Capital Equipment News May 2017

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS MAY 2017 8
AGRICULTURE: PRE-NAMPO
Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day – a
staple on the calendar of the South
African agricultural community and
those who serve it – enables producers
and other role players in the agricultural
industry to experience the latest products
and solutions on offer first-hand and on
one place.
This year’s show, to be held from May
16 to 19 in Bothaville, Free State, comes
at a time when the local agricultural
community is experiencing seemingly
better times compared with the dire
drought conditions in 2016. Attracting
close to 77 000 visitors and over 650
exhibitors every year, the show is said
to be one of the biggest agricultural
exhibitions in the southern hemisphere.
State of market
Bell Equipment is one of the original
equipment manufacturers exhibiting at this
year’s show, and Tim Beningfield, product
marketing manager – Forestry, Sugar and
Agriculture, tells Capital Equipment
News that recent drought conditions have
had serious effects on the agricultural
community at large, but there are some
positive signs of relief in certain areas. “We
remain optimistic that the recovery will
gain momentum in the near future,” says
Beningfield. “We see a positive outlook of
the sector at large as the drought seems
to have abated, particularly in the coastal
sugarcane growing regions.”
Ryno Saayman, marketing coordinator
at Hydraform International, an alternative
GEARING
FOR A DEAL-CENTRIC NAMPO
This year’s NAMPO Harvest Day comes amid seemingly improving prospects in
the agricultural sector premised on easing drought conditions in South Africa.
As a result, several exhibitors expect a deal-centric show as farmers look to
bolster their fleets with new products and solutions to improve their farming
processes, writes Munesu Shoko.