The Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC) participated in the Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with its partners. The conference was held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, from 3rd to 6th February 2026.
The event built on the outcomes of the Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization held in Rome in 2023 and responded to the call to scale up sustainable agricultural mechanization across Africa. It brought together a wide range of stakeholders to enhance regional collaboration, strengthen institutional frameworks, and promote knowledge exchange aimed at meeting the diverse needs of African farmers.
Aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the conference emphasized the critical role of innovation in transforming African agriculture through sustainable mechanization, digitalization, and inclusive business models.
AKTC was represented by its Machinery Expert, Mr. Martin Sikanyika, and contributed technically through a presentation on Mechanized Conservation Agriculture delivered by Dr. Simunji, AKTC’s Short-Term Expert. The presentation, supported by funding from the CAFM Project, highlighted key results achieved so far, demonstrating how appropriate mechanization can support conservation agriculture, improve efficiency, and enhance long-term soil health.
The four-day conference concluded with a field visit, during which participants visited a cooperative located approximately 75 kilometers south of Dar es Salaam. The visit provided practical insights into the application of sustainable mechanization solutions at community level.
AKTC’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting climate-smart, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural mechanization as a pathway to resilient food systems in Africa.
On Friday, 8th August 2025, the Zambian-German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC)had a distinct honor of hosting His Excellency Mr. Sönke Siemon, who is currently serving as Germany’s Ambassador-Designate to Zambia. Mr. Siemon assumed responsibility at the German Embassy in Lusaka Zambia, in July 2025 after taking over from Ambassador Anne Wagner-Mitchell who left the country for a similar assignment in May 2025.
Upon arrival at the AKTC Project, the ambassador was received by the AKTC team which was led by Mr. Helmut Anschuetz, AKTC’s team leader. He was introduced to the AKTC project through an organized presentation session and interactive tour visit to AKTC’s demonstration fields. During the presentation, Mr. Anschuetz introduced the AKTC team as well as the project implementing partners at national level. He further highlighted the German implementing consortium and private sector partners, where he pointed out their distinctive roles in the operation and implementation of the AKTC project in Zambia. Apart from farming input supply, the private sector partners play a very critical role in providing the project with the necessary farm machinery and/or implements which are being used and tested to local conditions, to foster on-farm field trials and demonstrations. Results from such demonstrations and trials are then documented and publicised to the farming industry through organized training programmes and field day events. The mandate of the AKTC training Centre was also outlined in which it was stated that the AKTC contributes to the sustainable development and modernization of Zambia’s agricultural sector through modern technology dissemination to market oriented farmers.
Immediately after the presentation, his Excellency the ambassador was then treated to a comprehensive tour of AKTC’s trainee accommodation facility and key initiatives which included the Regenerative Agriculture for Improved Nutrition and Environmental Sustainability (RAINES) and the Climate Adapted Farming Methods (CAFM) Projects. Leveraging on the occasion, the AKTC newly recruited mobile trainers had an opportunity to showcase and explain the various ongoing farming technologies under the RAINES project. Among the key demonstrations introduced to him were the chicken trailer which is commonly used as a method of applying chicken droppings onto the fields as organic manure.
Fig 2: AKTC Mobile Trainer, Catridah Simwenwa explains to the Ambassador the role of chicken manure in maintaining a health soil.
Other initiatives introduced to his excellency were the ‘family plots’ which compares yield differences based on varying planting dates, using the Pfumvudza farming method. The key message shared under the Pfumvudza farming method is that the technology addresses the critical issue of climate resilience, food and nutrition security at household level through its adaptive farming techniques that promote maximum water retention using mulch, and minimum soil disturbance among others.
Still under the RAINES project, the ambassador was engaged into discussion on the significance of mixed cover crops, such as sorghum, pearl millet, sunflower, and sun hemp, in improving soil health and productivity. Another important feature was syntropic farming, a sustainable approach integrating biodiversity and ecosystem restoration to enhance agricultural resilience. Comprehensive insights on cropping systems such as intercropping, crop rotation and monocropping were also showcased to him, illustrating their benefits for soil fertility and long-term sustainability.
Under the CAFM project, Mechanised Conservation Agricultural (MCA) practices were introduced to his excellency, as an important technology in achieving climate change resilience. The key message emphasized here was the economic and agronomic benefits achieved through MCA as higher return on crop yield, time and fuel consumption is optimized compared to conventional practices. The aspect of minimum soil tillage and use of crop residue was also outlined as a good practice that promotes soil health and prevents soil erosion.
Fig 3: Mr. Helmut Anschuetz introduces to the Ambassador the machinery used under the AKTC Climate Adapted Farming Methods-CAFM project.
Another key area brought to the attention of his excellency was the commercial farmer technologies being implemented under the AKTC 10 and 62 hectares of irrigated fields. One such technology is the use of Variable Rain irrigation advise which is supplied to the AKTC project by one of its private sector partner vista. During the discussion, it was outlined that Variable Rain irrigation advise gives recommendation for water output based on soil moisture content and crop leaf area index. With the adoption of such technology, water resource use and crop yields are enhanced as a farmer is able to optimize his/her irrigation programme by providing the required amount of water per irrigated area. This technology guarantees efficient use of available water resource bodies which are already becoming scarce across many farms in Zambia, due to effects of climate change.
During the round of his tour visits, ambassador Siemon shared his insights and appreciated the importance of promoting such initiatives and farmer engagements in enhancing agricultural development in Zambia through knowledge dissemination and adoption of agricultural technologies.
As a bilateral cooperation project, it is always a great honor and privilege to host such high-ranking diplomatic representation onsite as we get the opportunity to share our milestones and vision together. Further, as a new diplomat in Zambia, we hope that his excellency’s visit to AKTC gives an impression of Zambia’s agriculture practices among the small-scale, emerging and commercial farmers. We further hope that such visits continue to strengthen the longstanding partnership between Zambia and Germany in advancing sustainable agriculture practices.
Fig 4: Photo pose next to a tree planted by former BMEL Minister Cem Özdemir within the RAINES project fields.
Transferring modern agricultural knowledge and farming techniques to Zambia’s farming community remains at the topmost agenda of the Zambian-German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC). On March 18, 2025, AKTC was delighted to host Bayer’s field day which aimed at providing farmers and stakeholders with insights into Bayer’s agricultural innovations while fostering knowledge exchange among industry experts, AKTC representatives, and local farmers. The event, organized by Bayer Crop Science, served as a platform to showcase agricultural innovations and sustainable farming practices.
Despite being primarily organized for Bayer’s purposes, AKTC, as a key partner, took the opportunity to highlight some of its ongoing projects, demonstrating its commitment to advancing regenerative agriculture through its newly established RAINES (Regenerative Agriculture for Improved Nutrition and Environmental Sustainability) project
The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including Bayer CEO Mr. Bill Anderson, Bayer Africa Head Ms. Debra Mallowah, AKTC Team Leader Mr. Helmut Anschuetz, Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) Executive Director Dr. Martin Muyunda, and representatives from the Provincial Agricultural Coordinating Office. Their presence Fig 1: Farmers gather on designated exhibition points during the field day event. underscored the significance of the event in fostering partnerships and promoting sustainable agricultural advancements in Zambia. Apart
Fig 2: From left to right; John Kanyingi-Customer Facing Squad Lead-Southern African Countries, Bill Anderson-Bayer CEO, Max Mueller- Bayer Global Public Affairs Lead, Debra Mallowah-Bayer Africa Head, Anna Rainer-Bayer Global Public Policy and Positioning Lead, Helmut Anschuetz-AKTC team Leader
Apart from creating favourable platform for farmer and stakeholder engagements, Bayer utilized the event to introduce advanced hybrid maize seed varieties, promote climate-smart agricultural solutions and emphasize its commitment to improving food security in Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Throughout the event, Bayer engaged with farmers, offering practical demonstrations on best agronomic practices aimed at enhancing production and productivity thereby promoting resilience in unpredictable climatic conditions.
AKTC, leveraging the occasion, showcased several of its initiatives aligned with regenerative and sustainable agriculture. Among the key demonstrations were family plots comparing yield differences based on varying planting dates, using the Pfumvudza farming method. Additionally, AKTC highlighted the significance of cover crops, such as sorghum, pearl millet, sunflower, and sun hemp, in improving soil health and productivity.
Fig 3: Natasha Kanungo, AKTC Mobile Training Trainer (MTT) explaining the Pfumvuza farming technique to the farmers at AKTC’s RAINES project.
Another important feature was syntropic farming, a sustainable approach integrating biodiversity and ecosystem restoration to enhance agricultural resilience. The event also provided a platform to demonstrate different cropping systems, including intercropping, crop rotation, and monocropping, illustrating their benefits for soil fertility and long-term sustainability. AKTC further took the opportunity to present its extensive training programs designed to equip farmers with practical knowledge and skills necessary for improving their farming techniques.
Fig 4: Catridah Simwenwa & Elijah Malowa, AKTC Mobile Training Trainers (MTT) explaining the benefits of syntropic farming technique.
The field day event proved to be a success, reinforcing the strong collaboration between AKTC and Bayer. The event not only increased farmer awareness of regenerative agricultural principles but also facilitated discussions on innovative solutions for sustainable farming. The engagement between industry experts and farmers encouraged valuable knowledge-sharing, strengthening AKTC’s role as a centre for agricultural knowledge exchange, training and research. In conclusion, the Bayer Field Day at AKTC was an important event that highlighted the synergy between industry and research institutions in advancing agricultural development. While Bayer led the event, AKTC effectively used the platform to showcase its contributions under the RAINES initiative, reinforcing its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and agricultural innovations.
