Manila, Philippines

From 16 to 18 June 2026, the DLG Feldtage event will return to the International Crop Production Center in Bernburg, Germany, bringing together farmers, researchers, and industry experts under the theme “Crop Production out of the Box”.

With more than 300 exhibitors expected, the event will highlight fresh ideas and practical approaches to modern crop production, with a strong focus on organic farming.

A key feature of this year’s exhibition is the “DLG Spotlight: Organic Farming”, which offers visitors a closer look at how organic arable systems are evolving. Organic farming depends on diverse crop rotations and a wide mix of crops, including both traditional varieties and newer legumes and mixed cropping systems. The event will provide clear, practical insights into how these systems can be managed effectively, from choosing the right varieties to understanding cultivation techniques and market opportunities.

Field demonstrations will play a central role, allowing visitors to see real examples of organic practices in action. Trial plots organised by leading agricultural groups will present a range of crop types suited to organic production. Ridge cultivation will also be highlighted as a method that supports soil health while remaining economically viable for farmers. Organisations such as Naturland and other industry partners will be on hand to offer guidance on market access and support farmers who are considering a shift to organic methods.

Innovation remains at the heart of the spotlight programme. Visitors will be introduced to modern solutions designed to tackle current challenges in organic farming. These include soil regeneration practices, climate resilient systems, and camera guided mechanical weed control for both cereals and broadleaf crops. Seeing these technologies in operation will help farmers better understand how to apply them in their own fields.

Machinery demonstrations will add another layer of practical learning, with around 66 machine setups operating live each day. These will showcase efficient soil friendly techniques such as non inversion tillage, direct drilling, and mechanical weed control methods.

Alongside the demonstrations, experts will share advice through talks, discussions, and guided tours, creating a space for knowledge exchange and informed decision making across the organic farming community.

Ntungamo District, a district in Western Uganda is facing mounting pressure as a fast moving outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease continues to disrupt livestock trade and strain relations between farmers and veterinary officials.

The disease, which was first detected in Nyakyera Sub county after animals were brought in from unknown sources, has lingered for nearly two months.

In a swift response, the district halted cattle markets and installed quarantine checkpoints to limit further spread. According to Dr Yake Basulira, the district veterinary officer, emergency measures were introduced as soon as the outbreak was confirmed.

“We had a challenge of Foot and Mouth Disease starting with Nyakyera area due to inflow of animals from unknown sources. We came in as a task team and set up FMD task teams,” he explained.

A District Task Team later met stakeholders in January, 2026, in Nyakyera and Rubare to agree on stricter controls, including market closures and a vaccination drive.

Foot and Mouth Disease affects animals with split hooves including cattle, goats, sheep and pigs. It spreads quickly through direct contact, infected equipment and the movement of livestock.

Despite the government supplying what officials describe as enough vaccines for the entire district herd, progress has been uneven. “The vaccination campaign programs have continued, however with setbacks. These setbacks are attached to farmers not bringing all their animals for vaccination yet requesting to know where the disease is,” Dr Basulira said.

“The government has given us massive amounts of vaccine which can contain the animals of Ntungamo. If all farmers would bring all their animals in time, we would ably push out this FMD out of Ntungamo, and operations of markets would be normal.”

Tensions are rising in Itojo where some large scale farmers have resisted the exercise. “In Itojo some people have over 200 animals but have failed to vaccinate yet they are threatening the district veterinary officer. There must be penalties,” warned Denis Savimbi.

Officials insist enforcement will follow. “The farmer who doesn't want to bring his animals for vaccination is handled by those penalties. Dear farmers, let’s comply so that you know how to manage it before you are put in prison for the sake of your animals,” Dr Basulira cautioned.

Beyond animal health, the economic impact is clear. Bernard Ahabwe noted, “FMD has killed our cows and affected the district in terms of resource mobilization. The markets are not functioning, we are not collecting local revenue.”

Chief Administrative Officer Fildeus Kizza added, “Much as some farmers could be selling from their homes and they don’t bring their animals to markets, definitely we cannot collect money like market dues. There must be some sort of decline in terms of revenue collection. We might lose revenue but we are protecting income for the farmer.”

For Ntungamo, the task now is to restore order, protect livelihoods and bring the outbreak under control before losses deepen further.

Cameroon is moving forward with plans to strengthen its agricultural sector through a government subsidy of US$650,000

The funding, provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, is aimed at improving productivity and encouraging the use of modern farming methods across the country.

The support has been directed to the National Center for Studies and Experimentation of Agricultural Machinery, known as CENEEMA. This public institution plays an important role in adapting farming equipment to suit local conditions and helping farmers adopt better tools. The effort forms part of a wider national plan for 2026 that focuses on reducing food imports while increasing local production.

A key part of the programme is the creation of mechanisation hubs in areas such as Meiganga, Tibati and Andjeck. These centres are expected to give farmers easier access to machinery and services that can replace time consuming manual work. Alongside this, the government is investing in land development and basic infrastructure, including wells and solar powered systems that can support farming activities in rural areas.

The funding will also go towards purchasing essential equipment. This includes seeders, surveying tools and motorcycles that will help improve movement and coordination in the field. Such additions are expected to make farm management more efficient and allow farmers to work on larger areas of land.

Another important feature of the plan is the development of at least 50 hectares of demonstration sites. These areas will be used to test modern techniques and train farmers in practical ways. At the same time, existing facilities like the mechanisation centre in Yoko will be restored to improve their performance.

Through this initiative, the government aims to strengthen CENEEMA and place it at the centre of agricultural progress in the country. By making modern tools more accessible and supporting local farmers, Cameroon hopes to increase yields, improve food security and support long term economic growth.

Water scarcity and wastewater management have long been pressing concerns across South Africa, and Xylem, a globally recognised water technology company, has just made things a great deal more manageable.

The company officially launched its Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) equipment and services at its Africa headquarters in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, marking a significant step forward in accessible, practical wastewater treatment for the region.

The launch drew attention from a wide range of industries that deal with the daily challenge of treating and recycling water responsibly. Mining operations, municipalities, agricultural businesses, aquaculture farms, food and beverage producers, paper and pulp mills, chemical manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies are all in the frame as potential beneficiaries of this technology. It is a broad reach, and deliberately so.

At its core, DAF is a pre-treatment and solids-separation system designed to slot into existing wastewater management frameworks. It works as a standalone unit or as part of a larger treatment process, sitting alongside biological treatment, filtration, and water reuse systems to help facilities meet compliance targets and achieve their recycling goals. What makes it particularly attractive is its compact, modular build, which means it can be installed even in tight or congested spaces where traditional systems simply would not fit. Rental options are also on the table, making it viable for smaller operations or those with seasonal demands.

The science behind DAF is clever but straightforward. Xylem's systems use Hellbender pumps to generate microscopic air bubbles that, after the water undergoes coagulation and flocculation, latch onto suspended particles and drag them to the surface where they can be skimmed off. The result is water that is significantly cleaner, with total suspended solids, fats, oils, greases, and biochemical oxygen demand all reduced efficiently.

Three models are available, the RT-50, RT-100, and RT-240, catering for flow rates ranging from 100 to 1,000 GPM. Each unit is built from durable stainless steel, comes with an integrated flocculation tube, and includes a pre-wired control panel that makes setup relatively straightforward.

Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager at Xylem WSS (AMETI), was candid about what this launch means for local customers. "We are very excited to bring cutting-edge DAF solutions to our local customers. Xylem has introduced our DAF solutions to several other markets, where they have become a big hit among companies of various sizes. They appreciate the logistical benefits of DAF's compact designs and convenient deployment, supported by our expert technicians. South African organisations in the private and public sectors can now also leverage DAF to expand their choices for water treatment and recycling."

The support offering goes well beyond simply supplying equipment. "Xylem's expert staff and our experienced partners customise each solution as required. We deliver and manage components such as mixer tanks, weir tanks, pumps, and conveyors, as well as catwalks and accessories. Our skilled technicians can support on-site staff or run the process on behalf of our customers," added Mistry.

For too long, fully industrialised water treatment felt out of reach for many South African organisations, put off by the cost and operational complexity involved. Xylem's DAF range changes that conversation considerably, offering a flexible, scalable entry point into serious water management without demanding enormous upfront commitment. Whether a business is running a pilot programme or upgrading an established treatment system, there is a configuration to suit the need.

The launch plants Xylem firmly on the map as a hands-on, solutions-driven partner for industries and municipalities that are serious about using water wisely.