What happens when more than 1 300 passionate farmers and agricultural role players come together? Food For Mzansi magic! The 2024 Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba, hosted from Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 April at the Lavender Kontrei Mark in Preteria North, was an epic gathering unlike any other.
The energy at the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba was electrifying. New-era farmers from across South Africa were on a mission to level up their agricultural businesses and network with like-minded attendees, funders, and investors.
From top young farmers heating up the programme with discussions on access to land, markets, failed government programmes, and opportunities in agriculture with minister Thoko Didiza, to groundbreaking discussions on enterprise and supplier development strategies for empowering new-era farmers, this year’s indaba was a game-changer for agriculture.
Spirits soared as the heads of agriculture took the stage at the indaba. Gauteng farmer Lerato Botha joined agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza and MEC for agriculture and rural development in North West, Desbo Mehono, for a laughter-filled day.
Didiza urged farmers to take control of the whole value chain and reminded farmers of the critical role they play in the sector.
“The centrality of the sector in the lives of communities in terms of food security is pivotal. Also, it creates the much-needed jobs that young people, women, and people with disability need. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the country and we need young people to lead,” she said.
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Learnings and limitless possibilities
The indaba featured a series of masterclass sessions including agricultural insurance with Santam, as well as quality assurance, export control, the fascinating French farming system and more.
Dr Severine Jaloustre, deputy director of F’SAGRI, Thierry Alban Revert, founding member of South African Comprehensive Agroecology National Initiative, and Maeva Royo, head of the department of agriculture, agro-tech and food processing at Business France, shared valuable insights on the cutting-edge technologies and lessons embedded within the French farming system.
Meanwhile, in a concerted effort to tackle youth unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa, All4YOUth shared how they are empowering young individuals with crucial workplace skills.
Led by industry giants like Nestlé, ABB, Adcorp group, Nielsen Africa, Publicis, and Microsoft, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between required skills and job readiness.
Throughout the three days of the indaba, farmers were enlightened by the number of funding and scaling opportunities available to them.
Attendees also explored a world of innovation and quality products and services with over 50 agricultural exhibitors showcasing their groundbreaking agricultural solutions, technologies, and sustainable practices.
One thing is for sure: the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba was a celebration of resilience, innovation, and unity in agriculture. Cheers to the unstoppable force of youth in shaping our agricultural landscape!
