Farmers’ Day sees students showcase work
Get the most out of each crop, the youngsters were advised.
The day before Youth Month (May 31) officially kicked off, Ekurhuleni Agricultural College (EAC) students hosted their third annual Farmers’ Day, where they displayed their work.
Students here disagree with the assumption that farming is only a retirement pastime or something for elderly folk. When discussing the future, many students are enthusiastic about the opportunities a career in agriculture presents.
“For future sustenance, we need agriculture for food, clothing and animal feed,” said Victoria Msiza, a student studying animal production.
As a farmer, she said she would work to address SA’s increasing food insecurity and do it in a way that would be affordable for everybody.
Lindelwe Myeza, who demonstrated hydroponics (growing plants in liquid, sand, or gravel with additional nutrients but no soil), went from sceptic to enthusiast, saying her mother initially talked her into studying agriculture, and now she finds it fascinating.
She said that while hydroponics is an expensive investment, it is worth it because one can reuse water, and it is ideal for farmers with not much space.
The land has money, according to student Nontobeko Sifunda, who encouraged other young people to pursue this area of study. There were displays of egg layers, several types of maize, meat cows, fertilisers, tools, machinery, and other items.
Did you know?
When one uses too much fertiliser, it can cause eutrophication – the blooming of algae in waterways.
The students advised that, despite fertilisers’ beneficial effects on plant growth, they should be used carefully and sometimes avoided directly on crops because of their potent nature.
Another ‘show’ happened in a “tunnel”, a hard plastic tent. Magae Safara, the exhibitor, and her team were pleased with this setting because the strong plastic tent is a good insulator against severe weather conditions, like hail, and functions well as a temperature regulator.
Additionally, they have an anatomy and physiology room where students study mixed farming systems.
Sechaba Mopedi and his colleague study the reasons for farm animal deaths and how to prevent them.
Patrick Sibeko of the National Youth Development Agency said, “I urge people to have small gardens at their homes. Agriculture is not outdated or old-fashioned. That is why we provide financial aid to those in need.”
Families and farmers from throughout the province attended informative presentations aimed at fostering a marketing network among them.
Gift Ntombela of Green Worx advised the farmers to get the most out of that crop. Musa Baloyi, the college manager, thanked the students for being excellent hosts, expressed satisfaction with the number of families, farms, and companies in attendance, and hoped the event would grow annually.
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