Manufacturing company AGCO has unveiled Farm in a box (FIAB) initiative to bring farming technology to rural African communities at Germany’s International Green Week 18-27 January 2019
The company added that FIAB is an initiative that provides a package of essential farm equipment and tractor and implements together with support mechanisms such as parts, workshop tools, training and expertise to ensure sustainable and productive machinery operations
Designed to provide a holistic solution, FIAB is a localised farm support centre that provides mechanisation services to rural communities.
Martin Richenhagen, president, chairman and CEO of AGCO, said, “With this brand-new new concept, we aim to take farm mechanisation plus all its necessary support facilities deep into previously underserviced rural communities in Africa.”
FIAB will offer a 45-80hp tractor and a number of implements, such as a ripper, disc harrow, trailer and planter. The objective is to offer ‘for-hire’ mechanisation services to smallholder farmers, enabling them to reap the benefits of agricultural equipment without having to invest in capital assets.
The package includes training programmes and support from a dedicated AGCO operations support centre which provides technical advice and guidance.
“With AGCO’s wide-ranging experience serving African farmers, the company is uniquely positioned to develop innovative solutions to meet the challenge of sustainable and productive farming on the continent,” he added.
“There is an urgent need to empower the millions of smallholder farmers in Africa to ensure food security. Tailored, inclusive and integrated approaches to agricultural mechanisation can increase the welfare of farm households and create opportunities for economic growth in rural areas. Our Farm in a Box is yet another initiative fulfilling AGCO’s commitment to ‘Run Africa from Africa’,” he concluded.
