Happening this week are a number of academic events exploring food systems and climate change, not to mention an auction and even a webinar on growing plants using LED lights. Have a look at this rundown of informative agriculture events and opportunities for the next seven days. E-mail info@foodformzansi.co.za to have your event added to our weekly calendar.
It’s a new week in Mzansi and as usual, the agriculture sector is brimming with new opportunities. The most recent wave of Covid-19 cases has limited our capacity to attend events in person. Not to worry, however. The sector is still bustling with a variety of agriculture events, most of which you can attend directly from your home.
Today academics will be exchanging knowledge online in for the annual agriculture, nutrition and health week. The symposium will feature side events, round tables, and work group discussions. Also taking place this week is a webinar on cattle farming by agricultural crowd-farming platform Livestock Wealth, featuring the company CEO, Ntuthuko Shezi.
Check out the agriculture events calendar on Food for Mzansi’s homepage as well as this weekly article, published every Monday, giving you the low-down on informative, useful, and even lucrative opportunities in the agriculture sector. Email info@foodformzansi.co.za to add your event to the calendar.
Monday, 21 June
Academics in the agriculture sector meet to exchange knowledge
Held over two weeks, the annual Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy Week brings together researchers, policymakers and practitioners in the agricultural, food systems, nutrition and health sectors to share information and learn more about interdisciplinary research. The online conference consists of learning labs, a research symposium, and round tables.
For more information on registration, click here.
Monday, 21 June to Tuesday, 22 June
International Conference on Marine Science and Aquaculture
The International Conference on Marine Science and Aquaculture, hosted by Universal Research Cluster, is taking place in Pretoria, Gauteng. The conference brings together academic researchers and scientists working in the marine sciences and aquaculture sector and aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary discussion and knowledge gathering. The conference will also focus on the latest trends and innovations in these sectors, particularly as the topic of aquaculture is important to the country’s socio-economic development.
For more information, click here.
Tuesday, 22 June
Discussing agroforestry as a nature-based solution
The Swedish International Agricultural Network Initiative is hosting a webinar on the benefits of agroforestry. The webinar explores the issue of food and water security, and how agroforestry can address these issues. The webinar is particularly focused on water, and will feature a number of academics and farmers in the agroforestry sector.
Click here for more information.
Wednesday, 23 June
Discussing the impact of controlled environment agriculture
Agritecture is hosting a webinar on the impact of controlled environment agriculture. This is a high-energy industry, and as it becomes more popular, its contribution to greenhouse emissions continues to grow. The webinar hopes to help those in the industry become more energy-efficient and climate-friendly.
For more information on the event, click here.
Enhancing sustainability of development and climate organisations
The International Fund for Agricultural Development is hosting a webinar entitled “Behavioural approaches for development and climate programmes”. The webinar focuses on using behavioural science to realise goals set for climate, nutrition and gender development.
Click here for more information.
Enter your best vintage into this year’s South African Young Wine Show
Submit the best of your vintage to the South African Young Wine Show before 24 June 2021. Entries are accepted from eight participating wine regions, but individual entries from outside of these regions are also accepted. The competition is divided into 17 wine categories, and is one of the oldest wine competitions in South Africa.
Click here for more information.
Thursday, 24 June
Leeuwbult Bonsmaras production auction
The third Leeuwbult Bonsmaras production auction is taking place today in Theunissen in the Free State. On offer are 24 bulls and 75 cows. All the bulls have undergone Phase C testing. Due to Covid-19 regulations, only buyers are allowed to attend the auction.
For more information, click here.
A discussion around cattle farming and investing
Livestock Wealth will be hosting a webinar on the intricacies of cattle farming this Thursday. The webinar is headed up by Livestock Wealth CEO Ntuthuko Shezi, and features cattle farmer Calvin Ngema. Some of the topics under discussions are cattle breeding, pregnant cows, and tracking technology. Participants will also get to take part in a live Q&A session.
Click here for more information.
ALSO READ: Crowd-farming: Redefining livestock investment
Friday, 25 June
Entries for the South African Olive Oil Awards are open
Entries for the SA Olive Awards open today. Hosted by SA Olive, participants compete to have their product named as the top extra virgin olive oil of this year’s harvest. Entries must be 100% South African and participants must be registered with SA Olive. The entries can be individual or from retailers selling products produced in South Africa as part of their house brand.
For more information, click here.
Building high performance LEDs to optimise plant growth
Bios Lighting is hosting a webinar on how LED lighting can be used as an energy source for plants. The webinar will feature three panellists who run agricultural operations using the Bios products, and also includes the launch of three new products.
More information can be found here.
Driving change in existing food systems
Climate change has deepened food insecurity around the world. The Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Research Program is hosting a global virtual relay event on Friday in an attempt to drive change in existing food systems. The event is an all-day affair, and will move from country to country, starting in Australia.
More information can be found here
