Supporting and improving the future of mechanisation and agronomy for Zambian farming
Dr Sven Peets, Harper Adams University, presented his project Farm in a Box (FIAB) at the GCRF AgriFood Africa Event in December 2019.
Background
Zambia’s agriculture sector has seen big improvements in food security with mechanised farming, however it is still an area that needs additional support. Zambia faces many agricultural challenges such as access to appropriate machinery, low income, lack of training for farmers, poor education and high cost of agricultural inputs.
Dr Sven Peets and his team addressed these challenges and developed their data project ‘Farm in a Box (FIAB)’. The package involves monitoring and agronomy support. It also offers a range of 2 or 4 wheeled tractors, hand and power tools, service parts, links to the Zambia Future Farm support centre, and tailored training.
The Farm in a Box team are now looking for further collaboration, investment, demonstration, and to develop innovative smart support tools to make agriculture more attractive to young adults and open new business opportunities.
Agri-tech Catalyst round 6: innovation funding in developing countries
AGCO, Harper Adams University and Zambian agrodealers won funding from Round 6 late stage of the Agri-Tech Catalyst competition for their project “Mechanisation of smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa by Agrodealer Development.”
UK businesses and research organisations were invited to apply for a share of up to £4 million from DFID and Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) for projects with partners in eligible African countries.
For more information on Farm in a Box, click here.
GCRF AgriFood Africa Event Project Presentation: Dr Sven Peets, Project: Farm in a Box (FIAB) Video produced by: https://www.blowyourtrumpetfilms.com/