3. 3
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
The world’s population is projected to
reach 9.6 billion people by 2050. Being
able to feed this growing number by also
enhancing nutrition will be as much of
a concern in 2050 as it is today. With a
rapidly growing global population and
shrinking resources, Africa can play
a purposeful role in transforming the
world’s food supply shortage. Science,
research, technology, innovation and
education are major drivers to improve
Africa’s agricultural productivity.
Africa is more than an investment to
AGCO. We see Africa’s potential to grow
and resolve the world’s food supply
problem. We have been active on the
continent for more than a century
– mainly through our brand Massey
Ferguson. It was in the late 19th century
that the first export to Africa of Massey
Harris took place. In the 1980s and
1990s, we had an initiative to rebuild
and recondition thousands of MF
100 and 200 series tractors to suit the
African conditions. About half a million
of MF tractors were supplied to the
African continent. When we launched
our vision for Africa in 2012, we wanted
to take things to another level. One core
objective was to further develop our
local footprint. Since then we opened
our first Africa office in Cape Town in
2012 and our master parts warehouse
in Johannesburg in spring 2013. We
signed a joint venture in Algeria to
manufacture state-of-the-art MF
tractors on the continent. We have also
worked to develop and strengthen our
distribution network in about 40 African
countries. Another achievement in 2013
was the purchase of our future farm in
Zambia, close to the airport of Lusaka,
which demonstrates AGCO’s intent to
invest in the longer term. And we have
further plans for the future. In 2014, we
are widening our product portfolio to
fit the local market needs through the
development of a new implements
strategy. Furthermore, we are planning
to produce 5,000 tractors in Algeria
by 2017. In Ekiti State in Nigeria we are
developing a training centre and we
are planning to launch new financial
solutions for farmers in Africa.
Moreover, we want to connect, develop
and share new ways of how to invest in
Africa. We also want to engage and lead
the international dialogue. For these
reasons, we created the annual platform
of the AGCO Africa Summit two years
ago. Since then many great minds who
want to move things forward in Africa
joined us in our efforts. Representatives
from governments (many of them from
Africa), executives from the private
sector, academia and international
organizations, all contribute in many
different ways to the success of the
initiative.
Thanks to all our speakers and
participants for their commitment and
dedication to this important occasion.
Special thanks to our sponsors
DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und
Entwicklungsgesellschaft, Bayer
CropScience, Rabobank and De Lage
Landen, and the John A. Kufuor
Foundation. Thank you for your
continued support to make this event
such a success.
Prof. Martin Richenhagen, AGCO
Chairman, President and CEO, &
Dr. Rob Smith, AGCO Senior Vice
President and General Manager EAME
Dr. Rob Smith Prof. Martin Richenhagen
“This summit for Africa‘s agricultural sector has, within a
very short time, established itself as an important institution.“
Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Germany
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – Innovation in the Field
4. 4
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – INNOVATION IN THE FIELD
In the coming decades, the demand
on Africa is that Africa can, and should
feed itself, and leave some for the
rest of the world. Africa must be the
breadbasket of the world, and that
is the opportunity that is presented.
The potential is there for agriculture
to boost rural livelihoods, reduce
poverty and underpin other vital
sectors of African economies to ensure
development. To do that, my friends,
African agriculture should be efficient
as well as sustainable. To say that our
planet is currently in peril is a gross
understatement.
The earth is becoming warmer and
warmer; there are severe droughts,
killer heat waves, fast-melting glaziers,
as well as severe floodings all around
us. The signs are that these are the
effects of climate change caused
mainly by human-induced alterations
of the earth. The negative impacts
on agriculture are obvious. That
I should have this opportunity to
address the issue of the promotion
of agriculture on a sustainable basis
when I have just recently been
appointed the UN Special Envoy for
Climate Change is intriguing because
climate change is a major inhibiting
force to a sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable agricultural systems and
practices should seek to make the best
use of nature’s goods and services
such as land, water, biodiversity and
technologies. To achieve this requires
more human efficiency arising out
of knowledge, planning, leadership,
ingenuity, management and skills.
These combined attributes should give
flexibility and predictability to farming
societies so that even with changing
climates the farmer will still be able
to adapt for success. Agricultural
systems that offer labour-absorption
opportunities, through resource
improvements or value-addition, can
boost local economies. They thereby
also help to reverse rural-to-urban
migration, thus positively impacting
a key dimension of food security, i.e.
stability. To promote agriculture in
Africa and make it efficient, we need
to uphold these sustainable principles.
It is conclusive that collaborative
efforts among all stakeholders
comprising governments, the private
sector, the scientific community,
local communities, NGO’s, gender
advocates, and labour are requisite
for sustainable agriculture in the
developing world. Africa is open for
partnerships at all levels from within
and without to lead the transformation
of agriculture from its current state to
one which is sustainable and efficient
to meet the demands of the coming
decades.
President John A. Kufuor, Former
President of the Republic of Ghana
PROMOTING A SUSTAINABLE AND
EFFICIENT AFRICAN AGRICULTURE
The John A. Kufuor Foundation was established to create a
platform for collaboration among state institutions, civil society
organizations, the private sector, the media and development
partners in order to achieve his vision of effective leadership,
democratic governance and sustainable development in Africa.
President John A. Kufuor
5. 5
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE -
THE AGCO AFRICA AMBASSADORS
With the annual Africa Ambassador competition, AGCO aims to find talented young Africans to
represent their country at the AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin and to actively communicate and
share ideas about the agricultural sector in the following year via the project‘s Facebook and Twitter
pages. The contest was run for the third time and brought three top talented people to light:
AGCO Africa Ambassador 2014
Joy Jelimo Chelagat: “An Innovative Idea”
With a strength in social and digital communication Joy is the current AGCO Africa
Ambassador, representing her country Kenya. She inspired AGCO with her idea of
using social media and digital technologies to inform farmers about the best possible
ways of cultivating their crops.
AGCO Africa Ambassador 2013
Tosin Odunfa:
“The Smart Entertainer”
Nigerian Tosin Odunfa hosted the
second Summit. The smart and
talented entertainer did a fantastic
job on stage and empowered
many people to actively engage
in the green revolution of
agriculture in Africa. From vision
to action even became the slogan
for him.
AGCO Africa Ambassador 2012
Sue Musunga Chuzu:
“From Banking to Farming”
During her time as Africa
Ambassador she quit her banking
job and became a full time
employee of AGCO. At present,
Sue is responsible for all marketing
activities around the future farm
and training center in Zambia. She
is the best example for working at
the grassroot level and for making
a contribution as a young person
for the agricultural sector.
“We must outrun the challenges we face in Africa. To do
so, social media plays an important role – this is where
the youth are. If we catalyze social and digital media for
business and agriculture we can get the right messages to
the right people.”
6. 6
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – INNOVATION IN THE FIELD
I strongly believe, that an adapted,
efficient and sustainable agricultural
sector plays the key role in the
proactive fight against hunger and the
safeguarding of global food security.
Furthermore, rural development,
especially in developing countries, is
of major importance.
We must begin with the farmers on
the ground. Initial and further training,
adapted technologies and innovation
are fundamental prerequisites for a
strong farming sector. This is the only
way to ensure the rural population‘s
effective participation in economic
and social development. What matters
is farming the land in a productive
and sustainable manner. To this end,
farmers must learn which cropping
methods are best suited for their soils.
We need more investment in the
training of farmers. We need multipliers
on the ground.
Farmer co-operatives can also be
effective in improving living conditions.
For instance, when it comes to
procuring loans and capital goods
or finding better outlets. Farmers
need a joint and strong voice and the
possibility to engage in networking.
They need well-developed transport
routes, sufficient storage capacity and
modern means of communication to
acquire information on prices. Last but
not least, we need to expand economic
and social infrastructure. Enhanced
access to education and health-care
facilities is a basic requirement for
this. Assisting farmers on the ground
means investing in rural farming.
Improved agricultural research is
essential for higher productivity. To
this end, research efforts are needed
along the entire value-added chain.
The knowledge transfer required for
this purpose can be developed by
strengthening international agricultural
research institutions, training skilled
personnel at German universities
and fostering agricultural research
and training in developing countries
via joint projects with Germany. It
is our goal to interlink German and
international development-oriented
agricultural research even more closely
and to apply German know-how in a
more targeted manner.
Rural development also means
ensuring that there are functioning
health care and education services,
an intact infrastructure and adequate
financial instruments. The aim must be
to strengthen trade not only at global
levels but also at regional and local
levels.
The complexity of the situation and
the manifold tasks involved mean that
it is indispensable for us to join forces.
The international donor community
is called upon to promote the above
measures with grants and loans. A joint
effort also means that the entire Federal
Government must pull in the same
direction. Our coalition agreement,
which makes the safeguarding of
global food security one of the main
policy focuses, testifies to this. It is
the Federal Government‘s declared
will to finally make the right to food a
practical reality.
Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich, Federal
Minister of Food and Agriculture,
Germany
INNOVATION AND TRADITION –
WAYS TO ENSURE GLOBAL FOOD
SECURITY
Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich
8. 8
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – INNOVATION IN THE FIELD
Panel Discussion
POLITICAL INSTRUMENTS TO
ENFORCE TECHNOLOGY AND
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Moderation: Dr. Amrita Cheema, Anchor and Journalist at Deutsche Welle television
In the discussion about food security, the spotlight is now on Africa. The continent has
enormous potential to feed the world but first, it has to be able to feed itself. Even though
Africa made a huge progress in the last decades it has still the highest number of people who
are hungry and poor in the world. How can we unlock the potential Africa has? This panel
discussion of African policy makers and public sector representatives tried to find answers
on how political instruments can enforce technology and skills development.
Hon. Robert Sichinga, Minister of
Agriculture and Livestock of Zambia
“The task of developing agriculture
cannot be handled by public sector
alone; neither can it done by
governments alone. We need the
private sector and the civil society.
Production and productivity are
also key elements. Therefore, we
have to engage the youth, we need
infrastructure and we need to help
farmers to be subsidized and get to
the level of productivity. Moreover,
developing agriculture takes a
long period of time. Thus Western
companies have to be patient when
doing investments in Africa.”
Mohamed Béavogui, Director Partner-
ship & Resource Mobilization Office &
Senior Advisor to the President of IFAD
“The majority of farming in Africa is
done by smallholder farmers, thus it is
important to turn them into businesses.
Policies have to embrace this objective
as well as help make farming more
attractive for young people. In Africa
the proper enforcement of regulation
is a problem, therefore partnerships
have to be built where government,
private sector, civil society and farm
organizations are involved. Moreover,
agriculture should not be considered
as a separate element from the rest of
the economy but it has to be integrated
into the whole economic chain.”
Dr. Baba Dioum, Coordinator General
of the Conference of Ministers of
West and Central Africa
“We have a continental instrument
for agriculture in the form of
CAADP (Comprehensive Africa
Agriculture Development Programme),
there are regional level mechanisms
like COMESA (Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa) or
ECOWAS (Economic Community
of West African States) and we got
national programs. What is lacking
is how to implement programs.
The financing has to come from
four sources: government, private
sector, smallholders and international
institutions and donors. In addition, we
need to build real partnerships, which
are set up in a proper manner for every
farmer to benefit. These partnerships
should also include the producers.
Thus it should be called PPPP –
Public Private Producer Partnership.”
Hon. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of
Ekiti State, Nigeria
“In Ekiti State we focus on how to
incentivize young people to return to
the farm. We also help them develop
a value chain. Government provides
for example subsidies, improved
Hon. Robert Sichinga Mohamed Béavogui Dr. Baba Dioum Hon. Dr. Kayode Fayemi Katherine N. Ichoya Seyni Ndao
9. 9
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
seedlings and farmland with clearing
and management. We have thus seen
significant improvement in crops
we focused on, such as cassava,
rice and coco. In order to achieve
policy coherence, we recognize the
importance of intervention from
government, private sector and the
NGO side. However, intervention in
agriculture is a long-term investment.
The minimum period until benefits
appear is a decade or more. Thus
private sector must not seek short-
term profit in Africa.”
Katherine N. Ichoya, CEO of COMESA
FEMCOM
“We need drivers of change. We need
to promote existing best practices and
we need to speak with one voice and
create joint ventures. Women‘s groups
and the youth have to be involved
in order to succeed, as they are key
for Africa‘s prosperity. At COMESA in
Zambia we have provided technical
skills to the women farmers and
created a successful PPP with Zambian
government. In addition, we ensured
together with the government that the
representatives of women are part of
various agricultural boards.”
Seyni Ndao, Deputy General Manager
of S.A.E.D.
“In Senegal we have the resources
needed such as water, land and
manpower. Further important factors in
agriculture are irrigation infrastructure
and family plots. However, self-
sufficiency will not come only from the
family units, here we need the private
sector to get involved. Thus, private
sector has to play an important role in
PPPs. In order for these partnerships
to go forward, we need land tenure
issues to be addressed and we need
mechanisms that facilitate the access
of land for the private sector.”
10. 10
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – INNOVATION IN THE FIELD
Africa is rising and has no choice
but to rise. It is not enough to talk
about potential. We need to turn
potential into reality. What we lack in
technology, we have in the human
element. Unlike Europe – we have
a growing and a young population.
From the age of 16 to 35 we define
youth and 84 percent of the people
in Zambia meet this criteria. Even 68
percent of them are below the age of
25, but how do we engage this young
population? I hope we can translate
this AGCO Ambassador example into a
wide spread position.
The issues of production and
productivity are key because we
cannot enhance trade with anybody
including ourselves. Trade between
African countries is only at 11.2 percent
– what a shame. This is mainly because
of the problems of infrastructure
connecting one country to another.
In my own country, in 2003, we were
producing less than 200,000 metric
tons of yellow maize. By 2011, we
have changed that position. We are no
longer importing yellow maize from
the U.S. and South America. For the
first time we did a record of 3.2 million
metric tons of maize. Right now,
Zambia is able to provide support to all
our neighbor countries like Zimbabwe,
DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda,
Burundi and even South Sudan. We
now have more than 1 million metric
tons of maize to supply. It has been
a long and difficult road to achieve
this, and we collaborated with many
companies and organizations. For
Zambia, we are self sufficient in maize,
in wheat and in soya beans. We are self
sufficient in everything else for food
except fruits. We still need technology,
we need storage capacity, we need the
roads and we also need the farmers
to increase their level of productivity.
I am pleased to hear from the German
Minister that now we are also talking
about export subsidies, and then we
need to talk about the quality level
that are important for Europe. There
is another important thing, we have
land and we have water. Moreover, in
Zambia we have a huge population
living in villages, in rural areas. This
is why we would like to ensure that
food safety and security, nutrition,
water management, consumption
and rural development will be
enhanced. As governments we need
to promote those technologies that
will maximize the utilization of inputs
and the soil in a sustainable manner
such as conservation farming and use
of mechanized agriculture. In doing
so, we are going to come up with
increased production and improved
yield of quality products.
Hon. Robert Sichinga, Minister of
Agriculture and Livestock of Zambia
RISING FROM A DEFICIT POSITION
TO A SUPPLIER SITUATION – THE
EXAMPLE OF ZAMBIA
Hon. Robert Sichinga
“The reason why I am here today is because the model of
AGCO – which talks about integrated development, where
we not only have tractors but also training – sounds very
appealing to me.”
11. 11
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
AGCO FUTURE FARM IN ZAMBIA
Knowledge development and capacity building
The future farm provides a unique opportunity to educate on mechanization, train on
agronomy, introduce strategic partners as well as to build knowledge in crop establishment,
protection and nutrition.
The future farm & training centre concept consist of three core pillars:
• farm – demonstrate agricultural best-practices
• training – provide farming management training, technical training and operations training
• school / education – cooperation with local schools to support with governance,
infrastructure and teaching modules.
The first future farm was opened in 2012 in Zambia. The farm, with a size of 148 ha, is managed
jointly with partners and includes a training center for small and medium size farmers.
Additional future farms and training centers on the continent of Africa are in planning.
12. 12
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – INNOVATION IN THE FIELD
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Registration
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Welcome Remarks Prof. Martin H. Richenhagen
Chairman, President and CEO of AGCO
Dr. Rob Smith
Senior Vice President & General Manager Europe, Africa
and Middle East (EAME) of AGCO
Tosin Odunfa
AGCO Africa Ambassador 2013
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Keynote Speech Hon. John Agyekum Kufuor
Former President of Ghana and Chairman of John A.
Kufuor Foundation
11:00 – 11:15 a.m.
Speech
Innovation and Tradition –
Ways to World Food Security
Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich
Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Germany
11:15 – 12:30 p.m. Panel Discussion
Political Instruments to Enforce
Technology and Skills Development
Moderator
Dr. Amrita Cheema
Anchor and journalist at
Deutsche Welle
Mohamed Béavogui
Director Partnership and Resource Mobilization Office and
Senior Advisor to the President of IFAD
Dr. Baba Dioum
Coordinator General of the Conference of Ministers of
West and Central Africa
Hon. Dr. John Kayode Fayemi
Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria
Katherine N. Ichoya
CEO of COMESA FEMCOM
Seyni Ndao
Deputy General Manager of S.A.E.D., Senegal
Hon. Robert Sichinga
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Zambia
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break
2:00 – 2:50 p.m. Panel Discussion
Promoting Women & Youth in
Agriculture
Moderator
Sue Musunga Chuzu
AGCO Africa Ambassador 2012
Catherine Constantinides
Co-Founder of Generation Earth and Former Miss Earth
South Africa
Dr. Helene Gayle
President and CEO of CARE USA
Almas Jiwani
President of UN Women Canada National Committee
Mpule K. Kwelagobe
Founder and CEO of MPULE Institute for Endogenous
Development and Former Miss Universe
Priscilla Takondwa Semphere
Co-Founder of PenAfrica and Author of The Ekari Book Series
PROGRAM January 20, 2014, Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
13. 13
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
2:50 – 3:35 p.m.
Shared Speech
Value Added Agriculture: Sustainable
Production and Processing
Speech
Financial Solutions Supporting the
Future of Agriculture
Speech
Innovation for Africa
Bruno Wenn
Chairman of the Management Board of DEG
Richard Kimani Rugendo
Founder and Managing Director of Kevian Kenya Ltd.
Bill Stephenson
Chairman, Global Vendor Finance at De Lage Landen and
Member of the Executive Board
Marc Reichardt
Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer CropScience
and Head of Agricultural Commercial Operations
3:35 – 4:30 p.m. Panel Discussion
Political Instruments to Enforce
Technology and Skills Development
Moderator
Haig Simonian
Freelance journalist and
former Zurich correspondent
of the Financial Times
Amadou Diallo
CEO of DHL Freight
Nduati Kariuki
Chairman of Kenya National Federation of Farmers (KENAFF)
Geoffrey Kirenga
CEO of the SAGCOT Center Ltd.
Prof. Klaus Josef Lutz
CEO of BayWa AG
Mohammed Omer Mukhier
Head of Disaster Policy and Preparedness Department,
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC)
Yohannes Tilahun
Senior Director Public Private Partnership, Ethiopian
Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA)
4:30 – 5:00 p.m. The Way to Africa Prof. Martin H. Richenhagen
Chairman, President and CEO of AGCO
Nuradin Osman
Managing Director Africa & Middle East of AGCO
Jørgen Haslestad
President and Chief Executive Officer, Yara International ASA
Jane Karuku
President of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
Moderation Joy Jelimo Chelagat
AGCO Africa Ambassador 2014
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Break
7:00 p.m. Evening Reception
7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Dinner Speech
Africa – The Underestimated
Continent
Dr. Guido Westerwelle
Founder and Chair of the Westerwelle Foundation for
international understanding and Former Foreign Minister
of the Federal Republic of Germany
Shakers & Makers: Innovation in Practice
14. 14
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – INNOVATION IN THE FIELD
Panel Discussion
PROMOTING WOMEN & YOUTH
IN AGRICULTURE
Moderation: Sue Musunga Chuzu, Marketing Services Specialist of AGCO Zambia Limited and AGCO Africa Ambassador 2012
Agriculture is one of the oldest occupations of women in Africa. Their contribution to the
agricultural sector continues to be a critical part of most economies on the continent. Many
women are in the informal sector in agriculture and remain invisible to national statistics.
Youth and women are two demographic groups, whose potential has not been fully
exploited by most countries. However, they can be drivers of economies and food security.
Women of civil society and international organizations discussed on this panel how to
promote the role of these groups in agriculture.
Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women
Canada National Committee
“In developing countries 40 percent of
the workforce are women. According
to FAO, on aggregate level women
comprise almost 50 percent of the
agricultural labor force in Sub-Saharan
Africa. Thus they are the greatest
untapped economical resource on the
continent. However, women remain
marginalized as they have less access to
land, farming technologies, credits and
crop insurances than men. In a similar
way, young farmers have a difficult
time of obtaining financing to get their
start in agriculture as well. Yet, women
and youth should be seen as potential
community leaders that can be partners
for researchers and investors. Africa will
not achieve its potential if half of its
workforce is uneducated, denied equal
rights and unable to participate in a
formal economy.”
Catherine Constantinides,
Co-Founder of Generation Earth and
Former Miss Earth South Africa
“Women play a very important role but
it is imperative that we also focus on
the role of the boy child. We need the
roles and responsibilities of genders
clearly defined in agriculture. If we have
gender equality, the sector will grow
enormously. Moreover, the agriculture
sector needs an entire rebranding. We
need a new vision and incentives. We
must use innovation to inspire youth
to come into agriculture. We also
need to break the existing stereotypes
about farming. African women
and youth must be included in the
conversation as critical stakeholders as
well. Furthermore, from a government
perspective, our leaders should take a
policy for trade and not aid.”
Female share of population economically
active in agriculture (%)
0
10
20
30
40
50 2010 1980
Latin America
and the
Caribbean
North East &
North Africa
South Asia East &
South East
Asia
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Source: FAOSTAT
15. 15
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
Dr. Helene Gayle, President and CEO
of CARE USA
“If we are going to change the way
women and girls are perceived, we also
have to engage boys and men. Women
do not think of themselves as farmers
and men don’t think of them either
that way. Thus, we need to shift the
mindset on both sides. There is no one
size fits all answer but we need to tailor
it. First of all, we need to do research to
understand the context and then put
in place solutions. The ultimate goal
is to make sure women have access
to inputs and information so they
can have influence and improve their
incomes.”
Mpule K. Kwelagobe, Founder & CEO
of MPULE Institute for Endogenous
Development, Former Miss Universe
“If we talk about a green revolution
and realizing a new vision for African
agriculture, then we are talking about
our youth. Africa has the biggest
youth demographics in the world and
they are our best development assets.
However, agriculture is currently not
appealing. Young people would rather
migrate to urban areas, even if it means
living in slums. Since what they see
from agriculture is back breaking work,
which is not profitable. We need to
transform the face of agriculture and
we must focus on rural development
as well, because young people want
similar economic opportunities like in
urban areas.”
Priscilla Takondwa Semphere, Co-
Founder of PenAfrica and Author of
The Ekari Book Series
“We need to make agriculture sexy
again as the sector does not have
much appeal to youth and especially
not for women at the moment. We
need to create hype around agriculture
through media, for example with book
and television series about successful
farmers. Moreover, we need to engage
youth through social media. If we get
to hype up agriculture, then young
people are going to be excited about it.
Currently youth has not been exposed
to the sector through the media
enough to find it attractive.”
“We need to empower our young people. I do salute
AGCO for the Ambassador competition because this is
exemplary, innovative way of re-identifying that young
people should be partners in agricultural development.
This will unlock Africa’s potential in agriculture.”
Mpule K. Kwelagobe, CEO of Mpule Institute for Endogenous Development
Almas Jiwani
Catherine Constantinides Dr. Helene Gayle Mpule K. Kwelagobe Priscilla Takondwa Semphere Sue Musunga Chuzu
17. 17
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
Bayer CropScience is an innovative
company working in the areas of
crop protection, non-agricultural
pest control and seeds. “Africa can
solve the challenge of food security.
The continent has available land;
now yield has to be increased by
technology, innovation, high quality
seeds and by having the right
machinery and fertilizers,” said Marc
Reichardt, Member of the Executive
Committee. The company aims to
expand its presence in Africa in the
next two years through opening
up new representative offices and
by significantly increasing the
headcount. The inclusion of high-
tech seeds into the African portfolio
suchasriceandcottonisalsoplanned.
“Nevertheless, only innovation is not
enough. We have to help smallholder
farmers to get into the commercial
area, therefore we have to adjust our
products and ideas to fit their needs,”
said Reichardt. Bayer CropScience
also puts emphasis on farmers‘
training. In Kenya alone, they train
about 10,000 farmers each year.
De Lage Landen (DLL) offers asset
financing and leasing to equipment
manufacturers,dealersanddistributors
worldwide, mainly focusing on the
agriculture sector. Today it is one
of world‘s largest global vendor
financing institutions. DLL is also
present in Africa, though it is not
fully operating on the continent
but conducts projects with various
business partners. This partnership-
based business gives a great deal
of flexibility and understanding of
the market. “We hire local country
managers so they can teach us how
to apply our products and services,”
said Chairman Bill Stephenson. “We
truly incorporate the needs of our
clients,” he added. De Lage Landen
is following Rabobank‘s initiatives in
Africa. As an example, the company
recently conducted a micro-leasing
project in Rwanda, that began in
2012 and funded close to half a
million euros.
Financial Solutions Supporting the
Future of Agriculture
Bill Stephenson, Chairman, Global Vendor Finance at De Lage Landen
and Member of the Executive Board
Innovation for Africa
Marc Reichardt, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer CropScience
and Head of Agricultural Commercial Operations
18. 18
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – INNOVATION IN THE FIELD
Panel Discussion
HOW TO LEVERAGE AFRICA’S
POTENTIAL?
Moderation: Haig Simonian, Freelance Journalist and former Zurich correspondent of the Financial Times
Africa has plenty of potential in resources. But how can we leverage this? How does the
private sector get involved and which other stakeholders are important? Is there a new
entrepreneurial spirit and is the confidence growing in Africa? Panelists from public and
private sector, farmers‘ organizations as well as NGOs discussed the solutions to unfold
Africa‘s chances.
Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Freight
“We have 30 million square meters of
land in Africa and the GDP will double
by 2024, becoming larger than the GDP
of India or Brazil – thus we have ample
opportunities. So stop talking about aid
and let‘s talk about business. It is much
easier to do business in Africa than often
perceived from the outside. Concerning
legal frameworks, there is no legislative
system you haven‘t met elsewhere:
former French colonies have French
legislation, former British colonies have
the British system, the Arabic countries
have a system like in the Middle East
and there are states with Portuguese
legislature. Nevertheless, governance is
very important hence we have to fight
corruption in most of the countries.”
Nduati Kariuki, Chairman of the
Kenya National Federation of Farmers
(KENAFF)
“It is not true that youth is not interested
in agriculture. However, they are not
interested in poverty. And farming
has been synonymous to poverty.
The resources are there. Currently 40
percent of young people including
university graduates are unemployed in
Kenya alone. All the youth requires is a
little push in finance and technologies.
No matter what technologies,
marketing systems or financing we use,
the end result must be putting money
into farmers‘ pockets.”
Geoffrey Kirenga, CEO of the SAGCOT
Center Ltd.
“For the past few years, the confidence
in Africa increased. Economies are
growing at a rate of 7 percent per
annum, there are plenty of natural
resources, the markets are growing.
Moreover, the land is something very
central as it is part of the culture, our
life. However, in doing business please
make sure that guidelines developed by
reputable international organizations
are followed and investment is there
in an inclusive way. It has to create
inclusive growth instead of islands of
wealth in the sea of poverty as that is
the recipe for disaster.”
Prof. Klaus Josef Lutz, CEO of BayWa AG
“Agriculture is indeed a very sexy business
– not only in Africa but also from a global
perspective and you can make money
if you invest in a smart way. We are
optimistic and intend to invest in business
in Africa. However, there are 54 different
countries on the continent, and many
tribe structures still prevail. Therefore
legal and political certainty and adequate
environmental circumstances for doing
business are key for investors.”
Prof. Klaus Josef Lutz
19. 19
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
Mohammed Omer Mukhier, Head
of Disaster Policy and Preparedness
Department, International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC)
“IFRC is a development organization
which gets involved in prevention
but also in farming – especially for
the smallholders and nomads. So we
are very close to the most vulnerable.
There is indeed a confidence in Africa
and a positive progress in terms of
policy and delivery. In the 1990s, there
were close to 400 million hungry
Africans, the figures from 2012 show
about 200 million. The continent has
progressed significantly through policy
frameworks like CAADP or the Maputo
Declaration and commitments made
by the African governments. However,
there are still significant gaps.”
Yohannes Tilahun, Senior Director Public
Private Partnership, Ethiopian Agricultural
Transformation Agency (ATA)
“Technology and land are only two
issues among many components for
investors when they come to Africa.
For investors, it is important how
comfortable they feel and for the
governments what are we doing to
make them feel that way. If anything is
messed up along the value chain, they
think Africa is not worth it. Thus, we
Africans have to take care of the whole
value chain. Along with technology,
African countries need to invest in
education. In this regard the continent
is already among the highest spenders
in GDP overtaking Europe and the U.S.
On the other hand, investors need to
be patient with us as well.”
f.l.t.r. Amadou Diallo, Nduati Kariuki, Geoffrey Kirenga, Prof. Klaus Josef Lutz, Mohammed Omer Mukhier,
Yohannes Tilahun, Haig Simonian
20. 20
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA – INNOVATION IN THE FIELD
Interview with Jane Karuku,
President of AGRA and Jørgen O.
Haslestad, President and CEO of Yara
International ASA.
Dr. Rob Smith: Africa went through a
tremendous development over the last
decade. From your perspective as a real
insider ten years after the signing of
the Maputo Declaration on Agriculture
and Food Security in Africa, what has
changed?
Jane Karuku: I have never seen that
agriculture in Africa has taken so much
center stage in every discussion like it is
today – in Africa, in every single country
and even today here. 2014 is the ‘Year
of Agriculture and Food Security’ in
Africa. There are certainly very positive
changes.
Prof. Martin Richenhagen: From
the business side and as one of the
engaged partners in the New Vision
for Agriculture of the World Economic
Forum (WEF) tell us a little bit about your
Africa strategy and your vision for Africa.
Jørgen O. Haslestad: Agriculture in
Africa is something that is really starting
to move. We have been in Africa for
more than 40 years. Yara is selling
fertilizers to most of the countries
and we started to work with Kofi
Annan in 2004 when he launched
the African Green Revolution. We
also developed the African Green
Revolution Forum, starting this
journey in Oslo. We brought the
forum to Africa in 2010 and in 2012
President Obama launched a new
vision for agriculture in Africa at the
G8 Summit in collaboration with the
World Economic Forum. We see now
that things are really taking pace. And
we see a lot of institutions, which are
playing an important role, like the
WEF, Alliance for a Green Revolution
in Africa (AGRA) and many others.
All are driving the development of
agriculture in Africa further.
Rob: We today demonstrated that
Africa is appealing, agriculture
is attractive, and we have also
demonstrated that AGCO is engaged.
Now tell us more about your
institution AGRA?
Jane: We are based in Nairobi.
We are unique in working from
the ground, bottom-up. We work
for smallholder farmers because
80 percent of the food we eat
comes from smallholder farmers.
We work across the whole value
chain and we develop practical
THE WAY TO AFRICA
AGCO is entering a new partnership with the African Green Revolution Forum
f.l.t.r. Dr. Rob Smith, Jane Karuku, Prof. Martin Richenhagen, Jørgen O. Haslestad, Nuradin Osman
“Every year the food database by development
organization Oxfam lists the best countries worldwide
where people have enough to eat, food quality,
affordability, and dietary health. Imagine: Wouldn’t it be
nice if we have once an African country being number
one at this table when it come to food production?”
Nuradin Osman, Managing Director Africa & Middle East of AGCO
21. 21
The 3rd AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin
solutions to significantly boost farm
productivity by providing modern
knowledge and tools to farmers.
We work in structuring markets
and in innovating finance. We work
in farmer groups. To sum it up, we
are kind of connecting and bringing
together the relevant people and the
necessary knowledge.
Jørgen: The beginning of our
engagement was a partnership
approach to finding solutions. We
wanted to achieve collaborations.
The basis for what we are doing in
Africa is public private partnerships.
We need more innovation and we
need to make agriculture more
profitable and dynamic. There is an
urgent need for working framework
and for agricultural financing. For this
to happen, coalition building is more
important than ever. This is what
the African Green Revolution Forum
intends to support. We look forward
to AGCO becoming a member of the
core AGRF partner group. There is a lot
to do and we have great momentum!
f.l.t.r. Prof. Martin Richenhagen, Jørgen O. Haslestad
The future of Africa is Africa and its people. The AGCO
Africa Summit is perfectly embedded between the
Global Forum for Food and Agriculture and the World
Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. AGCO as engaged
member of the WEF’s ‘New Vision for Agriculture’ (NVA)
and the ‘Grow Africa’ initiatives strongly believes in the
success of the public private partnership (PPP) approach
focusing on long-term holistic strategies to develop
African agriculture as opposed to short-term isolated
interventions.
Since its creation the NVA has attracted interest from a
wide range of stakeholders and geographies, and has
catalyzed multi-stakeholder partnership platforms in 15
countries. Together, these efforts have mobilized more
than USD 5 billion in investment commitments and are
projected to engage more than 13 million smallholder
farmers in the next three to five years.
African agriculture is witnessing a historic shift in private
sector investments that create economic opportunity for
smallholders and improve food security. As part of the
NVA the Grow Africa partnership facilitates coordinated,
market-based action, harnessing the power of agriculture
to drive the concerted journey towards food security,
environmental sustainability and economic opportunity.
Grow Africa is led by the African countries, a multi-
stakeholder platform and collaborating with the G8, G20
and AGRF (www.growafrica.com). Taking the customer
respectively the farmer as a starting point and putting
her/him in the center of all considerations to find a
sustainable solution is fully congruent to AGCO’s systemic
approach. We share the same philosophy with all partners
to make the change for a truly green revolution in Africa
that creates a future to all, a perspective for the farmers,
women and youth as well as a sustainable business to
everyone’s benefit.
The journey to transformation is being made possible
by tremendous top-level African leadership; a maturing
partnership between government, companies and civil
society that generates vital trust and understanding and
an increasing recognition that farmers of all sizes, women
and the youth are the key to unlocking the potential of
African agriculture. The next Grow Africa Investment
Forum and WEF on Africa will be held in Abuja in Nigeria
in May 2014.
Marco Prehn, Director Sustainable Partnerships, Strategy &
Integration, AGCO
AGCO in Africa: Go early, stay long
SAVE THE DATE: September 2-4, 2014
4th African Green
Revolution Forum
in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
at the African Union’s Headquarters
www.agrforum.com
23. Africa – The Underestimated Continent
Dr. Guido Westerwelle, Founder and Chair of the Westerwelle Foundation for international
understanding and Former Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany
The world should view Africa differently than it ever has before. Africa is on the rise – politically and
economically. We need a fresh perspective on Africa. We need a perspective that acknowledges the
efforts and successes of individual countries.
A modern view of Africa sees countries that are addressing the challenges their continent is facing.
Increasingly, African solutions are being found for African problems. What we are witnessing here
is perhaps the most intriguing evidence for a changing world, in which the supposed certainties
of yesterday are serially collected from reality. It is a world in which the global balance of power
is shifting dramatically. For Germany, this means that it must cultivate old friendships even more
intensively than today, and it must actively explore new partnerships.
I am deeply convinced that we need to open a new chapter in the relations with our neighboring
continent. We need to take into account the growing importance of Africa and its increasing
responsibility. Our goal should be to use the potential of our cooperation partners for the benefit
of people in Germany and Africa. This is why we need for example more economic exchange. As a
member of the German Free Democratic Party, I believe that close economic ties, investment, trade
and entrepreneurship are key.
The rise of Africa not only demands more commitment in and for Africa, it also demands the
European societies to ask themselves what conclusions they have to draw. The rise of emerging
countries in Africa and other continents makes European cooperation even more important.
The African Union is one of the key partners of the European Union. We need to strengthen the
cooperation if we are honest with our goal to find African solutions for African problems.
