7 / 52
5
December 2018
Image of a better future
t
he year 2018 will be known in organised agriculture as the
year in which land reform was brought to a head. The image
that leaders have to project, is one of a better future. That is
exactly what organised agriculture has been doing this year.
Expropriation without compensation definitely does not rep-
resent a better image of the future to anybody. Perhaps for some of
the elite, but definitely not for the millions of city dwellers who have
to go to the supermarket every day to buy food. The examples at
the Bela-Bela conference created a picture of a better future. We still
hope that this picture will be realised.
While the harvesters in the south are roaring (after the wind had
blown away almost half the harvest), the optimism of grain produc-
ers once again took away the breath of every pessimist in the coun-
try with the first intentions for planting: The area to be planted with
summer grain is 182 190 ha larger than that of last year. Where these
hectares are probably does not matter, but that is optimism for you!
The profitability of the grain sector remains of great concern. It
cannot be sustainable to hope that ‘something’ will happen at in-
ternational level to improve profitability: Something like a higher oil
price that will allow the ethanol industry in the USA to revive, or a
negative outcome with respect to the trade battles between the USA
and China.
In the short term it may have benefits for South Africa’s producers,
but we will have to find something more sustainable. Our Grain SA
teams are still searching for new markets, but it is taking consider-
able time working through all the red tape. We are looking for new
markets in the soybean industry in particular.
To end the year, I would like to share a few sentiments that actually
do make a difference at the level of organised agriculture, and pro-
mote optimism: The recent discussion with our top political leaders
was at a level that differed from the usual fights about the past and
the present. Hands of help and co-operation were extended – which
is not experienced at all the levels lower down in the hierarchy. My
experience was that there was a quest for solutions – solutions that
not only had to be developed and handed over, but of which we have
to be a part in the future. This gives us hope.
Finally, Grain SA would also like to say farewell to Oom Vic Mouton,
who has passed on. He left an indelible mark on Grain SA. We would
like to honour his contribution in this way.
“
“
...the optimism of
grain producers once
again took away the
breath of every pessimist
in the country with
the first intentions
for planting.