Farmers get training on best practices

January 2025

PATRICIA ZIMU, LEVY OFFICER AND MARKETER, GRAIN SA

GRAIN SA PRESENTED AN IMBIZO IN LICHTENBURG ON 23 OCTOBER 2024, THEMED END-TO-END FARMING PRODUCTION. STAKEHOLDERS FROM GRAIN SA, PANNAR, BAYER AND THE FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (FABI) COLLABORATED ON THIS INITIATIVE. 

The Imbizo’s main focus was on providing comprehensive support to farmers, especially emerging farmers, to enhance their productivity, profitability and sustainability across the entire farming cycle. The aim is to empower farmers by improving their access to resources, technology, markets and financial support, enabling them to manage the farming process efficiently from start to finish.

Key elements of the Imbizo paid attention to, amongst others, planning and preparation. Farm planning and education provided guidance on creating farm business plans, understanding the market demand, and selecting appropriate crops based on the local environment and available resources. Farmers were offered training on the best agricultural practices, sustainable farming, soil health, pest management and climate adaptation.

Access to resources and inputs dealt with seed and input support to ensure farmers have access to high-quality seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and equipment to start their farming season. Technology adoption introducing affordable technology such as mobile apps, farm management software and precision farming tools to optimise farm operations were also discussed.

The topic of crop management educated farmers on soil health and irrigation, and to why maintaining soil fertility and efficient irrigation systems (e.g., drip irrigation) to improve crop yields and water management are crucial. Pest and disease control practices provided knowledge on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to reduce pesticide dependency and increase crop resilience.

Harvesting and post-harvest handling explained the importance of timely harvesting, ensuring farmers know the optimal time for harvesting to maximise their yield and quality. Post-harvest practices educated farmers on proper storage, sorting and grading techniques to reduce losses and increase the quality of products for the market. Marketing gave farmers a perspective on branding and packaging, in order to add value to their produce through branding, certification (e.g., organic) and packaging to attract higher-paying markets.

Attendees at the Lichtenburg Imbizo, which was hosted on Mapidi Manoto’s farm, Lusthof.

Furthermore, financial management and sustainability educated farmers on accessing capital and managing farm finances, budgeting, and accessing credit or insurance. The facilitation of connections with financial institutions and micro-lenders for loan access was also addressed, as well as sustainability practices to encourage climate-smart agriculture, resource conservation and sustainable land management practices to ensure long-term farm viability.

Finally, support structures gave farmers insight into cooperative development in promoting farmer cooperatives enabling collective bargaining, shared resources, and better access to markets and finance.

Du Toit van der Westhuizen, regional development manager in North West, was one of the speakers at the Imbizo.

The benefits to farmers cumulate into increased productivity, access to improved farming techniques, resources and technology, which in turn would lead to higher crop yields and more efficient farming practices. Raising awareness about market opportunities gives farmers better access to profitable markets locally, allowing them to sell their products at competitive prices. The financial literacy training empowered farmers to make informed decisions, manage cashflow and invest in farm expansion.

A focus on sustainability educated farmers on sustainable farming practices to ensure that they can adapt to climate change and preserve resources for future generations. And the empowerment training and support help farmers to become self-sufficient, reducing their dependency on external support and enabling long-term economic independence.

The Grain SA Imbizo platform aims to empower developing farmers with the tools, knowledge and support necessary to manage their farms efficiently. By offering training, access to resources, financial support and market opportunities, farmers can improve their productivity, sustainability and profitability, which is leading to enhanced food security and rural development.

Learning to farm better

The eight training courses that were presented during October and November were attended by 135 farmers wanting to learn more about maize production. Feedback from the attendees was very positive and they look forward to attending more courses.

According to trainer Chris de Jager, the attendees at Dundee appreciated the opportunity to learn more about growing maize for a profit. They also learned how to calibrate a knapsack sprayer.

This group from Legolaneng near Groblersdal attended a training session in Mbombela, which was presented by trainer Agnes Mndawe. It was the first training session they attended. They were very eager to learn and requested more training.

Trainer Chris de Jager also presented an on-farm maintenance and support course at Driefontein in the Louwsburg district. Apart from basic safety, the trainees learned how to start an arc weld.

They also learned how to paint something (like a gate) with many holes.

NOW WE CAN PLANT

At most of the farm visits that happened between 14 October and 13 November 2024, the inputs that the farmers procured through the Beyond Abundance project were distributed. A total of 168 study group visits took place in this period. Here are some of the happy farmers who are looking forward to the new season.

The Ntabamhlophe Study Group in the Dundee region was thrilled to receive fertiliser and topdressing.

Delivery of 56 bags of 4-3-4 and 42 bags of 1-0-0 was done at the Katkop1 Study Group in the Maclear area.

At the Ikamvalethu Study Group in the Kokstad region, even the dogs were pleased when fertiliser, seed, Roundup and Bullet were delivered.

Publication: January 2025

Section: Pula/Imvula