ProAgri Zambia 23 by ProAgri

ProAgri technology for the farmer

Z a m b i a

No 23

Free

Triple A: Top technology for farmers

Master top-notch ripping techniques

builds an African beauty

Farm smartly! Du Preez de Villiers dupreez@proagri.co.za

How to handle your beef cattle: Part 13

Fencing for the future: Bonnox opens the gate to growth

Agrico tractors are the pride of Africa

Start the new season right: ETG’s shopping basket for the 2017/18

Content

farming season 19

For the serious farmer: Saro Agro oﬀers next level Kubota tractors

Soil: The farmer’s most important asset: Part 20

Subsoiler or ripper eﬃciency

AFGRI Corp Zambia shines with technological solutions

AgriWes oﬀers machines for better cultivation and higher yields

ProAgri Zambia 23

Cover

Letter from the Editor

he excitement and activity on crop farms are almost touchable with the beginning of the summer planting season. We can only hope that the sudden increase in the diesel price and the delay in the activation of the E-voucher system will not dampen our spirits. However, farmers are tough and resilient, and will always find a way around these typical obstacles. Zambia’s total land surface is 75 261 800 hectares. 58% of our land is arable, which totals 43 651 844 hectares. Currently, Zambians are estimated to only cultivate 15% of this land, or 6 547 776 hectares. This means that we have another 37 104 067 hectares laying bare and waiting for somebody to tap its

riches through formal agriculture. This area is larger than Western, North Western and Central provinces combined - our three largest provinces. The rest of the world is looking at this opportunity in all eagerness in the hope to develop and turn it into food and other usable agricultural products. Various investors from China, Europe and a few other countries are queuing up and are already busy reaping the benefits of this agricultural gold mine. The big question is: Where are our local Zambians in this exciting story? More than half of our people are still struggling to put food on the table on a daily basis. We really have to think long and hard about this. This is an opportunity that we have to grab… Yesterday… Real and honest customer service is the result when competing companies come together to allow farmers to compare their equipment. The Triple A Farmers’ Demo Day was recently held at Mkushi, and it is the first of its kind. Machines in action are also the best sales pitch. AFGRI, AgriWes and Agricon were the three participating companies. Read everything about it in this month’s edition. This month we also look at ripping techniques and ETG offers us their shopping basket for the next planting season. Saro Agro tells us why they are the proud distributors of Kubota tractors and Bonnox offers a range of fencing for all kinds of stock and game.

Agrico’s pivot irrigation systems are making significant inroads in Zambia, and their tractors and implements are following suit. Read on page 13 about their magnificent African manufactured tractor range.

ProAgri technology for the farmer

Z a m b i a

Oﬃce no. 3 Fens Investment Building Lusaka Show Grounds +26 (0)96-216-9801 www.proagri.co.za Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved. No material, text or photographs may be reproduced, copied or in any other way transmitted without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or of the editor. We recognise all trademarks and logos as the sole property of their respective owners. ProAgri shall not be liable for any errors or for any actions in reliance thereon.

ProAgri Zambia Editor Du Preez de Villiers > +27 82-598-7329 dupreez@proagri.co.za General Manager Zambia Quintus Grobler > +26-096-216-9801 (WA only) South Africa + 27-078-978-6339 quintus@proagri.co.za Reporters Annemarie Bremner > +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za Benine Cronjé > +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za Senior Production Manager: Zainab Pandor > +26 (0)97-769-9786 zainab@proagri.co.za Marketing Xander Pieterse > +27 79-524-0934 xander@proagri.co.za Stefan van Wyk > +27 82-381-7563 stefan@agritrader.co.za Tiny Smith > +27 79-531-0024 tiny@proagri.co.za Munyinda Nambula > +26 (0)97-742-6564 munyinda@proagri.co.za Riaan Oosthuizen > +27 72-321-3690 riaan@proagri.co.za Design Esta van Niekerk > esta@proagri.co.za Enquiries Lize du Plooy > +27 12-803-0667 lize@proagri.co.za Engela Botha > +27 12-803-0667 engela@proagri.co.za Accounts Ronel Keet > +27 12-803-0667 accounts@proagri.co.za Distribution Du Preez de Villiers > +27 12-803-0667 dupreez@proagri.co.za.co.za Business Manager George Grobler

A pig production enterprise pris rise e involves invo nvo v lves e tthe use of quality stock feeds from es creep to finisher, hence Animal feeds produces certified pig e feeds ranging from pig creep, pig weaner, pig grower, pig finisher, pig sow and boar and pig lactating sow. These feeds are available both in complete feeds and concentrates for farmers with farm maize.

The remaining range of Pig Feeds are fed during the period of growth where the management practices are aimed at fast economical growth of pig meat and for this reason feeding is on a generous scale. It is important to not mix any other feeds with these balanced feeds as this will result in lower performance. Reducing stress during this period is critical. Overcrowding in particular causes high stress. Supplying clean and cool drinking water together with feed is essential.

ProAgri Zambia 21

ProAgri Zambia 23

How to handle your beef cattle Part 13: Manure handling practices Published with acknowledgement to the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering for the use of their Beef Cattle Handling Manual. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

Regular manure removal can increase profits.

e have reached the last article in our beef cattle handling series, and this month we look at waste management. A farmer can prevent many diseases and animal stress if the manure is removed regularly. Proper design of the feedlot will make this process easy and inexpensive. We thank the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering in South Africa who made their manual on handling facilities available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia. Beef cattle produce about 63 kg of wet manure per 1 000 kg live mass per day. Natural processes of evaporation and biological breakdown processes decrease this mass to about one tonne of solid manure (at 40% moisture) from each animal that remains in the feedlot for 150 days. Quantities to be removed vary from 60% of this average figure, depending on the ration, number of cattle per square metre, feedlot surface, cleaning procedure and many other factors. The tempo of manure removal from a feedlot is determined partly by climatic conditions, comfort of the animals, available labour, as well as water and air pollution. As a rule, manure is usually removed when cattle are withdrawn from a specific holding pen. Seen from an environmental viewpoint, a continuous aerobic breakdown of manure in a feedlot is preferred. By keeping the moisture content of the manure at 25% to 50%, dust control and aerobic breakdown of the manure will be encouraged and odour problems will be limited. This means that the manure will have to be wetted. To prevent odours during the cleaning action, only the top layer of manure must be removed if possible, so that an aerobic layer of manure is still present. Equipment used for manure removal vary according to the size of the feedlot, the distance to transport the manure and the actual time that the equipment is to be used. A front or rear

ProAgri Zambia 23

mounted grader blade, combined with a tractor, can be used for piling the manure into a heap. A blade mounted to the rear of a tractor will simplify the scraping around posts and fences. Depending on the size of the enterprise, a tractor mounted or self propelled front loader, or a telehandler can be used to load the manure onto the manure wagon or trailer for removal. Piling up of manure into heaps of 1,5 m high in pens, is seen as an interim step of manure collection. It promotes drainage of the areas surrounding the piles, and provides a dry resting area for cattle during long wet periods. Further drying and breakdown also occur during manure storage. This manner of piling of manure will cause odour problems if not removed within four to five days. This is, however, acceptable, as the odour problems do not last long. Run-off control Run-off at feedlots must be restrained by means of weirs and no contamination of public water is allowed. It is generally accepted that, if less than 12 mm of rain has fallen on a feedlot area, the area contains 12 mm of moisture, except if there was precipitation during the preceding 72 hours. The earth beneath the manure layer is compacted by trampling, which allows very little water to penetrate the layer of manure. The quantity of solids carried away by run-off comprises less than 10% of the manure produced by the cattle. The total solids carried away annually from an open beef cattle feedlot to end up in manure storage dams, can be calculated by accepting a total solid concentration of 1,5%. Fly control at a feedlot The basic requirement for fly control is to get rid of the cause of the flies. This can be done as follows: • Design the feedlot in such a way that thorough drainage takes place,

especially beneath fences or near water troughs where animals do not walk often. An increase in flies will not occur on surfaces trampled by animals. • Remove manure five days after the animals have been vacated to control the larvae phase. • Chemical control must be performed strictly according to prescription. Bait and spraying of poison will control the mature flies. Operation costs The profit margin of a feedlot is currently described as sensitive and risky. The level of management must be extremely high. It is understandable why good management is of cardinal importance, because irrespective of the capital costs of the enterprise (land, housing, transport, water supply and manure handling), figures have shown that losses regarding operational costs can undeniably be attributed to low turnover relations, poor control over mechanical processes, mortality figures, poor market strategies, as well as poor feed management. It is therefore recommended that the most economical infrastructure is created to remain cost effective.

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Indian River Broiler Pocket Guide: Housing and Environment Objective To provide an environment that permits the bird to achieve optimum performance in growth rate, uniformity, feed efficiency and yield, while ensuring that the health and welfare of the bird is not compromised. Principles Ventilation is the main means of controlling the bird’s environment. Ventilation maintains acceptable air quality in the house while keeping the birds within their comfort temperature. Ventilation provides adequate fresh air, removes excess moisture, and limits the build-up of potentially harmful gasses and airborne by-products. During the early stages of the bird’s life, ventilation supplies heat into the house to keep the birds warm and comfortable, and provides sufficient fresh air to maintain an acceptable air quality in the house. As the birds grow and start to produce more heat, higher ventilation rates are needed to remove heat and the products of respiration (moisture) from the house. Monitoring bird behaviour and adjusting ventilation in response to bird behaviour to ensure that bird comfort and activity is maintained, is key. Air The main contaminants of air within the house environment are dust, ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and excess water vapour. Levels of these contaminants must be kept within legal limits at all times. Continued and excessive exposure to these contaminants can: • Damage the respiratory tract. • Decrease the efficiency of respiration. • Trigger disease (e.g. ascites or chronic respiratory disease). • Affect temperature regulation. • Contribute to poor litter quality. • Reduce bird performance (Table 24).

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Fencing for the future:

Bonnox opens the gate to growth

by Annemarie Bremner

You can look, but you can’t touch! The ewes and their lambs are safe and secure in their Bonnox homes.

“W

fences. Fortunately it is quite easy and fast to work with Bonnox, says Phamy. It had to be Bonnox, she explains, and not just because it is quick and easy to erect: “Bonnox always looks neat and we know from experience that it is strong and will last a long time. At one time we had some boer goats in Bonnox camps and the Bonnox kept them inside and their enemies outside!” She shows a photo of a lamb that had to be destroyed after being attacked by a jackal. She is confident that the lambs will now have a much better chance of survival due to Bonnox fencing. “The jackal can’t get in, and the lambs can’t get out.” Safety is one concern. Managing a thousand ewes and their lambs in an intensive farming system, is another. But once again, Bonnox provides solutions. The groups can all be kept separately The sheep farming team of Onrust in the Karoo: Phamy van Vuuren, Monique van Vuuren and Jacqueline Botes are expand- and take turns to ing their operation from 500 to a 1 000 ewes by using Bonnox graze unfor their camps. e currently have 500 ewes with 300 lambs, but we want to expand to a thousand ewes,” says Phamy van Vuuren, leader of the all-women sheep farming team on the farm Onrust near Christiana in South Africa. Phamy, her daughter-in-law, Monique van Vuuren, and daughter, Jacqueline Botes, have great plans to develop the sheep farming component of the farm into a strong, viable business, and Bonnox fencing stands central in these plans. Phamy says they are fully aware of the fact that no expansion is possible without proper camps and handling facilities, and the three husbands jumped in to help with building crips, laying water pipes and, of course, erecting

ProAgri Zambia 23

der the pivot. The green pasture under the pivot has been divided into sections with removable gates in the fences for the pivot wheels to pass through. There are also more extensive river camps for grazing, but Jacqueline says they must watch out that the ewes do not eat too much green pasture and get too fat. She says when they are pregnant and too fat, they cannot get up after lying down. This is one of the reasons for their need to able to move the sheep to different camps. The ladies handle the sheep by themselves, performing dosing, vaccinations, tagging, hoof trimming and any other treatment. They have only two workers to help them with the sorting and catching, and therefore their handling and camp facilities must make it as easy as possible. “Bonnox is even used for our gates to make sure the sheep stay on the right side,” says Phamy. The camps are all neatly enclosed, but one of the other advantages of Bonnox is that you can also use it to make temporary camps or pens if you need to handle sheep that are kept in larger areas. A few droppers and a roll of Bonnox can make your life instantly easier. “Talking about rolls of Bonnox,” says Phamy, “last time I bought 10 rolls and got one for free. Next week we shall be driving to Pretoria with my bakkie to buy 20 roles, and I am sure I will come back with 22!” It is easier than you think to manage your animals and to Bonnox your farm. Be sure to contact Bonnox directly and beware of imitations that are not of the same high quality as Bonnox. Bonnox has a complete range of fences for various animals and needs, and you also have a choice between the fully or lightly galvanised ranges.

Bonnox is used for all the new camps, also under the pivot, making it easy to separate and manage the sheep. Contact the friendly sales team. Their numbers are 076-169-9068 or +27-012-666-8717, or send an e-mail to gerda@bonnox.co.za, linda@bonnox.co.za or zane@bonnox.co.za, or visit their website at www.bonnox.co.za 7

Sage X3 Dairy

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This comprehensive, Specialised software for dairy industry management is the tool your company needs. Aritmos software for this type of business has been designed to streamline your administrative management. This software is the result of the extensive experience we have acquired through many customer installations in a variety of geographical areas.

Visit our website at www.aritmos.com or contact Braam Koekemoer at +27 82-780-8830 or e-mail bkoekemoer@aritmos.com.

ProAgri Zambia 23

Neria’s Investments Limited Agro Commodity Traders

Quality Fertilizer Urea & D-Compound

NERIA INVESTMENTS LIMITED Saturnis House, Opp. Ndeke Hotel Longacre’s Tel: +260 211 244 505/6 Email: info@neriainvestments.com www.neriainvestments.com

World leader in self-propelled sprayers

Tobie van den Heever (+27) 82-658-6054 / Ryno Serfontein (+27) 79-777-9303 www.iunlimited.co.za ProAgri Zambia 23

Agrico tractors:

Built for Africa in Africa

by Du Preez de Villiers

Agrico’s tractors are their pride and joy with reason. The 4+250, 4+400, 4+320i (industrial) and the 4+160 are fresh from the production line and will never disappoint their owners.

ew people know that Agrico, the leading pivot irrigation company headquartered in Cape Town in Africa, also manufactures tractors and implements. They are the only tractor manufacturer in Africa and produced more than 710 units already. In 1985, Agrico drove their first tractor out of their plant in Lichtenburg in the north west of South Africa. These articulated tractors are all 4x4 and designed to make short shrift of tough work in tough circumstances. This entails predominantly primary cultivation such as soil preparation, ripping, ploughing and harrowing. “Our tractors are simple, straightforward and easy for a farmer to maintain and repair. They are designed with the minimum of electronics, and therefore very reliable,” Paul Burger, Tractor and Implement Manager, says. An Agrico tractor will cost you 25% to 28% less than their equals from overseas. Agrico’s 4+ (4x4) range consists of models with five different kilowatt ranges from 160 kW to 400 kW. They are the 4+160, 4+200, 4+250, 4+320 and the 4+400. They can accommodate rear and front three point linkage systems. “Our three point linkages are

among the strongest on the market and they can also lift the highest. Our 4+320 and 4+400 models can lift up to 1 250 mm in the air. This will allow you to turn with ease on an uneven headland with large three point mounted implements,” Paul says. Although the tractors are not equipped with power take-offs (PTO’s), they are perfectly capable of handling many implements like air seeders, sprayers, drawn cultivators, front end loaders, blades, scrapers and trailers. Agrico decided to use the latest engine technology in terms of fuel consumption and performance. They install only engines of the Mercedes Benz group of companies, ZF or Allison gearboxes and ZF-axles which will ensure long and reliable service. Apart from the imported engines, gearboxes and axles, Agrico has a strong local component in their tractors. A tractor consists of more than 6 000 parts and assemblies. Parts manufactured by Agrico account for a third of the value of the tractor. Agrico’s drivetrains are very efficient, resulting in substantial fuel savings of up to 23 percent. Nowadays the tractors are fitted with radial tyres. This tyre design reduces diesel consumption by a further 8 to 10%. Depending on the tyre configuration, the 4+160 has a road speed of up to 45 km/h, which makes it an excellent transporter between farms and silos. The 4+320 can travel between 32 and 36 km/h. When your front and rear wheels, and axles are the same size, a different approach is required when heavy equipment are drawn. In order Paul Burger shows a newly completed Agrico tractor in to keep a 50/50 the final production bay. weight balance ProAgri Zambia 23

Joseph Moepi, General Worker; Toﬃes Leshomo, General Worker (behind rearframe) and Jacques van Eeden, Tractor Manufacturing Supervisor are energetically involved in churning out high quality tractors for Africa. during operation, Agrico designed the tractors with 66% of the weight on the front axle. This configuration can be fine-tuned further with weight packages at the front. One huge advantage of an Agrico tractor is that a farmer with a reasonably equipped workshop and technical know-how can keep his tractor running. If necessary, Agrico can facilitate the rebuilding of axles, gearboxes and engines. “Currently there are 25 of our tractors in Zambia and a number in China and Zimbabwe. Agrico manufactures, ships, sells and service all our products as one company. This means that you only have to work with one entity, which makes it much more convenient for a farmer,” Paul says. Agrico can fit your tractor with a GPS system, which is a vital component in precision farming. Agrico also manufactures yellow industrial tractors for road construction and general work on mines. “The flexibility, high power output and narrow working width make the 4+series tractors ideal for large farms,” Paul says. Contact Alfred Andrag at +27 82824-1214 or +27 21-950-4111 or e-mail Alfred.andrag@agrico.co.za to find out more about Agrico’s products. 13

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Start the new season right:

ETG’s shopping basket for the 2017/18 farming season T

he welcome first rains in most parts of the country awakened the farming community for the new season. Just as farmers are busy, ETG is preparing what the farmers need most: agri-inputs. ETG Zambia Limited’s agri-inputs are fertilisers and agro chemicals. Their range of agro chemicals includes herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and grain protectors. While farmers across the country are preparing for the planting season, they can rest assured that they can depend on ETG for dedicated support and top-class products. The 2017/18 farming season is unique in that ETG has increased the number of centres where farmers can access inputs – both for those on the government E-Voucher scheme and those who are not part of the scheme. ETG now has outlets in Luapula Province, North-western Province and Western Province. Walking through their outlets you will come across three brands of fertilisers. ETG also supplies herbicides that contribute to more lucrative farming as they reduce the workload brought about by weeding. Also commonly known as weed killers, herbicides are chemical substances used to control unwanted plants/weeds in the field, and they largely fall in two categories: Selective and non-selective herbicides. In the class of selective herbicides ETG offers a pre-emergence, post-emergence, and an early postemergence herbicide for application to specific crops. The needs of small-scale farmers were satisfied by introducing pesticides in smaller packages, including 50 ml, 100 ml and 1 ℓ. Fungicides are provided in 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg. All these products come with free agronomical information as well as free extension services.

ProAgri Zambia 23

FALCON brand supply the following: Nitrogen fertiliser

Phosphate fertiliser

Potash fertiliser

Urea (pilled / granular)

Di-ammonium phosphate

Muriate of potash

ammonium nitrate

NPK

Sulphate of potash

Ammonium nitrate

Single super phosphate

Calcium

Ammonium sulphate

Triple super phosphate Mono ammonium phosphate

Zambian fertiliser brands produced in Lusaka are blended fertilisers which are crop specific, soil specific, lime enriched and organic matter enriched. ETG’s team of agronomists advise farmers on the appropriate fertiliser formulations to suit specific their soil, crop and climate conditions.

ProAgri Zambia 23

For the serious farmer:

Saro Agro offers next level Kubota tractors by Du Preez de Villiers

Herman Rohm is the Tractor Sales Manager of Saro Agro, and he is very proud of the Kubota M8540-series

ertain brands are simply superior, and Kubota owners and drivers fully agree with this statement. However, even top brands have to provide dedicated service and expert support to maintain their position at the top. Kubota Japan is very strict when it comes to choosing their agents and when exporting their much sought after brand. They won’t allow just any company or person to represent their exquisite technology. Saro Agro Industrial made the grade: 18 months ago they became the dealer for Kubota tractors in Zambia. Their first step was the introduction two popular models into the Zambian market: the M8540 with 63 kW and the M9540 with 71 kW. “We have to prove ourselves with these two models before we can trade other models,” Herman Rohm, Tractor Manager of Saro Agro, says. But this huge agricultural supplier is well underway, since they have already sold 20 units. It is, therefore, clear that Saro Agro will be able to expand their model range with time. Zambian farmers are looking forward to this wider choice of

ProAgri Zambia 23

models, because the current owners are very happy with their acquisitions. The two models presently available on the Zambian market have no cabs, but they have an impressive new design and are comfortable, practical, durable and dependable. With the new Kubota E-CDIS engine, the fuel economy is excellent. This includes a revolutionary centredirect injection system which gives lower noise levels, which equates to less stress and driver fatigue over long workdays. The large hydraulic pumps on these tractors deliver 64,3 litres per minute and the tractor has two sets of external hydraulic connections as standard. The M40-series has four synchronised gear shifts and two ranges. This configuration offers eight forward and eight reverse speeds. Kubota tractors manoeuvre in tight spaces and the Japanese engineers designed the M40-series for a turning radius of 55 degrees. Kubota has actually been well known in Zambia since the 1980’s. At the time, a Japanese aid package included

a number of Kubota tractors and many of them are still running in the field. “The tractors are very popular and very light, and I think for years ahead something positive will come from this. We can build on this market with confidence,” Herman says. Saro Agro has a fully equipped workshop where they can service other tractor brands as well. Herman says: “We are very capable to provide full backup services, and we have a wide range of Kubota spares in stock. Should we ever need a part not in stock, we can easily import spares to back them up. We’ve tied in with Smith Power, the Kubota agents in South Africa, so if we need anything urgently we can obtain it from there.” Last year, and again in February this year, a Kubota technical team from Japan visited Saro Agro to do training in the field. Saro Agro employs fourteen permanent technicians of which three are on field service. “We always anticipate what our customer needs and Saro Agro offers tractors in every class range, with Kubota falling into the higher specifications class. “Kubota is a sophisticated tractor from a first world country, but we are aware of the problems and challenges we have in Africa - dirty fuel and rough handling are two examples, Herman says. “The models we have, have adequate filters, are simple and straightforward, have no electronics and are built with simple, yet efficient mechanics. We won’t have the challenges that we would have on the more sophisticated models and they obviously haven’t made them available to us.” Kubota tractors can be applied in a wide variety of farming operations. They are used mainly by vegetable and sugar farmers to draw three tine rippers, harrows, trailers and ploughs, but they can also be used for many other tasks. Kubota definitely is a durable, rugged tractor, perfect for African conditions yet boasting with excellent and advanced Japanese technology.

Upgrade to Kubota without eﬀort. Visit Saro Agro’s website at www.Sarozambia.com, contact Calvin Salah at +26 (0)97-5714426 or +26 (0)21-138-70009/241477 or send him an e-mail to calvin.s@Saroagri.co.zm. 19

Spray with elegance. Challenger RoGator RG Series

Call Chinso Chipopola on +26 (0)96-940-7424 or Barry Hutchinson on +26 (0) 96-802-2320, or e-mail him at Bhutchinson@bhbw.co.za.

ProAgri Zambia acknowledges Grain SA for the use of this series which originally appeared in Afrikaans in SA Graan/Grain.

PART 20: Soil degradation (ii) Martiens du Plessis, Soil Scientist, NWK Limited & Prof Cornie van Huyssteen, Lecturer: Soil Science, University of the Free State

Soil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fibre cannot be produced. This article forms part of a series to highlight this resource.

oil degradation (deterioration of soil properties) is one of the most important aspects that influence global food security. Sustainable agriculture focuses, inter alia, on the protection of the ability of soil to continually support plant growth. This article focuses on wind erosion and forms part of a series that highlights this resource. Wind erosion is of major importance for almost every grain producer, especially those in the Western Free State and North West Province. The process of how it begins and how the soil particles are transported, is very interesting. In order to limit wind erosion, one must thoroughly understand the process of erosion and keep the factors that influence it in mind.

0,1 to 0,15 mm, begin to vibrate and, at a given moment, the soil particle leaps almost vertically into the air at an angle of between 75o and 90o (Figure 1). The majority of the soil particles leap about 50 mm into the air and only a few leap higher than 300 mm. The wind then blows the particle away, between seven and ten times the height leapt, and the particle lands back on the surface at an angle of between 6o and 12o. The wind speed increases drastically between the soil surface and about 100 mm above the soil surface, from 0 km/h between the soil particles (regardless of the wind speed above the ground) to the given wind speed, which is usually measured at a height of 10 m. The wind speed above the soil particle is thus always higher above than below the particle and this results in the particle starting to spin at between 200 and 1 000 revolutions per minute (rpm). When this spinning soil particle makes contact with other particles on landing, it then loosens the other particles, and this process snowballs until the entire piece of land is full of leaping soil particles. Soil particles larger than 1 mm in diameter are seldom moved by wind, as they are too heavy. The particles of between 0,5 and 1 mm in diameter are also not picked up by the wind, but are bumped forwards by the other moving particles. This is known as

surface creeping. Soil particles smaller in diameter than 0,5 mm, which are loosened by the leaping particles are swept high into the air by the wind streams and are held in suspension in the air. It is this form of wind erosion which gives rise to the spectacular windstorms (Photo 1) p 25. Via these wind streams, the soil particles are transported for hundreds of kilometres where they are then deposited when the wind speed decreases. These soil particles are of major importance for us as agriculturalists, as the fertility of the soil is linked precisely to these particles. A substantial amount of these soil particles remain in suspension in the air until they fall with the rain. This gives rise to the breath-taking red sunsets from August to October.

Factors that influence wind erosion Strong winds alone do not necessarily cause wind erosion. Other factors which contribute to wind erosion are, inter alia, the resistance of the soil to wind erosion, texture, surface coarseness, rainfall, length of the exposed How does wind erosion take surface and covering by plant matter. place? The most important factor that makes Wind erosion is the process through soil resistant to wind erosion, is the which soil particles are loosened, mass (size) of the individual grains transported and deposited elsewhere. of soil on the surface of the soil. If The loosening process is fundamental the soil particle or clod (aggregate) is to the start of the wind erosion proheavy enough, it will not be moved by cess. It begins when the speed of the the wind. wind is such that the friction it causes These aggregates also protect is high enough to loosen the first soil other smaller soil particles and further particles. This usually happens at a reduce the wind speed directly on wind speed of between 20,7 km/h and the soil surface. Aggregate stability 48,6 km/h, depending on the condiis of particular importance in controltion of the soil surface. ling wind erosion. Aggregates made At this point, a very interesting mechanically through tilling, are phenomenon takes place. Soil particles usually an effective temporary control with a diameter of 0,05 to 0,5 mm measure against wind erosion, but are and especially those in the category of mostly not stable against falling raindrops. The aggregates â&#x20AC;&#x153;dissolveâ&#x20AC;? Rotate at 200 to 1 000 revolutions per minute during a high intensity rain shower, which makes the soil surface smooth and fine, leaving Bump into other soil particles to it susceptible to wind erosion. The loosen them addition of organic material to the soil is by far the most sustainable solution for wind erosion problems. This is because organic material serves as a source of Figure 1: Leaping soil particles (between 0,05 mm and 0,5 mm in diameter) leap nutrition for soil microbes and the almost vertically into the air and impact on the soil surface 0,3 m to 1,5 m away microbes, in turn, secrete glues where they loosen other soil particles. (polysaccharides) which are not

ProAgri Zambia 23

continue p 25

A dust storm with hundreds of tons of soil particles in suspension, moves over Lichtenburg in the late afternoon. It darkens the airspace to such an extent that the street lights switch themselves on. water soluble. These glues stick the soil particles to each other and, in this way, form water stable aggregates. Rain helps a lot to reduce wind erosion, but only for a short while as only a very thin layer of dry soil is needed to start soil erosion, even though the soil directly underneath is sopping wet. Wind erosion can begin again in a sandy soil within 20 minutes after a shower of rain. On the other hand, an intense shower of rain helps wind erosion by smoothing the surface and “disolving” the clods. The larger and longer the exposed land lies in the prevailing wind direction, the greater the danger of erosion. It is the leaping particles in particular which “infect” the entire piece of land and if there is a protective strip, it blocks the leaping particles. A headland covered with grass is often effective for this purpose. Plant material on the soil surface or growing plants are of particular importance in limiting wind erosion. It drastically lowers the wind speed at surface level so that wind erosion cannot begin. Detrimental consequences of wind erosion Soil losses In the USA soil losses of up to 700 tons/year have been measured. Losses of 100 tons/ha/year on erosion vulnerable soils are common. If one accepts that the fertile upper soil layer is 270 mm thick in most countries, at a rate of 100 tons/ha/year, this upper layer will be blown away in its entirety in 43 years. This damage can therefore take place in one producer’s lifetime on the farm. This reduction in soil depth is, in fact, a slow process and that is why no one notices it. It is further disguised as the majority of producers plough their lands to the same depth every year. This simply means that should 5 mm of the upper soil be blown away during the year, during the next year 5 mm of the lower layer will be added to ProAgri Zambia 23

the upper layer and mixed in through ploughing. This aspect may especially be observed when bits of bright yellow or red lower soil layers are visible on freshly ploughed lands. These bright colours from the lower soil indicate that there is virtually no organic material in that soil. This leads to water unstable clods that “disolve” with intense falls of rain and contribute further to wind erosion. The decrease can also be observed when the eroded soil level is compared to a reference point such as a fence wire or headland, for example. Changes in texture When wind erosion takes place, it is the finer sand fraction that blows away. The coarser fraction remains behind and, with time, the soil becomes more sandy and therefore more sensitive to wind erosion. The water retention ability of sandy soil is also lower than that of loam and that has a further negative impact on crop production. Loss of soil fertility Clay and organic material are the bases of soil fertility as plant nutritional material on the exchange complex are adsorbed from them. It is this fraction in particular that blows away during dust storms. Valuable plant nutritional materials such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulphur and nitrogen are lost in this way. Through this, the plant nutritional status and its ability to retain plant nutritional material is permanently degraded; and therefore also for all the following generations who have to produce crops on this land. Crop damage A fresh planting on a piece of land can be blown to death within an hour during a dust storm. The damage is caused by the leaping soil particles when they are blown against the plants. The damage is worsened due to the fact that the particles spin at more than 200 rpm. These particles mostly have sharp angles and points which have a cutting action on the plants. Just imagine how sore it would be to a person standing with bare legs in such a tract of land. Air pollution Air pollution due to dust storms causes inconvenience for many people in that it causes dust to settle in the houses and certain people are allergic to it. Motor vehicle accidents also take place on roads due to poor visibility caused by dust storms. Wind erosion is therefore also socially unacceptable to the community. Recommendations for the control of wind erosion The methods of fighting erosion lie within the following principles:

• Reduce the wind speed at ground surface to below the threshold value at which wind erosion is initiated. Harvest waste or upright plants on the land can make a major contribution here. Plough directly in line with the ambient wind direction. This firstly reduces the wind speed and secondly creates hollows in which the loose sand particles may be caught up. • Reduce the soil’s susceptibility to wind erosion. This may be done by leaving the soil surface in a cloddy condition by using mechanical means. A more permanent solution is to leave large quantities of organic material on the land. Through this, the amount of organic material in the upper 50 mm of the soil will increase with time. This may be done by reduced tilling methods or none at all. Grass rotation crops can also make a significant contribution here. • In areas where wind erosion is especially a major problem, windbreaks may be planted. The distance between windbreaks should not be more than 20 times the height of the windbreak. Summary In the north-western grain areas, the majority of the cash crop lands are susceptible to wind erosion. The sandy soils of the Western Free State are particularly susceptible to wind erosion. Wind erosion damage on a particular tract of land often does not seem all that serious, but taken over a period of a few years however, the damage is major. Producers often stare themselves blind against the cost of control measures, but that is small change compared with the damage it eventually leads to. Wind erosion should be effectively controlled at all times. For further information, please contact the authors on: Martiens du Plessis: 072-285-5414 / martiens@nwk.co.za Prof Cornie van Huyssteen: 051-401-9247 / vhuystc@ufs.ac.za REFERENCES Allison, F.E. 1973. Soil organic material and its role in crop production. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, New York. Brady, N.C. 1990. The nature and properties of soils. 10th ed. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. Troeh, F.R., Hobbs, J.A. & Donahue, R.L. Soil and Water Conservation for Productivity and Environmental Protection. Prentice - Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Van der Walt, H.V.H & Van Rooyen, T.H., 1990. A glossary of soil science. The Soil Science Society of South Africa, Pretoria.

Soil cultivation:

Subsoiler or ripper efficiency We thank the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering in South Africa, who made this article available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

hen tractors and implements are used, soil compaction may take place because of the texture of the soil and the plough sole effect caused by heavy or large machinery. Soil compaction hampers the root development of planted crops. Soil compaction can be solved either mechanically or biologically. Ripping is the most common practical mechanical method used to deeply loosen the soil. This gives plant roots an improved chance to develop well, resulting in healthy plants and increased crops.

The following graph shows traction against 15% wheel slip with changed wheel load:

Drawbar power required A ripper operation, however, is an action that requires a lot of traction and energy, which makes it very expensive. It is therefore important to do it as effectively as possible.

Graph 2 indicates that the pulling force is reduced when too much wheel weight load is applied in soft soil.

Drawbar power efficiency Traction efficiency can be determined to evaluate the optimal utilisation of the tractor's traction on a specific implement. However, there are a number of factors that can affect effective traction.

Tyre pressure Tyre pressure also plays an important role in improving traction. Again, it is important to follow the tractor manual for the correct tyre pressure.

Figure 3:

Rolling resistance In Figure1, rolling resistance can be seen as the resistance the tractor has to overcome to move forward before any traction takes place. On level ground, the factors that affect rolling resistance are soil hardness, the pressure exerted by the wheels on the ground, and the load.

better traction. Wider tyres will also reduce soil compaction. Wheel slip A certain percentage of wheel slip is required for good traction. During wheel slip, the ground particles are compressed to create traction. However, there are optimum desirable wheel slip percentages for different soil types. Too much wheel slip can reduce traction and increase fuel consumption.

Graph 2:

Figure3 shows how lower tyre pressure will allow greater traction and a bigger contact area on the soil, but can also lead to increased rolling resistance. Figure 1:

by Johan van Biljon

Tyre width Figure 4 shows how the use of wider or double wheels will enlarge the tyre contact area on the soil and therefore

Graph 5: Graph 5 shows that maximum traction power is reached at optimal wheel slip. Implement hitching system: three-point linkage The resulting pulling force is perpendicular to the ripper tines. The pulling force is at an angle downwards from the back of the tractor, and the moment is around the rear axle of the tractor wheels. This causes more traction on the rear wheels, but tends to lift the tractorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nose and front wheels. (Figure 6) This can be a disadvantage for four wheel drive tractors, because of the traction losses at the front wheels of the tractor. Implement hitching system: threepoint linkage with depth control wheels When using depth control wheel on the implement, the force moment is

Wheel weights Wheel weight load also plays an important role in effective traction, but it must be used in accordance with the tractor manufacturer's requirements. If the wheel weight load is too heavy, it may also result in traction disadvantages. Figure 4: ProAgri Zambia 23

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Picture 9 shows an effective ripping process because the volume of soil is more effectively loosened. Thus, the amount of energy used to do the work is better utilised.

Figure 6: between the centre of the ripper tines and the depth control wheel axle. This causes a downward pressure on the rear as well as the front wheels of the tractor. In this way, better traction by all the wheels of the tractor will be obtained to ensure good traction on a four-wheel drive tractor. (Figure 7)

Ripping efficiency Ripping is not a cheap operation, so it is important to perform the task as effectively as possible. The purpose of a ripping operation is to loosen the soil or break a plough-pan layer. Effective ripping entails the maximum loosening of soil. The energy input must therefore justify the output. Several tests have been done on dif-

Figure 7: Different types of rippers Rippers come in different shapes. The main differences are ripper teeth shapes. Some are straight and others are curved. Ripper teeth designs differ from each other because manufacturers try to create the best design for the best soil penetration. Different tips shares or chisels can also be used on ripper tines to effectively brake up the soil. Manufacturers are continuously thinking up better ideas for ripper chisels. In most cases, the ripper tines are mounted at an angle to achieve better penetration. Other important components that are sometimes added, are depth control wheels, especially on the larger ripper frames. The function of the depth control wheels is of course for more effective depth control, but also to balance the weight and traction between the tractor's front and rear wheels, which is ideal for four-wheel drive tractors or tractors with tracks.

ferent soil types, and it has been found that not all rip actions are effectively done. The effectiveness of the ripping depends greatly on the soil type, soil clay percentage and moisture percentage. The mechanical differences will, of course, depend on the working depth, working speed, chisel type and chisel cutting angle. Picture 8 shows an example of an inefficient ripping operation where the soil is not properly loosened.

Picture 8: ProAgri Zambia 23

Picture 9: Drawbar power needed for rippers The pulling force required for rippers is generally very high, but will depend on the soil type, ripper tine design and chisel or share design. Of course, the working depth will also play a role. The question is, of course, what is the optimal working depth because the deeper the ripping action, the higher the power demand. Ripping depth will depend on the specific need, whether it is to break a plough sole, or because of very sandy soil which need to be ripped every year because of the characteristics of the soil. Share or chisel design, working angle, share width and the placement of shares or chisels will also have an effect on the energy consumption. Tests have been done with different working angles versus the drawbar power required. When a sub-soiler or ripper needs to be used, the following factors can be considered regarding operational efficiency: • Optimal traction efficiency of the tractor • The type of soil such as sand, clay, loam or combination of different components • Physical soil properties such as moisture content and density • Number of ripping shanks • Plough sole and optimum ripping depth • Share design parameters such as working angle, width and placement of shares or chisels Published with the acknowledgement to the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information. 33

Corp Zambia shines by Annemarie Bremner

ena Farms at Mt Isabelle in Mkushi hosted this year’s AFGRI equipment feast for farmers wishing to increase productivity and yields. Joining the demonstration day this year, Agriwes and Agricon also showcased their range of equipment. Quite aptly, the day was dubbed Triple A Demo Day. JP Smit, AFGRI Mkushi Product Specialist and Salesman, said by joining forces with the other agricultural equipment suppliers, farmers were oﬀered a wider choice and could compare the machines in action.

He said: “Our theme is centred around growth in the agricultural sector with the use of advanced technology.” Katuna T Sinyangwe, Sales and Marketing Manager, Agri Equipment, AFGRI, said low commodity prices might have an influence on the current buying power of farmers and a revision of the commodity pricing system is urgently needed. However, farmers do not always have to put all their eggs into one basket and JP said AFGRI can also assist farmers to diversify and plant vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes where market

demand determines prices. In its arsenal of equipment, AFGRI has all a farmer needs and Katuna pointed out that they can also assist smaller farmers. They have been working with partners such as banks to design facilities that will help emerging farmers to gain access to equipment such as tractors, by using the tractors themselves as collateral. The Triple A Demo Day oﬀered the ideal opportunity for farmers to look at these solutions and talk to the people who can make it happen.

A tractor in the John Deere 6M series can be your all-rounder on the farm for primary cultivation, planting, spraying and spreading manure and fertiliser. The M-series oﬀer high tech options allowing for satellite control and implement integration in a precision farming system. The more economical 6B-series has Leading the technological procession in the AFGRI court, were the same power range (from 93 to 127 kW), but without GPS the John Deere 8R-series tractors with their high tech capabili- guidance. The 6170M is here seen in action with the Orthmann ties of automatic steering and precision farming. Any tractor in 1tRIPr strip-till cultivator for farmers who are serious about the 8R-series has enough power under the hood to draw wide soil conservation, while oﬀering the possibility of placing much needed fertiliser in the root area of the plants. working implements for primary cultivation. In the smaller category, the John Deere 5E-series can be used for all kinds of tasks on the farm such as spraying, making silage, cutting hay and carting everything around, seedbed preparation for vegetables. They have 6-cylinder engines and wet clutch systems for long lasting ease of gear changing.

ProAgri Zambia 23

with technological solutions

The bright blue colour of LEMKEN that brought prosperity for farmers all over the world, now also came to Africa to stay. The combination tillage machines, such as the Rubin 12 shown here, are ideal for incorporating plant material from stubble lands into the top soil while leaving a perfect seedbed ready for planting. In the wide range of implements, your best and toughest friend for spraying and spreading is the Amazon-series. Shown here is the ZAM1501 Special with a spreading width of 18 – 24 m. The SBS soft ballistic system ensures minimum damage to granules for a perfect spread.

Forever reaching new heights in serving the agricultural section, JCB also put up a display of strength. The JCB 530-110 Loadall is a fuel eﬃcient, compact 11 meter telehandler engineered to move any material quickly and safely.

Rovic Leers is a well-known name in Southern Africa and AFGRI Corp Zambia also distribute a range of their implements such as the Krone Fortima baler, known for reliable fast baling with the chain-and-slat elevator handling the most diﬃcult conditions and the camless EasyFlow pick-up boosting throughput and reducing wear and tear.

Left: As the final showstopper, the John Deere S680 Class 8 combine harvester with a 40 feet draper head demonstrated what can be done to reap the benefits of your high yields while providing all the data for next season’s precision charts. Posing in front of the combine is the whole AFGRI team.

Photos: Roëtte Smit ProAgri Zambia 23

For more information about these equipment and the rest of the extensive range of solutions oﬀered by John Deere, please call +260-211273757-62 or send an e-mail to afgri@afgri.com.zm. 37

AgriWes offers machines for better cultivation and higher yields by Du Preez de Villiers

Photos: Roëtte Smit Farmers from all over the country were very interested and impressed with the tractors and implements from AgriWes during the recent Triple A farmers day in Mkusi.

he excitement of the summer planting season is upon us and farmers are eagerly searching for better equipment to make this an easier and more profitable year. Everyone strives for that seamless season where nothing goes wrong and all the machines work perfectly. Therefore, farmers welcome any opportunity to get the look and feel of equipment in action. Such an occasion was the first Triple A farmer’s day presented by AgriWes, Agricon and AFGRI (who held a similar day last year on their own). This was a demonstration day where the equipment had to show its true value. The day was held on Cena, Michael Selby’s

farm at Mt Isabelle near Mkushi. About 40 serious commercial farmers attended the day and watched the working of the machines with eagle eyes. This was very convenient for the farmers, since they had a chance to compare equipment from all the diﬀerent brands. “Although the commodity prices are low, farmers are eager to make the best of this season and are shopping and looking around for the right equipment. The farmers where very impressed with, and interested in the AgriWes product range and they believe it will work for them,” Cobus de Kock, Marketing Manager of AgriWes, says. AgriWes is based in Mkushi and they

The AgriWes team was well represented at the Triple A farmers’ day in Mkushi. 38

are the importers and agents for CLAAS tractors and implements from Germany, as well as Väderstad implements from Sweden. One of the biggest anxieties before a farmers’ day is the quality of the soil and whether the soil moisture and biomaterial will be suitable to imitate the specific season the implements will have to work, but luckily AgriWes could demonstrate all their equipment with ease and deliver the required results. Africa welcomes CLAAS The CLAAS range is very popular in South Africa and there is no reason why it won’t perform as well in Zambia. AgriWes demonstrated three of their tractors during the Tripple A farmer’s day: the AXION 920, AXION 930 and the ARION 630 C. The AXION 900 series is internationally acclaimed as one of the most efficient tractors on the market when attributes such as performance, fuel consumption and robustness are considered. The AXION 920 and 930 is the answer for farmers who need to farm smartly these days, to reduce costs and who need to improve on yields and productivity. This tractor range also offers comfort and ease of operation to operators. The AXION 920 and 930 are equipped with powerful FPT 8,7 litre 6 cylinder engines that produce 239 (320hp) to 306 kW (410hp). This power is efficiently converted to pulling power on the wheels by the continuously variable ZF ECCOM 3.0 CV transmission designed by CLAAS POWER SYSTEMS (CPS). The 50 / 50 weight distribution between the front and rear wheels ensure balanced allround grip, enabling the farmer to work more hectares at a lower fuel consumption. If you're looking for a reliable, high performance tractor in the lighter and smaller category, you need to look no further than the ARION 600 C. This tractor offers everything you need to successfully perform those arduous everyday tasks like drawing trailers, sprayers and smaller cultivating implements. It is comfortably equipped, economical to run, and so powerful that it can convincingly handle even the most difficult challenges. The powerful ECE R 120, 6,8 litre, six-cylinder engine puts out 104 kW (140hp) to 127 kW (170hp) and the 16/16 QUADRISHIFT transmission is designed with four power shift speeds. With the revolutionary, electrohydraulic, clutchless REVERSHIFT reverser, the driver can forget about the clutch pedal. The hydraulics system has a flow rate of 60 to 98 litres per minute, and this machine can turn on a penny with a turning radius of only 4,85 metres. ProAgri Zambia 23

Cobus de Kock explained all the exquisite features of the CLAAS and Väderstad machines to the farmers. Väderstad for perfect planting The Väderstad RAPID 800 C wheat planter was also demonstrated by AgriWes. Thanks to its array of toolbars, the RAPID 800 C is always the right choice for any application. The unique depth control function and coulter pressure accurately place seeds in the right position, even at high speed. Väderstad managed to design the planter with only a few moving parts as well as cushioning on all working parts, which extends the life of the machine significantly and makes its running cost very low. The outstanding benefit of a RAPID drill is that it has one of the most accurate metering systems on the market. It can plant fine seeds from grass to beans up to large maize seeds. You can put your fertiliser down at the same time, but the planter keeps a wide space between the two to prevent burning. Two seed rows share one consolidation wheel, which ensures intimate soil to seed contact. This design also improves seed germination to improve yields. AgriWes also demonstrated three cultivation implements - two Carrier XL 425’s and the Top Down 500. The Carrier XL is a soil cultivation multi-tool for rational crop production. With the Carrier, it is possible to do everything from creating an ultra-shallow false seed bed to efficiently incorporating large amounts of crop residue or manure. The cultivating and consolidating packer which follows at the end ensures that crop residues make good contact with the soil. The Top Down is a very reliable option if you need a multi-purpose cultivator. It offers flexibility in soil cultivation and the ability to adjust to different conditions. The Top Down both slices and mixes large quantities of crop residue evenly into the cultivated soil profile. The machine can work at a shallow depth, or as deep down as 40 cm. In either case it creates a seedbed in a single pass, which saves time and fuel. Besides the superb equipment they have to offer, AgriWes understands after sales service and they are always ready to react to farmers’ problems as quickly as possible. They have one specialist technician out of South Africa and two ProAgri Zambia 23

Zambian mechanics in their team, as well as another apprentice presently undergoing training in South Africa. He will be on duty within the next twelve months. “We are a dealer for Kempston Agri which is a well-established and widely respected company in South Africa. They give us technical support and ship parts and whole goods from there. We also get support from Germany for CLAAS and from Sweden for Väderstad. These two companies do their best to give a first world standard of support to AgriWes, even if the circumstances in Africa are challenging,” Cobus says.

The (A)CLAAS AXION 920 transfers 239 kW (320hp) of power to the (B) the Väderstad RAPID 800 C wheat drill which is precisely built for problem free precision farming. B

The AXION 930 from CLAAS and the Väderstad Carrier XL 425’s soil cultivation multi-tool are the perfect combination for eﬀortless land preparation.

For prime technology, contact AgriWes at +26(0)-96-136-2007 or e-mail Cobus de Kock at cdk@agriwes.com or Nico de Kock at ndk@agriwes.com 39

info@agriserveagro.com +26 096-976-7272 Willem van Zyl Willem@agriserveagro.com +26 096-562-0775

ProAgri Zambia 23

Congratulations TWO years!

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“Wishing a message of congratulations to

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on their 2nd birthday. Thanks for all you do and may your birthday be bright and full of happiness. From all of us at Agriplas”

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It has been a fruitful journey for ProAgri and Agrisell over the past two years, filled with understanding, professionalism and mutual respect. Our cooperation with you was a great success and we hope it goes from strength to strength in the future. Happy birthday from the Agrisell team!

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On this special occasion as ProAgri Zambia celebrates its 2nd birthday, here’s wishing for a whole lot of sweet success to come your way today & always! Warm regards, Agriwes. Cobus de Kock: +260961-362-007 cdk@agriwes.com Nico de Kock: +260966-362-000 ndk@agriwes.com

AGCO Future Farm Learning & Training Centre Lusaka, Zambia At the AGCO Future Farm, we are focused on making the agriculture industry better for everyone. With AGCO’s leading brands of farm machinery and partners like you making a real diﬀerence, the vision for sustainable and inclusive farming in Africa becomes one step closer to reality. Looking forward to an even better future.

Wishing you a Happy 2nd Birthday.

ProAgri Zambia 23

The Saro group of companies congratulates the ProAgri Zambia magazine team on the 2nd anniversary of publishing this very professional & informative publication. Your role in linking agricultural stakeholders, suppliers, agrodealers, farmers, is extremely important and we wish you continued success with each passing year. www.sarozambia.com or contact Calvin Salah at +26 0 21-138-7000/924-1477, e-mail: calvin.s@saroagri.co.zm. / calvinsalah@gmail.com

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Wishing you a very special day on your organization’s birthday. May you have a year full of grand celebration and success!

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