This week in agriculture: don’t miss the GastroTour workshop, a hands-on pig production short course and Agri Skills Transfer’s open days. Want your event featured on the Food For Mzansi weekly calendar? Email info@foodformzansi.co.za.
It may be a quieter week on the farming calendar, but there are still some important events to add to your schedule. From hands-on pig production training and a GastroTour workshop and the launch of the ASSAf Food Safety Forum, there are plenty of opportunities to learn, connect, and stay ahead in agriculture.
Also, don’t forget. Early-bird tickets for the 2026 Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba are now on sale. The first 100 tickets are available for R580, saving R155 on the standard price. Seats sell out fast, so secure your spot before 31 January 2026 or while stocks last at farmingindaba.com.
Monday, 17 November
GastroTour workshop
Stellenbosch University and Cape Peninsula University of Technology are hosting the GastroTour Stakeholder Engagement Workshop this week, from 17 to 19 November 2025, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
The workshop brings together industry leaders, academics, and stakeholders to explore innovative digital educational tools aimed at transforming regional wine and cuisine tourism in South Africa and Georgia, with a focus on skills development, sustainability, and business innovation.
Participants will engage in keynote addresses, panel discussions, and masterclasses covering topics such as the future of wine and cuisine tourism, skills development, and multi-sensory pairing experiences. The programme includes site visits to Simonsvlei Winery, Pebbles Academy, and Creation Wines, providing practical insights into university-industry collaboration and showcasing opportunities for sustainable growth in the regional tourism sector.
When: Monday, 17 to Wednesday, 19 November
For more information: 021 808 4711
Wednesday, 19 November
Pig production course
Presented by Agri Skills Transfer, this hands-on piggery short course equips participants with the practical skills needed to run a successful, profitable pig production enterprise. The programme covers everything from breeding and farrowing, feeding and nutrition, to housing, hygiene, record-keeping and core business principles.
Through expert guidance and practical training, Agri Skills Transfer helps farmers unlock the full potential of their operations and build a stronger agricultural future today.
When: Wednesday, 19 to Friday, 21 November
For more information: 012 002 3723
Thursday, 20 November
ASSAF food safety webinar
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) invites stakeholders to the launch of the ASSAf Forum on Food Safety, themed “Hand in hand for better foods and a better future.” The launch aims to identify priority areas to guide the Forum’s first collaborative, science-driven work programme.
It will also officially inaugurate the forum as the central, multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and coordinated action on food safety. In addition, ASSAf will be inviting nominations for forum membership from key sectors across government, academia, industry, and civil society.
Friday, 21 November
Agri Skills Transfer hosts mega open days
Aspiring farmers, rural development enthusiasts, and future agribusiness leaders are invited to explore career opportunities through Agri Skills Transfer’s upcoming open days. The events will take place on Friday, 21 November at Groenkloof and Saturday, 22 November at Cullinan, offering prospective students the chance to learn more about courses and pathways into the agricultural sector.
For more information, email admin@agriskills.net or call 012 002 37.
Coming up next week
African Agri Investment Indaba
Next week at the African Agri Investment Indaba 2025, the G20’s Agriculture Working Group will emphasise the urgent need for food security through sustainable agriculture, climate resilience and stronger regional trade. This focus aligns with Africa’s accelerating shift toward self-sufficiency in food production. From bustling markets to expansive farmlands, the continent’s drive to reduce import reliance, strengthen local agricultural systems and build resilience against global disruptions is no longer a long-term goal. It has become an immediate necessity.
When: Monday, 24 to Wednesday, 26 November
Where: Cape Town International Convention Centre
Webinar on livestock market prices
Add this to your calendar: Presented by Red Meat Industry Services, this important webinar unpacks one of the most pressing issues facing livestock producers today: the forces shaping market prices.
Join facilitator Ernest Makua, RMIS livestock technical advisor, and guest speaker Dr Johnny van der Merwe, agricultural economist and founder of Agricultural Market Trends, for a webinar on 25 November 2025 titled: “Understanding the factors driving livestock market prices.”
In a volatile economy where feed costs, consumer trends and global supply chains can shift overnight, understanding price drivers is essential for farmers to plan, stay competitive and protect their profitability.
For more information, click here.
For more information, click here.
READ NEXT: North West youth take leadership roles in global food forum
