Yara enters fast growing African agricultural region

Officially welcoming 182 new colleagues, Yara has now secured presences in one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors of the world. “Zambia's vast expanses of rich soil and resources provide extensive potential for agricultural production. This, coupled with an ideal climate enables the region to not only feed itself, but others as well," Yara BU Africa Manager, Bernhard Fonseka said.

Africa is a very important region for Yara and the company is committed to strengthen its position on the continent. By including Greenbelt, Yara increases its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa with operation in 11 countries.

Greenbelt and Yara share the belief that real value can only be created on the ground, in the fields by the sharing of agronomic expertise to improve productivity and quality for the farmer, as was highlighted by Robert Coventry, the newly appointed Country Manager of the Yara Zambia cluster and previous shareholder and managing director of Greenbelt. “Yara's vision of continually striving for better yield, delivering good returns for farmers and society at large fits squarely with the Greenbelt vision. In many ways this is the perfect marriage," said Coventry.

The launch event was attended by a total of 230 guests including the Norwegian Ambassador to Zambia Mr Arve Ofstad, old and new Yara staff , key customers and Zambia's Deputy Minister of Agriculture who gave a Yara a warm welcome in his speech. “I would like to extend my gratitude to Yara for their commitment to Zambia, we are behind you 100 percent," said the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Ng'onga.