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Producer of the Year Competition
The Grain SA Developing Producer of the Year competition has become an important event on our
calendar. The aim is to put the spotlight on producers who have proven to be exemplary in some way
and are considered role models who could serve to inspire other producers – a moment to celebrate
learning, development and growth.
Capacity building
Farming in rural South Africa has too often been characterised by high numbers of people involved,
significant financial input and human effort but low outputs and poor profitability.
The critical impact of training
on producers can be summarised into at least six major benefits,
namely increase in work quality, increase in farm production, cost savings, time saving, improved
income potential and improved networking opportunities.
Training courses are held close to the producers and the groups of trainees are small. The courses
are structured to address
theory and practical
application and
training is delivered in a language
that the producers understand
, so our trainers are all able to communicate in appropriate indig-
enous languages.
To cement the training, at least 16 producer days were held in the reporting period. These
were attended by 402 producers.
ACTIONS TAKEN AND PROGRESS MADE
A total of
152 courses
have been held thus far in this reporting period.
Dundee Regional Office – 12 courses
Kokstad Regional Office – 12 courses
Ladybrand/Bloemfontein Regional Office – seven courses
Lichtenburg Regional Office – seven courses
Louwsburg Regional Office – 14 courses
Maclear Regional Office – one course
Mthatha Regional Office – seven courses
Mbombela Regional Office – 90 courses
These courses have been attended by 2 957 attendees.
School visits
This initiative aims to encourage and inform the youth
about the agricultural sector. We try to alert young
people to participate as future producers or in other
careers in agriculture. Africa is a young continent with
65% of the population below 35 years of age and 10
to 12 million young people who are estimated to enter
the work force every year. The schools programme
involves visits to Grade 9 learners during the first
three quarters of the year.
Appointments are usually made during February, and
visits then commence from March onwards. Schools were
hesitant to make appointments with our facilitators this year
due to the uncertainty of COVID rules and regulations in
the first two quarters. However, the schools’ programme
was able to continue in some provinces in the third quarter
as COVID regulations eased and children returned to
school. Despite the challenges, 103 schools were visited
this year. These visits comprised a combination of pre-
sentations as well as supplying schools with educational
posters on agriculture to keep awareness alive.
Fanie Pienaar presented the course Practical
skills – On-farm maintenance and support
welding at NAMPO Park. 20 learners attended.
FARMER DEVELOPMENT
September 2022 – Day of Celebration. Grain SA's Sandile Ngcamphalala
and regional manager Du Toit van der Westhuizen with winner of the
New Era Producer Award, Mapidianye Phillip Manoto.