Some of the country’s top hydroponics farming experts are set to participate in a two-day seminar focusing on the industry’s sustainability and the impact thereof on food security. The event will be hosted at the Golden Horse Casino Hotel in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, 6 and Tuesday, 7 March 2023.
The organising programme director, Nicole Jagser of KPR Conference and Trading, says: “Hydroponics is becoming more and more popular as a production system by black farmers. Unfortunately, it is technically demanding and there are not enough opportunities for these new and potential hydroponic farmers to gain capacity.
“This project intends to provide technical and business management information related to hydroponics so that these individuals are better positioned to make sustainable and efficient decisions relating to their current or envisaged hydroponic production enterprises.”
The seminar comes amid research that hydroponic farming holds many benefits in South Africa, such as increased food security, lower water usage, and higher yields. However, many farmers are struggling because it is technically demanding, and uncertainty about opportunities.
Dynamic list of speakers
Attendees will be equipped with all the tools they might need to start a hydroponic farm or sustain an existing farm operation, says Jagser. This includes tips on how to package their produce and market it to local and international buyers.
“We have a dynamic host of speakers that will be interacting with delegates to meet the seminar’s primary objective of transferring knowledge about sustainability, funding, and benefits of hydroponic farming,” says Jagser.
“Our speakers include Dr Fikile Qwabe, agricultural crop research services director at the department of agriculture and rural development in KwaZulu-Natal. We will also be hearing from the CEO of the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA), Siyabonga Mazibuko.
“We will also get the first-hand experience of a successful hydroponic farmer, Ntando Thabete from Elite Crops, who will enrich us with her wealth of knowledge and spark motivation in all prospective hydroponic farmers, and many more.”
Also in the line-up are experts from Hygrotech, the Land Bank, Syngenta, the Agricultural Research Council, and many more.
Seats are filling up fast and more information can be found online. About 100 attendees are expected, including farmers, agricultural advisors and other individuals and companies keen on gaining knowledge on hydroponics.
“We look forward to participants gaining a wealth of knowledge regarding production systems, crop management, and financial aspects of hydroponics, including potential funding opportunities,” says Jagser.
What’s on the programme?
On day 1, the seminar will kick-off with a focus on creating a principle-controlled environment for hydroponics. Factors to be considered are sunlight, water, humidity, fertilisation, CO₂ , pruning, and trellising. Climate change, water usage, and hydroponics structures are also on the agenda.
On day 2, the focus will turn to fertigation in hydroponics, pest and disease management, the importance of marketing, costing and financing, and blended scheme offerings. There will also be a site visit to the Rift Valley Farm.
For more information or bookings, email admin@kprtrading.co.za or call 072 971 8934.
Here is the full programme:
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