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chapter 5
Grobler, announced the official co-operation between the two organisations by
way of a media release on 24 November 1997.
The content of the media release, translated below, best summarises the reasons
for and details of the co-operation.
‘The realities of the operating environment in which oilseed and maize producers
have to survive made this decision a logical step. Both oilseed and maize produc-
ers have to face high input costs, competitive international markets, a free and fluid
domestic market and a restrictive political environment in which the legislator is
changing legislation, which exercises increasing pressure on the agricultural com-
munity’s living space and capacity.
This decision was further motivated by the fact that maize and oilseeds are often
grown by the same producer on the same farm.
With the new Marketing Act, which to a great extent deprived the farming commu-
nity of an effective mechanism to finance industry organisations and the general
service sections of agriculture, it has also become essential to optimally utilise
limited resources. NAMPO and NOPO have therefore decided to manage exper-
tise, leadership, infrastructure and available finances in a manner that will ensure
mutual benefit for maize as well as oilseed producers.
With due consideration to the common needs for service delivery and information
among maize, soybean, groundnut and sunflower producers, the principle was
accepted by the executives of NOPO and NAMPO and the activities of the two
industry organisations will, while still maintaining their individual identities, be co-
ordinated in the best interests of producers who are served by both organisations.
The following functions will be integrated as soon as possible: Production research,
input research, market research, general administration, member administration
and public relations.
However, the NOPO and NAMPO membership base will be managed separately,
because maize and oilseed producers will still have to contribute a part of their
membership fees towards funding the new service structures. Maize and oilseed
producers will therefore contribute through their membership fees to the success
of a new NAMPO and NOPO. The co-operation will, however, eliminate the duplica-
tion of services and these services will in future be able to focus on the real needs
of maize and oilseed producers.
It was also decided to continue with the rationalisation of offices, equipment and
staff in Pretoria, and that, with a view to using the boardroom facilities in the old
A cartoon in
SA Graan/Grain
of December
1997 portraying the co-operation agreement
that had just been reached between NAMPO
and NOPO.