There is a new headquarters for Africa for AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, and it was officially opened on May 21 in Johannesburg with Martin Richenhagen, President, Chairman and CEO handling the scissorwork on the tape.

"With global sales of $8,3-billion, AGCO is making major investments in Africa to engineer food security and support sustainable productivity through technology and innovation," he says. "As a 'first mover' in innovation, we are meeting the challenge head-on to grow more food with fewer resources."

Recently, the company launched the new AGCO Agribusiness Qualification (AAQ), an accredited two-year agribusiness programme and has also established a parts warehouse, the AGCO Future Farm and Training Centre in Zambia as part of its developing infrastructure in Africa.

Richenhangen also alluded to the plans by the company to develop its involvement in the Agri-Parks project, the networked innovation system of agro-production, processing, logistics, marketing, training and extension services.

“With AGCO’s wide-ranging products, services and expertise, we are perfectly placed to make a valuable contribution to this exciting initiative in agricultural production and rural economic transformation,” says, Nuradin Osman, AGCO vice president and general manager Africa.

“The company’s approach to ‘serve Africa from Africa’ is central to our strategy to accelerate and deepen agricultural growth on the continent. Africa – your time is now,” said Gary Collar, AGCO senior vice president and general manager Asia-Pacific and Africa.

Richenhagen added: “Meeting key stakeholders in Africa’s agricultural advancement was a great opportunity for me, and as a business, we are committed to Africa and will be available to add towards initiatives that ensure that agriculture is done differently, in order to contribute towards economic growth and job creation.”