Dr Babagana Ahmadu, the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in South Africa, will kickstart the Saturday programme of the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba.
Participants from diverse corners of Africa, spanning Nigeria, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zambia, will gather at the Lavender Kontrei Market in Pretoria North for the event hosted by Food For Mzansi, running from Thursday, 4 to Saturday, 6 April.
The Saturday programme begins with a colloquium on the intricate challenges concerning food security, climate change, and agriculture in Africa. Ahmadu will take centre stage to share insights on the impact of climate change on agriculture.
“FAO is excited to be part of this year’s Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba,” he said. “For us to be able to attain the Sustainable Development Goals, it is important that young people are always incorporated. Youth in agriculture is the future of food security.”
Ahmadu will be flanked by Dr Lewis Hove, resilience team leader for Southern Africa at FAO. He will shed light on FAO’s support for farmers in the SADC region amidst climate challenges, emphasising the importance of grassroots resilience-building efforts.
African media’s role in agriculture and sustainability
Another Saturday morning indaba highlight is a panel discussion on the role of African media in shaping narratives surrounding climate change, food security, and agriculture.
The panel includes Tiisetso Manoko from Food For Mzansi, Chibuike Alagboso from Nigeria Health Watch, Lerato Matheka from Newsday Media in Lesotho, Jessica Uiras from the Namibia Media Trust, and Makokwa Kozi from Crown TV in Zambia. The discussion will be led by Dawn Noemdoe, a budding beekeeper and host of Food For Mzansi’s popular Farmer’s Inside Track podcast.
Financial growth strategies and essential skills
Farmers attending the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba on Saturday can look forward to two sessions designed to foster financial growth. One such session, titled “Planting seeds for financial growth: Financial wellness and young farmers”, will be presented by Old Mutual On The Money.
The indaba ends with a masterclass entitled “Financial management 101 for farmers”, led by Marie Ayaba, a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and skills essential for effective financial planning and decision-making, empowering them to navigate the financial intricacies of agricultural ventures with confidence.
The Saturday exhibitions at the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba are also not to be missed, offering a vibrant showcase of agricultural innovation and expertise. Open to members of the public, Food For Mzansi anticipates welcoming over 1 000 visitors to the Lavender Kontrei Market.
From 07:00 to 14:00, visitors can explore exhibitions featuring cattle, sheep, and pigs, offering insight into livestock farming. With food stalls serving delicacies and entertainment throughout the day, the Saturday event promises enjoyment for all attendees.
Tickets are available on Quicket or at Pick n Pay stores nationwide. From Thursday to Saturday, tickets will also be available for purchase at the entrance of the Lavender Kontrei Market in Pretoria North.
READ NEXT: Meet your hosts for next week’s Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba
[pafe-template id=”172753″]
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
