There is loads happening in agriculture this week, with events exploring everything from water resilience to food system transformation. The 2021 Vertical farming Congress and Agriculture Summit Africa 2021 is also happening this week. To add your agri-events to our calendar, e-mail us on info@foodformzansi.co.za.
Happy Monday, Mzansi! This week’s, the agricultural sector is exceptionally busy. As always, we start the week off with Food for Mzansi’s own #FarmSpaces event on Twitter.
If you are more interested in research, register for the 5th Water Research Commission (WRC) Biennial Symposium. On Thursday, the long-awaited UN Food Systems Summit kicks off, with dozens of online events scheduled and hundreds of stakeholders lending their expertise.
Check out the calendar on Food for Mzansi’s homepage as well as this weekly article, published every Monday morning, 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, 20 September
Join us for this week’s 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.
Follow us at @FoodforMzansi to participate!
Exploring water research in South Africa
This year’s Water Research Commission (WRC) Symposium is a discussion on how to protect South Africa’s water sector in future. The theme for this symposium is “Re-Imagine, Re-Build and Repeat: Future Proofing Water”. The symposium offers the water research science community the platform to showcase the impact and contribution they made, as well as an opportunity to measure the progress made in the water sector through research and innovation.
Click here to register.
Join the online vertical farming congress
Hosted by Zenith Global, the 2nd annual Vertical Farming World Congress is aiming to connect vertical farming operators, investors, suppliers and customers. Held over two days, the online conference boasts a variety of presentations, interviews and panel discussions, and gives stakeholders in the vertical farming industry the opportunity to network and ultimately push the industry forward.
To register for the event, click here.
Exploring food in the 21st century
The South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) is hosting its 24th biennial congress. This year’s congress is the first to ever be hosted online, and aims to unpack everything related to food safety, new technologies, sustainability and nutrition. Industry members participating in the congress will receive samples via courier.
To register, click here.
Tuesday, 21 September
Discussing the Rural Development Report 2021
As climate change deepens, the topic of food system transformation becomes more and more urgent. With the Rural Development Report 2021, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) aims to promote equitable livelihoods for rural people, as well as improving access to nutritious food.
For more information on how to take part, click here.
Wednesday, 22 September
The 19th Germar Production Auction
The 19th Germar Production Auction is taking place this Wednesday in Bloemfontein in the Free State. With close to 200 animals on offer, potential buyers can view videos of the Bonsmaras bulls on YouTube. The auction is taking place on Bloemfontein Showgrounds, as well as online on SwiftVEE.
For more information, contact Gert Nel on 082 800 0444 or Gerhard Nel on 082 594 4233.
Agriculture Summit Africa 2021
Hosted by Sterling Bank, the Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) aims to increase the African agribusiness value chain by facilitating transactions between investors and potentially profitable agric-focused ventures, by highlighting beneficial opportunities available in the sector, and enabling discourse that advance practical solutions to regional challenges.
To register for the summit, click here.
Thursday, 23 September
Nu-Alcade Bonsmara Group Production Sale in Bela-Bela
The Nu-Alcade Bonsmara Group is holding its 31st production auction in Bela-Bela in Limpopo, with hundreds of animals on offer. Bidders can attend the auction in person, as well as online using SwiftVee.
For more information, contact Quintin Vorster on 084 601 3519, or quintin@swiftvee.com.
2021 UN Food Systems Summit
After 18 months of pre-summit events, the 2021 UN Food Summit is here. Held online, the summit will be looking at ways to transform global food systems and to achieve all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Those goals include no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, as well as clean water and sanitation.
To register for the summit, click here.
ALSO READ: ‘Radical steps needed to transform food systems’
Launch of the Blue Food Partnership
Held as part of the Food Systems Summit, the launch of the Blue Food Partnership will be looking at the importance of aquatic food systems specifically. The summit aims to explore where in the global food system picture aquatic systems fall, and to advance solutions that uplift sustainable aquatic practices and improve waste policies.
Click here for more information.
Exploring intra-African trade
Hosted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and AKADEMIYA2063, the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor seeks to explore how agriculture on the continent can be utilised to its full potential. Topics under discussion include the competitiveness of Africa’s local and global value chains, as well as key policies and trade strengthening opportunities.
Register here for this event.
Friday, 24 September
Apply to lease state farm land
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRD) are offering smallholders and semi-commercial farmers the opportunity to lease land in the Matlosana Local Municipality in the North West province. Applicants must have crop and livestock farming experience, as well as a Brand Mark certificate and mechanisation in good working order.
For more information, click here.
Saturday, 25 September
Learn how to farm organically
The Eziluhlaza Experience is hosting a training session on how to farm fresh organic produce and how to manage soil. Taking place at Buhle Bendalo Food Gardens in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape, R50 buys participants kraal manure and seedlings, as well as a four-hour course on farming.
For more information, click here.
