Agritech Expo Outreach Programme Has Brought About Big, Positive Changes for School in Chisamba

Chisamba, Zambia, April 07, 2016 --(PR.com)-- “I can tell you that the school has changed,” says the Golden Valley Basic School headmaster, Darius Chisenga. “And the school administration, teachers, pupils and the PTA, would like to thank you for coming to our aid in our school developmental projects.”

“We really appreciate what you have done for our school,” the pupils of the school say in a letter. “Thank you also for the field of maize that you gave us, good job well done!”

Some 610 learners and 17 teachers at the Golden Valley Basic School in Chisamba, Zambia are reaping the benefits of the Agritech Expo Outreach Programme. The school is situated on the GART research centre where the annual Agritech Expo Zambia takes place, and the event organisers decided to raise funds to assist the school with much needed infrastructure upgrades, equipment supplies and management of the school’s farm.

“Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality and lays a foundation for sustained economic growth,” says David Ashdown, Managing Director of Spintelligent, organisers of Agritech Expo Zambia. He adds: “We are thrilled that so many of our sponsors and exhibitors at Agritech Expo Zambia responded with such generosity when we asked them to join us in this pilot project to address and facilitate much needed assistance in creating a safer and more stimulating environment for the children as well as teachers.”

Much-needed upgrades to school
Agritech Expo Zambia has dedicated a percentage of its profits to the Outreach Programme and with the assistance of donations from some of the event partners were able to upgrade ablution facilities, install electric wiring, plumbing, new windows and doors with security features and paint the school building. After one exceptionally generous donation, the school boasts six hectares of mechanically planted maize and has been stocked up on the agro-chemicals required to ensure a solid harvest of maize come May 2016. The school has also received stationery and books supplies and water tanks have been installed on the site.

The participating sponsors in the Outreach Programme include AFGRI, Klein Karoo Zambia (K2), Seed-Co, OMNIA, Greenbelt Fertilizers, Roto-Tank, Power Road Africa, Builders Warehouse and SGS.

"As a way of giving back to the communities in which we operate, SGS partnered with Agritech under the Agritech Outreach Programme to provide soil sampling and analysis services for a 10ha community school farm plot at GART where the expo is held every year in Zambia. We are proud to be part of this exciting community outreach programme." - Edwin M Makuya, Business Development Manager, SGS Inspection Services Ltd, Zambia

Agritech Expo Zambia is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. The event is owned by the Zambia National Farmers Union and some 15 000 farming professionals, from emerging, to small holder to commercial farmers, and agri experts, and 130 exhibitors are expected at the GART Research Centre in Chisamba from 14-16 April. Last year’s VIP visitors included Zambian President Edgar Lungu, the Vice President, Mrs Inonge Wina, as well as the Zambian and German Agri Ministers.

Agritech Expo dates and location:
Press conference, Lusaka: 11 April 2016
Expo, Chisamba: 14-16 April 2016
Gart Research Centre, Chisamba, Zambia