FARMERS TRAINING
FREE FARMER SKILLS TRAINING
FREE-TO-ATTEND skills training designed for smallholder / urban farmers from Johannesburg and Gauteng Province.
This year’s Farmers Day training addresses conservation agriculture and farm management systems, the effect of climate predictions for the next 90 years on selected crops in SA, scaling up climate smart agriculture, financial solutions for smallholder farmers and route to market.
TRAINING – Monday 25 June
TIMES
TOPICS
12:00
REGISTRATION
12:20
Opening remarks by chair
12:30
Training Session 1 – Conservation agriculture (CA) and farm management systems
This session will discuss new strategies how to manage your farms and increase crop yields without increased fertiliser or any other inputs, improve water retention and nutrient content, reduce pest and diseases, save money and incorporate better land management systems on your farm.
Speaker:
Klaas Mampholo, acting director: land use & soil management, Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (DAFF)
13:00
Training Session 2 – The effect of climate predictions for the next 90 years on selected crops in South Africa
Changing weather patterns due to climate change. What does this mean for smallholder farmers? This session will take an in-depth look into the factors influencing weather climate change and how you can assess weather patterns and adapt your farming methods.
Speaker:
13:30
Training Session 3 – Scaling up climate smart agriculture (CSA)
The Food & Agricultural Organisation (FOA) stated that a 50% increase in agricultural production will be necessary to feed the world’s estimated 9 billion people by 2050 but what does this mean for smallholder farmers? This session will highlight government’s climate smart strategic framework and discuss the latest innovations and strategies on how to adopt more productive, sustainable and resilient agricultural practices to incorporate CSA best practices
Speaker:
14:00
Training Session 4 – Financial solutions for smallholder farmers: Bridging the finance gap
This session will explore how the funding landscape recently changed for smallholder farmers and more importantly how to take your business to the next level? Angelo discusses the various documentation requirements, compliance criteria, short-term loan options available to meet your financing needs including crop intakes, production requirements, production credit and other services to support your business.
Speaker:
14:30
Training Session 5 – Route to market
Are there any gaps in the market, what is the best way to gain market information and gain business development support? This session provides insight into how you can increase market access and improve your farming operations.
Speaker:
END OF FARMER TRAINING
