Ac-Planta Showcases Skeepon at Agritech Expo Zambia 2026, Zambia's Largest Outdoor Agricultural Exhibition

Ac-Planta (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Jong-Myong Kim), with CEO Jong-Myong Kim speaking, participated in 'Agritech Expo Zambia 2026,' held from April 16 to 18, 2026, in Chisamba, Central Province, Zambia. Agritech Expo Zambia is a large-scale outdoor agricultural exhibition that brings together agricultural stakeholders from Zambia and the Southern African region. The theme for 2026 was 'Technology. Transformation. Trade.', with a focus on exhibitions, demonstrations, and networking that emphasized agricultural technology, business collaboration, and trade vitalization. In his lecture, CEO Kim explained the mechanism of 'Skeepon,' an agricultural material that enhances plant resistance to high-temperature and drought stress. Amidst the increasing risks of drought and high temperatures due to climate change, he introduced Skeepon as a technology that mitigates stress on crops and contributes to the stabilization of agricultural production. He also reported on Ac-Planta's initiatives in Zambia and the preceding region of Uganda. In Zambia, the company is collaborating with the local agricultural materials company Agrifocus to promote the sale of Skeepon and conduct demonstration trials with local farmers. Furthermore, in Uganda, it is collaborating with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and others to advance farmer training and dissemination activities. Across Africa, the impact of drought and high temperatures on crop production is becoming severe, and for small-scale farmers in particular, changes in weather conditions are a challenge that directly affects their yields and livelihoods. Through collaboration with local research institutions, agricultural material companies, and farmers, the company aims to verify and promote the effectiveness of Skeepon, supporting sustainable agricultural production even under climate change. About Agritech Expo Zambia 2026: Agritech Expo Zambia 2026 was held from April 16 to 18, 2026, in Chisamba, Central Province, Zambia. The event attracted stakeholders from across the entire agricultural value chain, including commercial farmers, small-scale farmers, agricultural material companies, machinery manufacturers, financial institutions, and government officials. It featured crop trials in fields, demonstrations of agricultural machinery, livestock, renewable energy, exhibitions for small and medium enterprises, workshops, and B2B/G2B matchmaking. CEO Jong-Myong Kim's Comment: 'In Africa, the effects of high temperatures and drought due to climate change are already a major challenge. This was a very meaningful opportunity to directly convey our technology and initiatives in Africa to the agricultural stakeholders of Zambia and Southern Africa. We will continue to collaborate with local partners to contribute to the stabilization of agricultural production and food security.' About High-Temperature and Drought Resistance Material 'Skeepon': Skeepon is an agricultural material that utilizes the effects of acetic acid (the main component of vinegar). The action of acetic acid enhances the plant's resistance to drought and high temperatures, leading to the maintenance of yield and quality, and water conservation. About Ac-Planta Inc.: Ac-Planta is an agri-bio startup that developed 'Skeepon,' an agricultural material utilizing the action of acetic acid to enhance plant resistance to high temperature and drought, which founder and CEO Jong-Myong Kim published in the academic journal 'Nature Plants' in 2017 while he was a researcher at RIKEN. Against the backdrop of climate change and growing demand for reduced pesticides and chemical fertilizers, the company is conducting demonstration experiments for high-temperature and drought measures with Skeepon in 14 countries, including the United States and Uganda. Domestically, it is working with prefectural agricultural experiment stations and extension offices in Hokkaido, Gunma, Aichi, Wakayama, and Mie, as well as farmers, agricultural groups, and companies across Japan. The company has received numerous awards, including the Grand Prize at the 6th AgVenture Lab, the Excellence Award at the 1st JA Accelerator, the Grand Prize for Business Concept at the AgriFood SBIR Pitch 2023, and the Nikkei Award at the 'Cho-DX Summit Impact Pitch' hosted by Nikkei Inc. Company Profile: Head Office: 3F Chidori Bldg., 2-16-9 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034. Date of Establishment: February 7, 2018. Business: R&D, manufacturing and sales of agricultural materials with drought, high temperature, and salt tolerance; manufacturing and sales of materials for agriculture, turf, horticulture, forestry, and greening; system management for water saving in plant factories and farms. Website: https://ac-planta.com/