From Farmers Day to Farmers Market: UNIVEN Builds a Platform to Connect Local Farmers with Their Communities

The University of Venda (UNIVEN), through the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture (FSEA), celebrated its 5th Annual Farmers Day on 26 August 2026 at the UNIVEN Stadium, bringing together farmers, members of the University community, government representatives, traditional and religious leaders, industry partners, students, learners, the media, and surrounding communities.

Held under the theme “Sustainable Agroprocessing: Building Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains,” the event provided a platform for farmers and stakeholders to engage on sustainable agriculture, agroprocessing, market access, food security and rural development. A key focus of this year’s Farmers Day was the introduction of the UNIVEN Farmers Market, which aims to connect local farmers with consumers and create opportunities for farmers to market their produce.

Acting VC and Principal Prof. Netswera delivering the opening remarks

Opening the event, Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Fulufhelo Netswera, emphasised the important role of farmers in addressing poverty and food insecurity. He encouraged farmers to look beyond primary production and explore agroprocessing as a pathway to value addition, job creation, wealth generation, and reduced food waste.

“No farmers, no food, no life” aptly captured the urgency of the gathering, with speakers stressing that strengthening local agriculture requires communities to support local producers and create resilient food systems.

Executive Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture Prof. Natasha Potgieter

Executive Dean of FSEA, Prof. Natasha Potgieter, reaffi rmed the Faculty’s commitment to applying research, knowledge and innovation to address agricultural challenges facing rural communities. She emphasised that producing quality agricultural products is only the beginning, as farmers also need reliable markets, finance, transport, marketing skills, appropriate technologies, and strong partnerships to participate meaningfully in agricultural value chains.

Experimental Farm Manager Ms Thifheli Kutama, addressing the gathering

Farm Manager of the UNIVEN Experimental Farm, Ms. Thifheli Kutama, refl ected on the journey that has shaped Farmers Day and the University’s farmer development initiatives. She explained that the journey started through direct engagement with farmers, including visits to communities such as Madimbo in Musina Municipality and Hlaneki Village in Giyani, to understand their farming activities and challenges.

The first Farmers Day was held in 2021 as a relatively small gathering of farmers and agricultural support stakeholders. The event continued in 2022, followed by further outreach and farmer engagements in 2023. These engagements contributed to the introduction of farmer development workshops, which brought farmers to the University campus for training, knowledge sharing and practical demonstrations at the Experimental Farm.

As engagement with farmers continued, market access emerged as a major challenge, leading to the development of the UNIVEN Farmers Market. The concept aims to introduce local farmers and their products to the University and surrounding communities and encourage consumers to support local producers.

Prof. Sylvester Mpandeli from WRC delivering the keynote address

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Sylvester Mpandeli of the Water Research Commission and Adjunct Professor in the FSEA at UNIVEN. He emphasised the importance of inclusive agricultural value chains that place smallholder farmers at the center, while calling for expanded market opportunities, greater empowerment of women and youth, increased access to international markets, and stronger climate resilience.
Other speakers addressed issues including sustainable rural community development, partnerships between the University and the Department of Agriculture, skills transfer, sustainable agroprocessing, fresh produce marketing and access to formal markets.

Dr Reverend Alunamutwe Rannditsheni, Mr Emmanuel Mudau, and Ms Rabelani Ramutangwa

Ms Ramutangwa from the Department of Agriculture highlighted the importance of the partnership between the Department and UNIVEN in supporting farmers in the Vhembe District. Mr Mudau, a farmer representative, reflected on skills transfer and farmer development through the UNIVEN Experimental Farm.

Mr Thathedzani Maluta

Mr Thathedzani Maluta, Senior Agricultural Economist, Vhembe Central, spoke on the marketing of fresh produce, shared insights into the requirements of formal markets, including quality, consistency, and meeting market expectations.

Thovhele Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase (middle)

Traditional Leader Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase encouraged communities to support local farmers by buying locally produced goods and highlighted the importance of improving women’s access to land.

The discussions reinforced the message that sustainable agro-processing starts on the farm. Healthy livestock, proper feeding, vaccination and disease prevention are essential for quality animal products, while healthy soils, appropriate water management, pest and disease control and good production practices are critical for quality crop production. These factors ultimately infl uence processing, market access, farmer income and food security.

The UNIVEN Farmers Market provided a practical demonstration of this approach, giving local farmers an opportunity to showcase and sell their produce while allowing members of the University and surrounding communities to see what local farmers are producing.

The participation of traditional leaders, religious leaders, learners, students, the media and community members was deliberate. The University recognises that creating a sustainable market for farmers requires the support of the wider community. The intention is to encourage consumers to support local farmers and, where possible, buy locally produced agricultural products.

Now in its fith year, Farmers Day has grown from a small gathering in 2021 into a platform for farmer development, knowledge sharing, partnerships and market opportunities. The University intends to continue its farmer development workshops, practical demonstrations at the Experimental Farm and engagement with farming communities, while further developing the Farmers Market as a regular platform connecting farmers with consumers.

Attendees of the Formal programme in the tent

The University is also exploring opportunities such as an adopt-a-village initiative and ways of supporting agriculture graduates to gain practical experience, develop enterprises and create employment.

Acting DVC Research and post-graduate studies Prof Lutendo Murulana

Prof. Lutendo Murulana, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Postgraduate Studies, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed appreciation to the University leadership, farmers, traditional leaders, government representatives, researchers, students, exhibitors, partners and surrounding communities for contributing to the success of the event.
For UNIVEN, Farmers Day is therefore more than an annual event. It represents a growing relationship between the University, farmers and the communities it serves.

The journey that began with the fi rst Farmers Day in 2021 continues to evolve, from engaging farmers, sharing knowledge and building partnerships to creating market opportunities through the UNIVEN Farmers Market.

As the University looks ahead, the message from the 5th Annual Farmers Day is clear: sustainable agriculture begins on the farm, but its success depends on the entire value chain and on community support.

From Farmers Day to Farmers Market, the journey continues.

Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811