On the 19th of September 2024, GCBR smallholder extension officer, Simthandile Ponti, hosted a smallholder farmers day workshop at Thusong Centre Riversdale. The workshop aimed to promote knowledge and awareness of sustainable, conservation, and ecological agriculture, strengthen capacity building, facilitate market access, grants and loan opportunities, and enhance resilience and food security.
Among the attendees were representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, SEDA, MSD, the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO), Land Bank, Absa, the Itega Foundation, SSK, Hessequa Municipality, and the Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA).
The workshop opened with a presentation by Mannie Grobler from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (Outeniqua Experimental Farm), focusing on livestock production, pasture management principles, commercial beef systems, and dry matter requirements. Following this, Frikkie Myburgh from MSD discussed animal health programs, vaccination methods, and the importance of record-keeping for sick animals.
Clive Wright from SSK presented the benefits of SSK membership and the SSK School of Grain material. Smallholder farmers expressed their interest and asked questions about the SSK membership assistance fund. Abongile Feni from the Elsenburg Agricultural Institute in Stellenbosch presented on conservation and regenerative agriculture practices for smallholder farmers with a particular focus on vegetable gardens.
Nico Uys, a commercial farmer in Heidelberg and vice chairman of the RPO, explained his choice of Merino sheep for both wool and meat production. Francois de Goede from Absa Bank discussed financing options and the importance of maintaining good financial records for smallholder and emerging farmer.
Christopher Abrahams from the Itega Foundation spoke about business development support, agri-development programs, incubation programs for youth, and business plans for smallholder farmers. Shane Mukhari from SEDA provided information on grants and loan opportunities for cooperatives.
Lourette Brown from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) gave an overview of her department and the support available for smallholder farmers. Henry Phillips from Land Bank highlighted the partnership between the Land Bank Blended Finance Scheme and DALRRD, aimed at commercializing development farmers to facilitate meaningful participation of black producers and majority black-owned enterprises in agricultural value chains.
Water management is crucial in agriculture, as it is essential for growing fresh produce and sustaining livestock. Despite the dams in the Western Cape being nearly full, smallholder farmers raised questions about water allocation and quality management. Makhosi Mthimkhulu from BOCMA concluded the workshop with a presentation on water allocation reform and answered questions.
The agricultural sector is vital to the economy, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. In this sector, two systems exist: commercial farming and smallholder farming. Conventional agricultural supply chains and commercial farmers alone cannot meet the global food demand.
Most of the agricultural land in the developing world is held by subsistence, smallholder, or family farmers. Smallholder farmers in deep-rural and disadvantaged areas are often overlooked, despite playing a critical role in local food production, global food security, rural livelihoods, and community well-being.
While the Farmers Day workshop was a success, Simthandile noticed that a gap remains in the participation of women as smallholder farmers. Most women who attended have small vegetable gardens. By providing support to these women, we can inspire others in their communities to get involved. Increasing women’s participation in farming and agro-processing can create meaningful value.
