AGCO’s Agri-parks event sets the tone for 2020 and

Published: 26/02/2020

The Martin Richenhagen Future farm

Zambia kicked off its 2020 calendar

In February of this year, the Martin Richenhagen Future Farm Zambia kicked off the 2020 events calendar with a dedicated Agri-parks workshop. In attendance were agri-businesses and investment partners from Nigeria, Cote d’lvoire, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Lesotho. 

The objective of the workshop was to explain to delegates how the Future Farm can support their projects. During the workshop, guests attended 15-minute training sessions to experience the course content provided by AGCO on technology, operator training and agronomy.

activities happening on the Future Farm

Delegates were also given insights into the various projects and farming activities happening on the Future Farm, which include irrigation, maize production, farm in a box and soya bean production. A tour was also given of the GSI silo and grain storage solutions offered by AGCO Grain and Protein. Tony Clouston from GSI Africa (AGCOs South Africa and Zambian GSI dealer) joined with his team to present the importance of good quality storage solutions for Agri-parks.

On the second day delegates were taken to a commercial farming operation that uses AGCO machinery and poultry systems for large scale production.

When asked about the impact of the workshops, Dominik Reus, Director of Sales and Marketing said,

"The workshop was a great opportunity to accurately define and demonstrate the contribution and support that AGCO can offer to the various projects and partners at each phase. Our stakeholders now clearly see the strength and value that AGCO can provide during every stage of an Agri-park project."
Dominik Reus - Director Sales and Marketing Africa bei AGCO Corporation
Dominik Reus
Director of Sales & Marketing

Jason Burbidge, Director of Agri-parks, concluded the workshop by acknowledging that each region earmarked for the development of an Agri-park project presents its own unique geopolitical factors and challenges. With this in mind, it is essential that there is a strong inclusion of the wider community and smallholder farmers if Agri-parks are going to accelerate sustainable and prosperous agriculture in Africa. 

One of the greatest challenges that these projects are facing is lack of technical skills that are required for managing large agricultural operations. The Agri-parks workshops has further clarified how the Future Farm can help people with these challenges by providing appropriate training and support.  

If that isn’t something to be proud of, we don’t know what is.