IFDC Announces an International Training Program on Developing Fertilizer Supply and Marketing Strategies for the Future - A Joint Program with the Fertilizer Society of South Africa (FSSA)
Pretoria, South Africa
August 23-27, 2010
Program Fee: US $1,500 (by July 24, 2010) or $1,700 (after July 23, 2010)
Background
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, feeding humanity in 2050 – when the world’s population is expected to be more than 9.2 billion – will require a 70 percent increase in global food production. This increase will be due in large part to population growth, but also because of rising incomes, which lead to changes in food consumption. In 2009 the number of chronically hungry people increased to over one billion, reversing the downward trend of the previous 40 years. Food prices today are 17 percent higher than they were two years ago. Given the limited opportunity for crop area expansion, competition from biofuel production and ever-increasing environmental concerns, future increases in food production must come by increasing crop yields in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. To promote higher yields, nutrient supply and use from all sources – organic and inorganic – must be increased and the efficiency of use also must improve.
International fertilizer prices spiked in 2007-08, creating temporary demand destruction. Although global supply/demand balances and price levels are recovering, the fertilizer industry and farmers are still faced with long-term increasing cost pressures. Thus, supply and marketing challenges abound in all fertilizer markets, particularly those in developing economies.
To help meet the need for essential increases in food production in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner, this training program will concentrate on policies, supply and marketing strategies and technologies to meet future challenges in the fertilizer sector.
Training Program Objective
As a direct follow-up to the Africa Fertilizer Summit, IFDC is implementing programs that are designed to accelerate the development of agricultural input markets in Africa and Eurasia. Improved input supply and marketing systems are essential to farmer access to the technologies needed to increase and improve crop yields.
The main objective of the program is to improve the technical and business management capacity of entrepreneurs involved in agricultural input supply and marketing. The training program will focus on improving participants’ understanding and knowledge related to the marketing functions, developing and implementing marketing strategies to improve farmer demand and servicing the needs of farmers. Interaction and exchange of ideas and strategies among different national participants will be a key component of the training program.
Who Should Attend?
The training program is designed for private sector entrepreneurs involved in advancing agribusiness and influencing policy reform through organizations such as trade associations; government officials dealing with formulating and implementing agricultural and trade policies; and representatives of international and donor organizations involved in funding agricultural development and enterprise projects. Both private and public sector participants concerned with food security, agricultural growth and environmental protection with special focus on fertilizer use and supply will find this training program useful. Mid- and upper-level managers will benefit by increasing their knowledge and understanding of the marketing functions, supply options and strategies, inventory management and procurement planning, contracting and dealer network management.
Training Program Content
The program will focus on the following themes:
- Food security and fertilizer use at the global, regional and national levels
- Trends in fertilizer use and production at the global and regional levels, past trends and future prospects
- Policy environment and its impact on food production and fertilizer supply and demand
- Economic viability of fertilizer supply from domestic production vs. imports
- Agronomic aspects of fertilizer use and their impact on improved fertilizer recommendations and products
- Marketing strategies in the international and national markets and how to improve performance
- Developing and implementing a well-designed marketing strategy
- Dealer network development
- Product quality control to the farmer level
- Marketing other agri-inputs – seed and crop protection products
- Safety in handling and use of agricultural inputs
- Country-specific case studies focusing on developing viable fertilizer marketing strategies and systems
Methodology
The training program will include presentations and discussions of market and trade development concepts and practices by the private sector, focusing on seed, fertilizer and crop protection products. The training program will also provide an opportunity for networking among policymakers and private entrepreneurs.
Faculty
The program faculty will include IFDC specialists as well as guest speakers from various public and private institutions. Internationally recognized experts will provide presentations, lead discussions and present case studies that will increase participants’ potential to succeed in the agricultural input business.
Venue
The 4-Star Protea Hotel Waterfront Centurion is located on the safe and tranquil Centurion Waterfront, midway between Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is conveniently situated adjacent to the Centurion Mall shopping complex with its variety of restaurants, bars, boutiques, cinemas and banks. Participants will be extended IFDC’s special rate of R1060.00 (US $139.38) nightly, single accommodation/per person. This rate includes breakfast.
Coordinates are:
Protea Hotel Waterfront
c/o Gordon Hood & Hendrik Verwoerd Avenue,
P. O. Box 7999
Centurion, Pretoria, Gauteng,
SOUTH AFRICA 0046
Telephone: + 27 12 663 8700 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting + 27 12 663 8700 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: +27 12 663 8706
E-Mail: groups@proteawaterfront.co.za
Participants are responsible for reservations and payment of accommodations at the Protea Hotel Waterfront Centurion.
Visa and Medical Insurance
APPLICATIONS FOR NECESSARY VISAS SHOULD BE MADE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. Participants who are not eligible to enter South Africa without a visa should apply at the nearest South African Embassy for a visa. All required immunizations and health formalities should be completed. Medical insurance should be obtained by participants. The program fee does not cover any medical insurance or expenses.
Cost and Enrollment
The program fee for this five-day training course is US $1,500 per participant. This fee is due with enrollment but no later than July 23, 2010. A non-refundable deposit of US $200 is required with each registration. The deposit will be credited towards the program fee, which is due four weeks before the program is scheduled. Thereafter, a Late Fee in the amount of US $200 will apply. The program fee, less the deposit, will be refunded for cancellations made two weeks before the commencement of the program; thereafter, 90 percent of the paid fee will be returned and 10 percent, in addition to the deposit, will be charged to cover administrative costs.
The program fee covers registration, training and reference material, coffee/tea breaks, all lunches, and surface transportation when applicable. The fee does not include air travel, lodging and dinner expenses, or medical and communication expenses. Participants should plan to arrive in Pretoria, South Africa, on Sunday, August 22.
Registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Paid participants will receive priority. Payment of the program fee can be made by (1) check or draft payable to IFDC; (2) wire transfer to IFDC account in the U.S.A. through First Metro Bank, 406 West Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S.A., ABA number 062203955 for credit to IFDC Account number 55281; or (3) major credit card—MasterCard, Visa, or American Express.
About IFDC
IFDC is a nonprofit, public international organization (PIO) dedicated to increasing agricultural productivity and food production through the development and use of plant nutrients in sustainable crop production systems. Headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S.A., IFDC is involved in human resource development, research and technical assistance in collaboration with public, private, national and international organizations throughout the world. IFDC has conducted more than 700 formal workshops, study tours and training programs for about 10,000 participants from 150 countries since 1974. The programs have covered a wide range of subjects including integrated soil fertility management and fertilizer use efficiency, fertilizer production technology, agri-input dealership, competitive marketing, supply chain management, investment analysis, policy reforms and numerous specialized topics.
About FSSA
The Fertilizer Society of South Africa (FSSA) is a nonprofit, incorporated association and represents the common interests of the fertilizer and agricultural lime industries in South Africa. The Society is committed to encouraging economic optimum fertilizer use in environmentally sustainable crop production systems. In this regard, the FSSA acts on behalf of its members in consultation with government, organized agriculture and other institutions in the interest of crop production and correct fertilizer use.
For more information:
Director, Training and Workshop Coordination Unit
IFDC
P.O. Box 2040
Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35662, U.S.A.
Telephone: +1 (256) 381-6600 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +1 (256) 381-6600 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Telefax: +1 (256) 381-7408
E-Mail:hrd@ifdc.org
Website:www.ifdc.org
As a nonprofit organization, IFDC does not finance or sponsor any participant.