Nufarmer Africa
Hundreds of visitors crowded the many exhibitors’
stands enquiring about products and services available.
Crop-Tech demonstrated its No-till Farming technique for emerging farmers to the many visitors on
its stand.
International exhibitors from China and
Ukraine appeared at AFWE for the first time,
attracting strong interest from the many
visitors attending the show.
Farmers’ Expo Educates, Informs
and Empowers
F
or the fourth consecutive year, the
African Farmers Workshop and Expo
(AFWE) showcased a wide selection of
livestock, machinery, products and services
to the emerging farming sector in Southern
Africa – with highly impressive results. “This
year’s AFWE event was a huge success, with
a 30% increase in visitors to the show, and
strong interest from all stakeholders in the
agri sector,” said Mahlatse Masimini, CEO of
Moshate Media, organisers of the event. Following the theme ‘Agriculture is Gold - Grow
Food - Feed Cities’, this year’s event took place
from 12 to 14 August 2014 at the Expo Centre
in Johannesburg.
More than 75 exhibitors took part in the
Expo, which for the first-time enjoyed international support by exhibitors from Ukraine
and China. Other high-profile visitors included
Zambia’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock,
Wylbur Simuusa, and the First Secretary of the
High Commissioner of Uganda, Issa Hussein.
Expo Excites Exhibitors and Visitors
The feedback from AFWE exhibitors was
extremely positive. The Hippo Water Roller
Project was one of many exhibitors that was
inundated with visitors to its stand. “Our
competition attracted a lot of people to our
stand, all eager to win one of the water roller
prizes,” said Executive Director Grant Gibbs.
“We had between 150 - 200 entries on the
first day alone!”
“The show gave us a huge amount of exposure and helped us connect with numerous
pig farmers who need assistance,” said Tshepo
Phaala, Project Manager of the SA Pork Producers organisation.
Zietse Smit, Breed Director of the Brahman
Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa, said
the show was a perfect forum to promote the
breed and engage emerging farmers on how
to farm with Brahman cattle.
The Proudly South African stall also attracted
lots of visitors on each day. “Many people
enquired about how to join our organisation
and how we assist member companies,” said
Marketing Assistant Lesego Mosang.
Event Highlights
The AgriBizNiz Summit on 11 and 12 August
addressed strategic issues, while various agrirelated workshops offered practical advice to
emerging farmers during the Expo.
“Topics discussed at the Summit included the
viability and impact of the Land Reform Bill on
the economy and organised agriculture; the
state and transformation of food security in
Africa, and agribusiness trade opportunities in
Africa,” said Masimini.
The AgriYouth Indaba focused on empowering and supporting young people in agriculture. Learners from the Oxford Combined
College high school discussed topics such as
viticulture and oenology, forestry and wood
science, natural and agricultural sciences and
veterinary sciences. The Indaba concluded
with a tour of the Agricultural Research Council. The University of South Africa (UNISA), the
Brahman Society, Joburg Market, and Kanhym
Estates also held various workshops at the
show.
Women in Farming Honoured
Mr Lebogang Maile, MEC of the Gauteng
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, delivered a keynote address at the
Women in Farming Awards ceremony, which
took place during the African Farmers Workshop and Expo on 13 August.
Caroline Mogoane, chairperson of dairy
processor Maano’a Basadi, received the Top
Entrepreneur Farmer in the Sector: Processing.
Nomzamo Khoza was awarded the Exports
Market award for her product, People’s Bio Oil.
The Top Entrepreneur Farmer award in the
commercial sector went to Sindisiwe Sabela,
manager of the Ikhwezi Development Project.
Livestock farmer Maria Mulungo was honoured with The Top Entrepreneur Farmer in
the Smallholder Category.
AFWE enjoyed support from several sponsors including the Gauteng Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Standard
Bank, Zoetis, Mintek, ONE Campaign, the Black
African Young Farmers Association, Transnet,
Tiger Brands, UNISA, Do Agric, 4H Africa,
Rand Water, the National Youth Development
Agency (NYDA), and Monsanto.
Top female farmers were honoured at the Women in Farming Awards dinner at AFWE, including
Nomzamo Koza, Carol Mogoane,Maria Mulungo and Sindisiwe Sabela.
Nufarmer Africa | September/October 2014
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