Undercover Farming Conference 2022 Overview

CLIMATE CHANGE REQUIRES ADAPTIONS BUT OFFERS MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES

The ever-popular Undercover Farming Expo & Conference was presented on 15 and 16 March 2022 at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria. “Reflecting on the past event, our loyal exhibitors expressed their satisfaction with business opportunities, delegates and professional presenters over and above the ample time allowed for networking with experts in the trade. As organiser and director I am perfectly satisfied that we offered the industry at large another successful event,” said Suzanne Oosthuizen, SO. Our Sponsors at the event was the Dube Tradeport Corporation, Santam, and Rijk Zwaan.

The focus set for the 2022 event was on the quality of available technology with which greenhouse producers in Southern Africa can run their operations successfully to continue expansion. Global climate change brings about an ever drier climate annually hence the focus is on water conservation but still increasing yield through employing latest technologies. The Undercover Farming Expo & Conference 2022 once more offered a high level of exhibitor occupancy as well as a most interesting speaker portfolio.

Undercover Farming management received positive feedback and most exhibitors ordered their floor space for the next event before they left the premises. The presenters held the audience captive with their current in-depth knowledge of not only the industry, but specifically on Southern Africa’s hydroponics industry’s progress during the 2022

Conference. Subjects presented this year were:

“Plant Tissue Culture: An alternative method for vegetative propagation of plants at the Dube

Tradeport Corporation in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Its role in establishing and maintaining high quality, virusfree

and true-to-type planting stock aimed at improving and supporting the global agricultural industry”

- Presented by: Nokuthula Myeza - Dube AgriLab.

“The importance of fresh produce markets in South Africa and why this national asset should be kept

alive and well” Presented by: Deon van Zyl - GROW Fresh Produce Agents.

A WORLD-CLASS INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL PRECINCT

DUBE AGRILAB

STRATEGICALLY LOCATED ADJACENT TO KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND DUBE CARGO TERMINAL.

5 MILLION PLANTLETS

DUBE AGRILAB HAS THE CAPACITY TO PRODUCE UP TO 5 MILLION PLANTLETS A YEAR.

5 300M2

TISSUE CULTURE LAB ULTRA-MODERN 5 300M2 PLANT TISSUE CULTURE LABORATORY.

“Biological Pest & Disease Management” Presented by: Nico Uys - Agro Organics

“The absence of information technology in Fresh Produce production” - Presented by: Susan Tredoux - IPlan

“Benefits of farming under Agricultural Shade Net” - Presented by: Niconette du Toit - PlusNet

"Palygrow, the best of both worlds" - Presented by: Dewald Haasbroek - MetteQ

“Innovations in the field of Grafting” - Presented by Johan van Eeden - Hishtil “Over the Rainbow - A strategic context between South Africa's political, economic and social outlook”

- Presented by Chris Hart - Impact Investment Group

These interesting but important messages carries much weight for the undercover farming

(greenhouse, poly-tunnels, shade net structures and Aquaponics) producers to be diligent in their approach to the future of their operations and employ new technologies and strategies to progress the industry. The event date for the 2023 Pretoria conference will be set for March in due course and all roleplayers, farmers and input providers in the industry will be notified in good time. The Undercover Farming Expo 2022 was yet another successful event due to the participation of industry leaders!

More information: Suzanne Oosthuizen, suzanne@ axxess.co.za, Cell: 082 832 1604

Suzanne Oosthuizen, Managing Director; Undercover Farming.

THE LATEST IN INNOVATIVE FARMING TECHNOLOGY

Located within the heart of Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone, Dube AgriLab is the only commercial tissue culture lab in KwaZulu-Natal, and has the capacity to produce up to 5 million plantlets a year. Operated by Dube TradePort Corporation, Dube AgriLab (a division of Dube AgriZone) is a highly sophisticated, ultra-modern 5 300m2 plant tissue culture laboratory, hardening facility and dispatch area.

As a purpose-built micro-propagation facility resourced with cutting edge farming technology, Dube AgriLab propagates under sterile conditions so as to supply high-quality, disease-free, true-to-type young plants through tissue culture. With the expertise to develop and refine protocols in-house, and the capacity to produce most plant varieties, Dube AgriLab is set to service the plant propagation needs of Dube AgriZone, as well as the needs of the KwaZulu-Natal farming community.

Strategically located adjacent to King Shaka International Airport and Dube Cargo Terminal, Dube AgriLab is ideally positioned to service national and international farmers and professional growers. Driven by Dube TradePort’s commitment to sustainability, Dube AgriLab utilises innovative green technology such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems in order to reduce their environmental impact whilst simultaneously increasing quality and service excellence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: NOKUTHULA MYEZA E. AGRILAB@DUBETRADEPORT.CO.ZA T. +27 32 814 0000