On 27 February 2026, 21 Fort Cox Second Year Agri-Business Students who are doing Agricultural Marketing, attended a Farmers Indaba organized by the Eastern Cape Farmers Group in Komani.

The Indaba brought together farmers, agribusiness stakeholders, input suppliers, and industry
experts to discuss market access, production challenges, value chains, and emerging
opportunities within the agricultural sector.

During the event, students had the opportunity to observe how farmers, buyers, input suppliers, financial institutions, & government interact within the agricultural value chain.

Vuyolwethu Silwana from the Eastern Cape Group Farmers said the initiative aimed to bring together sustainable farmers to share experiences and strengthen collaboration within the sector.

“The attendance of the Indaba is in line with Fort Cox’s continued efforts to strengthen partnerships with industry stakeholders to enhance teaching and learning through meaningful exposure to real agricultural environments”, said Agricultural Extension Senior Lecturer Chuma Mtyelwa.

It also enhances the institute’s commitment to experiential learning, ensuring that students are industry-ready and equipped with practical knowledge to navigate the evolving agricultural sector.

“The purpose was to expose students to real-world agricultural marketing dynamics & to bridge the gap between classroom theory & industry practice,” added Mtyelwa.

Fort Cox learner Nyanisoyakho Vuthela, said she learned a great deal during the event, especially about issues affecting small– scale farmers and the differences between registered individual farmers and broader sector challenges.

She added the valuable insight gained into agro-processing, noting that many rural communities lack adequate facilities and resources in this area and expressed gratitude for the experience she and her classmates got.