Andermatt Solutions, for all

At Andermatt, our purpose is summarised by our slogan ‘Healthy Food and Healthy Environment, for all’. The most powerful words in this tagline are ‘for all’.

The Andermatt Group has a responsibility to ensure growers across all subsidiaries and territories have access to quality, biological solutions. Part of this commitment is to ensure product quality standards are on spec, pack sizes are relevant and products are affordable. More significantly, prod- uct performance is dependent on correct usage and application; knowledge transfer and practical application support are key to the successful integration of biological solutions into existing IPM programs across the globe.

For our African subsidiaries, the small scale market sector cannot be ignored. It is hard to quantify the exact scale of small- scale agriculture as the revenue potential is poorly tracked, but “most food in sub-Saharan Africa is produced on small farms”.

60% of Africa’s population are small scale growers with 42 – 53% of households being subsistence growers. 25% of the total GDP in sub-Saharan Africa is agriculture.

Defining

a ‘small scale’ grower.

‘Small scale’ is a broad farmer profile generally referring to capable growers managing an area of land by hand.

Small scale growing operations vary significantly and may include:

  • Family owned, subsistence growers, cultivating homestead vegetable gardens up to areas of around 1 ha (10 000m2).
  • Community, government and NGO supported programs. These projects may have pooled access to basic machinery, irrigation, spray equipment etc.
  • CSI (Corporate Social Investment) and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) projects are growing across the region. Corporate and multinational companies are increasingly investing in agriculture to contribute to their corporate purpose and uplift local communities (ie. Nando’s chilli production in Mozambique).

Smallholder families in Africa

Smallholder families live on farms, which in many countries are significantly smaller than 2 ha. In Kenya the average smallholder farm is 0.47 ha compared to 0.9 ha in Ethiopia. In Tanzania agriculture contributes 28% of the GDP with 73% of the population living in rural areas, equating to approxi- mately 3.7 million smallholdings.

Due to land scarcity, land usage varies amongst households to maximise nutritional intake. Crop selection is adapted per season and typically includes the intercropping of maize based with other vegetable and cereal crops.

Small scale growers and biologicals.

As individual, hands-on growers, small scale farmers generally know and love the land. A legacy of agriculture often extends over many generations. These growers work closely with nature and are in tune with their environment.

Small scale farmers are quick to realise the value of quality biological solutions. They understand the importance of healthy soils and strong roots, the foundation of resilient crops best equipped to survive extreme environmental stresses. As farm labourers, as well as consumers of the food being produced, these growers are well aware of the benefits, and the pitfalls, of chemical products.

Small scale growers largely have a preference for natural solutions. However, these need to be effective, available and most importantly, affordable.

Barriers

to entry.

Adding value to small scale growers comes with significant challenges.

  • Cash is king and for these growers’ cash is limited. In many countries, fluctuating currencies may add further resistance, in a market where price point is everything. Farmers consider compatibility, broad-spectrum options and application frequency prior to purchasing.
  • Single dose applications are a requirement as growers look to purchase only what is needed. In practical terms, this necessitates a transition to 2 – 5g single dose sachets for easy dilution into 5L watering cans or 16/20L knapsack sprayers.
  • Stock availability and transport to the farm cannot be guaranteed. Once ordered, products are typically needed within a day or two. Kenya’s urban areas have an efficient transport network and stock can be delivered within hours, however in most regions, delivery to rural areas can take 2 – 3 days.
  • Cold chain and refrigeration are unlikely. Products are most needed during peak production seasons when temperatures are high. Product stability is a concern.
  • Climate change has resulted to unpredictable weather which includes fluctuating rainfall and increased temperatures. The amount of rainfall and the length of the wet seasons is a major concern factor for the small-scale farmer.

Despite these functional limitations, the greatest barrier to entry remains knowledge transfer and practical application support. Most small scale farmers have a basic level of education, impacting product usage and performance. Understanding WHAT product to apply, WHEN and HOW is the greatest hurdle to overcome.

The recent introduction of the Garden2Greenhouse sales division ensures a dedicated team is available to support small scale growers in South Africa.

‘There is a growing demand (and hunger), particularly by our energetic, educated youth, to ‘grow their own food’ and become agri-preneurs. Growers are proudly looking to provide healthy, chemical-free food to feed their communities, supply retailers and ultimately contrib- ute to a healthier environment, for all’
– Cathy Church, Andermatt Madumbi Garden2Greenhouse Lead.

Since launching, the Garden2Greenhouse team is actively promoting and supporting small scale grower access to Andermatt’s biological solutions via targeted distribution partners. Supporting the division is the option to shop online via www.andermatt.co.za/shop, a new sales channel that is growing in demand and efficacy.

Smallholder families in Africa

Smallholder families live on farms, which in many countries are significantly smaller than 2 ha. In Kenya the average smallholder farm is 0.47 ha compared to 0.9 ha in Ethiopia. In Tanzania agriculture contributes 28% of the GDP with 73% of the population living in rural areas, equating to approxi- mately 3.7 million smallholdings.

Due to land scarcity, land usage varies amongst households to maximise nutritional intake. Crop selection is adapted per season and typically includes the intercropping of maize based with other vegetable and cereal crops.

1) Knowledge transfer and product training.

Our Kenyan team members are regular speakers and presenters at local farmers days, markets and community events. Training is routinely conducted in boardrooms, in the field and ‘on the fly’.

‘Every opportunity to talk about our quality solutions is an opportunity to promote food security for Kenya’ – Keziah Ndinda

2) Kenya Demo Trial

Hamish Ker, Commercial Manager Andermatt Kenya and Eastern Africa believes that ‘seeing is believing’. A demonstration trial was set up at the Andermatt Kenya, Naivasha Production site in mid April 2023. Comprising 10 of the most commonly grown crops in Kenya, seeds were sown using conventional dryland crop production methods and various Andermatt solutions.

The Andermatt Demo provides us with a physical platform from which to tell the Andermatt story, and to show the impact of our products.’
– Hamish Ker. (Click here to read more about the project)

Hamish Ker and the Kilimo NaBiashara film production team at Andermatt Kenya, Naivasha production site.

‘Healthy Food and Healthy Environment, for all’ starts with YOU, ME and each of us.

At Andermatt-PHP, the staff at both production sites have been growing their own food in a safe, sustainable way using Andermatt products..

The teams each started a vegetable garden on site, doing maintenance and harvesting during their lunch breaks. The gardens have been a huge success and a great source of both joy and healthy food.

This team knows how to lead by example!