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FARMER DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL OFFICES
Since the early 2000s, Grain SA has been dedicated to the sustainable development of emerging
producers from subsistence to commercialisation. Our programme is about ‘producer’ development,
so our primary aim is to assist active grain producers in growing grain profitably, using the best avail-
able technologies and practices for sustainability. Despite the challenges and many other changes
over the years, the heartbeat of the Grain SA Farmer Development Programme remains unchanged.
We care about agricultural development in South Africa, and we care about producers growing their
enterprises even within a challenging environment – we always strive to make a positive difference
wherever we place our footprint. Our vision is to contribute to the development of an inclusive rural
economy in which all producers should have greater opportunities to meaningfully participate in the
economic, environmental and social opportunities on offer.
After many years of footwork at grassroots level, we now have a well-established footprint with regional
development managers, mentors and administrative staff in place to meet producers and identify their
needs in order to offer adaptive and responsive developmental support.
The team is led by Dr. Sandile Ngcamphalala from the corporate office of Grain SA in Pretoria. Sandile
is supported by Liana Stroebel as the training and operations manager and Jean Adams, who is
responsible for the day-to-day coordination and support of the Farmer Development field teams
and other secretariat services for the programme.
At the regional development level, the footprint of the Grain SA Farmer Development Programme at
present extends to nine development regions, with each presenting its own unique character and needs.
FARMER DEVELOPMENT
Johan Kriel
Regional development manager
– Free State (Bloemfontein)
Jerry Mthombothi
Regional development manager
– Mpumalanga/Limpopo (Mbombela)
Office assistant – Smangaliso Zimbili
Jurie Mentz
Regional development manager
– Mpumalanga/KwaZulu-Natal (Louwsburg)
Office assistant – Lanalie Swanepoel
Pretoria
Witbank
Standerton
Golela
Ulundi
Richards Bay
Pietermaritzburg
Durban
Bethlehem
Port Shepstone
Umthatha
Queenstown
Middelburg
Bisho
East London
Gqeberha
Mossel Bay
Cape Town
Saldanha
Vanrhynsdorp Calvinia
Sutherland
Worcester
Swellendam
Beaufort
Wes
Victoria
West
De Aar
Kenhardt
Springbok
Port Nolloth
Upington
Sishen
Hotazel
Bokspits
Vryburg
Welkom
Kimberley
Bloemfontein
Polokwane
Messina
Nylstroom
Rustenburg
Vereeniging
Sasolburg
Kroonstad
Klerksdorp
Mmabatho
Johannesburg
Mbombela