Agri-IoT Leaf Temperature and Humidity Sensor into modern farming practices (Image credit: Agri-Tech)

Agri-IoT (Africa) has developed an innovative Leaf Temperature and Humidity Sensor designed to monitor plant health and stress.

This sensor is part of Agri-IoT’s growing suite of smart farming solutions, tailored specifically to support African farmers in optimising crop growth and sustainability.

Functionality:

The sensor accurately tracks leaf temperature and humidity, providing critical insights into plant health. By detecting water stress and offering early warnings for potential diseases or pest infestations, it empowers farmers to make informed decisions on irrigation, disease management, and crop protection. Such precise monitoring promotes sustainable agricultural practices and enhances farm productivity.

Design & Durability:

Engineered to mimic the surface of a real leaf, the sensor ensures accurate readings that reflect true plant physiology. Its robust and waterproof design, often IP67 rated, guarantees reliable performance even in harsh outdoor conditions, making it a durable solution for diverse African climates.

Data Access & Connectivity:

Collected data is transmitted to a cloud platform and is accessible through a user-friendly web-based dashboard, allowing farmers to monitor conditions remotely in real time. This IoT-enabled approach offers actionable insights, enabling proactive decision-making and improving crop yield and quality.

By integrating the Agri-IoT Leaf Temperature and Humidity Sensor into modern farming practices, African farmers gain a powerful tool for smarter, data-driven agriculture, supporting precision farming, crop sustainability, and resilient food production systems. 

Kerchanshe Group management and McCormick Tractor executives. (Image credit: Kerchanshe Group)

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.

The Braud 8.50L can empty directly into trailers up to 3m high, significantly reducing downtime and maximising each harvesting shift.(Image credit: New Holland)

New Holland has expanded its specialist vineyard machinery line-up with the introduction of the Braud 8.50L, a compact yet incredibly powerful grape harvester designed to transform productivity in large commercial vineyards.

First launched in 2024 and showcased at Nampo Cape in Bredasdorp, this next-generation machine blends efficiency, precision, and grape-friendly technology making it one of the most exciting new arrivals in modern viticulture.

Although built for extensive vineyard operations, the Braud 8.50L remains agile. Its shorter frame allows for swift, confident turning at the end of tight rows—an essential feature for high-density vineyards looking to save time without compromising careful handling of vines and fruit. New Holland’s product marketing specialist, Derrick Coetzee, emphasised the model’s clever balance of strength and practicality, noting its versatile performance even in challenging terrain.

“With an overall length of just 5m and a powerful 144hp engine, the Braud 8.50L is both compact and capable. Farmers will notice quicker turnaround times, even in tough terrain.”

The machine’s upgraded engine provides an additional 16hp compared with previous versions, while the re-engineered transmission enhances smooth movement over uneven ground. These improvements, combined with reduced mechanical strain, result in faster harvesting cycles and lower long-term maintenance costs key considerations for vineyard owners managing tight seasonal windows.

A standout productivity booster is the 3 600ℓ hopper, which enables longer harvesting runs between offloading stops. The Braud 8.50L can empty directly into trailers up to 3m high, significantly reducing downtime and maximising each harvesting shift.

But where the machine truly shines is in its gentle grape-handling technology, a critical factor for winemakers prioritising quality. The adjustable Shaking Dynamic Control system allows operators to fine-tune harvesting intensity from the cab to suit real-time vineyard conditions.

“This allows the machine to shake just enough to remove the grapes without damaging the vines or crushing the fruit,” Coetzee said.

Supporting this is New Holland’s renowned Noria basket conveyor system, designed to cradle grapes carefully while maintaining constant contact with the vines ensuring minimal fruit loss and preserving shape and integrity.

“It’s the closest you’ll get to hand-picking, but much faster,” Coetzee explained.

Inside the machine, a destemming rotor, cleaning fan and on-board wash system work together to deliver cleaner grapes and easier maintenance. Meanwhile, the fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine ensures stability on slopes of up to 35°, assisted by automatic height and tilt control and a refined suspension system for smoother travel.

Adding to its advanced design, the harvester features the IntelliView™ IV Plus display, offering enhanced touchscreen functionality and improved visibility for seamless operation.

“The Braud 8.50L gives farmers more power, cleaner fruit, and less downtime,” Coetzee said. “It’s built to deliver results, season after season.”

Vicar sprayers are proving to be a formidable investment for South African farmers striving for smarter. (Image credit: Vicar)

European spraying innovation has taken a bold leap into the South African agriculture sector with the arrival of Vicar mist blower sprayers, a technology reshaping the way growers manage crop protection.

Developed over 40 years ago by Italian engineer Vincenzo Caroli in collaboration with LTS in Germany, this advanced sprayer design has become synonymous with intelligent airflow, high efficiency, and exceptional coverage. Now imported by Ikapa Trading in Grabouw, Vicar sprayers are fast becoming a favourite among farmers seeking smarter, faster, and more precise spraying solutions.

What sets the Vicar system apart is its pioneering radial turbine technology, which independent consultant Mike Heath who has witnessed decades of machinery evolution believes to be a game-changer. Unlike conventional axial flow sprayers that rely on propeller blades and lose speed as air moves through housings and deflectors, Vicar sprayers use a single turbine resembling a water wheel. This turbine sucks air in from both sides and moves it radially at a 90° angle, producing a consistent, high-velocity air stream.

The uniquely designed cast aluminium housing forces air through calibrated outlets only, resulting in a uniform exit speed of 250km/h to 280km/h at 540 PTO. Crucially, this system achieves optimal spray delivery while requiring up to two to three times less air volume than axial flow designs dramatically improving efficiency.

Vicar sprayers are also fitted with 360° rotating spray heads, each equipped with up to eight nozzles that move with the airflow for precise application. Heath explains that this makes every model adaptable: vineyards, orchards, tree crops, flowers, vegetables and dense plantations can all be targeted with outstanding coverage. The Vicar 540 reaches 12m per side and 25m in height, while the Vicar 450 covers 4m per side and up to 15m high ideal for vineyards and orchards. The 456 model enhances multirow spraying for modern high-density crops.

Vicar’s airflow control technology also allows operators to manipulate spray direction and prevent turbulence. Upper outlets can create an “air ceiling” to keep spray low for young crops, while lower outlets deliver targeted protection. With reduced drift up to 90% less environmental pollution, as tested by the Julius Kühn-Institut—Vicar ranks among the few sprayers meeting Germany’s strict regulations.

Heath adds that the sprayers’ ability to work faster at high air speeds means farmers can double their operational pace compared with axial fan sprayers. “Being able to work faster and spray multiple rows is allowing Vicar clients to substitute at least two conventional sprayers with one Vicar sprayer,” he notes.

Built for stability, especially on hilly terrain, Vicar’s trailed models feature double-axle frames, three-point linkage attachment, adjustable wheels and a short-turn system that improves manoeuvrability. Tanks include clean-water reservoirs for easy flushing, reducing contamination risks and enhancing longevity.

Despite being pricier than traditional sprayers, co-owner Neels Thiart says the machines pay for themselves quickly thanks to superior performance and durability. In Europe, their second-hand value remains exceptionally high: “In Europe you are able to sell one of these sprayers second-hand for almost the same price as you bought it,” he says.

With unmatched penetration, reduced drift, precision airflow and long-term value, Vicar sprayers are proving to be a formidable investment for South African farmers striving for smarter, more sustainable crop protection.