“Our message is very clear, farmers need to know that farming is not only about eating what you have. You can do business through farming and survive.”
This was the message from Babalwa Mpayipheli, Assistant Field Programme Manager at Abalimi Bezekhaya. She was addressing the Farmer Festival and Agri Expo at Bongweni on Saturday 23 April.
Young and old farmers gathered under one roof where they exhibited and shared what they do to other farmers as well.
Part of the festival, was the Department of Agriculture, City of Cape Town and Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda).
Mpayipheli said the day was to empower farmers while it also exposed them to other business other famers were involved in.
“The day went very well as valuable information was shared with fellow farmers, as to what to do when they want to register a business. The festival was an educational event where the mind and heart were fed with information to prosper in their different fields,” she said.
Mpayipheli said the day helped farmers to open their minds to other fields, and think hard on what they can also do in their own small corners.
“Now farmers know they don’t necessarily only need to come to us for help. There are resources available for them, all they need is information and this was shared on the day,” sad Mpayipheli.
A farmer, Ntombi Basso, thanked Abalimi Bezekhaya for the “informative” and successful event.
“I learnt a lot from the stalls there, and also received ingredients on how to make a healthy smoothie. I tried it immediately when I reached home, and I must say the event catered for all ages,” said a pleased farmer.