Renowned agricultural leaders Wandile Sihlobo and Dr Sifiso Ntombela are set to headline the much-anticipated SAIAE & PASAE International Symposium 2024, celebrating the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers’ (SAIAE) 60th anniversary.
Scheduled for Wednesday, 23 to Friday, 25 October at the Houw Hoek Hotel in Grabouw in the Western Cape, this landmark event will bring together the continent’s brightest minds in agricultural engineering.
Sihlobo, chief economist of Agbiz, and Ntombela, president of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa, will share their insights on the future of agricultural engineering in Africa. Their presentations promise to be highlights of the symposium, which also marks PASAE’s 6th International Conference.
Joining them on the speaker line-up are global experts, including:
- Alastair Taylor (United Kingdom): An agritech specialist, who will delve into the role of agricultural engineering in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Africa.
- Professor Michael Faborode (Nigeria): PASAE president, who will discuss sustainable technologies for agricultural value-chain mechanisation.
- Charlie Nicklin (United Kingdom): CEO of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), who will explore the future of agricultural technology and professional engineering.
- Professor Lawrence Gumbe (Kenya): Chairman of the Kenya Society of Environmental, Biological, and Agricultural Engineers, who will examine advancements in agricultural mechanisation on the continent.
In addition to the dynamic speaker sessions, the symposium will feature technical tours on the Friday, offering attendees hands-on experiences at premier agricultural sites, including Paul Clüver Family Wines, Kromco and the Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme. A cocktail networking event on Tuesday, 22 October will kick off the symposium, providing early opportunities for connection and collaboration.
Organisers say with registration now open, both in-person and virtual attendance options are available, but spaces are limited – particularly for the technical tours. The SAIAE urges early registration to secure a spot at this premier event.
To register for the SAIAE & PASAE International Symposium, attendees can contact Senzo Masikane at senzo@saiae.co.za or Londiwe Mbambo at londiwe@saiae.co.za. Registration forms are also available online. The symposium offers a range of registration fees depending on membership status and accommodation preferences.
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