Zambia's farming community to gather for Agritech Expo

22 Jan 2016

According to Liam Beckett, event director of the Agritech Expo, "It is so important for the farming community to get together to discuss the current challenges and share success stories in the sector." He adds "This year we look forward to welcoming some 15,000+ farming professionals, from emerging, to smallholder to commercial farmers, and agri-experts, in Chisamba in April."

Zambia's farming community to gather for Agritech Expo

©Alexander Kolomietz 123RF

"It is a unique opportunity for them to share best practice, get training, test and try out new products and technologies and brainstorm about current challenges such as productivity and competitiveness as well as the effects of current adverse weather conditions."Last year's Agritech Expo, which is owned by the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU), drew more than 11,700 visitors, including the country's President Edgar Lungu, the Vice President, Inonge Wina, the Zambian and German Agri Ministers and many other dignitaries and agri-experts.

Continue to innovate

Says Beckett: "Agritech Expo has been embraced by the Zambian farming community from the get-go and in our third edition from 14-16 April 2016 we will continue to innovate and offer our partners and visitors more technology, demonstrations, free workshops and specialised zones to learn and opportunities to do business. We will have 130 exhibitors, including some of the leading international suppliers to the agriculture industry, 20 live crop trials and 11 machinery demonstration fields. There will also be an extended Livestock Zone, an Irrigation Zone, an SME Business Zone, 4x4 Test Track, a Sprayers Arena and technical and practical workshops for emerging farmers as well as a VIP Business Lounges for commercial players."

"Energy is a constant challenge in this sector and we want to show the farming community the different options that there are available at Agritech Expo's exciting new "Energy Park". We listen to what the sector needs and pride ourselves in servicing the needs of the entire agri-value chain in Zambia and its neighbouring countries."

Industry support

Taking place at the GART Research Centre in the heart of Zambia's agri-community in Chisamba, Agritech Expo enjoys great support not only from government but also from the agri-sector. Already Zanaco (Zambia National Commercial Bank) has confirmed that it is returning as the exclusive Diamond Sponsor of the event. Other big names in the farming sector that will be at Agritech Expo are AFGRI, who are Platinum Sponsors, and Action Auto, JCB, John Deere, SARO and Zamseed who are all gold sponsors.

Outreach programme

Meanwhile, more than 540 students and 17 teachers at the Golden Valley Basic School in Chisamba, Zambia are already reaping the benefits of the Agritech Expo Outreach Programme that was launched last year. The school is situated on the GART Research Centre where the annual expo takes place, and the event organisers decided to raise funds to assist the school with much-needed building renovations, equipment supply and management of the school's farm. The Outreach Programme is an on-going project and the next phase is already underway.