To address productivity challenges, Pratley Group has launched a scientifically designed perlite-based growing medium, Grolite that is known to deliver superior results. (Image source: Pratley)

Grolite, a perlite-based growing medium from Pratley has been known to be a transformative product for farmers, from small-scale enterprises to large agricultural operations

Amidst increasing pressure to boost productivity and efficiency in farming operations, the adoption of innovative solutions has become essential. At the same time, conserving resources is also essential. To address these challenges, Pratley Group has launched a scientifically designed perlite-based growing medium, Grolite that is known to deliver superior results. 

Available in Type 1 and Type 2 grades, with sizes ranging from fine to coarse, Grolite accommodates a range of agricultural practices. This flexibility enables farmers to choose the specific grade that best meets their operational needs, whether it is for seedlings, hydroponic systems, soil aeration, or improving moisture retention in crop fields.

Being  a sterile growing medium free from any form of harmful pathogens, Grolite provides a clean and healthy environment for plant growth, which is particularly important for the development of fine hair roots. The optimal air-water balance facilitated by Grolite further enhances root systems, leading to faster-growing and more resilientplants. Its excellent wicking properties also promote  optimal and uniform water distribution within the growing medium, supporting consistent plant health and productivity.

Grolite's reputation as a durable and consistent growing medium comes from its excellent nutrient intake capability which enables crops to absorb essential nutrients more efficiently. In addition, its inert and stable nature prevents the product from dissolving or degrading over time. Grolite also significantly boosts yield, thanks to its ability to retain fertilisers in the soil, ensuring that nutrients remain available to plants for longer durations.

Furthermore, the product also retains moisture in the soil and maintains stable temperatures, helping crops thrive in South Africa’s diverse and often challenging climatic conditions. Its role in improving soil aeration and drainage prevents compaction and waterlogging, promoting the health and resilience of crops. These properties make it an excellent choice for both traditional farming methods and more advanced systems like hydroponics.

Marketing director, Eldon Kruger highlighted that the benefits of Grolite extend well beyond just enhancing plant growth. "Grolite is more than just a growing medium. It is a strategic resource that empowers farmers to achieve better outcomes whilst also preserving natural resources," stated Krugar.

The adoption of a gender gap reduction policy highlights the Group’s commitment to social inclusion, promoting a sustainable and innovative business model. (Image source: Arrigoni)

Arrigoni, a leading European group in the design and production of agrotextiles for agriculture, has recently obtained Gender Equality certification in accordance with UNI/PdR 125:2022, thanks to the adoption of a company policy geared toward reducing the gender gap

Arrigoni’s new milestones extend the equity goals and complement the concept of openness and sustainability that the Group has promoted over the years. The policy is not limited to gender difference, but embraces and promotes the benefits of diversity in all its aspects, including age, ethnicity, geographic origin, seniority in office, disability and sexual orientation. 

With the adoption of the new policy, every stage of professional life, from recruitment to career paths, will be guided by the principle of equal opportunity, inclusion and meritocracy. The document also explores aspects such as parental protection, work-life balance and professional development opportunities for women, questioning internal processes, formalising commitments and raising the bar even higher. 

The new gender equality policy sets clear requirements over time for all areas of the company, including governance, human resource management processes, pay equity, and corporate culture. Appropriate reporting and monitoring systems will ensure the identification of any deviations from defined goals, allowing prompt action to be taken.

“With the Gender Equality certification we are determinedly pursuing the goal of developing a business model based on inclusion, innovation and valuing people in order to contribute to sustainable and lasting cultural change in society,” concluded the CEO of Arrigoni Group, Paolo Arrigoni, adding that the adoption of this policy would help in raising aareness to avoid gender stereotypes, while also contributing to the creation of a positive and inclusive work environment that adheres to the corporate vision of diversity. 

Replacing normal polyethylene with Symphony's NbR resin is considered more environmentally friendly due to its ability to biodegrade after the harvest. (Image source: Symphony Environmental)

Leading sustainable plastics manufacturer, Symphony Environmental has urged farmers and growers to halt their use of ordinary plastic mulch films that are capable of contaminating soil and affecting food quality, thus calling for new plastic-manufacturing methods

To prevent the ongoing environmental damage caused by plastic pollution year after year, CEO of Symphony Environmental, Michael Laurier argues that farmers and growers must switch to the right kind of biodegradable plastic. To protect crops and reduce water evaporation, farmers and growers generally spread plastic mulch films on their fields. However, conventional plastic films cannot be recycled easily after use due to contamination and degradation. Moreover, when being removed from the field post exposure to sunlight and weathering, they tend to release fragments and microplastics that are extremely detrimental to the environment. 

Replacing normal polyethylene with Symphony's NbR resin is considered more environmentally friendly due to its ability to biodegrade after the harvest , without needing to be collected and transferred to a composting facility. Its degradating can be programmed to occur in the timescale required for each crop type. It will then act as a carbon source for next year's plants.

“This resin can be produced by mulch-film manufacturers at lower cost than normal polyethylene using their standard equipment, as it contains 20% less fossil-derived plastic,” said Laurier. “Plastic pollution of the countryside needs to be addressed urgently, and farmers and growers now have the opportunity to do this at no extra cost.”

Panelists identified several critical barriers to adequate financing. (Image source: AfDB)

Speaking at a two-day conference, leading global and financial experts underscored the crucial role of government intervention in creating an enabling environment for financial institutions to expand agricultural lending

The conference represents a pivotal step in mobilising the billions needed annually to support Africa’s smallholder farmers, who make up some 80% of the continent’s farming population but control less than 5% of agricultural land. African Development Bank (AfDB) Group president Dr Akinwumi Adesina delivered the keynote address, highlighting a glaring disconnect: while agriculture contributes 30% to Africa’s GDP, it accounts for only 6% of commercial bank lending.

A key highlight of the session was a panel discussion featuring Alice Albright, former CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC); Brian Milder, founder and CEO of Aceli Africa; and Jules Ngankam, group CEO of the African Guarantee Fund. Moderated by former international broadcaster, Yvonne Ndege, the panel explored practical designs for sustainable financing mechanisms to bridge the financing gap in agriculture. 

Panelists identified several critical barriers to adequate financing. These include risk misperceptions in agricultural lending, high transaction costs for rural financial services, mismatches between standard loan products and agricultural business cycles, lack of formal financial records and collateral, and inequitable value chain structures that limit farmer profitability. A number of critical barriers were highlighted by the panelists including, risk misperceptions in agricultural lending, high transaction costs for rural financial services, mismatches between standard loan products and agricultural business cycles, lack of formal financial records and collateral, and inequitable value chain structures that limit farmer profitability.

Moreover, several strategic recommendations were proposed by them. These included tailoring financial approaches separately for working capital and infrastructure investment, developing risk-sharing mechanisms to attract greater participation from commercial banks, and strengthening digital financial infrastructure to lower transaction costs. They also emphasised the need for targeted subsidies to stimulate private capital investment and called for enhanced market access to help farmers capture more value from agricultural production.