This summer, our readers get exclusive access to Food For Mzansi Minecraft World, an exciting new project aimed at creating a greater understanding of the agricultural value chain and food security.
Following a three-month test involving both readers and agricultural technology hotshots, Food For Mzansi now lifts the veil on its own Minecraft server. From growing potatoes to herding cows, you will get to play “the greatest game ever made.”
Windows Central gaming expert Zachary Boddy says, “Whether or not you personally love Minecraft or play it yourself, the effects it has on this awesome industry are irrefutable and insurmountable. It’s for these reasons that I firmly believe that Minecraft is certainly, absolutely, indubitablythe greatest game ever made.”
Food For Mzansi Minecraft World is the brainchild of Gareth Davies, the head of creative and development at the leading agricultural publication. As a gamer himself, he couldn’t help but notice the many similarities between Minecraft and farming.
“The goal is to engage learners – from primary to high school and everyone else who is young at heart. By playing the game, they will get to know more about agricultural automation, mechanisation and agritech,” he says.
Ronelle Louwrens, a senior executive at the Food For Mzansi Group, says the Minecraft project also dovetails with the publication’s AgriCareers project. Every year, 20 000 learners from across South Africa are introduced to the A to Z of study and career opportunities in agriculture.
The exciting Minecraft trial period was opened to volunteers. Initially, 12 participants gathered to play the trial version and share some valuable input. However, only three remained to compete with Xavier – known as BrickBossKenji – being announced as the ultimate winner.
Louwrens says, “After a successful test run of the concept during which selected gamers dealt with various challenges – from farming and processing to logistics – we now invite everyone to play along and switch off during the summer holiday.”
Wanna play Minecraft? Complete this form
Access to Food For Mzansi Minecraft World is free. You need your own copy of Minecraft, which can be on your cell phone, laptop, PlayStation, or Xbox. Simply complete the form below to get access to the game.
“We have [to] run through all the applicants,” explains Davies. “We will send out an invitation to the Discord server to players we have chosen. After that, all information and announcements will be given to the participants through Discord. They will also be able to ask us questions at any time on the Discord server.”
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