Photo: Supplied
Following a 2023 event in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, this second session was held at Ndwedwe Community Hall to help small-scale farmers improve their operations, access funding, and supply their produce to formal retail markets.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Ntombi Dludla, Boxer group executive for stakeholder engagement, said the company’s goal was to “capacitate the farmers and give them the knowledge they need to be able to continue their work, scale up, and ultimately become suppliers to retail efficiently and effectively”.
Ndwedwe Local Municipality Deputy Mayor Zandile Thoolsi welcomed the initiative. “We invited local farmers to help them grow their trade so that they can further themselves and their economy,” she said.
The farmers’ day brought together agricultural experts, suppliers, and government stakeholders who provided the farmers with practical lessons on crop production, business management, and meeting supermarket standards.
Farmers also received gifts and took part in lucky draws for essential equipment such as eco tanks, generators, and seeds.
Training and mentorship
Speaking about the specific agricultural topics and skills covered during the training and mentorship sessions, Dludla said: “Small farmers from KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape participated in a four- to five-month training programme before the event. This included identifying pests, diseases, and weeds; checking irrigation systems; understanding market dynamics; and adopting sustainable and organic farming methods.
“Farmers also learnt key business skills such as managing cash flow, selling produce in shops, and restocking items. The programme was designed to meet the real needs of small farmers and was supported by the Siyazisiza Trust, the RIST Department, and Boxer Retail’s health and safety team, among others,” she said.
Dludla added that there were also demonstrations and practical workshops that farmers could participate in.
“Farmers engaged in hands-on activities like making organic compost and natural pesticides, planting for better harvests, setting up drip irrigation, and learning proper handling and storage of vegetables. They worked in small groups, asked questions, and received guidance from mentors to build confidence and apply these skills on their farms.”
Speaking about success stories from previous events, Dludla said Bukeka Buqwana from Bikizana in the Eastern Cape was one of them.
“She started selling locally but now supplies Boxer and other supermarkets. She has created jobs for 20 people and even received a tractor from the Eastern Cape premier,” she explained.
Support for producers
On the kind of support offered to farmers during the farmers’ day, Dludla said they received technical advice on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), free samples of seeds and organic fertilisers, and discounts on farming inputs.
“They also gained access to financing options through Land Bank and government programmes like the CASP [Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme] and Ilima/Letsema. Guidance on business planning, funding applications, and market access was provided, including a visit to a Boxer Retail store to see how farm produce moves from the field to the shelves,” she explained.
In addition, the farmers learnt about standards for supplying produce to supermarkets.
“Farmers were taught that fruit and vegetables must be clean, fresh, safe, well-presented, and properly packed. They must follow GAP, including using clean water, avoiding harmful chemicals, and maintaining tidy farms. Traceability was emphasised to ensure the source of produce is known. These standards help build trust with retailers like Boxer,” Dludla said.
The farmers were also provided with guidance on certifications and packaging.“Farmers learnt food safety rules, proper handling and packaging, and how to obtain GAP certification. They were awarded certificates of completion to help with funding applications and prove their readiness for market supply,” she explained.
Dludla added that there were plans for ongoing mentorship and monitoring.“Due to the success [of the farmers’ day], Boxer and partners plan to expand the event to more regions to offer training, mentorship, and market access to more small-scale farmers across South Africa.
“Additionally, Boxer aims to be a long-term partner by providing ongoing training, mentorship, and market access. Through collaboration with the Siyazisiza Trust, government departments, and training institutions, Boxer seeks to build strong links between small farmers and retail markets, helping farmers grow from local sellers to trusted suppliers,” she concluded.
