Deepening Agrihub Roots: Strengthening Farmers Through Learning and Collaboration

This year has been about growth,  not just in the gardens, but in knowledge, confidence, and collaboration. Across the Langa, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu Agrihubs, farmers have taken important steps to strengthen their skills and deepen their understanding of what it means to farm sustainably through training and workshops.

What made this year’s learning especially powerful is that many of the workshops were driven by the farmers themselves. They identified the areas where they needed more support, reached out to partners, and helped shape the sessions that followed.

Workshops: Beyond the Gardens

This year, Agrihub farmers took part in four key workshops, each designed to strengthen skills, knowledge, and collaboration.

• In June, twenty Langa farmers joined a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) training with WWF and SAUFFT, focusing on working collectively to uphold organic and chemical-free standards and build trust in their produce.
• In July, thirty farmers from Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu participated in a Basic Agroecology Training hosted by SAUFFT and OZCF, exploring sustainable farming techniques, soil and water conservation, and exchanging lessons across Agrihubs.
• By September, Langa farmers hosted an Agroprocessing Workshop with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, learning to turn fresh produce into teas, sauces, and preserves while covering food safety and compliance.
• Later in September, a two-day Nutrition and Leadership Workshop brought together partners including EDP, SAFL, Langa Bicycle Hub, WWF, and local ECD Forums. The sessions focused on nutrition, food hygiene, leadership, and teamwork, and inspired discussions around forming a Langa Food Council to strengthen local food systems.

The Power of Collaboration

Across all of these workshops, one thing stood out: the power of collaboration. The partnerships built through these sessions have not only increased knowledge but have also strengthened confidence, motivation among the Agrihub farmers. As Lwando Sawule, Langa Agrihub Fieldworker and Data Wrangler, reflects:

“It’s incredible to see how far the farmers have come this year. They’re not just growing crops, they’re growing their skills, their confidence, and their ability to work together. The progress we’ve seen shows what’s possible when farmers take the lead in their own learning and support each other along the way.”