Newsletter No 4, December 2009
Too soon this year has come to its end and now the festive season lies ahead
As agricultural people we know how dependent we are on nature and what it means to sing with nature when she produces an abundant crop of food. We also know what awe we experience when, on a pitch-dark night, we gaze up into the heavens and see the myriads of stars and planets and can then only exclaim: "My God how great Thou art!"
We wish you who read this, a deeply Blessed Christmas and much Joy now and throughout 2010.
Dr Lawrence McCrystal and Agrifica / TheFarmAfrica team
Agrifica strove once more to contribute to your business by adding value through agricultural events and networking opportunities in 2009 and have many more planned for 2010:
Agrifica Conference on Food Security in Africa, Pretoria, 24 November 2009
The focus of the Conference was Africa’s present lack of food security, the factors which need to be addressed to bring about food security and the contribution which South Africa’s agribusiness sector can make towards promoting the objective of achieving food security in Africa
Read a summary of the proceedings and pictures of the recently held Agrifica Conference on Food Security in Africa ( 24 Nov 09 ).
Pictures and feedback on the Event will be in TheFarmAfrica Vol 19 (February 2010)
Conference presentations are available on CD
Contact: Marianna du Plessis at Agrifica Tel. : +27 12 804 9729 or agrifica@agrifica.co.za
This annual Conference and Agri Tech Expo will be held on 21 & 22 October 2010 at the Tshwane Events Centre
Events calender for 2010 :
- 3 - 5 February - Cereal Science and Technology Southern Africa (CST-SA) International Grains Symposium
University of Pretoria, Sanlam Conference Centre, Pretoria South Africa - Grain quality and safety throughout the supply chain from "farm to fork"
Read more about this event in TheFarmAfrica Vol 18 (November 2009) or contact Agrifica
James Pitout : Tel.: +27 12 804 9729
- 25 February - Agricultural Africa Project Access (A-APA) meeting
Business briefing with the focus on the agricultural projects available in the rest of Africa
Contact Agrifica regarding the content and programme
Read more about Agricultural Project opportunities in the rest of Africa in TheFarmAfrica Vol 18 Pages 8 & 9
- 23 - 26 March - The HeavyWeight Expo including various industry related conferences and workshops
The HeavyWeight Expo will be the gathering place in 2010 for the heavy vehicle industry, such as bulk transport, materials handling, agricultural applications and many more.
Venue at the Tshwane Events Centre
Contact person: Fanie Fourie at E-mail: fanie@tshwabac.co.za or Cell.: +27 082 870 0154
More on this event in TheFarmAfrica Vol 19 (February 2010)
- Annual Conference and Exhibition organised by Agrifica
25 -26 July - 4th Agribusiness Africa Conference and AgriBusiness Exhibition at Gallagher Convention Centre
Read more about this event in TheFarmAfrica Vol 18; 19 or contact Agrifica Tel.: +27 12 804 9729
October 2010 - Annual Conference on Agricultural Market Trends at the CSIR Convention Centre
Read about this event and registration etc in TheFarmAfrica Vol 19; 20; 21
- Outward missions to Africa
February 2010 – planned Agri Processing mission to Mozambique.
May 2010 - An Agri Processing exhibition opportunity in Maputo is also on the cards.
Please contact Petrea Bothma at Agrifica for more information on this event. Tel: +27 12 804 9729
Feedback on the visit to Malawi in November/December -
Read about this in TheFarmAfrica Vol 19 (February 2010)
Agrifica Africa Agri-portal
Due to popular demand Agrifica is currently developing an international agricultural information portal focused on Africa and its food security needs. This work in progress is progressing on a weekly basis and is expected to be fully operational by February 2010.
To participate in this Agri-portal contact James Pitout at Agrifica Tel.: +27 12 804 97290 or e-mail agrifica1@agrifica.co.za
Value adding to Agricultural development in Africa –
Agrifica services in making its vision a reality are:
- Marketing opportunities in Agrifica`s publication TheFarmAfrica
- Inclusion of your company name in TheFarmAfrica`s quaterly Buyers Guide Subscriptions to Agrifica`s publication TheFarmAfrica
- Website services available
- Website advertising opportunities
- Website information portal and newsletters
- Africa Agri-portal: country events and projects- Membership to Agriculture - Africa Project Access (A-APA)
- Quaterly A-APA meetings promoting information on possible Agricultural projects in Africa
- Market research in the African Agricultural sector (before your visit to the country)
- Alert reports of new projects & opportunities
- CNBC Africa sponsorship & marketing opportunities & exposure
- Potential agricultural projects
TheFarmAfrica
A glossy full-colour quaterly publication (February/ May/ August/ November) focuses on how Africa can be supported in practical ways to develop a growing and flourishing agricultural sector. An information initiative created by Agrifica, and the participation of role players and new entrants, to expand their business utilising TheFarmAfrica, as a marketing platform
Vol 18 - November issue:
Read about -
- Opportunities for Agro Processing in Swaziland and Egypt
- Agribusiness projects in Sub-Saharan Africa by Paul Runge from APA
- Agricultural Economics and statistics by Lindie Stroebel & Herbital Maluleke from Agricultural Business Chamber
- Renewable electricity provision: a key to unlock latent economic potential by Prof James Blignaut
- Competitiveness of South African Agribusinesses by Prof Andre Louw and Leah Ndanga
- Food securityin Africa by Dr Lawrence McCrystal
- ................. and much more
Next issue: February 2010 Volume 19
Subcriptions to TheFarmAfrica: visit Agrifica`s website: www.agrifica.co.za or write to agrifica@agrifica.co.za
Interesting publications to read and recommended by Agrifica:
Potholes and Profits. Business (& other) Conversations and Experiences from Africa by Paul Runge
Copies can be optained via Tel. : +27 11 465 6770 or E-mail: afric.projs@pixie.co.za
Agrifica recommended services:
* Internet, IT and Website Consulting and Education : WSI Projects
Carl Drotsky Cell : +27 082 375 1474
* Printing solutions : Seriti Printing for all your printing needs from calendars to posters and banners and everything inbetween
Theo Muller Cell : + 27 083 630 8924
* Graphic Design and art work : Hotstuff Graphics
Berna Thom Cell : +27 072 590 0839
Agrifica is actively involved in building a wide range of business contacts, networks & platforms with the primary intention to, creating business opportunities across the African continent for our partners & associates. Agrifica trusts that you will make use of these opportunities created by the Agrifica Africa Project Development Initiative and we look forward to receiving your feedback, comments & enquiries.
You are invited to comment on the content of this newsletter or should you wish, to communicate with Agrifica.
Please send an email to agrifica1@agrifica.co.za
Agrifica`s offices will be closed for the festive season from 12:00 on Wednesday 23 December, and will re-open on
Monday 04 January 2010.
May His Joy & Peace be with all for a safe return!