WHITE RIVER – The annual Agfo Expo has kicked off at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre.
Visitors will certainly not be disappointed with the exciting line-up of exhibitors, competitions, industry discourse, music, fun and entertainment.
Building on the huge success of the first Agfo Expo last year, this year’s event focuses on the joint interests and natural symbiosis between the all-important agriculture and forestry industries. “Its main objective is to enable exhibitors to market their products and services to a diverse, but targeted, audience while creating a fabulous, fun weekend for the entire family,” said Agfo chairman, Joey Lascelles.
Exhibitors have been allocated a dedicated arena for some eye-opening equipment demonstrations and stand sizes cater for every imaginable business – big and small. Loggers, chippers, tractors, implements, vehicles, trucks, forklifts, fuel and lubricants, saw-milling equipment, nurseries, tools and equipment and more will be on display.  The event started on Thursday, with the official opening by Michael Peter, the executive director of Forestry South Africa. There was a super network experience for the exhibitors on Thursday evening, which provided ample opportunity for exhibitors and other stakeholders to meet and network. Local and international delegates from the DANA Africa Forest Industry Investment Conference also attended.
The Agfo-rum takes place today from 10:00, with an exciting line-up of agriculture and forestry experts. The event will be held at The Barnyard at Casterbridge and is a not-to-be-missed session which will be beneficial to every forester, farmer and business owner. The Agfo-rum will cover topical issues, such as exchange rate risk, logistics options for fresh produce and opportunities for trade into Africa.
A small fee of R60 gives you access to the Agfo-rum and the Agfo Expo and includes a light lunch.
“Agfo’s extensive marketing campaign over the past year has reached into Africa, with registrations having been received from delegates from afar afield as Zambia and Uganda,” said Lascelles.
“The Agfo Expo, apart from creating employment and promoting local service providers, contributes significantly to the local economy, with an estimated R2 million in the first year alone,” she added. For a nominal entrance fee, participants gain access to all entertainment and to a range of fun industry-related competitions, which are open to companies and members of the public.

The finals of the firefighting competition also takes place today. The chainsaw competitions, novice and pro, promise to thrill and wow spectators and take place over the three-day expo, with the professionals competing in the finals tomorrow. The Strongest of Them All competition, which will become a permanent feature of the expo, and will see juniors and seniors compete in four staggeringly impressive events: the Dead Lift, Atlas Stone, the Farmers’ Walk and the Tyre Flip.
More information can be obtained from www.agfo.co.za or by contacting the event organiser on 082-854-6155.

Tickets for the expo and the Agfo-rum can be bought at www.quicket.co.za or on the day at the entrance gates.