Young agripreneurs for mechanisation and business workshop

20 July 2017. Zambia. AGCO,  hosted delegates from 11 countries attending the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions' (SACAU) Young Agripreneurs Forum at its Future Farm in Zambia - a 150ha working farm based just outside Lusaka. Here, the delegates took part in an in-depth three-day programme covering farm mechanisation and the business of agriculture.

SACAU is committed to a transformative agenda for agricultural development which is growth-oriented and enterprise-development focused. A key emphasis is working with young farmers and, since 2014, SACAU has run an annual regional young farmers’ forum. The aim of the forums is to create a positive image for agriculture among the next generation and develop role models from within the sector.

While with AGCO, the young agripreneurs spent time in the classroom, workshop and on the farm. Among the topics covered were the role of mechanisation in primary production, how technology is changing the face of farming, plus business and entrepreneurship skills.

“Young people are setting a new pace in driving agricultural transformation in Africa. The young champions that we work with really are leaders in their communities, challenging the negative public perceptions about farming and showing that agriculture is a dynamic and, most importantly, a profitable career to pursue.” Ishmael Sunga, CEO of SACAU

Delegates were able to get familiar with AGCO’s leading brands of agricultural machinery including Challenger, Fendt, Massey, and Valtra, together with the company’s products and services aimed specifically at supporting African agriculture. A highlight was practical, hands-on experience with the range of Massey Ferguson equipment which includes tractors, harvesting machinery, hay and forage tools, implements, and materials handlers.