The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KZNDARD) and Wesgrow Potatoes, hosted three farmers’ days for smallholder farmers in Swayimane and Applesbosch in January 2023.
This was to show support to these farmers and to celebrate a successful 2022 summer planting season that led to high potato yields (40 t/ha).
Associate professor Nomali Ngobese says the local agricultural industry has two million smallholders who struggle to deal with the effects of climate change. The initiative was part of the Climate Resilient and Responsible Innovations in Potato (CRRIsP) project from the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management.
CRRIsP is a collaborative project funded by the NRF/ERA-Net Cofund on Food Systems and Climate through the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The project aims to address the impact of climate change on the potato sector across different agro-ecologies.
“The farmers’ days were designed to share results from research trials and transfer knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices. This was the second series, with the first being hosted by the University of Johannesburg in 2022,” says Prof Ngobese.
The programme started with a field demonstration of production sites, followed by experts sharing business tips for farmer development. Among these was Dr Sanele Gumede, an economist from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who spoke about the importance of keeping financial records, Sinelizwi Fakade, the chairman of Ukhanyo Farmer Development who spoke about the support they offer to farmers, and Jabu Mbhele from PROKON SA who spoke about the importance of packaging potatoes appropriately to fetch high market returns.
Attendees also got a treat from the University of Zululand’s Consumer Sciences Department, demonstrating how processing potatoes into products such as doughnuts can add value.
The uMgungundlovu district director, Phindile Shozi, praised researchers for bringing the project to the community. Giresh Naidoo, KZNDARD deputy director for extension services and Ettienne Groenewald from Wesgrow) also thanked the farmers for their commitment to the project.
“Supporting smallholders is essential to growing the South African economy. We view capacitating smallholders not only as essential for ending poverty, but also as a contribution towards increasing employment opportunities, reducing racial tensions, and attracting foreign investment into the country,” concludes Prof Ngobese.
To view highlights from the events, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JOo27cd-ZU
Morgan Naidoo presents smallholder farmers Ms Mchunu (left) and Ms Majola (right) with certificates of excellence.
