The first meeting, organized by FNB in collaboration with Food For Mzansi, will take place at the Royal Show in a few days. The event will bring together farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to explore the conditions for establishing successful commercial farming enterprises.
On Thursday, October 8th, a discussion titled 'Farming Together: Partnership That Creates Commercial Farmers' will be held at the FNB Lounge area of the new exhibition grounds of the Royal Agricultural Society in Tydings, near Howick in the central region of KwaZulu-Natal. This free event will be moderated by Food For Mzansi co-founder and managing director, Ayvor Price.
Representatives from various agricultural sectors, including farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and FNB staff, will attend the meeting. The central topic of the discussion is how farmers can join forces to build a stronger commercial business.
From 11:45 AM to 2:00 PM, the conversation at the Royal Show will focus on the practical application of meaningful cooperation between established and newly commencing commercial farming operations. The discussion will examine how experienced farmers can share knowledge, experience, networks, and market information to create opportunities rather than dependency, while acknowledging the skills, aspirations, and resources that new farmers bring.
It will be explored how these relationships can open practical prospects, ranging from mentorship and market access to partnerships and the formation of new business networks. Special attention will also be paid to the realities of running an agricultural business, including access to financing, building a track record, attracting clients, and readiness for loans. The discussion will clarify what farmers need to have when approaching lenders and the role that relationships and strong networks can play alongside financial performance.
A special emphasis will be placed on how these networks and opportunities can help more women and youth transition from ambition to sustainable commercial participation in agriculture. Attendance at the event is free, and visitors can register via the provided link or attend on the day of the event.