On Pretoria’s agenda, Dutch Agri and Food technologies grows loud in Africa
Being the second largest exporter of agri and food products, the Netherlands continues to share innovations and knowledge to the world. The Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria has positioned itself as a facilitator for Dutch companies and institutions to share their innovations and knowledge to the South African and other African agri and food sectors.
Introduction
As part of its 2020 programme, the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria seeks to contribute in debates and exhibitions that are showcasing modern innovations and technologies on agri and food sector. It is doing this through its flagship activities and events.
The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) has become one of the most dominant subjects across sectors and agriculture has not lagged behind on this trend. South Africa and other African countries are rigorously contributing and participating in these developments.
Being the second largest exporter of agri and food products, the Netherlands continues to share innovations and knowledge to world.
The NL Embassy in Pretoria has positioned itself as a facilitator for Dutch companies and institutions to share their innovations and knowledge to the South African and other African agri and food sectors.
Starting to make a mark for 2020 Agritech Agenda for the Netherlands
The first of its 2020 flagship activities was the Trade Mission and Exhibitions designed to inform and expose African agribusiness on Dutch innovations and knowledge at Africa Agritech Conference and Exhibition 2020 which took place in Pretoria from 18 – 20 February 2020. Attended by more than 500 trade and conference delegates this event provided opportunity for at least 4 Dutch companies to display their technologies. These companies were eLeaf, Topigs Norsvin, Lugwig Svenssson and Enza Zaden. With the support of the NL Embassy, eLeaf and Enza Zaden made conference presentations on modern trends in geodata for agri and food and seed development technologies respectfully. A comprehensive and very informative presentation was made by the Netherland’s Director of International Strategy, Topsector Agri and Food, Willemien van Asselt on innovation and technology policy and developments in the Netherlands.
Carrying “Farming the Future” slogan and “NL Netherlands” branding the Dutch pavilion was one of the most attractive stands at the conference. It was visited by more than 100 viewers each day of the exhibition. Attention from these viewers was enhanced by the presentations that were made by eLeaf, Enza Zaden and Willemien van Asselt in the conference room.
There is no doubt that the companies that participated in this Trade Mission identified reasonable business prospects. One of the companies commented, “There are several prospects arising directly from our participation that I will pursue soon”.
Don’t miss the next opportunity: We are going *BIG* in June 2020
The theme of agritech in Africa continues to be on top of the agenda. From 16 - 19 June, the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria will facilitate a Trade Mission alongside another conference and exhibition, which is envisaged to attract more 1000 participants from across Africa.
With similar objectives as the February Conference and Exhibition mentioned above, the June Conference and Exhibition is titled “Agritech Africa 2020" (for more information see https://agritech-africa.com/). This conference and exhibition and Embassy Pretoria’s Trade Mission will be organised in Cape Town, South Africa. Agritech Africa 2020 forms part of a series of conferences and exhibitions by the same organizer and on the same subject in other continents in the past years. The Embassy has already made an agreement with the conference organisers to work together on a number activities.
Alongside the Trade Mission, the Embassy will invite about 30 African commercial farmers, from across Sub-Saharan Africa to train and inform them about Dutch modern agri and food technologies. Trade Mission Dutch companies will directly interact with the African commercial farmers as an opportunity to identify business leads and prospects.
More information
We invite Dutch companies to keep following these developments.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at pre-lnv@minbuza.nl to know more about our flagship event of June 16 – 19, 2020.
NOTE: In 2019 the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality established a Research and Innovation Strategy which is being implemented in South Africa, India and Japan. The activities of the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria are also implemented in resonance with this development.
