Capital Equipment News May 2017

AGRICULTURE: PRE-NAMPO

GEARING FOR A DEAL-CENTRIC NAMPO

G rain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day – a staple on the calendar of the South African agricultural community and those who serve it – enables producers and other role players in the agricultural industry to experience the latest products and solutions on offer first-hand and on one place. This year’s show, to be held from May 16 to 19 in Bothaville, Free State, comes at a time when the local agricultural community is experiencing seemingly better times compared with the dire drought conditions in 2016. Attracting close to 77 000 visitors and over 650 exhibitors every year, the show is said to be one of the biggest agricultural exhibitions in the southern hemisphere.

This year’s NAMPO Harvest Day comes amid seemingly improving prospects in the agricultural sector premised on easing drought conditions in South Africa. As a result, several exhibitors expect a deal-centric show as farmers look to bolster their fleets with new products and solutions to improve their farming processes, writes Munesu Shoko .

State of market Bell Equipment is one of the original equipment manufacturers exhibiting at this year’s show, and Tim Beningfield, product marketing manager – Forestry, Sugar and Agriculture, tells Capital Equipment News that recent drought conditions have had serious effects on the agricultural community at large, but there are some

positive signs of relief in certain areas. “We remain optimistic that the recovery will gain momentum in the near future,” says Beningfield. “We see a positive outlook of the sector at large as the drought seems to have abated, particularly in the coastal sugarcane growing regions.” Ryno Saayman, marketing coordinator at Hydraform International, an alternative

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