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Using satellite technology to transform agriculture in developing countries


In 2022, heavy rains and severe floods ravaged Nigeria, damaging thousands of hectares of land. The country’s annual maize and rice production fell by an estimated 12% and 21%, respectively.

With such destructive weather events on the rise globally, Nigeria – home to more than 200 million people – is turning to technology to better prepare its farmers and agricultural sector. It has found satellite-based crop monitoring solutions particularly useful.

Africa’s most populous nation is part of the CropWatch innovation cooperation programme launched in 2021 by UNCTAD, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Alliance of International Science Organizations – a non-profit and non-governmental entity.

“Stable crop monitoring using remote sensing data provides powerful information for planning and significantly improves the quality, efficiency and technical depth of decision-making in our agricultural sector,” said Rakiya Babamaaji, an assistant director at Nigeria’s national space research and development agency (NASRDA).

Nigerian experts trained through the programme are customizing the CropWatch platform to the local context. The system uses satellite data to monitor crop growth and other climate-related conditions, such as biomass, temperature and precipitation, to improve farm management.

“The technology and skills acquired through CropWatch will complement the Nigerian government’s efforts to revive the agricultural sector,” said Ms Babamaaji, who works in NASRDA’s natural resources management division.

Powerful tool by and for developing countries
Earth observation and crop monitoring technologies hold huge potential for agriculture, but using them – especially on a massive scale – can be challenging and costly for developing nations.

The CropWatch programme harnesses the power of South-South cooperation to overcome many of the hurdlles. It allows participating countries to access much-needed technology, along with training on adapting the system to specific local requirements.

“Through training and hands-on practice, pilot countries can do the monitoring by using the CropWatch platform, without additional investment on storage and computation in the long run,” said Bingfang Wu, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Science.

The programme currently bolsters agricultural monitoring in 14 developing countries across Asia and Africa, accelerating progress towards zero hunger – a key ambition outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The work was the result of discussions at the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), to which UNCTAD provides substantive support.

“South-South cooperation in science, technology and innovation is extremely important, as developing countries often share similar development aspirations and challenges,” Shamika N. Sirimanne, UNCTAD’s director of technology and logistics, said at the CSTD’s 26th annual session in late March.

“Technologies emerging from developing countries, such as the CropWatch system, can be more appropriate to the local conditions and low resource settings of other developing countries,” Ms Sirimanne added.

Enhancing agricultural resilience for self-sufficiency
Another country that’s part of the programme is Mauritius, a small island developing nation that imports 75% of its food.

To ensure food security, the country seeks to urgently boost local agriculture production and must overcome challenges from a changing climate that has brought more droughts, flash floods and cyclones in recent years.

Mauritius uses CropWatch to help enhance early warning mechanisms, quickly assess crop damage after a disaster and get assistance to affected farmers. The system also helps the country trade more strategically thanks to the data it gathers on the supply of and demand for different crops.

“This will mitigate price fluctuations due to erratic supply on the market and reduce food waste in case of surplus production,” said Micheline Seenevassen Pillay, chief executive officer of Mauritius’ food and agricultural research and extension institute.

“Moreover, with storage and distribution improvements, Mauritius will be able to reduce its food import bills.”

Looking forward
Two regional worships are planned for 2023 – in Mauritius in July and China in November. They will gather from participating countries policymakers, scientists and technical experts aspiring to tap satellite technology for agricultural transformation.

More information is available online for countries that are interested in joining the programme.

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Manuchar acquires 50% stake in Anorel (Pty) in South Africa

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Manuchar, a leading distributor of chemicals in emerging markets with headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, announces it has reached an agreement for a joint venture with Anorel (Pty) Ltd. in Southern Africa.

This joint venture fits Manuchar’s ambition to strengthen its leading chemical distribution platform and broaden its product portfolio.

Anorel (Pty) Ltd., located in Cape Town, South Africa, distributes a wide variety of fertilizers. Over the past 23 years, Anorel (Pty) Ltd. has established valuable and long-term relationships with its customers in South Africa. By joining forces with Anorel (Pty) Ltd., Manuchar will have an excellent platform to further develop its activities in the distribution of fertilizers to the high-precision agricultural industry in Southern Africa.

Manuchar employs 2,600 employees worldwide. From its headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, it operates a local chemicals distribution network across North & Latin America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Manuchar has been present in South Africa since 2003. Manuchar South Africa’s 97 employees are based in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

The closing of the agreement between Manuchar South Africa and the shareholder of Anorel (Pty) Ltd. is foreseen in the 2nd quarter of 2023, subject to antitrust approval.

Steven Atkinson, Country Manager Manuchar South Africa: “Manuchar South Africa already has a strong presence in Home Care, Fabric Care, Personal Care, Human Nutrition, Animal Nutrition, Water Treatment and Textile.

Over the past years we have also developed our Crop Nutrition business. By joining forces with Anorel (Pty) Ltd. we will accelerate our growth in Crop Nutrition, bringing even more products and benefits to our customers and suppliers. We have a great fit with Anorel (Pty) Ltd.’s management. They share the same values as us, and demonstrate the same entrepreneurial spirit.”

Mark Jacobs, Region Manager Africa Manuchar: “We are excited to partner with Anorel (Pty) Ltd., a company with a strong track record of knowledge and entrepreneurship in the distribution of Crop Nutrition products in South Africa. This joint venture will support the further growth of our Crop Nutrition business as one of the pillars of our group strategy and highlights the tremendous growth potential in the African market.”

Steven Cafmeyer, CEO Anorel NV in Belgium and owner of Anorel (Pty) Ltd.: “Anorel is specialized in water-soluble fertilizers and biostimulants. We passionately research and develop new technologies resulting in a wide range of innovative products meeting the needs of the water-soluble fertilizer industry.

Manuchar brings its global logistical and commodity procurement strengths to complement Anorel (Pty) Ltd. in a specialized joint venture serving the needs of a diverse South African Market. We are looking forward to partnering with Manuchar enhancing our mutual offerings of services and solutions to the horticultural market in Southern Africa.”

Oscar Cafmeyer, M.D. Anorel (Pty) Ltd.: “Since I moved from Belgium to South Africa four years ago, together with the support from the Belgian HQ Anorel NV, we have experienced strong growth in the South African market. We are very proud to partner with Manuchar, a leading chemical distributor. Building on each other’s strengths will enable us to accelerate our growth and allow us to become a reference in the South African fertilizer market.”

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Italian agricultural machinery market in limbo, says FederUnacoma

Italian agricultural machinery market in limbo, says FederUnacoma


Registration figures for the first quarter of the year indicate a decline for tractors, and a recovery for other types of machinery after the loss recorded in the first quarter of 2022.
Overall, the market remains at a standstill, affected by the delay in the procedures for granting public funds.
There is concern about the buying and selling of used machinery, which is growing dramatically and does not improve the technological level of Italian farms.

In the first quarter of this year, the Italian tractor market was down compared to the same period of the previous year, while sales of combine harvesters, tractors with loading platforms and telehandlers showed a recovery compared to the declines recorded in the first three months of 2022, but with sales volumes remaining small.

Registration data – processed by FederUnacoma on the basis of Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport registrations – show a total of 5,083 registered tractors in the January-March period, down 5.3% after the 10% loss already recorded in the first quarter of the previous year.

Combine harvesters reached 60 units (+46.3%), telehandlers 376 (+21.7%) and tractors with loading platforms a total of 158 (+18.8%), while trailers remained stationary, with 1,919 units (-1.3%).

In FederUnacoma’s assessment, the market – which in addition to registered vehicles includes a vast range of machinery and equipment that are monitored by the Statistical Office – is currently at risk of stalling.

In a context that is already made uncertain by the trend in agricultural incomes and the probable drought that may affect production – explains the manufacturers’ federation – a decisive variable is the availability of public incentives for the purchase of mechanical equipment.

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which allocates 400 million euros for the purchase of “full electric” and methane tractors, as well as vehicles with precision devices, is currently at a standstill while waiting for the procedures for the allocation of funds to be established.

The new endowment of 225 million euros specifically for tractors is still to be defined, announced by the government, taken from the Innovation Fund and entrusted to Ismea for operational management. FederUnacoma is also concerned about the constant growth in the sale and purchase of used vehicles.

In 2022 alone – according to data on transfers of ownership processed by the Federation – 51 thousand second-hand tractors were sold, an increase of 30% over the previous year.

These are vehicles with an average age of twenty years, which do not improve the quality of the fleet of machinery working on our land, and on the contrary slow down a process of modernisation that is more necessary and urgent than ever.

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GRIMME UK shows how GL 420 Exacta potato planter works

GRIMME UK shows how GL 420 Exacta potato planter works


Following the success of last year’s demonstration programme, GRIMME UK is once again giving people a chance to see the GL 420 Exacta potato planter in operation.

Unlike other machinery manufacturers’ demonstrations, GRIMME UK has adopted a personal approach with growers able to see the planter put through its paces on a one-to-one basis at their farm.

The GL 420 Exacta planter is a four-row machine offering one-pass soil cultivation and planting. GRIMME’s unique planter design achieves a minimal distance between tuber discharge and the following ridge form plates. This small distance ensures that the tubers always lie in the middle of the ridge, even on very steep sloping ground.

The mechanical coupling between the furrow opener and ridge-forming plate creates an exact planting depth. The Exacta has been designed for fields of all sizes, with its compact design, without running wheels, avoids soil compaction behind the cultivator and makes it easy to use in small or irregularly-shaped fields.

Patrick Graf Grote, managing director at GRIMME UK:

“Last year’s product demonstrations were really well received. By taking our machines to the grower, they could see them running in real conditions alongside their current machinery.”

“They had the opportunity to see how well the machines coped with their particular soil, fields and conditions, and they had time to talk to our product specialists at length. I think 2023’s demonstration programme will be just as popular, if not more so, than last year.”

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KREISEL Electric introduces new concept battery systems at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

KREISEL Electric introduces new concept battery systems at CONEXPO-CON/AGG


The current global energy market is calling for sustainable and efficient battery solutions for both on and off-highway applications.

At this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG, KREISEL and John Deere Power Systems presented holistic off-highway battery solutions designed to fulfill the highest industry requirements in ruggedness and reliability.

“We see the clear and growing need for battery and charging solutions for the off-highway industry. Because of this, we are leveraging our world-class engineering expertise to innovate on our customer’s behalf and bring the most robust and durable products to market,” said Jennifer Preston, CEO of KREISEL Electric.

“Together with KREISEL, we are expanding our battery portfolio to include even more versatile, scalable power to meet a wider range of application needs as we continue to work toward a future with zero-emissions propulsion and pursue our goal of demonstrating viable low- and near-zero-carbon power solutions by 2026.”

New KREISEL concept battery systems

KREISEL and John Deere are responding to the industry’s increasing demand with the, soon expected, presentation of three additional battery systems, to the market. The newly introduced, concept battery systems include 20 kWh and 40 kWh power options. Up to 800V from a single pack, and flexible dimensions, offer industrial and marine customers increased packaging flexibility.

The variety of dimensions will make the new concept battery systems a perfect fit for smaller vehicles, or applications, with limited space. The new models feature KREISEL’s patented principle of modularity and scalability, with KREISEL Electric Immersion Cooling technology at their core. The new battery systems offer the highest volumetric energy density achievable, in compliance with our advanced safety parameters.

KREISEL battery technology at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Together with John Deere (Power Systems) KREISEL Electric develops cutting-edge battery technology that offers exceptional lifetime, safety, and performance. At this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG, KREISEL and John Deere Power Systems showcased various examples that represent the electrified future of off-highway applications.

In addition to KREISEL’s 63kWh battery system KBP63, KREISEL and John Deere also exhibited the first electrified John Deere excavator prototype, which was unveiled at this year’s CES. To complete the “holistic picture” display, a charging solution preview, equipped with KREISEL battery technology, was also exhibited.

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State of Tractor sales in South Africa in the Month of March

Light tillage, soil preservation? BKT’s latest-generation tires are all you need

State of Tractor sales in South Africa in the Month of March


March tractor sales of 677 units were almost 6% more than the 641 units sold in March last year. On a year-todate basis tractor sales are now approximately 3% down on last year.

Thirty-nine combine harvesters were sold in March, four units less than the 43 units sold in March last year. On a year-to-date basis combine harvester sales are now 42% more than last year.

Harvesting, particularly of soya beans, has just begun and farmers will soon have a better idea of what their crop yields are.

Farmers will therefore remain cautious until they have a better idea of their crop yields. Negatives on the horizon are the latest interest rate increase and the current weakness of the rand.

Nevertheless, expectations are that tractor sales, although they will be lower than in 2022, should still be of the order of those of 2021, that is between 7 500 and 8 000 units.

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Light tillage, soil preservation? BKT’s latest-generation tires are all you need

Light tillage, soil preservation? BKT’s latest-generation tires are all you need

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Undoubtedly, agriculture today plays a key role in feeding the Planet in view of the increasing global food demand.  

On the other hand, it can have significant impacts on the environment, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water footprint, or soil compaction.

Achieving maximum productivity while preserving the agricultural environment is a great challenge for today’s farmers, who must ensure rural development for future generations. Innovation, technology, research, digitalisation, and robotics serve as powerful levers to achieve that goal.

Against this backdrop, one of the most ancient agricultural practices has come into the spotlight. Indeed, conventional tillage, i.e. soil treatment of arable land including intensive plowing and harrowing, is considered a major threat to the soil structure and function that leads to the loss of soil nutrients and organic matter.

On the contrary, for the purpose of preserving soil biodiversity and minimizing the alteration of the soil structure, conservation tillage practices such as light tillage or minimum tillage are becoming more and more popular.  Such practices may include covering crops to protect the soil, diversified crop rotation favoring soil micro-organisms, and, as the name suggests, reduced tillage or no-tillage, considering light tillage in the range of 20-25 cm.

More than ever, it is important to cooperate with reliable partners and specialists who share the same goal: balancing costs, productivity, and sustainable principles. Thanks to its continuous commitment to research and development of cutting-edge tire solutions, BKT has designed an extensive range of high-quality products that meet the specific needs of today’s farmers.

 Fully in line with the trend of light tillage and soil preservation, BKT can offer numerous tire patterns for latest-generation tractors that enable farmers to transport heavier loads avoiding soil compaction.

First of all, there is AGRIMAX FORCE, BKT’s high-end product that is suitable for both harvesting and transport operations, enabling effective and productive soil tillage even on hard soil. Thanks to the IF technology, AGRIMAX FORCE can carry heavy loads at a lower inflation pressure compared to a standard tire, reducing soil compaction.

It is a great tire for high-power tractors and combines that provides a comfortable driving experience, excellent traction, outstanding self-cleaning properties, as well as low-fuel consumption. The range includes the IF 750/75 R 46 version, which has a stunning diameter of 2.30 meters. The AGRIMAX FORCE range is the result of BKT’s advanced tire engineering that meets the challenges of the ever-changing agricultural market.

Enhanced productivity in the fields, and soil preservation thanks to reduced soil compaction, is also ensured by AGRIMAX FORTIS, a tire that features a reinforced nylon carcass. In addition to excellent traction and handling, it enables the transport of heavy loads even at high speeds of up to 65 km/h.

Part of the same family is AGRIMAX RT 855, a tire that stands out for both excellent  driving comfort and traction, as well as top self-cleaning properties that allow a rapid transition from field operations to road usage. It also provides exceptional flotation properties on the ground and is ideal for preserving crop productivity.

Designed to prevent soil compaction, there is the IF tire RIB 713. Compared to a standard tire, the IF technology enables a larger contact area on the soil along with lower inflation pressure, whilst evenly distributing the weight. The steel-belted casing ensures excellent puncture resistance as well as protection against damages caused by stubbles on the ground.  Thanks to its “D” classified speed rating, the tire can reach speed peaks of 65 km/h (40 mph) on the road.

BKT’s extensive range also includes other tires that respond to the growing awareness of low soil compaction in modern farming, namely AGRIMAX RT 765, RT 857, and AGRIMAX RT 657. These extraordinarily resistant tires provide excellent protection against punctures, cuts and stubbles – inevitable risks when tilling the land to prepare it for the next crop season.

All these solutions, once again, highlight the Indian multinational’s commitment to meeting farmers’ needs promptly and efficiently.

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Proper ventilation can save 50-70% on the heating cost of poultry farms


Installing a proper minimum ventilation system in chicken houses can improve FCR and uniformity and with the right system it is also possible to reduce heating costs by 50-70 percent, depending on the location and building quality, according to Niels Dybdahl from Danish company DACS.

The company provides climate solutions for livestock production and is represented in Israel by Agrotop. The company has already installed DACS advanced fanes, which work at changing speeds in the country’s largest aviary house built in Naveh-Bnei Netzarim in  southern Israel.

The fans allow maximum control over ventilation, which translates into savings of tens of percent in electricity consumption.

In an interview, Dybdahl explained that many growers fail to understand the importance of ventilation and close the system completely for the first two-three days to cut heating costs. A house with no ventilation running for the first days of production will see a layer of CO2 build up at floor level – simply because CO2 is approximately 70% heavier than air. And because CO2 is known to be harmful to the birds then this approach should be avoided Dybdahl points out.

Proper minimum ventilation is all about ensuring air distribution at floor level from day one of production. This because oxygen rich air is the key to grow the lungs and thereby to optimize the bird’s metabolism. Plenty of oxygen from day one brings stronger birds that utilize feed much better and therefore it is important to have a minimum ventilation system that provide airflow from the very minute you bring the chicks to the house he stressed out.

Traditional ventilation systems include sidewall inlets and roof-mounted exhausts. These systems require a lot of management as they need to be adjusted all the time. The DACS system, in contrast, needs no further adjustments which allows the grower to focus on the daily work. But also, the mixing of warm room air with incoming colder air reduces the heat consumption by as much as 70% compared to traditional ventilation systems Dybdahl said.

“A well-insulated building is also critical to keeping the microclimate inside the house and is just as important in warm areas as in cold areas so consultation with experts and investing in a quality buildings and ventilation systems can pay off in the long run with stronger, healthier birds and reduced feed consumption,” Dybdahl concludes.

Here at Agrotop we update and improve all the time to insure our finial product. To lead the market through our uncompromising range of solutions on the one hand and best ROI on the other. The ventilation method indicated above has been implemented in many of our projects around the world and the results are excellent.

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Self-propelled beet harvesters of the REXOR series fundamentally revised


More than 20 years of experience and many customer requirements have gone into the new REXOR 6200 with 30m³ and the REXOR 6300 with its 45m³ bunker volume.

The new design, the completely redesigned digging attachment and the driver-friendly operating and assistance systems are setting new standards in terms of performance, economy and comfort.

The new digging unit

The innovative digging attachment has 7 cleaning rollers as standard, which ensure a more powerful and intensive cleaning. Thanks to the external frame, the driver always has an unobstructed view of the roller table and the entire digging unit.

Both the Oppel wheel and digging unit with walking shares are equipped with a maintenance-free drive and a new maintenance-free constant scalper, which works much more agilely and quickly due to its lower weight.

All chopper versions are now guided by guiding skids in front of the chopper shaft, which ensures optimum defoliation at all times with reduced wear.

New Oppel wheel

The new version of the Oppel wheel digging unit has 4 instead of 2 beet feelers, which are also used as feeler skids. The redesigned unit can therefore be guided even more precisely along the row and at the optimum height. This relieves the driver and improves the steering behaviour of the auto pilot when cornering. With this new concept of height guidance, there is no need for a feeler wheel shaft between the chopper and the Oppel wheel. This significantly improves visibility into the digging unit, reduces the weight of the intake and minimises wear.

Everything in sight and immediately accessible

The new REXOR is equipped with the CCI 1200 ISOBUS operator terminal and the GRIMME SmartView video system. The GRIMME Digital Interface (GDI) also offers the operator an improved overview of the machine parameters to be set.

With the GRIMME SmartView and its unique features, such as the “Slow-Motion”, the driver can easily display any video image in slow motion to check the current work result.

Using the “zoom function”, the operator can choose which section of the image is to be displayed.

In order to have all important video images in view at the same time, the user can display up to 8 camera images on the 12-inch touchscreen monitor.

Connection to myGRIMME

As standard, the new REXOR is equipped with a telemetry unit that enables a connection to the customer portal myGRIMME.

The module “Live Information” shows the current work progress on a computer or on another mobile device. This is advantageous when planning the transport logistics or further machine tasks.

With the “myJobs” module, all machinery jobs (tasks) and the associated information are automatically documented and saved chronologically. Data such as operating times, fuel consumption and process steps are stored for each task. It is also possible to save further data such as the name of the farmer or the plot when the task has been completed. The data generated can later be used in a farm management information system (FMIS) and thus provide an optimal basis for accounting.

The connection to myGRIMME provides a direct interface to the AGRARMONITOR agricultural software, enabling contractors and farmers to easily manage and document their tasks.

Operational reliability and calculable costs

The current situation in the global sugar market is difficult and hard to predict. In order to give users maximum operational safety with a manageable risk of investment, the new REXOR generation is available with a 4-year guarantee. This package, available for the first time, is rounded off by attractive and flexible rental models. In combination with the service packages, nothing stands in the way of a successful campaign. Thus, the new REXOR has not only been raised to a new level technically, but also economically.

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Dewulf: Structural 4000 available with new features

Dewulf: Structural 4000 available with new features


Dewulf, a full-liner in agricultural machinery for potato and root crop cultivation, presents a couple of innovations for the Structural 4000 within its planting range.

Smart-Float combination

This 4-row Miedema Structural belt planter is now available as Smart-Float, previously known for the CP 42 cup planter. The goal of this combination is to set up the soil cultivation for the Structural 4000 in an easier way than with a portal drawbar.

In a much more compact space, the updated combination allows for greater control over the total weight distribution and soil pressure.

This innovation is made possible by an automatic depth control system (Smart-Float). Because the tractor can pull much lower, the weight is distributed evenly across the four tyres of the tractor.

Moreover, the movements made to cultivate the soil do not affect the position of the planter. The intermediate piece, the lifting pack, ensures that in this renewed set-up you can adjust the angle as desired. It is also easy to perform adjustments yourself, as the cultivation depth can be controlled automatically from the cabin.

In addition, you can adjust the planting depth via the wheels and the height of the ridging hood from the machine.

If desired, you can replace the rotary cultivator with a rotary harrow or even raise the rotary cultivator entirely to temporarily stop cultivating. These options enable users to perform personalised planting with a renewed and homologated Structural 4000 even more than before.

Combination with portal steering and box tipper or bunker

As a second innovation, Dewulf is pleased to announce a portal steering system for the Structural 4000. The pivoting axles and shorter wheelbase make this machine even more manoeuvrable and easier to steer. In this way, the machine can turn over 35 degrees instead of the usual 8 degrees.

This setup also ensures maximum precision in following the predefined track. The Structural 4000 with portal steering is available with an integrated box tippler (momentarily only homologated in the Netherlands) and the standard bunker.

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