Food plays a vital role in our lives and contributes to the livelihoods of many people in the agriculture sector. Join us as we track a meeting and a webinar that will tackle food security and food governance.
Later, join a webinar that will assist women farmers to develop and sustain their own farming businesses. Also today, a wine and tourism conference will seek to provide actionable strategies for the progression of both these industries.
Lastly, students: only three days left to apply for the Potatoes SA bursary aimed at developing the skills of young, talented students.
1
Food retail price dynamics webinar
You might have noticed that food prices in the country are increasing at an alarming rate and I’m sure you want to know why.
Well you are just in luck as the Centre of Excellence in Food Security will be unpacking this dilemma in a virtual gathering at 10:00 this morning.
The gathering will discuss the Competition Commission’s findings as well as key insights from innovative methodologies and approaches developed by Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity, with particular emphasis on the implications for food systems governance.
Key questions include:
- What do lockdown food price dynamics mean for the state’s mandate to regulate the food economy to guarantee the constitutional right to food?
- What is the case for local and provincial governments adopting innovative food price monitoring methodologies?
- What are the regulatory enablers and hurdles for more transparent and equitable food price formation?
2
How women can run sustainable and profitable farms
Women in agriculture, take off your vellies, grab a pen and paper and tune in to the roundtable conversation about innovative solutions to maximise the potential of women and girls in agricultural development.
The two-hour webinar is hosted by Corteva Agriscience in partnership with the Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA) at the Gordon Institute of Business School (GIBS). It aims to implement an immersive tailor-made programme to assist women farmers to develop their entrepreneurial, business and leadership skills to be able to operate and sustain profitable farms.
The programme will also support participants to network with other farmers and role players through learning within a community of like-minded women entrepreneurs.
Looking to attend? Join the round table dialogue here.
3
International wine tourism conference
Wine makers and chefs, here is your chance to gain insights from a group of high calibre international, regional, and local wine professionals and exhibitors who will help you get ready for success in 2021 and beyond.
The 12th annual IWINETC Virtual 2020 Conference will be tackling some of the issues the wine and culinary tourism industry are facing due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Last minute registration for the event is available here.
4
Potato industry bursaries
Undergraduates and postgraduate students studying towards an agriculture qualification in a tertiary institution in South Africa are invited to apply for bursaries provided by the Potato Industry Development Trust (PIDT).
The primary goal for providing these bursaries is to provide talented young students the opportunity to develop their skills and enhance the technical capacity of these enterprises. This while making a contribution to ensure that well-qualified scientists are developed to address the research needs of the potato industry.
Interested parties can click here to apply, opportunity closes on 31 October 2020.
5
Masutlhe hosts North West food security event
In a quest to deal with the food insecurity in the North West province’s rural communities and to combat hunger, the provincial department of agriculture and rural development will tomorrow take its intensified food security programme to Masutlhe village near Mahikeng.
The main aim is to enhance participation of rural communities in agricultural activities, particularly women, youth and the underprivileged. Also, to encourage diversified agricultural production, to improve food nutrition and to stimulate agricultural production and trade in the marginalised and poor areas within the province through cooperation and collaborations with other relevant stakeholders.
On the day, MEC Desbo Mohono will also distribute agricultural starter packs such as vegetable tunnel materials, bee keeping equipment, fruit trees and even Boer goats and indigenous chickens to identified and deserving projects and households in Masutlhe.
Be sure to be there by 09:00 tomorrow morning (29 October) and for enquiries you can contact Emelda Setlhako at ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za.
- Do you have an upcoming event that should be on Food For Mzansi’s watchlist? Drop us an email to diary@foodformzansi.co.za and we’ll do our best to include it in this weekday feature.
