At CorpsAfrica, we believe that creating opportunities for Volunteer visibility and networking are essential to their success. On 13 to 16 May 2025, four of our dedicated Volunteers had the opportunity to attend one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in the southern hemisphere, the NAMPO Harvest Day organised by Grain SA.

CorpsAfrica is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering young leaders to work in collaboration with rural communities in identifying and implementing sustainable community-led development projects. Caiphas Maluleka, Blessings Manda, Vanesa Mahlanyana, and David Bothana attended NAMPO Harvest Day as part of their community development projects focusing on agriculture, which include crop and livestock farming. The exhibition provided them with a powerful platform to engage with leading farmers, agricultural institutions, and industry experts. It was an invaluable opportunity to gain exposure to modern farming techniques, access market insights, and build strategic networks that will benefit the rural communities they serve.

Crop Production: Tools, Seeds, and Solutions

Since crop farming is a key focus in several host communities, the Volunteers engaged with Agrico to explore suitable irrigation systems for household and community gardens. They discussed water sources, pressure levels, and appropriate systems tailored to the specific crops and environmental conditions in their areas. Agrico also provided quotes and technical advice to guide implementation.

Sakata Seed Southern Africa, a global leader in the production of top-quality seeds, provided the Volunteers with crop varieties and cultivars based on local soil profiles, seasonal rainfall, and community needs. The Volunteers also consulted with Alnet and Elite on the use of shade nets and greenhouses — critical for cultivating seasonal crops — offering guidance on infrastructure appropriate for different garden sizes and environmental conditions.

Livestock Production: Insights Into Goat Farming

For Volunteers working on animal production projects, specifically goat farming, Nampo was an ideal learning space. They met with the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) to gain insights into various livestock production techniques, slaughtering, pricing, and consumption, along with valuable market intelligence.

Stakeholders like the South African Boer Goat Association and Kalahari Red Goat Breeders shared expert knowledge on breeding systems, feeding practices, animal care, and marketing strategies. These interactions helped deepen the Volunteers’ understanding of how to develop and scale goat-farming projects in their communities.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was also present, providing guidance on funding criteria, available resources, and training opportunities to further support rural initiatives.

Broader Learning: Strengthening Rural Agriculture

Volunteers also attended panel discussions under the Nation in Conversation theme that focused on strengthening rural agriculture and navigating the political and economic landscape of the sector.

These discussions emphasized the importance of:

• Skill sharing between commercial and small-scale farmers,
• Greater access to agricultural machinery,
• The role of institutions such as Agri Skills, Afrivet, and Osprey in training and support, and expanding trade within Africa to reduce dependence on western markets.

The panel discussion on Navigating South Africa’s Political and Economic Landscape in Agriculture

Participating in the Nampo Agricultural Expo enriched the Volunteers’ understanding of the technical and strategic aspects of agriculture. The knowledge and networks formed will positively influence their work and impact in the field. As CorpsAfrica continues to invest in rural development through youth leadership, such opportunities demonstrate the powerful link between learning, innovation, and sustainable community growth.