18 / 138
14
CENTRAL DATABASE
A further major challenge is to communicate what we are working on and want to achieve to our
members and other participants in our industry in an environment in which information overload
is the order of the day. We are also currently investigating the possibility of further increasing the
effectiveness of Grain SA’s communication with and service delivery to its members by creating a
database on a central platform that will in the near future also be able to accommodate other agricul-
tural commodities and agricultural services. A similar platform has been developed and implemented
successfully by the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO).
Participation will occur without detracting from the autonomy of a producer organisation or from its
primary responsibility, namely the interests of its members. However, positive interaction with other
industries is to the benefit of Grain SA members who generally belong to more than one producer
organisation. Such a one-stop service, based on the most recent technology, will strengthen the
grain producer’s hand in making his management practices more streamlined, to the benefit of his
grain production.
We also envisage that a grain passport will be accommodated in such a Grain SA database. In this
way an effective tracing system can be established and the value chain and consumers can ascertain
the food safety of food products that contain grain and oilseeds. It is to the benefit of producers to take
ownership and control in this regard proactively.
GRAIN SA'S RESILIENCE
Attention will in the future also have to be given to the slow tempo at which new input resources, includ-
ing seed cultivars and crop-protection products, are deregulated and registered. The current process is
simply taking too long, to the detriment of producers, who are in danger of becoming uncompetitive.
In a complex society and agricultural environment that is constantly changing it is also important for
grain producers to remain actively involved with Grain SA. In order to retain resilience, Grain SA must
be able to rely on the inputs and support of its members with respect to the objectives to be focused
on in future, as well as their successful implementation. Pertinent attention should also be given to
the views, innovative thinking and involvement of the younger generation of producers.
Grain SA as an industry organisation will continue to strive for wider cooperation and representation
in the value chain and promote partnerships and consensus through mutual trust. It is essential for all
agricultural organisations to reach out to each other continuously with respect to overlapping points
of contact. A fragmented agricultural environment is detrimental not only to all producers, but also to
the sustainability and profitability of food production in the country. Without a spirit of unity commer-
cial agricultural cannot exert its influence optimally to face future challenges as a united front.
I gratefully thank our chairperson, Derek Mathews, the vice-chairpersons - Richard Krige and
Jeremia Mathebula - and the rest of the members of the Grain SA Executive and Executive Commit-
tee for their abundantly clear support and guidance in the face of difficult decisions to be made in a
year in which both a pandemic and a war thoroughly tested the inventiveness and perseverance of
the organisation.
The final praise goes to our heavenly Father who richly blessed our grain producers with crops that not
only provide in the needs of South Africa, but also contribute to food provision in the rest of the world.
REPORT BY THE CEO