OptiDry Compact X integrated at Triflor (tulip). (Image source: Bosman Van Zaal)

Bosman Van Zaal has been realising customised dehumidification solutions for customers since 2015, with their R&D department managing to translate these customised solutions into a series of dehumidifiers that are plug-and-play applicable for a wide range of crops and growing systems

Whether in high-tech climate chambers, growing potted plants or fruiting vegetable crops, the innovative OptiDry dehumidifiers can be implemented seamlessly in any cultivation system. The dehumidifiers used in horticulture typically operate with synthetic refrigerants that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions due to their high GWP (Global Warming Potential), with their sale within Europe planned to be phased out between 1 January 2025 and 1 January 2030.

Low-GWP refrigerants are also currently under fire in Europe due to the fact that these refrigerants contain PFAS. As a result, really only natural refrigerants are future-proof. That leaves only 3 applications: CO2, ammonia and propane. Bosman Van Zaal sees R290 (propane) as the best and most sustainable solution.

The OptiDry series consists of two basic type dehumidifiers:

• The OptiDry Compact X: Designed to dry air very efficiently and can be easily connected to an existing or new chilled water or freecooling circuit by drycooling or basin water. The X stands for cross flow heat exchanger, which is integrated into the unit. Using this additional heat exchanger saves 30-50% on cooling capacity. It is connected to an outdoor unit (chiller or buffer) and is available in two different versions to suit every growing situation.

• The OptiDry Advanced DX: As one of the first dehumidifiers to use natural refrigerant R290 (propane), the Optidry Advanced DX offers lower energy consumption compared to synthetic refrigerant models. R290 (propane) is therefore not only highly efficient and environmentally friendly, but also future-proof in contrast to synthetic refrigerants. These units can be easily installed in greenhouses or added to existing plant growth chambers for improved dehumidification.

Some of the notable features of the OptiDry range include compact design, lightweight models, high-efficiency dehumidification capacity, presence of the environmentally friendly and future-proof refrigerant R-290 (propane), availability of airsock, and easy integration and connection to new  or existing chilled water systems.

Bayer aims to support a total of 100 million smallholder farmers in LMICs by 2030. (Image source: Bayer)

Bayer Foundation and the Pula Foundation announced at World Economic Forum that they are planning to provide insurance coverage for 10 million smallholder farmers by 2030

The collaboration aims to enhance climate resilience among smallholder farmers, protecting them against the growing impacts of droughts and floods, which threaten harvests, livelihoods, and global food security. It will help build private-public collaborations and shape the insurance market for agriculture in Africa and Asia.

The Pula Foundation has developed scalable and data-driven agricultural insurance solutions designed to safeguard smallholder farmers' investments in their farms. By mitigating risks associated with extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, the Pula Foundation ensures that farmers receive financial compensation for yield losses, enabling them to recover, reinvest, and build long-term resilience in the face of climate uncertainty. 

By 2030, Bayer Foundation’s grant for insurance premium support in the amount of 10 million euros – supported by a donation from Bayer’s Crop Science Division – will unlock a potential insurance coverage of 127 million US dollars for 10 million farmers working with national governments in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Mali. The grant originates from Bayer Foundation’s Social Innovation Ecosystem Fund which targets mature and high-impact solutions for underserved communities.

Bayer aims to support a total of 100 million smallholder farmers in LMICs by 2030 by improving their access to agricultural products and services. This also includes collaborations with partners. To achieve this, Bayer strives to create market models that generate benefits and reduce business risks for all partners in the value chain, including smallholder farmers.

To boost local production, the HBP is rolling out pilot programmes to simplify access for market women to buy local crops. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Ghana is taking bold steps to improve food security and sustainability by bringing together agritech, agribusiness, and collaborative partnerships

With digital training and support from the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) Ghana Tech project, initiatives like the Horticulture Business Platform (HBP) and the Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference are reshaping agriculture. 

The HBP gathers farmers, small businesses, input suppliers, and farmer-based groups, all working toward shared goals. By working with key organisations, HBP promotes sustainable growth in horticulture, offering its members opportunities to access local and global markets, benefit from training programmes, and engage in trade fairs. 

The NTF V support brings together agribusinesses, technology companies, investors, and government agencies to find sustainable solutions. One example is the Agricultural Innovation for Africa Conference (AIA), co-hosted by KIC. At the 2024 event, over 1,500 farmers, tech innovators, and policymakers explored opportunities to work together. Youth engagement and gender equality are central to Ghana’s agricultural transformation. Agritech startups in the NTF V cohort prioritise empowering women farmers.

Despite substantial achievements, Apom said many farmers still lack access to smartphones and the digital skills needed to use advanced tools. To boost local production, the HBP is rolling out pilot programmes to simplify access for market women to buy local crops. This not only helps reduce post-harvest losses but also strengthens local food systems. Ghana’s commitment to achieving food security and sustainability offers a blueprint for other nations grappling with similar challenges.

The draft NALC project document will be presented and validated by key stakeholders from both the Government and donor community on 30 January 2025. (Image source: FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is providing technical assistance to the Government of Zimbabwe in developing a National Agricultural and Livestock Census (NALC) Plan of Action

This collaboration is part of FAO’s broader efforts to support Zimbabwe in strengthening its agricultural data systems and ensuring food security for its population. For the next two weeks, senior statisticians and economists from key strategic sectors are gathered in Harare to discuss and document data needs, methodological considerations, overall planning and the required resources for undertaking the agricultural and livestock census in a project document as per the FAO World Programme for the Census of Agriculture (WCA 2020).

At the same time, the Government professionals are updating data on food availability for human consumption in terms calories, fats, minerals, proteins, vitamins and other micro and macro nutrients per capita per day to support food security and nutrition policies.

The draft NALC project document will be presented and validated by key stakeholders from both the Government and donor community on 30 January 2025, as an important tool for resource mobilisation to be used by both the Government and its development partners. The implementation of NALC will follow once the required resources become available.