Livestreams to webinars, Bonsmara to Brahman auctions, there is lots to add to your calendars this week! Have a look at our rundown of this week’s agriculture events and opportunities. You can e-mail info@foodformzansi.co.za to have your event added to our calendar.
This week’s agriculture events start off with a webinar from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The webinar is set to unpack food insecurity in urban areas. The issue of food insecurity is a major one in the agriculture sector, as evidenced by no less than three of this week’s webinars tackling this issue.
The last of Vinexposium’s weekly webinars is set to take place on Tuesday, where the topics of technology and sustainability is up for discussion.
Make sure to 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, 28 June
Exploring how to improve food systems globally
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is hosting a webinar on food systems in urban areas. The webinar is a precursor to the first ever United Nations Food Summit, taking place later this year, and addresses the various forms of malnutrition in urban areas and aims to move the conversation into mainstream spaces.
To register, click here.
Join #FarmSpaces for the lowdown on hydroponics
#FarmSpaces with Gugulethu Mahlangu is back, and this Monday’s topic is hydroponics. Participants can log into Twitter on their smartphones, follow @Gugulethu_CM, and join the conversation at 6pm. The event includes Zandile Khumalo, a hydroponics farmer based in Sandton in Gauteng, whose rooftop operation is the first of its kind in the city. Also taking part is Mokgalakgathe Tladi, a hydroponics farmer with a biochemistry degree from Wits and co-founder of Vegethentic Farms. The space also features representatives from hydroponics companies Green Point Hydroponics and Nature Growers.
For more information, click here.
ALSO READ: Vertical farming: 6 tips on how to start up
Monday, 28 June to Tuesday, 29 June
Growing Plant and Agricultural Sciences
Plant Science and Agriculture experts are invited to join the “To nurture plant and foster agricultural sciences” webinar, hosted by the Coalesce Research Group. The webinar features experts in plant biology and agricultural sciences, and consists of keynote sessions, oral and poster presentations.
For more information, click here.
Tuesday, 29 June
Sign up for the last day of Vinexposium
Today is the last day to attend this year’s online Vinexposium. Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris 2021 have been hosting weekly webinars every Tuesday for the entirety of June. In this week’s webinar, WineTech and Vinocamp will be exploring how technology in the wine industry can aid more sustainable production and consumption.
Click here for more information.
Can green energy in agriculture be the game-changer?
Traditional electricity generation in South Africa has been fraught with problems for the last few years. Agri SA and Farmer’s Weekly are hosting a webinar exploring how using green energy in the agricultural sector can resolve these problems. The webinar panel is made up of John Hudson representing Nedbank, Chris Schutte from Sonfin, Richard Nicholson from SA Canegrowers, and Dr Tokka van den Heever from Chargo Farms. Denene Erasmus, the editor of Farmer’s Weekly, is moderating.
To register, click here.
Wednesday, 30 June
AGDA Youth in Farming Dialogue
Facilitated by Food For Mzansi’s Dawn Noemdoe, this webinar engages with young people in the agricultural sector. Panelists include agriculturists Mbali Nwoko, Jerann Naidoo, Nono Sekhoto, Paul Ntshabele and Sinelizwi Fakade. The webinar is proudly presented by the Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA).
Please confirm availability to Carene Marais carene@intransformation.org.za by Tuesday 29th June 2021.
To join the webinar, click here for the Zoom link.
Integrating women-led business into the UN Food Summit
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is hosting a webinar entitled “Women In Agribusiness Forum 2021”. The webinar showcases the contributions of women-led small and medium-sized agribusinesses, with the aim to integrate these businesses into the first ever United Nations Food Summit.
To register for the webinar, click here.
Last day to enter these wine awards
Today is the last day wine producers can enter the Best of Wine Tourism Awards and Ambassador Awards for 2022. To enter, you need to fall within the official wine route area, as defined by Wines of South Africa (WoSA). The awards consist of seven categories and winners are decided based on excellence and merit.
For more information on the awards, click here.
Thursday, 1 July
Investigating alternative financing to improve food systems
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Incofin Investment Management (Incofin IM) have collaborated to form New Nutritious Food Financing Facility (N3F). This webinar acts as a platform to introduce NF3 and unpack how low- and middle-income countries can benefit from private sector investment.
To register for the webinar, click here.
18th Annual Brahman Sale
Damview Brahmans is having their 18th annual sale in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. Close to 150 animals are on offer, including Grey Brahman bulls, Red Brahman bulls, and commercial heifers. Bidders who are unable to travel can place their bids online.
For more information, click here.
Friday, 2 July
Up George Bonsmaras 23rd Production Auction
Up George Bonsmaras is holding their 23rd production auction in Wasbank, KwaZulu-Natal this Friday. On offer are 70 Bonsmara bulls and 60 cows. Bidders can view the animals on Thursday, and online bidders using the Swift Vee platform are eligible for free delivery in South Africa.
To view the catalogue, click here.
Saturday, 3 July
30 years of food systems research
Food security is certainly the topic of the day in the agriculture space, with almost every sector exploring how to maximise food systems and limit food insecurity. In the aquaculture sector, the Centre for Maritime Research (MARE) is hosting WorldFish’s global lead in nutrition and public health, Dr Shakuntala Thilsted. Dr Thilsted, recent winner of the 2021 World Food Prize, will be presenting her food system development research of the last 30 years.
For more information, click here.
