african farming july august 2013

July/August 2013

Europe m14.50 - Ghana C1.3 - Kenya KSH150 - Nigeria N200 - South Africa R18 - UK £9 - USA $15

ServingAGRICULTURE

for

3333YEARS

A backpack mistblower in action.

Sugar caneAn irresistable product

Trickle irrigationAdvantages and disadvantages

PoultryControlling Salmonella

www.africanfarming.net

AF July_August 2013 Cover_Cover.qxd 11/07/2013 14:14

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NEW HOLLAND HAY AND FORAGE EQUIPMENT

LEAVING NO LEAF ON THE GROUND.Built to handle the rigors of tough field conditions and high-speed operation,New Holland Hay and Forage tools and machines are designed to cut, mow, move and bale until the very last leaf, with top efficiency and reliability.

www.newholland.com

S01 AF JulyAugust 2013 Start_Layout 1 11/07/2013 14:31

Managing Editor: Zsa Tebbit

Editorial and Design team: Bob Adams, Hiriyti Bairu, Lizzie Carroll, David Clancy, Andrew Croft,Prashanth AP, Ranganath GS, Kasturi Gupta, Rhonita Patnaik, Ian Roullier, Genaro Santos, Nicky Valsamakis, and Ben Watts

Publisher: Nick Fordham

Advertising Sales Director: Pallavi Pandey

Magazine Sales Manager: Richard RozelaarTel: +44 (0) 20 7834 7676, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7973 0076 email: [email protected]

Country Representative Telephone Fax EmailChina Ying Mathieson (86)10 8472 1899 (86) 10 8472 1900 [email protected]

India Tanmay Mishra (91) 80 65333361 (91) 80 40600791 [email protected]

Nigeria Bola Olowo (234) 8034349299 [email protected]

Russia Sergei Salov (7495) 540 7564 (7495) 540 7565 [email protected]

Singapore Tan Kay Hui (65) 9790 6090 (65) 6280 2823 [email protected]

South Africa Annabel Marx (27) 218519017 (27) 46 624 5931 [email protected]

Qatar Saida Daha (974) 5 745 780 [email protected]

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USA Michael Tomashefsky (1) 203 226 2882 (1) 203 226 7447 [email protected]

Head Office: Middle East Regional Office:Alain Charles Publishing Ltd Alain Charles Middle East FZ-LLCUniversity House Office 215, Loft 2A11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place PO Box 502207London SW1W 0EX, United Kingdom Dubai Media City, UAETelephone: +44 (0) 20 7834 7676 Telephone: +971 4 448 9260 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7973 0076 Fax: +971 4 448 9261E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Production: Nathanielle Kumar, Donatella Moranelli, Nick Salt, and Sophia White E-mail: [email protected]

Subscriptions: [email protected]

Chairman: Derek Fordham

Printed by: The Manson Group, St Albans, UK

US Mailing Agent: African Farming & Food Processing USPS. No. 015-224 is published six times ayear for US$90 per year by Alain Charles Publishing Ltd, University House, 11-13 Lower GrosvenorPlace, London, SW1W 0EX, UK Periodicals Postage Paid at Rahway, NJ. Postmaster: send addresscorrections to: Alain Charles Publishing Ltd, c/o Mercury AirfreightInternational Ltd, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, NJ 07001.ISSN: 0266 8017

CONTENTS

African Farming - July/August 2013 3

Contents

Mechanical sugar cane harvesting isfaster and more efficient than handcutting and loading.

The new improved model of the mobile fruit juice system,with farm trailer mobility option, from Alvan Blanch, onfactory pre-commissioning prior to shipment to Nigeria.

Tracking of free range domestic pigs in westernKenya provides new insights into the dynamics ofdisease transmission.

July/August 2013

Europe m14.50 - Ghana C1.3 - Kenya KSH150 - Nigeria N200 - South Africa R18 - UK £9 - USA $15

ServingAGRICULTURE

for

3333YEARS

A backpack mistblower in action.

Sugar caneAn irresistable product

Trickle irrigationAdvantages and disadvantages

PoultryControlling Salmonella


Serving the world of business


News and Events 4A topical digest of news, views and events including Farmers’ Calendar.

Poultry 14Controlling Salmonella using acidifiers.

Animal Husbandry 18The spatial ecology of pigs: where free-frange doesn’t come free.

Horticulture 20Scientists at the Nairobi-based International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology have

released imported wasps that will fight the invader fruit fly.

Rice 22IRRI has bred twonew improved rice varieties for Tanzania that have vastly superior yield potential.

Sugar 24IRRI has bred twonew improved rice varieties for Tanzania that have vastly superior yield potential.

Fruit Processing 26Mobile processing solution to fruit waste in Africa.

Irrigation 28Trickle irrigation - the advantages, and, in some cases, the disadvantages of employing the method.

Fogging 32Fogging for crops and livestock.

Cereal Processing 36Small-scale cereal milling and processing.

Power Supply 42Powering agriculture - a programme of innovation and hope.

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African Farming - July/August 20134

EVENTS

July21-26 19th IFMA Congress WARSAW

www.ifmaonline.org

24-26 2nd Brazil in Eastern Africa Expo 2013 NAIROBIwww.brazileastafricaexpo.com

August15-17 African Farmers' Workshop and Expo JOHANNESBURG

www.africanfarmers.co.za

26-29 14th Association of Institutions for Tropical PRETORIA Veterinary Medicine Conferencewww.aitvm.org

September3-4 Agribusiness Congress LUSAKA

www.agribusinesscongress.com

20-21 Naivasha Horticultural Fair 2013 NAIVASHAwww.naivashahortifair.com

23-26 SAHARA- 30th Intl Exhibition for Agriculture and CAIRO Food for Africa and the Middle East www.saharaexpo.com

23-28 16th International Symposium of the International ABEOKUTASociety for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) www.iita.org

October8-9 Palm Oil Africa LIBREVILLE

www.cmtevents.com

December3-5 Agrofood West Africa ACCRA

www.agrofood-westafrica.com

Farming CalendarIFTEX EXPO KENYA 2013 successfully closed its doors after a verybusy week of networking between Kenyan flower growers andinternational flower buyers. According to exhibitors and attendees theevent was one of the best of its kind in history. Besides the presence ofthe biggest and most important Russian and Ukrainian flower buyersat the fair, buyers from more than 25 other countries travelled toNairobi sourcing fresh cut flowers. Among some of the countries beingrepresented were Australia, Kuwait, Germany, Italy, Spain, England,Ireland, Holland and even the USA. The trade fair was officiallyopened by the minister for agriculture of the newly installed Kenyangovernment, Felix Keiskoo, who stressed in his opening speech tocontinue the commitment of the new government to support theKenyan horticultural industry in its production and exports.The superb quality of the exhibited flowers was the talk of the show.Both exhibitors and visitors were very impressed by the Kenyanflowers that were brought from the farms to the exhibition. Besidesthe abundant displays of roses, many other type of flowers wereshowed, such as various gypsophila varieties of Danziger (earningthree different prices in the various quality competitions of being bestbreeder as well as best grower), Solidago, Callas, Alstroemeria,Lilium, statice, Agaphantus, hypericum and many more.Growers from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and even Rwanda werepresent with flowers produced in their own countries and importedinto Kenya especially for the event.

IFTEX Kenya 2013 a huge success

THE AFRICAN FERTILIZER and AgribusinessPartnership’s (AFAP) board chairman, DrAmos Namanga Ngongi, together with vicepresident Richard Mkandawire, visited arecipient of an Agribusiness PartnershipContract (APC), Sakant Enterprise Limited inthe Eastern Region of Ghana.

Sakant Enterprise is an agro-chemicaldistributor and supplies agricultural inputs, inaddition to offering extension services tosmallholder farmers.

Through the AFAP APC funding mechanism,Sakant has vowed to increase their storagecapacity, enabling them to supply affordablefertiliser to farmers in the region.

The APC has allowed Sakant to startconstruction on a 6,000 metric tonnecapacity fertiliser depot in Pankese nearNkawkaw in the eastern region of Ghana.

The facility which is at the roofing stage isestimated to cost US$99,000 when completed.

“The APC will not only benefit thecompany, but it will benefit the region as awhole — farmers who did not have access to

fertiliser will now find affordable fertiliser ontheir doorstep,” said Kwaku Amoah-Safo,managing director of Sakant.

It is expected that Sakant will be able todistribute 100,000 bags of fertiliser tofarmers in eight districts in the Akyem, Kwahuand the Afram-Plains areas.

An APC is an AFAP mechanism developedby AFAP which allows AFAP to collaboratewith agribusinesses in a bid to provideaccessible and affordable fertiliser.

The chairman and the vice president wereaccompanied by AFAP’s West Africa regionaldirector, Pierre Brunache and AFAP’s Ghanacountry manager, Francis Mensah.

The AFAP delegation was met by a groupof smallholder farmers in the region.

“We plead with the AFAP team tocontinuously support downstream fertiliserdistribution, this is the only way we will be ableto increase our yields and incomes,” said PeterNyarko, a smallholder farmer at Pankese.

“AFAP and its partners are committed toproviding technical and business support to

agribusinesses that will ensure affordable,accessible and timely fertiliser to smallholderfarmers,” Dr Namanga Ngongi said.

He appealed to farmers and otherstakeholders to take advantage of the projectand apply suitable and adequate quantitiesof fertiliser on their crops to increase foodproduction in the country.

“We would like to thank Sakant EnterpriseLimited for allowing AFAP to help them helpsmallholder farmers gain access toaffordable fertiliser,” Dr Namanga Ngongisaid to the enthusiastic crowd. He stressed thecontinual role AFAP would continue to play inefforts to make fertiliser accessible andaffordable in the country.

AFAP vice president and chair visit APC recipient

A farmer appliesfertiliser to his crop.


Prize winner, Daniel Kaufman from Danziger.


KIRLOSKAR BROTHERS LTD (KBL)has invested in African industry andeconomy for five decades. Itsjourney in Africa, engaging with

and supporting African businesses,exemplifies a clear vision - to provide thebest services and solutions to make Africanindustry increasingly better at serving itsown economies and working withenterprises from around the world. KBL'sfluid management solutions, centrifugalpumps and valves make a genuinedifference where they are deployed in thecontinent, serving as a lifeline to manyindustry segments.

Building on a historic associationKBL's most recent initiatives include recentinvestment in Egypt - a nation with a greathistory in development of utilisation ofpumps, stretching back four thousand yearsto the invention of the 'shaduf' - a waterlifting device that is still being used today.

In March 2013, in Delhi, India, aMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) wasreached with the Mechanical and ElectricalDepartment (MED) at the Egyptiangovernment's Ministry of Water Resourceand Irrigation - to build and upgrade theskill sets of MED's engineers and

technicians. It was signed by KBL chairmanand managing director Sanjay Kirloskarand MED chairman Dr Mostafa Abu Zeid.The significance of the occasion wasunderlined by the presence of EgyptianPresident, HE Morsy - and the Governmentof India's union minister for trade andcommerce, Shri Anand Sharma. Accordingto Dr Zeid, "More than 21,000 MEDengineers will benefit from this trainingprogramme in the next year."

The MoU is a consequence of a historicassociation between KBL and Egyptiangovernment and industry that stretchesback five decades. Kirloskar began

exporting desel pump sets into Egypt in the1960s, with an initial order of 150 units. Bythe late 1970s, KBL was exporting 10,000sets annually.

In fifty years of engagement, 100,000KBL sets have been operational in Egyptalone. This year, KBL marks thatachievement not only with its newundertaking with the MED, but also in itsturnkey project work on the installation oftwo major pumping stations on the banks ofthe Nile River - at Benban and at Rozaikat.

Investing in better water infrastructureThe Benban pumping station, sited nearthe ancient city of Aswan, has four largevertical turbine pumps that are capable ofpumping out 4,000 litres of water persecond. The Rozaikat station, near Luxor,has four even larger capacity pumps of6,000 litres per second. The two pumpingstations support efforts aimed at extendinglarge-scale irrigation to the dry reaches ofthe African nation. Combined, thepumping stations have the capacity toirrigate more than 20,000 hectares ofagricultural land, with expected gains ingrain production of up to 50,000 tonnesand employment of more than 60,000people in the country. This has transformedEgypt's economy. When the pumps whereinaugurated, early in 2013, Egyptianminister of irrigation and water resourcesDr Mohamed Baha'a El Din Saad said,"The equipment and services provided byKBL are commendable." Dr Zeid added tothese sentiments by inviting KBL to investfurther in Egypt's water infrastructure, "toextend their support for better distributionof water".

Efforts aimed at improving Egyptian irrigation are enhanced with transformative investment by Kirloskar Brothers Limited.

Historic engagement in water infrastructure

Kirloskar in Ghana.

Chairman and managing director of Kirloskar BrothersLtd (KBL), Sanjay Kirloskar.

One of the pumping stations on the banks of the Nile.



NEWS

WITH CHICKEN IMPORTERS claiming the high ground in termsof quality and good practices, evidence gathered at retail levelappears to show a very different picture, with inaccurate andnon-complaint labelling exposing vulnerable consumers toexploitation while independent tests on imported poultry haveyielded some alarming results.

Kevin Lovell, CEO of the South African Poultry Association, saidnumerous examples have been discovered at several retailerswhere serious contraventions of regulations governing packagingand labelling have taken place.

According to Lovell, approximately 200 abattoirs based in SouthAfrica are regularly inspected by the Department of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department of Health toensure locally produced poultry meets the highest standards of foodsafety; the same however does not apply to the vast quantities ofimports that flood into our harbours every day.

“Before one country can export to another, their abattoirs mustbe certified by the destination country’s health authorities,” he says.“There are more than 1,000 abattoirs registered globally to exportpoultry meat to South Africa, the first of which listed was accreditedin 1987. But a lack of resources means that these abattoirs have notbeen audited by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry andFisheries for a long time.”

He says that while the government is trying to maintain highlevels of food safety, a mass of imports – more than 40 containersof meat arrive in Durban harbour alone every single day – ismaking the job of checking and verifying almost impossible.

THE SECOND BRAZIL inEastern Africa EXPO 2013will be held on 24, 25 and26 July at the Safari ParkHotel in Nairobi.The event, which provides aplatform to explore businessenvironment, culture,technology and innovationsfrom Brazil and easternAfrica, aims to foster new andrewarding business relationships between Brazil and eastern Africa.The EXPO 2013 will attempt to lessen the gap between Brazil and Africaby establishing strong business links, according to event organisers.Organisers of the three-day event will host a trade exhibition, which willdisplay different Brazilian products, for example farming equipment.Secondly, a conference will take place to primarily discuss threesectors, agribusiness, housing and finance and finally a culturalprogramme, which aims to bring together the cultural strengths andsimilarities between Brazil and eastern Africa.The EXPO 2013 will give visitors an insight into Brazilianexperience that can then be changed and adapted in easternAfrica. The event will focus on strengthening the agriculturalsector, food security and housing.The event will provide opportunities to network with new suppliers,check new products and explore potential joint ventures, the eventorganisers have said.

Kenya to host Brazil in Eastern Africa Expo 2013 Chicken imports “contemptuous” of local regulations

Bowl CuttersUsed Rex 200 litre all stainless steel Bowl CutterUsed Laska 200 litre Bowl Cutter with black bowlUsed Meisner 120 litre all stainless steel Bowl CutterUsed Alpina 80 litre Bowl Cutter with black bowlUsed K & G 65 litre Bowl Cutter with black bowlNew Fatosa 35 litre all stainless steel Bowl CutterMincer and Mixer GrindersUsed Biro 56 Flat pan mincerUsed Kilia 130 self feed mincer with agitatorUsed Cato 160 cross feed mincer, as newUsed Hobart 4346 Mixer GrinderUsed Wolfking 140 Mixer GrinderVacuum Packers & Shrink TunnelsNew ATM Vacuum Packers, table top to Doublechamber MachinesUsed Tecnotrip large single chamber machineUsed Cryovac ST 90 hot water shrink tunnelUsed Roschermatic large hot water dip tank

Used Webomatic small rise and fall DiptankUsed Webomatic automatic rise and fall diptankUsed Cryovac CJ 51, hot air shrink tunnelMixers and TumblersUsed Vakona 220 litre vacuum mix tumblerUsed Dorit Vacuum Tumbler 1,000 litresUsed Laska 800 litre Twin Z arm MixerUsed IFM 1,000 litre Twin ribbon MixerUsed Tecmaq 250 litre single paddle MixerDicers and FlakersUsed Urschel RAA Dicer was used on cheeseUsed Urschel RAA Twin dicer set up fast productionUsed Treif Felix Dicer set up with wire frame for cheeseUsed Holac meat Dicer chamber 84 mm x 84 mmUsed Butcher Boy meat Flaker with loaderUsed Dunhelm two stage cheese cutterMiscellaneousUsed Burger Machines, sausage makers.Used Frying lines, batter and breading machines Used bag Makers, Twin linear weighersUsed trolley loaded ham cookers

New & Used Food Machines All With Warranty

www.machines4food.co.ukEmail: [email protected] 40, Second Avenue, Westfield Industrial Estate, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 4BH, EnglandTel: 44 (0)1761 410345 Fax: 44 (0)1761 410332

Bowl CuttersUsed Mainca 40 litre Bowl Cutter s/s bowlUsed Meisner 120 litre Bowl Cutter s/s bowlUsed Rex 200 litre Bowl Cutter s/s bowlUsed K & G Bowl 65 litre Cutter with black bowlNew Fatosa 35 litre Bowl cutter s/s bowlMincers and Mixer GrindersUsed Butcher Boy 56 MincerUsed Hobart 4346 Mixer GrinderUsed Hobart 4352 Mixer GrinderUsed Wolfking 140 Mixer GrinderNew fatosa 160 Mincer cross feedUsed Weiler whole meat block MincerVacuum Packers and Shrink TunnelsNew ATM Single chamber vacuum packerNew ATM double chamber vacuum packerNew ATM Table top vacuum PackerNew single chamber vacuum packerNew double chamber vacuum packerUsed Cryovac CJ 51 Heat shrink tunnelLarge hot water dip tanks arrivingMultivac manual water dip tank

Mixers and TumblersNew fatosa 80 litre paddle MixerUsed IFM 1,000 litre twin ribbon MixerUsed KS 1,200 litre Twin mixerUsed KS 2,000 litre twin Mixer Dicers, Flaker, graterNew Fatosa frozen meat block GuillotineUsed Butcher Boy FlakerUsed Urschel Twin RA A Dicer shredderUsed Urschel CC GraterUsed Mainca manual grater / slicerUsed Holac Dicer 84 x 84 chamberUsed Treif Dicer 84 x 84 chamberUsed bandsaws various sizesMiscellaneousUsed Cooking vessel 250 litres gas heatUsed Talsa 120 litre electric cooker tankUsed Bratt pans 80 to 180 litresUsed Kronen Salad SpinnerUsed Do Boy Bag sealerUsed Vertical bag clipperUsed Handtmann filler with double clipperUsed Ranger Apollo cooked sausage peelerUsed Metal detectors

The Safari Park Hotel.




NEWS

7

BURUNDI’S ECONOMY ISdominated by the primarysector composed mainly ofagriculture, which accounts forabout half of GDP andprovides about 80 per cent ofexport income.The objective of theGovernment of Burundi is totransform the currentsubsistence agriculture intomarket agriculture, generatingjobs and incomes. It is in thisperspective that Burundi has

adopted the NationalAgricultural Investment Plan(PNIA) 2012-2017, whichsets the strategic priorities tobe followed so thatagriculture in Burundi couldfully play the role it isassigned namely to feed thepopulation and to grow theeconomy.The official launch of theproject was held on 31 May2013, and was presided overby Gervais Rufyikiri, Burundi’s

2nd vice president.It is part of the objective ofmodernising the agriculturalsector and reducing, betweenthe years 1990 and 2015, theproportion of people whosuffer from hunger.The project is jointly funded bythe EU, UNICEF, WFP and theGovernment of Burundi and isin perfect harmony with thestrategic directions of thegovernment for theagricultural sector.

Burundi mobilises US$39.4mn for food securityZAMBEEF PRODUCTS PLC and RainbowChicken Ltd have established a new jointventure company called Zamhatch Ltd, abroiler parent stock rearing, laying andhatching operation for the supply of day-old chicks, according to informationobtained in Lusaka.The establishment of Zamhatch is in linewith the Group’s strategically integratedbusiness model, aimed at reducing risk andearnings volatility and capturing marginsthroughout the value chain, with a focus onsupplying higher margin products.Managing the quality and quantity ofsupply of day old chicks to its broilerdivision will enable the Group to maximiseoperational performance as well as createopportunities to generate revenue from thesale of day-old chicks to third parties.The Zamhatch business will be developedat Mpongwe Farms and will also includean on-site feed mill to reduce transportcosts that would otherwise be incurred indelivering feed from Zambeef’s Lusaka-based operations.Following the completion of thetransaction, the Board expects Zamhatchto become operational over the next twoto three years.The key terms included in the JVAgreement are set out as follows:- Theownership of Zamhatch will be 51 percent (Rainbow Farms ) and 49 per cent(Zambeef).Rainbow Farms will be responsible forsupporting Zamhatch’s local managementin the following functions: development oftechnical specifications and operatingprocedures; facilities design andspecifications; veterinary and diseasecontrol and management, as well asprocuring future broiler parent stock forsupply to Zamhatch.Zambeef will be responsible forsupporting Zamhatch’s local managementin legal matters and managing the impactof any change to Zambian legislation onthe company’s operations, as well ashuman resources, accounting andadministration support; and securing thesupply of other resources for the operationof the company.‘’We are delighted to be joining forces withRainbow Farms for the development andoperation of our hatchery. Zamhatch willensure the consistency and quality ofsupply of day-old chicks to our broilerdivision, in line with our integrated businessmodel. We believe the Transaction willcreate one of the finest farm to fork poultrybusinesses in Africa,’’ Francis Grogan,chief executive of Zambeef, commented.

Zamhatch established


S02 AF JulyAugust 2013 News_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:17


AIMS III, a programme funded by USAID, has begun work in Mozambiqueshifting farmers from subsistence farming to commercial cgriculture.

AGRICULTURAL INPUT MARKETS Strengthening (AIMS) III is an integrated programme focused onthe development and transfer of

agricultural technology to benefitMozambique’s smallholder farmers. This willbe accomplished through the introduction ofIFDC’s Commercialised SustainableFarming Systems (CSFS) solution and bycontinuing to build competitive markets andimproving agro-dealer networks.

Funded by USAID, AIMS III began in thefourth quarter of 2012 and is a continuationof the AIMS and AIMS II programnes (alsofunded by USAID), which ran from 2006 to2009 and 2009 to 2012, respectively. Keyproject components are technology transferand extension support, increasedproduction of improved seeds, moreconducive policy environments, betterpublic R&D capacities and continuedsupport to build a skilled private agriculturesector to achieve sustainable targets in foodsecurity and agricultural development.

Based on its expertise and experiencesince the initiation of AIMS in 2006, IFDCwill strengthen the capacities of public sectorpartners – particularly the Instituto deInvestigação Agrária de Moçambique(Mozambique Institute for AgrarianResearch, or IIAM), National Directorate ofAgricultural Extension (DNEA) and thePlatform for Agricultural Research andInnovation in Mozambique (PIAIT) – todevelop and transfer CSFS best practices toimprove the profitability of smallholderagriculture. In addition, IFDC will continueto strengthen private sector capacities todevelop viable agro-input and outputmarkets and will assist the Government ofthe Republic of Mozambique (GRM), itsMoA and partners to develop policies andlegislation needed for economic growth ledby the agriculture sector (with particularattention to fertilisers).

Co-operation will continue among allR&D partners to undertake capacitybuilding, technology generation andtransfer, policy reform, improved access tofinance and empowerment of smallholderfarmers. The outcomes of this co-operationwill lead to sustainable agricultural and

economic growth, contribute to nationaland regional food security and enhanceMozambique’s natural resource base. AIMSIII will provide technical and policy supportto PIAIT partners so that improvedtechnologies can be deployed to a range ofagribusiness clusters. AIMS III will also workwith USAID’s FTF and Multi-Year AssistanceProgram (MYAP) initiatives, otherdevelopment partners and targeted agro-processors working along the Beira andNacala corridors.

CSFS focuses on farmers’ profitsCSFS retains the integration of improvedseeds, mineral nutrients and organic inputsthat characterise IFDC’s ISFM solution, butevaluates all input and managementoptions on a cost/benefit basis to optimiseprofits rather than focusing on agronomicefficiency. CSFS also considers managementoptions that are not explicit under ISFM,such as conservation agriculture, as well asthe costs and benefits of risk reductionstrategies, an important consideration incommercially oriented farming systems inwhich investments and risks are greater thanin subsistence systems. Again, the goal ofUSAID, GRM and IFDC is to help movefarmers from subsistence farming tocommercial agriculture in order to improvethe country’s food security and improve thelives of the farmers and their families.

“Disseminating CSFS technologies andan adequate supply of agro-inputs arecrucial for Mozambique to experience aGreen Revolution and achieve its foodproduction and agricultural growth targets,”stated AIMS III Chief of Party and IFDCCountry Representative AlexanderFernando. “A key to the adoption of thesetechnologies is linkage to profitable marketsso that farmers are able to invest in farmsand soils.”

AIMS III programme componentsThe activities of the AIMS III programme aregrouped into five programme components:

1. Transfer of CSFS technologies –Training of staff and partners in newtechnologies began. These includeapplication of CPPs and the initiation of

technology transfer activities using a CSFSapproach. AIMS III staff members areworking with partners to initiate 90demonstration plots in the Beira and Nacalacorridors. These demonstrate the cultivationof cassava, soybeans, pigeon peas, sesame,maize and beans with minimum tillage, CPPapplication and fertiliser blends.

2. Support to business developmentservice (BDS) providers – Under AIMS III,IFDC seeks to continue to strengthen theagro-input value chain, but will remove itselffrom direct agro-dealer developmentactivities and instead focus on developingthe capacity of local BDS providers.Therefore, through consultancy contracts forkey staff in the bridging period, IFDC isproviding support to AgriMerc ODS as ittakes over, continues and expands agro-dealer development activities.

3. Policy reforms and regulations for theagro-input sector – The AIMS III policyadvisor participated in the preparation ofMozambique’s first fertiliser regulations,which are scheduled to be approved by thegovernment in 2013.

4. Strengthening MIS – Agro-dealertraining on data collection for AMITSA washeld in April.

5. Expansion of the agro-input voucherprogramme begun during AIMS II – IFDC isparticipating in the design and developmentof a proposed voucher programme. Iffunded, it will be a five-year projectencompassing 100,000 vouchers in 45districts of six provinces in the Beira andNacala corridors. h

Shifting farmers from subsistencefarming to commercial agriculture

ANALYSIS

African Farming - May/June 20138


NEWS

African Farming - July/August 2013 9www.africanfarming.net

TANZANIAN CASHEW NUT growers have a reason to smile after theCashew Nut Board of Tanzania (CBT) and the Cashew Nut IndustryDevelopment Trust Fund (CIDF) set aside Tsh10bn (nearly US$6mn) toboost local processing capacity.Tanzania is Africa’s largest cashew nut grower after Nigeria and theCôte d’Ivoire, and the world’s eighth biggest producer. According to the2012 CBT report, Tanzania exported about 158,000 metric tonnes ofcashew nuts in the 2011/2012 season.However, although 90 per cent of the crop was harvested in the country,less than 10 per cent was processed locally.Speaking recently in Dar es Salaam, the CBT director, Mfaume Juma, saidthere was considerable income being lost in exporting unprocessed nuts. Hesaid by exporting processed nuts it would encourage and attract more farmersto grow the crops because they would be assured of higher profit margins.“We are trying to make sure that we reduce the raw crop export to alarger extent,” Juma said adding that both CBT and CIDF would benefitfrom the initiatives because the processing will take place in Tanzania.“Farmers will now enjoy value addition. For many years, there have beencomplaints about the low prices resulting from selling unprocessed nutswhich has often reduced farmers’ income.”According to a recent pilot study by CBT on processing cashew nuts, themajority of harvested cashew nuts are purchased raw, exported andprocessed abroad, mainly in India, and then re-exported to differentcountries around the world at a higher price than the original one.According to CBT management, through the value addition, Tanzania willbe able to fetch higher prices at the world market, and if Tanzania’s cashewnut sector performed to its full potential, it would create more than 45,000jobs in the country and make a significant contribution to the economy.

PEA PROTEIN HAS been hailed as the new preferred protein due toits nutritional qualities. Available in South Africa from Advance Seed,this non-genetically modified protein is easily digestible and has ahigh-quality amino acid profile. It is allergen-free, gluten-free andlactose-free as well as low calorie.Add to this the fact that pea protein has no effect on oestrogen, as itdoes not contain phytoestrogens, which can increase or decreasehormone oestrogen in humans.“The product is taking the market by storm and will be the protein ofthe future,” said George Tomazos, sales specialist at Advance Seed.“As high demand continues to drive protein costs ever higher, peaprotein is well priced and well positioned to play an increasinglyimportant role in food fortification. At less than one third of the priceof whey powder and comparable to soya protein, pea protein is ahealthier alternative with great benefits and usability.“Given the current market conditions, manufacturers are underpressure to find alternatives to protein and there has been an alarmingincrease in the number of unscrupulous sources of protein,” addedGeorge. “Pea protein is pure. It is produced through an entirelymechanical process, during which no chemicals or additives areintroduced. It is a 100 per cent natural process, unlike soya protein,which is traditionally produced via a chemical process,” he said.Although pea protein is not yet available in its raw form to consumers, itis starting to be added to energy and protein supplements, drinks andbars, processed meats and fortified cereals. Pea protein can be utilised inthe meat industry to increase protein value and retain moisture and brine,for example in polony, sausage or meat. In addition it can be seen as apotential additive to staple foods such as mealie meal and bread.

Pea protein healthier than any other US$6 million Tanzania cashew nuts processing starts


www.africanfarming.netAfrican Farming - July/August 201310

SOLAR PUMPS OFFER a cleanand simple alternative to fuel-burning engines and generatorsfor domestic water, livestock andirrigation. They are most effectiveduring dry and sunny seasons.They require no fuel deliveries, andvery little maintenance.Solar pumps are powered byphotovoltaic (solar-electric orsolar) panels. Solar panels haveno moving parts, and most have awarranty of at least 20 years.Most solar pumps operate withoutthe use of storage batteries. Awater tank provides a simple,economical means of storage. Solar pumps must be optimallyselected for the task at hand, inorder to minimise the powerrequired, and thus the cost of thesystem. A wide variety of solarpumps is available, to meet a widevariety of needs. With thereduction in the price ofphotovoltaic modules and theincreasing price of diesel even thelargest pumping needs can bemet with solar power with a veryfast payback for the farmer. Solarpower provides energy security,resulting in water security for thefarmer while reducing operatingcosts and reducing ground andair pollution.

Solar water pumping has beengrowing in popularity acrossAfrica for 10 years. The marketwas predominantly driven by theneed for drinking water but thegrowth over the past two to threeyears has been in irrigation.Against rapidly increasing dieselfuel prices, unreliable power grids,volatile livestock and crop marketsand mounting threats to maintainagricultural productivity – can anyfarmer seriously not consider toconsider solar water pumping?Bernt Lorentz are leaders in thesolar water pumping market andhave developed a simplecalculator to help farmers analysetheir costs and to make their owndecisions. You can try thecalculator for yourself here:www.lorentz.de/svd

FOODTRADE EAST AND Central Africa has launched new fundingto support businesses that are active in the staple food value chainsin nine countries.The Early Bird Window Challenge Fund will provide grants up to 49per cent of the total investment cost to companies to innovate byreducing the risk of testing new ideas in the region.The funding will award grants from US$228,000 to US$1,523,000to companies doing businesses in two or more countries – namelyKenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Zambia,Mozambique and Malawi.FoodTrade ESA is a five-year trade enhancement and promotionprogramme to reduce poverty and improve food security in East andsouthern Africa. It is funded by the UK government.As seed capital, the grants will make it possible to secure additionalfunding from banks and other investors.FoodTrade ESA observed that companies must propose imaginative andfeasible investments that improve work along the staple food value chain.“Whether you are an established business across the region or aniche player in the cross-country food trade markets, Early Bird is anopportunity to get quick access to capital to bring innovative ideas tothe market”, said Tim Bergstrom, director of FoodTrade ESA.The proposals for funding must benefit several countries and focus onstorage and collateral, input markets like seeds and fertiliser, co-ordination and information systems and services for cross-bordertrade in staple foods-including advice, transport, finance, insuranceand market intelligence.Mwangi Mumero

Solar pumps for water security

Staple food chain funding



NEWS

AT THE WORLD Economic Forum on Africa,Berry Marttin, member of the executiveboard of Rabobank Nederland, presented acopy of The Rise of The Rural Entrepreneur toHon. Clement Kofi Humado, minister for foodand agriculture of Ghana.

The book, which examines the future of theglobal farming industry, was writtenfollowing the discussions held at theinaugural Rabobank Global Farmers’ MasterClass. This event brought together 50 farmersfrom 18 different countries to debate thefuture of the farming industry on a globallevel. The book identifies and analyses themajor challenges facing the farming industryas it works to deliver food security to aburgeoning international population.

Berry Marttin, member of the executiveboard of Rabobank Nederland, commented:“The book is about the body and soul of foodproduction: the farmers. They are the oneswho are responsible for feeding the world,and who have the experience and

knowledge required to solve many of thefood security challenges ahead of us. We

would like to thank those that took part in theGlobal Farmers’ Master Class for sharingtheir expertise with us and for their help inputting this book together.”

“With the world population forecast togrow to nine billion by 2050, the challengeof meeting future food demands is aconsiderable one. All stakeholders, includinggovernments, banks and retailers mustacknowledge their responsibility in deliveringfood security and must work together tocreate an environment in which farmers caninvest, innovate and inspire.”

In the book, Rabobank splits the majorchallenges the farming industry has to faceinto six broad categories: succession,sustainability, social enabling factors, supplychain, social media and science. For eachmajor challenge it presents some pragmaticsolutions. For more information and your copy of thebook, contact: [email protected],+31 (0)30 2130228

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FEATURED prominently atcelebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of theOrganization of African Unity.Needing to double food production by 2050 to meet populationprojections, leaders met at the African Union event in AddisAbaba to discuss new technologies to boost crop yields and helpsoothe some sources of conflict."Agriculture has a key role to play in bringing peace in our region,not only because it is the primary economic activity in rural areas,but also because it contributes to the maintenance of socialequilibrium," said the AU's New Partnership for Africa'sDevelopment CEO Ibrahim Mayaki."Recent crises in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel challenge us onthe overlap between weak economic foundations, and politicalinstability. Food insecurity and political crises nourish each other."The NEPAD chief told partners of the Comprehensive AfricaAgriculture Development Program that the continent must placemore emphasis on farming as a business."Change and transformation in agriculture must start from withinthe continent and its men and women especially with smallholderfarmers that are the majority and have the highest potential forchange," Mayaki said.Half of all Africans are expected to live in urban areas by 2035. Sothere will be even greater demands on rural productivity, valuechains and agribusiness manufacturing."Agriculture must develop for national and regional economies togrow," said African Union Commission deputy chairperson ErastusMwencha.At a meeting of the International Fertilizer Development Center'sboard of directors, Mwencha said richer private investment andbetter co-operation with smallholders can transform Africa from afood importer to a food exporter, fighting both hunger andpoverty.The IFDC meeting in conjunction with the African Union anniversarydiscussed methods of better protecting soil and water resources,including fertiliser deep placement programmes that reduce

groundwater contamination, lower the carbon footprint by nearlytwo-thirds and allow farmers to use as much as 30 per cent lessfertiliser for the same yields."Agricultural development is a national priority," said EthiopianMinistry of Agriculture adviser Tekalign Mamo. "This is whereIFDC’s support, its technical expertise and worldwide experiencewill be vital."With better access to capital, electricity, and irrigated land, theWorld Bank says African farmers and agribusinesses could createa trillion-dollar food market by 2030, bringing greateropportunities to compete globally."The time has come for making African agriculture and agribusinessa catalyst for ending poverty," said World Bank Vice President forAfrica Makhtar Diop. "We cannot overstate the importance ofagriculture to Africa’s determination to maintain and boost its highgrowth rates, create more jobs, significantly reduce poverty, andgrow enough cheap, nutritious food to feed its families, export itssurplus crops, while safeguarding the continent’s environment."Moving forward, the World Bank says Africa must improvestorage and infrastructure deficiencies that contribute to post-harvest losses of up to 20 per cent for cereals and even higher forperishables while making better use of renewable water resources.Africa uses only two per cent of those resources, well below theglobal average of five per cent.The World Bank says care must be taken in the allocation of landfor agribusiness so as not to threaten smallholder livelihoods orabridge local users' rights.But with strong leadership and a commitment from both the publicand private sectors, the Bank says Africa can build on localsuccesses to guide investors toward positive economic, social, andenvironmental results."African farmers and businesses must be empowered through goodpolicies, increased public and private investments and strongpublic-private partnerships,” said World Bank director for financialand private sector development in Africa Gaiv Tata. Scott Stearns

Rabobank addresses Future of Farming at the World Economic Forum Africa

The body and soul of food production is the farmers,seen here farming cassava.

A strong agribusiness sector is vital for Africa's economic future



S03 AF JulyAugust 2013 Poultry_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:22

Food safety is one of the top priorities in animal production today.Salmonella is a cause of bacterial food-borne disease in humans, andcan often be attributed to contaminated food products.

IT IS ESTIMATED that around 2.6 per cent, 10.6 per cent and17.0 per cent of human salmonellosis cases are attributable toturkeys, broilers and laying hens, respectively. EffectiveSalmonella control on the farm is based on preventing

Salmonella from entering and spreading in a farm.Salmonella is a common component of the gut microflora of

animals and thus, can be found in the faeces of affected animals.Faecal pollution is the main culprit for the contamination of feedand water with Salmonella. Poultry can also become infected andact as reservoirs of Salmonella. In order to ensure a high level ofpoultry performance, farmers should pay close attention to farmmanagement and Salmonella prevention. Regular testing andobserving the critical points of the production chain are necessaryfor prohibiting Salmonella occurrence and contamination.

Breeder houses and hatcheryThere must be adequate Salmonella monitoring and control at the

hatchery and breeder farm. Control starts with getting healthy youngchicks to the farm. On arrival, the chicks should be Salmonella free.Samples from transport equipment and faeces should be taken todetermine the Salmonella status.

Salmonella spp. is one of the major hazards for the microbialcontamination of animal feed. In addition, antimicrobial resistantbacteria, or antimicrobial resistance genes can be transmitted viafeed. Animal-derived protein and oil seed meal are the majorsources of risk among feed materials, through which Salmonellamay be introduced to industrial compound feed and feed mills.

International regulations require that food and feed are free fromSalmonella. Appropriate process control and decontamination stepsare needed during feed processing to reduce the contamination offeedstuffs and avoid the dissemination of contaminated feed toherds. It has been demonstrated in experimental settings thatanimals can become infected as a result of consuming Salmonella-contaminated feed. Some animals may show clinical disease

Controlling Salmonella using acidifiers

POULTRY

African Farming - July/August 201314 www.africanfarming.net


symptoms or carry Salmonella asymptomatically. It is possible forSalmonella to be transmitted from the animals to the food productsderived from these animals.

It is important to check all raw materials, especially cereals andprotein sources, for Salmonella contamination. In general, counts ofSalmonella in feed are low. It is also important to know thatSalmonella colonies are naturally unevenly distributed in feed andtherefore, the detection and quantification of Salmonella can bedifficult. Therefore, the prevention of the spread of Salmonella is arecommended tool for Salmonella control.

The heat treatment of feed is a common means of feedsanitation. However, it should be conducted appropriately in orderto reduce bacteria counts, taking into account, in particular,temperature, duration and initial bacterial counts. Moreover, heattreatment does not protect feed against recontamination duringtransportation and storage.

A multiple strategy encompassing heat and antimicrobialtreatments with organic acids is required for the reduction ofbacterial burden and improvement of feed hygiene. Acidtreatments have a residual protective effect on feed, which reducesboth the recontamination of feed as well as the contamination ofmilling and feeding equipment and the general environment. Theefficacy of organic acids against Salmonella depends on the levelof bacterial contamination.

Dietary acidification that reduces the amount of Salmonella infeed contributes to good farm management and interrupts thebacterial transmission in the animal-to-food chain. The in-vitrotrial was conducted to determine the efficacy of an acidifier based

on formic and propionic acids in feed. Feed was artificiallycontaminated with a high amount of Salmonella enteritidis. In dryfeed, the metabolic activity of Salmonella is reduced, which lowerstheir replication. The feed was diluted with physiological salinesolution and the cell count of Salmonella was determined rightafter the contamination, after one hour and 2.5 hours ofincubation under optimal conditions. Results can be seen in Figure1. While Salmonella replication was growing steadily underoptimal conditions, the number of Salmonella was reduced in thegroup with the acidifier.

Water acidificationSalmonella can persist and grow in water given the rightconditions. The diversity and concentration of Salmonellaincreases as temperatures rise. For better Salmonella control, themicrobiological test of water is needed, especially if the source ofwater is a well or river.

Water acidification can help prevent Salmonella. Thesupplementation of acids in drinking water reduces the pH level andbacterial counts. A very important feature of water acidification is thepH level and corrosive properties of the acidifier. Very often, farmersapply acids without knowing the pH level of water. If the acidificationis too strong, the pH level of the water goes below four and this hasa negative impact on the equipment and water intake of animals.

Figure 1: Salmonella replication in feed.


Salmonella spp.

It is important to check all raw materials,especially cereals and protein sources, for

Salmonella contamination.

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tract, preventing mycotoxins from entering the blood stream of the animal, while leaving behind the beneficial nutrients.

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Farm hygiene and biosecurityContamination of the resident environment of animal housing canbe a source of Salmonella infection. Keeping buildings clean anddisinfecting farm equipment helps to minimise the danger ofinfection.

Improving farm personnel hygiene and the control of visitors areimportant factors for reducing risk of Salmonella. Hand washingand disinfection as well as the cleaning of overalls and disinfectionof boots before entering the poultry house are associated withdecreased Salmonella prevalence. The relatively small costincurred may be offset by decreased transfer of other performanceimpairing pathogens.

Since all vertebrates are susceptible to Salmonella infection,contact with other species may pose an infection risk to animals.Pests (rodents, wild birds, and other wildlife species) have oftenbeen implicated as potential sources of Salmonella. It has beenrecognised that flies and beetles also serve as a potential reservoirand vectors for Salmonella. It is therefore important to ensureproper vermin and pest control on the farm.

Salmonella control with natural feed additivesIt is known that dietary supplementation with natural growthpromoters (NGP) can assist in Salmonella prevention. Eighty-fourday-old broiler chicks (Ross) from the same origin were randomlydivided into three treatment groups. The control group received nofeed additives, whereas two trial groups received dietarysupplementation with two different natural growth promoters. Trialgroup I received a diet supplementation with an NGP consisting ofa blend of formic and propionic acids at inclusion levels of threekilograms per tonne of feed. Trial group II received a diet

supplemented with an NGP consisting of a blend of organic acids,a phytochemical and a permeabilising substance at an inclusionlevel of one kilogram per tonne of feed. A permeabilisingsubstance was identified to weaken the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and facilitate the entry of organic acids andphytochemicals in the cell disturbing its vital functions.

At three days of age all chicks were orally inoculated, thechallenged dose was 104 cfu/bird of Salmonella ser. Enteritidis. Atseven and 14 days post infection (dpi), the cecal content from 12birds was taken and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively forSalmonella. At 11dpi, the fecal samples were taken and analysedqualitatively for Salmonella. The results of the present studyshowed that in the groups supplemented with the natural growthpromoters, Salmonella was neither detected in the quantitativeand qualitative culture in cecal samples at 14dpi nor in thequalitative culture in fecal samples at 11dpi.

The present trial results are in accordance with scientificliterature which has shown that organic acid blends are effectivein preventing the cecal colonisation of newly-hatched chicks bySalmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Agona andInfantis (Iba & Berchieri Jr., 1995). This is consistent with previousfindings by Hinton & Linton (1988), who reported that while ablend of organic acids did not completely eliminate Salmonellafrom treated feed, there was no cecal colonisation by Salmonellawhen this feed was given to the birds.

Salmonella control is key to preventing the introduction ofSalmonella on the farm. Proper farm management, biosecuritymeasures, targeting small groups of animals and preventing thereturn of sick animals to the main production unit all contribute tothe prevention of Salmonella spread. Acidification of feed andwater minimises Salmonella infection and promotes gut health,thereby enhancing the performance of animals. h

Biomin

POULTRY

Figure 1: Salmonella replication in feed. At three days of age all chicks were orally inoculated.

Dietary acidification that reduces the amount ofSalmonella in feed contributes to good farm

management and interrupts the bacterialtransmission in the animal-to-food chain.




POULTRY

17

ROSS BREEDERS AFRICA is to invest US$17mnthis year in the expansion of its operations inZambia, the company has revealed.The firm, which has operations in South Africa,Botswana and Zambia, stated that it wouldinject the funds into building a new broilerhatchery near Chongwe (Lusaka Province),additional breeder houses, a new ‘‘GrandParent’’ farm in Mazabuka, staff housing andancillary buildings.‘’The project will be completed in stages withthe commercial hatchery planned forcompletion by October 2013 and GP farmand parent breeder houses by the end of

2014,’’ the company stated recently. ‘’Theentire project should provide extra 200 jobs inthe poultry sector, together with significantincreases in export revenues,’’ it added.The hatchery, once completed, could hatchone million day old broiler chicks per week.‘’This investment shows our faith in Zambiaboth as an expanding economy and a hub forour Grand Parent project which exportsparents all over southern and central Africa aswell as providing the local industry with Ross308 broilers and parents,’’ said Ross BreedersZambia managing director Colin Lindsay. Nawa Mutumweno

Ross Breeders in US$17mn expansion

THE WORLD BANK’S International FinanceCorporation (IFC) has launched a loanfacility valued at US$25mn to enablepoultry producer Country Bird to increaseproduction and operations in southernAfrica and beyond. With operations including South Africa,Botswana, Namibia and Zambia, CountryBird’s business comprises poultry breeding,broiler production, stock feed andprocessing. IFC funding will enable CountryBird to increase chick production over thenext three years in Zambia and Botswana,expand feed mill capacity in Zambia, andadd poultry processing facilities and twosoybean plants in South Africa.Country Bird’s expansion will provide moreaffordable proteins in southern Africa,create jobs in the rural areas where thecompany operates, and increase revenuesfor its 21,500 maize farmers and 112,000workers employed through the company’ssupply chain. Kevin James, founder ofCountry Bird, said “In just a decade since westarted operations, Country Bird hasbecome the third largest integrated poultryproducer in South Africa.‘’We are seeking to expand our production,so we can meet increasing consumerdemand in the region. IFC’s investmentsupports Country Bird’s growth and our goalto provide more affordable proteins insouthern Africa,’’ he said. And IFC senior country manager forsouthern Africa, Saleem Karimjee, statedthat the World Bank’s financing arm wascommitted to investing in companies likeCountry Bird that catalyse growth in thisimportant sector. ‘’Africa needs dynamic regionalagribusiness companies that help encouragecompetitiveness and can expand successfulmodels outside their home markets,’’Karimjee said. CBH is committed to continual improvementof environmental performance by identifyingall environmental aspects and thesignificance of their impacts on a continualbasis in order to provide a framework forsetting objectives and targets forenvironmental performance.Nawa Mutumweno

IFC launches poultry loanfacility Africa



In sprawling shanty neighbourhoods in cities across Africa and otherdeveloping nations of Asia and South America, free range rearing ofpigs is an important agricultural activity.

RAISING FREE RANGE pigs is asource of income and vital proteinto poor families in these informalsettlements.

But a recent study by the Nairobi–basedInternational Livestock Research Institute(ILRI) at the Kenyan town of Busia on theUganda border shed light on the practice,its hazards and recommended ways ofimproving on this age-old practice.

On the narrow streets of Busia Town, avisitor will most likely encounter a park ofpigs ranging the streets - boars, sows andpiglets - wallowing in pools of dirty wateror heaps of rubbish.

Other pigs will be engaged in fightswith dogs and jackals over spoils in arubbish dump! - an ugly site for peoplewho savour their pork sausages producedin clean environments from pigs raised inclean pig sty.

A free range system of raising pigs in theneighbourhood of Busia Town may besupporting over 66,000 pigs, according toresearchers from the Nairobi basedInternational Livestock Research Institute(ILRI).

With land size shrinking, most peoplearound Busia Town farm for a living, raisinglivestock and growing maize and otherstaple food crops on small plots of land,averaging 0.5 hectares.

Yet, ILRI researchers Lian Thomas andEric Fèvre – having conducted a recentstudy of free range pigs in Busia, nowrecommend a comprehensive approach tocontain the health hazards brought aboutby this practice.

This study was conducted incollaboration with the University ofEdinburgh to better understand thetransmission of several pathogenicorganisms. It was the first study toinvestigate the ecology of domestic pigskept under a free-range system, utilisingGPS technology.

A GPS collar was put on 10 pigs, eachnearly seven months old, which wererecruited for this study.

A handheld GPS unit was used to obtainthe co-ordinates of the homesteads towhich the selected pigs belonged; theperimeters of the homesteads and theirmain features, including human dwellings,cooking points, rubbish disposal areas andlatrines, were all mapped.

The pig collars recorded the co-ordinates of the pigs every three minutesduring the course of one week.

While all the 10 pigs were kept underfree-range conditions, they were regularlyfed supplementary crop and mostly rawhousehold waste.

Scavenging both day and night, the pigswould spend almost half their time outsidethe homestead - travelling an average ofmore than 4 km in a 12-hour period rangeof 10,343 sq m.

“It is a way of raising pigs in this area.With little input in terms of commercial feedas well as less attention, pigs roam thestreets interacting with dogs, rats andchicken. It has been a way of life here fordecades and it will take years to eradicate”,said Josaya Wanzala, a long time residentand a businessman in the town.

Many health hazardsResearchers, however, assert that the freerange system of rearing pigs is fraughtwith many health and environmentalhazards.

“All the pigs recruited were found tobe infected with at least one parasite,with most also having gastrointestinalparasites. They all carried ticks and headlice”, observed Lian Thomas, one of theresearchers.

Researchers found that three of the tenpigs were infected with Taenia solium, apig tapeworm.

When the larva of the pig tapeworm iseaten by humans in undercooked pork, itcan cause death through seizures,epilepsy and other disorders, and can killif not treated promptly.

The researchers also noted that aquarter of the homesteads in the studyarea had no access to a latrine, forcingpeople to engage in open defecation.

“With less than a third of the latrines

The spatial ecology of pigs: Where free-range doesn’t come free


ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Tracking of free range domestic pigs in western Kenya provides new insights into dynamics of disease transmission .Typical mixed crop-livestock farming of western Kenya. (photo credit: ILRI/Pye-Smith).

Scavenging both day andnight, the pigs would spend

almost half their timeoutside the homestead.


S04 AF JulyAugust 2013 Beef_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:29

properly enclosed, there are also plentyof opportunities for scavenging pigs tofind human faeces”, added Thomas.

Taenia solium infection in pigs isacquired by their ingestion of infectiveeggs in human faecal material, which is

commonly found in the pigs’environments in rural parts of Africa andother developing regions.

While pigs may not easily suffer fromtrypanosomiasis, researchers noted thatfree range pigs may act as host andreservoirs of the Trypanosoma sppparasites that cause nagana in cattle andsleeping sickness in humans. This in turnposes a serious livestock and humanhealth problem.

Free roaming pigs have also beenblamed for the regular outbreaks of killerviral disease, African Swine Fever (ASF).Regular contact with wild pigs has led tothese periodic outbreaks of ASF,according to researchers.

Improved husbandry practices neededImproved husbandry practices, includingthe use of effective anthelmintics atcorrect dosages, would enhance pighealth and production in this study area.

Another interesting finding from thestudy was that all roaming pigs are likelyto have reduced weight after slaughter.

Average live weights at the abattoir inthe Busia area are 30 kg, giving adressed weight of only 22.5 kg and

earning the farmer only KShs.2000–2500(US$24–29) per animal.

This compares badly with averageweights of confined pigs which can hitmore than 50 kg.

Encouraging the confinement of pigs,ILRI researchers noted, is likely toimprove feed conversion and weightgain, by both reducing energyexpenditure through movement as wellas limiting parasite burden throughenvironmental exposure.

While noting that free range pigs werenot likely to disappear, mainly due to lowfeed requirements and poverty amonglocal farmers, the researchersrecommended that local agriculturalextension officers need to persuadefarmers to start ‘zero-scavenging’ pighusbandry. h

Mwangi Mumero

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Scavenging pigs in Busia (photo credit: ILRI/Pye-Smith).

Encouraging the confinementof pigs, ILRI researchers noted,

is likely to improve feedconversion and weight gain.

www.isapoultry.com

Breeding for 500 Eggs!


S04 AF JulyAugust 2013 Beef_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:29

Scientists at the Nairobi-based International Centre for Insect Physiology andEcology (ICIPE) have released imported wasps that will fight the invader fruitfly, an avocado pest that costs the country more than US$33.4mn in exports.Mwangi Mumero reports.

THE ALL-OUT war was waged withthe release of the two wasps,scientifically known as B. invadensfrom Hawaii - Fopius arisanus which

attacks eggs and Diachasmimorphalongicaudata which attacks larvae.

The wasps were let loose withgovernment permission by scientists fromthe International Centre for InsectPhysiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in the coastregion, the first in a series of such releasesin key fruit growing regions.

Fruit flies Bactrocera invadens haveincreasingly threatened avocado growing inthe regions affecting quality and total banof Kenyan exports to some countries.

South Africa shut its doors on avocadoimports from Kenya in 2008 over theprevalence of fruit flies.

Kenya’s avocado exports between 2006and 2010 ranged from 12,000 metrictonnes to 15,000 metric tonnes, and wasvalued at between US$17mn to US$26 mn.

Most of the avocado exports are destinedto Europe, with France and the Netherlandsbeing the main markets.

Avocado farming is mostly practiced inCentral Kenya and the Rift Valley usually intea and coffee growing regions where thecrop does well. It is estimated that there aremore than 5,400 farmers in Kenya.

The fruits are pricey even in local markets

with a 90 kg bag of avocadoes fetchingbetween Ksh 2,500 and 4,500 (US$29-53)in urban centres in the country, according tothe Ministry of Agriculture MarketInformation figures. The Hass and Fuertevarieties are the popular avocado types.

Other less popular varieties includebacon, duke, creamhart, Anaheim,

gaunter, Gwen, Jim, Lula and mexicalo. “The wasps are natural enemies and so

help in controlling infestation by laying theireggs in the body of the target insect, whichis then used as food for the developinglarvae, eventually destroying it”, said DrSunday Ekesi, head of horticulture at ICIPEand also the principal scientist andprogramme leader of the African FruitflyProgramme based in Nairobi.

According to Dr Ikesi, natural enemiessuch as the predators have a capacity toeliminate only 40 per cent of the parasitesand therefore other methods have to beemployed in fighting the fruit fly scourge.

ICIPE scientists have rolled out a cocktailof special traps, biological pesticides andsanitation to achieve an acceptable level ofcontrol of the fruit fly.

Researchers believe the pest was firstintroduced into the African continent fromSri Lanka in 2003, spreading quickly anddestroying avocado fruits and local ruraleconomies in its wake.

Scientists are now recommending thatfarmers use poisoned protein baits as thebest method.

“Females need proteins to lay eggsthat hatch and are easily attracted to thebaits from a distance and killed by theinsecticide. The baits are placed at aspot on the canopy or set on the treetrunk of each tree in the orchard”,observed Dr Ikesi.

Avocado pest control


HORTICULTURE

Kenyan farmers could benefit more from avocado exports due to growing demand in the EU.

Fruit flies Bactrocera invadenshave increasingly threatened

avocado growing.


Kenya has released imported wasps to fight the invader fruit fly paving the way for the lifting of a ban that was imposedon avocado exports three years ago.

S05 AF JulyAugust 2013 Horticulture_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:36

The traps can be made locally from yellow plastic cans, that arepoked and the bait such as Mazofern is spread.

The trap is replenished weekly. Insects are naturallyattracted to the colour yellow. Males are also being trapped ina similar version - eliminating the mating numbers andreducing the pest population.

This fruit fly control strategy comes at a time when demand foravocados has been rising due to increased awareness on itsnutritive value.

According to a report released last year, Kenyan farmerscould benefit more from avocado exports due to growingdemand in the European Union (EU) if they increase theircurrent production levels.

Demand for avocados increasing“The industry expects demand for avocados in Europe to continueits upward trend in the coming years,” noted an avocado exportmarket intelligence report done by the Kenya HorticultureCompetitiveness Project, an initiative funded by United States AidAgency (USAID).

The report noted that much of the demand in Europe isdriven by increased awareness of the fruit and its potentialuses and benefits.

Also promotional campaigns throughout Europe by producingnations such as South Africa, Chile, Israel and Peru have attemptedto raise consumer awareness regarding avocados.

Avocados are rich in proteins, fats, mineral salts and vitamins,according to the International Centre in Agroforestry (ICRAF).

They are particularly good sources of protein in regions whereanimal products like milk and meat are scarce.

Avocados can also be processed into cream and hair products.Some herbalists have been using the fruit to formulate oils said totreat a myriad of human ailments. At the same time, there has beenincreased investment in the avocado sub-sector. Early in 2012, theAlivando Group of Companies announced that it was investingUS$5mn in the construction of an avocado factory in Murang’aCounty, Central Kenya.

Alivando chief executive Gary Hannan observed that thecompany had engaged farmers in various parts of the province toimprove avocado production.

Already, the firm has contracted and trained 1,030 farmers togrow high quality avocado.

The factory would produce avocado oil to be sold in thedomestic and export markets.

“To meet demand, Alivando needs upwards of 750,000 litresmonthly. In the next five years, Kenya should be able to produce0.3 million litres of high quality avocado oil monthly for export andlocal consumption if farmers embrace the practice” Gary noted.

The new facility is expected to boost avocado earnings throughvalue addition and benefit farmers.

Simon Ng'ang’a King’ara an avocado farmer, said that thefactory will offer them better earnings compared to middlemen.

With an avocado plantation of 7,000 trees, Ng’an’ga from theneighbouring Kiambu County, noted that the factory pays Ksh150(US$1.9) for a kilo of avocado fruit while the middlemen buy atKsh80 (US$1) - a better bargain for local farmers.

The factory officials say that the region is better placed toproduce high quality avocado products noting that thosegrown in hot, humid climates have saturated fat and too muchwax for oil production. h

“For best results apply both methods to killmale and female insects,” said Dr Ekesi.


S05 AF JulyAugust 2013 Horticulture_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:36

IRRI has bred two new improved rice varieties for Tanzania, IR05N 221(Komboka) and IR03A 262 (Tai), that have vastly superior yield potential.

TANZANIA’S LOW RICE yields aremainly due to the widespread use oflow-yielding varieties with long growthduration and susceptibility to diseases.

However, with the rapidly growing demandfor rice in East Africa, Tanzanian farmers cannow boost rice production two to three timesby combining good agricultural practices withthe adoption of two new high-yielding ricevarieties, IR05N 221 and IR03A 262.

After extensive evaluation and screeningacross the country since 2008, farmerschose IR05N 221 (named Komboka,meaning be liberated) and IR03A 262(named Tai, meaning eagle) for theirpromising yield potential of 6.5–7 and 7.5tons per hectare, respectively.

Currently, Tanzania’s average yield isaround only 1.8 tonnes per hectare due tolow-yielding varieties with long growthduration and susceptibility to diseases.Komboka and Tai will help uphold Tanzania’sposition as the leading rice producer in Eastand southern Africa by helping farmersproduce more rice.

These new varieties also possess grainquality that meets the needs and preferencesof farmers and consumers in Tanzania –essential to ensuring their adoption andmarketability.

Komboka desired for its aroma“Komboka is strongly desired for its aroma,which is highly regarded by farmers andconsumers, and therefore it is verymarketable,” said Dr. Zakaria Kanyeka of theInternational Rice Research Institute (IRRI),which led the development of the varieties.“Tai, on the other hand, is nonaromatic, yethas strong potential in parts of the countrywhere aroma is less important.”

Beyond the aroma difference, Kombokaand Tai are highly preferred by farmers for

their long, slender, and translucent grains, andsoft texture for cooking, as the texture remainssoft after overnight storage. Both varieties canbe grown twice a year – during the rainyseason from January to June and during thedry season from August to December.

Compared with a popular rice variety inTanzania, SARO 5 (TXD 306), both ripenfaster by five to seven days (Komboka) andseven to 14 days (Tai) – thus helping farmerscash in on their crop early. The two varietiesalso exhibit moderate resistance to diseasessuch as leaf blast and bacterial leaf blight.

IRRI scientists based in Tanzania worked inclose collaboration with Tanzania’s NationalRice Research Program of the AgriculturalResearch Institute (ARI)-KATRIN to developthe new varieties.

"Our partners in Tanzania have beencritical in supporting the development ofKomboka and Tai, which are the first IRRI-bred rice varieties developed especially forTanzania,” said Kanyeka. “Their vastlysuperior performance has been recognisedby Tanzanian farmers and we are lookingforward to seeing more farmers try them outto experience their higher productivity andquality.”

IRRI has a long history of developingimproved rice varieties for Asia, and in recentyears has stepped up its support to helpimprove rice production in Africa with thedevelopment and release of rice varieties forBurundi, Mozambique, and now Tanzania.

Komboka and Tai were proposed forrelease to the Tanzania Seed CertificationInstitute, which conducted a nationalperformance trial. Upon the recommendationof the Technical Variety Release Committee tothe National Variety Release Committee, thetwo IRRI elite lines got the committee’sapproval for release as varieties forproduction in Tanzania.

“Production of more seeds of the two newvarieties is now underway in closecollaboration with the Agricultural SeedAgency of the Ministry of Agriculture and wehope that, by 2014, there will be enoughseed to start wide-scale dissemination tofarmers nationwide,” said Kanyeka. h

New rice in Tanzania toboost production


RICE

Komboka and Tai will help uphold Tanzania’s position as the leading rice producer in East and southern Africa by helpingfarmers produce more rice.These new varieties possess

grain quality that meets theneeds and preferences offarmers and consumers in

Tanzania.


High-yielding Komboka varietiy.

S06 AF JulyAugust 2013 Rice_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:39

RICE


DNA TECHNIQUES ARE being used toanalyse genes in rice in pioneering researchwhich aims to develop a new variety of thegrain with greater health benefits.University of Aberdeen scientists are leadingthe rice study and experts behind the four-year project - funded by the Biotechnologyand Biological Science Research Council(BBSRC) - say they hope their work couldimprove the lives of millions worldwide byputting better quality rice in the mouths ofmore people.Professor Andrew Meharg, a biogeochemistat the University of Aberdeen, and one of theleaders of the study, which involvescollaborators from Lancaster, Bangladesh,India and the Philippines, said: "We will beemploying one of the most pioneeringdevelopments in plant science - genomesequencing of plants. In fact we will be usingthe very same equipment and chemistry thatis used to sequence genes in the human body,to analyse genes within rice.""Our work is focused on Bangladesh, whererice accounts for 70 per cent of thepopulation's calorific intake. We plan tosequence the genes of 300 varieties of therice from the country and surrounding Indian

states. What we will be looking for aremarkers in each of those individual rice typeswhich can be associated with a positive traitwe wish to measure. For example those thatcan be attributed to providing a greater yieldof the crop or higher levels of zinc. Oneimportant trait we will focus on is lower levelsof grain arsenic. Arsenic, which is a poison tohumans, is taken up by the crop from groundwater during the growth process and cansometimes occur at high levels in rice."If we can identify the gens responsible in rice

for these positive traits then we can improvecrops more rapidly and accurately andultimately develop a new type of rice whichhas greater benefit for the world'spopulation."The study will also test a technique developedby the International Rice Research Institute(IRRI), which aims to reduce the amount ofwater currently required in the process of riceproduction.Dr Adam Price, from the University ofAberdeen's School of Biological Sciences,explained: "Rice is relied upon as a staplepart of the majority of the world's diet, yet theprocess involved in growing this crop isaccountable for a massive drain on theworld's water resources."A mammoth 2,500 litres amount of water isrequired to produce just one kilogram ofrice. We will be testing a techniquedeveloped by the IRRI called alternativewetting and drying, where the crop isflooded and then dried out for 10 to 15days. Our focus will be to analyse the majorbenefits we believe to be aligned with thistechnique, to assess whether it provides theanswer to making rice production a moresustainable option in the future."

'DNA' sequencing to create new rice variety with greater health benefits

S06 AF JulyAugust 2013 Rice_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:39

Sugar cane is the world’s largest crop and consumption levels are continuingto increase. Nawa Mutumweno discusses the growing and harvesting of thisimportant crop.

THERE IS A billboard that strikes one as he drives or walksalong the main road from the plush suburb of Lusaka,Kabulonga, into the central business district. It stands boldlyand teases: ‘’Imagine a life without sugar’’.

Indeed for many people the world over, life will not be the samewithout that must-have product that is a major component of thebreakfast table.

Approximately 70 per cent of the global sugar production isderived from sugar cane. Apart from producing sugar for humanconsumption, sugar cane is also the most cost-effective feedstockfor plant-derived ethanol, according to the South AfricanAgricultural Baseline 2011 – Bureau for Food and AgriculturalPolicy report (BFAP).

Sugar cane is the world’s largest crop. In 2010, FAO estimatedit was cultivated on almost 23.8mn hectares, in more than 90countries, with a worldwide harvest of 1.69bn tonnes.

Brazil was the largest producer of sugar cane in the world. Thenext five major producers in decreasing amounts in productionwere India, China, Thailand, Pakistan and Mexico.

Turning to Africa, SADC in particular, annual sugar productionover the past five years has constantly remained above the fivemillion tonnes mark. It was estimated that a record 5.8mn tonneswas produced by SADC countries in 2007/08.

Consumption levels increasingConsumption levels continue to increase at the rate ofapproximately 2.5 per cent per annum. The main SADC sugarproducing countries (in no particular order) are South Africa,Tanzania, Swaziland, Zambia, Malawi, Mauritius and Mozambique.

The southern African sugar season runs from April to March. Theregion is ranked amongst the world’s top sugar exporters, withZambia among the top, especially to the European Union.

Despite these interesting ‘credentials’ of this important globalcrop most of us have do not know the ‘journey’ sugar cane passesbefore it ‘lands’ in our tea, porridge, breakfast cereal, etc.

A plentiful supply of water essentialSugar cane is cultivated in the tropics and subtropics in areas witha plentiful supply of water, for a continuous period of more than sixto seven months each year, either from natural rainfall or throughirrigation. The crop does not tolerate severe frosts. Therefore, mostof the world’s sugarcane is grown between 22° North and 22°South, and some up to 33° North and 33° South. When asugarcane crop is found outside this range, such as the Natalregion of South Africa, it is normally due to anomalous climateconditions in the region such as warm ocean currents that sweepdown the coast. In terms of altitude, sugar cane crop is found upto 1,600 metres close to the equator in countries such asColumbia, Ecuador and Peru, the Sugar Cane Wikipedia states.

Sugar cane can be grown on many soils ranging from highlyfertile well drained mollisols, through heavy cracking vertisols,infertile acid axisols, peaty histosols to rocky andisols. Both plentifulsunshine and water supplies increase cane production. This hasmade desert countries with good irrigation facilities such as Egyptsome of the highest sugar cane cultivating regions.

Harvesting Sugar cane is harvested by hand and mechanically. Handharvesting accounts for more than half of production, and isdominant in the developing world. In hand harvesting, the fieldis first set on fire. The fire burns dry leaves, and chases off or killsany lurking venomous snakes, without harming the stalks and

Sugar - an irresistableproduct


SUGAR CANE

John Deere hosted an Africa SugarCane seminar in Swaziland.

In Africa annual sugar production over the pastfive years has constantly remained above the

five million tonnes mark.


Sugar cane is cultivated in the tropicsand subtropics in areas with a plentifulsupply of water.

S07 AF JulyAugust 2013 Sugar_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:45

roots. Harvesters then cut the cane just above ground-level usingcane knives or machetes. A skilled harvester can cut 500kg ofsugar cane per hour.

Mechanical harvesting uses a combine or sugar cane harvester.The Austoft 2000 series, the original modern harvester design, hasnow been copied by other companies, including Cameco/JohnDeere. The machine cuts the cane at the base of the stalk, strips theleaves, chops the cane into consistent lengths and deposits it into atransporter following alongside. The harvester then blows the trashback into the field. Such machines can harvest 100 tonnes per hour.However, harvested cane must be rapidly processed. Once cut,sugar cane begins to lose its sugar content, and damage to the caneduring mechanical harvesting accelerates this decline. This declineis offset because a modern chopper harvester can complete the

harvest faster and more efficiently than hand cutting and loading. Austsoft also developed a series of hydraulic high-lift infield

transporters to work alongside their harvesters to allow even morerapid transfer of cane to, for example, the nearest railway siding orto the mill. Mechanical harvesting does not require the burning offields; the remains left in the field by the machine consist of the topof the sugarcane and the dead leaves which act as mulch for thenext round of planting.

The pre-harvest burning of sugarcane leaves has negativeimpacts on the environment, on human health and on potentialenergy value of the plant. Mechanisation eliminates the need forburning, speeding up the collection process, eliminating harmfulemissions from smoke, reducing crop wastage and thus increasingproductivity in terms of energy generation. Electricity generatedfrom sugar cane biomass can also be sold to the national grid.

South African-based, Illovo is a leading sugar producer(13.64mn tonnes for the Group as at March 31, 2012) and is asignificant manufacturer of the downstream product. The Group isAfrica’s biggest sugar producer and has extensive agricultural andmanufacturing operations in six Africa countries (Malawi, Zambia,Tanzania, South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique).

Producers of sugar should put their best marketing anddistribution ‘feet’ forward, to deliver quality sugar and relatedproducts and tap into niche markets nationally, regionally andinternationally, if they are to make steady steps to sweet success. h

SUGAR CANE

Sugar cane is harvested by hand and mechanically.




FRUIT PROCESSING


ALVAN BLANCH DEVELOPMENT Company has developed a range ofmobile fruit processing systems, specially designed to tackle the excessivewaste of fruit at harvest, by addressing the logistical difficulties that exist inmany tropical countries preventing ripe fruit from being transported tocentral processing locations. It is no wonder therefore, that there has beensuch a surge in interest over this uniquely designed processing system, sincethe first unit was commissioned last year.It is widely estimated that 40-50 per cent of fruit produced in Nigeria iswasted due to poor handling and infrastructure. The mobility of thisprocessing unit will allow the machinery to be brought to the fruit instead,and to be moved throughout the fruit harvest areas, for a wider coverage.This greater saturation of the fruit farming areas will directly increase thenumber of fruits utilised – and therefore extend the potential length ofprocessing season.The first mobile system was developed last year for Makerere University inKampala, Uganda, in order to produce a processing system which would beable to reach the farmer, and the markets – to process the fruit while it is stillfresh. Without the mobility feature of this system, farmers and co-operativesmust risk transporting their goods in heavy traffic, and roads with poorinfrastructure, to the processing factory, often resulting in a high percentageof spoiled fruits – in some cases, losing the whole truck of fruit to waste.After the success of the first system, now in regular use by farmers inUganda, the concept of processing mobility has generated much interest. Inreaction to the high levels of attention for this system, Alvan Blanch has nowdeveloped a more flexible modular version of the processing system, to suita selection of different fruits and different packing options. The fruit juice producing plant is available to suit a host of mobility options,as the machinery and all pipework is built onto individual modular units.

These modules can be mounted onto a truck trailer, flat-bed truck or farmtrailer with high axis and deep-tread large wheels – in order to allow forease of operation in more rural areas. One of these trailer-mounted unitshas been recently commissioned for a Government project in Nigeria -designed for use on mangoes and tomatoes, destined for the north of thecountry, in Kano State – in the hope of reducing fruit wastage, particularlyin rural areas of the region. Demand for this flexible form of processing fruits is constant across Africa,with enquiries for various versions of the system coming from across thecontinent. The next system, already underway, will be specifically designedfor pineapple processing in Zambia. This will be producing pineapple juiceon various sites around the farm, and comes complete with on-boardbottling system. The complete modular system will be shipped whole andskid-mounted onto a local farm trailer.With such a simple solution to the problem of fruit-wastage, which isapparent across the African continent, it is unsurprising that Alvan Blanchpredict there will be many more requests for such a system. Although eachrequirement is unique in specification, there is a general process which isfollowed in order to obtain pasteurised, sieved juice – while adhering to ahigh level of food hygiene.

The system processThe galvanised steel modules are fitted with all stainless steel processingmachines, designed to suit a variety of fruits, each requiring a slightlydifferent juice extraction process. All fruits are tipped into a washingreception tank – and conveyed up an elevator designed to handle a widearray of fruits. The diverter then channels various fruits into either both thefruit mill and blancher (tomatoes), or straight into the pulper sievers(mangoes, pawpaws). In the case of pineapples, a specially designed millis used, prior to hydraulic pressing the juice, while oranges require aseparate citrus juice extraction machine.The extracted juice is then transferred via stainless steel pipes to the pre-heating and blending tanks, before being pumped into the pasteuriser forheat treating. The pasteurised juice can then be hot-filled into differentpackaging options. A popular method is the hot filling of aseptic lineddrums, which are then sealed to ensure maximum hygiene standards. Thesecan then be easily transported and sold as bulk juice. Alternatively thereare various consumer-sized packaging methods; the more affordableoption being hot-filling of the juice into glass bottles. The system’s mobility – and independence from usual utility demands ofprocessing plants – is afforded by the on-board British-made generator,complete with acoustic canopy, and the built-in water storage and watertreatment system. This gives the system complete independence for usearound the farm, and allows for convenient wash down of the unit after use.First-class support to all African markets is offered by the experienced taffat Alvan Blanch’s UK offices and factory, and also by the technical supportoffice based in Benin City, Nigeria, which supports new and existing clientsthroughout the continent with advice as well as installation andcommissioning supervision. h

Mobile processing solution to fruit waste in Africa

The first Alvan Blanch mobile fruit juice system, now in regular use in rural Ugandaattracts much attention in the city.


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Dr Terry Mabbett examines trickle irrigation and discusses the advantages,and, in some cases, the disadvantages of employing the method.

IRRIGATION IS as old as the mostancient civilizations, but themeticulously measured and minimumapplication of irrigation water to crops

as trickle, drip or micro-irrigation is arelatively new technique now into its fifthdecade of widespread use. ‘Trickle’ aptlydescribes the slow but sure passage ofwater into the nozzle. ‘Drip’ describes themode of delivery in to the soil and ‘micro’the minute quantities of water used,compared with the massive volumestraditionally used in furrow and overheadsprinkler irrigation systems.

The benefits of trickle irrigation are deepand far-reaching and may be summarisedas follows:• Trickle or drip irrigation is a frequent use

system, therefore mitigating against cropplant stress, often occurring with the fluc-tuations in soil temperature and moisturelevel experienced when using lessfrequent but much heavier furrow and

sprinkler applications. This uniformity ofsoil ware condition facilitates theoptimum growth of plants anddevelopment of harvestable tubers,bulbs, leaves, fruits and seeds tomaximise quantity and quality of yield.

• In many cases, water savings of 50 percent can be achieved compared withfurrow irrigation, because drip and tricklesystems only require low water pressureand therefore much less energy withaccompanying huge reductions in thetotal volumes of water used.

• Trickle irrigation provides the grower withthe opportunity of harvesting cropssooner and getting them to market at theearliest possible time to cash in on anypremium price opportunities at thebeginning of the season. In areas with ashort growing season, due to climaticrestrictions, trickle/drip irrigationgenerally offers the grower opportunitiesto produce crops not previously

considered to be financially worthwhile.• Measurably greater yield has been

achieved with trickle rather than furrowirrigation systems. For vegetable crops itis quite common to obtain more than 25per cent increase in yield per unit landarea with a higher proportion of thehighest quality produce.

• With trickle irrigation the foliage and fruitare not saturated as in overheadirrigation and the lower portions of theplant canopy are not subjected to thehumid microclimate thus created. Conse-quently, susceptibility to damage frominsect pests and fungal diseases isreduced.

• With trickle irrigation installed andworking the grower may continuenormal field operations because theaisles (inter-rows) and much of the cropplant bed stay dry. Weed growth, weedcontrol and associated costs arereduced accordingly.

Trickle irrigation on target


IRRIGATION

The World Vision Drip Irrigation project in Tattaguine, Senegal.


S08 AF JulyAugust 2013 Irrigation_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:48

• The trickle or drip system is not only a means of irrigation: It maybe utilised as a vehicle to supply and provide plants with solublefertilisers and nutrients and insecticides, fungicides andnematicides. And because the chemicals are delivered directly tothe root zone, and targeted near the point of root hairabsorption, lower doses are generally required. Furthermore, thedanger of root burning and other phytotoxic damage are greatlyreduced. Trickle irrigation is therefore an important system forboth fertigation and chemigation.

• Trickle irrigation is particularly appropriate for use on hillyterrain to avoid the run-off typically experienced with highvolume irrigation systems. Trickle irrigation has also been usedvery successfully on fields with marginal soils that cannototherwise be farmed.

• Last but not least, trickle/drip irrigation systems can be used withmulch film to maximise the benefits of both systems.

High maintenance requirementsTrickle irrigation application brings many benefits and helpsconserve precious water supplies, but it demands a high level ofmaintenance. Micro-irrigation systems comprise a large number ofwater emitters each with quite small flow paths. These smalldiameter flow paths are clearly prone to blockage by foreignmatter, including debris from both physical and biological origins.Inorganic matter including sand, grit, silt and chalk will arrive via

Micro-irrigation being supplied to small young trees which have been inter-planted withlettuce under greenhouse cultivation. Picture courtesy of OMEX.


In many cases, water savings of 50 per cent canbe achieved compared with furrow irrigation.


the external water supply. Organic matter including algae may wellhave arrived from the same source – growing on the surface oflakes and reservoirs – but just as easily from growing within thedistribution network of the irrigation system.

Physical treatment methods are used to remove particles ofinorganic and organic matter that are sufficiently large to block theemitter outlets. They may be removed by centrifugal separators,settling basins and tanks, skimming boards, screen filters, sandmedia filters or a combination of these methods. If source waterscontaining quantities of suspended particles are used withoutphysical treatment clogging of the emitters will invariably occur,leading to uneven distribution of water and poor performance ofthe irrigation system. What’s more, many micro-irrigation systemsare used in semi-arid and arid environments where blockage of thesystem and no water distribution to particular plants will rapidlylead to high mortality rates through desiccation.

Chemical treatment involves addition of one or more chemicalsto the water supply in order to control biological growth or causechemical reactions that will precipitate out offending chemicals inthe water supply such as iron. Chemical methods commonly usedto treat micro-irrigation water supply include chlorination by theinjection of chlorine-generating chemicals such as sodiumhypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite to precipitate insoluble iron

salts, and the measured addition of specific acids to precipitatecalcium carbonate (chalk). Physical and chemical treatment maybe carried out in tandem.

Commonly occurring water quality problems which may impacton the performance of micro-irrigation systems and thus requiringtreatment include:• Presence of large dimensional particulate matter contained in

the water supply.• Presence of high level of silt and clay loads in the water supply.• Growth of bacterial colonies as slime in the system.• Growth and development of algal colonies either in the water

supply or the irrigation system.• Precipitation of insoluble salts of iron, sulphur and chalk

(calcium carbonate).In the early days of trickle/drip irrigation (1970 onwards), few

blockage problems were encountered because farmers andgrowers presented with a ‘brand new’ concept in irrigation installedgood filtration systems even though they are nowhere near asefficient as today’s equipment.

After some 10 to 15 years of widespread use with access toincreasingly sophisticated irrigation systems there was a tendency tooverlook the need for clean, particle-free water supplies.Consequently, many farmers and growers started to encounterserious and frequent clogging problems. Users had becomecomplacent and tended to under-design and under-invest incomplementary filtration systems because, when designed properly,they represented a large proportion of the overall cost. But atrickle/irrigation system will only perform as well as quality of thewater supply allows and today some 30 years on from this periodof problems the same holds true. h

IRRIGATION

Valley® Irrigation leads the way in global irrigation technology. We have over 200,000 machines on the ground with manufacturing facilities across the globe. As the innovators of the world’s best-selling irrigation equipment, Valley engineers new solutions to help growers maximize

watermark


Trickle irrigation application brings manybenefits and helps conserve precious water

supplies, but it demands a high level of maintenance.


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Delegation der Deutschen Wirtschaftin GhanaDelegation of German Industry andCommerce in Ghana

West Africaplastprintpack


The production of fogging or misting machines has expanded rapidly as thenumber of farming and other uses has increased, says Mike Williams.

FOGGING IS A versatile process, used for applications asvaried as creating special visual effects in the entertainmentindustry to controlling micro-organisms in medical facilities,but the farming industry has emerged as one of the fastest

growing markets for the machines that produce the fog droplets.Fog produced by a machine consists of tiny droplets of liquid that

are usually less than about 50 microns in size, which is so small thatthey can remain floating in the air for long periods. The droplets areproduced in such large numbers that they reduce visibility – which iswhat happens when fog is produced naturally. The fog droplets thatare produced by a machine may consist of pure water or alternativeliquids such as mineral oil, and the droplets can also contain asolution formed with tiny amounts of chemical such as insecticide ordisinfectant.

Pure water fog droplets are used in various ways, and in the farmingindustry this includes heat reduction inside livestock buildings. Anotherdevelopment is to use pure water fogging to maintain the freshappearance and extend the shelf life of freshly harvested leafy saladand vegetable crops.

Using the droplets to carry diluted chemicals is a technique used inboth livestock and crop prodution, and it is also an important method forprotecting crop products from damage by insects and other pests duringstorage. Fogging is ideal for this type of treatment because of the lengthof time the droplets remain in the air, and during this time they disperse,spreading the chemical they contain over a large area and into placesthat would be difficult to reach with conventional spray equipment.

Fogging machines operate on either a ‘cold’ system or the thermalmethod that uses heat to form the droplets, and most of the leadingmanufacturers offer both types. Cold or ultra-low volume (ULV)fogging uses a pressurised aerosol system to produce the dropletswhich are typically in the 10 to 40 micron size range, and somemachines have an adjustment to increase or reduce the averagedroplet size.

Thermal fogging effective for small dropletsThermal fogging with heat to vaporise the liquid and form the fogdroplets is an effective method for producing relatively small droplets,sometimes in the range between less than one micron and up to 10microns, and smaller droplets can last longer and disperse moreeffectively.

The fogging machines used in livestock buildings and to protectcrops growing in small areas outside or under tunnels are generallyportable, but the big capacity machines used for plantation andorchard crops and also popular for large-scale control schemes formosquitoes and other insect pests are usually mounted on a vehiclesuch as a pick-up truck or a small utility vehicle.

Special features available on some fogging machines includeautomatic on/off controls operated by a time switch. This can reducelabour costs when fogging is required to operate in the night or atweekends, for example, and the fact that the operator does not haveto be present is also a health benefit when fog is produced in aconfined space.

Another important design feature influencing the work capacity ofa fogging machine is the tank size. Bigger tanks for the fogging liquidand for the fuel on engine-powered models improve output byextending the interval between refill stops, but this also increases theweight and an over-generous tank capacity on a portable machinemakes the equipment more tiring to use.

Importance of corrosion-resistant materialsUsing corrosion-resistant materials during production can be animportant influence on the working life of fogging machines, andstainless steel is extensively used by some manufacturers. In the IGEBArange from Germany, for example, stainless steel is used for the fueltank, the solution or fogging liquid tank, the fog tube and the airpump on their popular mid-range TF35 model. Both water and oil-based solutions can be used in the TF35, which is a general purposemachine with a 25hp power output and two litres per hour fuelconsumption. It weighs 7.9kg with empty tanks and the maximumhorizontal throw is 100 metres working indoors with an oil basedsolution.

Further up the capacity range, stainless steel is also used extensivelyon IGEBA’s TF95-HD fogging machine designed for truck mounting.It is available with a 60-litre solution tank and it can also be equippedwith a built-in pump working from a bulk supply tank. The weight is39.5kg or 36kg for the pump version and the fuel tank capacity is 5.5litres which gives a 75 to 80 minutes running time.

Fogging for crops and livestock


FOGGING

Pure water fog droplets are used in variousways, and in the farming industry this includes

heat reduction inside livestock buildings.


The Micron AU800 backpack mistblower in action.

S09 AF JulyAugust 2013 Fogging_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:51

The British-based Micron Group pioneered Controlled DropletApplication or CDA technology which uses an electrically poweredspinning disc to produce evenly sized droplets. CDA features on theMicron AU8000 knapsack type mistblower or fogging machine,producing a more uniform droplet size to increase the efficiency of lowand ultra low volume chemical application. The AU8000 unit includesan engine and tank carried in a backpack with the hand-held sprayhead attached by a flexible tube allowing the operator to direct themist or fog droplets to achieve maximum crop protection.

AU8000 specifications include a two-stroke petrol engine with77cc capacity and 5hp output. Tank capacities are two litres for petroland 14 litres for the solution and the weight is 10.7kg with empty

tanks. Performance data for the AU8000 include a 20 cu m/min airoutput with 125 m/sec velocity and approximately two litres/hour fuelconsumption. Micron also offers the Micronex attachment to convertother makes of knapsack type mistblowers or fogging machines toCDA operation. Micronex fogging units are used mainly forcontrolling insect pests and for low volume application in horticulturalcrops, orchards and vineyards.

The American-based Curtis Dyna-Fog company has 75 years ofexperience in aerosol technology and offers one of the biggestchoices of fogging or misting equipment including thermal andcold machines. They also offer small scale equipment for domesticpest control as well as medium and large capacity units foragricultural and industrial applications. Their high output modelsinclude the Dyna-Jet L-30 machine for ultra low volumeapplication, an all-electric fogging unit powered by a 12-volt DCmotor and with a power-operated articulating head to change thedischarge direction. The blower output is 38.2 cu m/min, the tankcapacity is 57 litres and the specification includes a remote controlfacility. Droplets are produced by an electric powered rotaryatomiser designed to give a more uniform output with 90 per centof droplets less than 20 microns.

Dyna-Fog, which has a subsidiary company located in South Africa,also offers the Typhoon 1 and 11 models powered by a 9.5hp Kohlerengine and an 11hp Honda respectively. They are designed forgeneral purpose fogging, both in the open and inside buildings, andthe specification includes a digital hourmeter, a remote control facilityand three different pumping options.

Growth of manufacturing in AsiaThe long-established companies making fogging equipment arebased in Europe and the United States, but they are being challengedby the rapid growth of manufacturing in Asia, and particularly inChina, India and South Korea. Some of the more recently establishedmanufacturers are becoming increasingly successful exporters toglobal markets including African countries.

Vectorfog is South Korea’s biggest fogging equipmentmanufacturer with a range of thermal and aerosol type machinesbacked by an international marketing policy. They have a number ofdistributors already established in Africa and Vectorfog will beexhibiting at this year’s Sahara Expo event in Egypt and at a trade fairin Morocco. Their range includes portable aerosol type cold foggingmachines, starting with the C100 with a built-in 3.8 litre tank and a1250 watt two-speed Samsung electric motor. The flow rate is 60 l/hrand the net weight is 3.5kg.

A recent addition to the Vectorfog range is the H200SF thermalfogger, a medium capacity portable machine that works with waterand oil based liquids and is designed for a wide range of applicationsincluding crop protection and animal health. It is powered by a pulsejet type petrol engine and the specification includes a 6.5 litre tankand a 30 to 50 l/min flow rate. The net weight is 10.8kg.

Vehicle mounted thermal foggers from Vectorfog include theH500 for truck mounted model designed for covering large areasincluding plantations and orchards. The H500 has a 150 litre tank,the truck’s battery can be used to start the petrol engine and theflow rate is 200 to 300 l/hr. The smaller H400 model with a 30 litretank and a 36kg net weight is mounted on a pedestrian operatedthree-wheel trolley and there is also a H200 version with a 15 litretank capacity and a 60 l/hr flow rate that can be mounted on aquad bike or a motorcycle. h

FOGGING

The American based Curtis Dyna-Fogcompany has 75 years of experience in

aerosol technology.


High-tech holistic hands-on

A trailer mounted Dyna-Fog 1200 model powered by a 9.5hp Kohler engine controllingmosquitoes in South Africa.



FOGGING

IN MANY GREENHOUSES worldwide the“traditional” method of spraying is still applied. Thismeans, in effect, a substantial amount of labour time,the use of huge quantities of valuable water and thewaste of expensive chemicals by dripping losses.These dripping losses occur due to the relativelylarge size of the droplets created by normal sprayers. As an alternative to conventional spraying, it ispossible to apply thermal fogging as well as “cold”fogging by electric ULV aerosol generators. Bothtypes of machines are creating a fog with a dropletspectrum between approx. 1μm and 40 μm, only theway of preparation of the droplets is different.With fogging, the typical application quantity ofwater+chemicals+stabiliser (anti-evaporation) is onlybetween two and six litres/1,000 sq m, dependingon the height and leaf mass of plants in thegreenhouse as well as upon the degree ofinfestation.Swingfog high performance thermal fog generatorsare not only famous for their expertise in controllingmosquitoes, but are also well known for theirapplication for plant protection in greenhouses.Equipped with the specially designed highperformance fogging tube, Swingfog is the onlydevice which can generate a droplet spectrum withwater as the carrier, which is almost as good as thedroplet spectrum with oil-based spraying mixtures.

With the portable Swingfog SN 50, it is possible toperform the application quickly, but also with a highcapacity, eg, a greenhouse of 1,000 sq m can betreated within approximately 10 minutes (applying athree litre spraying mixture and using a nozzle withan output of 20 l/h). In this case the operator can justdirect the fogger through the entrance. If the housesare larger, the operator can walk through thegreenhouse. There are also bigger machines withinthe company’s production programme.For the “cold” fog technology, Swingtec offers theelectric Fontan ULV aerosol generators workingautomatically or semi-automatically. Thus, nooperator is needed and the units can work during thenight hours. These units create a controlled aircirculation, which is the transport media of thedroplets, and distributes them evenly within thegreenhouses. Again, a specific feature of the Fontanmachines is their special construction of the fansincluding a stator which prevents the turbulence ofnormal ventilators. The typical capacity range of theFontan units is for houses up to 2,500 sq m(Compactstar and Turbostar) and up to 5,000 sq m(Twinstar) just out of one working position. By usingadditional fans for the circulation the area to betreated can even be extended. The output of thesemachines is lower than that of a thermal fogger, butas they are usually working during the night, this is not

of relevance, and the exposure time of the insects tothe fog is thus longer.With the Swingtec machines it is possible to create alot of fog within a short time by an operator using aSwingfog or to provide for a comfortable automaticapplication with a Fontan without involving anoperator (except for preparing the device). In bothcases a highly effective application of chemicals witha water-saving technology is guaranteed.

Plant protection by fogging in greenhouses


The impacts of climate change on rice production and productivity can besummarized by the following factors: heat stress, increased night-timetemperature, flooding, drought and salt stress.

RICE IS A tropical crop. It can withstand high temperatures,but unfortunately also rice has its limits. During thevegetative stage rice can withstand night temperatures upto 25°C and day temperatures up to 35°C. Higher

temperatures will result in reduced photosynthesis. Another phenomenon related to high daytime temperatures is

heat stress. Heat stress causes spikelet sterility, eventually leading tohigh yield loss. Rice is particularly sensitive to heat stress at theflowering stage, which may occur when the temperature risesabove 35°C.

The time of day when rice opens its flower is particularly important,because it is at that moment that rice is most vulnerable to hightemperatures. The fact that African rice (Oryza glaberrima) flowersearly in the morning, while Asian rice (Oryza sativa) flowers justbefore noon, unleashed the search for the African rice early floweringtrait that enables the rice flower to escape the heat of the day.

The effect of increased CO2 on rice yield is not yet fullyunderstood. It is generally thought that the positive effects ofincreased CO2 levels, or CO2 fertilisation, will disappear throughthe simultaneous increase in temperature. Increased night-timetemperature has a negative effect on rice grain yield.

After analysing data from Los Banos, Peng et al. (2004) foundthat the associated grain yield declined by 10 per cent for each 1°Cincrease in minimum temperature in the dry season, while therewas no clear effect of an increase in maximum temperature.

The latest edition of the Intergovernmental Panel on ClimateChange’s report on climate change (IPCC 2007) predictsincreased droughts for the African continent. Since most of theAfrican agriculture is rainfed, this will have negative consequenceson crop yields.

The same holds for rice production. An estimated 80 per cent ofthe rice-growing area in Africa is devoted to rainfed riceproduction, while 48 per cent is for upland and 32 per cent forrainfed lowland production. While rainfed upland rice productionwill be hit hardest, the rainfed lowland production may benegatively affected too.

Although better protected against drought, rainfed lowlands facean increased probability of being confronted with flooding. Whilerice can easily withstand flooding it can withstand completesubmergence only for a short time.

New rice varieties that have been introgressed with the Sub1gene can stand submergence for three weeks as was reported byIRRI (Wassmann et al. 2009). At AfricaRice, studies are under wayon producing rice with less water.

Increased temperature will lead to an increase in evaporation.Increased evaporation may lead to increased salinity and sodicityinland, while in coastal areas sea level rise will increase salinity. Asa result, an increase in salt stress associated with climate chance isexpected to occur.

Rice is moderately tolerant to low levels of salt, while mangroverice varieties are known to withstand high levels of salt. Efforts arebeing made to identify the genes that confer salt tolerance.

AfricaRice currently has two research projects studying the effect ofclimate change on pest and diseases. One is studying the effect ofclimate change on the virulence and distribution of blast and bacterialleaf blight, while the second is concentrating on the effect of climatechange on the vigor and distribution of parasitic rice weeds.

Socioeconomic vulnerability to climate changeAfrica is one of the less-researched continents in terms of thepotential consequences of global warming. Trends suggest that thevariability of rainfall will increase and the monsoon regions maybecome drier, leading to increases in drought-prone areas in theSahel and southern Africa.

Equatorial zones of Africa may receive more intense rainfall. Theoverall spatial distribution of future rainfall remains uncertain,however, particularly for the Sahel for which there are a number ofcontrasting projections.

Climate change is expected to lead to major changes in rainfalldistribution, increased frequency of extreme weather events, andgenerally rising temperatures and CO2 levels. Farmers have greatexperience in dealing with climate risk, but the fast pace of changemeans that their local knowledge and technologies may not besufficient as new conditions emerge. We need to anticipate suchchanges and provide alternatives or measures for farmers to adaptto lower and erratic rainfall, higher demand for water, changingriver discharges, and so on.

New climate-resilient varieties and crop-and resource-management technologies and institutional innovations such asinsurance against crop failure may help them adapt to these rapidlychanging environments. Mitigation opportunities are also important.

The impact of the predicted enhanced use of Africa’s lowlandsfor rice, slash-and-burn practices in upland environments, andincreased use of nitrogen fertiliser needs more study to develop asmuch as possible ways to limit additional release of greenhousegases into the atmosphere.

In short, a global effort to develop targeted technologicaloptions to help African farmers to adapt to and mitigate the effectsof climate change is needed. h

AfricaRice

Biological vulnerability toclimage change


RICE


S10 AF JulyAugust 2013 Green Houses_Layout 1 11/07/2013 15:57

UNIDO has emphasised micro/small-scale business development in itstechnical assistance programmes as a mean to contribute to economicgrowth and poverty reduction in Africa in general and Uganda in particular.

CEREAL PROCESSING OFFERS good opportunities forsmall-scale businesses in Uganda because raw materialsare readily available, most equipment is reasonablyaffordable and if the products are chosen correctly, they

have a good demand and can be profitable.However, small-scale cereal processors are confronted with strong

competition in the domestic and regional markets.To be profitable it is essential to have high quality products, an

attractive package where appropriate and a well-managed business.UNIDO has developed a manual to guide the small-scale cereal

miller and baker in Uganda to optimise their processing methods andimplement GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and qualityassurance schemes and build their technical capacity for improvedmarket access and competitiveness.Different types of food processing can be categorised into:● Primary processing (post-harvest operations including drying,

milling, etc).● Secondary processing (eg, baking, frying etc) in which raw

materials from primary processing are transformed into a widerange of added value products that are attractive and addvariety to the diet.

The manual covers technical aspects of cereal processing toproduce safe and high quality products. It does not deal with the manyother aspects of operating a successful small business such asmarketing, business and financial planning and management skills.

There are also training opportunities being developed by theUganda Cottage Scale Food Processors Association under theUNIDO Uganda Integrated Programme.

Hand in hand with good manufacturing, hygiene and managementpractices, all partners in the food supply chain must remain aware ofthe expanding number of domestic and international food safety lawsand regulations. Several incidences of food contamination have ledthe Codex Alimentarius Commission to develop additional food safetystandards to enhance consumer health protection.

These food safety laws, regulations and standards are mandatory.To access markets, food commercial enterprises must meet them

through the application of Good Manufacturing/Hygienic Practices(GM/HP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). Theimplementation of sound quality assurance programmes is also amust to increase their competitiveness.

Milling and processingBoth milling and secondary processing are major sources of incomefor thousands of people in Uganda. In custom milling (also known as‘contract’ or ‘service’ milling), customers bring their grain to a mill andhave it ground for either a small fee or a proportion of the flour. It ispopular in rural areas and in less affluent districts of urban centres,where it provides a service to low-income customers who may not beable to afford packaged flour from retailers.

However, in Uganda the majority of millers pack their flour intoretail bags. Retail packs compete with flour that is sold in open

markets from sacks, usually at a lower price.The miller must therefore offer potential consumers a reason to buy

more expensive flour in packets. Benefits such as guaranteed quality;freedom from stones or other contaminants; and a guaranteed weightcan be promoted as positive benefits to consumers.

Wholesale or institutional markets are more diverse and includesales to schools and colleges, other government institutions (prisons,army barracks etc.), international food relief operations, bakeries andwholesalers (who in turn supply retailers and/or bakeries). Wholesaleor institutional customers are more likely to be professional buyerswho are experienced at negotiating prices, terms and conditions ofsale and buy flour using contracts and open tenders.

After cereals have been ground to flours, they can be processed ina variety of ways and combined with potentially hundreds of otheringredients to produce a vast range of processed cereal products.

Wheat flour is an essential ingredient in most bakery products, butit is not produced at a small scale in Uganda.

Wheat is either milled in large-scale centralised mills (eg, at Jinja)or flour is imported.

Successful small-scale bakers offer a range of bakery products(such as cakes, pies and pastries) and not just bread. This is becausethey are in competition with larger bakeries that have greatereconomies of scale and can sell bread more cheaply. Although arange of products needs more careful production planning, it spreadsthe financial risk and these products have higher profit margins thanbread. When bakers make a wide product range, they gain areputation for innovation and attract customers who are looking forsomething different, or place special orders (eg, for birthday orwedding cakes, snacks for parties etc.). It also demonstrates the skilland professionalism of the baker and customers then gain confidencein the quality of the products.

In recent years new, non-traditional cereal products have enteredthe Ugandan market to meet the changing demands of richer urbanpopulations and visitors. Bakery products such as cakes and pastriesand ‘fast- foods’ such as pizza, pies and fried cereal products (eg,samosas and doughnuts) have growing markets in urban centres.

Cereal processing, therefore, offers very good opportunities forsmall-scale enterprises.

Small-scalecereal milling


CEREAL PROCESSING

Fortified maize flourfrom Uganda.

To be profitable it is essential to have highquality products, an attractive package where

appropriate and a well-managed business.



The technology is available and affordable, the demand forproducts is high and the level of skill and expertise needed toproduce high quality products is lower than in many other typesof food processing.

The main types of milled and baked products produced by small-scale processors in Uganda are shown below.

Table 1 – Types of processed cereal productsMilled products Bakery productsComposite flours Maize flour Biscuits/cookies Pastries Finger millet flour Rice flour Breads PiesLegume flours Sorghum flour Cakes Doughnuts Pizzas

Pastries Samosas

The buildingAll cereal processing businesses should have a hygienicallydesigned and easily cleaned building to prevent contaminationof products. Buildings in rural areas may cost more to constructbecause of higher transport costs for building materials, butrents in rural areas are usually lower than urban centres. Theinvestment in construction or the amount of rent paid should beappropriate to the size and expected profitability of the business.Within the building, raw materials and food products shouldmove between different stages in a process without the pathscrossing. This reduces the risk of contaminating finishedproducts, as reducing the likelihood of accidents or of operatorsgetting in each other’s way.

There should be enough space for separate storage of rawmaterials, ingredients, packaging materials and finished products.Toilets should be separated from the processing area by two doors orin a separate building.

Equipment maintenanceOne reason for lost production is delays caused by waiting for spareparts after equipment breaks down. As a minimum, cereal processorsshould monitor the state of equipment that is likely to wear out and astheir experience grows over the years, they should buy spare parts orsend the machine for servicing when they expect that a component isdue to be replaced. There are likely to be a few parts that wear outmore quickly than others (eg, mixer bearings, heating elements in bagsealers, drive belts and hammers in mills). These should be identifiedand spare parts kept in stock.

Processors can make an agreement in advance, possibly involvinga small annual fee, to ensure that electricians or mechanics repairequipment as a priority.

Lack of maintenance is one of the most common problems thatcause small-scale millers and bakers to lose money. Machinebreakdowns arise from a number of different causes.

They reduce productivity and increase production costs. Poorlymaintained machines also produce substandard products andcan contaminate products with metal fragments, as well as beinga potential hazard to operators. Another common cause offailure is when those who operate or maintain a machinearbitrarily alter it. Proper maintenance ensures that machineryoperates correctly and safely and prolongs its life, thus reducingcapital and operating expenditure. h

CEREALPROCESSING

Lack of maintenance is one of the most commonproblems that cause small-scale millers and

bakers to lose money.




Greenhouses protect crops from too much heat or cold, shield plants fromdust storms and blizzards, and help to keep out pests. This is accordingto Vegtech 2000’s Alex Hofmeyr, who adds that light and temperaturecontrol also improves food production in marginal environments.

VEGTECH IS A South African company with over 16 years’ experience in greenhouse projects, growing, construction, and

accessory supply, and has completed morethan 300 projects across Africa.

Vegtech is able to provide its clients withcomplete solutions for greenhouseagriculture, from access to financing throughto the design and construction.

“Firstly, we visit the client and discuss theirrequirements and needs. Vegtech thenexamines the climatic conditions at theproposed site. After that, the system isdesigned with the right kind of ventilation andirrigation systems,” Hofmeyrhe stated. Oncethe system is designed, Vegtech finalises thedocumentation and exports the greenhouseto anywhere in Africa. The company can alsosend a team to build the project from scratch.

Which crops are suitable?Hofmeyr noted that greenhouses are mostsuitable for the cultivation of higher-valuecrops that utilise the space in the greenhouseeffectively. These include tomatoes, peppersand cucumbers, as well as melons andherbs. Many of these crops are in highdemand across the continent.

Another popular use for greenhouses inAfrica is for the production of cut flowers,which can be exported to Europe. He saidthat a number of companies have alreadyinvested in cut flower production in Africa.

Who should consider investing in agreenhouse?Hofmeyr explained that the company hasworked on a variety of projects, varyingfrom 240 sq m in size up to 10 ha. “Ourclients range from government institutionsand wealthy businessmen to small-scalefarmers.”

Greenhouses in Africa Vegtech has been involved in a number ofgreenhouse projects on the continent. Oneof these is the Terra Verde project, locatedoutside Luanda, Angola. The farm, a jointAngolan-Israeli business utilisinginternational expertise, was set up at the endof the war in 2002, and has been harvestingvarious crops, including tomatoes andcucumbers, for a number of years.

Hofmeyr said it is encouraging to see thatafter so many years the project is still goingstrong. “The crops, marketing, andmanagement is good, which means thatthere is lot of demand for what they areproducing at this stage.”

Vegtech is also currently involved inestablishing two greenhouses for Puntoverdein Equatorial Guinea for vegetableproduction. Although the project is still in itsearly stages, he says that it holds a lot ofpromise. h

Greenhouses: the future of agriculture

Greenhouses are mostsuitable for the cultivationof higher-value crops that

utilise the space in thegreenhouse effectively.

GREENHOUSES


Providing people with clean and affordable energy supplies is crucial andcoming up with innovative energy solutions is key to transforming the lives ofcommunities across the continent, for without energy farmers cannot feedtheir families, their villages, or wider society. As to who provides theseinnovations is where USAID’s ‘Powering Agriculture: An Energy GrandChallenge for Development’ programme is set to make a major difference inthe coming years, Tim Guest reports.

Powering Agriculture - A programme of innovation and hope


POWER SUPPLY


POWERING AGRICULTURE: AN Energy Grand Challengefor Development has been devised by the USAIDdevelopment agency to bring together public and privatepartnerships, clean energy technologies, development

strategies and agriculture in order to transform typically inefficientagricultural practices used in Africa and other developingcountries. To do this, it is actively seeking technology-based,scalable, clean-energy solutions from the global scientific andtechnology communities.

At one of the first Powering Agriculture conferences in mid-2012,Dr Kandeh Yumkella, director general of the UN IndustrialOrganisation UNIDO, said that 2012 had been declared “as theyear of sustainable energy for all” by the UN and added, “accessto energy is crucial in the fight against poverty”. Yumkella made hispoints personal, saying that having been born in Sierra Leone hehad witnessed post-harvest losses of between 40 and 60 per centfor various commodities and stressed that with access to energy,such post-harvest losses could be reduced, making more foodavailable in the food supply chain.

Empowering womenYumkella also stressed that energy access is about empoweringwomen in Africa where they account for about 80 per cent of thelabour force involved in agriculture and food processing.

“Imagine what would happen,” he said, “if they [women] hadaccess to technology that could be powered because they haveaccess to energy. They would save a significant amount of time inpounding food, in grinding, in preparing food for market.”

Yumkella added that the Powering Agriculture programme is allabout, “innovation and deploying technology that will enhance theproductivity, particularly of women, in my part of the world inwestern Africa”.

Changing development methodsA major part of USAID's Grand Challenges for Developmentinitiative, the Powering Agriculture programme is run by theagency's Office of Science and Technology, whose teamcollaborates with the global science and technology community tounearth breakthroughs and innovations that can help solve majordevelopment issues.

“Our belief is that when applied to issues like agriculture,science and technology can change the trajectory of development,”a USAID spokesperson told African Farming.

“As a development agency, USAID's first task is to ensure that thehungry have food and those under duress have safety and solace,but our second task is to ensure that every person on the planet hasthe chance to craft for themselves a life of their own choosing.

USAID created Powering Agriculture to find emerging science andtechnology innovations and practices that can help us meet both ofthese responsibilities, helping us to address, at least in part, someof the most pressing issues of the 21st Century: hunger, energyaccess, women’s empowerment, poverty in the agricultural sphereand climate change.”

“Our Agency must serve as a platform thatconnects the world’s biggest development

challenges to development problem solvers allaround the world. We recognise that talent is

everywhere, but opportunity is not” - Rajiv Shah, USAID administrator.

Dr Kandeh Yumkella, director general of the UN Industrial Organisation UNIDO.

S11 AF JulyAugust 2013 Power_Layout 1 11/07/2013 16:02

Energy accessAccess to energy, something which can radically increase yieldsand the ability to process food, remains low, particularly in ruralareas where, in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, ruralelectrification rates average at as little as 14 per cent. With so manyissues intertwined in the agricultural/food processing picture, toovercome each will be a major struggle in the years ahead. FAOfigures make the point very clear: if the world’s ever-growingpopulation is to be fed over the next 40 years, agricultural intensitymust increase by 70 per cent, particularly in regions alreadysuffering from the effects of climate extremes where diminishedyields are prolific.

USAID believes its Powering Agriculture programme will solvemany of the issues, in turn giving women and children theopportunity to spend more time together on things like educationand caring for their families.

“Energy access enables targeted crop irrigation, opens doors tovalue-added processing, and reduces product losses by makingcold storage possible. It means products that were once spoiledlong before reaching market can be quickly dried and packagedfor shipping, regardless of the weather, or chilled at the end of ahot market day to make them available to be sold on the followingday,” the USAID spokesperson said.

Private sector involvementUSAID is partnering with the private sector, developmentpartners, developing countries and others in the PoweringAgriculture programme, and while traditional developmentinstitutions, such as USAID, have a central role to play inmeeting the needs of the rural poor, Powering Agriculture

showcases the critical importance and value that is addedthrough partnerships among public and private entities.

As a result of this thinking, USAID joined with the Swedishgovernment and Duke Energy to launch Powering Agriculture, forwhich more than US$25mn has been mobilised so far. Bothpartners are said to understand the importance of private sectorparticipation in development and are equally committed to thegoal of energy access for all.

“Through this Grand Challenge, we are turning to the globalscience and technology community - including inventors,engineers, entrepreneurs and academics - and to the marketplace,to uncover solutions that make sense and scale organically,offering sustainable and practical agricultural solutions far into thefuture,” said the USAID spokesperson.

“Powering Agriculture's role is effectively seeding growth at thenexus of science, technology, energy and agriculture.”

USAID administrator Rajiv Shah commented, “Our Agencymust serve as a platform that connects the world’s biggestdevelopment challenges to development problem solvers allaround the world. We recognise that talent is everywhere, butopportunity is not.”

The Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge forDevelopment Grand Challenge seeks market-based clean energysolutions for agriculture and annually invites private sectorcompanies, organisations and individuals from any country tosubmit applications for individual awards ranging fromUS$300,000 to US$1.5mn. h

For more information on the programme and how you or yourcompany can get involved, visit www.poweringag.org.

POWER SUPPLY



FOR MILLIONS OF Africans, farming is the only source of incomeand food. Agriculture accounts for about 60 per cent of thecontinent's active labour force, contributes 17 per cent of Africa'stotal gross domestic product and accounts for 40 per cent of itsforeign currency earnings.

Given that the continent possesses 733mn hectares of arableland, agricultural development is the most effective strategy forboosting economic growth. In the last couple of decades, only afew countries, mainly in southern and northern Africa, have beenable to overcome the challenges in the development of theagricultural sector and have become truly competitive. However, forthe majority of Africa, it is only now that they have embarked on theirjourney towards agricultural revolution with a vision to unleash theuntapped potential of millions of small-scale farms and drivesustainable growth with appropriate mechanisation.

The benefits of a strong system of agriculture in Africa are great.The benefits to the world are equally so, as most of the arable landleft in the world is in Africa. More and more the world looks at Africato be its breadbasket; it will be the Africans and the African farmerswho will profit from becoming the world’s breadbasket.

Farm productivity must increase dramaticallyFarm productivity will have to increase dramatically and knowingthat agricultural mechanisation is indeed the missing link, Mahindra,for decades now, has been working with African farmers providingthem with not only an efficient range of tractors but also withinnovative agri-mechanisation solutions.

“We are the only Indian tractor company, and among the few in theworld, that have helped set up tractor assembly facilities in Africa.Today Mahindra tractors are assembled in five countries across thecontinent and with some customisation, have helped us in providing

farmers with tractors that are best suited for the local conditions. Theseassembly facilities also help the local economy by offeringemployment opportunities,” said Sanjay Jadhav, Sr. GM, internationaloperations, automotive & farm equipment sectors of Mahindra.

Close on the heels of the success it is enjoying in Tunisia, Algeria,Tanzania and a couple of western African countries including Maliand Chad, the company plans to establish or consolidate itsdistribution network in many other countries namely Morocco, SouthAfrica, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and Benin.

The main impetus for this sense of urgency could be attributed toMahindra’s ambitious plans for Africa. Unlike many other Indiantractor players that seek opportunities in Africa through bulk deals,Mahindra’s sustainable growth plan includes having strong retailmarkets. Today, Africa contributes about 20 per cent of thecompany’s exports, but with the launch of new products and awider distribution network, the company plans to double theirexports to Africa .

“Mahindra has a vision of delivering farm-tech prosperity. In orderto do this, starting within India, Mahindra has transformed its tractorsales and service dealerships into Mahindra Samriddhi Centres.Mahindra Samriddhi is a strategic initiative that envisages ruralprosperity through dissemination of innovative farming technologies.These innovative farm technologies are sourced from variousagricultural institutions. We understand that the springboard for growthin agriculture is having efficient farm business solutions and hence weplan to bring Samriddhi centres to Africa too, in the near future.

Also, staying close to the customers and having products specificto the market requirements, would be the cornerstone of ourcompany’s success. Over the last couple of years, the company hasinvested in developing higher HP tractors, specifically for theAfrican markets. As the African story is now unfolding very fast, wewould like to be part of this growth story in a greater manner,”Sanjay added.

Mahindra tractors, enabling farmers to rise in Africa

African Farming - July/August 2013 45

Mahindra, for decades now, has been working with African farmers.

We are the only Indian tractor company, andamong the few in the world, that have helped

set up tractor assembly facilities in Africa.




NEWS AND EQUIPMENT

FOR YEARS, KMC and Amadas have ledthe industry in peanut combines, butanother company is starting to makeheadway in the market.

And the reason is simple – the machine issimple.

“The main reason (we chose Colombo) wasthe lack of maintenance,” said AndyThornburg, one of about a dozen farmers in theMobile, Alabama, area who have switched toColombo in the past few years.

In 2011, Thornburg replaced one of hisAmadas self-propelled combines with aColombo. The next year he replaced the other.He’s happy with his choice. Colombo saysmore than 150 farmers in the US have madethe same decision.

When Colombo first introduced its machinesto farmers in the southeastern US a decadeago, the company already had a long historyin Latin America.

The company started in the early 1970s,when the Colombo family of Brazil created amachine to meet their own needs growingbeans near Sao Paulo. The family needed tomechanise the harvest and simply invented

equipment to meet their own needs.“This simple home solution started to

grow,” said President/ CEO Leandro Santos.“Neighbouring farmers requested use of theColombo family machines in their crops.”

The company, Indústrias ReunidasColombo, was born.

The machines use a FABI-Fluxo system andlow-impact axial system, which allows farmersto harvest dry, partially moist and green beans.The company grew over time to manufacturethe drive shafts and spiders that are in Colombomachines, and almost all agricultural machinessold in Brazil.

One of the main reasons peanut and beanproducers like Colombo is that the simplicity ofthe machine means it requires littlemaintenance. But that doesn’t mean the designis rustic or unrefined. Colombo engineers havemet with farmers in his area and incorporatedtheir ideas into the equipment.

Reducing maintenance isn’t as much aboutavoiding expense as it is about avoidingdowntime.

“Those who grow on the land need towork without having any downtime in themost important moments of each season,”Santos said.

The Colombo design also allows themachine to work under damper conditions,the company and farmers say.

Adjustable rotor pins allow the machine topick in a wider variety of conditions, and theaxial rotary system is not as harsh at theconventional cylinder machines thatcompetitors use.

“The flexibility in harvest time is a majoradvantage. Having that extra time every day tocontinue picking adds up to huge savings,”Santos continued.

A BRAZILIAN PROCESSING company, Usibra Ghana Limited, isto establish a US$25mn cashew processing plant in Ghana. Theplant, which is expected to process 300 metric tonnes of cashewdaily, will provide about 2,000 direct jobs in the country.The director of Usibra Ghana Limited, Tarisco Falcao,announced this when he paid a call to the minister of trade andindustry, Haruna Iddrisu, in Accra. Usibra is the largest cashewnut processing company in Brazil, with two units capable ofprocessing 70,000 metric tonnes of cashew nuts per season.The company has a subsidiary, Nutsco, in the USA, whichprocesses and distributes cashew and other nuts in the USmarket. Usibra has an investment potential of US$45mn.Briefing the minister, Falcao said 80 per cent of the cashewprocessed in Ghana would be exported to the US and Europeanmarkets. He stated that growers would be paid a good price fortheir cashews, in order to stimulate further production.

Colombo wins favour with peanut growers

NEW HOLLAND AGRICULTURE participated with an impressive stand inthe Nampo Harvest Day in May near Bothaville, in the Free State, Republicof South Africa. The full range of tractors, from the powerful T9 and T8Series at the top of the range, to the best-selling T6000, and the fuel-efficientTD5 and TT Compact Series launched last year. In pride of place was thenew 2WD version of the TDF orchard tractor specially designed for theSouth African market, which was officially introduced to the public at theshow. The CX5090 combine harvester and BR round balers on display alsoattracted lively attention from the public.

The TDF Series was designed to meet the specialised needs of orchards,olive groves, wide vineyards and full-field horticulture farms. The robust,simple TDF combine proven design features with cutting-edge technological

excellence. With power ranging from 65 to 80 hp the three models of theseries run an extraordinarily efficient 3-cylinder Tier III compliant enginedesigned for fuel efficiency and great performance with torque reserve upto 46 per cent. The big 80 litre fuel tank capacity allows for a full day’s workwithout stopping. The reduced front wheel track width puts the TDF Seriestractors easily within the maximum overall width limit of 1.5 m requested byhorticultural companies, while the front axle and four-wheel drive systemprovide maximum agility even in narrow spaces.

Representatives of New Holland’s distributor, New Holland SouthAfrica, welcomed visitors to the stand to present the products and explainhow they can support them through their network of 102 dealer outlets andtwo branches, as well as the New Holland training centre in Johannesburg.

New Holland impressed with full range at Nampo 2013

Large Brazilian cashew firm to set upUS$25mn processing plant in Ghana


HENKE-SASS WOLF'S (HSW)new injection bar is equipped witha HSW disinfection container to make the process of injectinganimals easier and cleaner than ever before. It is available in twosizes (total length of 61cm and 102 cm) and has been madesuitable for mass injections.The improved distance to the animal has enhanced user safetyand also reduced animal stress, thus improving animal welfare.The new HSW injection bars stand out because of their durablecarbon-metal design which has the capacity to ensure less weightand a strong durability. The tightness and robustness of theinjection bars has enabled its use in the field.In order to offer higher comfort to the user, it has been equippedwith a disinfection container which ensures disinfectioneverywhere quickly and easily. The container has been madesuitable for up to two injection bars and comprises a total volumeof 3.5 litres when completely filled. The disinfection container istotally appropriate for disinfection, storage and transportation ofthe injection bars due to its disinfectant-resistant material.

HSW injection bar with disinfection container

S12 AF JulyAugust 2013 Equipment_Layout 1 11/07/2013 16:14

EQUIPMENT

EXPANDING ON THE John Deere Field Connect soil moisturemonitoring system introduced last year John Deere has added newenvironmental sensors and features to provide additional information toproducers of all types of agricultural crops.The new environmental sensors include: weather station, rain gauge,temperature sensor, pyranometer, and leaf wetness sensor.In addition to the soil moisture data provided by the Field Connectsystem, the new sensors provide data on temperature, wind speed, winddirection, humidity, solar radiation, leaf wetness and rainfall. The sensorsare installed in customer fields as part of the Field Connect Gateway.Nicholas Shafer, product manager for the John Deere IntelligentSolutions Group, said the new environmental sensors, along with themultiple capacitance soil moisture sensors, give customers a morecomprehensive and accurate picture of what's going on in their fields."With this detailed site-specific information, producers are able to moreefficiently utilise water resources, as well as schedule and perform otheragronomic practices dependant on soil and environmental conditions,"Shafer explained. "This results in more efficient use of inputs, fuel andlabour saving and additional yield potential from the crop."Field-specific soil moisture and environmental data is transmitted to asecure website for viewing, and customers can programme the system toreceive alerts based on set parameters. Field Connect charts the datafrom the readings over time, allowing producers to identify trends. The

system can be customised to each field depending on the objectives ofeach customer to more effectively optimise the productivity of each field."These sensors provide key information to producers, helping them tomake better agronomic decisions that will pay off with higher yields atharvest," Shafer says.

Array of environmental sensors for John Deere’s Field Connect


WELTEC BIOPOWER, A full-service provider, hasdeveloped a rugged liquid input system whichprevents outages and thus safeguards the technicalstability of AD systems. Productivity is increased atthe same time due to the possibility of flexibly mixingthe input materials as an alternative to usingexpensive maize silages.The energy potential of grass silage or whole plantsilage (WPS) is very high. Frequently, bacteria arenot capable, though, of completely processingcarbohydrates and proteins to biogas as a result oftheir long, smooth surfaces. With MultiMix, aninnovation from Weltec Biopower, fibrous and stickyinput materials such as grass silage, solid manure orco-substrates are comminuted, thus increasing theirsurface so that it is suitable for bacteria. In addition,MultiMix separates foreign matters like rocks ormetals prior to input and thus decreases the risk of

the pumps and agitation systems incurring damageas well as build up occurring in the fermenter and inthe pipelines.The operating principle is simple: the retrofittablesystem is installed between the dosificator and thefermenters. The substrates are taken from thedosificator and added to the MultiMix where theyare mixed with recirculate. This mashing process issupported by a screw system which roughens thefibres at the same time. Before the long-fibresubstrates and lumpy materials are transported to themacerator and are effectively comminuted, anupstream process reliably separates the extraneousmaterials prior to being conveyed to the pump.The decisive advantage: during input in thefermenter, the previously long-fibre substances donot only have the optimum size, but are also pre-homogenised by being mixed with the liquid. The

fermenter is thus supplied with the mashedbiosuspension. Robert Tholen, head of Engineeringat Weltec Biopower, explains: ”The biogas systemof a Czech customer has been operating at acontinuous full load with the aid of our MultiMix justafter a four-week start-up. Normally that takes six toeight weeks with uninoculated slurry till this level canbe reached.“As a result, MultiMix supports biologicaldecomposition and thus allows for a faster andgreater gas yield. At the same time, it alsosignificantly reduces the risk of floating or sinkinglayers developing in the fermenter. That in turndecreases the amount of agitation required and thewear and tear of the entire system. The lowervulnerability to damage results in a significantincrease in the pump‘s typical service life, boostingin turn the system‘s availability.

New input system for MultiMix


NEWS AND EQUIPMENT

THE MINISTRY OF Agriculture, Water andForestry has announced that it is currentlyin the process of buying more tractors forthe crop growing regions of Caprivi,Kavango, Oshikoto, Ohangwena,Omusati, Oshana and Kunene North.In a statement issued by the ministry’spermanent secretary, Joseph Iita, theministry’s current fleet of about 65tractors is not sufficient to serve all theconstituencies; therefore more tractors areneeded to equip each constituency with aminimum of four tractors and theiraccompanying implements.According to Iita, the Ministry hasrealised that to maintain the current fleetof tractors is a major challenge due to theunavailability of garages specialising inthe maintenance and repair of tractors aswell as the provision of spare parts.“Currently, most of the tractors andimplements in the regions are parked,waiting to be serviced and repaired inpreparation of the next cropping season,”Iita stated.The Ministry is also in the process ofconstructing Technology Centres in

Ongwediva and Rundu where the twofresh produce hubs are located. Thecentres will manufacture parts, as well asrepair and maintain tractors and farmimplements, test and adapt agriculturalequipment and implements to the localconditions. Research and designmethodologies on agricultural technologyadaptation will also be conducted at thecentres where aspiring farmers and localentrepreneurs will receive training.Iita said the Ministry has receivedrequests from farmers and private

entrepreneurs to make use of the tractorsand implements during the off seasonperiod but in the absence of thetechnology centres, the Ministry cannotafford to rent out tractors due toinadequate specialised garages in theregions to service and repair tractors andimplements on time for the next croppingseason.“The inability to repair and maintaintractors and implements well on time willdelay the operations of the Dry land CropProduction Programme (DCPP) for thesubsequent cropping season,” said Iita.The Dry Land Crop Production Programmeis one of the projects the Ministrycurrently promotes as part of its mandateto increase food production. Theprogramme supports a majority ofhouseholds who depend on rain-fed cropfarming for their livelihoods and is aimedat enhancing knowledge on appropriatefarming techniques for the NorthernCommunal Areas, increase householdfood security levels and eventuallycontribute to the reduction of poverty andincome inequality.

Namibia to buy tractors for crop growing regions



EQUIPMENT

NEW HOLLAND AGRICULTURE showcased its full offering at the SIAM2013, which was held in Morocco recently. The tractors on displayincluded the highly successful TD Series with three models from 80 to 98hp; the proven TT Series with two models ranging from 55 to 75 hp; andthe T4040F orchard tractor, which has received international awards forits innovation. Also on the stand were a TC5040 combine harvester, aBC5060 small square baler and a VX7090 olive harvester. The show alsosaw the official launch of New Holland’s new TD5 Series tractors. The1,120 sq m stand, which for the fourth time in two years won the Best Standaward, remained crowded with interested visitors throughout the show.

The sales teams from New Holland and its long-time importerSOMMA Groupe Auto Hall, were on hand to explain to visitors howthey are able to support them in their businesses with products andservices. In addition, New Holland specialists held a conference on themechanisation of olive harvesting, which attracted great interest.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the show,” stated A. ElMouadden, managing director and sales manager of SOMMA GroupeAuto Hall. “We started serious purchasing discussions with more than1,000 prospective customers and closed the show with an impressiveorder book. I am confident that the ongoing negotiations started on thestand will lead to many more sales in the months to come.”

The official launch of the new TD5 Series was also very successful, asEl Mouadden commented: “The TD5 tractor range has been carefullydesigned to meet the high expectations and very specific requirementsof this important segment. The launch was a resounding success, with anumber of orders that exceeded our expectations.”

The new TD5 Series carries over well-loved elements from itspredecessors, such as mechanical transmissions and easy maintenance,

coupling them with a new high-comfort operator area and a column-mounted optional hydraulic PowerShuttle, offering a modern take on atraditional favourite:1. Fuel efficiency with new Tier 3 engine. The four models of the new TD5Series, ranging from 75 to 110 hp, are powered by new, Tier 3compliant turbocharged - intercooled Iveco-based 8000 series enginesthat deliver more power, torque and fuel economy. 2. Comfort with a redesigned operator area. It is available in ROPS &cab versions, offering optimum comfort and ergonomic excellence. 3. Versatility with the new PowerShuttle transmission. 4. Productivity with the factory fitted new front loader designed in-housespecifically for this range. The loader’s low mounting brackets guaranteeexcellent forward and downward visibility. 5. Power with the new 110 hp model. The range has been extended atthe high end with the new TD5.110 model.

New Holland’s fuel-efficient offering steals the show at SIAM 2013


The New Holland TD5.


Company ................................................................Page151 Products Ltd (Agrikexpo 2013) ............................10AGCO International GmbH ..........................................27Alvan Blanch Development Company Ltd. ....................7Baldan ..........................................................................23Bernt Lorentz GmbH & Co ..........................................43Briggs & Stratton..........................................................40Centre for Management Technology ..........................44(2nd Palm Oil Africa 2013)CNH International SA ....................................................2Evans Vanodine International plc ................................17Fairtrade GmbH & Co. KG ..........................................31(Agrofood West Africa 2013)Goizper Sociedad Cooperativa ..................................25Greenhouse Technologies............................................34Guarany Indústria e Comércio Ltda. ..........................35Industrias COLOMBO LTDA. ......................................39Institut de Sélection Animale B.V ................................19Jacto ............................................................................49Kemin Industries South Africa......................................15Kepler Weber Industrial SA..........................................11Koudijs Animal Nutrition B.V...........................................6Machines 4 Food Ltd. ....................................................6Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.............................................13MASCHIO GASPARDO S.p.A. ....................................52MIK International AG....................................................16MOSHATE MEDIA ......................................................48(African Farmers workshop and expo 2013)Omex Agrifluids Ltd. ....................................................26Poltek ..........................................................................14Silos Córdoba S.L. ........................................................9Spintelligent Pty Limited ..............................................37(AgriBusiness Congress 2013) Swingtec GmbH ..........................................................33T-L Irrigation Co ..........................................................29Valmont Irrigation ........................................................30Vi-COR ........................................................................47Zagro Singapore Pte Ltd. ............................................21

A D V E R T I S E R S I N D E X

THE JETSPRAY HUMIDIFIER fromJS Humidifiers is helping abattoirequipment specialists, GM Steel,reduce carcass moisture loss afterslaughter by up to 1.5 per cent. Bymaintaining a consistently highhumidity in the chill down area,GM Steel has been able to reducethe moisture loss of a carcass fromaround 2.5 per cent to less thanone per cent.For an abattoir processing 3,500carcasses per week and anaverage cost of beef at US$4/kg,this technology could increaseprofits by more than US$2mn peryear by preventing more than

500,000kg of beef evaporatinginto its chill store’s atmosphere.Robert Ten Cate, consultant at GMSteel, explained the process, “Acarcass coming from the slaughterline is wet and warm. When it isintroduced to the chill store, thecold dry air strips moisture from itsexposed surface. The amountdepends on the abattoir’s coolingtechnology but it can be anywherebetween 1.2-2.5 per cent of itstotal weight, and sometimes evenmore. By maintaining a highhumidity in the chill store with aJetSpray humidifier during theinitial cooling, moisture loss from

the carcass is inhibited and can bereduced to less than one per cent.“Independent testing has shownthat by maintaining the optimumhumidity during cooling, carcassweight loss is reduced withoutany condensation forming insidethe chill store or on the meat.Humidification of the air does notintroduce moisture to the surfaceof the carcass or increasemicrobial growth.Robert continued, “In fact, clienttests showed that the high humidityactually reduced microbial growthrather than promote it. The higherhumidity improved the conductivity

of the air and consequentlyincreased heat transfer from thecarcass. There is also a reduction inenergy consumption.“

Humidifier reduces carcass weight loss

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YAMAHA IS ROLLING out the all-new Viking, which will be replacingthe Yamaha Rhino. The Viking was engineered as a robust and high-capacity utility vehicle for a fun, confidence-inspiring experience in anagricultural, hunting, or recreational setting.One of the most noticeable differences between the Rhino and the Vikingis the seat configuration. The Viking has three individual bucket seats withheadrests and seatbelts. To give passengers more room in a tight space,the middle seat is reclined slightly and the headrest is set back.The Viking is equipped with Yamaha’s most powerful 686-cc, liquid-cooled, fuel injected power plant. A four-valve head with 10.0:1

compression delivers optimum torque for varying workloads and up toa 30 per cent gain in fuel efficiencyThe Viking features an Ultramatic transmission with dual-range (hi-lo)drive and reverse. An automatic centrifugal clutch maintains constantbelt tension for reduced belt wear. Three-position On-Command four-wheel drive lets you dial between two-wheel drive, limited-slip four-wheel drive, and fully locked differential four-wheel drive.The rear steel cargo bed was built for durability and convenience. Largeenough to carry a fully loaded pallet, the assisted dump bed can packup to 600 pounds of equipment.

Yamaha introduces new multi-purpose utility vehicle



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african farming july august 2013

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