By Simthandile Ponti
On the 18th of September 2025, GCBR’s smallholder farmer extension officer, Simthandile Ponti, hosted a Farmers Day workshop. The event brought together over 109 smallholder farmers from Swellendam, Barrydale, Slangriver, Heidelberg, Riversdale, Albertinia, Melkhoutfontein, Ladysmith and Zoar. The event was a great success, a day filled with learning, collaboration and inspiration, showcasing the growing movement toward sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices.
The Farmers Day workshop aimed to equip smallholder farmers with practical knowledge and resources to enhance productivity, create a platform for collaboration between farmers, financial institutions and agricultural organisations, and encourage the adoption of sustainable, conservation and regenerative agricultural practices. Smallholder and emerging farmers also had a chance to network with industry experts and ask questions.
The success of the event was made possible through strong partnerships with key stakeholders who shared valuable insights. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture presented on government support programmes, extension services available to farmers, and gave an update on Foot-and-mouth disease. Land Bank discussed financial opportunities and funding options tailored to smallholder farmers, especially their blended finance scheme. ABSA Bank shared knowledge on agricultural finance and how farmers can build credit profiles for future growth. Regen Ag SA inspired participants with regenerative agriculture principles that restore soil health. SAPPO highlighted best practices in pig production, animal health and biosecurity, followed by Afrivet on early disease identification. SSK provided insights on input supply, market access and membership benefits. The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development discussed their support and the Narysec skills development programme tailored for unemployed youth. Since access to water is essential in production, BOCMA gave a presentation on regulated water uses and the water use licence process and compliance.
The Farmers Day event created an opportunity for farmers to network with stakeholders and fellow farmers, access information on agricultural funding and training, and explore innovative farming methods that promote environmental sustainability. Farmers expressed appreciation for the knowledge shared and the practical value of the sessions. Many participants noted that the information provided would help them improve their production systems and business planning.
The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve remains committed to supporting smallholder farmers through continuous training, mentorship and promoting regenerative agricultural practices that ensure both food security and ecosystem resilience. We extend our gratitude to all presenters, partners and farmers who contributed to making this event a success. The collaboration showcased the collective power of working together for a sustainable agricultural future.
