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5
October 2017
New technology remains
important for South Africa
f
ollowing my recent visit to the USA, I wish to make a few
comments about my observations. In short, it boils down
to the fact that the South African grain producers are fairly
more dependent on the development of new technology
than their American counterparts.
On the farms we visited and from discussions with people at the
Farm Progress Show, it appeared that the climate and government
support were the most important reasons why the producers still
remain in production – more so than the technology they employ.
The land is fertile, the rainfall excellent and if they experience a rare
mishap, the government buys them out of trouble.
I also saw something of the Agri SA dream there – unity about ag-
riculture. The people cherish their producers. Similarly, I also saw
and experienced how in their communities, they afford time and
opportunity to honour their armed forces.
During halftime at a football game we attended one evening, all
the people stood up and for quite some time applauded a soldier
who was on home leave and who came and stood in one corner of
the field. It reminded me of the time when we were on a weekend
pass and went to church in full uniform. Everyone prayed for you
and extended their best wishes.
There is very little we can do about the climate, but about getting
the government and the people of the country behind us, we can
definitely do something. It involves our hearts. On account of the
ferocity of our climate, technology – now and also in the future
– plays a bigger and more important role. Some of the produc-
ers we visited, were not in the least concerned about the drought
tolerance of maize. They have more damage because of waterlog-
ging than drought!
It makes one wonder at what speed the technology we require, be-
comes available. With my limited knowledge of the various produc-
tion techniques and crop practices, I am left under the strong
impression that some of the new technology currently under devel-
opment, is progressing in smaller increments than we were used to
formerly.
Everybody flies drones nowadays, but the technology with which
the images gathered are converted to data that we as producers
can use to improve our productivity, has not yet been fully devel-
oped. A reality we will have to surmount is that those producers
who need the technology most to survive, are not necessarily those
with the financial resources to have it developed.
The exhibitions by the input suppliers were absolutely impressive
and the costs with regards to demonstrations spoke of money and
not of any difficulty with resources. However, it transpired that our
American counterparts were not necessarily making more money
than us. This I heard some of our own producers say.
It is nice to be home again, to eat lamb chops and sleep in your
own bed. I sleep peacefully, because I know that the world will not
just run out of food considering everything that is still on its way
and the knowledge pertaining to grain production. Who will produce
it in future, certainly is an open question.
Considering how our producers’ ingenuity compares with those
of the USA, we will definitely be one of those countries that will still
produce.