Photo by: Reuters
The organisers of the first regional Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) Africa, to be held at the Durban Exhibition Centre, in KwaZulu-Natal, in December, have issued a call for innovators to submit entries on game-changing innovations.
“This opportunity is aimed at any companies, nongovernmental organisations, academic institutions, farmers or individuals that have created an innovation, technology or service that can improve farm productivity and support agricultural development in Africa.
“We are looking for innovations from all disciplines, backgrounds and perspectives, including private companies, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits, universities and research centres,” GFIA project director Mark Beaumont said.
Event organisers Turret Media and Montgomery Africa said that they were seeking innovations that challenged conventional methods and had the potential to improve productivity, save water, protect the environment or mitigate climate change.
The deadline for entries, which would be judged by an international steering committee, is June 12.
Finalists would be invited to present their innovations to an audience of over 500 delegates at the conference.
GFIA Africa, which comprised a conference and exhibition, sought to bring food producers, policy-makers, investors, ministerial buyers, research organisations, resellers, agents, innovators and other industry leaders together.
“We are certain that Africa boasts some impressive innovations, and [we have] already received 170 exceptional submissions. We look forward to seeing what else is to come and giving these innovators the opportunity to showcase these exceptional ideas at GFIA’s inaugural Africa edition,” Beaumont said.