Practical, low-cost farming solutions were the focus when the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) hosted a training programme in Kabe Village, North West. From bag-system planting to sweet potato processing, participants gained skills that can be applied immediately at household and community level.
By Maphuti Mongatane, business development manager at African Farming
I recently had the privilege of spending time with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) team at Modiko Primary School in Kabe Village, Mahikeng, North West, where community members gathered for a practical training programme focused on food production and agro-processing.
Too often, rural communities are overlooked when it comes to access to information, skills and resources. What stood out during this programme was the commitment by the ARC to ensuring that communities receive practical solutions that can be implemented immediately, regardless of available space or soil conditions.
Led by Dr Lerato Matsaunyane, the programme showcased bag-system planting, seedling production, potato harvesting and agro-processing demonstrations. Participants learnt how bag-system planting can help households grow food in small spaces such as a back yard and in areas with poor soil quality. The method provides an affordable, water-wise solution for families seeking to improve household food security.
Community members were also taught how to prepare seedling trays correctly, plant seeds at the right depth, care for young plants and remove seedlings from trays without damaging them before transplanting. These may sound like simple techniques, but they often mean the difference between success and failure for inexperienced growers.
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One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was its practical nature. Participants were not only listening to presentations but also actively learning by doing. Even as an observer, I found myself learning new skills and gaining a deeper appreciation for the science and attention to detail required for successful food production.
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The agro-processing demonstrations were equally impressive. Community members learnt how to prepare orange-fleshed sweet potato juice and soup, as well as yellow-fleshed sweet potato doughnuts. These demonstrations highlighted the importance of value addition and showed how agricultural products can be transformed into marketable products that create opportunities beyond primary production.
The people behind the programme
The content of the training was outstanding, but what left the greatest impression on me was the ARC team itself.
This was my first opportunity to spend extended time with the team and witness their work behind the scenes. Their energy, professionalism and commitment to serving communities were remarkable. The way they support one another and the teamwork they demonstrate are qualities that deserve recognition.
After travelling nearly five hours to reach the village, the team still spent the entire evening preparing for the programme. They worked together to ensure everything was ready for the following day. There were no complaints, only dedication and a shared commitment to making the programme a success.
In many organisations, team building is treated as a separate activity. What I witnessed in Kabe Village was different. Every project, every community engagement and every training opportunity appeared to be an extension of the team’s culture. Their teamwork is not something they switch on for an event; it is part of who they are.
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Dr Lerato Matsaunyane deserves special recognition for the leadership she provides. Strong teams do not happen by accident. They are built through leadership, shared purpose and a commitment to empowering others. The positive spirit within the team reflects these qualities.
Communities like Kabe Village deserve this kind of dedication. They deserve programmes that equip people with practical skills, inspire confidence and provide realistic solutions to everyday challenges. The ARC continues to demonstrate that meaningful impact happens when institutions are willing to meet communities where they are and provide knowledge that can be applied immediately.
As we celebrate successful projects and programmes, it is important that we also acknowledge the people behind them. The researchers, facilitators and support staff who travel long distances, work late into the evening and dedicate themselves to empowering others are often the reason these initiatives succeed.
The ARC team reminded me that agriculture is not only about crops, livestock or technology. At its heart, it is about people, communities and the willingness to share knowledge that can change lives.
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