Grain SA’s NAMPO Agricultural Trade Show is a staple on the calendar of the South African agricultural community and those who serve it. Hydraform International, leading alternative building technology company in the developing world, will have the agricultural sector top of mind as it exhibits and demonstrates its brick and block making machinery at the show for the 21st consecutive year.
NAMPO, the largest agricultural show in the southern hemisphere, is attended by the agricultural community from across the African continent. As such, it offers exhibitors direct access to the who’s who of the agricultural sector and a platform for networking not only within this industry, but with the many other businesses that are critical to its success.
“The products and innovations on display at NAMPO are of a world class standard,” remarks, Nazlie Dickson, Hydraform Sales and Marketing Director, adding, “The show facilitates the demonstration of all the latest technologies available to the sector, not only to grow this market, but to play their part in facilitating the constant improvement of the quality of produce. NAMPO is thus an ideal platform for suppliers and manufacturers to access invaluable direct market input from their customer base and vice versa and, with the show’s new international pavilion, the enterprise is growing its international visitor and exhibitor base tremendously.”
Food on the table
As a sector vital to the economy and the food security of South Africans, the farmer’s practice is a fragile one contingent upon unpredictable variables like the weather, pestilence and the instability of the labour market. Nazlie Dickson remarks, “The local agricultural sector has faced a number of obstacles of late, due to the drought and more recently, the outbreak of the ‘Fall Armyworm’ in Limpopo and the North West Province,” adding, “And although there is an estimated 80% growth in maize production compared to last year, many farmers may still struggle, since the maize price is expected to be much lower and catching up to losses will still prove to be difficult.”
Another challenge in the sector is the development of emerging farmers’ operations. Comments Dickson, “Unfortunately, over the course of the last two years or so, farmers have had many factors with which to contend and spending has been restricted to other areas,” adding, “It is essential that emerging farmers are developed and equipped to set up and run sustainable farming that can positively contribute to our country’s economy. These farmers are hardest hit by drought and other natural disasters due to the lack of insurance and savings, which makes the topic of agricultural training and planning for various natural occurrences that could influence farming activities top of mind at the show.”
A growing partnership
Hydraform has a long and successful relationship with the agricultural community, which is underpinned by the quality and toughness of its machinery which is used to build anything from staff housing, storage facilities, lodges and other buildings needed on farms. “The challenges of the farmer represent opportunities within the sector and the manufacture of quality bricks and blocks has proven to be a viable business opportunity, not only in the construction of farm buildings, but in supplying bricks and blocks commercially,” Dickson notes, adding, “This is why we’ll be launching our new Hydraform HP1 block making machine at NAMPO, which will be demonstrated to the public for the first time at the show,” she adds.
The Hydraform HP1 is an entry-level block making machine that is aimed at small projects and has the agricultural sector in mind. The machine does not require diesel or electricity to operate and is done completely manually, without compromising on block quality. Being a Hydraform machine, it remains true to the original concept of manufacturing quality interlocking building blocks from soil-cement technology.
“By nature, the successful farmer is an innovator whose survival depends on finding solutions to his day-to-day challenges, making Hydraform technology an ideal companion for the players in this field,” says Dickson, concluding, “We are thus proud to have been associated with the NAMPO event for so long and are grateful to the growing enterprise for its support in connecting the agricultural industry with the tools it needs not only to survive, but to thrive.”
Hydraform will be exhibiting at NAMPO from 16-19 May 2017. Visit us at stand 65c and learn more about Hydraform’s brick and block making machinery and how it supports the farmer and the developing world.
[ENDS]About Hydraform
Hydraform has dedicated its more than 25 years of experience in alternative building technologies to developing the Hydraform interlocking building system. Through continuous research and development with leading institutions, the company has developed a dry-stack interlocking building block, eliminating the use of mortar in 70% of the building structure with no need for concrete or steel columns – saving money and delivering exceptional quality.
Hydraform contact:
Moabi Rakosa
Tel: +27 (0) 11 913 1449
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.hydraform.com
Media contact:
Bridgette Macheke
MoonDawn Media & Communications
Tel: +27 (0) 079 5494
Cell: +27 (0)73 400 1549
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.moondawnmedia.co.za
