As the El Niño phenomenon poses a threat of severe drought to South African farmers, African Farming is taking a proactive approach to provide valuable insights and strategies to help navigate through this challenging time.
The Farmers’ Day event to be held at the Barolong Hall in Thaba Nchu will provide useful strategies to stakeholders.
The event will start at 09:00.
The African Farming brand, through its print, online, and television platforms, aims to empower and encourage black commercial farming in South Africa by providing educational and motivational resources to thrive and flourish.
The presentations will focus on various strategies to help farmers navigate volatile climatic conditions and ways to improve efficiency and profits with minimal resources in a farming business.
Topics will include top advice from seasoned farmers, such as Amos Njoro, managing director of Ya Rona Temo Farming, a commercial mixed operation of livestock and grain farming located on the border of Gauteng and the Free State.
Praveen Dwarika, managing director of Lemang Agri Services, a subsidiary company of Afgri, will discuss how the organisation’s efforts have helped numerous emerging farmers become successful commercial farmers through the new era farmer initiative, starting in 2012.
“We understand that the perfect farm takes passion, dedication and just that little extra something,” said Praveen.
RMI TED’s Khomotso Mashiloane will be speaking about the crucial role of inclusive growth in the red meat industry. RMI TED’s main objective is to drive transformation and enterprise development in the red meat industry, empowering black farmers to break into the mainstream and play a significant role in the growth of the economy.
Barry Nel, a seasoned agronomist from FarmSol, will discuss strategies for boosting crop yields and minimizing risk, particularly under drier conditions that are expected in the next season. By applying best agricultural practices, such as conservation agricultural methods, farmers can minimize risk and achieve reasonable yields to keep their businesses afloat.
Dr Faffa Malan, a veterinary expert, and Willem Kleyn, Elanco’s animal health expert, will offer valuable tips to farmers on biosecurity and animal health and husbandry in light of the recent outbreak of tickborne diseases, such as red water disease, which have already caused severe losses.
According to Willem, adhering to proper biosecurity and basic animal health protocols can help avoid fatalities caused by tick populations that have risen due to the heatwave and dry conditions of the past summer.
Livestock farmers are facing lower weaner prices due to the drought, and the market is expected to be flooded as farmers try to destock.
Patrick Sekwatlakwatla, Sernick Group’s marketing and transformation manager, will provide valuable advice on how to produce better quality livestock demanded by the market to beat low prices. Arno Ferreira, of Molatek, one of the leading animal nutrition companies, will address farmers on deriving value from animal feeds.
Standard Bank, John Deere, and Ford SA will also be showcasing their products, which are essential for building a profitable business.
According to Lebogang Mashala, editor of African Farming, information sharing platforms such as this day offer developing farmers a platform to learn from commercial farmers who have been through similar challenges and have overcome them.
