Lecturers provide training for Zambian farmers

Posted 21 March 2014

Lecturers from Harper Adams University taught Zambian farmers about farm management and agricultural mechanisation during a two-day course recently.

Principal Lecturer, Dr Keith Chaney and Martin Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer in Farm Business Management and Economics, travelled to the Future Farm near Lusaka to give training to delegates, which included farmers, commercial companies and AGCO staff.

The aim of the course was to explain how machines fit into agricultural systems and the impact that they may have on business profitability.

Dickon Elson, General Manager Arable of Cena Farms in Zambia attended the course. He said: “I thought the course was extremely good, with the content being applicable and relevant to my farming operation.

“I also have a new appreciation for the costing of equipment for arable systems.”

This was the first course of its type that Harper Adams has organised with AGCO to provide training that ranges from high level business management to basic tractor driving skills and machinery operation.

Mark Moore, Agricultural Development Manager for Africa at AGCO, said: “The Future Farm project aims to deliver a range of agricultural and business related programs to farmers in Africa. 

“Knowledge will be key to building capacity within the agricultural sector and this is the type of programme that fits with the vision of the Future Farm project. 

“We were pleased to host Harper Adams University on the farm as we consider them an important partner within the project.  The positive feedback received from the farmers attending the course reinforces that we need to collaborate further on activities to increase food production in Africa."

Delegates represented the following companies - Cena Farms, Chobe Agrivision, Jacaranda Plant Hire, Somawhe Estates, Zambeef and ZRC.  They were joined by representatives from Bayer CropScience, Conservation Agriculture, Musika and Precision Decisions.