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Strong industry support for unique Chisamba agri-event
Zambia’s booming agriculture sector will be in focus at the country’s first and only business-to-business outdoor agriculture exhibition, Agritech Expo, that is taking place from 4-5 April in Chisamba. The Zambian National Farmers Union (ZNFU) is a key partner in the event which is expected to draw more than 8000 of the industry’s leading farmers, suppliers, manufacturers, retails, agents and service providers.
Says Mr Ndambo Ndambo, ZNFU Executive Director: “Agritech Expo puts Zambia on the map. It is our first business-to-business international farming exhibition and positions Zambia at the same level as our regional partners.”
A nation on the rise
“Zambia is a nation on the rise”, says Agritech Expo Event Director Liam Beckett, “with an economy projected to be one of the ten fastest growing in the world between now and 2015. At the heart of this growth is Zambia’s flourishing agriculture sector, accounting for 35% of the nation’s GDP which equates to around $4.5billon in real money. The expansion of small scale farming and the development of emerging and commercial farms are the key contributors to growth of the agriculture sector in Zambia.”
Full-scale live agri event
“The timing of Agritech Expo is therefore perfect”, he continues, “it is a full-scale, live agriculture event offering everything from first-hand demonstrations of the latest in large scale agricultural machinery to live crop trials. We want visitors to really be able to get their hands dirty and be able to experience what is on offer.”
One of the greatest challenges facing farmers across Africa is maximising the potential of their arable land by increasing crop yields. Average crop yields across Zambia are 1.5-2 metric tonnes per hectare where there is potential to achieve in excess of eight metric tonnes per hectare. Set on a 24 hectare site at the GART Research Centre in Chisamba, Agritech Expo has seven live crop trials taking place at the event. The fields were planted in November 2013 and will be ready in April 2014. The crop trials will give visitors a first-hand opportunity to see the effects of agro chemicals on crop growth and development. The outdoor expo will also feature dozens of agrochemicals, financial services, irrigation and livestock stands.
The expo is free to attend for all agricultural professionals who pre-register, or arrive with an event ticket.
Strong support
Agritech Expo boasts strong local industry and institutional support including the ZNFU, Musika, a Zambian non-proft that stimulates private investment in the smallholder market, GART or the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust and USAID, which will offer a comprehensive, free technical workshop programme.
Global agri giant AGCO has already confirmed its exclusive diamond sponsorship for Agritech Expo while Stanbic Bank is a platinum sponsor. Other sponsors include: Afgri, BASF, Seed-Co, SARO, Du Pont-Pioneer, John Deere, Valtra, K2, Kempston, Lindsay, Zamseed and EFE.
Congress on key issues
A one-day conference, the Agribusiness Congress, forms part of Agritech Expo and will address key issues facing Zambian agriculture this year, including crop diversification, export and import regulations, innovative finance and supplier relationships.
Event dates and location:
Expo: 4-5 April 2014
Conference: 4 April 2014
Location: GART Research Centre, Chisamba, Zambia
Web: http://www.agritech-expo.com
Agritech Expo is organised by leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, Spintelligent Pty.
Contact:
Communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone: +27 21 700 3558
mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: [email protected]
