Food For Mzansi’s Farmer’s Inside Track podcast has hit a major milestone – its 500th episode! Launched as a humble WhatsApp voice note experiment, the show has evolved into an internationally acclaimed, award-winning platform, connecting farmers, agripreneurs, and experts in 92 different countries.
Currently hosted by Food For Mzansi journalists Duncan Masiwa and Patricia Tembo, Farmer’s Inside Track has been an unwavering source of knowledge, inspiration, and empowerment for farmers and agri-enthusiasts.
In this episode, Masiwa and Tembo reflects on standout conversations with leading farmers, industry experts, and top executives.
Over the years, the podcast has expanded beyond South Africa, reaching audiences across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Countries as far as Mexico, Brazil, the UK, Turkey, China, and Ethiopia tune in regularly, demonstrating the universal appeal of farming stories and expert insights.
Reflecting on the podcast’s beginnings, Masiwa shares, “We started just before Covid-19 hit, relying on WhatsApp voice notes to record interviews. Fast forward to today, and we’re globally recognised, even winning the 2024 Best Podcast in the World award from WAN-IFRA.”
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Memorable moments and inspiring stories
The podcast has featured some of the most remarkable voices in agriculture. Tembo describes the Farmer’s Inside Track podcast as anything but your typical agriculture podcast.
“What’s really special about this podcast is that we don’t just bring farming stories from South Africa – we provide up-to-date, technical information that benefits farmers worldwide. Whether you’re in Kenya, Brazil, or the UK, the insights we share can help farmers make informed decisions that improve their businesses.” she shares.
Beyond its compelling content, Farmer’s Inside Track thrives because of its dedicated listeners and team. Megan van der Vent, the podcast’s producer, took a moment to acknowledge this, sharing her gratitude.
“From our early Skype and WhatsApp recordings to winning global awards, this has been an incredible ride. A huge thank you to our farmers, experts, clients, and, of course, our loyal listeners,” says Van der Vent.
Agronomist and Johannesburg-based herbs and lettuce farmer, Lerato Botha, was among the first farmers to feature on the podcast and shared her heartfelt congratulations.
“Episode 15, back in 2020, was my first-ever agricultural interview. The Food For Mzansi team made me feel so comfortable sharing my story. Watching them grow and become pioneers in storytelling has been phenomenal,” Botha says.
As Farmer’s Inside Track embarks on its next chapter, the team promises even more engaging content, expert interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights into agriculture. “We have some exciting surprises in store, so stay tuned,” Van der Vent teases.
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