The event attracted farmers from Klerksdorp and surrounding areas, with the aim of creating connections in the agriculture sector and promoting value addition through agro-processing and innovation.
In his opening speech, event co-organiser John Mmutlwane said the farmers’ day aimed to create a platform for farmers to connect and learn from one another.
“I give myself as an example: I started my farming journey with no knowledge, so we decided to create an event that brings farmers together. Our ultimate goal is to become as big as Nampo Cape, because we don’t have such events in North West,” he said.
Livestock traceability key to managing disease
Given the ongoing threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in South Africa, Ernest Makua, technical adviser at the Red Meat Institute for Transformation & Enterprise Development, addressed the gathering on livestock traceability.
He revealed that the organisation plays an advisory role to government authorities on FMD and offers training to farmers to improve their skills and enterprise operations.
Makua highlighted that the organisation’s work seeks to improve beef farming competitiveness, profitability, and sustainability.
“We play a vital role in the industry with regard to meat inspection to ensure animals are compliant with the Meat Inspection Act.
Makua introduced the farmers to the RMIS Traceability Platform, a nationwide digital network that connects livestock management and record-keeping systems to track livestock across the red meat value chain.
He said the platform, which is available to farmers through both subscription and non-subscription options, helps manage animal movement and disease risks.
“Through the traceability platform, farmers are given a global location number [GLN], which identifies their farming location. The GLN helps us trace the movement of animals and accurately pinpoint disease risks for animals originating from certain locations.
“We have three strains of FMD in South Africa, and through traceability, we are able to tell the disease-risk zones for animals. Traceability, therefore, is a tool that enhances compliance with international standards,” Makua said.
Supporting emerging farmers
Neo Mohlamme, chairperson of the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD) structure, also spoke at the event.
She said the farming community, particularly emerging farmers, faced challenges such as water rights licensing and land acquisition.
She expressed hope that events like farmers’ days would assist farmers to learn more and find solutions to these and other issues.
“In farming, we learn every day. [WARD is] happy to be at this event because we are also introducing education in agriculture and improving skills. We want to project farming as exciting and attract more farmers, especially young people,” Mohlamme said.
Farmers showcase their products
The event also featured exhibition stands where farmers displayed their products.
Salvation Ngobe, who farms vegetables and sheep and is involved in agro-processing, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the value of the event.
“I’m very impressed with the event. Apart from being able to showcase my products, I also obtained critical information I didn’t know about,” she explained.
Youth farmers also came out to exhibit their wares and attend information sessions.
“This event has been a great motivation to me as a young emerging farmer. I graduated from Potchefstroom College of Agriculture and ventured into pig farming earlier this year. I’m hoping to grow my business and have my own butchery.
“Being here helps me to gain knowledge and build relationships to achieve my goals,” 21-year-old farmer Karabo Kaweng said.
Event co-organiser Mafika Maleka described the farmers’ day as a success, saying the aim was to bring farmers together and ensure they received relevant information from the speakers.
“We hope that through initiatives like ours, we can bring government authorities down to the level of emerging farmers so they can address the challenges these producers face, especially regulatory ones,” he concluded.
