Online is where it’s at for South Africa’s agriculture events this week. Events include a discussion on food safety on the African continent within the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), as well as a webinar on conservation agriculture. Here’s a rundown of informative agriculture events and opportunities for the next seven days. E-mail info@foodformzansi.co.za to have your event added to our weekly calendar.
It’s the start of a new month and the agricultural sector is abuzz! No need to move from your favourite seat to participate in this week’s agriculture events.
As always, we start the week off with Food for Mzansi’s own #FarmSpaces event on Twitter. This evening farmers can learn more about the export market for fresh produce. For those more interested in the research aspects of agriculture, register for the Agricultural Research Council’s webinar on agricultural crop breeding and conservation.
Check out the calendar on Food for Mzansi’s homepage as well as this weekly article, published every Monday, giving you the low-down on informative, useful, and even lucrative opportunities in the agriculture sector. Email info@foodformzansi.co.za to add your event to the calendar.
Monday, 2 August
Food For Mzansi #FarmSpaces, with Gugulethu Mahlangu
Are you an aspirant farmer looking for more information on how to get into the agricultural sector? Do you have a smartphone and a Twitter account? Join us then, every Monday at 18:00, for Food For Mzansi #FarmSpaces, held in partnership with one of agriculture’s favourite daughters, Gugulethu Mahlangu.
This week on #FarmSpaces, we are discussing the export market for fresh produce. #FarmSpaces showcases experienced farmers who give us the inside scoop on their farming specialities. You get the chance to interact with them directly and ask them all your burning questions.
The guests this week are Dr Sifiso Ntombela, chief economist of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), CEO of the Citrus Growers Association Justin Chadwick, and Western Cape citrus farmer Wayne Mansfield.
For more information, follow us on Twitter at @FoodforMzansi, or keep an eye on our website calendar for details of each event.
Learn more about crop breeding from the ARC
It’s National Science Week in South Africa and to celebrate, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) is holding a series of online events, virtual exhibitions and tours. One of those events is being hosted by the Agricultural Research (ARC) and focuses on current crop breeding and conservation practices in South Africa and potential future practices.
For more information on the event, click here.
Tuesday, 3 August
Geldenhuys Bonsmaras 12th production auction
With over 100 production animals on offer, the Geldenhuys Bonsmaras auction takes place in Belfast in Mpumalanga. Participants can place their bids for 35 registered bulls or 70 commercial female animals. The auction starts at 11:00. To view the available catalogue, click here.
For more information, contact Johan Geldenhuys 072 566 7646 or Michiel Geldenhuys on 072 191 4323.
Wednesday, 4 August
Learn more about food safety testing in Africa
The National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA), in partnership with the Joint Food and Agricultural Organization – International Atomic Energy Agency (FAO-IAEA) Centre, are hosting an online workshop to unpack food safety regulators, testing laboratories and infrastructure on the continent. The event will feature food safety scientists and experts, and will focus on a variety of topics, including standards and guidelines within the AFCTFA, reliable food safety testing laboratory services, and Africa’s food safety regulatory framework.
To take part in this event, click here.
Looking at ways to effectively transform Africa’s agricultural sector
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is hosting a webinar to explore effective ways of transforming African agriculture. Agriculture is Africa’s biggest employer, and transformation in this sector has the potential to eliminate hunger and poverty on the continent. The webinar will focus on investment, individual stakeholders’ roles, partnerships, and agricultural leadership.
Click here to register.
Learn more about conservation agriculture
Conservation Agriculture Western Cape and the Soil Health Support Centre is hosting the Jack Human Conservation Agricultural Week between 4 and 6 August 2021. The online event consists of a live webinar as well as two pre-recorded practical days. Topics to be explored include insects and crop rotation, searching for earthworms, and spraying with drones.
To buy tickets, click here.
Join the conversation on agricultural water use and water productivity
The Water Research Commission, in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems (CTAFS), is hosting a webinar to explore agricultural water use and water productivity in the Global South. The aim of the webinar is to unpack how existing knowledge, case studies, and best practices can be synthesised.
Click here to register.
Thursday, 5 August
Latest technological solutions for SA fruit growers
Pixofarm, Farmable, iLeaf and FruitLook are hosting a webinar to discuss the latest technology in fruit growing. Topics under discussion are weather information and how it can help you make critical decisions, supporting producers through efficient farming, digitisation of fruit growing, and rethinking farm data.
For more information, click here.
Systemic research on the Solanaceae plant family
The Southern African Society for Systematic Biology is hosting a webinar series between June and November, aimed at sharing systematic research and discussion about systematic biology research. This Thursday Dr Sandra Knapp from the department of life sciences at the Natural History Museum in London is discussing the Solanaceae plant family, which includes potatoes and tomatoes.
For more information on the series, click here.
Friday, 6 August
Learn more about crop protection advances
As part of the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) National Science Week celebrations, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is running a webinar on advances in crop protection and the role of plant bioactive compounds and biological control. Participants can find the link to the online event here.
Saturday, 7 August
Learn more about soil fertility
Spier Food Garden Workshop is facilitating a workshop on how to make and maintain compost heaps, understanding carbon and nitrogen ratios, and how to brew micro-organism inoculants. The workshop is taking place on Spier Wine Farm near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, and costs R650 per person.
To register, click here.
