Small-scale farmers gathered at the Braampark Auditorium for Joburg Market’s Market Access and Product Standards Awareness Session — a key milestone in the City’s Farm-to-Market Campaign.
Held in partnership with the Food Resilience Programme, the event aimed to open up market access for smallholder farmers while promoting community food security.
The session connected farmers directly with market agents, quality assurance officials, and agribusiness experts. Topics included trading floor operations, packaging and grading standards, commission structures, and certification requirements. Farmers also learned how to register as producers, access real-time price data, and engage directly with Joburg Market.
“For too long, smallholders have been excluded by technicalities, compliance gaps, lack of information, or limited networks,” said acting Chief Operations Officer Charles Park. “Today is about empowerment and access, because a stronger farmer base means a stronger, food-secure South Africa.”
Among the attendees was Ezekiel Ndou, a farmer who described Joburg Market as a lifeline in his agricultural journey. “Farming is not for the faint-hearted,” he said. “You must have faith, endure the hard times, and celebrate the good ones.” His story echoed the challenges and determination shared by many small-scale farmers.
Participants praised the Market’s transparency and practical guidance, saying the direct engagement “helped demystify the system” and build trust. Joburg Market also distributed producer guides to support continued learning.
The session forms part of the Market’s Smart Market Vision, which promotes an inclusive, competitive agricultural sector. By ensuring smallholders are not left behind, Joburg Market continues to drive transformation and strengthen South Africa’s food system — one farmer at a time.
Written by Sithobekile Masola