International Day of Plant Health commemoration to boost food supply in Mpumalanga
Local farmers in Mpumalanga engaged with market agents during activities held to mark the International Day of Plant Health.
Stakeholders in the agricultural sector gathered at the Ehlanzeni Disaster Management Centre on Tuesday, May 12 to commemorate the International Day of Plant Health, highlighting the importance of protecting food security, nutrition, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
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Speakers at the event emphasised that healthy plants are essential for ensuring stable food production, protecting the environment, and supporting economic growth within communities that depend on agriculture.
The engagement created a valuable platform for relationship-building and future collaboration within the agricultural value chain, while also assisting farmers in understanding market processes and opportunities available to them.
The Department of Agriculture’s Ntuweleni Singo highlighted the importance of surveillance and monitoring in protecting crops from pests and diseases.
Attendees visited the Mpumalanga International Food Market, where local farmers were given an opportunity to engage directly with market agents ahead of the commencement of trading.
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The International Day of Plant Health is observed globally to raise awareness about the role plants play in sustaining life and the importance of preventing threats that put food systems and livelihoods at risk.
