EAST LONDON – The Eastern Cape is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to host 10th AGRI 5 Expo on September 21-22 2023 at the East London showgrounds, this annual event provides a platform to assist organizations in fostering the development of African farmers in helping them increase their meaningful participation in the agricultural sector. The expo encompasses various commodities, including poultry, livestock, dairy, crops, and piggery products, offering a diverse range of opportunities for farmers.
“The objectives and goals of the Agri-Five Expo is to assist African farmers in the Eastern Cape to access markets to have interaction with reliable service providers who have got quality products to ensure that they are able to sustain their farming ventures. Further, we want to mobilize and facilitate the youth of the Eastern Cape to partake and take their meaningful role in the agro-processing sector as a value chain that creates more opportunities of employment for the youth,” Said Founder and director of the AGRI 5 Tsolo Mokobe.
Honorable Deputy Minister of Department of Agriculture Mcebisi Skwatsha will deliver the keynote address at the expo on the day, emphasizing the importance of supporting and empowering African farmers. The AGRI 5 Expo aims to educate young farmers about the potential of turning their produce into secondary commodities opening up new avenues for growth and profitability.
With its focus on facilitating the growth of African farmers since 2013 the AGRI 5 Expo has become a significant event in the agricultural calendar. It provides a platform for local and national buyers to connect with Eastern Cape farmers, creating opportunities for business partnerships and market expansion. The expo showcases the region’s agricultural potential and highlights the importance of sustainable farming practices.
In addition Tsholo Mokobe further said,”what we can take from the previous years is that a lot of farmers are supplying retail stores which they have met on site and this really encourages us and we are hoping this year more buyers and retails will be able to pick up farmers that are showing potential and assist them with their groove,” said Mokobe.
The AGRI 5 Commodities Workshop & Expo is organized by Agri-Expo, a professional promotion and marketing organization for the agricultural sector. Agri-Expo aims to create awareness, foster innovation and facilitate knowledge sharing among farmers and industry stakeholders. The expo is a testament to the dedication and hard work of farmers in the Eastern Cape, showcasing their produce and contributing to the growth of the agricultural industry.
The Eastern Cape is renowned for its oranges, prickly pears, angora goats, and dairy farms. While ostrich farming is present on a smaller scale, the region’s agricultural diversity is a testament to its rich farming heritage. However, challenges such as inequality in the distribution of economic assets and support services persist, highlighting the need for initiatives like the AGRI 5 Expo to empower and uplift African farmers.
As the 10th AGRI 5 Expo approaches, farmers and industry professionals eagerly anticipate the networking opportunities, educational workshops.
