Happy Friday, Mzansi farmers and future agriculturalists. Today is all about you! We have exciting webinars and opportunities up our sleeve. High up on our list is the SIYABONGA Day kicking off at 10:00 this morning.
We also track a webinar by the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa that will discuss the future of agriculture post covid-19 and aspiring agriculturalist are invited to apply for bursaries presented by the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development.
1
SIYABONGA Day
If you missed the first SIYABONGA Day you’re in luck as the second one is taking place today. The three-hour session is presented by Agri-Expo in partnership with the Western Cape department of agriculture and it will bring you tips from top agri experts on the optimal management of livestock.
The programme will focus on small scale farmers in urban environments. Donald Mouton, farm manager of Fairview will lead the discussion on how livestock can be suitable to your needs and environment followed by Leon Kruger, lecturer at the University of the Free State who will talk about livestock pests and parasites in confined spaces. Chris Hartzenberg of Africa Community Projects Day Care in Belhar will discuss how one farming enterprise can benefit the other with minimum resources.
Inspiration will come from Renshia Manuel from Growbox, a social enterprise and wholesale plant nursery in Hanover Park. Jerry Aries of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture are also on the speakers list.
If it sounds like something that interest you and you want to attend, register by clicking here NOW. The event starts at 10:00.
2
The future of agriculture post covid-19
You are invited to a webinar that will discuss the future of South African agriculture post covid-19 where top experts in agriculture will debate the design of a relief programme in respect of the industries that were harshly impacted by the covid-19 regulations.
The webinar is presented by the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa. The panelists will also deliberate on the impact of covid-19 on the agricultural sector in the context that most of the sector was declared an essential service.
Some of the top panellists include Dr Tracy Davids, manager of the commodity market division at Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), Dr Sifiso Ntombela, chief economist of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) and Wandile Sihlobo leading agricultural economist at Agbiz.
To be part of the one-and-a-half-hour session where top agri-experts deliberate on a new relief programmes to save the struggling agri industries click here.
3
Agriculture bursaries
The department of rural development and land reform (DALRRD) is inviting graduates who want to pursue a career in agriculture to apply for bursaries in the following fields:
Undergraduate studies: Animal Science (BSc), Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural Engineering) (BSc), Entomology (BSc), Food Science (BSc), Food Technology (National Diploma), Geo-Informatics/Geographic Information Science (BSc/BA), Land Surveying/Geomatics (BSc), Plant Pathology (BSc), Surveying/Cartography (National Diploma/B Degree), Town/Urban and Regional Planning (BSc), Town and Regional Planning (National Diploma/ BBE) and Viticulture and Oenology (BSc).
Postgraduate Studies: Agricultural, land reform and rural development fields of study relating to DALRRD priority research projects (BTech, BSc, Hons, MTech, MSc, DTech, PhD).
The bursary will cover tuition fees, books, accommodation and meals and provide a monthly allowance.
Postgraduate students will be allocated a mentor and receive a monthly allowance for accommodation and meals. They will also be appointed as interns and placed with the relevant industry or research institutions of higher learning as young professionals.
Successful applicants will be contacted. If you do not receive any feedback by 10 March 2021 at the latest, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
How to apply for the bursary
Download and complete one of the following bursary application forms:
Undergraduate studies: DRDLR Bursary Application Form (Undergraduate)
Postgraduate studies: DRDLR Bursary Application Form (Postgraduate)
Do you have an upcoming event that should be on Food For Mzansi’s watchlist? Drop us an email to diary@foodformzansi.co.za and we’ll do our best to include it in this weekday feature.
