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AfDB boosts agriculture in Madagascar

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In Madagascar, the South-West Region Agricultural Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project, funded by the African Development Bank Group, has provided a new boost to agriculture, resulting in enhanced farmers’ incomes, according to the project completion report published on 11 January 2023.

The project recorded significant achievements: increased production, rehabilitated lowlands, strengthened value chains, and others.

The African Development Fund, the concessional lending window of the African Development Bank Group, funded the project with $25.02 million. The Nigeria Trust Fund, one of the three entities of the Bank Group, contributed $9.49 million and the Global Environment Facility, a multi-donor fund administered by the bank, contributed $5.9 million.

The project, implemented between 2013 and 2021, saw rice yields in the Bas-Mangoky farming area increase from 3.1 to 5.3 tonnes per hectare. The Ranozaza and Bezaha farming areas now produce 3 tonnes of rice per hectare, compared to 2.4 tonnes previously. Lima bean yields have reached 1.2 tonnes per hectare, compared to 0.6 tonnes ten years ago.

This boost in yields helped raise the average income of farmers from $415.67 in 2014 to $478.04 in 2021.

“The Madagascar government’s collaboration with the African Development Bank has borne fruit and the operation has boosted agricultural productivity and raised farmers’ incomes in the South-West region of Madagascar. The South-West region is a rice granary for the country and will be the main supplier of the Tulear agro-industrial park, which is being built with financing from the Bank,” said Adam Amoumoun, the bank’s Country Manager in Madagascar.

The project entails building major canals in Bezaha and Ranozaza, with 37 km of roads and providing 14,190 hectares of irrigated land. A 40 km protective dike was rehabilitated in the Bas-Mangoky area to prevent floods.

It also provided protective grassing for several hectares of land against floods and erosion. The project also helped develop climate-resilient pre-basic seeds and assisted farmers in adopting resilient agricultural practices. It also fostered improved land management. At least 75% of the region’s farmers now have land titles.

The report notes: “The Manombo Ranozaza farming area has become accessible at all seasons, making it possible to haul produce to the local market or the city of Tulear without any major constraints,” concludes the document.

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Congo must protect agriculture sector from the impacts of climate change

Agricultural sector can boost Central African Republic economy-Report

Congo must protect agriculture sector from the impacts of climate change

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Protecting its people and its vital agriculture sector from the impacts of climate change can help the Republic of Congo build a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy for the years to come, says the World Bank in its latest Economic Update report on the country.

The report, titled Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Opportunities, notes that Congo is already experiencing the consequences of the climate crisis: Average temperatures have increased, rainfall has become more erratic, floods are becoming more frequent and heat-related, and infectious diseases are on the rise. This drives up healthcare costs, lowers labor productivity, and damages arable land.

Congo’s economy returned to growth in 2022, following a multi-year economic contraction. However, achieving long-term growth requires adjusting to the realities of climate change and adopting key adaptation actions with a focus on reducing impacts on agriculture, a key source of income for the poor and women, as well as labor.

“It is crucial for Congo to integrate effective climate actions in the country’s development path. A focus on agriculture is critical to ensure the country’s food security and economic diversification,” said Korotoumou Ouattara, World Bank Resident Representative for the Republic of Congo. “The World Bank is committed to support the Government in protecting the Congolese people and economy from climate and other external shocks.”

The report notes that Congo is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change and recommends actions in the following four priority areas:

  • Agriculture: A key driver of adaptation in agriculture should be to strengthen food security. Farmers, especially smaller and more vulnerable ones, will need information about the impact on crop yields of changing patterns of temperature and precipitation as well as access to more resilient seed varieties.
  • The promotion of climate smart agriculture can increase productivity, enhance resilience, reduce emissions, and raise rural incomes, while reducing deforestation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preserving biodiversity.
  • Labor productivity: A third of Congo’s workforce is employed in the agriculture sector. With climate change projected to cause substantial loss in agricultural output, this would result in a decline in rural incomes and increase in poverty. Actions to address the problem include changes in working hours, longer breaks, and use of heat protective equipment.
  • Health: Congo is vulnerable to diseases that are influenced by climatic factors. Most notably, malaria is a big concern for the country as it is the leading cause of child and adolescent mortality. Early warning system and investments in clean water and to control mosquitoes (e.g., bed nets, residual spraying, prompt treatment of diagnosed patients, and mosquito repellent sprays and coils) are needed.
  • Coastal areas: The country’s coastal areas are already at risk from rising sea levels and storm surges. Nature-based solutions, when well-designed and implemented, can generate large economic returns. Such solutions should be seen as part of structural transformation of the coastal zones in response to sea level rise.

The report proposes urgent actions to address in the short term. Exiting debt distress and maintaining long-term debt sustainability will require the government to continue enhancing domestic revenue mobilization, as well as debt management and transparency.

The government also needs to protect the most vulnerable from the surge in food prices, triggered by disruptions in global supply chains and exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, while putting in place measures to gradually reduce the country’s dependence on food imports.

An intensification of the war in Ukraine and related spillovers as well as unsteady oil production represent significant risks for Congo’s economic recovery and reforms to diversify the economy remain critical.

“Congo’s economy is yet to recover from the impacts of a series of multiple shocks that started in 2014. Urgent policy actions to stabilize the economy in the short term, combined with long-term investments in climate can help minimize economic disruptions from shocks,” said Vincent Belinga, lead author of the report.

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Capacity building workshop on pesticides dossier evaluation,risk assessment underway in Kigali

Capacity building workshop on pesticides dossier evaluation,risk assessment underway in Kigali

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The East African Community (EAC) capacity building workshop on ‘Dossier Evaluation and Basic Risk Assessment’ for regulators from Partner States is currently underway in Kigali, Rwanda.

The four-day workshop from 6th -9th March, 2023 is being attended by members of the EAC Technical Working Group (TWG) on Pesticides and regulators responsible for evaluation of applications for registration of pesticides, evaluation of pesticide dossiers, risk assessment of pesticides and evaluation of efficacy trial reports. The regulators from Ghana and Ethiopia are also in attendance for benchmarking purposes.

The main objective of the capacity building workshop is to contribute to increased institutional capacity and better practices for the pesticides registration to safeguard human health and the environment.

In 2018 and 2019 the EAC’s Council of Ministers and the Sectoral Council of Ministers on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFs) directed EAC Partner States to domesticate and implement a set of six harmonised guidelines on testing and registration of pesticides. Against this background, the EAC Secretariat with support from development Partners has implemented several technical and capacity building activities to support the domestication of harmonised guidelines. Capacity building in dossier evaluation and risk assessment has been identified as one of the priority areas.

Making his opening remarks, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, Director of Productive Sectors at the EAC Secretariat underscored the significance of the workshop in promoting a common understanding on internationally agreed principles, methodologies and criteria for risk assessment and dossier evaluation of plant protection products.

He noted that the knowledge imparted will strengthen the capacities of regulators in the EAC to make science-based decisions that will ensure farmers in the region have access to safe, quality and affordable crop protection products, one of the enablers for increased production for food security and food safety.

Mr. Havugimana thanked USAID and USDA for consistently and generously supporting EAC in several areas of regional integration including Food and Nutrition Security, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Agricultural Trade Facilitation and highly commended and appreciated members of the EAC Technical Working Group on pesticides for the commitment and dedication that they have demonstrated in the development and implementation of the harmonized guidelines.

On her part, Ms. Stella Simiyu Wafukho, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Stakeholder Relations, CropLife Africa Middle East, affirmed the commitment of her organization in supporting the efforts towards full domestication and implementation of EAC harmonized guidelines.

A team of technical experts drawn from the CropLife network’s expert teams of consumer safety and environmental risk assessment are facilitating the workshop, covering various aspects of environmental risk Assessment, toxicology, occupational and dietary risk assessment and Maximum Residue limits (MRLs).  During the MRLs session, eLearning modules on MRLs, Consumer Safety and Trade will also be launched to support knowledge exchange in the region and beyond.

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Agricultural sector can boost Central African Republic economy-Report

Agricultural sector can boost Central African Republic economy-Report

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The Central African Republic can lift millions of people out of poverty by transforming its vital agriculture sector as a key driver of economic growth, says the World Bank in its latest Economic Update report on the country.

About 75% of Central Africans, particularly women, depend on agriculture for their livelihood, mostly informal jobs.

However, the sector has been hampered in recent years by lack of investment and modernization, as well as poor infrastructure, says the report, titled Weathering Growing Risks: Addressing Macro-Fiscal Challenges and Unlocking the Potential of the Agriculture Sector.

Bold and sustained reforms to revitalize agriculture, as a significant contributor to poverty reduction, are urgent, as CAR’s economy faces overlapping crises.

Higher food and fuel prices, disruption in supply chains, political turmoil following the adoption of the cryptocurrency law, and the impact of the war in Ukraine, are slowing economic growth in CAR, with risks tilted to the downside.

“CAR has abundant arable land and a favorable climate for agriculture and livestock,” said Guido Rurangwa, World Bank’s Country Manager for the Central African Republic. “A comprehensive strategy, underpinned by concrete reforms, can unlock the potential of the agriculture sector, protect livelihoods, accelerate growth, create jobs, and improve the living conditions of Central Africans.”

A cycle of political instability in the 2000s and 2010s have contributed to the sector’s diminishing share in GDP growth from 55% in 2011 to 32% in 2020, as the production of crops, livestock, forestry, and fishery have all declined.

Over the past decade, public investments in agriculture have averaged less than 3% of total public sector spending, well below the 10% target set under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program, a continent-wide initiative of the African Union.

In order to transform the agriculture sector as a key driver of growth and prosperity in CAR, the report identifies five priority areas:

Institutional Framework: Decades of conflict, instability, and uneven progress on the structural reform agenda have badly damaged the agricultural institutional framework. Establishing a regulatory framework for rural finance, a national farmers database with groups classification and adopting the agropastoral land code could help strengthen the capacity of farmers and herders.

  • Access to Finance: Access to basic capital for farming activities is a major bottleneck. A rural finance regulatory framework and low-interest loans from microfinance institutions and expansion of mobile banking services could help transition farmers from the informal to the formal credit market and from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
  • Access to Markets: Poor road conditions severely hamper farmers’ access to markets. The need to improve the quality of roads and transportation is vital for the movement of agricultural products from rural farms.
  • Land Rights and Ownership: Outdated land laws do not favor agricultural development and there is no legal instrument for managing and securing agricultural land. An agro-pastoral code, set up by the Ministry of Agriculture, to guide the acquisition and securing of agricultural land is a step in the right direction to enable the efficient allocation of land for pasture and crop farming.
  •  Farming Inputs and Equipment: Manual farming is the norm in CAR, with less than 1% of farmers able to afford the use of tractors and tillers. Similarly, farmers are likely to use cheaper alternative fertilizers to grow their crops. Efforts are needed to not only to enhance availability of agricultural machinery but its use by farmers.

The report highlights the importance of agriculture to women, who represent more than 78% of agricultural labor in CAR. Empowering them is essential for the well-being of families and rural communities and overall economic productivity, as well as for improving food security and reducing poverty.

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xarvio® FIELD MANAGER with growing popularity among German farmers

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Cologne, Germany, 20 January 2023 – More and more farmers in Germany rely on the xarvio® FIELD MANAGER to optimize their crop production. In total, more than 840,000 hectares have been entered into the system to date.

In the 2021/22 season the number of registered users grew to more than 12,000, which is an increase of 46% compared to the previous season.
Of the wide range of features offered by xarvio FIELD MANAGER, variable application maps for individual fields saw the greatest growth in usage in 2021/22 compared to 2020/21. In total 7,000 variable application maps for seeding, crop protection and fertilization were created last season, which was more than double on the previous year.

Of these 7,000 application maps created in 2021/22, 1,800 were used for plant protection, 4,300 for fertilization and 900 for seeding. The increased use of variable application maps for fertlization, may be attributed to farmers seeking greater input efficiently and cost savings.

Field trials again deliver – more yield, more savings and optimized application use

 

In the 2021/22 season, small plot trials were again carried out in winter wheat, winter barley and rye.

The spraying timing and product recommendation for fungicides from xarvio FIELD MANAGER were compared with the well-known industry standard fungicide applications (winter wheat: T1, T2 and T3, winter barley and winter rye: T1 and T2).

The results for the plots managed with xarvio FIELD MANAGER again showed a higher return on investment (ROI). On average, winter wheat achieved an average increase of €58 per hectare using xarvio FIELD MANAGER’s timing and product recommendations.

For winter barley, xarvio’s recommendations achieved an average increase of €18 per hectare with an average reduction in fungicide use of 23%.  An average increase of 41 € per hectare with an average reduction in fungicide use of 50% was achieved in winter rye based on timing recommended by xarvio FIELD MANAGER.

On the small plot trials, Bjoern Kiepe, Head of Agronomy, xarvio Digital Farming Solutions, says: “In the south of the country there was very high Septoria Tritici infection rates and here xarvio FIELD MANAGER gave an early warning to reduce infection successfully.

With winter rye in the east of Germany, there was a low infection rate because of low precipitation during summer. xarvio FIELD MANAGER’s application timing meant the crops were only sprayed, when necessary, helping reduce diseases and applications, while optimizing yield. The results further demonstrate the accuracy our agronomic models and agronomic decision engine in a range of crops and diverse growing conditions.”

Weather Station Connectivity – Advanced Connectivity Options Increase Benefits and Benefits

This season, customers with weather stations from METOS by Pessl Instruments and Sencrop were also able to seamlessly connect their devices to xarvio FIELD MANAGER.  The number of newly connected weather stations from both manufacturers increased by 82%.

By connecting the weather station devices, customers were able to benefit from the integration of hyperlocal, field-specific weather data into xarvio FIELD MANAGER’s agronomic models to make even more accurate forecasts of growth stages, fertilization, crop protection and growth regulators as well as product recommendations.

High product performance and relevant functions are transforming agriculture

“Modern agriculture requires continuous innovation to improve sustainability and productivity, with precision farming and seamless connectivity between technologies crucial. The strong growth of xarvio FIELD MANAGER in Germany and our successful field trial results again demonstrate the high accuracy of our models and measurable benefits for farmers.

With the xarvio FIELD MANAGER, farmers can make the best possible use of their resources and land, optimize production and improve sustainability. At the same time, they are contributing to the goals of the EU Farm to Fork strategy,” says Konstantin Kretschun, Global Head of xarvio Digital Farming Solutions, BASF Digital Farming GmbH.

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BASF launches Axalion™ Active in Australia, with other markets to follow

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Australia will be the first global market for the launch of BASF’s Axalion™ Active, a novel insecticide active ingredient that controls harmful piercing and sucking insect pests.

Uses for Axalion-containing products include fruits, vegetables, soybeans, legumes, cotton, cereals, beets, oilseed rape and ornamentals.

Australian farmers will have first access to Axalion with the launch of Efficon™ insecticide in April, with additional launches planned in Asia, Europe, and South America in the coming years.

Through its novel mode of action and its ability to spread within the plant, farmers can use Axalion to control many piercing and sucking insect pests, including whiteflies and aphids, that can cause devastating yield damage and subsequent revenue loss.

Axalion has no known cross resistance, which makes it effective against pests that have developed resistance to existing chemistries and can no longer be controlled with current market standards. Axalion is an excellent partner for insect resistance management programs and will become an essential part of a farmers’ toolbox for Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

“With Axalion, BASF is redefining modern pest control, supporting farmers by helping them protect their hard-earned harvests and legacies,” said Stephanie Jensen, Vice President Global Strategic Marketing Insecticides & Seed Treatment at BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division.

“Axalion offers farmers a much-needed new and robust tool to safeguard their crops while helping ease the mounting resistance pressure on older products.”

While highly effective against target pests, Axalion has proven to be highly compatible with non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, when applied according to label instructions.

Australian farmers are the first growers in the world with access to Axalion

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has approved the use of Efficon insecticide, powered by Axalion Active, for use on a wide variety of vegetable crops. Efficon, containing the active ingredient Axalion, controls silverleaf and greenhouse whiteflies in cotton, cucurbit, and fruiting vegetable crops; green peach aphids and cabbage aphids in brassica and leafy vegetable crops and cotton (or melon) aphids in cotton and cucurbit crops.

“Efficon is a valuable addition to Australian farmers’ crop protection rotation, as it provides a superior level of whitefly control, and excellent control of aphids. It is effective at multiple stages of the target pests’ life cycles, so it quickly inhibits whitefly infestations more effectively than the previous industry standards,” said Gavin Jackson, Head of Agricultural Solutions for BASF in Australia and New Zealand.

“The systemic properties offer growers a wide window of application timing during multiple growth stages, which allows Efficon to be used in combination with other BASF solutions, such as Versys® Insecticide. When used together, Efficon and Versys offer unrivaled control of devastating piercing and sucking pests.”

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New CORE75 engine model premiers in CONEXPO CON/AGG, Las Vegas

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AGCO Power is presenting its latest powertrain solutions, including the high-speed model of the new CORE75 engine, in CONEXPO CON/AGG in Las Vegas, USA, March 14-18th at booth S64821 (South Hall, 1st level).

AGCO Power CORE – A radical step towards alternative fuels

AGCO Power took a radical step towards alternative fuels by revealing a new line of engines last October called the CORE. Delivering best-in-class performance and fuel economy, the CORE engine family is designed with future fuels in mind. Visitors in Las Vegas will be able to see a new version of the 7,5-liter CORE75 HVO-engine live for the first time!

New 250-kW high-speed version of the CORE75 engine

Best-in-class torque and fuel economy paired with superior response make the CORE75 an excellent fit for most construction or industrial applications.

The high-speed CORE75 offers 12 percent more power compared to the previous low-speed variant (299 hp / 223 kW), a wider speed range up to 2100 RPM, 24 voltage electrics and a PWM controlled alternator as an option. What’s more, the CORE75 has the best-in-class fuel economy in the market – up to 0,309 lb/hph (188 g / kWh). Now that’s great for business.

Platform for the future

The CORE engine family is future-proof – designed with alternative fuels in mind, the CORE75 is 100 % HVO-compatible and in the future can use alternative fuels such as hydrogen, methanol and biogas with relatively minor design and component changes.

New and improved AGCO Power 84LXTN on display

In addition to the CORE75, on display will also be the next generation 8,4-liter AGCO Power HVO/Diesel engine, the 84LXTN. More power, more torque and a simplified structure ensure reliable performance even in the toughest conditions that AGCO Power is known for.

Towards zero emissions with latest exhaust line solutions

Co-exhibiting at the AGCO Power booth in CONEXPO CON/AGG will be Proventia with their top-of-the-line exhaust line solutions. Experts from both Proventia and AGCO Power will be present for the full duration of the trade show.

Experience CONEXPO/AGG with AGCO Power

Where: CONEXPO CON/AGG Trade Show @ Las Vegas, USA

When: 14-18th March 2023

Booth: S64821, South Hall (1st level)

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Belarusian Agroindustrial week will be held from 6 to 10 June 2023

Belarusian Agroindustrial week will be held from 6 to 10 June 2023

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International specialized exhibitions  “BELAGRO-2023”  ,  “BELFERMA”, “BELPRODUCT” ,  “PRODMASH. COLD. UPAK”  will be held in Minsk as part of the Belarusian Agro-Industrial Week  from June 6 to 10, 2023.

It will be possible to get acquainted with the advanced directions in the development of crop production, animal husbandry and poultry farming, modern technologies for processing, packaging and storage of products, as well as a variety of agricultural machinery at the new site in the  exhibition center of the China-Belarus Industrial Park “Great Stone” .

This agrarian forum traditionally brings together not only Belarusian farmers and workers in the food and processing industries, but also their foreign colleagues and partners.

Collective expositions will be presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Industry, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Belgospischeprom Concern, Belkoopsoyuz, all regions of the Republic of Belarus.

Enterprises of the regions of the Russian Federation will be presented in separate exposition blocks. 

Everyone who comes into contact with agriculture in any way is interested in what’s new on the market and what mechanical engineers are working on. What new technologies are already being used today, and what to expect tomorrow. 

What is still an idea today, and what we will see in the near future in new agricultural machinery. All these questions can be answered by visiting  Belagro . More than 200 samples of modern equipment used in agriculture are traditionally exhibited at the open area  of ​​the exhibition. 

Fertilizers and plant protection products, equipment for fertilization and plant protection, for harvesting grain and fodder, machines for land reclamation, cultivation and harvesting of potatoes, sugar beets and other vegetables will be widely presented. Agricultural products, machinery, equipment will be demonstrated in the technological chain with modern energy-saving technologies of all industries related both to the production of products and their processing, transportation, storage and sale.

The exposition of the exhibition  “Belferma”   will demonstrate the latest achievements in the field of animal husbandry. Feeders for animals and equipment for their maintenance, cellular equipment and incubators, automated installations for dairy farms. 

At the exhibition it will also be possible to get acquainted with the automated herd management system; milking machines of various modifications; milk cooling installations, both stationary and mobile for work on pastures. New feeds and feed additives, veterinary preparations and medicines, new technologies in bioenergy, including energy equipment and its software, will be shown here.

Every year, both specialists and young visitors of the exhibition are of great interest to visit the “Fisherman’s Village”, organized by the NGO “Belvodkhoz”. 

The exhibition pavilion will feature modern equipment and materials for the processing of agricultural products. The expositions of the exhibitions  “Prodmash. Cold. Upak”   – equipment for food industry enterprises; “Belagro”  – equipment for processing agricultural products, and  “Belprodukt. Food industry  – food products.

More than 100 Belarusian producers will present a wide range of food products: sausages, semi-finished meat products, poultry, dairy products, canned food, groceries, baby and diet food, bakery products and much more. Food industry enterprises will please visitors of the exhibition with tastings of their products.

Producers of vegetable products will form a separate exposition in the open area. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity not only to get acquainted with new varieties of vegetables grown in our country, but also to purchase them.

Every year Belagro becomes one of the main platforms for business negotiations. A wide range of issues on ensuring the competitiveness of agricultural products, the use of land resources in terms of environmental and economic efficiency, the prospects for cooperation between Belarus and countries of near and far abroad in the production of innovative technologies in agriculture, as well as other topical issues can be discussed during thematic conferences and seminars.

During the days of the exhibition, the nationwide tasting Competition “Champion of Taste”, “Competition for the Best Breeding Cow”, Competition “Best Breeding Horse”, Competition “Best Ploughman”, an exhibition of farm animals, demonstrations of equipment and other events will be held.

Traditionally, the focus will be on Belagro-2023 innovations. Along with traditional exhibits, innovative products, advanced solutions and technologies will be demonstrated.

Visitors will not be left without attention of  the “Trading City” , which will be a kind of exhibition of the achievements of the food industry and a food fair. Guests of the trade town “Belagro – 2023” will be able to purchase the best products produced by domestic food industry enterprises.

Colorful design of expositions, presentations and tastings of products, the “city of masters”, a fair-sale and performances by creative teams will make the exhibition a bright, memorable holiday for all visitors.

The international specialized exhibition “Belagro-2023” will be held from June 6 to 10  at the exhibition center of the Chinese-Belarusian industrial park “Great Stone” , located 25 km from Minsk and 6 km from the National Airport (Smolevichi district, Pekingsky ave., 29).

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Bayer Unveils the Preceon™ Smart Corn System

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Bayer is changing the future of agriculture by introducing the Preceon™ Smart Corn System, marking a new era in corn production.

The system will help farmers protect their crop and optimize decision-making throughout the season for sustained success.

The Preceon Smart Corn System is beginning with three complementary components that, when applied together, help farmers better manage risk and increase opportunities to help protect their yield and profitability potential:

  • Short stature corn hybrids are the foundation of the Preceon Smart Corn System. This transforming innovation is designed to P.A.Y. farmers back by delivering:
    • Protection from crop yield loss due to increased lodging and greensap tolerance in high winds and challenging weather conditions.
    • Access all season long for timely, precise application of crop protection and other inputs with standard ground equipment.
    • Yield potential through increased opportunity to optimize crop inputs, planting seeding rates and field placement.
  • FieldView™ digital insights help farmers maximize outcomes with custom field placement and seeding rate recommendations. Farmers can receive advanced, variable seeding rate prescriptions by sharing their field boundaries, target yields by field and two years of historical yield data within the FieldView platform.
  • Tailored support from Bayer and participating Dealers/Seedsmen will bring farmers reliable support to help maximize the Preceon Smart Corn System. The exclusive group of farmers in the 2023 Ground Breakers® Field Trial program will receive personalized, hands-on service as well as regional agronomic recommendations and best practices.

Bayer is committed to helping farmers gain the most value from the system as possible, from access to Bayer research data to prescriptive agronomic recommendations and FieldView digital services tailored to their farms.

The Preceon Smart Corn System, which will be launched globally and commercialized in the coming years, will continue to develop in the future, offering significant benefits to farmers for years to come.

Moving forward, this system will be an important part of how Bayer helps farmers navigate increasingly difficult obstacles, including the ongoing effects of climate change, to help feed the world.

“This is one of the most important and exciting launches we have ever had at Bayer,” said Dr. Jacqueline Applegate, president of Bayer Crop Science North America.

“Farmers continue to face new and strenuous challenges every season, including pressure from weeds, insects, diseases, and unpredictable weather conditions that have increased in frequency and severity.

The Preceon Smart Corn System is one of the most innovative solutions we have developed in this space. We anticipate the system will evolve and continue to provide significant value to farmers in the future.”

Bayer is expanding the Preceon Smart Corn System testing in 2023 through the Ground Breakers® Field Trials to more than 30,000 acres. The feedback from more than 280 participating farmers will be essential for enhancing the system in the future. Bayer expects to have a targeted commercial introduction in the U.S. in 2024.

“We could not be more excited to participate in this trial,” said Brant Voss, Iowa farmer and 2023 Ground Breakers Field Trial participant.

“We are always looking to adopt the best and newest technologies, and Bayer is leading the way in agricultural innovation. There is no other system like it, and we cannot wait to see the advantages come this fall.”

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Tackling waste tyres and unfair trade are top priorities for South Africa

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Reducing the negative environmental impacts of waste tyres is high on the agenda in 2023 for the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC), the representative body of the four global tyre manufacturers with manufacturing facilities in South Africa.

Newly appointed Chairperson, Lubin Ozoux, said members are committed to finalising the Industry Waste Management Plan for Tyres this year and having a clear roadmap in place to reduce carbon emissions in the sector.

Ozoux, CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd., began his two-year term as SATMC Chairperson on 1 November 2022 and will serve in the role until late 2024. He has hit the ground running alongside SATMC Managing Executive, Nduduzo Chala, to ensure progress on topics critical to the industry, country and manufacturing sector.

SATMC priorities in 2023 broadly centre around industry evolution, skills development for the future, localisation and supplier development efforts, as well as infrastructure maintenance.

However, Ozoux views waste management as a critical focus area. “We are collaborating with the Tyre Importers Association of South Africa (TIASA), the Tyre Equipment Parts Association (TEPA) and the government to ensure that steps are taken to drive improvements and sustainability in both collection and processing of tyre waste,” he said.

This includes working closely with tyre dealers to encourage correct storage of waste tyres, and exploring the commercial prospects for waste tyres, with the aim of supporting enterprise development and job creation in a circular economy.

Consultation is underway on the draft section 29 Integrated Industry Waste Management Plan for Tyres (IndWTMP), developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on the notice of Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy.

In terms of section 29(1) of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008, the Plan provides requirements for the implementation of effective and efficient waste tyre management in South Africa and sets out guidelines and requirements for all tyre industry role-players. Failure to manage waste tyres as prescribed in the IndWTMP is a criminal offence.

Chala said the industry has long been advocating for a process that will cater for the processing of end-of-life tyres. The SATMC is also lobbying in relation to second-hand tyres or part-worn tyres, which remain unregulated in the country, posing a serious safety risk for road commuters.

“As such, among our priority areas is to ensure that there is a part-worn standard developed through the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and to challenge the importation of second-hand passenger casings into the country as these end up on our roads, becoming not only an environmental hurdle, but more importantly, a safety risk,” says Chala.

He said maintaining South Africa’s position as the key automotive hub in Africa would require close collaboration with government, automotive sector players and other industry associations, as well as a policy environment conducive to the competitiveness and sustainability of manufacturing.

Tackling dumping and illicit trade

Among efforts to safeguard competitiveness and sustainability for local tyre manufacturing is the campaign to stem the proliferation of ‘unfairly traded tyres from China.

“We want to partner with government and other stakeholders in the industry to ensure that dumping and illicit trade is stopped to ensure sustainability in the local tyre manufacturing sector. If South Africa is used for dumping activities from other parts of the world, we will soon see remaining factories shutting down, causing further loss of employment,” says Ozoux.

Goodyear South Africa MD, Richard Fourie, agreed. “Fair competition in the market helps to ensure that we, as manufacturers remain competitive, and that end-consumers get the best options. Tyre dumping into our country does not promote fair competition, neither does it promote the sustainable development of the local tyre industry, economy and communities. The anti-dumping duties that have been imposed by government based on ITAC’s preliminary investigation following an independent audit, serve to level the playing field for all players in the market.”.

Ozoux said the SATMC and its members would respect the final findings of the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), which is currently investigating the issue of tyre dumping from China into South Africa. Following a preliminary investigation, ITAC imposed a provisional antidumping duty of 38.33% on car, passenger, truck and bus tyres dumped into the local market from China, applicable between September 9 2022 to March 8 2023.

Continental Tyre South Africa MD, Matthew Livigni, said, “We believe that these provisional payments will address the problem of unfairly traded tyres from China, which have over a long period of time placed strain on the local market.”

Bridgestone South Africa MD Jacques Rikhotso, added, “From the onset tariffs will reduce the burden on the fiscus. However, on a broader scale tyre dumping also has a negative impact on road safety. With the reduction of lower quality product on South African roads we anticipate improvements. The local manufacturing industry would have a fair basis from which to continue to support local economic growth and sustain thousands of livelihoods.”

Ozoux said all four SATMC members would continue to drive road safety, while striving for the sustainability of the local tyre manufacturing sector in 2023 and beyond.

“I look forward to creating positive opportunities within our environment, helping to ensure the country’s future prosperity. For me, it is critical to work with all four tyre manufacturers, government and the private sector to contribute to the sustainability of the local industry, create employment opportunities, accelerate economic reforms, address unfair international trade practices, reduce barriers to entrepreneurship and improve infrastructure,” he said.

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