agri4africa

NUMBER 15 (Issue 3/12): Agribusiness and food company Olam might not be a household name, but there is a good possibility that some of the products in your cupboard were handled by the company at some stage from farm to finished product. An interesting fact about this global commodities powerhouse is that it has its roots in Nigeria.

Olam – from small Nigerian trading outfit to global commodities giant

“We do not say that we have mastered the continent, we are still learning, we have lost a lot of money learning it, we have paid our fees."

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Why India’s Tata Group is eyeing east African agriculture

India’s Tata Group is interested to invest in east African farming in order to export agricultural products back to India, where it anticipates a local food supply shortage over the next decades. By Claude Harding Full story...

Exporters targeting Nigeria’s growing taste for wine

Nigeria is becoming a more and more important market for wine exporters, writes Femi Adewunmi Full story...

John Deere – from the prairies of America to South Sudan

Although he accomplished much during his lifetime, John Deere probably never thought that his company’s products would one day be sold in South Sudan. Full story...

Understanding Africa’s seven types of consumers

Research firm Nielsen recently identified seven types of African consumers that companies need to be aware of as they target their products to the continent. Full story...

Farmers are going to be driving Lamborghinis, says investor Jim Rogers

In the coming years agriculture will become one of the world’s most profitable sectors due to rising commodity prices, said legendary investor Jim Rogers. Full story...

Partnerships linked to trade critical for Africa’s economic transformation

Finding sustainable solutions for economic transformation of Africa’s largely rural agricultural economy requires a major shift from donor aid to economic partnerships linked to trade in value-added goods and services. Full story...

Construction Manufacture interlocking soil-cement blocks on site Hydraform's interlocking soil-cement blocks can be used for the construction of a variety of buildings. Full story...	Commercial partnership Unlocking the wealth of Africa’s agriculture “We firmly believe that the economic development and prospering of the African continent is inextricably linked to its ability to unlock the economic potential and value of its rich agricultural resources." Full story...
Potato chips Produce fresh and uniquely branded potato chips Snackfresh, based in Cape Town, South Africa, is inviting African entrepreneurs to partake in a unique business concept to manufacture fresh and natural potato chips. Full story...	Grain processing Enter the profitable grain processing industry Buhler has launched its long awaited “Starter Kit Solutions” for maize, wheat and feed milling. These solutions are designed for entrepreneurs in Africa who are eager to enter the profitable grain processing industry. Full story...
Fruit drying and juicing Increased profits through drying and juicing of fruit & vegetables African farmers, entrepreneurs and business people are now able to add value to excess fruit and vegetables through drying and/or juicing, with Dryers for Africa as trusted partner. Full story...	Food manufacturing Get started in small-scale food manufacturing Fixtrade, a South Africa-based producer of stainless steel equipment, is offering entrepreneurs in Africa the tools to start their own small-scale food manufacturing businesses. Full story...
Fruit juice Juice company looking to expand its brands into rest of continent Pacmar, a contract packaging company, is seeking capable distributors in West and East Africa for its own brands of fruit juice. Full story...	Chives Why the production of chives in Africa has good potential The production of chives, a commonly used herb, has the potential to be a lucrative business for entrepreneurs and governments in Africa. Full story...

Sugar cane Africa’s sugar industry set for solid growth in coming years, says expert The potential for the sugar sector’s growth in Africa over the next five years is looking positive with various international consortiums investing in projects in Africa. So says Andy Church, business manager for agriculture at Bosch Projects. Full story...	Tractors & implements Top notch YTO tractors and implements now available for African farmers South African-based VB Agri now offers a wide range of YTO tractors, China's largest tractor manufacturer. Full story...
Implements Robust low-maintenance agricultural equipment for African conditions Erdvark, a South African-based manufacturer of agricultural implements and machinery, is offering African farmers quality solutions to their equipment needs. Full story...	Agricultural recruitment Agricultural Placements knows African agribusiness Agricultural Placements specialises in finding and placing the right personnel for agricultural, agro-processing and other agribusiness companies and projects in Africa. Full story...
Potato and onion equipment Robust equipment for Africa's potato and onion industries Turnerland offers African farmers a complete solution for mechanised potato and onion production. Full story...	Engineering design Specialist refrigeration solutions for the food and beverage industry MGC Industrial Projects, a specialist in industrial refrigeration for the food and beverage industry, has completed a number of high-profile projects across the continent, from Egypt to Mauritius. Full story...

Centre pivots Sweet farming success with Senter 360 as irrigation partner Competitively priced; robust quality; and uniquely African. This is how top South African sugar cane and fruit farmer Pieter van der Westhuizen describes Senter 360’s centre pivot irrigation systems. Full story...	Hand pumps New hand pump a revolutionary breakthrough Hailed as a revolutionary breakthrough, the Jooste hand pump is designed to operate much lighter than any other on the market. Full story...
Irrigation equipment A holistic approach to irrigation in Africa “Africa in terms of agriculture and irrigation is very much project focused. We’ve been involved in various projects in countries such as Madagascar and Namibia, but we see ourselves getting even more involved in the future,” says Gordon Johnstone of Agriplas. Full story...	Dam liners and sheets Stop your fresh water from evaporating with innovative new product Power Plastics is a major supplier of dam liners and VapourGuard sheets to Africa’s agriculture sector. Full story...

Animal nutrition Good nutrition essential for animals to perform at optimal levels Animals need proper nourishment to perform at their optimal levels. NuTec is offering farmers in Africa high quality premixes for all commercial and companion animal species. Full story...	Poultry solutions Cage systems and other equipment for farmers of all sizes Dynamic Automation is able to provide solutions for both small-scale farmers as well as large commercial projects. "No matter how large or how small the task, we will be able to fulfil your needs." Full story...
Poultry equipment Complete equipment solutions for Africa's poultry industry “We have supplied about 700 poultry houses in South Africa and the results that our clients achieve are outstanding,” says Peninsula Poultry Appliances’ Duncan Unsworth. Full story...	Poultry health Many farmers still don’t realise the importance of animal health MSD Animal Health, one of the world’s leading animal health companies, supports the farmers of Africa with quality products, available in most countries throughout the continent. Full story...

Productive dairy farming

How to make your dairy farm more productive

DeLaval develops solutions and technologies that help to make life easier and dairy farms more productive. Full story...

Bottle filling

Grow your dairy business through bottle filling technology

Marefa International manufactures bottle and tub filling equipment suitable for a variety of liquids, including milk, yoghurt, juice and sauces. Full story...

DVDs and books

Get smart with Agri4Africa DVDs and books

Agri4Africa has partnered with Kejafa Knowledge Works to make a number of practical resources available to African farmers, entrepreneurs, business people and other interested parties. Full story...

NAMPO Harvest Day: 15–18 May 2012 “Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day opens up a different world. A producer’s needs and focus on his farm differ every year, and this huge Harvest Day umbrella covers something to meet the particular needs of every producer every year,” said Cobus van Coller, Harvest Day chairperson. Full story...	IAALD Africa Chapter Conference: 21–23 May 2012 The conference will draw attendance from professionals and experts involved in the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the rural domain. Full story...
AVI Africa: 29–31 May 2012 Avi Africa represents the premier poultry event in Africa at which exhibitors will be demonstrating their latest products, technology and skills and will also be available at their stands to answer all your enquiries. Full story...	Africa Finance & Investment Forum: 17–19 June 2012 The Africa Finance & Investment Forum is one of EMRC’s showcase events, aimed at encouraging partnerships and attracting investments. Full story...
Africa's Big Seven: 15–17 July 2012 Africa's largest and only food, beverage and associated suppliers industry event. Watch the video...	Zambia AgriBusiness Congress: 5–6 September 2012 AgriBusiness Congress will bring together key stakeholders in the Zambian agricultural sector. Full story...