Farmer Development division/Afdeling Ontwikkelende Landbou

Another year has come and gone in the Farmer Development programme and we are pleased to be able to report that many developing farmers also benefited from the good summer crop production season. The previous year was a tough one due to the droughts experienced in the western parts of the country – farmers are great believers and they planted again, hoping for a better season. We celebrate their successes with these farmers!

As in the past few years, our programme was funded by the Maize Trust, Winter Cereal Trust, Oil and Protein Seed Development Trust, Sorghum Trust, AgriSETA and ARC. We are dependent on these partners to be able to do our work and are indeed grateful for their kind-hearted and ongoing support.

The mission of our programme: “To develop capacitated black commercial farmers and to contribute to household and national food security through the optimal use of the natural resources available to each farmer,” continues to be relevant even in these changing times. Initially we thought that we would have to try to get everyone up to the “size” of commercial farming. However, in South Africa we have other realities – such as farmers only having access to a few hectares in communal areas. This does not imply that the farmer cannot achieve commercial yields on each hectare. This has been a paradigm shift for us all – if we can help farmers to make optimal use of the land available to them, then we have succeeded.

In our modern, Western way of living, we seem to have separated farming from food security – we see farming as a business where we sell our produce, get money and then buy what we need. This is different for subsistence farmers – they start by producing staple food for their families and then sell the surplus. In this way, they contribute to household food security and also to national food security. One should not underestimate the value of this kind of food production for the family – it is not only the value of the grain that counts, but also the money saving factor (money that is very scarce). The more rural the area, the higher the cost of staple food (due to transport costs, and also the opportunism of the businessmen from the rural areas) and so, the value of the grain for the household is much greater than the price of the grain on Safex – it translates into a saving at the most expensive retaining price.

The focus of our programme is essentially human empowerment through training and skills development. We transfer information and skills to the farmer members of our programme through various projects, which include study groups, demonstration trials, farmer days, partnerships with other institutions, on-farm support to individual farmers and through the Pula Imvula magazine.

We are fortunate to have ten offices from which we support our farmers. They are situated in Bloemfontein, Ladybrand, Lichtenburg, Belfast, Nelspruit, Louwsburg, Kokstad, Mthatha, Maclear and Paarl. Each of these offices has a “quota” of activities to achieve each year. At this stage, we are servicing 4 664 members through the study groups.

Nog ’n jaar is verby vir die Ontwikkelende Landbou-program en ons kan met trots verslag doen dat talle ontwikkelende boere ook by die goeie somergewas-produksieseisoen gebaat het. Die vorige jaar was ’n moeilike een as gevolg van die droogtes wat in die westelike dele van die land ervaar is – boere het ’n groot geloof en het weer geplant met die hoop dat die volgende seisoen beter sal wees. Ons vier hierdie boere se suksesse saam met hulle!

Soos in die afgelope paar jaar is ons program deur die Mielietrust, Wintergraantrust, Olie- en Proteïensade-ontwikkelingstrust, Sorghumtrust, AgriSETA en LNR befonds. Ons is van hierdie vennote afhanklik om ons werk te kan doen, en is beslis dankbaar vir hulle goedhartige en deurlopende steun.

Die missie van ons program: “Om swart kommersiële boere met kapasiteit te ontwikkel en tot huishoudelike en nasionale voedselsekerheid by te dra deur die optimale gebruik van die natuurlike hulpbronne wat tot elke boer se beskikking is,” is steeds relevant in hierdie veranderende tye. Aanvanklik het ons gedink dat ons sal moet probeer om almal tot die omvang van kommersiële boerdery te laat uitbrei. In Suid-Afrika het ons egter ander realiteite – soos boere wat net tot ’n paar hektaar grond in kommunale gebiede toegang het. Dit impliseer nie dat die boer nie kommersiële opbrengste op elke hektaar kan verkry nie. Dit was vir almal van ons ’n paradigmaverskuiwing – as ons boere kan help om die grond tot hulle beskikking optimaal te gebruik, het ons sukses behaal.

Met ons moderne, Westerse lewenswyse lyk dit asof ons boerdery van voedselsekerheid geskei het – ons beskou boerdery as ’n besigheid waar ons ons produkte verkoop, geld kry en dan koop wat ons nodig het. Vir bestaansboere is dit anders – hulle begin deur stapelvoedsel vir hulle gesinne te produseer en verkoop dan die surplus. Op hierdie manier dra hulle tot huishoudelike voedselsekerheid en ook tot nasionale voedselsekerheid by. ’n Mens moenie die waarde van hierdie soort voedselproduksie vir die familie onderskat nie – dit is nie net die waarde van die graan wat tel nie, maar ook die geldbesparingsfaktor (geld wat baie skaars is). Hoe meer afgeleë die gebied, hoe hoër is die koste van die stapelvoedsel (as gevolg van vervoerkoste, en ook die opportunisme van die sakelui van die landelike gebiede). Die waarde van die graan vir die huishouding is dus baie groter as die prys van die graan op Safex – dit skakel om na ’n besparing wat die duurste terughouprys is.

Die fokus van ons program is in wese die bemagtiging van mense deur opleiding en vaardigheids-ontwikkeling. Ons dra deur verskillende projekte, insluitende studiegroepe, demonstrasieproewe, boeredae, vennootskappe met ander instellings, opplaas-ondersteuning aan individuele boere en deur die Pula Imvula-tydskrif inligting en vaardighede aan die boerelede van ons program oor.

Ons is gelukkig om tien kantore te hê van waar ons ons boere ondersteun. Hulle is in Bloemfontein, Ladybrand, Lichtenburg, Belfast, Nelspruit, Louwsburg, Kokstad, Mthatha, Maclear en die Paarl geleë. Elkeen van hierdie kantore het ’n “kwota” van aktiwiteite om elke jaar af te handel. Op hierdie stadium bedien ons 4 664 lede deur die studiegroepe.

The establishment and servicing of study groups is really the entry point into our developing programme. There are thousands of people in South Africa who have access to arable land of different sizes and through the study groups, we are able to reach them and expose them to the type of production practices that will enable them to make optimal use of the land they have available. Although we have 6 814 members on record, not all are fully paid up each year. There are 4 300 paid-up members.

The regions in South Africa differ vastly – prior to 1994, there were the homeland areas where the system of land tenure was communal (owned by the state and managed by the tribal authority). Even today, there are several farmers in the previous homeland areas who produce food for themselves. This is a very different situation from areas that were previously farmed by commercial farmers where the land available to each farmer was relatively large. We find that recipients of land redistribution and restitution usually have larger tracts of land available for production.

We continue to believe that through our programme, we need to address household food security as well as national food security – all land in South Africa should be used productively. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.“ (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Through monthly meetings with the members of study groups, we expose them to information about the entire grain sector – from soil preparation, through to fertilisation and cultivar selection, weed and pest control, marketing and insurance, mechanisation, labour relations, financial planning and management, as well as the principles of conservation agriculture.

Die daarstelling en diens van studiegroepe is eintlik die toetreepunt van ons ontwikkelingsprogram. Daar is duisende mense in Suid-Afrika wat toegang tot verskillende groottes bewerkbare grond het, en deur die studiegroepe kan ons hulle bereik en aan die tipe produksiepraktyke blootstel wat hulle in staat sal stel om die grond wat hulle beskikbaar het, optimaal te benut. Hoewel ons 6 814 lede op rekord het, is almal nie elke jaar ten volle opbetaald nie. Daar is 4 300 opbetaalde lede.

Die streke in Suid-Afrika verskil baie – voor 1994 was daar tuislandgebiede waar die stelsel van grondeiendomsreg kommunale was (deur die staat besit en deur die stamowerheid bestuur). Daar is selfs vandag nog talle boere in die voormalige tuislandgebiede en hulle produseer kos vir hulleself. Hierdie situasie verskil baie van dié in gebiede waar kommersiële boere voorheen geboer het, waar elke boer ’n relatief groot stuk grond gehad het. Ons vind dat ontvangers van grond deur middel van herverspreiding en restitusie gewoonlik groter stukke grond vir produksie beskikbaar het.

Ons glo steeds dat ons deur ons program aan huishoudelike sowel as nasionale voedselsekerheid aandag moet skenk – alle grond in Suid-Afrika moet produktief gebruik word. “Moenie elke dag oordeel op grond van die oes wat jy behaal nie, maar op grond van die saad wat jy plant.” (Robert Louis Stevenson).

Demonstration trials

In the less commercialised areas it is necessary to have demonstration trials so that the developing farmers are able to see the results of good production practices – correct soil preparation, correct application of lime (if applicable), correct fertilisation (resulting from soil sampling), correct plant population and cultivar selection, proper weed and pest control, etc. The farmers are able to experience the practices and then do the same on their own land.

We have again been fortunate to be assisted by many input supply companies with the establishment of the demonstration trials. These companies not only provide the seed, fertiliser and chemicals, but also assist with the work of planting and managing the trials, as well as sharing their knowledge with the farmers in the areas.

This year we planted the following trials:

Demonstration trials continue to be a good way of showing small scale farmers the benefits of correct methods – these farmers are mostly in the deep rural areas and they do not see good farming practices on a daily basis. Where the developing farmers are working among the commercial farmers, as is the case in the Free State and North West, there is no need to plant demonstration trials as the farmers see good commercial grain production practices. In the more rural areas, trials have to be planted to show the farmers what is possible under their area’s unique conditions – because it usually happens that farmers grow so accustomed to the local practices, that they are not able to see the potential of the area or the need to change the way they’ve been doing it thus far. By using the farmers’ own equipment and planting the trials next to their fields, they are motivated to modify their production practices to achieve better results.

Farmer days

In order to assist the farmers in their development towards commercial production, they need to be exposed to demonstrations where they can become familiar with the practical aspects of crop production.

Once the sites for the demonstration trials have been established, it is very important that the developing farmers in that region are exposed to all the aspects of planting and tending to the crops that are to be cultivated on those sites. The farmer days offer an opportunity for the farmers to get together with other farmers, input supply companies and all other role-players in the industry who are invited to be part of these days – the farmers gain much information and exposure during these occasions.

In the more commercialised areas, trials are planted by the various input suppliers and ARC affiliates where farmer days can be held, specifically for the developing farmers. In the more commercial areas, more emphasis is placed on the differences between cultivars and the impact of the different plant populations. Farmer days are also held on the farms of commercial farmers as well as at other suitable venues. These days expose farmers to information and enable them to establish a support system, which exists in their area of farming. We need to prepare farmers for the day that they will no longer be part of a development programme – they need to have their own system of support.

The total of the farmer days held during this period were as follows:

Partnerships

There are many role-players in the grain industry and it is important that there is a good working relationship between all of them. The field of agricultural development is very wide and it is important to access information and support on all aspects – not one group can take ownership of the development process. The development programme of Grain SA will not continue forever and it is important for these farmers to develop their own networks with the various role-players in the industry so that one day when we are no longer there to assist them, they are able to continue as commercial farmers on their own accord.

On a national level, we have a good relationship with a number of officials in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (the director-general Mdu Shabane, Messrs Bonginkosi Zulu, Edwin Moshabele and Malibongwe Gcwabe, to mention a few). At provincial levels we have good relations with Messrs Steven Modise and Orapeleng Mocumi (Free State), David Mashiloane (North West) and Xolani Mashabane (Mpumalanga). Recently we have been approached by the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, which have indicated that they would like to work with us more closely. We look forward to maintaining a good working relationship with these departments as we share a common vision even though we have different tasks to perform in order to achieve our goals.

Production loans remain a challenge for the developing sector. We have been working with personnel from Omnia, First National Bank, NWK, Senwes and VKB, Humansdorp Co-operative, as well as the Land Bank in order to facilitate loan funding for farmers. The challenges that we face with regard to production financing, include the lack of collateral to use as security (this is a challenge on communal and hired land), input insurance is almost impossible to access as the farmers do not have a five year history on the land, and the cost of using contractors to work the lands makes the crop production too expensive. It is difficult to attain the desired level of transformation in the sector, when production loans are not accessible. Crop farming is expensive and except at the very low levels, loans are required by the farmers in order to produce.

We have an excellent relationship with many of the input supply companies, particularly Monsanto and Omnia, who are assisting us with a special programme this year for 1 000 subsistence farmers on 1 000 hectares. We also have good relationships with representatives from Pannar, Pioneer, Agricol, Laeveld Agrochem, Bayer, Sasol Fertiliser, UAP, various suppliers of agricultural mechanisation and tractors, Cedara and Glen College of Agriculture, the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency, groundnut farmers and processors and GFADA (the Grain Farmer Development Association).

With the planting of demonstration trials and the hosting of farmer days, the cooperation that we get from many role-players is encouraging. This year we were lucky to have Mr Senzeni Zokwana (the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as the MEC for the Eastern Cape) at the opening of the Maclear office. We were also able to have a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries general Bheki Cele, to discuss the challenges facing the developing farmers.

Advanced farmer programme

There is still a considerable gap between the more advanced developing farmers and the commercial farmers. This year we have coined a new name for the advanced farmers who have reached full commercial status – New Era Commercial Farmers. Although these farmers qualify in every respect to be called “commercial”, we would just like to call them the “New Era Farmers” so that their progress can be monitored and their successes celebrated.

All the developing farmers cannot be supported at the same basic level. Through the study groups, the starter farmers are supported with information and training – this is to get them into production and to cultivate a basic understanding of the maize industry. However, there are farmers who are now beyond the type of support that they get through the study group structures. These farmers are already farming on a semi-commercial scale, but they are not in a position to be left entirely to their own devices in the commercial world.

Through this individual support programme we try to support the outstanding candidates who have emerged from the study group system. These farmers need one on one support in terms of production planning, management, support in terms of financial applications and reporting, etc. The identified farmers will have one year of intensive support. Each year a new group of farmers will be identified and supported and thereafter they should be able to continue on their own with some telephonic assistance by the regional officers. When the farmer is producing in excess of 250 tons per year, and has met the “commercial standards” of production, they will be handed over to the care and support of the commercial farmers in that region – this is to fast track the integration of the black farmers into the commercial sector.

Below is a table of the farmers in our programme categorised according to their involvement in the programme:

Demonstrasieproewe

In die minder-gekommersialiseerde gebiede moet demonstrasieproewe gedoen word sodat ontwikkelende boere die resultate van goeie produksiepraktyke kan sien – korrekte grondvoorbereiding, korrekte toediening van kalk (indien van toepassing), korrekte bemesting (op grond van grondmonsterneming), die korrekte plantpopulasie en kultivarseleksie, behoorlike onkruid- en plaagbeheer ensovoorts. Die boere kan die praktyke ervaar en dan dieselfde op hulle eie grond doen.

Ons was weer eens gelukkig om deur talle insetverskaffingsmaatskappye met die daarstelling van die demonstrasieproewe bygestaan te word. Hierdie maatskappye verskaf nie net die saad, kunsmis en chemikalieë nie, maar help ook met die aanplanting en bestuur van die proewe, en deel hulle kennis met die boere in die gebiede.

Hierdie jaar het ons die volgende proewe aangeplant:

Demonstrasieproewe is steeds ’n goeie manier om aan kleinskaalboere die voordele van die korrekte metodes te illustreer – hierdie boere werk meestal in die verafgeleë landelike gebiede en sien nie op ’n daaglikse basis goeie boerderypraktyke nie. Waar ontwikkelende boere tussen die kommersiële boere werk, soos die geval in die Vrystaat en Noordwes, is dit nie nodig om demonstrasieproewe aan te plant nie, aangesien die boere goeie kommersiële graanproduksiepraktyke kan sien. In die meer landelike gebiede moet proewe geplant word om die produsente te wys wat onder hulle gebied se unieke omstandighede moontlik is – omdat boere gewoonlik so gewoond is aan die plaaslike praktyke dat hulle nie die potensiaal van die gebied raaksien, of die behoefte om die manier te verander waarop dit tot dusver gedoen is nie. Deur die boere se eie toerusting te gebruik en die aanplantings langs hulle landerye te doen, word hulle gemotiveer om hulle produksiepraktyke aan te pas om beter resultate te verkry.

Boeredae

Ten einde die boere met hulle ontwikkeling vir kommersiële produksie te help, moet hulle blootgestel word aan demonstrasies waar hulle met die praktiese aspekte van gewasproduksie vertroud kan raak.

Wanneer die terreine vir die demonstrasieproewe bepaal word, is dit baie belangrik dat die ontwikkelende boere in daardie streek blootgestel word aan al die aspekte van die plant en versorging van gewasse wat op daardie terreine verbou gaan word. Die boeredae bied ’n geleentheid aan die boere om ander boere, insetverskaffermaatskappye en al die ander rolspelers in die bedryf te ontmoet wat genooi word om aan hierdie dae deel te neem – die boere kan met hierdie geleenthede baie inligting en blootstelling verkry.

In die meer gekommersialiseerde gebiede word proewe deur die verskillende insetverskaffers en LNR-geaffilieerdes geplant waar boeredae spesifiek vir die ontwikkelende boere gereël kan word. In die meer kommersiële gebiede word daar meer klem op die verskille tussen kultivars en die impak van die verskillende plantpopulasies geplaas. Boeredae word ook op die plase van kommersiële boere en op ander geskikte plekke gehou. Hierdie dae stel boere aan inligting bloot en stel hulle in staat om ’n ondersteuningstelsel te vestig wat in hulle boerderygebied bestaan. Ons moet boere voorberei vir die dag wanneer hulle nie meer deel van ’n ontwikkelingsprogram sal wees nie – hulle moet hulle eie ondersteuningstelsel hê.

Die totaal van die boeredae wat in hierdie tydperk gehou is, is soos volg:

Vennootskappe

Daar is talle rolspelers in die graanbedryf en dit is belangrik dat daar ’n goeie werksverhouding tussen hulle moet wees. Die veld van landbou-ontwikkeling is baie groot en dit is belangrik om toegang tot inligting en steun op alle gebiede te kry – geen enkele groep kan eienaarskap van die ontwikkelingsproses neem nie. Graan SA se ontwikkelingsprogram sal nie vir altyd voortduur nie, en dit is belangrik dat hierdie boere hulle eie netwerke met die verskillende rolspelers in die bedryf moet ontwikkel sodat wanneer ons eendag nie meer daar is om hulle by te staan nie, hulle op eie stoom as kommersiële boere kan voortgaan.

Op nasionale vlak het ons ’n goeie verhouding met ’n aantal amptenare in die Departement van Landelike Ontwikkeling en Grondhervorming (die direkteur-generaal, Mdu Shabane, mnre Bonginkosi Zulu, Edwin Moshabele en Malibongwe Gcwabe, om ’n paar te noem). Op provinsiale vlak het ons goeie verhoudinge met mnre Steven Modise en Orapeleng Mocumi (Vrystaat) David Mashiloane (Noordwes), en Xolani Mashabane (Mpumalanga). Ons is onlangs genader deur die Departement van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye in die Oos-Kaap en Mpumalanga, wat aangedui het dat hulle nouer met ons wil saamwerk. Ons sien daarna uit om ’n goeie werksverhouding met hierdie departemente te handhaaf, aangesien ons ’n gemeenskaplike visie deel, al het ons verskillende take om uit te voer om ons doelwitte te bereik.

Produksielenings bly ’n uitdaging vir die ontwikkelende sektor. Ons werk saam met personeel van Omnia, Eerste Nasionale Bank, NWK, Senwes en VKB, Humansdorp Koöperasie asook die Land Bank, om leningsbefondsing vir boere te fasiliteer. Die uitdagings waarvoor ons te staan kom ten opsigte van produksiefinansiering sluit die gebrek aan aanvullende sekuriteit in (dit is ’n uitdaging op kommunale en gehuurde grond), insetversekering is feitlik onmoontlik om te kry, aangesien die boere nie ’n vyfjaargeskiedenis op die grond het nie, en die koste van kontrakteurs om die landerye te bewerk, maak die gewasproduksie te duur. Dit is moeilik om die verlangde vlak van transformasie in die sektor te verkry as produksielenings nie toeganklik is nie. Saaiboerdery is duur en buiten op die baie lae vlakke, het boere lenings nodig om te kan produseer.

Ons het ’n uitstekende verhouding met talle van die insetverskaffingsmaatskappye, veral Monsanto en Omnia, wat ons hierdie jaar help met ’n spesiale program vir 1 000 bestaansboere op 1 000 hektaar. Ons het ook goeie verhoudings met verteenwoordigers van Pannar, Pioneer, Agricol, Laeveld Agrochem, Bayer, Sasol Fertiliser, UAP, verskillende verskaffers van landboumeganisasie en trekkers, Cedara en die Glen-landboukollege, die Oos-Kaapse landelike ontwikkelingsagentskap, grondboontjieboere en -verwerkers en GFADA (die Graanboerontwikkelingsvereniging).

Met die aanplanting van demonstrasieproewe en die aanbied van boeredae is die samewerking wat ons van talle rolspelers kry bemoedigend. Hierdie jaar was ons gelukkig om mnr Senzeni Zokwana (die Minister van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye, asook die LUR van die Oos-Kaap) by die opening van die Maclear-kantoor te hê. Ons kon ook ’n vergadering met die Adjunkminister van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye, generaal Bheki Cele, reël om die uitdagings te bespreek wat ontwikkelende boere in die gesig staar.

Gevorderde landbouprogram

Daar is steeds ’n aansienlike gaping tussen die meer gevorderde ontwikkelende boere en die kommersiële boere. Hierdie jaar het ons ’n nuwe naam geskep vir die gevorderde boere wat volle kommersiële status bereik het – Nuwe-era Kommersiële Boere. Hoewel hierdie boere in alle opsigte kwalifiseer om “kommersieel” genoem te word, wil ons hulle graag bloot die “Nuwe-eraboere” noem sodat hulle vordering gemoniteer en hulle suksesse gevier kan word.

Al die ontwikkelende boere kan nie op dieselfde basiese vlak ondersteun word nie. Deur die studiegroepe word die beginnerboere met inligting en opleiding gesteun om hulle in produksie te kry en ’n basiese begrip van die mieliebedryf te kweek. Daar is egter boere wat nou verder gevorder het as die soort ondersteuning wat hulle deur die studiegroepstrukture kry. Hierdie boere boer reeds op ’n semi-kommersiële skaal, maar is nie in ’n posisie om in die kommersiële wêreld heeltemal aan hulle eie genade oorgelaat te word nie.

Deur hierdie individuele ondersteuningsprogram probeer ons om die uitstaande kandidate te ondersteun wat uit die studiegroepstelsel na vore gekom het. Hierdie boere het een-tot-een-ondersteuning nodig in terme van produksiebeplanning, bestuur, finansiële aansoeke en verslagdoening ensovoorts. Die boere wat geïdentifiseer word, ontvang een jaar se intensiewe ondersteuning. Elke jaar word ’n nuwe groep boere geïdentifiseer en ondersteun, en daarna behoort hulle op hulle eie te kan voortgaan, met ’n mate van telefoniese bystand deur die streeksbeamptes. Wanneer die boer meer as 250 ton per jaar produseer en aan die kommersiële produksiestandaarde voldoen, word hulle aan die sorg en steun van die kommersiële boere in daardie streek oorhandig ten einde die integrasie van die swart boere by die kommersiële sektor te versnel.

We have been involved in the recapitalisation programme of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform for the past number of years. 16 farmers from the Free State are now in their fourth year, 14 farmers from the North West are in their third year and one farmer in Mpumalanga is also in his third year. During the 2012/2013 summer planting season we were furthermore involved with the financial support of 108 farmers via the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the North West Province. As the season was very late and dry, many of these farmers had carry-over money for the 2013/2014 season.

The management of the funding for farmers comes with quite some additional responsibility. However, we were fortunate to be able to use PricewaterhouseCoopers to assist us with internet based document management and accounting systems. We also managed a separate bank account for each of these farmers so that they can develop a banking record, which will stand them in good stead in the future.

In the different recapitalisation projects that we managed, there were two different systems of tractor and implements procurement – there were those farmers who were lucky enough to be allowed to buy their “own” equipment (this could be used by the individual farmer exclusively although it was not registered in his/her own name), and then there were other farmers who were grouped together who had to share equipment belonging to the department. The system of sharing equipment is less than ideal, but with help and support, all the farmers managed to use it as planned. This is a cheaper option for the farmers than the use of contractors.

The concept of recapitalisation for developing farmers is a wonderful idea and enables farmers to implement the correct production methods while having sufficient funds to buy the inputs as recommended, while being supported on the farm on a daily basis by an experienced mentor. Unfortunately the expansion of these programmes has been very slow as we believe this is a good way to get the farmers on their feet. We are looking forward to assisting a further eight new farmers in the Free State for the 2014/2015 production season.

Training

During this reporting period we managed to present the following courses to developing farmers and the farm workers of both developing and commercial farmers.

Ons is reeds die afgelope paar jaar by die Departement van Landelike Ontwikkeling en Landbouhervorming se herkapitaliseringsprogram betrokke. 16 boere uit die Vrystaat is nou in hulle vierde jaar, 14 boere uit Noordwes is in hulle derde jaar en een boer uit Mpumalanga is ook in sy derde jaar hierby betrokke. In die 2012/2013-somerplantseisoen was ons ook deur middel van die Departement van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye in Noordwesprovinsie by finansiële ondersteuning aan 108 boere betrokke. Aangesien die seisoen baie laat en baie droog was, het talle van hierdie boere oorstaangeld vir die 2013/2014-seisoen gehad.

Die bestuur van boere se befondsing hou heelwat bykomende verantwoordelikheid in. Ons is egter gelukkig om PricewaterhouseCoopers te kan gebruik om ons met internetgebaseerde dokumentbestuur en rekeningkundige stelsels te help. Ons het ook ’n afsonderlike bankrekening vir elkeen van hierdie boere bestuur sodat hulle ’n bankrekord kan opbou, wat hulle in die toekoms handig te pas sal kom.

In die onderskeie herkapitaliseringsprojekte wat ons bestuur het, was daar twee verskillende stelsels vir trekker- en implementverkryging – daar was boere wat gelukkig genoeg was om hulle “eie” toerusting te kon koop (dit kon uitsluitlik deur die individuele boere gebruik word, hoewel dit nie in hulle naam geregistreer is nie), en dan was daar ander boere wat saamgegroepeer is en wat toerusting moes deel wat aan die departement behoort. Die stelsel om toerusting te deel, is nie ideaal nie, maar met hulp en ondersteuning kon al die boere dit volgens plan gebruik. Dit is ’n goedkoper opsie vir die boere as die gebruik van kontrakteurs.

Die konsep van herkapitalisering vir ontwikkelende boere is ’n wonderlike idee en stel boere in staat om die regte produksiemetodes te gebruik, met voldoende fondse om die aanbevole insette te koop terwyl hulle op ’n daaglikse grondslag deur ’n ervare mentor op die plaas ondersteun word. Ongelukkig was die uitbreiding van hierdie programme baie stadig. Ons glo egter dat dit ’n goeie manier is om die boere op hulle voete te kry. Ons sien daarna uit om in die 2014/2015-produksieseisoen nog agt nuwe boere in die Vrystaat by te staan.

Opleiding

In hierdie verslagtydperk het ons daarin geslaag om die volgende kursusse vir ontwikkelende boere en die plaaswerkers van ontwikkelende sowel as kommersiële boere aan te bied.

Over the past ten years, we have developed course material that covers almost all aspects of crop farming, mechanisation and management. Each of these courses has a manual and the learner is given a copy of the manual to take home after the course for further reference. The courses are mostly five day courses and we send the trainers to the trainees so that they can be trained under their own production circumstances and in the language of their preference (wherever possible).

This year we presented an increased number of courses relating to safety and safe use of tools. Each year there is a slightly different focus as the needs of the farmers change.

The courses form part of an entire support programme – after the course, the farmers are supported through the study group meetings and advanced farmer visits to ensure that the information from the course becomes useful to the farmer. The manuals are very comprehensive and therefore the farmers need time to work through all the information at home in order to become comfortable with everything that is contained in the course.

Pula Imvula

The Pula Imvula (which means rain) is our magazine, which we send out to a large number of recipients on a monthly basis. It is distributed as follows in the following languages:

We have various sponsors for the Pula Imvula – each month there are eight pages, which are sponsored by the Maize Trust, then there are four additional pages in March, June, September and December, which are sponsored by the Winter Cereal Trust, and an additional four pages in January, April, July and October, which are sponsored by the Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust. In addition to these pages, we also have an expanded English version with an additional eight pages that are sponsored commercially by Pannar, Monsanto, Jupidex, Profert and Northmec. The purpose of the expanded English Pula Imvula is to include articles of a more technical nature for the more advanced farmers (who can of course manage English).

Developing Grain Producer of the Year competition

Regrettably, the image of farmers and farming as a career has changed over generations. Farmers used to be seen as the hard working salt of the earth people who fed and clothed the nation. We still believe that farmers and farming are fundamental to the existence of our modern society. In an attempt to improve the image of farming, we hold the Developing Grain Producer of the Year competition.

There is a huge amount of development work that is being done to support black farmers. There is also a perception that there are no black commercial farmers who are performing well. The purpose of this competition is to give the maize farming industry exposure and publicity that is positive, and create role models for other people considering a career in agriculture.

During the late production season of 2014, we identified possible candidates for the three levels of the competition – Subsistence Farmers, Smallholder Farmers and New Era Commercial Farmers. Evaluation panels were established who visited all the farmers in the various categories to identify the finalists and winners in each competition.

On 2 October 2014 we had our 250 Ton club function and Day of Celebration at the Leopards and Lace Function Venue in Bloemfontein and again hosted the competition at the three different levels. It is truly wonderful to see how farmers are developing.

• The candidates in the New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year category were: Messrs Job Metswamere – Delareyville; Ralph Swart – Elim near Bredasdorp (winner); Michael Ramoholi – Welkom and Pieter Chabalala – Kestell.

• In the Smallholder Farmer category, the candidates were: Messrs Willem Modukanele – Welkom; Dwaalkraal Trust – Sannieshof; Simon Mbhele – Bergville and Ms Lungelwa Kama – Ugie (winner).

• In the Subsistence Farmer category, the candidates were: Mss Gladys Zondo – Emmaus; Thoko Mofokeng – Emmaus and Mr Enoch Khumalo - Piet Retief (winner).

Grain SA Schools Programme report

The children of today are the adults of tomorrow. We all understand and agree that agriculture is the cornerstone of most developing economies. We therefore need to inspire our children to feed and clothe future generations. Through this programme we are managing to touch the lives of many children and we hope to make a difference in their perceptions regarding agriculture and its role in our lives.

The Schools Programme of Grain SA is funded by the Maize Trust, the Winter Cereal Trust and the AgriSETA.

It is essential that we encourage children to be aware of the value of agriculture as a source of food and fibre, as a major role-player in the economy, as an employer and as a career choice. More than half of the population in Africa are under 20 years of age. Children are current consumers, consumers of the future and the next generation of workers. The sooner we can make them aware of the value of agriculture in general, and the maize industry in particular, the sooner we can hope to make them understand the importance thereof (see Graph 1 to 4).

During our visits to the school children, we show them six DVDs:

• Agriculture – the source of food, fibre and life
• Your lifeline – the story of bread
• Dig in – what is agriculture all about?
• The economy – what’s in it for me?
• Careers with livestock
• Careers with plants

Oor die afgelope tien jaar het ons kursusmateriaal ontwikkel wat feitlik alle aspekte van saaiboerdery, meganisering en bestuur dek. Elkeen van hierdie kursusse het ’n handleiding en die student ontvang ’n kopie van die handleiding om na die kursus vir verdere verwysing huis toe te neem. Die kursusse duur gewoonlik vyf dae, en ons stuur opleiers na die studente toe sodat hulle onder hulle eie produksie-omstandighede en (waar moontlik) in die taal van hulle keuse opgelei kan word.

Hierdie jaar het ons ’n groter getal kursusse ten opsigte van veiligheid en die veilige gebruik van gereedskap aangebied. Daar is elke jaar ’n effens ander fokus, aangesien die boere se behoeftes verander.

Pula Imvula

Die Pula Imvula (wat reën beteken) is ons tydskrif wat maandeliks aan ’n groot getal ontvangers uitgestuur word. Dit word soos volg in die volgende tale versprei:

Ons het verskeie borge vir die Pula Imvula – elke maand word agt bladsye deur die Mielietrust geborg, vier bykomende bladsye word in Maart, Junie, September en Desember deur die Wintergraantrust geborg, en ’n verdere vier bladsye in Januarie, April, Julie en Oktober deur die Olie- en Proteïensade-ontwikkelingstrust. Benewens hierdie bladsye het ons ook ’n uitgebreide Engelse weergawe met ’n bykomende agt bladsye wat kommersieel deur Pannar, Monsanto, Jupidex, Profert en Northmec geborg word. Die doel van die uitgebreide Engelse Pula Imvula is om meer tegniese artikels vir die meer gevorderde boere (wat Engels magtig is) in te sluit.

Ontwikkelende Graanprodusent van die Jaar-kompetisie

Die beeld van boere en boerdery as ’n loopbaan het ongelukkig oor geslagte heen verander. Boere is voorheen beskou as die hardwerkende sout-van-die-aarde-mense wat die nasie gevoed en geklee het. Ons glo steeds dat boere en boerdery noodsaaklik vir die bestaan van ons moderne samelewing is. In ’n poging om die beeld van boerdery te verbeter, hou ons die Ontwikkelende Graanprodusent van die Jaar-kompetisie.

’n Geweldige hoeveelheid ontwikkelingswerk word gedoen om swart boere te ondersteun. Daar is ook ’n persepsie dat daar geen swart kommersiële boere is wat goed presteer nie. Die doel van hierdie kompetisie is om aan die mielieboerderybedryf positiewe blootstelling en publisiteit te gee, en rolmodelle te skep vir ander mense wat ’n loopbaan in landbou oorweeg.

Gedurende die laat produksieseisoen van 2014 het ons moontlike kandidate vir die drie vlakke van die kompetisie – Bestaansboere, Kleinboere en Nuwe-era Kommersiële Boere – geïdentifiseer. Evalueringspanele is aangestel wat al die boere in die onderskeie kategorieë besoek het om die finaliste en wenners van elke kompetisie te identifiseer.

Op 2 Oktober 2014 het ons ons 250 Ton klubfunksie en viering by die Leopards and Lace-funksielokaal in Bloemfontein gehad en die kompetisie op die drie verskillende vlakke aangebied. Dit is wonderlik om te sien hoe boere ontwikkel.

• Die kandidate in die kategorie vir Nuwe-era Kommersiële Boer was: Mnre Job Metswamere – Delareyville; Ralph Swart – Elim naby Bredasdorp (wenner); Michael Ramoholi – Welkom en Pieter Chabalala – Kestell.

• In die Kleinboer-kategorie was die kandidate: Mnre Willem Modukanele – Welkom; Dwaalkraal Trust – Sannieshof; Simon Mbhele – Bergville en me Lungelwa Kama – Ugie (wenner).

• In die Bestaansboer-kategorie was die kandidate: Mee Gladys Zondo – Emmaus; Thoko Mofokeng – Emmaus en mnr Enoch Khumalo – Piet Retief (wenner).

Graan SA Skoleprogram-verslag

Die kinders van vandag is die volwassenes van môre. Ons verstaan en stem almal saam dat landbou die hoeksteen van die meeste ontwikkelende ekonomieë is. Ons moet dus ons kinders inspireer om toekomstige geslagte te voed en te klee. Deur hierdie program slaag ons daarin om die lewens van talle kinders te raak, en hoop om ’n verskil aan hulle persepsies oor landbou en die rol daarvan in ons lewens te maak.

Die Skoleprogram van Graan SA word deur die Mielietrust, die Wintergraantrust en die AgriSETA befonds.

Dit is noodsaaklik dat ons kinders moet aanmoedig om bewus te wees van die waarde van landbou as ’n bron van voedsel en vesel, as ’n belangrike rolspeler in die ekonomie, as ’n werkgewer en as ’n loopbaankeuse. Meer as die helfte van die bevolking in Afrika is jonger as 20 jaar. Kinders is huidige verbruikers, verbruikers van die toekoms, en die volgende geslag werkers. Hoe gouer ons hulle bewus kan maak van landbou in die algemeen, en veral van die mieliebedryf, hoe gouer kan ons hulle laat verstaan hoe belangrik dit is (sien Grafiek 1 tot 4).

Tydens ons besoeke aan die skoolkinders word ses DVD’s vertoon:

• Agriculture – the source of food, fibre and life
• Your lifeline – the story of bread
• Dig in – what is agriculture all about?
• The economy – what’s in it for me?
• Careers with livestock
• Careers with plants

Learner feedback – third term 2014 (maize)

"I did not have a clear understanding of how the whole food production process works. This visit cleared things up for me. I was also made aware that you need qualifications in order for you to get involved in the whole production process and then you will be head hunted by companies that will employ you on their teams." Mohapi Hthatuwa

"It was of great value to us as grade 9 learners, because many of us did not know that we have those kinds of opportunities as tomorrow’s leaders. We shall work hard at our studies knowing what we want in life and not relying on only the more well-known careers. We would also like to thank the people who presented the project to us for making time to visit our school. Now that we know that agriculture is important and we know all the facts about it, I think many of us would work hard in order to succeed and become involved in agriculture." Siyoyo Lulama

"It was good to have you as visitors, we learned a lot about agriculture. I have never thought of a career in agriculture, but now I do. Thank you for coming to Mamello School." Cindy Molehe

"I have learned that in agriculture there are many opportunities. I have also learned that pure maths and science are important. Being in the agricultural industry is not about farming only. I can be something in life. I have learned that I can also be in the business industry by choosing economics and accounting. Thank you and come again." Thato Mokoteli

“I have learnt how clothes are made and how things are produced and I have learnt about dairy science and poultry science and fashion design. We love stylish things, but we don't know how they are designed.” Galadile Asongezwa

“The visit was of value to me because I love nature and biology, as well as science. I did not know that there are so many opportunities in agriculture and it was very interesting to see where everything comes from. The video changed my point of view about farming and I am glad to know more because I love learning new information.” Anton Schotz

“I learned so many things today, things that I didn’t even know, especially that there is engineering involved in agriculture. Now I know which subjects to take. There are so many important things that we get from agriculture, especially food, clothes to keep us warm and dairy, milk and yoghurt. This means a lot to me.” Thathaisa Bonolo

“I saw the video and I realised that it is a great opportunity for me as a learner. I see agriculture as a brilliant career and the video made me realise that not only maths and other subjects can make a good future for me, but also agriculture. I can make a great living out of it and the career I like the most is fashion design. I like knitting clothes a lot and I like fashion, which every celebrity would like to wear. I can change my background from nothing to something. The careers were fashion design, food engineering and nursing animals. I love animals a lot. Thank you Grain SA for the great opportunity and for opening my eyes.” Ria Luvhuwa

“I discovered a lot about the careers that I can follow in agriculture. I also discovered careers that I already know of, but never knew that it was a career that resorts under agriculture – like fashion design. I used to ask myself what leather was made of, but now I know. I would like to become a dairy scientist one day.” Nesane Elelwani Portia

“It's such a big pleasure for me to hear about these careers because I didn't know what to study when I finished school, but now I am a lot more interested in mathematics and also know that maths is the key to success.” Zintle Koyana

Teacher feedback – third term 2014 (maize)

“It was an eye-opener to learners to establish which careers in agriculture to follow upon completion of grade 12 and which subjects to take at high school level. We hope that guidance will be brought back to schools to enable learners to make the right career choices that will benefit them in the future." Mr JRN Ntsepe

“Learners were exposed to various career opportunities, which they were not aware of before. The videos, which were shown to the learners were very useful as the learners saw exactly what each career involves. The recommendation is that the session should be a little bit longer to allow learners more time to explore various careers at a very young age." Mr K Tshabalala

“Learners learnt about different careers, such as livestock farming, farming, animal pathology, food science, fashion design and lecturing. Learners are motivated and encouraged to follow these careers after matric. Grain SA should visit our school again.” Mr Khandela

“The programme should be a little bit longer and be shown to more grades so that most of the learners will be able to consider agriculture as a career." Mr TD Tsobo

"The visit was of great value and it was very educational. The presentation covered various agricultural careers and the kids benefited a lot. They have a much better knowledge of subject choices and careers now." Mr RC Nkolanyane

"They listened well and asked questions. Good presentation and the background music and style suited the age group." Mrs C du Preez

"They are not aware of careers in agriculture and that there is money to be made – and not only by being a farm labourer. Unfortunately many learners in this school are pessimistic about their future and they perform poorly in maths, therefore their options are limited. We would like to start a food garden at school – we are looking for assistance so that learners can become involved and motivated." Mrs A Kistiah

"The children learned a lot. They could see different options available to them in terms of career choices. This project will help them make informed choices. Thank you for choosing our school." Mr T Ramakwa

“The visit was undeniably of great value as it contributed to the enlightenment of people's minds with regard to agriculture. The programme should be made available for the elders of the local community as it will take a long time to transform the society's perception of agriculture.”

Leerderterugvoer – derde kwartaal 2014 (mielies)

“Ek het nie goed verstaan hoe die hele kosproduksieproses werk nie. Hierdie besoek het dinge vir my duidelik gemaak. Ek is ook bewus gemaak dat jy kwalifikasies nodig het om by die hele produksieproses betrokke te raak, en dan sal jy gewild wees onder maatskappye, wat jou in hulle spanne sal aanstel.”Mohapi Hthatuwa

“Dit was vir ons as graad 9-leerders van groot waarde, aangesien talle van ons nie geweet het ons het sulke geleenthede as môre se leiers nie. Ons sal hard werk aan ons studies met die wete van wat ons in die lewe wil hê, en nie op net die meer bekende loopbane staatmaak nie. Ons wil die mense bedank wat die projek vir ons aangebied het, dat hulle die tyd gemaak het om ons skool te besoek. Noudat ons weet dat landbou belangrik is en ons al die feite daaroor weet, dink ek dat baie van ons hard sal werk om te slaag en by landbou betrokke te raak.” Siyoyo Lulama

“Dit was goed om julle as besoekers te hê, ons het baie oor landbou geleer. Ek het nooit aan ’n loopbaan in landbou gedink nie, maar doen nou wel. Dankie dat julle na Mamello-skool toe gekom het.” Cindy Molehe

“Ek het geleer dat daar talle geleenthede in landbou is. Ek het ook geleer dat suiwer wiskunde en wetenskap belangrik is. Om in die landboubedryf betrokke te wees, gaan nie net oor boerdery nie, maar dat ek iets in die lewe kan wees. Ek het geleer dat ek ook in die besigheidswêreld betrokke kan wees deur ekonomie en rekeningkunde te kies. Dankie en kom weer.” Thato Mokoteli

“Ek het geleer hoe klere gemaak word, en hoe dinge geproduseer word, en ek het oor suiwelwetenskap en pluimveewetenskap en modeontwerp geleer. Ons hou van stylvolle goed, maar ons weet nie hoe dit ontwerp word nie.” Galadile Asongezwa

“Die besoek was van waarde vir my want ek is lief vir die natuur en biologie sowel as wetenskap. Ek het nie geweet dat daar soveel geleenthede in landbou is nie, en dit was baie interessant om te sien waar alles vandaan kom. Die video het my siening oor boerdery verander, en ek is bly om meer te weet want ek hou daarvan om nuwe inligting te leer.” Anton Schotz

“Ek het so baie goed vandag geleer, dinge wat ek nie eers geweet het nie, veral dat daar ingenieurswese in landbou is. Nou weet ek watter vakke om te neem. Daar is so baie belangrike dinge wat ons van landbou af kry, veral kos, klere om ons warm te hou, en suiwel, melk en jogurt. Dit beteken vir my baie.” Thathaisa Bonolo

“Ek het die video gekyk en ek het besef dat dit ’n wonderlike geleentheid vir my as ‘n leerder is. Ek beskou landbou as ’n briljante loopbaan en die video het my laat besef dat nie net wiskunde en ander vakke vir my ’n goeie toekoms kan skep nie, maar ook landbou. Ek kan ’n wonderlike bestaan daaruit maak en die loopbaan waarvan ek die meeste hou, is modeontwerp. Ek hou baie daarvan om klere te brei en ek hou van modes wat elke glanspersoon graag sal dra. Ek kan my agtergrond van niks af nie na iets toe verander. Die loopbane was modeontwerp, voedselingenieurswese en verpleging van diere. Ek is baie lief vir diere. Dankie, Graan SA, vir die wonderlike geleentheid en dat julle my oë oopgemaak het.” Ria Luvhuwa

“Ek het baie ontdek oor die loopbane wat ek in landbou kan volg. Ek het ook loopbane ontdek waarvan ek reeds weet, maar ek het nooit geweet dat dit ’n loopbaan is wat onder landbou val nie – soos modeontwerp. Ek het myself al gevra waarvan leer gemaak word, maar nou weet ek. Ek sal graag eendag ’n suiwelwetenskaplike wil word.” Nesane Elelwani Portia

“Dit is vir my so ’n groot plesier om oor hierdie loopbane te hoor, want ek het nie geweet wat om te studeer wanneer ek klaar is met skool nie, maar nou stel ek baie meer in wiskunde belang, en weet ook dat wiskunde die sleutel tot sukses is.” Zintle Koyana

Onderwyserterugvoer – derde kwartaal 2014 (mielies)

“Dit het die leerders se oë oopgemaak om uit te vind watter loopbane in landbou om te volg wanneer hulle graad 12 klaar gemaak het, en watter vakke om op hoërskoolvlak te neem. Ons hoop dat voorligting teruggebring sal word na skole toe om leerders in staat te stel om die regte loopbaankeuses te maak wat in die toekoms vir hulle van waarde sal wees.” Mnr JRN Ntsepe

“Die leerders is blootgestel aan verskillende loopbaangeleenthede waarvan hulle nie voorheen bewus was nie. Die video’s wat aan die leerders gewys is, was baie nuttig, aangesien die leerders presies gesien het wat elke loopbaan behels. Die aanbeveling is dat die sessie ’n bietjie langer moet wees om die leerders meer tyd te gee om verskillende loopbane op ’n baie jong ouderdom te verken.” Mnr K Tshabalala

“Die leerders het oor verskillende loopbane, soos lewende hawe boerdery, boerdery, dierepatologie, voedselwetenskappe, modeontwerp en onderrig geleer. Die leerders is gemotiveer en aangemoedig om hierdie loopbane na matriek te volg. Graan SA moet ons skool weer besoek.” Mnr Khandela

“Die program moet ’n bietjie langer wees en aan meer grade gewys word sodat die meeste van die leerders landbou as ’n loopbaan sal kan oorweeg.” Mnr TD Tsobo

“Die besoek was van groot waarde en dit was baie leersaam. Die aanbieding het verskillende landbouloopbane gedek en die kinders het baie daarby gebaat. Hulle het nou ’n baie beter kennis van vakkeuses en loopbane.” Mnr RC Nkolanyane

“Hulle het goed geluister en vrae gevra. Goeie aanbieding en die agtergrondmusiek en styl het by die ouderdomsgroep gepas.” Mev C du Preez

“Hulle is nie van loopbane in landbou bewus en dat daar geld gemaak kan word nie – en dat hulle nie net ’n plaasarbeider hoef te wees nie. Ongelukkig is baie leerders in hierdie skool pessimisties oor hulle toekoms en hulle vaar swak in wiskunde, dus is hulle opsies beperk. Ons sal graag ’n voedseltuin by die skool wil begin – ons soek hulp sodat die leerders betrokke kan raak en gemotiveer kan word.” Mev A Kistiah

“Die kinders het baie geleer. Hulle kon verskillende opsies sien wat in terme van loopbaankeuses vir hulle beskikbaar is. Hierdie projek sal hulle help om ingeligte keuses te maak. Dankie dat julle ons skool gekies het.” Mnr T Ramakwa

“Die besoek was ongetwyfeld van groot waarde, aangesien dit tot die ontwikkeling van mense se denke oor landbou bygedra het. Die program moet vir die ouer persone in die plaaslike gemeenskap beskikbaar gestel word, aangesien dit lank sal neem om die samelewing se persepsie oor landbou te verander.”