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Mahindra bolsters mechanisation in Kenya with tractor launch

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Mahindra bolsters mechanisation in Kenya with tractor launch

Mahindra has unveiled three new models in Kenya a move which the manufacturer hopes will help bolster farm in mechanisation Kenya as well as strengthen its market share in the the country’s agriculture market.

The Mahindra 2025, Mahindra 6075, and Mahindra 9200, will offer 25 HP, 75 HP, and 92 HP, respectively

Simba Colt Aspire Ltd., a Simba Corporation Ltd. Company has been appointed the main distributor of Mahindra Tractors.

“We are delighted to bring Mahindra Tractors that are simply tough and efficient, to the Kenyan market in partnership with Simba Corporation Ltd.

This collaboration aims to strengthen the accessibility of Mahindra Tractors across Kenya and ensure prompt service and support. We aim to be the top choice of farmers in Kenya,” said Kedar Apte, Chief of International Operations, Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

The partnership with Mahindra introduces a new era of efficiency, reliability, and innovation to the Kenyan agricultural sector, promising to revolutionize farming practices in the country, according to  Simba Corporation, Motors Division, Group Managing Director, Naresh Leekha.

He revealed that Simba Colt Aspire Ltd has already identified key markets in the western, Nyanza, Narok, Nakuru and Mombasa regions, with immediate roll-out plans in the country that averages about 1,500 tractor sales annually.

In line with the Kenya Vision 2030 agricultural mechanization is expected to play a critical role in putting more land into agricultural production.

The country has not operated with a clearly defined agricultural mechanization policy. This, together with the existing strategies has not sufficiently addressed agricultural mechanization challenges leading to the low level of agricultural mechanization in the country.

While the normal international ratio of tractors per 100 square kilometers being 10%, Kenya’s ration stands at a mere 0.2% against the recommended global average of 25% accessibility to farmers.

Agriculture is key to Kenya’s economy, contributing 33% of GDP and another 27% indirectly through linkages with other sectors.

The sector employs more than 40 % of the total population, more than 70 % being small and medium size farmers in Kenya’s rural areas.

“We believe that our commitment to advancing better agricultural practices in the country through aiding farmers with efficient, reliable, tough, and durable tractors among other farm equipment aligns with the government’s vision of growth and productivity of the sector,” said Simba Corporation Executive Chairman Mr. Adil Popat.

Also Read

African farmers to benefit as Apollo Agriculture gears up for expansion

Bad start for farm machinery dealers in South Africa as sales tumble

Bad start for farm machinery dealers in South Africa as sales tumble

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Bad start for farm machinery dealers in South Africa as sales tumble

South African agriculture equipment dealers could be in for a bad year following poor sales in January 2024.

South Africa’s tractor sales were down 26% year-on-year (y/y) in January 2024, with 353 units sold. At the same time, combine harvesters were down 50% y/y, with eight units sold.

December tractor sales of 531 units were significantly (27%) less than the 729 units sold in December 2022.

For the 2023 calendar year, tractor sales were approximately 9% down on the 2022 calendar year. Thirty-one combine harvesters were sold in December, five more than the 26 units sold in December last year.

Calendar year 2023 combine harvester sales were significantly (35%) higher than those in 2022. With most summer crop plantings having been completed, the market is showing caution as to what will happen weather-wise in the next few weeks.

Initial predictions were that the El Niño phenomenon was likely to result in lower than normal rainfall during the critical January and February months.

Potential buyers of tractors therefore delayed their buying decisions until some degree of certainty in terms of rainfall developed.

“Present rainfall conditions are looking favourable, however, but rain will still be required through to the end of February in most areas.

It is still early in the year to be predicting 2024 calendar year tractor sales,” says Tallie Giessing Chairman of South African Agricultural Machinery Association.

Nevertheless, expectations are that, despite the market being very competitive and this driving sales, calendar year 2024 tractor sales will be of the order of 10% down on last year.

“At face value, this could be viewed as a worrying agricultural machinery sales report, indicating difficulties in the sector.

But we have a different reading of it. This is more of a normalisation after a few years of robust sales,” explains Wandile Sihlobo Agbiz chief economist.

“Generally strong agricultural machinery sales over the past few years were primarily on the back of large grain and oilseed harvests.

In 2023, tractor sales were down marginally from the previous year, while the combine harvester sales held the last year’s momentum. Thus, we think the January 2024 sales begin a correction period.”

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John Deere turns to satellite technology to boost rural connectivity

New Holland boosts autonomous baling with new technology

 

New Holland boosts autonomous baling with new technology

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New Holland boosts autonomous baling with new technology

New Holland is steering toward autonomous baling with the introduction of IntelliSense™ Bale Automation.

The first technology of its kind, IntelliSense Bale Automation pushes the boundaries of baling innovation and transforms the way customers and operators approach large square baling by delivering a complete automated baling system.

“With laser precision and real-time adjustments, the IntelliSense Bale Automation system changes the way we navigate fields,” says Brad Littlefield, precision marketing manager, dairy and livestock segment for New Holland.

“For large square baling operations, it’s an indispensable asset for their future by improving bale harvesting while helping them meet the operational demands of the evolving agricultural landscape with confidence.”

Lasering in on Windrows With Precision

At its core, IntelliSense Bale Automation provides operators with a complete automated baling system focused on feedrate and swath guidance. It achieves this by combining two operator-assisted baling modes:

  • SmartSteer™ swath guidance acts as autosteering for precise navigation of the tractor and baler along the windrow. This mode allows hands-free driving when the swath is detected. Steering automation can be turned off and on at any time by the push of a button or movement of the steering wheel.
  • IntelliCruise II™ controls tractor speed, responding dynamically to variation in material feedrate into the baler. The operator sets the number of slices per bale target and the maximum speed limit. Once set, the baler will continuously adjust the forward speed to achieve the bale slices target.

The cornerstone of IntelliSense Bale Automation is the industry’s first LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology. Installed on the front end of a tractor cab roof, it emits laser pulses to calculate distance based on reflections from the windrow.

The LiDAR measures swath cross-section and speed input to prevent overloads and forecast swath changes by detecting 19-26 feet ahead of the tractor, even in low-light or nighttime conditions.

The LiDAR processor determines swath position and shape, relaying this information to the tractor’s ISOBUS steering.

Four Fenceposts Driving Profitability in the Field

With the IntelliSense Bale Automation system, New Holland aims to increase four elements critical to operations and operators: baling productivity, bale quality, fuel efficiency and operator comfort.

Increased baling productivity

The system increases operational productivity by ensuring constant high capacity without exceeding the limit. Baler blockages are prevented, ensuring continuous workflow and maximizing production time.

Improved bale quality

Bale quality is elevated by the system’s ability to eliminate crop leftovers. It also helps maintain a uniform bale shape through regular chamber filling and consistent weight to achieve a standardized bale weight at the desired target level.

Reduced fuel consumption

IntelliSense improves fuel efficiency by optimizing throughputs to reduce fuel consumption, while ensuring the tractor operates at peak performance.

Enhanced operator comfort

Operator comfort and use are central focuses of the system. Less experienced operators can maximize their output by relying on the automated guidance and feedrate control functions of the system.

Traditional baling machinery in low-light environments can pose challenges for operators, affecting visibility and potentially compromising overall efficiency. Another standout benefit of IntelliSense’s LiDAR Technology is reducing operator fatigue during long harvesting days, especially at nighttime.

“The IntelliSense Bale Automation system is not only focused on output and the bottom line but stands out for its prioritization of operator well-being and safety,” Littlefield says.

“At the heart of our design is a commitment to putting operators first and creating technology that addresses their most important needs for a seamless and productive experience.”

The IntelliSense Baler Automation system is compatible with Class 3 ISOBUS tractors — specifically, the T7 LWB, T7 HD and T8 from New Holland — and model year 2022 and model year 2023 New Holland BigBaler Large Square Balers.

Starting in 2025, customers will have the opportunity to place orders for the IntelliSense Bale Automation system as a factory-fit option. Immediate integration for the system is available now as a New Holland dealer-installed accessory option.

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African farmers to benefit as Apollo Agriculture gears up for expansion

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African farmers to benefit as Apollo Agriculture gears up for expansion

Apollo Agriculture says it has signed a significant financial partnership with Swedfund and ImpactConnect to help in its expansion strategy.

The agri-fintech startup dedicated to helping small-scale farmers across Africa increase their profits and farm more sustainably is upbeat that the combined $10 million debt investment will further accelerates Apollo Agriculture’s rapid growth,

The move will enable increased earnings for farmers, faster adoption of sustainable practices, and increased food security across Africa.

Apollo Agriculture’s machine learning-powered credit models and automated operations technology enable them to scalably serve small-scale farmers to access the high-quality farm products, optimized financing, and digital advice they need to succeed.

Apollo’s technology has enabled it to provide essential farm input products and financial services to over 350,000 small- scale farmers across Kenya and Zambia since its launch.

Financing provided by the Swedish development finance institution and ImpactConnect will be utilized to expand Apollo Agriculture’s activities across Kenya, enabling more small-scale farmers to farm more profitably and sustainably and increase their resilience to climate change.

Eli Pollak, CEO of Apollo Agriculture, expressed enthusiasm about the partnerships, stating,
“This collaboration with Swedfund and ImpactConnect is a significant milestone for Apollo
Agriculture.

The investment positions us to rapidly scale our operations, enabling more farmers to access the essential products and financial services they need to feed their families and communities and adapt to climate change.

This funding unlocks the potential to serve 400,000additional farmers during the loan’s term, accelerating Apollo’s growth.

We are grateful for the trust and confidence that both Swedfund and ImpactConnect have placed in our vision, and we look forward to achieving transformative growth together.”

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John Deere turns to satellite technology to boost rural connectivity

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John Deere turns to satellite technology to boost rural connectivity

John Deere says it has entered into an agreement with SpaceX to provide cutting-edge satellite communications (SATCOM) service to farmers.

Utilizing the industry-leading Starlink network, this solution will allow farmers facing rural connectivity challenges to fully leverage precision agriculture technologies.

This partnership, an industry first, will enable John Deere customers to be more productive, profitable, and sustainable in their operations as they continue to provide food, fuel, and fiber for their communities and a growing global population.

“The value of connectivity to farmers is broader than any single task or action. Connectivity unlocks vast opportunities that were previously limited or unavailable,” said Aaron Wetzel, Vice President of Production and Precision Ag Production Systems at John Deere.

“For example, throughout the year, farmers must complete tasks within extremely short windows of time. This requires executing incredibly precise production steps while coordinating between machines and managing machine performance. Each of these areas are enhanced through connectivity, making the entire operation more efficient, effective, and profitable.”

The SATCOM solution will connect both new and existing machines through satellite internet service and ruggedized satellite terminals. This will fully enable technologies such as autonomy, real-time data sharing, remote diagnostics, enhanced self-repair solutions, and machine-to-machine communication, all of which help farmers work more efficiently while minimizing downtime.

“John Deere has led the agriculture equipment industry for more than two decades with satellite-based precision guidance technology,” said Jahmy Hindman, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at John Deere.

“Now, we are bringing satellite communications service to the farm at scale so farmers with cellular coverage challenges can maximize the value of connectivity to their operations.

The SATCOM solution unlocks the John Deere tech stack so every farmer can fully utilize their current precision agriculture technology in addition to the new innovative solutions they will deploy in the future. We initiated this process with a fierce focus on delivering value to our customers, and this partnership ensures we have a solution that meets their needs today and in the future.”

John Deere’s SATCOM solution will leverage SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet constellation.  To activate this solution, John Deere dealers will install a ruggedized Starlink terminal on compatible machines, along with a 4G LTE JDLink modem to connect the machine to the John Deere Operations Center.

The SATCOM solution will initially be available through a limited release in the United States and Brazil starting in the second half of 2024.

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New Holland wins with CR11 Combine Harvester and T4 Electric Power Tractor

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New Holland wins with CR11 Combine Harvester and T4 Electric Power Tractor

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New Holland wins with CR11 Combine Harvester and T4 Electric Power Tractor

New Holland’s CR11 Combine and T4 Electric Power Tractor are the winners of a 2023 GOOD DESIGN Award in the category “Transportation”.

The Good Design Award is presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd., founded in Chicago in 1950 by Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Eames.

GOOD DESIGN remains the oldest and the world’s most recognized program for design excellence worldwide. This year, the Museum received submissions from from over 55 countries, from the world’s leading manufacturers and industrial and graphic design firms.

New Holland CR11 Combine Harvester

Unveiled with a preview at Agritechnica 2023 in Hanover, the New Holland CR11 is the next-generation flagship combine that takes the legacy of the flagship CR line.

New Holland CR11 is the largest combine ever made and it has been redeveloped to provide higher productivity, with minimal grain loss, improved residue management, and more automation. These features aim to reduce the total cost of grain harvesting.

Il will be produced at New Holland’s Center of Harvesting Excellence in Zedelgem, Belgium.

New Holland CR11 debuts a new design and style for the brand, developed thought a close collaboration between CNH Design and Engineering teams, together with product specialists and Brand marketing.

The style is focused on customer needs, with form that really does follow function.

The result is an iconic, refreshed design that is stylish yet timeless. The flow of the harvest is underlined on the exterior body panels by the dynamic blue feature that runs across the body through the various functions.

New Holland T4 Electric Power Tractor

New Holland T4 Electric Power all-electric utility tractor is the first and unique in the industry and represents New Holland and CNH’s most recent development in their strategic plan for electrification.

As a BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle fully battery-powered, it is the first zero-emission light utility tractor with no internal combustion engine. The T4 Electric Power joins the New Holland T7 Methane Power LNG and T6 Methane Power tractors building a full liner portfolio of zero carbon tractor solution.

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Kubota unveils its new agri concept vehicle

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Kubota unveils its new agri concept vehicle

The vehicle is fully electric and capable of automated operation. Unlike current automated tractors, it does not require visual monitoring by humans, and can operate autonomously and safely based on information from cameras and sensors.

In addition, while ensuring long periods of operation is generally an issue when adopting electric-powered industrial machinery, the new agri concept vehicle has a quick charging feature capable of recharging the battery from 10% to 80% within 6 minutes.

The vehicle has been designed for a wide range of applications in the agricultural field, including wine vineyards. Its six independent drive motors and a standard three-point hitch allow it plowing, hauling, and a broad variety of other tasks.

The concept video shown at CES®2024 depicted a vision for the future of agriculture achievable by combining the vehicle’s capabilities with other cutting-edge technologies such as automated collection of farming data, advanced AI-driven analyses, and remote monitoring of farming conditions.

Moving forward, Kubota intends to continue developing superior products and providing solutions to enrich people’s lives and realize a sustainable society.

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Jacto opens new facility with Industry 4.0 technology

The future of crop protection: AI and plant-level spraying

 

FAO Food Price Index declines in December

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FAO Food Price Index declines in December

The benchmark for world food commodity prices declined in December compared to the previous month,  Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported Friday.

International sugar saw sharpest drop according to FAO Food Index.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 118.5 points in December, down 1.5 percent from November and down 10.1 percent from December 2022.

For 2023 as a whole, the index was 13.7 percent lower than the average value over the preceding year, with only the international sugar price index higher over the period.

The FAO Cereal Price Index increased 1.5 percent from November, as wheat, maize, rice, and barley prices all rose, partly reflecting logistical disruptions that hindered shipments from major exporting countries.

For the year as a whole, the index was 15.4 percent below the 2022 average, reflecting well supplied global markets, although FAO’s All Rice Price Index (part of the FAO Cereal Price Index) registered a 21 percent increase, largely owing to concerns about the impact of El Niño on rice production and in the aftermath of export restrictions imposed by India.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index by contrast, declined by 1.4 percent from November, reflecting subdued purchases of palm, soy, rapeseed, and sunflower seed oil, with soy oil in particular impacted by a slowdown in demand from the biodiesel sector as well as improving weather conditions in major growing areas of Brazil.

For 2023 as a whole, this index was 32.7 percent below the previous year’s level.

The FAO Sugar Price Index declined 16.6 percent from November, hitting a nine-month low although still up 14. 9 percent from December 2022.

The plunge in sugar quotations was mainly driven by the strong pace of production in Brazil, along with reduced use of sugarcane for ethanol production in India.

The FAO Meat Price Index dipped 1.0 percent from November, reaching a level 1.8 percent below that of December 2022, impacted by persistent weak import demand from Asia for pig meat.

Regional buying interest also slowed for bovine and poultry meat despite ample exportable supplies in large producing regions. Ovine meat prices by contrast rose ahead of holidays.

Bucking the trend, the FAO Dairy Price Index increased by 1.6 percent from November, although still standing 16.1 percent below its December 2022 value.

The monthly increase was led by higher price quotations for butter and cheese, underpinned by strong internal sales in Western Europe ahead of the holiday season. A

t the same time, strong global import demand led international whole milk powders to rise.

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The future of crop protection: AI and plant-level spraying

Jacto opens new facility with Industry 4.0 technology

The future of crop protection: AI and plant-level spraying

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The future of crop protection: AI and plant-level spraying

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning technology into crop protection methods is a game-changer for agriculture.

This development introduces a new era of targeted spraying, which enables farmers to apply pesticides and herbicides directly at the plant level rather than in the entire field.

It’s a shift that is expected to have far-reaching impacts on sustainability as it empowers farmers to use resources more efficiently, reduce crop failure risks and achieve previously unattainable levels of productivity, profitability and sustainability gains.

Plant-level spraying is making such waves in agriculture today because it means farmers can now target individual plants with precision, rather than treating entire fields. This approach has numerous benefits, including the ability to optimize the use of pesticides and herbicides, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact.

For example, Trimble’s WeedSeeker 2 spot spray system enables farmers to only apply herbicide when a weed passes under the sensor – reducing chemical use by up to 90%.

Today, the current focus for companies at the cutting edge of this space is to help farmers detect and treat weeds. But future applications may not be far down the road. Indeed, as it applies to weeds today, plant-level spraying could be used for early detection and proactive management of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies.

By identifying and addressing issues before they spread, farmers may be able to prevent crop loss, maximizing yields. This level of precision and efficiency in crop protection has the potential to significantly increase global food production and enhance food security.

For farmers the benefits are clear. AI-powered crop protection means they can save resources by using pesticides and herbicides more effectively, reducing costs and increasing profitability. Additionally, AI technology provides real-time analysis and recommendations, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions and optimize their entire operation.

The power of green-on-green

Green-on-green spot spraying is an advanced method of weed control in which a farmer uses sensors and artificial intelligence to accurately identify and target individual weeds in a growing crop. This technology has been gaining popularity in farming due to its numerous benefits.

First, it is a more sustainable option as it reduces the amount of herbicides used, which means less environmental damage. Additionally, it can have a positive impact on yield, as some herbicides are believed to have damaging or scorching effects on crops. By spraying less herbicides, farmers reduce this risk and stand to benefit from higher yields.

Green-on-green spot spraying also provides farmers with an economical advantage as they only spend money on the herbicides that are necessary, rather than covering the entire field, and it saves them time by simplifying operations, i.e. reducing the number of refills that are needed by covering more ground with the same quantity in the tank.

Finally, green-on-green technology opens up brand new strategies for farmers to control problematic weeds that have become resistant to the most widely used herbicides.

As this technology continues to improve and become more affordable, it is expected to become the standard for weed control in modern agriculture. By implementing this method, farmers can reduce their production costs, minimize their impact on the environment and maximize their crop yield.

Amid this shift toward green-on-green, Trimble acquired artificial intelligence and deep learning technology startup Bilberry just over a year ago to transform crop protection by spraying at plant-level, instead of field-level. Paris-based Bilberry sells its Intelligent Smart Spraying System in Australia and Canada currently, and plans to expand into new geographies in the coming year.

The system reduces herbicide usage by more than 80%. In Australia, the Bilberry technology is consistently able to deliver herbicide savings of more than 90% with comparable results as a traditional broadcast treatment.

The Bilberry system consists of intelligent cameras, which scan the field, detect weeds in the several crops in real time and trigger spraying only where it is required. Currently, the Bilberry team is working on:

  • Extending the technology by developing new green-on-green applications in all key crops (cereals, corn, soybeans, cotton)
  • Making the technology available to more farmers by developing retrofit kits for the most used sprayers
  • Expanding into new markets in Europe, North America and Latin America

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Jacto opens new facility with Industry 4.0 technology

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Jacto opens new facility with Industry 4.0 technology

Jacto has opened another large and significant enterprise: a new plant that arrives to serve the domestic and foreign markets.

The new plant has product lines for spraying, fertilizing, planting, harvesting sugarcane, as well as precision agriculture, digital agriculture, and autonomous vehicles.

“It is with great joy that we share this moment with our customers, partners, friends, and the entire Pompeia community. Building here was a choice that considered our commitment to the region and local society.

We have a 75-year history based on fundamental values that have enabled us to prosper so far, and that continues to be essential for the growth and longevity of our company”, comments Ricardo Nishimura, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grupo Jacto and Shareholder of the Company.

Built on a 96-thousand m2 area, the Paulópolis plant follows the concepts of Industry 4.0 with highly modern and sustainable technologies and facilities.

The plant has an automated painting system, and material movement is carried out by autonomous vehicles (AGVs), among other cutting-edge technologies, fully integrated into the MES system (Manufacturing Execution System), with online monitoring and coordination of the entire production process.

For the plant’s online and integrated production operation, Jacto invested in constructing a private 5G wireless network approved by Anatel.

Another highlight of the new plant is the sustainability concept, reiterating the Company’s environmental responsibility. Around 12 thousand solar panels were installed to generate energy, and up to 90% of the water used in the plant’s processes can be reused.

Jacto also considered the well-being of the employees. The new plant offers an ample, air-conditioned living space with a cafeteria, kitchen, and game space.

Advanced Training Center

The area where Jacto built the new plant already housed Jacto’s Research and Development center. Now, it also houses the company’s training area, which previously occupied part of the Shunji Nishimura Technology Foundation land, also in Pompeia.

We are launching a new training center with more resources and greater qualification capacity, both for our network of master dealers and for our internal team that works to support customers.

With this, we reaffirm our purpose of seeking to be recognized as the agricultural machinery company with the best after-sales on the market”, comments Fernando Gonçalves, Jacto President.

Besides Brazil, Jacto has factories in Argentina and Thailand. The central unit in Pompeia remains active.

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Why smart spraying is rapidly gaining ground

Jacto Presents Precision Agriculture Machines At Nampo 2023

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