​The Department of Agricultural Environmental affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform held a successful Farmers Market Day in Galeshewe (Kimberley) in the Sol Plaatjie Municipality. The significance of the day was to encourage farmers to showcase their produce with the aim of selling to the community. This also seeks to motivate them that farming is a business and must be treated as such, and also to link them with industry partners and peers.

The day provided local farmers with more awareness on financial management and marketing skills, as Departmental Economist Ms. Ketumetse Kushane shared on the importance of proper record keeping and cash flow. “When you plan and do proper record keeping and managing your cash flow that information will boast you when you apply for either funding or land”. Exclaimed Ms Kushane.

One of the local farmer that was selling fruits and vegetables outlined the importance of healthy diet “Greens are healthier for the body and spreading to the community about the importance of fruits and vegetables and how our people are neglecting having healthy meals”. The other vendor echoed the same sentiments could not hold his breath when asked about strawberries and seedling mix said “It’s an “all-season” fruit and always available in the market through-out the year.

Farmers Days seeks to foster collaboration and networking within the agricultural sectors, and to promote business growth that will contribute to economic development.