By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
Farming around the world stands at a pivotal crossroads, where traditional farming methods meet cutting-edge technology and where small-scale farmers are being empowered to meet operation and quality requirements. Recent interviews with AgricultSURE leaders at the Mpumalanga Small Scale Farmer Expo held at Mbombela Stadium last week reveal a comprehensive approach to addressing food security, farmer empowerment and sustainable agricultural development, showcasing both institutional innovation and individual transformation stories.
AgricultSURE: Leading The Technological Revolution
Kobus Hurter, Managing Director of AgricultSURE, represents a generation of agricultural leaders who understand that the future of farming lies in the successful integration of technology, training and market access. Under his leadership, AgricultSURE has launched an ambitious support programme targeting small-scale farmers in South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland.
The organisation’s approach to agricultural transformation centres on using cutting-edge technology that was once accessible only to large commercial farms. The company has introduced precision soil-analysis systems that allow farmers to understand their land’s specific nutritional needs, moving away from generic fertiliser applications to targeted, water-soluble nutrient-delivery systems.
“We’re witnessing the agricultural equivalent of the Industrial Revolution,” explains Hurter, highlighting how GPS-enabled harvest tracking and optimised drip-irrigation systems are becoming standard tools for even the smallest farming operations. This technological leap enables farmers to achieve traceability from farm to table, a crucial requirement for accessing larger, more lucrative markets.
The Digital Platform Revolution
One of AgricultSure’s most significant innovations is its comprehensive online platform, which serves as a digital gateway for small-scale farmers entering the commercial agricultural sector. Farmers can register for unique reference numbers that ensure compliance with modern traceability requirements, instantly connecting them to market opportunities previously beyond their reach.
The platform functions as more than just a registration system – it’s also a complete agricultural ecosystem offering access to seeds, fertilisers, irrigation materials and starter packs. This one-stop-shop approach eliminates many of the logistical barriers that traditionally prevented small farmers from accessing professional-grade agricultural inputs.
Also watch: News from the AgricultSURE Expo in Mbombela | MEC Khethiwe Moeketsi
Training And Membership: Building Agricultural Entrepreneurs
AgricultSURE’s philosophy extends far beyond simply providing technology and products. The company has invested heavily in comprehensive training and mentorship programmes that transform subsistence farmers into commercial agricultural entrepreneurs. Regional managers work directly with farming communities, providing hands-on guidance in adopting commercial farming methods and best practices.
The mentorship model creates a multiplier effect, with trained farmers often becoming community leaders who share knowledge and techniques with their neighbours. This peer-to-peer learning approach has proven particularly effective in rural communities where trust and local relationships are paramount.
Also watch: News from the AgricultSURE Expo in Mbombela | Bennedicter Benica Hlongos
Norman Molomo: From Backyard To Business
One of the most compelling examples of AgricultSURE’s impact is the story of Norman Molomo, who has also emerged as a master trainer.
Molomo’s agricultural journey began in 2022 with a simple backyard garden in Mokopane, but things changed for good when a friend, Dr Mabila, connected him with Kobus Hurter and the AgricultSURE network. Within a short period, Molomo transformed his backyard gardening and started growing and supplying vegetables such as radishes, turnips, spinach, carrots, cabbages and onions to established retailers including Spar and the prestigious Park Hotel in Mokopane.
The Livelihood Restoration Programme: Addressing Mining Impact
Molomo’s role has expanded beyond his personal farming success to become a master trainer in the Livelihood Restoration Programme, a collaborative initiative with Ivanplats Mine in Mokopane. This programme addresses a critical challenge in mining communities where traditional agricultural practices have been disrupted by mining activities. Molomo and his team have developed innovative solutions, focusing on backyard gardening techniques that allow people to maintain agricultural productivity despite changed circumstances. Starting with 100 people in 2023, the programme’s success led to expansion, with Ivanplats Mine adding an additional 180 participants, bringing the total to 280 trained farmers.
Vision For The Mokopane Hub
Molomo wishes for a centralised agricultural hub in Mokopane that would serve as a collection and distribution point for local farmers. This hub would enable small-scale farmers to aggregate their produce, achieve the scale necessary for larger market access and potentially export their vegetables beyond South Africa’s borders.
Also watch: News from the AgricultSURE Expo in Mbombela | Joseph Tshikuthula, agro-processor
Gerhard Viljoen’s Vision For Food Security
While AgricultSURE focuses on technological advancement and market integration, the Agrihlula Centre for Farmer Development, another organisation working closely with AgricultSURE and led by Dr Gerhard Viljoen, addresses the foundational challenges of food security and community empowerment. Founded in 2024, Agrihlula operates as a nonprofit company and its mission is “to fight hunger and unemployment and win through agriculture”.
Agrihlula’s approach begins with household food gardens, addressing immediate food security needs while building the foundation for larger agricultural enterprises. The organisation provides both accredited and non-accredited training programmes, ensuring that farmers receive education appropriate to their current skill levels and aspirations.
The centrepiece of Agrihlula’s farmer development strategy is its six-month agrepreneurship programme, which focuses specifically on building the business skills necessary for farmers to succeed as agricultural entrepreneurs. This programme addresses a critical gap in traditional agricultural training, which often focuses on production techniques while neglecting the business skills necessary for commercial success.
Technology Accessibility And Farmer Exposure
Recognising that many small farmers cannot attend large agricultural exhibitions like Nampo, Agrihlula brings technology directly to farming communities through local expos. These events provide farmers with hands-on exposure to irrigation systems, organic farming techniques and other technologies appropriate for their scale of operation.
This local approach to technology dissemination ensures that farmers can evaluate and adopt new methods without the significant travel and time costs associated with major agricultural shows.
Agrihlula works strategically on both sides of the agricultural value chain, helping farmers improve production quality while simultaneously supporting their transition from informal to formal markets.
