Eastern Africa Grain Council and Quipbank partner to boost Grain Production
By Jared Oundo,
The Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) and East Africa’s largest equipment sharing platform, Quipbank Trust Limited, have inked an agreement to boost grain production in the region. The partnership is expected to change farmers’ lives and fortunes by facilitating the supply of agro-inputs and related services to EAGC members. Other active partnerships between the equipment renter and institutions like EABL, Bayer and Strathmore University on farm mechanization have led to at least 300 percent harvest increase among farmers. Through this partnership, EAGC will facilitate a well-functioning and sustainable grain trading among its members and other grain sector players while Quipbank will offer vehicles and equipment rental and sales options on technology platform as per farmer groups’ requirements. The council members involved in production of grains will access the services of the Quipbank’s project, TingA.
Speaking during the contract signing ceremony, EAGC’s Executive Director, Mr. Gerald Masila, said “In our efforts to develop regional and national markets for grain commodities, we engaged Quipbank to boost 2019-20 grain production and exports among grain actors through access to vehicle and mechanization services.” Mr. Masila revealed that both parties agreed to provide technical advice to farmers through regular visits which will include extension services, advisory, agronomy trials and demonstrations on need basis to increase grain harvests.
“The partnership is part of our focus on ceaseless efforts to increase food production in the Eastern Africa. The availability of modern farm technology and agricultural processes will also help improve efficiency and workplace safety,” said John Mogire, Quipbank’s Commercial Director.
TingA’s General Manager, Phillip Nyandieka, stated that “This partnership epitomizes our commitment to creating the next generation of advanced mechanization in Africa as we apply innovation for the development of new agricultural solutions.”
EAGC will further support the set-up of the Grain Trade Business hubs under this agreement to facilitate the supply of agro-inputs and related services by her members. This will bring together various talents and expertise from all industries as collaboration will be key towards agricultural success in this region.
Research has established that a variety of crops are produced for both domestic consumption and export, with the major stress on grains like sorghum, rice, maize, millet and wheat. Current production is not capable of meeting the aggregate demand hence forcing the country to import the deficit regardless of its potential to feed the entire continent. Bestowing to African Development Bank report, about $35bn is spent on food imports per annum across the continent notwithstanding the fact that Africa is home to 75% of the world’s most arable uncultivated land. To enhance food security, there is need to restrict imports and encourage more grain production at country level. Industry specialists and some investors have over the years considered this region to have the best agricultural potential among its African peers, because of its low variations in temperature and at least two rainy seasons per year. Accessibility of proper farm equipment will increase the production of such crops. The Government of Kenya plans to bridge the consumption gap by boosting production to 438,000 metric tonnes by 2022 under its Big 4 Agenda, forcing researchers to work round the clock.
ABOUT EASTERN AFRICA GRAIN COUNCIL (EAGC)
The Eastern Africa Grain Council is a regional organization with membership drawn from across the Eastern and Southern Africa. Membership is drawn from grain value chain stakeholders currently with presence in 10 countries across Africa including Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, DRC Congo and Ethiopia. EAGC’s key products and services include promotion of structured trading system (STS) through the warehouse receipting systems (WRS), and Regional Grain Trading platform (G-Soko), Market Information Systems (MIS) offered through the Regional Agricultural Trade Intelligence Network (RATIN- (www.ratin.net) and evidence-based Policy Advocacy and Training and Capacity Building through the Eastern Africa Grain Institute (EAGI).
ABOUT TINGA
TingA, East Africa’s largest tractor sharing platform, is owned by Vehicle and Equipment Leasing Limited (VAELL) the largest leasing firm in East Africa. VAELL was recently hosted by Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) onto its premium incubation and acceleration programme, Ibuka. TingA employs the use of modern day technology channels to allow farmers access farming mechanization. One of these being it’s online based platforms that enable farmers to register and order for services as groups or individuals using hand gadgets such as mobile phones, tablet or computers. This accessibility enables even small scale farmers to enjoy farming equipment on short term leases. TingA Community Model Concept works by allowing farmers to register for mechanization services as groups through already established units such as NGOs, Chama, SACCO, Co-operative Societies, or Churches.
ABOUT QUIPBANK TRUST LIMITED
Quipbank Trust Limited is an equipment bank which offers vehicles and equipment rental and sales options. It specializes in mining and construction equipment, agricultural equipment, automotive, trucks and trailers. It provides unique and creative solutions that meet clients’ expectations not only by realizing the business objectives but particularly by strict adherence to the ethical principles of equipment exchange. Quipbank, the E. Africa’s largest equipment sharing platform, has partnered with leasing companies across the region to dispose and rent surplus good quality used equipment. It has also partnered with local and regional banks to rent equipment of distressed firms to enable debt mitigation. It stocks assets from leading brands to offer efficient output and reduce the cost of construction and development of Africa. Quipbank is best poised to provide the highest quality rental machines and offering exceptional maintenance services towards customer satisfaction. It has entered into agreements with international firms such as Faspol from Poland, Achelis, SREI from India, Atlas Copco from Sweden and South Africa’s Hydraform to display and sell equipment on their behalf.
For more Information please contact
Quipbank/TingA:
Corporate Communications- Jared Oundo Cell: +254 719408244/0780408244
Email: jared.oundo@vaell.com, mentorjared@gmail.com
