This was according to Nicholas Dicey, chairman of HORTGRO, guest speaker at the launch of the 69th, annual Bien Donné Agri Cape Week that took place in Franschhoek recently. “Food security, sustainable production of food and the safety of food will forever be problematic as long as the consumer does not understand and comprehend the needs, requirements and challenges of agriculture,” Dicey said.
He added that the sector also needed a supportive media that would “tell the real story” about agriculture to discredit wrongful perceptions that many South African consumers had about farmers. Building a better understanding of agriculture and the work done by farmers and farm workers was exactly the aim of this year’s Bien Donné Agri Cape Week, with the theme ‘Agriculture for the Consumer’.
With this theme in mind Bien Donné Agri Cape Week 2013 will offer visitors a wide range of exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, competitions and entertainment. Some of the highlights of the event include, VinPro Information, a steak braai competition hosted by Jan Braai, a ladies programme featuring Irma Joubert and Heleen Meyer, an Agriculture Youth Leaders’ Conference, information days for farmers and farm workers as well as a potjiekos competition, kids’ farmyard, mountain bike racing and cattle handling demonstrations.
The Agri Cape Week will take place from Wednesday 17 April until Saturday 20 April at the historical ARC Bien Donné Research Farm, R45, Simondium/Paarl.
Visit www.bdacw.gov.za or call 021 863 0397 for more information.
