Get ready Mzansi! The seventh Potatoes South Africa Transformation Symposium promises to inspire innovation and sow the seeds of transformative change in the potato industry.
The symposium, taking place on Thursday, 15 February 2024 at the Birchwood Hotel, OR Tambo Conference Centre in Kempton Park, will gather farmers and industry leaders under the theme “Human capital development – an essential step in unlocking strategies for economic inclusivity”.
According to Rendani Murovhi, transformation manager at Potatoes SA, the symposium serves as a vital vehicle for new-era potato producers and community project leaders to interact with industry role players.
The role players offer services and platforms essential for the development, empowerment, and commercialisation of new-era farmers, and enterprise sustainability.
“In addition, it gives us the ideal opportunity to showcase the progress made and the successes achieved in the potato industry as far as transformation is concerned,” Murovhi said.
Transformation with purpose
Potatoes SA’s transformation efforts are focused on identifying and empowering new-era black potato farmers, ensuring their active participation in mainstream agriculture.
“These efforts entail, amongst others, capacity building, technical support, networking, mentoring, and providing industry exposure.
“Since the inception of transformation programmes, developing potato farmers from across South Africa have shown interest in participating in the enterprise development programme of Potatoes SA,” Murovhi said.
In addition, numerous communities continue to participate in the small grower development programme and offer tertiary pipeline opportunities to deserving agricultural students.
Despite the increased numbers of new entrants under the Potatoes SA transformation programmes and the progressive growth of black potato farmers, inclusivity in the whole potato value chain requires stimulation, Murovhi added.
Farmer of the year
The attendees of the symposium typically comprise new-era and commercial farmers, various government departments, and stakeholders from all other industry partners. They anticipate that 150 stakeholders will attend the event.
During the symposium, Potatoes SA will host the third enterprise development farmer of the year in 2024, who will be announced during the prestigious gala event scheduled to take place on the evening of 15 February 2024.
“This event will be recognising and awarding a farmer who has performed exceptionally well in their potato business and who has shown the potential to become a commercial farmer in the future or, who is already a commercial farmer,” Murovhi said.
She said the first enterprise development farmer of the year was announced in 2018. To honor a culture of excellence, the continuity of these awards enables the industry to measure success, motivate and recognise exceptional performance among developing potato farmers, Murovhi added.
Key symposium highlights
Renowned experts in agriculture, economics, and human capital development will share strategic insights on the pivotal role of education, skills development, and learning on unlocking economic inclusivity within the agricultural sector.
The symposium will provide a platform for networking, fostering connections between farmers and key stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange.
There will be a first-ever session where potential industry role players will engage with agricultural graduates on employment opportunities.
Inspirational success stories from new-era potato farmers who have successfully transitioned into fully-fledged commercial farmers will be highlighted. Success stories of students that have been part of the Potatoes SA bursary scheme will also be shared.
Potatoes South Africa is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and economically empowered agricultural landscape. Through the focus on human capital development, the organisation aims to catalyse positive change and unlock the full potential of new-era black potato farmers in mainstream agriculture.
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