The 2019 Agribusiness Africa Conference, hosted by one of South Africa’s largest English language agricultural publication, Farmer’s Weekly, will bring together top speakers and a range of stakeholders from across the agriculture, agribusiness and trade platforms to delve into the dynamics of trade between farm gate and the domestic, regional and international markets.

The overarching theme for this year’s conference is market access and one of the key discussion topics will be how to secure a better deal for African countries within the global agricultural trade environment.

“The Agribusiness Africa Conference is the ideal platform to meet like-minded businesspeople in the agriculture industry. The conference will also offer networking opportunities during which delegates will have the chance to build meaningful connections with key industry role players,” said Denene Erasmus, editor of Farmer’s Weekly.

Around 270 people attended the 2018 conference, with delegates representing 13 African and nine international countries. This year’s conference will be held at the Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 10 July 2019.

Programme highlights include presentations by two internationally recognised keynote speakers who will set the scene for the conference. Food systems expert Prof Sidi Osho, chairperson of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), will address the impact of mega challenges such as climate change on inter-regional agricultural trade in Africa. The second keynote speaker, Dr Rutendo Hwindingwi, an associate director at one of Africa’s ‘big four’ auditing, accounting and consulting firms, will address the topic ‘Understanding the business landscape in Africa.’

Top representatives from South Africa fresh produce markets, including Ayanda Kanana, CEO of the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, and Jaco Oosthuizen, CEO of the RSA Group, will provide insight into the barriers that exist to establish more efficient rural and domestic markets in South Africa.

Zambian-based agricultural economist, Nelson Chisenga, who is currently working as a regional agribusiness consultant, Megan Rodger, the sector head of the oil and gas sector at the law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, Lucien Jansen, CEO of the Perishable Products Export Control Board, and Nuradin Osman, AGCO vice president and general manager Africa, will participate in a panel discussion that will focus on solutions to strengthen regional value-chain linkages and intra-African trade.

To close off the day Justin Chadwick, chairperson of Fruit South Africa, Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, Nico Groenewald, head of agribusiness at Standard Bank, and Tony Esmeraldo, Corteva business director for Southern Africa will speak about those dynamics that have delivered a sometimes-unequal playing field for African countries within the international agricultural trade environment.

To book your seat at the conference go to caxtonevents.co.za.

For more information visit farmersweekly.co.za/agribusiness-africa-conference/.