own design. Application devices
caught on things and torn out. One-
each animal.
also differ across tags and so grazing
piece “wrap-around” tags need to be
Farmers use ear tags to identify
situations should be taken into
placed much closer to the edge of the
individual animals in a herd where
account when choosing a tag.
ear or they will cause damage to the
one animal looks very much like
Before applying an ear tag, make
ear by rubbing. This is particularly
another.
sure it is the appropriate tag for the
important if you apply them to young
Ear tags and other forms of
species and breed. If using a brand
lambs as the ear will keep growing
identification are also very important
you aren't familiar with, ask a
and this can cause problems.
when it comes to the sale and
producer for tips on applying the
Use the correct applicator for your
transport of farm animals. Farmers
tag. Manufacturers provide
tags as many are not compatible with
and veterinarians need to be able to
application instructions which are
more than one type of tag. The male
keep track of which animals are sold
important to follow to ensure tags
part of some tags has a piercing
or transported to other farms or to
stay on, and avoid problems such as
mechanism built in, while other
processing facilities. This becomes
ear infections.
systems rely on the applicator to
especially important if there is an
Pay attention to where the ear tag
pierce the ear or punch a small hole in
outbreak of disease in farm animals.
should be placed in the ear, what
the ear. A piercing type applicator
Ear tags are available for most
direction the ear tag should go
used with a tag that also has a
livestock, although they aren't
through the ear (which part faces
piercing point will ruin the tag.
commonly used on dairy goats due to
the front of the animal) and what
If the applicator pierces the ear, then
high rates of infection.
disinfectant protocol should be
disinfecting it between animals is
The first thing to consider is the most
followed between tags.
important. Applying ear tags when
appropriate ear tag. This will be
The job is made far easier and has a
stock are wet or dusty is more likely
governed, in part, by regulations. For
better outcome when you use high
to result in infection and potential tag loss.
September - October 2016
[36] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Poultry processing wastewater treatment system With the steady increase in poultry
average-sized chicken. When
to take place in order for the plant to
processing rates, there has been a
processing turkey the volume of
be in compliance with local, state and
corresponding increase in wastewater
water is even higher with average
federal environmental regulations.
pollutant concentrations. Despite
weight of slaughtered turkeys
Screens are the most popular form of
mechanical improvements in
exceeding 4 times that of a chicken.
preliminary physical treatment
wastewater treatment, many poultry
It is not unusual for a typical poultry
process used in on-site poultry
processors continue to pay
processor to generate 1,000,000 to
wastewater treatment systems to
unnecessarily high fees for municipal
1,500,000 gallons of wastewater
remove constituents .Screening
water discharges
daily.
systems typically consist of primary
In the meat processing industry,
This water will be laden with fats,
and secondary rotary screens that
water is used extensively for washing
proteins and carbohydrates from
remove solids greater than 500
the cattle, sheep or pig carcasses.
meat, fat, blood, skin and feathers.
micron (Âľm) in size.
Water is also used for sanitizing and
The water is also polluted with a fair
Screens recover offal, which has
thoroughly cleaning of all equipment
amount of grit and other inorganic
substantial value as a raw material for
used in the process at the facility.
matter. Waste load can be
the poultry rendering industry, and
A large quantity of water is also used
determined by a number of different
remove larger solid particles from
for scalding of hogs to facilitate hair
measurements, including BOD
PPW preparing the wastewater stream
removal. Federal regulations dictate
(biochemical oxygen demand), TSS
for advanced treatment systems.
that a complete cleaning and
(total suspended solids
Poultry processors are required to
sanitation process be conducted after
concentration), COD (the chemical
remove the majority of the soluble
every killing and processing shift at
oxygen demand), and FOG (fats, oil
and particulate organic material in
the plant.
and grease), but poultry plant
their wastewater prior to discharge
The cleanup period generally uses
wastewater is most often tested for
from the plant in order to achieve
considerably more water that the
BOD which is a measure of the
compliance with local, state and
actual processing of the meat. As a
amount of oxygen needed to
federal environmental regulations.
result of there being often time in
degrade the organic matter
The problem is that few screening
between shifts and the processing
(feathers, fat and blood) in the
systems are really capable of
cleanup phases the generation of
wastewater.
continuously cleaning out all of this
wastewater can be inconsistent.
Poultry processing plants are
material to a level within the
Poultry processing plants, as in many
required to remove the majority of
standards of municipalities, and
other food processing activities
all soluble and particulate organic
municipalities use BOD loads to
typically are high water users. For
material in their generated
determine charges and surcharges for
broilers, 5 to 10 gallons of water are
wastewater prior to any discharge
wastewater dischargers.
used to process one 5 pound,
from the plant. This process needs
September - October 2016
[38] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Cropping
Grain temperature monitoring systems It is important to monitor grain
the grain bulk forms a peak.
temperature and to keep stored grain
there is always an unusual increase in temperature. For those who manage
cool and dry by regular aeration or
Determining the moisture
grain, temperature is the best
by turning it.
content of grain
indicator of grain quality. Grain is a
High moisture and warm
Grain with a moisture above grade
living organism. Like other living
temperatures in grain allow for the
requirements can create an
things, it breathes (respires) and it
rapid growth of insects, fungi and the
environment conducive to insect and
may become sick. Excessive moisture,
possible production of mycotoxins.
fungal growth and development if it
high temperature, and poor grain
is not managed. Grain left
condition (damaged kernels) are
How temperature and moisture
unmanaged may increase in
generally considered the most
work
temperature and subsequent
important factors that lead to trouble
Grain is a very good insulator. When
convection currents can cause
in stored grain.
it is undisturbed, it holds
surface condensation.
The three speciďŹ c causes of heating
temperature well. If warm grain is
To determine the moisture content of
are respiration of the grain itself
placed into storage and left
grain at storage, take samples from
(metabolism of viable grain),
undisturbed, convection currents
bins every 3 to 4 weeks after
microora (microorganisms such as
develop and cause hot spots and
storage if grain is not managed (no
fungi and bacteria), and insect
moisture condensation. The greater
aeration or turning). Samples should
infestation.
the temperature differential (the
be taken from several areas of the
difference between the temperature
bulk and be kept in sealed plastic
How aeration systems work
of the grain and the outside
containers prior to testing.
Aeration systems preserve stored
temperature), the stronger the
grain and keep it dry by reducing the
convection currents. The stronger the
The importance of grain
temperature of grain and reducing
convection, the greater the effect of
temperature monitoring
moisture migration. Appropriate
heating and condensation on the
Temperature is the key to safe grain
aeration can prevent convection
grain. This is particularly evident
storage. When grain goes out of
currents and condensation from
when stored grain is not leveled and
condition, regardless of the cause,
occurring.
September - October 2016
[40] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Cropping
It is important to consider the
the ambient temperature falls below
control of grain insect pests.
physical characteristics of grain when
that of the grain bulk, initially during
considering aeration and drying.
the early evening, night, and early
Other cooling methods
Factors such as grain class and
morning, you can use aeration to
If an aeration system is not available,
storage configuration impact the
reduce the temperature of the grain.
turning grain outside the bin is an
static pressure and thus the aeration
If you aerate grain when the
alternative to aerating it in the bin
fan requirements. In general, as
ambient temperature is above 20°C
when the ambient air temperature
static pressure increases (e.g.
and the temperature of the grain is
falls below 15°C. Turn the grain every
increased height of the storage or
above 30°C, the odors produced will
2 to 4 weeks until the grain
change in the class of commodity in
be more attractive to insect pests.
temperature reaches 15°C. This
storage), the amount of time
Sanitation involving cleaning and
procedure involves removing about
required to properly aerate also
treating grain is very important in
one-third of the grain from the bin
changes. Please consider consulting
preventing problems.
and putting it back in the bin.
with your aeration system provider to
As well as preventing insect
Grain chillers can be used to reduce
determine aeration or drying times
infestations, aeration is also very
the temperature of the grain when
for the bin type or commodity that
effective in controlling them. Once
outside temperatures are above 20°C.
you have in store.
the grain temperature is reduced to
Grain chillers reduce the temperature
below 18°C (which prevents insect
and moisture of air used to aerate the
feeding and reproduction) a further
grain. Once grain is chilled it remains
How to use aeration systems Stored grains should be aerated as
temperature reduction can be used
cool for extended periods, due to its
soon as possible after harvest,
to cause mortality. Refer to the
natural insulating properties.
particularly if aeration can reduce the
disinfestation time periods required
bulk temperature below 18°C. When
at low temperatures table in Physical
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[41] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Cropping
JP van den Berg and his wife, Linné, Sanette Thiart, Managing Director,Potato Certification Service, and Hennie van der Westhuizen, Business Manager: Central, Bayer
Seed Potato Grower of the Year 2016 JP van den Berg from Northwest was
registration to control results) were
named Seed Potato Grower for 2016
used to determine the winner.
potato production. Therefore, Bayer
at the Bayer gala dinner during the
Bayer and Potato Certification
launched its promise of "Committed to
Seed Potato Grower's forum in
Service strive to build on quality as
the Future" where we collectively
Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal.
the cornerstone for the industry.
want to responsibly manage the
Bayer is proud to be the main
Both organizations stand for
challenges of the future.
sponsor of this prestigious event and
sustainability for all stakeholders in
Along with the 18th Seed Grower of
also proud to congratulate JP van der
the potato industry. After a difficult
the Year Award, Potato Certification
products to support sustainable
Berg as the winner.
year during the 2015/16 drought, it
Service is also celebrating their 21st
As JP mentioned when he accepted
has become very clear that
anniversary. The company has played
his prise “Farming isn't a one man
consistency and reliability are two
a leading role over 21 years in the
show, it's a whole team behind you”
qualities that will support players in
pursuit of sustainable supply of high
Bayer is very proud to be part of JP's
the potato industry. Bayer strives to
quality plant material to the Potato
team and we stand behind him, well
provide access to innovation, by
Industry.
done JP.
investing in research to offer the
The other finalists for this year's award were Frans Engelbrecht (North
For the first time special recognition
potato industry products that
was also given to a group because of
address problems like managing
their involvement with the winner and
West) and W & K Boerdery (Western
virus vectors and soil-borne
even more due to the fact that all
Free State).
diseases. It is also important to
three finalists were Wesgrow growers.
Three years' certification data (from
protect the current potato protection
www.bayer.co.zw
September - October 2016
[42] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
SIM'Actus
SIMA Lab
SIMA World
SIM'Alertes
SIMA Live
SIMA, A WORLD-CLASS STANDARD The interna onal trade show for all technologies and solu ons for high-performance and sustainable agriculture, SIMA (26 February to 2 March 2017) has, edi on a er edi on, progressively become a major interna onal event.
SIMA 2017: GLOBAL MOBILISATION Displaying more interest than ever in the appeal of SIMA and that of its visitors’ profiles, exhibitors from outside France represen ng 40 countries have signed up in great numbers for the exhibi on. More than 40 new companies have registered to date, including examples such as Lovol Arbos Group, a Sino -Italian firm, and Korean companies Tongyang and Kamico. Other noteworthy ini a ves are the first- me par cipa ons of Finland, Indonesia and Japan, the launch of two new pavilions represen ng China and North America, and the substan al increase in the exhibi on space of certain countries such as Italy, Ireland and the Czech Republic.
EVENTS REVEALING THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL FORMS OF AGRICULTURE As an event aimed at all forms of agriculture, SIMA 2017 will be holding several events rela ng to the big global challenge for years ahead: Producing more, be er. These events include the SIMA African Summit, echoing the agreement signed by CEMA and the United Na ons FAO, the SIMA Dealers’ Dayng, a day dedicated to informal mee ngs between exhibitors and dealers from all over the world in associa on with SEDIMA and CLIMMAR and including a focus on the job of dealer in ten years, and finally the Interna onal Mee ngs, offering visitors a cross-sector perspec ve of all forms of agriculture with the help of contributors from a range of countries. SIMA, a worldwide network Capitalising on its exper se and renown, SIMA has recently developed its brand and network in Asia and North Africa. It has notably joined forces with the exhibi on organiser IMPACT in Bangkok to launch SIMA ASEAN. Following a successful inaugural event in 2015 (300 exhibitors from 23 countries and 13,200 professional visitors of 56 different na onali es), this year’s edi on will take place from 8 to 10 September 2016. Among the firms exhibi ng feature leading names such as Claas, JCB, Kubota and New Holland, alongside Manitou (expanding its stand space from 2015), MX, Forges de Niaux and Monosem. SIMA has also teamed up with SIPSA to launch a brand new show, SIMA-SIPSA Algeria, whose first edi on will be held in Algiers from 4 to 7 October 2016. Its aim is to extend its reach across all of North Africa and into Africa more generally. With a comprehensive product range catering to the needs of the region (inputs, trac on, lling, crop protec on, harves ng, irriga on, storage, livestock equipment, replacement parts, new technology, etc.) the show is supported by the Algerian authori es. It will play host to more than 600 exhibitors including Dubrulle/AVS, GEA Process Engineering, Irrifrance, Laforge, Monosem, Privé SA, Sonamia Monroc, Sulky Burel and Vaporma c, and expects to welcome around 20,000 professional visitors. SIMA in figures * - 1,740 companies from 40 countries - 238,848 visits from 142 countries - 300 interna onal delega ons - 92% visitor sa sfac on rate *Source: SIMA 2015
www.simaonline.com
#SIMA_PARIS
Ideas & Innovation Tea farmers in Uganda
Innovations by Africa based companies Development is no more a donor and
encourage world leaders to make
market selling prices and input
recipient formula, African people are
their data in agriculture and nutrition
prices. This knowledge could mean
using the now available information
open so that it is freely available and
the difference between a profit and a
on agriculture released by countries
usable worldwide for better policy
loss for many farmers. GODAN
around the world to create and
and decision-making by 2050, when
Partner Esoko offers farmers open
develop solutions the best way they
the global population is expected to
data on the selling price of
know how to directly affects the
hit 9 billion. By opening data on
commodities produced by farmers
sector and their immediate
agriculture and nutrition the aim is
in the region as well as the input
communities.
also to achieve the United Nations'
prices of resources such as seeds and
The agriculture sector is undergoing
goal 2 – 'zero hunger' by 2030 -
fertilisers. Esoko sends information
a lot of change with data finally being
ensuring food security.
through SMS allowing for easily
released by the US and UK
access to daily prices information,
government to help farmers around
which can help them to increase their
the world, especially in Africa. The
AFRICA CASE STUDIES:
profits and provide fairer prices.
initiative created as a by-product of
Please see below 4 case studies
the G8 Summit in 2013 is finally
which demonstrate the innovations
A Google for farmers - the quest
yielding results with young African
being spearheaded by Africa based
to empower agro-preneurs in
innovators from all over the continent
companies Agrinfo, VOTO, Esoko and
Tanzania
using the data and information
BROSDI:
For farmers trying to lease land in
released to make real change and
rural areas in Tanzania, the process is
after the sector and the market in
Mobile phones allow for fairer
often done using just a piece of paper.
which they operate.
pricing in Ghana
Because this is usually a simple
For rural farmers in Ghana, it has
agreement signed by the parties with
GODAN, or Global Open Data for
not only been difficult to have the
village leaders, the farmers are
Agriculture and Nutrition, a 350+
access to seasonal data but also to
unable to use this piece of paper as
partner organisation formed to
vital information including
collateral to get a loan. Tanzanian
September - October 2016
[44] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Ideas & Innovation GODAN partner Agrinfo, uses
coverage vastly increased, there has
in Uganda, it takes more than
geodata to map these pieces of land
been a huge explosion of people
external money or technology to solve
and collect important information
owning phones and SIM cards, and
long term problems such as poverty.
about each plot. Not only does this
being able to get connected. GODAN
The Busoga Rural Open Source and
sharing of farmland information
partner VOTO Mobile is a three-year
Development Initiative (BROSDI)
enable farmers to better manage
old Ghana-based tech startup and
recognises this, and has been using
their land, it also places a value on
social enterprise. Its mission is to
open data for the past decade to
their land by assessing their
empower communities to collect and
mobilise farmers to form communities
ownership and area size, type of
share information via mobile to drive
that can drive their own development.
investment and expected outputs.
positive social change. To do this,
This method of Open Development
VOTO helps businesses,
sees BROSDI assisting farmers
Women at the forefront of social
governments, and NGOs use mobile
through education on using
change in Ghana
technologies to gather information
technology to expand their business,
Mobile technologies have been
and feedback through interactive
but primarily relies on local knowledge
around for years, but they are only
SMS or voice calls in local languages.
to build networks of farmers that can
now becoming a viable technology
rely on each other to provide solutions
for dispersing information.
Open Development empowers
Particularly in Africa, where prices
communities in Uganda
have come down, and mobile
In poor communities such as those
Receiving weather updates
to agricultural problems.
Ideas & Innovation
How sustainable are your egg cartons? Design touches all areas of life, from
usually the end of the line for
be remanufactured to produce
computer interfaces to the packaging
recycled paper because paper quality
polyester fiber, which is used in
of the goods in our shopping basket.
degrades with continued recycling.
carpets, insulating fleece for clothing
Nature has given the egg a natural
According to the Technical
and containers.
package - the shell. Despite its
Association of the Pulp and Paper
Egg packaging should be designed to offer the following:
relative strength, the egg is an
Industry, wood fibers can only be
extremely fragile product and even
recycled five to seven times before
·
designed to travel and protect
with the best handling methods,
they become too short and brittle to
·
designed to pamper and
serious losses can result from shell
be made into new paper products.
damage. Economical marketing
A unique benefit of cardboard egg
·
designed to suit your goals
generally requires that eggs be
cartons is that you can start
·
designed to stand out
protected by the adoption of
seedlings in them. Fill each section
Eggs also need to breathe, hence the
specialized packaging and handling
with soil and a few seeds. Once the
packaging material used must allow
procedures.
seeds have sprouted, divide the
for the entrance of oxygen. The
The most important use for an egg
carton into the individual
material used must be clean and
packaging is the maximum efficiency
compartments and plant them
odourless so as to prevent possible
in handling and transport with the
(carton and all) in the ground. These
contamination and tainting. Authentic
lowest possible risk of breakage and
cartons are biodegradable so they
egg packaging materials can be
waste. No matter how far the journey
can also be put into your compost
reused, but careful attention must be
is from the factory or farm to the
bin.
paid to possible damage, odours and
protect
cleanliness.
supermarket, we should be able to count on an egg that is not broken.
Polyethylene terephthalate
The packaging must be made to
As the world becomes more
(PET)
withstand handling, storage and
environmentally conscious, industry
PET is good for protecting the eggs,
transport methods of the most diverse
leaders continually find ways to make
but also because the manufacturing
kind and to protect the eggs against
operations more sustainable. This
process minimizes materials used,
temperatures that cause deterioration
can mean anything from recycling
energy consumed and waste
and humidity. Finally, consumers like
more around the office to adopting
generated in production.
to see what they are buying,
Lean principles. Some companies are
The plastic egg carton is 100%
especially if it concerns fresh produce.
even thinking green when it comes to
recyclable and is made entirely from
An egg package should be designed
packaging.
100% recycled materials (recycled
so that the customers not only
soda bottles). The carton is labeled
recognize the product as such, but
Pulp paper/cardboard
with the #1 recycling code, which
can also see the eggs they are
These cartons are made from low-
can be recycled by most municipal
buying.
grade recycled paper. Egg cartons are
waste-collection agencies. PET can
September - October 2016
[46] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
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Ideas & Innovation
Agriculture Technology: How GIS Can Help You Win the Farm Today's farmers use sophisticated
Geographic Information Systems are
vast amounts of agricultural data and
agriculture technology because they
incredibly helpful in being able to
interactive maps, and support farming
can save time and money. Crops
map and project current and future
communities.
grow in specific locations. This makes
fluctuations in precipitation,
Producers use GIS to better manage
Geographic Information Systems
temperature, crop output, and more.
their farms by creating information-
(GIS) an extremely relevant tool for
By mapping geographic and geologic
dense reports and maps that give
farmers.
features of current (and potential)
them a unique perspective of their
Precision farming uses GPS on the
farmland scientists and farmers can
operations. The powerful analytical
field. While satellites and drones
work together to create more
capabilities of GIS offer an array of
collect vegetation and weather
effective and efficient farming
options for visualizing farming
information from the sky. Where
techniques; this could increase food
conditions, as well as measuring and
does this data all go? That's why
production in parts of the world that
monitoring the effects of farm
agriculture maps serve it to the
are struggling to produce enough for
management practices.
people.
the people around them.
Combined with remote sensing
Droughts, floods, swarms of insects
All sectors of the agriculture industry
technology, GIS can be used to
and poor farming techniques have
use (GIS) technology to share data,
precisely determine and control
plagued the agricultural community
increase yields, predict outcomes,
inputs, saving preventive expense and
for centuries. Improvements have
and improve business practices. By
reducing the amount of harm to the
been made to insure the safety and
applying GIS technology to their
soil. Farm managers also use GIS to
gain of crops worldwide and yet
operations, agricultural operations
submit government program
these factors and many more
are able to manage resources and
applications, simplifying what used to
continue to make or break individuals
responsibilities more efficiently,
be time-consuming multistep
and communities affected by them.
devise data portals that disseminate
processes.
September - October 2016
[48] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Ideas & Innovation GIS can analyze soil data combined
Not only do farmers save money on
with historical farming practices to
fertilizer, but they are saving the
Vegetation Index (NDVI). We have a
determine what are the best crops to
environment from over-application.
local and global estimate of crop
plant, where they should go, and
This is because of lot of the excess
productivity for the entire planet from
how to maintain soil nutrition levels
fertilizer tend to end up in streams
a long list of satellites orbiting the
to best benefit the plants.
and rivers by run-off.
Earth.
Agricultural Geographic Information
Precision farming applies fertilizer
What can drones collect on a field?
Systems (AGIS) can map not only
only where it's needed. It's site-
topography and crop health, but help
specific Sensors on a machine gather
solve wider economic issues in
information about the crops. In
municipalities and urban centers that
addition, the GPS gives you the
may stem from rural farming
exact position on the field. Precision
Ÿ
Plant health and field nutrients
Ÿ
3D elevation and volumetric
indices like Normalized Difference
Ÿ
Plant height, count and biomass estimates
Ÿ
Presence of disease and weeds
practices.
farming then applies a variable rate
The future implications of AGIS are
of fertilizer to nutrient-deficient
incredible and immense in scope.
sites.
Instead of workers scouting fields,
With the permeation of technology in
The farmer who uses precision
agriculture technology like drones can
the global culture today it is possible
farming can save anywhere in the
cover more ground.
that in a few years GIS could be
ballpark of 2-15$ per acre. Over
available to rural farmers in the
time, this makes an incredible
Drones can inspect crop health from
developing world to better help them
investment.
the sky and where plant stress is
grow crops, feed their families, and
data
occurring. Farmers can make
produce enough food to ship to
Data From the Sky – Satellites
actionable decisions on applying
neighboring areas. Farmers in
and Drones
nitrogen and monitoring yields.
severe-weather prone areas (like
What do crops need to grow?
Farmers can use precision watering
flood plains or drought zones) would
Other than sunlight and nutrients,
sensors because they know where it's
be able to predict what this weather
plants need the right amount of
needed most. They can combat the
could do to crops, could move fields
water. Too much (flooding) or little
spread of pests by identifying critical
to better geographic locations, and
(drought) water impacts crop
intervention areas.
know how to irrigate based on local
growth.
One small drone can help make some
water resources and weather
Satellite technology like Soil
very powerful decisions for farmers.
patterns. The world food crisis could
Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS)
be alleviated by the use of GIS.
collect real-time (passive)
Data online – Real-time mapping
microwave energy from the Earth's
The United States Department of
Data From the Machine –
surface. This can better forecast
Agriculture (USDA) National
Precision Farming
crop production and monitor drought
Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS)
Farmers use precision agriculture
and flooding.
developed the mapping application
because they can reduce the amount
Landsat satellites analyze the
CropScape where farmers can obtain
of fertilizer applied on the field.
greenness of vegetation using
acreage estimates of crop types. Simply, farmers can see what crops are growing where and how much. In
Drone collecting data
addition, government have also used CropScape on issues like food security, land-cover change and pesticide control. At a global scale, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations AgroMap breaks down primary food crops with its global spatial database of agricultural landuse statistics. For large-scale planning, online tools like plant hardiness defines suitable climatic growing areas for different types of crops.
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[49] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Ideas & Innovation Modelling – Mashing data sets
taking into account
of land use over time, is there enough
Researchers are mashing together
evapotranspiration, rainfall, runoff
arable land to serve a growing
various inputs to better model and
and other factors.
population?
understand crop production.
Geographic Information Systems
Maps serve the purpose of raising
The Crop Assimilation Model (CAM)
assists decision-support. IDRISI's
awareness about global hunger and
and Soil-Water-Air-Plant (SWAP) in
Reducing Emissions from
places that are in need like the FAO
GRASS GIS serve as crop
Deforestation and forest Degradation
Hunger Map and World Food
productivity monitoring tools by
(REDD) determines the opportunity
Programme Food Security Analysis.
simulating soil, water and crop
cost of potential agricultural revenue
Satellite, mobile-collected and GIS
processes.
versus deforestation.
data storage are safeguarding food-
The Length of Growing Period (LGP)
Aspect and microclimate can locate
insecure populations by establishing
is when crops meet the full
potential areas that can be
underlying causes
evapotranspiration demands of
harvested like the south-facing
Precision farming, satellites, drones,
precipitation and soil moisture
slopes of the Swiss Alps. The south-
webmaps and sophisticated models –
holding capacity. Each crop type has
facing slopes shelter from cold and
this list represents some of the
specific moisture requirements
dry winds which is critical to
agriculture technology being used on
making LGP difficult to calculate.
successful crop growth.
farmland today. The modern-day farmer needs to
The Erosion-Productivity Impact Calculator (EPIC) models crop yields
Meeting Future Food Demand
understand a lot more than just what
and irrigation requirements to
How can we fulfill the needs of a
to seed – soils, weeds, nutrients,
climate change. While the
growing and increasingly affluent
weather, insects, disease, machinery
Agricultural Non-Point Source
population? Agriculture technology is
and climate.
(AGNPS) Model predicts the effects of
helping diagnose food security. Can
These emerging trends provide the
agriculture on water quality.
we learn from historical data?
location intelligence farmers need to
And the Versatile Soil Moisture
Landsat satellite data provides a
get the job done faster and with more
Budget (VSMB) simulates soil
unique view of historical agricultural
knowledge. What are some of the
moisture conditions of cropland areas
land. When you plot historical trends
other growing trends for agriculture technology?
Ideas & Innovation Trimble TMX-2050
Precision control from planting to harvest Trimble Solutions Enable Farmers
range of displays from the entry-
and application control needs of their
to Operate More Strategically
level EZ-Guide® 250 which provides
farm.
Farmers are facing increasing
basic precision agriculture
pressure to produce more with less.
functionalities up to Trimble's
GNSS Correction Services
They are looking for solutions that
premier display, the TMX-2050™
To provide farmers with the level of
help maximize efficiency and operate
display. It is ideal for growers who
accuracy that is right for their
more profitably while also meeting
want to implement the latest
operation, Trimble offers a portfolio of
increasing regulations around
platform for connectivity with auto-
correction service options that are the
environmental protection and natural
guidance, and standardized
most versatile and accurate of their
resource conservation. Trimble
protocols including ISOBUS for
kind in the industry.
precision agriculture products are
variable rate application which
Trimble RTX (Real Time eXtended) is a
designed to help farmers achieve
includes an intuitive user interface
high-accuracy GNSS correction
these goals with solutions for all
built on the popular Android™
service delivering repeatable
seasons, crops, terrains, and
operating system. To provide
centimeter level positions worldwide.
farmers with the level of accuracy
Combining real-time data with
that is right for their operation,
innovative positioning and
Making a Difference
Trimble offers a portfolio of
compression algorithms, Trimble
Trimble solutions can make a
correction options which are the
RTX™ utilizes an established global
difference in how a farmer runs his
most versatile and accurate of their
reference station network along with
operation. Trimble guidance and
kind in the industry.
satellite orbit and clock information to
steering solutions minimize skips and
Trimble displays are available in a
compute high accuracy positions. The
vehicles.
overlaps between passes and reduce
range of configurations and price
real-time technology is available via
crop damage and compaction to
points so farmers can customize the
satellite or IP delivery across most of
improve yields. Trimble offers a
display to suit the specific steering
the world.
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[51] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Ideas & Innovation are looking for ways to optimize
Data Management and Decision
accommodate a wide range of
their water use. To help achieve this,
Making
applications and accuracy
Trimble offers land leveling to ensure
To help farmers more efficiently
requirements: CenterPoint® RTX
efficient distribution of water by
manage the large amount of data
(<4cm) and RangePoint® RTX
maintaining grade which can result
their precision agriculture applications
(<50cm). Trimble RTX technology
in improved yield, minimized water
are recording, Trimble's data
also powers Trimble xFill®, providing
costs, and enhanced farm
management solution provides
centimeter-level back up corrections
productivity.
wireless data transfer between the
via satellite for customers using RTK
Because every drop matters, every
farm and office or between vehicles
or VRS systems. xFill bridges the
decision farmers make about
operating in the same field—saving
gap when users lose cellular
irrigation is critical. With the
time and increasing efficiency.
connectivity or radio line of sight,
Irrigate-IQ™ precision irrigation
The data management solution also
allowing them to continue working
solution, farmers can apply the right
provides farmers with the data they
seamlessly in the field for up to 20
amount of water, fertigation,
need to make better decisions about
minutes on all compatible receivers.
chemigation, or effluent in the right
their farm. For example, the solution
And, now xFill can be used
place – while minimizing nutrient
includes a customizable dashboard
indefinitely beyond 20 minutes with
and chemical runoff. The Irrigate-IQ
view that provides a centralized
an xFill Premium subscription,
solution also is fully scalable to best
snapshot of farm operations as well as
enhancing your productivity in the
suit farmers' irrigation needs.
key information impacting farm
field.
For farmers who experience the
decisions such as weather, fleet
opposite challenge—too much
details, field operations data,
Resource Conservation
water—Trimble offers a drainage
boundary maps, and more. With this
As the world's growing population
solution which can help improve
information at their fingertips,
requires more water, and regulations
yield by controlling ponding,
farmers can make more informed
around its usage increase, farmers
optimizing root depth, and
decisions about their daily farming
maximizing planting seasons.
activities.
Trimble RTX correction services
To learn more about Trimble, visit http;//www.trimble.com/agriculture.
Available via satellite delivery, no base station required
TRIM
BLE
RTX
CO R
REC
TED
DAT A
L-Band Satellite
GNSS Satellites
Trimble RTX-Tractor
September - October 2016
[52] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Ideas & Innovation
The use of technology in mechanised irrigation The development of electronic
us for communication with systems
operation. Alpha numeric displays
technology has impacted all of us. It
regardless of their accessibility.
manipulate by a key pad could be
allows better communication, better
Devices have been developed that
very confusing resulting in limiting the
access to information, and
are easily retrofitted to pivots in the
utilization of the systems capability.
innumerable things that make our
field. In their simplest form they can
Touch screen technology provides a
lives easier. It is only natural that
be used for monitoring the system
much more intuitive and efficient
these new tools are being put to use
only. More sophisticated units add
operator interface. Visual
to enhance the operation of irrigation
the ability to control at least the
representation of the system as
equipment as well.Unlike most other
basic functions of the system.
programmed is one facet.
farm equipment, irrigation systems
Another is the ease of moving through
typically operate unattended. Most
Improved performance and
farming operations have multiple
efficiency
irrigation installations and often
several screens that provide direct feed back to the operator. One of the
To improve the efficiency with which
main bits of information needed for
times these are distributed over a
water is applied it is often desirable
effective management of an irrigation
large area. In the critical growing
to “program” a pivot or linear move
system and its functions is location.
season timely management is very
system to alter its operation either
For center pivots, several devices
important. Interrupted operation at a
by time of day or location in the
have been used to mechanically
time of high crop stress can be
field. For instance half of a pivot
measure the angular location of the
costly. Monitoring used to require an
might be planted to corn and the
pivot center.
individual visual checking each
other half to soybeans, or the
The accuracy and reliability of such
system. This required a lot of time
operator might want to irrigate only
devices is suspect because relatively
and if a system failed just after being
at night.
small angle changes represent large
checked it would set idle until the
Early computerized control panels
displacement of the out end of a
next scheduled “drive by”, wasting
allowed these things to be
system. A GPS device located on or
valuable time. Satellite and cell
accomplished but with a marked
near the end of a system provides the
phone networks are now available to
increase in the complexity of
accuracy needed.
September - October 2016
[54] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Ideas & Innovation
Low costs mechanized devices
dug wells, deepening a well using
Most water enters artesian wells from
for irrigation
traditional methods is dangerous.
the bottom and a wrapped screen
Well Jetting
The wrapped filter reduces this risk
increases the recharge rate
Well jetting is a low-cost technique
The installation of a wrapped screen
significantly by expanding the surface
for establishing small diameter wells
in a short borehole at the bottom of
area for collection of water. Without
(50-160 mm) using the forces of
an existing cement lined well is a
the wrapped screen, the only benefit
water to cut directly into the ground,
cost-effective alternative for farmers
market gardeners with limited water
liquefy the soil, and allow the
in areas with sandy soil and low well
availability would gain from an
insertion of riser pipe or well screens
recharge rates. Although results
improved manual water lifting device
The applicability of well jetting and
might differ depending on local
or mechanized pump over the
the modification of the technique that
conditions, field tests conducted in
traditional system would be the labour
has to be used where it is applicable
Senegal in 1994 found that well
time savings in lifting water because
depend on the nature of the soil
recharge rate increased by 100
they lack the additional water needed
above the aquifer, the depth of the
percent following installation of the
for expanding production.
aquifer, and the grade of sand in the
wrapped filter.
aquifer. In northern Nigeria, well jetting has been used with temporary casings to install over 5 000 new wells in just a few hours per well in places with 3-4 m of heavy soil overburden. By contrast, it can take three days to construct a well using manual techniques Highly favorable conditions over extensive areas in the southern part of the country, very similar to those that exist in northern Nigeria, could allow well jetting to flourish in Niger. In these areas, coarse sand is under pressure and former river beds have formed very permeable aquifers. Wrapped Screens The ability of some farmers to expand their irrigated area or provide crops with a larger amount of water is sometimes limited by insufficient water availability due to low well recharge rates. In Senegal it has been found that hand-dug, cementlined wells typically have overnight recharge rates of 3-4 m3 of water and this amount can easily be pumped out in less than an hour . Deepening cement-lined wells by adding cement rings is time consuming, expensive, and might allow more fine sand to enter the well - reducing the well's capacity and water quality In addition, as in the case of newly constructed handwww.farmersreviewafrica.com
[55] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Ideas & Innovation
Waste not, want not: turning harvest waste into electricity When even waste material can be
net output of 2.2 MW bringing much-
“This was the first anaerobic digester
used to produce energy, it's a
needed power into the grid at a time
project for GE in sub-Saharan Africa.
win-win situation all round
when Kenya's energy needs are
It is a big win for Kenya and Africa in
Across Africa, countries are
steadily rising.
general, demonstrating that waste to
committed to scaling up renewable
The plant is powered by GE's J420
power projects are feasible in this
energy production to meet their
Jenbacher engines, which are able to
market” stated Oluwatoyin Abegunde,
growing energy needs. However, this
operate smoothly at 2,000 meters
GE's distributed power leader for
will require bold thinking and
above sea level. This was the first
Africa.
innovation to deliver affordable and
time that Jenbacher engines were
Beyond producing power, the plant
reliable power solutions that can be
deployed on a renewable energy
has multiple environmental benefits.
rapidly deployed.
project in East Africa. As the largest
These include the development of a
Africa's first grid-connected
biodigester of its type in East Africa,
rich natural fertiliser, which is a by-
anaerobic digester plant on Gorge
Gorge Farm Park is seen as a
product of the power production
Farm in Kenya was developed by
trailblazer for renewable energy
process. Once fed back into the land
Tropical Power and is operated by
development in the region.
this helps to improve crop health and
independent power producer
The project cost US$6.5mn to build
reduces the need for synthetic
Biojoule. The Gorge Farm Energy
and was developed in under 12
fertilisers. Further by displacing oil-
Park, launched in August 2015, and
months, with a projected payback
fired generation from the grid, the
uses organic waste and sunshine to
period of less than six years.
plant reduces carbon emissions by
produce renewable power, both of
“Through the Gorge Farm Energy
7,000 tonnes a year.
which are plentiful on the 800ha
Park we aim to displace the
“The Gorge Farm Energy Park is a
vegetable farm.
expensive and imported generation
showcase project for Nakuru County,
Currently only 23 per cent of Kenya's
fuels – like diesel and heavy fuel oil
Kenya and the African continent.
population have access to electricity,
– from Kenya's distributed power
Distributed power projects are vital to
said the World Bank, yet access to
mix. The Gorge Farm AD Plant is
our energy security, reliability and
energy is a key imperative for
proof that locally produced feedstock
efficiency. And the Park will be using
economic development.
can generate clean and cost effective
local crop waste and the sun to
Gorge Farm Energy Park has an
distributed power,” says Mike Mason,
generate clean, renewable power
installed capacity of 2.8MW, with a
chairman of Tropical Power.
close to the point of use,” said Nakuru county governor Kinuthia Mbugua.
September - October 2016
[56] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Machinery Preview Powerful water friendly Fire Fighter from Goscor Power Products
Where's the fire? Ever mindful of customer needs and
low water consumption. Ideal for
can lead to pump blockage.
the environment, Goscor Power
grass fires, the unit is powered by
The Fire Fighters are also extremely
Products offers a high quality range
the new rugged and durable 7 HP
versatile as their rugged pumps are
of powerful, water-friendly Fire
Rato engine, a compact, efficient
equipped with stainless steel pistons
Fighters that are ideally suited to
and economical power pack that
and acid resistant seals making the
handle anything from small grass
does not compromise on
units suitable for cattle dip and fruit
fires to larger forestry applications.
performance. “In fact,” says Bester,
tree spraying insecticides.
With over 30 years of experience in
“when it comes to performance this
Showcased at Nampo 2016, the Fire
the development of Fire Fighting
unit is more powerful than most of
Fighter range was extremely popular
equipment, the company's rugged
its closest rivals! Putting customers
with the farming community. “Our low
and reliable low, medium and high
first is part of our value proposition
cost unit in particular attracted a lot
pressure Fire Fighters are designed
and we trust that by offering farmers
of attention,” notes Bester who invites
and engineered to deliver important
this unit at a reduced cost will assist
farmers to contact Goscor Power
cost saving and safety benefits that
them in protecting their livestock
Products for a quote. “Our excellent
enable farmers to realise a rapid
and crops.”
show price specials still apply!”
return on their investment.
The Fire Fighters feature a
Goscor Power Products is part of the
“We empathise with our farmers who
Polyethylene 620 litre low profile
Goscor Group of Companies and leads
are under extreme pressure having
water tank with a large 450mm
the Southern African market as a
been dealt a double blow – the
diameter lid for fast filling and easy
specialist distributor of a holistic
protracted weak economic climate as
cleaning. Alongside struts on the
range of compact power equipment
well as the severe drought that is
tank ceiling and sides as well as
including pumps, generators, welders,
gripping our country,” says Managing
baffles on the bottom of the tank
firefighters, engines, rammers, rollers
Director, Mark Bester. “In an effort to
interior, the step tank's low centre of
and compactors. The product
come to the aid of our farmers we
gravity limit water movement for
portfolio, including parts and spares,
have decided to introduce a low cost
enhanced vehicle stability during
are readily available from the
high pressure Fire Fighter. Delivering
transportation. Corner struts
company's dealer support network
on quality and performance at an
facilitate safe and secure tie-down of
across South and southern Africa
affordable price, this unit is kind on
the unit on the back of the vehicle.
including Botswana, Mozambique,
the farmer's pocket and on the
The black tank interior blocks UV
Namibia and Zambia.
environment, boasting impressively
rays to prevent algae build-up which
September - October 2016
[58] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
Machinery Preview
Center-Pivot and Linear Move Irrigation Systems Rainfall is the principle source of
to thirteen acres in one circle, to
controlled from the main control
water; however, many farmers are
multiple tower machines capable of
panel. For most machines this
turning to irrigation to supplement
irrigating over 500 acres. The single
involves controlling the speed of the
precipitation. There are many types
tower machines are towable and
outside tower, i.e., does the electric
of irrigation systems. But, most
designed to be used on multiple
motor on that tower operate
farmers have limited choices for their
pivot points. Multiple tower
continuously or is there stop and go
particular farm or field.
machines may also be towable, but
operation? The micro-switches at each
Some systems are inherently more
there is a practical limit of
of the other towers then control the
approximately 150 acres for a
amount of run time for the motors on
others are designed to overcome
towable machine.
each tower so that the lateral line
limitations such as irregular field
Power units for pumps to supply
remains properly aligned. Improper
shapes, sloping land, or limited water
water to pivots can be electric or
alignment usually results in automatic
supplies. All of these factors should
internal combustion. For the electric
system shut- down to prevent system
be considered before selecting a
drive pivots, three phase power is
damage.
particular type of system.
needed to operate the motors at
When properly designed and
The center pivot and linear- move
each tower. This can be supplied by
managed, the center pivot and linear
type irrigation systems are usually
a three-phase power line, a
move machines are the most energy
the most practical system for
generator powered by an internal
efficient type of sprinkler irrigation
irrigating large, rectangular or
combustion engine, or a phase
system.
regular shaped fields.
convertor to convert single-phase to
On large fields, the center pivot and
The center pivot is a self-propelled
three-phase power.
linear move machine offers the
continuous move machine that
Safety controls on the pivot include
grower a system that is efficient in
water and energy efficient while
rotates around a central pivot point.
proper wiring and grounding,
energy and water usage. It also
The propulsion system may be oil
especially of electric-drive units, and
requires the least amount of labor of any of the sprinkler systems.
hydraulic, water hydraulic, or electric.
micro-switches at each tower to
Center pivots are available in sizes
keep towers properly aligned. Speed
from one tower, that irrigates seven
of rotation of the machine is
September - October 2016
[60] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
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Soils & Pastures
Managing MoistureControlled water drainage patterns Drainage has long been an important
wet periods, but utilize control
convey ponded surface water to
component of land management in
structures to manage the water level
ditches. Vegetated field borders and
plains and water regions. On flat,
in the drainage outlet, making it
drop inlet pipes are used to stabilize
poorly drained soils, intensive
possible to reduce over drainage.
ditch banks and minimize erosion
drainage is necessary to facilitate
In some cases, the system can be
while conveying surface runoff from
seedbed preparation and planting in
used to provide sub irrigation during
the surface drains into the ditch.
order to minimize plant stress and
dry periods. Collectively, these
Subsurface drainage is obtained by
subsequent yield reduction resulting
practices are referred to as water
buried tile or tubing (4- to 6-inch
from poor soil aeration that
table management and involve a
diameter) that is placed 3 to 5 feet
accompanies waterlogging.
combination of management
deep and 50 to 200 feet apart. A
The drainage intensity required for
practices including surface drainage,
subsurface system provides drainage
agricultural production is not the
subsurface drainage, controlled
when the water table rises above the
same in all years or all periods of the
drainage, and/or sub irrigation.
drain depth and water flows toward
year. While wetness is the major
Drainage is accomplished by two
and into the drain. The drainage
concern, weather conditions vary
methods — open-ditch systems
process whereby water infiltrates into
such that crops periodically suffer
designed to provide primarily surface
the soil and moves within the soil
from drought stress that may
drainage (surface runoff) or
profile is referred to as subsurface
substantially reduce yields in some
underground systems comprised of
drainage, shallow ground water flow,
years. Intensive drainage systems,
drain tile or tubing designed to lower
or sometimes interflow.
necessary to provide trafficability
the water table by subsurface flow.
In practice, it is often difficult to
during extreme wet periods often,
A surface drainage system typically
differentiate between surface and
remove more water than necessary
consist of 3- to 5-foot deep, open
subsurface drainage, because the
during drier periods, leading to
ditches installed on 300- to 600-foot
outflow in drainage ditches or canals
temporary over drainage.
intervals. Surface runoff develops
is usually a combination of both
Problems with drought on drained
when the rate of rainfall exceeds the
surface and subsurface flow.
soils have resulted in a transition
soil's capacity to absorb water,
The relative proportion of surface and
from conventional drainage methods
thereby resulting in surface ponding.
subsurface flow in the total drainage
to water table management systems.
Shallow surface drains (hoe drains)
volume depends on many factors.
The latter provide drainage during
are often utilized to effectively
These include rainfall intensity, land >>p65
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
[61] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Machinery Preview
EuroTier 2016: GEA to showcase “Smart Technology for Future Farming” Process engineering group, GEA, will
of infected or at-risk animals and
improving herd performance.
showcase cutting-edge automation
treatment and progress checks
Another mobile software has been developed with the aim of further
and sensor-based technologies for
during lactation periods, through to
the dairy industry at this year's
animal management adjustments.
optimizing the overview of all
EuroTier (November 15 – 18, 2016,
As a result, the CMIQ sensor
livestock farming and crop
Hanover, Germany). They will
technology leads to verifiably
management processes: the
empower customers to produce milk safely and increase animal health, while optimizing revenues and milk quality – all while coping with today's
improved herd health with less work.
365ActiveBox with the 365TimeApp.
GEA is launching the system in
The boxes with SmartSensor
2017.
technology send data directly to the farmer's smartphone. By these simple
GEA DairyNet: Successful
means, working and machine times
partnership between GEA and
can be recorded, temperatures
GEA's product solutions are smartly
365FarmNet bears new fruit
displayed and monitored, and animal
linking farm, barn, herd and health
GEA DairyNet offers dairies a web-
weighing data transmitted to the dairy
management.
based herd management system
farmer who can intervene at any
which facilitates the division of the
stage.
challenging market environment.
Patented innovation: sensor
herd into specific feeding groups. It
technology identifies cases of
is a key element in the 365FarmNet
Automated milking systems from
suspected mastitis during milking
platform. Thanks to this, farmers
GEA continue to make headway
With CMIQ monitoring, GEA is
can document, evaluate and manage
GEA DairyProQ, the automated and
presenting the world's first real-time
cattle rearing processes in
modular milking rotary parlor, is
system for effective early detection
combination with crop management
already in operation with more than
of mastitis at the quarter level. The
for the first time. Combining the
500 milking stalls following successful
CMIQ sensor records the milk
expertise of the individual partners
pilot projects. It has now entered
composition of each individual
GEA, fodjan and 365FarmNet within
serial production. Good news: GEA is
quarter during the overall milking
a new “365Feeding” concept gives
offering its customers an extended
process. It analyzes and compares
farmers new ways to best adjust
warranty of up to five years for the
existing data on short notice, so any
feeding to the animals' performance
DairyProQ system. With a new
necessary action can start right after
potential. Consequently, the farmer
improved design, the milking stall
milking, from the automatic selection
boosts animal health while also
module enables fast service.
September - October 2016
[62] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
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Machinery Preview The youngest member in the
Foods and the Dutch Dairy
automation range, the GEA Monobox,
Association (NZO).
has also been very well received on
workload, the continuous pushing means less food is wasted and productivity is increased.
the market. Since March 2016 more
GEA MixFeeder WIC: How smart
than 200 individual boxes have
are automatic feeding systems?
GEA SRone+ manure scraper is an
already been sold in 15 countries.
Since July 2016, GEA's product
advanced version of SRone
Unlike other products on the market,
developers have been adding the
GEA has recently launched the new
the GEA Monobox handles all
control software WIC (Wireless
manure scraper SRone+ specially
milking-related processes in one
Integrated Control) to the tried-and-
designed for more complex stall
attachment operation. It also
tested GEA MixFeeder. The WIC
layouts and floors of up to 12,000
includes the verifiably safe Apollo
system directly connects raw feed
square metres. Besides many other
system for automatic dipping within
stores and silos and controls each
special functions, the SRone+
the teat cup.
individual step of the process fully
features high-tech equipment with a
automatically: from the precise
gyroscope, extensive RFID/TAG
GEA Apollo system approved by
weighing and mixing of the feed
sensor technology and semi-rigid PUR
leading milk processing
components in accordance with set
wheels. SRone+ is a premium version
companies
feeding plans and specifications, to
of the tried-and-tested basic unit,
The Apollo system, a technology
time-controlled group feeding. The
SRone, for simpler stall layouts, and
specially developed by GEA to
MixFeeder with WIC ensures that
which starts without any
improve udder health and prevent
each group of animals receives the
programming.
mastitis, ensures that automated
individual feed blend it needs,
dipping and backflushing processes
tailored to its performance level. The
run with maximum reliability and
WIC software can be controlled via
produce high quality milk in both
PC or touch panel.
automated and conventional
Find out more at our EuroTier press conference on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. in Hall 13/14 of
parlours. Careful dipping and
GEA enhances automated barn
the Hanover Trade Fair Convention
intermediate disinfection of the
equipment: FRone
Centre.
milking cluster prevent the
With GEA FRone, a robot pushes the
transmission of mastitis pathogens,
feed in front of the feed fences
Contact
thereby minimizing the spread of
instead of the farmer – saving his
GEA Southern & Eastern Africa
infection. Independent testing
precious time. This ensures that
48 Reedbuck Crescent, Corporate Park
confirmed complete product safety.
cows always have access to fresh
South, Midrand 1682, RSA
Based on these tests, GEA was
feed, regardless of the order in
Tel. + 27(0)11 392 7114, Fax.
granted exclusive sales authorization
which they feed. As a result, they
+27(0)11 392 7000
in certain countries by leading milk
eat more often and remain healthy
info-sea@gea.com
processing companies, including Arla
and productive. Besides reducing the
DairyShow 2015 China
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[63] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
September - October 2016
Soils & Pastures <<p61 surface roughness and slope,
Surface drainage systems result in
occurs more quickly. When
vegetation, soil permeability, and
rapid removal of excess water over a
flashboards are added to the riser, the
ditch or drain tubing spacing and
relatively short time period. This
subsurface drainage rate is decreased
depth.
water flowing over the land surface
and the height of the water level in
Open ditches are normally spaced
has relatively high energy sufficient
the ditches and surrounding fields
farther apart than buried tubing,
to detach and transport soil particles
rises. Managing the field water
which typically causes subsurface
and constituents attached to them,
through the use of controlled drainage
flow to be slow, resulting in collection
such as phosphorus, organic
allows timely drainage but also
of predominately surface drainage.
nitrogen, and many pesticides.
maximum storage of water within the
But in highly permeable soils, open
Subsurface drainage typically
field for utilization by the crop.
ditches may provide significant
contains very little sediment, but
Generally, with improved drainage,
subsurface drainage.
contains high concentrations of
there is a tendency for the planting of
Drainage and Water Quality
soluble constituents such as nitrate-
higher value crops, and increased
Nitrogen and phosphorus are
nitrogen.
chemical applications. This may lead
transported from land-based
Controlled Drainage
to increased chemical loads in surface
activities to receiving streams and
Water control structures, such as a
runoff and subsurface drainage
estuaries by drainage of excess
flashboard riser, installed in the
discharge. Crop production methods
rainfall. The difference in drainage
drainage outlet allow the water in
should, therefore, focus on more
method (surface versus subsurface
the drainage outlet to be raised or
efficient water, fertilizer and pesticide
flow) is important from a water
lowered as needed. This water
applications. Water quality benefits
quality standpoint because the
management practice has become
associated with water table
characteristics of the two drainage
known as controlled drainage.
management will only be achieved if
waters differ.
When the flashboards are lowered or
sound agricultural practices are
removed, subsurface drainage
followed.
Events African Agri Investment Indaba (AAII) Date: 28-Nov-16 to 30-Nov-16 Loca on: Cape Town / South Africa Agra Innovate West Africa Date: 23-Nov-16 to 25-Nov-16 Loca on: Lagos / Nigeria
2nd AIFA Conference Agriculture Investment & Funds Africa Date: 27- Oct-16 to 28- Oct-16 Loca on: Johannesburg / South Africa
Advertisers index 02 TORMAC PUMPS 13 MASCUS 15 AGRI-COUNCIL 18 DUDUTECH 17 MUNTERS 19 MUELLER 20 MMI STEELS 24 AGRITEC AFRICA 25 JOHN THOMPSON 27 FOUR LAKES 30 DELAVAL 33 BITEK INDUSTRIES 35 DADVET 37 SPECTROMETER TECHNOLOGIES
September - October 2016
39 SAWPA 41 TSGC 43 SIMA 45 WATEX 47 MPACT 50 ITS PUMPS 53 TRIMBLE 55 JABECO 57 UNISA 59 NILFISK 64 GEA 65 HEFER PLANT 67 BAGTECH 68 CONTINENTAL
[66]FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
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