Farmers undergo educational programme
Farmers had an educational tour of the Starke Ayres farm.
Farmers and agricultural enthusiasts from far and near gathered at Starke Ayres for a three-day educational field demo day from February 11 to 13.
The event let attendees see firsthand the results of the seeds sold by Starke Ayres, allowing them to evaluate different crops and improve their farming techniques.
Starke Ayres considers Farmers’ Day a significant platform to showcase their summer varieties planted on-site.
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Farmers learn about the products and see how they perform under real conditions, offering valuable insight into the potential yields on their farms.
CG Smit, Starke Ayres’ national sales manager, stressed the importance of the event in demonstrating the quality of their seeds.
“The purpose of this day is to show the public what we do. Most plants on display are commercial products we sell daily, so we want visitors to see how they grow and perform in the field,” Smit said.
Because of the effort required to host such an event, Starke Ayres organises Farmers’ Day every two years, ensuring each showcase presents significant developments in its seed varieties and farming techniques.
The event allowed farmers to compare Starke Ayres’ crops with their own, gain insights into different plant varieties, and explore ways to improve their farming methods.
Experts explained why certain varieties were more advantageous, fostering knowledge-sharing.
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Local farmer Zandile Tshabalala highlighted the importance of the event for the agricultural community.
“Starke Ayres is one of the leading brands in seed sales, offering various options. Few farms invite people to see their produce firsthand and guide them through the process.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to identify mistakes and improve our farming techniques. It’s truly educational and informative,” Tshabalala shared.
Stations were set up across the farm, where representatives demonstrated different seed types, including lettuce and beetroot, answered questions and gave expert advice.
The event attracted visitors from across the globe, including China, Mauritius, Nigeria and Botswana, reinforcing Starke Ayres’ international reputation.
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Mauritian managing director Clifford Dove of Roger Fayd’herbe & Co Ltd, who has collaborated with Starke Ayres since his student days in SA, expressed his admiration for the company’s continued progress.
“I visit every year or every second year and always see something new. Starke Ayres is constantly improving, and I’m proud to be part of this family,” Dove said.
