77 Grain SA entities Introduction Grain SA's Farmer Development Programme, Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP), continues to play a pivotal role in transforming the agricultural landscape in South Africa. Since the programme’s inception, PGP has through targeted training, mentorship, and the facilitation of access to critical resources delivered impactful interventions that addresses the needs of developing black producers. The successful implementation of the programme continues to be underscored by adaptive strategies and stakeholder engagement which provides a roadmap for sustainable progress. Although challenges such as limited access to finance, mechanisation, and climate variability persist, PGP programme continues to deliver results. These include the expansion of study groups, the success of the Beyond Abundance project, and the growth of loan funded producers. These initiatives have demonstrated that with the right support, subsistence producers, small holder producers including potential commercial producers can achieve sustainable growth and contribute meaningfully to national food security and economic growth. PGP, supported by key stakeholders such as the Maize Trust, Oil and Protein Seeds Development, Sorghum Trust and Winter Cereals Trust continue to deliver on its value proposition. In recent years, collaboration with government departments, including Rural Development and Land Affairs, Agriculture, and Science and Technology – has further strengthened the programme’s reach. These partnerships have facilitated funding, technical support, and policy alignment, ensuring that the development programme continues to impact on the lives of farmers across diverse regions. The purpose of farmer development Agriculture in South Africa sits at a crossroads. On one end, world-class commercial producers who produce the bulk of the country’s food; on the other, thousands of black producers who contribute less than 10% in grain production. These producers struggle with limited infrastructure, poor market access, limited access to funding, limited access to mechanisation and fragmented production systems. Bridging this gap is no longer just an aspiration, it is essential for inclusive growth, food security, and long-term sustainability. The PGP Farmer Development Programme seeks to provide developmental support to black grain producers so that they can participate meaningfully in the grain value chain. This means moving beyond subsistence farming to a modern, commercial, and technologically advanced system that creates opportunities for all. At its heart, PGP’s Programme seeks to promote inclusive growth, food security, poverty alleviation, job creation, and land ownership for our black producers. The key activities undertaken by PGP to support the producers include the following: Study groups: This is the first point of contact with producers. Monthly meetings are held with producers during the winter months and during these meetings, study material is shared and discussions are encouraged. Advanced producer service: These producers cannot access production loan financing. The on-farm support is to get them compliant and ready for loan financing. Mentoring of funded producers: These producers have access to production loans that are managed by PGP though the Grain SA financial team. They get bi-weekly on farm support to assist them with production and growth in all aspects of their business development. Demonstration trials and producers’ days: The purpose of these are to plant trials which demonstrate good practice and alternative crops. The producer days are usually held at the sites of the trials, and all industry role players are invited to give lectures and share their knowledge. Programme still delivers on its value proposition Phahama Grain Phakama NPC
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