VCF hosts farming conference
Value Chain Farming (VCF) Africa-Botswana which runs VCF, a market driven contract farming initiative that seeks to support the commercialisation of small scale farmers, will host a three-day conference from February 1 to 3 at Ave Marie Conference Centre. The initiative focuses on provision of skills, advanced agricultural technology, financing frameworks and infrastructure development. Managing Director Tshepiso Ntshobotho says the inaugural conference will provide information on emerging external trends and current issues that impact the future of the agriculture industry.
VCF Africa – Botswana is an Agribusiness Consortium of two Italian companies, BEXA Consulting, Private Department of Agriculture Food Energy and Environmental Studies (DAFEES) and Longreach International (Pty) Ltd (Botswana). Professor Allesandra Arioli of DAFEES and Stefano Baldi Netafim of BEXA have confirmed that they will be speaking at the conference. Organisers believe that there is an abundant and diverse range of opportunities from production of crops, livestock as well as mechanisation waiting to be exploited. They say it is therefore essential to create the conditions for private entrepreneurs, including small farmers, to create successful businesses and gain easier access to finance and the markets.
The conference is also expected to provide an opportunity for players in the agriculture and food-processing sector to strengthen cooperation and forge new partnerships. It will also provide a unique business platform for industry leaders, policy makers, governments and other important stakeholders for collaboration on the huge potential for growth, development and business. Conference content will vary from: plenary sessions focusing on farming to farm inputs, mechanisation and extension services, site tours and showcases of agri-business products and services.
Participants will include, industry leaders, decision makers and important stakeholders from across the entire spectrum of agriculture and related sectors. VCF Africa-Botswana focuses on creating, modeling and promoting investment projects for the African agriculture industry, through partnerships with other investing or consulting partners.