From 27 to 30 January, IPM ESSEN 2026 will once again position itself as the world’s leading horticulture trade fair, delivering an inspiring, future-focused programme across three specialist stages at Messe Essen.

Trade visitors can expect a rich mix of research insights, hands-on expertise and cutting-edge innovation at the Gardeners Forum (Hall 2), the Innovation Center Horticultural Technology (Hall 4) and the brand-new Woodland Arena (Hall 7).

Knowledge and market trends at the Gardeners Forum

The Gardeners Forum remains a key knowledge hub, tackling the most pressing issues shaping modern horticulture. Topics such as energy efficiency, CO₂ reduction, sustainable propagation systems, Gen Z consumer trends and artificial intelligence in global supply chains will take centre stage. Highlights include Fred Kruisselbrink’s sessions on energy efficiency strategies, Floris Tas’ presentation on the substrate-free rooting system ‘RCS 2.0’, and Leon Hünting’s talk, ‘Customers of the future: How we as breeders prepare our partners for Gen Z’.

A panel discussion will explore how Fairtrade is empowering women in global cut flower supply chains, while Oboya CEO Robert Wu will share insights into AI-driven supply chain optimisation. Additional contributions come from leading names such as Bailey Nurseries, Florensis, Landgard and Ulmer Verlag.

Digitalisation and technology in Hall 4

In the Innovation Center Horticultural Technology, the spotlight is firmly on digitalisation, automation and climate-smart solutions. Visitors can discover digital pest detection from PurPest, peat substitute strategies from Gramoflor, and bio-based polymers presented by NTIC Europe. One standout session promises new approaches to urban greening through biochar substrates and satellite-based monitoring, highlighting measurable climate impact. Universities, research institutes and tech pioneers round out a highly practical, innovation-driven agenda.

Trees, cities and climate resilience in the Woodland Arena

New for 2026, the Woodland Arena addresses urban greenery, sustainable trees and climate adaptation. Expert talks cover biodiversity, flood-resilient plants, future urban trees and climate-resilient city planning. Sessions such as ‘Urban trees under stress – water availability, tree health and tree growth in urban environments’ underline the urgency of nature-based solutions for greener cities.

With its continuously updated programme, IPM ESSEN 2026 promises four days of inspiration, networking and forward-thinking ideas shaping the future of global horticulture.

The Federal Government has reinforced its commitment to ranching as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s long-term livestock development strategy, signalling a major shift towards sustainable agriculture, food security and economic diversification.

This position was restated during an inspection visit by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, to Manchong Integrated Farms Limited in Nasarawa State.

Leading senior ministry officials and key industry stakeholders, the Minister described the farm as a compelling demonstration that modern ranching is not only possible in Nigeria, but also scalable, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable. According to him, the facility challenges long-standing assumptions that ecological and climatic conditions limit the success of ranching systems in the country.

Maiha explained that the farm operates a fully integrated livestock model, combining structured animal management with year-round feed and fodder production, effective water management and genetic improvement programmes. He observed that the farm maintained lush green pastures even during the dry season, underscoring the potential of climate-smart agriculture to transform Nigeria’s livestock value chain.

The facility reportedly cultivates improved grass varieties such as Mombasa, Napier and Brachiaria, manages over 300 cattle across both beef and dairy breeds, and produces surplus animal feed annually. These achievements, the Minister noted, align with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development’s reform agenda aimed at boosting productivity, reducing import dependence and strengthening rural livelihoods.

Building on these outcomes, Maiha disclosed plans for the ministry to collaborate with Manchong Integrated Farms on fodder seed production and genetic improvement initiatives. He added that the farm’s existing supply of fodder to states including Jigawa and Yobe positions it as a strategic hub for scaling a national feed system. Such a system, he said, would support small-scale livestock producers, stabilise supply chains and enhance overall sector efficiency.

The Minister further revealed that the facility would serve as a pilot centre for planned breeding programmes under the ministry’s reform framework. New genetic materials, he noted, would be developed and multiplied at the farm before being distributed nationwide.

Earlier, the owner of Manchong Integrated Farms, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said the project was designed to demonstrate ranching as a practical solution to farmer–herder conflicts, particularly in northern Nigeria. He stressed that replicating the model could reduce insecurity, promote peaceful coexistence and unlock significant economic opportunities across the region.

Dogara highlighted the sector’s vast economic potential, noting that the global dairy and beef market is valued at about 2.5 trillion dollars, while northern Nigeria accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s livestock population. He said capturing even a fraction of the global market could generate substantial revenue for Nigeria.

Also speaking, a livestock business partner to the Botswana Embassy in Abuja, Mr Clinton Agbo, described the farm as a strong platform for international collaboration, adding that discussions were ongoing to establish a pilot programme with a Pan-African outlook led by Nigerian stakeholders.

Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is poised for renewed growth following sweeping regulatory reforms that will see several statutory fees scrapped or significantly reduced from the coming year.

The government-led initiative is expected to ease the cost of doing business for farmers, boost productivity and strengthen the country’s food security and export potential.

The reform programme, coordinated by the Office of the President and Cabinet with support from the Treasury and technical assistance from the World Bank, targets more than 20 permits and levies across the livestock, dairy and stockfeed industries. Treasury officials confirmed that once the measures are gazetted, agriculture will be the first sector to benefit before similar reforms are extended to other areas of the economy.

Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Davis Marapira said the new adjustments would begin to take effect with the implementation of the national budget, typically in January.

“The fee adjustment policy takes effect when the budget is implemented, which is usually in January. The impact of that policy must be felt through lower prices for customers,” he said.

According to a Treasury press statement, Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector has long been burdened by excessive regulations, high compliance costs and overlapping institutional mandates. Dairy farmers, for instance, previously required up to 25 permits from 12 agencies, while feed manufacturers needed 23 permits from 10 departments. Beef cattle farmers faced 18 requirements, abattoirs 20, dairy processors 21 and feed processors 23.

The reforms aim to eliminate duplication, simplify compliance and improve efficiency and competitiveness across the agricultural value chain. Among the key changes is the removal of the Agricultural Marketing Authority livestock and cattle levy, the biosafety permit, as well as borehole water abstraction charges and user fees.

Additional reforms include the abolition of farm registration certificates for small and medium-scale farmers, a sharp reduction in dairy processor registration fees from an annual US$350 to a once-off US$50, and a cut in feed manufacturing registration fees to a flat US$20. Livestock movement clearance fees have been halved, while import permits for livestock genetics such as heifers and bulls have dropped from US$100 to US$20.

Export-related costs have also been reduced, with dairy export permits falling from US$900 to US$10, and meat export permit fees lowered to US$100 annually. Environmental impact assessment licence fees have been slashed from 1,5% to 0,05% of project value, capped at US$100 000, and are now payable during operations rather than upfront.

“The government is elevating efforts to retain agriculture as the mainstay and engine of the economy, [and is] cognisant of its crucial role in job creation, particularly for the rural population, supporting 65% of livelihoods and the bulk of the country’s exports,” the Treasury said.

Meanwhile, Marapira cautioned that fee reductions alone would not automatically translate into lower consumer prices.

“The question is whether we have discipline at every level – from the farmer to the middlemen, abattoir, processor, and butcher. Otherwise, someone will take advantage of the government’s fee reductions to make bigger profits. It needs a holistic approach from all of us.

“Some want profit margins of as much as 200%, [or even] 50% in a US dollar environment where the currency is stable. But the government will have heard your concerns as farmers, as retailers,” he added.

Italy’s tractor manufacturer McCormick has officially entered Ethiopia’s agricultural machinery market, marking a significant step in the country’s push to modernise farming and reduce reliance on manual labour.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy, contributing around 34% of national GDP, and the government is intensifying efforts to accelerate mechanisation and productivity growth.

McCormick Tractors, owned by Italian industrial group Argo Tractors, announced a strategic partnership with Ethiopia’s Kerchanshe Group. The conglomerate is a major player in agricultural production and commodity trading, making it a natural partner for the Italian manufacturer’s market entry.

Under the agreement, Kerchanshe Group becomes the exclusive distributor of McCormick tractors across Ethiopia. The partnership covers nationwide sales, after-sales support and technical services, giving McCormick a direct channel into one of East Africa’s fastest-growing agricultural markets. For Ethiopia, the deal brings greater access to modern farm equipment as the country seeks to transform smallholder-dominated agriculture.

A fast-growing mechanisation market

Ethiopia presents a high-growth opportunity for global farm machinery suppliers. Despite vast agricultural potential, mechanisation levels remain low, with manual labour still dominating rural production. Government data show that tractors currently cultivate only about 5 million hectares, equivalent to 27% of the country’s estimated 18.4 million hectares of arable land.

To close this gap, the Ministry of Agriculture has set ambitious targets under its ten-year development strategy. The plan aims to increase the national tractor fleet from 20,000 units to 65,000, while the number of combine harvesters is expected to rise sharply from 2,700 to 15,000 units. These goals underscore Ethiopia’s long-term commitment to agricultural modernisation.

Supportive fiscal policies are also fuelling demand. Since 2020, Ethiopia has allowed duty-free imports of agricultural machinery and related equipment, encouraging leasing services and making modern technology more accessible to farmers.

A competitive landscape for foreign manufacturers

McCormick enters an increasingly competitive market already attracting major international players. In June 2023, China’s YTO China-Africa Machinery Corp (Camaco) partnered with the state-owned Ethio-Engineering Group to establish a tractor assembly plant with an annual capacity of 10,000 units. A month later, Zoomlion Agriculture Machinery Co. signed an agreement with the Ethiopian Agricultural Business Corporation to supply equipment, distribute spare parts and provide training and maintenance services.

In August 2025, Japanese manufacturer Kubota also announced plans to accelerate its African expansion, including Ethiopia, with backing from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

Expanding McCormick’s African footprint

The Ethiopian entry significantly strengthens McCormick’s presence in Africa, which had previously been limited to South Africa. The move aligns with broader market trends, as analysts project the African farm machinery market to grow from US$3.20bn in 2025 to US$4.65bn by 2030. Rising mechanisation gaps, targeted subsidies, digital leasing platforms and climate-smart farming practices are making tractors an essential tool across Africa’s evolving agricultural landscape.