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22 Jul 2010AGRICULTURE: Agri-Food in Touch with Zuma’s Vision for SA Agriculture
Recent Gauteng Business News
Addressing members of the 70 000-strong union, Zuma said he believed Africa’s future development will be led by enhancing the performance of the agricultural sector. In addition, he said the government would intensify its focus on food security, affordability and sustainable land reform. Following this theme, Africa’s Big Seven Food and Beverage Trade Show (AB7) will present the Agrifica ‘Food Security for Africa’ Conference, highlighting Africa as the potential solution to the world food crisis. AB7 takes place from 25 to 27 July 2010 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa.
Complementing this focus will be Agri-Food, one of AB7’s co-located exhibitions, which will present the latest technological developments in the food industry, featuring the products, ingredients and processes that take Agri-industry to market.
A United Nations study published by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Bank, indicates that Africa’s already well-developed agricultural sectors can be vastly expanded to improve the continent’s overall food security, providing adequate supplies for local consumption, and also produce surpluses for export to other markets.
“Agribusinesses across the world face many new challenges in the wake of economic globalisation,” says John Thomson, Managing Director of Exhibition Management Services, organisers of AB7. “They must now compete with foreign suppliers, many of which are subsidised by their governments, and devise new strategies to induce customers to buy their products. Given that agriculture accounts for approximately 75% of employment, 40% of exports and 35% of GDP for Africa, it is vitally important for accelerated growth in agriculture on the continent to help sustain growth and industrial diversification.”
Africa’s Big Seven showcases a wide variety of products, services, systems and technologies from the farm gate to the supermarket shelf. At AB7, there’s something for everyone. The seven-in-one trade show comprises:
⢠Agri-Food – manufacturers and producers expo;
⢠DrinkTech Africa – beverage processing and packing machinery, equipment and technology;
⢠FoodBiz Africa – food service and equipment;
⢠FoodTech Africa – production, processing and packaging;
⢠InterBake Africa – equipment, processes and ingredients for the baking industry;
⢠Pan Africa Retail Exhibition – food, beverages, merchandise and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
⢠Retail Solutions Africa – technology for retailers.
Business News Sector Tags: Agriculture|
