NIGERIA Invest in 2012-13 - Newsdesk Media

AGCO invests in African agriculture
Thinking of investing in African
agriculture? Then you need to speak to
AGCO, which has the widest experience in all
sectors - from emerging small-scale farmers
right through to the largest projects.
As a world-leading farm-machinery
manufacturer, AGCO has unrivalled expertise
in African agriculture, with Massey Ferguson,
the region’s leader, now complemented by
Challenger-tracked tractors and equipment,
Valtra tractors for specialist applications as
well as GSI post-harvest technology for grain
handling and storage.
Together these top brands offer a
diverse range of equipment developed and
built specifically for African conditions.
AGCO’s unparalleled expertise and local
knowledge, which has been amassed over
many generations, puts it in prime position to
develop every area of African agriculture.
It always pays to pick a strong partner
and with an $8.8 billion turnover in 2011,
AGCO is the largest specialist, full-line
agricultural manufacturer, which sells
machinery in 140 countries.
A truly global corporation, AGCO has the
power, equipment and support structure to
make an immediate impact.
AGCO delivers on its commitment
AGCO is investing more than $100 million
to boost African agriculture and is currently
developing a wide range of new facilities across
the continent to provide the highest quality
farm mechanisation and training as well as
technical and spare-parts support.
In Zambia AGCO has just launched a new
150 ha (371 acre) model farm and learning
centre near Lusaka. “The AGCO Global
Learning Centre will empower farmers in
Africa to improve food production levels,” said
Nuradin Osman, AGCO’s Director Africa
& Middle East. “Small to medium scale
farmers with limited access to modern
farming will benefit from training courses
ranging from basic agronomy through
to general mechanisation.”
At the Centre large-scale commercial
farming businesses will also be offered training
on high-specification tractors and harvesting
equipment, including precision farming
techniques. Recognising the importance of
minimising post-harvest losses, the Centre
will also provide specific advice on the latest
grain handling and storage technology from
AGCO’s GSI product range.
New developments for the market
In South Africa, AGCO has also recently
celebrated a ‘ground breaking’ ceremony for
its African Master Parts Distribution Centre,
together with its South African Distribution
Partner, Barloworld in Johannesburg.
At this event Martin Richenhagen,
Chairman, President and CEO of AGCO, said:
“AGCO is committed to growing its presence
within Africa by investing in distribution
infrastructure and new training sites. Our new
warehouse will allow us to better serve our
customers in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
At the same time new regional offices are
being set up to bring AGCO even closer to the
market. Planned local assembly plants will not
only provide machines made in Africa, but also
create a wide range of new jobs.
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AGCO, through its Massey Ferguson,
Challenger and Valtra brands, offers an
unrivalled array of equipment designed,
developed and proven to excel in the most
arduous conditions. AGCO and its staff
understand African agriculture.
For more than 60 years Massey Ferguson
has been at the forefront of mechanising African
farming. Now, with the addition of Challengertracked
tractors along with Valtra’s expertise in
the region, AGCO provides the widest, full-line
of the most appropriate machinery.
Through its wholly-owned company GSI,
it is also able to offer crop storage buildings
and equipment to build a better agricultural
infrastructure in the region. Improving storage
and the ability to condition crops not only
prevents losses, but also allows farmers to
hold crops and respond to market demands
and improve returns.
As a world-leading farm-machinery
manufacturer, AGCO is not only strengthening
its position in Africa, but also delivering on
its mission: ‘To provide high-tech solutions to
farmers feeding the world.’
www.agcocorp.com/