March 2022
Grain SA’s agriculture development team focuses on the double edge of 1) farmer empowerment in terms of knowledge transfer and skills development; and 2) agricultural best practices. To this end we walk a road beside the farmer as he grows his commercial grain farming enterprise.
December 2021 saw various critical activities playing out:
Grain SA’s team is very active during the planting season. We recognise that doing things right at this stage is critical to harvest time success. The team reinforces the value of each farmer being present in his fields on a daily basis. We must control what we can and then practise damage control where necessary, for example where high rainfall has caused damage to the newly planted crops, it may be necessary to replant altogether.
The early season has been wet. Rain is (almost) always very welcome, but it means there is pressure on the farmers to be ready to use every window of opportunity to get into the fields and work. Equipment and farm vehicles must be kept serviced and ready to roll.
STUDY GROUPS
Although the study group sessions are quieter during December because farmers do not want to be distracted from working in their fields, we did still check in with 53 study groups to monitor progress and assist with advice.
Organ Serema in his lands. Mentor Du Toit van der Westhuizen from the Lichtenburg office checked on the soil preparation.
Organ Serema in his lands. Mentor Du Toit van der Westhuizen from the Lichtenburg office checked on the soil preparation.
Alfred Manqoba of Blinkpan farm, Mpumalanga in his soybean field. He is overseen by the Louwsburg office.
Hlalele Joseph Khahleli from the Free State preparing lands where sunflowers will be planted.
A quick glance at the diary of farm visits within the first two weeks of December tells the story of Grain SA’s Farmer Development team. A total of 70 visits occurred to 43 farmers who are participating in the AB InBev, Advanced Farmers, Recapitalisation, SACTA and Standard Bank projects this year. The team is involved with the farmers every step of the way – including all the paper work, the planning and the budgeting, the sourcing of quotes and placing orders.
We also consistently teach farmers the importance of whole season planning and then keeping a paper trail throughout. Because we are partnering with stakeholders who are equally invested in successful farmer development, we are pedantic about good record-keeping from the get-go. All quotes, orders, delivery notes, invoices and proofs of payments should be neatly filed for future reference. After all, good record keeping is the foundation of a successful business. Record management is knowing what you have, where you have it and how long you have to keep it!
Heavy rains on the farm of Themba Bambaspha in the Ermelo area disrupted his farming activities. His mentor paid him a visit to help him with his planning.
Chairperson Lesole David Thama, of Hanbury Ranch Pty Ltd 1 with his mentor.
One of the farmers from the Free State who form part of the Standard Bank project, Joseph Mohlomi, discusses land preparation with his mentor.
There is a great demand for mentoring. Even late in 2021 there were farmers who were eager to join and participate in Grain SA’s Farmer Development programme. They have been inspired by the success of long standing members who keep achieving better yields. Jurie Mentz, regional development manager from the Louwsburg office, had a meeting with a group of farmers at Emahlatini in Mpumalanga who are very anxious to join the programme. He discussed Grain SA's structures and functioning and then talked to the farmers about basic principles of conservation agriculture.
Jurie Mentz had a meeting under the trees with enthusiastic farmers at Emahlatini who want to join the programme.
Jerry Mthombothi, regional development manager from the Nelspruit office, reported on a study group meeting with the newly registered Ga-Riba Study Group. He finalised their registration as members and discussed the basics about planting of maize so that they could start planting using the correct production practices. The following topics were covered: Selection of maize varieties, soil preparation, soil depth, plant population, fertilisation and weed control. The farmers were advised to plant the correct plant population, apply the correct amount of fertilisers and to use chemical weed control. They were also encouraged to attend study group meetings in 2022 and to attend courses that will be organised for them.
Limpopo farmers who attended the newly formed Ga-Riba Study Group, are hungry for knowledge.
Publication: March 2022
Section: Pula/Imvula