In the heart of Ga-Lekgothoane in Limpopo, a powerful movement has been sparked, one that has the potential to reshape rural economies and ignite the passion of a new generation of farmers. The Kgarose Kgaros Youth and Women in Agriculture 2025 Expo, held on 27 June 2025, was a bold step towards breaking barriers, bridging knowledge gaps and empowering communities often left behind.
By Maphuti Mongatane
Bringing Change To Rural South Africa
The organiser of the Expo, Edward Kgarose, is no stranger to rural life’s challenges. His vision was clear: bring the information, opportunities and motivation directly to the people. “Villagers often lack access to information and exhibitions that could change their lives,” he said. “This Expo was about helping them view life from new and broader perspectives.” And it did just that.
A Vision In Action
Kgarose’s goal was to invite stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain to present their services and opportunities to the community. Institutions shared resources, training programmes, funding options and compliance support, all aimed at unlocking the full potential of rural farmers and agro-processors.
The themes were deliberate: tackling unemployment through agriculture, using available land for food security and equipping women and youth with financial literacy skills. “Agriculture is more than growing food, it’s about building economies and ensuring lasting wealth,” Kgarose explained.
Not Just An Event, A Catalyst
Despite the event being targeted at young people, a larger turnout of older farmers was observed. According to Kgarose, this was expected. “Our elders still understand the importance of farming because they’ve lived it. Many young people, however, still perceive agriculture as a last resort for the uneducated, which couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Even so, something did change. Since the Expo, calls have flooded in from across Limpopo, especially from young individuals newly inspired to enter the agricultural sector.
Community Reaction And Momentum
The day after the Expo, some participants who couldn’t attend the full programme travelled from distant villages such as Solomondale to Kgarose’s home, eager to learn what they had missed. “That told me something,” he said. “People are hungry for this kind of information.”
Attendees praised the calibre of speakers and the relevance of the insights. The topics covered, from climate-smart agriculture to value-adding and certification, were eye-opening for many.
Sowing Seeds Of Sustainability
One of the biggest hopes emerging from the Expo is that farmers will now begin taking full advantage of resources available through the public and private sector. Kgarose encourages them to start working closely with institutions, to form cooperatives and to seek support for business development.
Measuring success, he says, will depend on follow-through: “If we see more farmers implementing what they learnt, and more people approaching stakeholders for support, then we know the Expo was impactful.”
What’s Next? Expansion And Long-Term Support
With the success of the Ga-Lekgothoane event, expansion is already on Kgarose’s mind. “There is a desperate need for more of these kinds of gatherings across rural areas. We need to give people the belief and tools to build their futures.”
He also aims to establish long-term support systems connecting farmers to mentors, offering post-event training and encouraging community-based solutions such as cooperatives.
A Message To The Youth
To the youth who missed the Expo, Kgarose shares this message: “You failed to recognise the most valuable information that could have made a profound difference in your life. But it’s not too late. Get involved, ask questions, show up.”
For Future Sponsors And Stakeholders
Kgarose is calling on future sponsors and partners to come on board early. “We need to consolidate these events, prepare together and maximise impact. These are more than expos, they are economic tools for real change.”
Stay Connected
To follow future activities and opportunities related to the Expo, connect with Kgarose on Facebook, Instagram and X under the handle Kgarose Kgaros.
Why This Expo Matters
Rural farmers face real challenges: limited access to markets, lack of finance, compliance hurdles and minimal exposure to agro-processing knowledge. The Kgarose Kgaros Youth and Women in Agriculture 2025 Expo stands as a transformative solution connecting farmers to buyers, offering practical training and creating platforms for long-term development.
From masterclasses and exhibitions to mentorships and market access, the Expo is paving a new path – one where smallholder farmers can become competitive, profitable agripreneurs.
This is not the end. It is the beginning of a new chapter for rural agriculture rooted in resilience, driven by purpose and cultivated with care.
