Knowledge and Networks

Friday 19 June 2020 saw a number of agri- and aqua-cultural sector experts, farmers and “water warriors” come together to participate in the Agri Gauteng Young Farmer Webinar in conjunction with Grobank.

It was a big day for the retail business banking sector as Grobank and Sureswipe, South Africa’s largest independent payment service provider, announced a partnership that combines financial reliability and safety coupled with merchant solutions to service SMME’s throughout Southern Africa.

The food value chain depends on the availability of fresh water to feed the world. Water is a scarce resource in South Africa and agriculture is the biggest user of the available water. Therein lies a challenge – to ensure sufficient water to ensure food security, while improving efficiency to make sure every drop is applied effectively.

Over the next few years our relationship became one of great respect and support, from the bank’s top management to the general staff. We have also been blessed with the wealth of advice received from the various divisions of the bank,

The need for both agricultural and financial technology to track, monitor and provide statistical data to the entire agri-value chain, from farm to fork, is one that has long called for a response.

In case you missed it: On Thursday 16 April, over 1300 small-scale farmers and other agriculturists from across South Africa logged on to the free webinar, “We shall overcome: South African agriculture beyond Covid-19”.

Proudly presented by Food For Mzansi in partnership with Grobank.

Nearly 250 small-scale farmers and other agriculturists from across South Africa have already signed-up for a free webinar on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on food systems, food security and agricultural livelihoods.

Some 330 kilometres from Cape Town lies the small hamlet of Koekenaap, a patchwork of farms where grapes, beetroot, pumpkin, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and a variety of fruits are grown.

Lemang Agricultural Services (“Lemang”), an AFGRI Agri Services new era farmer development initiative started in 2012, holds formal in-class training exercises and in-field training in crop production at the Vastfontein Training Centre, just outside of Pretoria, Gauteng.