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The 25th edition of the Morocco Poultry Show ”DAWAJINE”


The Interprofessional Federation of the Poultry in Morocco (FISA) has the immense pleasure of announcing to Moroccan and foreign exhibitors, partners and visitors the organization of the 25th edition of the Poultry Show ”DAWAJINE”, from December 3 to 5, 2024 , under the theme:

Human capital, key to the development of poultry farming in Africa.

The “DAWAJINE” show has chosen a new exhibition location for this 25th anniversary edition. This is the Mohammed VI Exhibition Park in El Jadida.

Due to its accessibility and adaptability, this new structured and spacious site will enable the satisfaction of growing demand from exhibitors and better organization of the Show.

FISA invites you from December 3 to 5, 2024 at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Center in El Jadida to celebrate this 25th anniversary edition of the “DAWAJINE” Show.

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Inside VIV Africa 2024: Exclusive Interview with the show’s Project Manager

Potato Europe France 2024 Sept 11th-12th

Inside VIV Africa 2024: Exclusive Interview with the show’s Project Manager


With VIV Africa 2024 a few months away, the anticipation and excitement within the animal protein industry are becoming more and more visible.

VIV Africa, an evolution from the previously known Poultry Africa, now includes dairy and agriculture pavilions, making it a comprehensive event that caters to the diverse needs of the industry.

Set to take place on October 2-3, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda, with a Leadership Conference on October 1st, this event promises to be a landmark gathering for professionals from around the globe.

With the event’s exhibitor space already sold out and visitor pre-registration now open, we sat down with the VIV Africa Project Manager, Ms. Natalie Taylor, to discuss the event’s significance, the expanded scope, and what attendees can expect from this year’s edition.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the evolution of Poultry Africa to VIV Africa in 2024 and what attendees can expect from this year’s event?

NT: VIV Africa 2024 marks an exciting milestone from what was previously known as Poultry Africa. By expanding our scope to include dairy and agriculture, we are addressing the broader needs of the animal protein industry and welcoming those that are more into CEA and arable farming as well. Attendees can expect a more comprehensive event with a wider range of exhibitors, more diverse content, and new opportunities for networking and learning. This year’s event will feature not only the latest advancements in poultry but also innovations in dairy and agricultural sectors, providing a holistic view of the industry.

Q: This year’s exhibiting space is already completely sold out. What do you think contributed to this overwhelming response?

NT: Africa is a new market to many of the exhibitors, and they see the growth potential. The aim has been to ease their entry into the market and connect them with the industry leaders and clients across the region. I think with the proven track-record of the previous editions, alongside the expansion of the show with dairy and agriculture, exhibitors benefit from the VIV quality, network and marketing. These combined have been the main contributing factors to the overwhelming response.

Q: VIV Africa 2024 will feature a Leadership Conference the day before the main event. What are some of the key topics and issues that will be addressed during this conference?

NT: As with previous editions, the program is being developed with our local and international stakeholders who are committed to selecting top topics to provide the tools and knowledge to address current business challenges farmers face in Africa. Once again the main focus will be on poultry — and next to that we will introduce specific Agriculture and Dairy content to the program. Break-out sessions will ensure that there is always a session on each sector. More will of course come, as we get closer to the show, so it is important to keep an eye on our newsletters and updates on the vivafrica.nl website.

Q: How do you see the animal protein industry evolving in Africa over the next few years, and what role does VIV Africa play in this development?

NT: The animal protein industry in Africa is forecasted to witness significant growth, driven by increasing demand for quality protein sources. VIV Africa plays a crucial role by providing a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and industry networking. By bringing together key stakeholders and industry leaders, VIV Africa facilitates the adoption of best practices and the introduction of new technologies, which are essential for a sustainable development.

Q: With visitor pre-registration now open, what advice do you have for attendees to get the most out of their experience at VIV Africa 2024?

NT: Planning your visit in advance will help you make the most of the two-day event and ensure you don’t miss any key sessions or networking opportunities. Therefore, pre-registering now online, although it might seem early for some, will take you a couple of minutes, but will save you a lot of time onsite. Not to mention that once registered you will be included early enough in all communication around the event so you will not miss anything coming up.
Be sure to reserve a ticket for the Leadership Conference, as there are limited tickets available. On our website, you can view the exhibitor list and technical seminars to plan your 2-day experience.

Q: How can interested stakeholders, who were unable to secure exhibitor slots, still participate or engage with VIV Africa 2024?

NT: Even if you couldn’t secure an exhibitor slot, we encourage you to visit the show in Kigali. It’s an excellent opportunity to network, attend workshops, and gain insights from the industry’s best. Your presence will still be highly valuable, and our team will do its best to facilitate ways to engage with other professionals and industry leaders.

Q: Are there any special sessions, or events within VIV Africa 2024 that you are particularly excited about?

NT: There are many sessions and special events during VIV Africa 2024, so it’s hard to choose just one! Special for exhibitors, we will host a special networking cocktail with local talent on the first night of the event to connect exhibitors directly with industry leaders and peers. There are also many technical best practices for visitors to attend during the 2-day exhibition, and of course with the addition of the new pavilions, our partners will be hosting in-depth workshops for visitors to attend. Visitors can definitely look forward to a memorable business experience.

Q: Finally, what message would you like to convey to the global animal protein industry as VIV Africa 2024 approaches?

NT: As VIV Africa 2024 approaches, I’d like to emphasize the incredible opportunities that Africa presents for the agrifood industry.

This event is not just about showcasing products but also about building connections, sharing knowledge, and enabling innovation. We are excited to welcome you to Kigali, where together, we can contribute to the sustainable growth and development of the industry in Africa and beyond.

Event Details:
Name: VIV Africa 2024
Dates: October 2-3, 2024
Location: Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), Kigali, Rwanda
Website: www.vivafrica.nl

Potato Europe France 2024 Sept 11th-12th

Smart Poultry World Exhibition Conference-Bulgaria

Potato Europe France 2024 Sept 11th-12th

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The international potato event, PotatoEurope, returns to France on September 11 and 12, 2024, after an eight-year hiatus. The previous edition in 2020 was canceled for obvious health reasons.

This event will showcase how this agricultural fair is a unifying moment. All European and other continental potato sector stakeholders will gather to exchange and share with the French sector, focusing on its dynamism and excellence from agroecological research to economic opportunities

PotatoEurope is organised in turn in 4 countries.

Program 2024

POTATO EUROPE 2024 is the place to be for French and international participants in the potato sector.

In the schedule you will find all of the content, conferences, and events in the different areas of the exposition:

  • Technical space
  • Conferences
  • Exhibitors
  • Shopping Village
  • Harvesting demonstrations
  • Reception demonstrations
  • Optical sorting demonstrations

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Smart Poultry World Exhibition Conference-Bulgaria

Following the success of its inaugural event, Smart Poultry World is back to continue providing poultry farmers with the knowledge, tools, and network needed to find the optimal solutions to the problems they face now and in the future.

The event is endorsed by the Bulgarian Poultry Union which has established a multi-decade tradition of industry gathering and collaboration. In fact, Smart Poultry World 2024 will be the 44thpoultry farming conference in Bulgaria.

In 2023, the event attracted over 40 exhibitors and over 200 attendees from across Europe, Asia and the United States, and featured keynotes by Google Cloud and Schneider Electric.

Last year we highlighted how artificial intelligence can be applied to poultry farming and this year we plan to continue the focus on applied intelligence and automation — said Vladimir Galabov, Founder at BulX, the organiser of Smart Poultry World.

Poultry farmers, particularly in Europe, have gone through successive investment cycles to modernise their farms and improve the wellbeing of their birds, Smart Poultry World 2024 will showcase solutions and practices which enable higher levels of productivity, sustainability, animal health and food quality.

Our 2023 event was exceptionally well received with 9 in 10 exhibitor and attendees planning to return in 2024. We are thrilled to be growing the show this year and continue to help inventors and innovators connect and collaborate — said Gergana Galabova, Founder and CEO of BulX.

In Summary

Smart Poultry World, the international exhibition and conference, focused on accelerating the digital transformation of poultry farming, will take place on 10th and 11th September 2024 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

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Inside VIV Africa 2024: Exclusive Interview with the show’s Project Manager

Potato Europe France 2024 Sept 11th-12th

Dewulf’s full-line offering in the spotlight at Potato Europe 2024


One of the most renowned European potato fairs will set up camp in Villers-Saint-Christophe (Aisne, France) in 2024.

Halfway between Lille and Paris, the 18th edition of Potato Europe will take place on 11 and 12 September, with Dewulf as a prominent participant.

At stand no. B 090-98 and during various demonstrations, Dewulf will showcase an extensive range of machines from its full-line offering to the stakeholders attending from the potato industry.

Second-generation Enduro takes it up a notch

Since the launch of the new generation Enduro, the 22-hectare demonstration site in France will be the first venue where the upgraded 4-row sieving harvester will showcase its capabilities to the general public.

The self-propelled harvester will make its debut configured for a row distance of 4 x 90 cm.

The 4-row harvester is equipped with a newly designed ring elevator, which boasts an increased processing capacity. The combination of larger bag volume, higher running speed and more optimal product distribution have boosted the capacity by around 50%.

The external changes to the Generation 2 machine are characterised by a new look and feel, with fewer covers, a redesigned main frame, and a larger, anthracite-coloured fuel tank.

The machine that will be demonstrating at Potato Europe is equipped with an Easy-Clean cleaning module, which features a continuously adjustable inclination angle of between 0 and 12°. This is an undeniable advantage, especially on sloping fields.

Moreover, with its 2-part bunker that provides a convenient 12.3 m³ capacity, the 4-row machine claims the title as largest in its market segment.

In terms of (lowest) ground pressure (max. 1.8 kg/cm²), Dewulf’s self-propelled harvester also tops the list.

The Enduro, though a tyre-mounted harvester, delivers unmatched traction even in the most demanding conditions. Finally, in its second generation, the machine remains extremely low threshold for drivers thanks to its ergonomics and tremendous ease of use in the cabin.

RA stands for proven quality

Dewulf completes the harvesting demonstrations with the popular 2-row self-propelled RA3060 harvester and a trailed RA2060, both at 2 x 90 cmrow distance.

These 2-row harvesters are equipped with one haulm roller, three sieving webs and an Easy-Clean cleaning unit. Since 1989, Dewulf has been manufacturing 2-row self-propelled harvesters on three wheels, always with a focus on superior end-product quality and maximum productivity under all conditions.

The established standard among harvesters distinguishes itself from the rest with impressive manoeuvrability and the power to continue harvesting where others are forced to stop.

With a 5th generation of this machine, the R3060 has certainly earned its stripes through the countless hours it has clocked up.

The trailed RA2060 variant is equipped with an unloading-on-the-move bunker with a 10.7 m³ capacity. The R2060 also has the largest tyre size in its class, keeping ground pressure to an absolute minimum.

This high-performing offset harvester also prioritises ease of use, product care throughout the process, and maintaining high potato quality.

After harvesting comes storage

After harvesting, the product is transported over a Dewulf storage line at the demonstration site. It features anMH 242 receiving hopper with a Scotts Evolutioncleaning unit as its main components. After the bunker floor, the machine is fitted with a presentation conveyor with variable belt speed, ensuring optimal dosing.

The Scotts Evolution system has the greatest possible working range, as it demonstrates product-friendly handling in both dry and the most challenging, wet conditions. For the Potato Europe configuration, the choice of four ribs on the eight spiral rollers is intended to achieve a standard, moderate cleaning effect.

The receiving hopper is additionally equipped with eight PU rollers with Clean-Boost. These allow you to sort from 5 to 70 mm in addition to the usual cleaning.

To this end, a small, extendable or pull-out conveyor below the sorting unit is available as an option, for situations in which the PU rollers are used for additional cleaning. In that case, the excess waste falls onto the full width trash conveyor (FWT).

An ME 100 elevator conveyor (10 m long, 80 cm wide) removes excess soil after cleaning, while the potatoes are transferred to the trailers via an MC 1780 duo belt conveyor (17 m long, 80 cm wide) with Weight-Control and an ML 1980 store loader (19 m long, 80 cm wide).

With the Premium filling function, this machine can fill a store fully automatically and in perfect layers, with respect for the product. Beyond that, use of the short, flat X-stream belt conveyor increases the processing capacity further, even over a 90° angle.

To the stand

At the Dewulf stand, special focus will be placed on the planters, especially the newly introduced Certa 40 Integral. This all-in-one planting solution combines soil cultivation, planting, and ridging in a single pass. Another highlight is the new Erosion-Stop.

The Certa 40 Integral is available in both 4 x 75 cm and 4 x 90 cm variants and is operated through ISOBUS, encompassing both the controller and the software. The in-house designed system can be accompanied by a 12-inch Topcon touchscreen and joystick.

In the realm of planting technology, the Structural 30 will also be on display. In this case, Dewulf will showcase the mounted version of the belt planter, which can plant three rows in a bed as standard.

This potato-friendly planting machine is one of a kind in the market and differentiates itself with automatic depth adjustment, achieved through an ultrasonic sensor. This ensures that the machine is not only very precise in planting the potatoes but also gives the seed potatoes the exact spacing needed for optimal growth.

Additionally, the ‘Wave Belt’ concept creates a wave-like belt bed that makes planting on sloping terrain easier and more effortless for the operator.

The version on display is also equipped with Hill-Master, the ideal solution for maintaining the optimal fill level of the belt bed when planting on slopes. Moreover, the renowned, unique Structural belt bed planting system combines extreme planting precision with a high driving speed (up to 12 km/h).

Within the domain of storage, the MB 34 plays a central role. Dewulf’s latest box filler is fully electrically powered and nods the filling conveyor into the box, keeping it nicely on the ground during filling.

The energy-efficient MB 34 features two box stops that make it suitable for box lengths ranging from 120 to 260 cm.

The product guidance flap contributes to symmetrical box filling, which in turn ensures optimal ventilation during the storage season.

The box filler directly drives an ME 3-70 elevator conveyor, the infeed height of which is adjustable using a jack at the bottom. End of the fair? By folding in the box stops and pressing a single button, the MB 34 shifts to its compact mode and is ready for transport!

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UK Minister for Africa pledges funding to accelerate growth in Africa agriculture sector

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Africa Minister Lord Collins has announced UK backing for a new investment facility that will accelerate the growth of Africa’s food and agriculture sector.

During his keynote speech at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2024, Lord Collins committed to providing £25 million for AgDevCo, a UK-based social impact investor dedicated to investing in African agribusinesses.

In the face of conflict and climate change, communities across Africa are grappling with high levels of hunger and malnutrition.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 4 are undernourished. Investing in Africa’s food markets is a crucial means of working with farmers, helping those at the forefront of the climate crisis and moving towards a world free from poverty.

The UK’s contribution is expected to yield an increase in income of £128 million for the farmers who benefit by 2036.

The Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury said: “Improving food markets will have a game changing impact on individuals and families across Africa. Giving hard working farmers stable incomes, creating jobs for the youth and helping end malnutrition.

Without access to funding, no matter the drive and ingenuity, too many businesses can’t get off the ground.That’s why I’m pleased to announce that the UK intends to back a new $50 million facility called AgDevCo Ventures.

The UK will put in over half the funds, with AgDevCo collecting funds from other investors. AgDevCo’s funding and expertise will enable early-stage African agribusinesses to grow and increase Africa’s resilience to climate change.”

This funding will support the creation of AgDevCo Ventures, which will channel early-stage investment into small and medium-sized enterprises working within Africa’s agriculture sector. The UK government is contributing over half of the funds with matching contributions being raised from other investors, resulting in $50 million overall for the planned launch of AgDevCo Ventures in early 2025.

The new funding facility will work with small agricultural enterprises across Africa, with a particular focus on African owned and managed businesses.

Daniel Hulls, CEO of AgDevCo said:”We are very grateful for the continued collaboration with the UK government.This funding will allow us to leverage third-party capital and go back to investing in small, early-stage businesses.

We are excited about developing a new AgDevCo Ventures portfolio, and expect it to be high impact, deliver jobs and increased rural incomes by building the next generation of African agri-SMEs.”

There is evidence that small to medium-sized enterprises lack the financing options necessary to scale up. As a result, the UK is working alongside partners to pioneer new ways to finance agribusiness and mobilise other investors.

The demand for food and animal feed in Africa is projected to triple between 2010 and 2050, with the demand for food globally set to increase by 50%.

UK investment will look to improve both African and global food and nutrition security by enabling enterprises in the agriculture sector to be better able to cater to the rising demand.

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Government Secures 310 Combine Harvesters for Winter Wheat Harvest in Zimbabwe

Late blight resistant potato varieties unveiled

Standen Engineering launches brand new POWAVATOR model for 2024


Standen Engineering a brand new version of our popular, high performing and durable POWAVATOR model.

The new model, the POWAVATOR HS400 rotary tiller will be available in 2024. It is available in two bed straddle and triple bed options, giving growers the ability to create a 2 or 3 bed machine which is designed and engineered to suit their precise requirements and soil type. The 400/140 two bed folding model is still available but without the HS400 upgrade.

The HS400, which has seen 3 seasons of field testing and sees the following improvements;

  • Redesigned narrower side drives, minimising soil disturbance, and making them simpler to maintain
  • A deeper hull design with a larger distance between the top of the rotor and the hull, giving reduced tine wear of approximately 50% and fuel consumption of around 25%, and also a lower power requirement
  • New main gearbox design rated to 400hp and above
  • Faster rotor speed of 330rpm from 266rpm giving a finer finish, allowing a faster forward speed.
  • 10 or 12mm ‘L’ or speed blades
  • Optional wider point for Convex body, or Square body option, giving a wider furrow bottom to accept large quantities of stone.
  • Available with Shearbolt or Auto-Reset legs; and
  • Rear Hood option for planting systems that don’t require a destoner.

The new HS400 model’s improved capability also extends to the POWAVATOR HS400 Bed Tiller, which combines the effectiveness of the rotary tiller with the bed forming capability of the Standen BX Bedformer series.

Within each range there is the choice of a number of different working widths from 1.8m up to 6.0m, to suit 72″ / 1.8m wheelings and 80″ / 2.0m wheelings as well as different bed forming body/rear wheel configurations.

Manual or Hydraulic parallel linkages attach the body to the mainframe or a KW linkage arrangement is available which allows angle adjustment of the body instead.

So whether the grower is looking for a standalone rotary tiller or looking to combine the HS400 with bed making capability for either direct planting or destoning behind the bed tiller, the new POWAVATOR HS400 series can do it all.

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Late blight resistant potato varieties unveiled


The International Potato Center (CIP), in collaboration with Poderosa S.A., proudly unveils three new potato varieties: CIP PODEROSA CROCANTE, CIP PODEROSA WATIA, and CIP PODEROSA POLLERA.

These new potato varieties incorporate resistance to Late Blight Phytophthora infestans and high-quality attributes for baking, such as high dry matter content and low reducing sugar content. These varieties allow smallholder farmers to achieve enhanced yields while reducing their reliance on agrochemicals.

These new varieties are not only beneficial for farmers but also for consumers. From a health perspective, farmers and their families will experience reduced exposure to fungicides to control Late Blight, while consumers will enjoy potato tubers produced with fewer fungicides and lower levels of acrylamides and glycoalkaloids.

Additionally, these varieties can be integrated into family-sustainable farming systems, helping to preserve the environment and increase the income of small and medium-scale farmers.

Their economic profitability is enhanced by lower production costs due to reduced fungicide use compared to control varieties.

These varieties offer healthier and more sustainable options compared to popular Peruvian potato varieties, promoting improving living standards for potato producers in Peru and other developing countries.

Poderosa S.A. mining company operates in La Libertad, a potato-producing region of Peru, and works with local NGO’s to support the sustainable development of the farming communities through its corporate social responsibility and its sustainability projects.

Conscious of the need for improved varieties, Poderosa joined forces with CIP to develop these LATE BLIGHT resistance varieties that respond to customer demand.

The innovative varieties are the product of the “Selection of potato clones suitable for industrial processing and baking, resistant to late blight, and producing high-quality phytosanitary tuber seed project,” sponsored by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia e Innovacion del Peru (CONCYTEC) and funded by Minera Poderosa Company through Law 30309, which promotes scientific research, technological development, and technical innovation, providing tax benefits to companies for their partnerships with research organizations.

Poderosa actively promotes economic and social progress in the La Libertad region and is currently funding a three-year plan to disseminate these varieties, sharing related information through publications and social media.

The varieties are available for licensing to certified seed producers registered with the Peruvian Seed Authority (SENASA).

CIP applied for plant variety protection in accordance with UPOV and Peruvian legislation and can issue commercial production licenses. In accordance with its mandate, CIP requires licensees to accept providing good quality seed to smallholder farmers at preferential rates, securing in this way safe and broad dissemination and adoption of the varieties.

CIP also requires licensees to contribute financially to the Benefit Sharing Fund of the International Plant Treaty. The fund supports conservation and sustainable use projects in the global south.

The dissemination strategy aligns with Peruvian national priorities on production and availability and affordability of high-quality seed to farmers.

Further, the rights associated to the plant variety protection of the three PODEROSA varieties will not infringe or interfere with the rights of Peruvian indigenous communities and small holder potato farmers, who can save and exchange seeds of the varieties among themselves  in accordance with the UPOV Convention, which Peru is part of.

These communities have been and are actively involved in and benefit from the development and dissemination of the new potato varieties. CIP seeks to promote the empowerment and sustainable livelihoods of these farmer and indigenous communities.

Acknowledgment is extended to local governments such as the District Municipality of Chugay and the Provincial Municipality of Sánchez Carrión in the La Libertad region, as well as farmers from Huánuco, Junín, Arequipa, and Cajamarca, with whom field research was conducted.

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SA Agriculture reverses course and dips by 2.1% in Q2 of 2024

SA Agriculture reverses course and dips by 2.1% in Q2 of 2024

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Following a surprisingly robust quarterly growth of 13.5% in Q1, agriculture reversed course as widely expected and fell by 2.1% q/q in Q2 of 2024 with a -0.1 percentage point contribution to overall GDP.

South Africa’s GDP was still pedestrian after clocking 0.4% in Q2 from a revised flat growth in Q1.

The downbeat activity in the agriculture sector was not a surprise as the severe midsummer drought forced a reduction in harvest estimates for summer crops with South Africa’s biggest staple, maize, cut by 20.5% y/y to 13.06 million tons and soybeans falling sharply by 35.8% y/y to 1.78 million tons, according to the National Crop Estimates Committee’s 7th estimate report.

The total summer grains and oilseed harvest estimate showed a whopping 22% y/y decline to 15.69 million tons.

The cumulative total maize delivered to the country’s silos for the 2024/25 season in Q2 showed an almost 6% drop in deliveries relative to the previous year.

For winter crops, the total area planted was down by 1.6% y/y at 807,250 hectares with the wheat area which accounts for almost 63% of the total declining by 5.9% y/y at 506,300 hectares. All these are an indication of reduced activity in the field crop industry.

The seasonal downturn in demand impacted negatively on the animal products industry, hence the poor showing in its contribution to agriculture GDP outcomes for Q2.

The Q2 preliminary data on livestock slaughtering (excluding the June 2024 figures for cattle and sheep) showed an almost 22% q/q drop in the slaughter rate at 2.7 million head, which is 20% below the same period last year.

Nonetheless, the medium-term seasonal outlook points to a potential rebound in agriculture fortunes for the year ahead.

While the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently still in a neutral state, forecasts still indicate that it is dissipating and likely to strongly transition to the La Nina weather pattern at the onset of the summer season.

The South African Weather Services’ forecasts further indicate above-normal rainfall for the central parts and the south-eastern coastal areas of the country during the spring and early summer seasons.

Further positive developments are that the fuel price outlook shows a decline after three consecutive months of cuts, the electricity supply remains stable, and potentially an interest rate cut in the next SARB’s MPC meeting.

All this augurs well for renewed confidence in the sector.

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Government Secures 310 Combine Harvesters for Winter Wheat Harvest in Zimbabwe

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Government Secures 310 Combine Harvesters for Winter Wheat Harvest in Zimbabwe

As the harvesting season for early-planted winter wheat approaches, the Zimbabwean government has taken decisive action to ensure an efficient and timely harvest by securing 310 combine harvesters.

This strategic move aims to support farmers across the nation, ensuring that the valuable cereal crop is reaped without delays.

In an interview with The Herald, Engineer Edwin Zimunga, Chief Director of Agricultural Engineering, Mechanisation, Farm Infrastructure Development, and Soil Conservation, outlined the readiness of the government’s agricultural machinery deployment.

“We have 310 combine harvesters ready to be deployed across different clusters, tailored to meet the specific harvesting schedules of our farmers,” Zimunga stated.

The initiative involves collaboration with six government-linked entities, including the Agricultural Financing Company (AFC) Leasing, the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), and various branches of the Zimbabwean military and police, alongside private sector companies.

This public-private partnership is designed to enhance the efficiency of the harvesting process by combining resources and expertise.

Zimunga also detailed the pricing structure for the harvester services: “The dry rate is set at US$80 per hectare for government organizations and US$100 for private entities, with wet rates at US$110 and US$130 respectively.” This pricing aims to provide farmers with affordable and standardized harvesting services.

Despite the extensive preparations, Zimunga urged the remaining 4% of farmers not yet linked to a harvester to contact the national command center for assistance in coordinating the necessary equipment.

The government’s efforts are underpinned by the anticipation of a bumper harvest, with projections estimating 600,000 tonnes of wheat from 121,000 hectares planted. To facilitate this, the government has organized farmers into winter wheat clusters, optimizing the deployment of harvesters to match regional needs.

“The clustering model ensures that our machinery is used where it’s most needed, allowing us to process up to 3,900 hectares per day,” Zimunga explained. The fleet includes both high-capacity machines, capable of harvesting up to 40 hectares daily, and smaller models for more modest plots.

Additionally, the government has deployed 108 dryers across the country with a total drying capacity of 96 tonnes per day, ensuring that the harvest is protected from potential early rains.

This comprehensive approach to winter wheat harvesting not only underscores the government’s commitment to agricultural productivity but also sets a precedent for future seasons, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses and increase agricultural output.

Source: Herald.

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