Zambia has a very short rain season, therefore farmers need a reliable supplier such as Agrico for all their irrigation needs. Agrico is a South African company with an abundance of knowledge and experience in irrigation and water application. In 2016, Agrico saw the need for a dependable irrigation supplier in Zambia and opened up a fully-fledged branch in Lusaka.

“We plan to expand in Zambia according to the demand. Watch this space,” says Alfred Andrag, Marketing Director of Agrico SA. Agrico has been involved in Zambia through agents for many years before they opened the branch. “We decided to open it because of our expansion in Zambia. The scale just got too big for an agent. Now Zambian farmers have the same advantage as farmers in South Africa. They do business directly with the manufacturer. It provides the customer with even better quality, service and price benefits,” says Alfred.

Agrico’s irrigation systems are their strongest and most important product. According to Hanre Wiese, Operations Manager at Agrico Zambia, there numerous Agrico pivots in Zambia, but the number more than doubled over the past two years. “The interest is definitely there with almost weekly enquiries about pivots.”

Agrico does not only specialise in irrigation but also in implements. “All our products are tried, tested and proven. We have sold 17 tractors in Zambia, and they perform very well in the country. We are currently investigating possibilities to further improve our service. Our market penetration increased in the north,” adds Alfred.

Agrico was one of the prominent exhibitors at the Agritech Expo and enquiries were received even after the show. “It is clear that many commercial and emerging farmers attended the show, and we are very thankful for this, for it is very encouraging. Farmers wanted to know about our irrigation systems and we even sold two track filler implements,” says Alfred.

Hanre also adds: “Rubbing shoulders on a public platform with clients and potential clients is very important. Clients like to put a face and a name together and that is what the Expo achieves. Many small-scale farmers contacted me after the show about drip and removable irrigation systems, as well as pivots.”

According to Alfred, taking a stand at the Agritech Expo may be expensive, but it is a sound investment. “We shall go again next year, because of the favourable reactions and feedback received from farmers.”

Agrico’s current projects in Zambia

Mansa Sugar is a sugar cane scheme in the Luapula province, on the Luapula River close to the town, Chembe, and they only use Agrico’s irrigation systems.

“Agrico has three pivots there (65, 65 and 75 hectares), three more that are presently being erected (75, 75 and 65), and a next phase of 12 pivots (80 and 85 hectares) for a total of almost 1 500 hectares,” says Hanre.

The other big project using Agrico’s irrigation, is Northern Coffee Corporation. They are one of the biggest commercial coffee producing farms in Southern Africa, if not the greatest. They have 12 Agrico pivots at the moment, with a next phase that is soon going to start with Agrico. “The project includes pivots from 28 hectares to 80 hectares, in total of almost 500 hectares,” says Hanre.

An Agrico pivot system guarantees stability and profits. Contact Alfred Andrag at +27 82-824-1214 or +27 21-950-4111 or send him an e-mail to alfred.andrag@agrico.co.za.

Feature photo: Hanre Wiese, Operations Manager of Agrico Zambia; Alfred Andrag, Marketing Director of Agrico SA and Charity Tembo at the Agrico stand at the Agritech Expo.

Alfred Andrag shows one of Agrico’s most valuable products, their irrigation pivots.