Fwd: Agriculture: AGCO launches innovative Farm in a Box initiative for Africa Taking farm mechanization deep into rural communities

[Lloyd Helferty]

  This may be of interest: see below -- from the USA.**

  "Farm-in-a-Box" (FIAB) initiative for Africa offers "a package of essential farm equipment including a (45-80hp) tractor and implements (a ripper, disc harrow, trailer and planter) together with the crucial support mechanisms such as parts, workshop tools, training and expertise to ensure sustainable* and productive machinery operations. Some of the equipment is packed inside a box – a modified shipping container – which is then used as an office or workshop".

 Unveiled... at Germany’s "International Green Week".

* Is it truly "sustainable"??

  It seems that the "mainstream" Agricultural [business] community wants to ensure that Africans adopt the "fossil-fuel-driven" (and often soil destroying, fertilizer-dependent) "mechanization" pathway.

  If in the future, as a result of programs like this one, Africans are going to be even more dependent on fossil-fuel-driven / tractor-based agricultural systems, it seems to me that it is even more important that we develop systems of [on-farm ...or off farm] Carbon sequestration (if we care to "offset" the additional CO2 emissions that will inevitably result from the adoption of ever-greater numbers of diesel-powered tractors being used in Africa)... as well as all of the various other "soft path" solutions (like closed-loop "Ecological farming" and Controlled Environment / "Vertical" farming systems)... and systems that can ensure "sustainable soils" can be achieved.

 And from a Climate / Energy perspective, do we focus on [hydrogen-based??] "Alternative fuels" for all these new tractors instead?

note also: 2018-12-31 cleanenergycan: ☀️🚜☀️This Ontario farmer traded in his loud, polluting diesel tractor for a solar-powered electric one. #solar… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
2018-12-17 cleantechnica: John Deere Unveils An Autonomous, Electric Tractor…With A Really Long Extension Cord https://t.co/eqUfH7hZ5E

** About AGCO:
AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) (http://www.AGCOcorp.com) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agriculture equipment and solutions and supports more productive farming through its full line of equipment and related services. AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, supported by Fuse® precision technologies and farm optimization services. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA.

Regards,

Lloyd Helferty, Engineering Technologist
Principal, Biochar Consulting (Canada)
System Leader and Sector Expert for the "Climate Smart" Platform
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"The best way to predict the future is to create it."​ - Willy Brandt

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Subject:	Agriculture: AGCO launches innovative Farm in a Box initiative for Africa Taking farm mechanization deep into rural communities
Date:	Mon, 21 Jan 2019 09:10:08 +0000 (UTC)
From:	News Release - APO Group

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PRESS RELEASE

AGCO launches innovative Farm in a Box initiative for Africa Taking farm mechanization deep into rural communities

Capacity-building and agricultural mechanization are a priority to facilitate food security and unlock the potential of small-scale farming in Africa

BERLIN, Germany, January 21, 2019/ -- AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE:AGCO) (http://www.AGCOcorp.com), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, unveiled its pioneering Farm in a Box (FIAB) initiative for Africa at Germany’s International Green Week 18-27 January 2019.  “With this brand-new new concept, we aim to take farm mechanization plus all its necessary support facilities deep into previously underserviced rural communities in Africa,” said Martin Richenhagen, President, Chairman and CEO of AGCO at the launch event.  FIAB offers a package of essential farm equipment including a tractor and implements together with the crucial support mechanisms such as parts, workshop tools, training and expertise to ensure sustainable and productive machinery operations. Some of the equipment is packed inside a box – a modified shipping container – which is then used as an office or workshop.  In sub-Saharan Africa, humans provide 65% of the power required for land preparation. Capacity-building and agricultural mechanization are a priority to facilitate food security and unlock the potential of small-scale farming in Africa. AGCO’s FIAB is an innovative solution for small-scale farmers to gain access to the machinery they need to transform their operations and achieve profitable businesses.  Designed to provide a holistic solution, FIAB is localized farm support center which delivers mechanization services to rural communities. Research shows that demand for machinery is high in these remote areas but barriers such as affordability, availability, maintenance/repair services and inadequate farmer skills and training are hindering the uptake of mechanization.   FIAB offers a 45-80hp tractor and implements - such as a ripper, disc harrow, trailer and planter - to carry out land preparation, planting and crop transport, plus parts and workshop tools for their service and maintenance. The objective is to offer ‘for-hire’ mechanization services to small-holder farmers, enabling them to reap the benefits of agricultural equipment without having to invest in capital assets. The package includes training programs and support from a dedicated AGCO Operations Support Center which provides technical advice and guidance. Importantly, FIAB takes maximum advantage of the latest telemetry and mobile technology to enable remote monitoring of the equipment and the use of mobile apps. This high level of monitoring, support and guidance from AGCO really sets the concept apart.   FIAB is very much an entrepreneurial platform and operates on a franchise model, with franchisees appointed and trained by AGCO and the in-country Distribution partners. Typical franchise holders would be those with relatively well-established businesses successfully serving the agricultural community within their sphere. This franchise model helps build the capacity of small-scale enterprises and provides business opportunities for entrepreneurs, contractors and the many specialty agricultural supply stores – known as agro-dealers – present throughout Africa’s rural areas. “The thinking behind FIAB is definitely outside of the box but the benefits literally come inside a box!” remarked Mr Richenhagen at the launch event. “It’s a win-win situation for all participants.” Acting as a localized hub of know-how and practical help, the franchise partner offers hire of equipment and drivers to local farmers and small-holders, enabling them to boost their crop production processes and output. Furthermore, franchisees expand their businesses and provide potential new employment opportunities in the locality. Local communities benefit from improved economies as a result of the enrichment of the agricultural value chain. For AGCO, it leads to increases in sales of products and services and further develops the company’s footprint in Africa. “With AGCO’s wide-ranging experience serving African farmers, the company is uniquely positioned to develop innovative solutions to meet the challenge of sustainable and productive farming on the continent,” said Mr Richenhagen “There is an urgent need to empower the millions of smallholder farmers in Africa to ensure food security. Tailored, inclusive and integrated approaches to agricultural mechanization can increase the welfare of farm households and create opportunities for economic growth in rural areas.Our Farm in a Box is yet another initiative fulfilling AGCO’s commitment to ‘Run Africa from Africa’.” Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AGCO Corporation. View multimedia content Media contact: Shlobi Maluleke Manager, Marketing and Communications Africa Tel: +27 11 230 8606     Cell: +27 82 040 7543                                                 Email: Shlobi....@agcocorp.com             About AGCO: AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) (http://www.AGCOcorp.com) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agriculture equipment and solutions and supports more productive farming through its full line of equipment and related services. AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, supported by Fuse® precision technologies and farm optimization services. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2017, AGCO had net sales of $8.3 billion. For more information, visit http://www.AGCOcorp.com. For company news, information and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR. SOURCE AGCO Corporation Multimedia content Download logo Image: AGCO Africa Team Front Row (L to R): Louisa Parker – Senior Manager, Global programs; Shlobi Maluleke – Manager, Corporate Marketing & Communications, Africa; Gary Collar – Senior Vice President & General Manager, Asia Pacific & Africa Back Row (L to R): Jason Burbidge – Director, Key Accounts, Africa & General Manager, Zambia; Dominik Reus – Director, Marketing, Africa Image: AGCO launches innovative Farm in a Box initiative for Africa Taking farm mechanization deep into rural communities (1) Image: AGCO launches innovative Farm in a Box initiative for Africa Taking farm mechanization deep into rural communities (2) Image: AGCO launches innovative Farm in a Box initiative for Africa Taking farm mechanization deep into rural communities (3) Image: AGCO launches innovative Farm in a Box initiative for Africa Taking farm mechanization deep into rural communities (4) Image: FIAB Service image (1) Image: FIAB Service image (2) Image: FIAB Service image (3) Image: FIAB Service image (4) Image: FIAB Service image (5) Video: AGCO Farm in a Box Launch in Zambia (mobile version) (ENG) Video: FIAB Zambia Launch (ENG) *Credit Daniel Kivuu (Kenya) – AGCO Agribusiness Qualification Link: AGCO

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[Jack Brody]

Hey Loyd where do I get some quality biochar?  I am in Grey Bruce 

Miri

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