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Expo aims to put Zambia’s farming sector on the map

7th February 2014

  

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Zambia’s booming agriculture sector will be the focus of the country’s first and only business-to-business outdoor agriculture exhibition, Agritech Expo, which will run from April 4 to 5, in Chisamba.

The Zambian National Farmers Union (ZNFU) is a key partner in the event, which is expected to draw more than 8 000 representatives of the industry’s leading farmers, suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, agents and service providers.

ZNFU executive director Ndambo Ndambo says Agritech Expo will bring prominence to Zambia, as it positions the country on the same level as its regional partners.

Agritech Expo event director Liam Beckett says Zambia is a nation on the rise, with an economy projected to be one of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world in the next two years.

At the heart of this growth is Zambia’s flourishing agriculture sector, accounting for 35% of the nation’s gross domestic product, which equates to about $4.5-billon. The expansion of small-scale farming and the development of emerging and commercial farms are the key contributors to the growth of this sector.

“The timing of Agritech Expo is, therefore, perfect. It is a full-scale, live agriculture event, offering everything – from first-hand demonstrations of the latest in large-scale agricultural machinery to live crop trials. We want visitors to really get their hands dirty and experience what is on offer,” Beckett states.

One of the greatest challenges facing farmers across Africa is increasing the potential of their arable land by increasing crop yields. Average crop yields across Zambia are 1.5 t to 2 t per hectare, where more than 8 t per hectare can possibly be achieved.

Set on a 24 ha site, at the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) Research Centre, in Chisamba, Agritech Expo has seven live crop trials taking place at the event.

The fields were planted in November 2013 and will be ready in April. The crop trials will give visitors a first-hand opportunity to see the effects of agrochemicals on crop growth and development. The outdoor expo will also feature dozens of agrochemicals, financial services, irrigation and livestock stands.

The expo is free to attend for all agricultural professionals who preregister, or who obtain an event ticket.

Strong Support
Agritech Expo boasts strong local industry and institutional support, including the ZNFU; Musika, a Zambian nonprofit organisation that stimulates private investment in the smallholder market; the GART; and the US Agency for International Development, which will offer a comprehensive technical workshop programme, free of charge.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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