A programme that is changing lives

May 2025

Teamwork empowers farmers to be the best

THE PHAHAMA GRAIN PHAKAMA (PGP) FARMER DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOCUSSES ON EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME INDEPENDENT FARMERS. THEIR CORE VALUES ARE TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, PASSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, EXCELLENCE, CARE, RELIABILITY AND DETERMINATION.

The regional development managers and mentors conduct regular farm visits to evaluate practices, identify issues and provide tailored advice. Those individuals meet the developing farmers in their current circumstances and build on the foundations that already exist to help empower them in the commercial grain industry.

Jerry Mthombothi from the Mbombela regional office has been involved in the programme since 2004 and even came back out of retirement to continue this vital work. He believes it is of the utmost importance to develop farmers with what they already have and to help them increase their yields by teaching them the correct agricultural practices.

The regional development manager (RDM) in the Eastern Cape, Eric Wiggill, has been involved in the programme for 15 years. He believes farmer development in Africa is the most crucial activity to ensure food security in an uncertain environment. Through farmer development, new technology in all fields of agriculture can also be taught.

Graeme Engelbrecht, RDM at PGP’s Dundee office, has been involved in the Farmer Development Programme (FDP) since 2012. For Graeme, farmer development is about the commonality of striving to achieve the exact same thing. ‘We are welded together by a shared cause and vision.’

Du Toit van der Westhuizen, RDM at the Lichtenburg office in North West, joined the programme in 2012. To him, farmer development contributes to food security. It is also important to develop farmers to create more jobs and income for unemployed people.

Jacques Roux, the Free State RDM, has been part of the programme since 2015. He is passionate about farmer development and believes that identifying the right farmer is crucial. Jacques believes the best farming soil and equipment mean nothing without a passionate, hardworking farmer.

Phumzile Ngcobo, assistant regional manager, joined the PGP team in 2023. She believes that farmer development helps to bridge the gap of access to relevant up-to-date information, allowing farmers to play a significant part in the agricultural sector and food security.

THIS KEEPS US GOING
Although there are many challenges, the positives – such as social interaction, the success stories of farmers and the impact this has in their communities – keep team members inspired. Graeme describes it as being part of the same (agri)-culture, where the same pressures, laws, joys, sorrows and frustrations are felt by all.

Eric enjoys meeting different people with their own unique views on life. One of his highlights is seeing farmers being the centre of their community, helping and teaching others to be self-sufficient.

Graeme agrees and says it is not only the upliftment of an individual and his family, but of the whole community, that makes the programme worthwhile. ‘It is critical not only in South African agriculture, but also for the future of the country.’

The relationship between a farmer and the RDM/mentor is a two-way street. Farmers get advice, but in turn, inspire the mentors through their growth. Jerry loves seeing the impact that a successful season has on a farmer, his family and the community.

Phumzile agrees and says it always makes her smile when she sees farmers having a renewed sense of hope about their farming operations and the chances of success. ‘Success restores hope.’

It is the ‘rags to riches’ stories that continue to flame Jacques’ passion for farmer development. ‘Seeing growth and development because a farmer follows advice, is wonderful, especially when so many people don’t believe that it can be possible.’

It is truly satisfying when you see the difference your ‘footprints’ – your advice and support – have on someone’s development – and how this growth can create a future for an individual and his family.

However, the committed RDMs think farmer development would benefit if the following could be eliminated:

• Political interference, such as new farming equipment deteriorating because of red tape and politics, funds being wasted on uninformed people, and people who are not farmers getting farms and equipment.
• Dishonest farmers who spend funds earmarked for their farming operations (like buying inputs) on other things and then cannot repay their loans.
• Individuals who do not follow advice and sound agricultural practices.
• People without the necessary experience who want to change things because they do not know why things are done a certain way.

Training improves skills

Skills development forms a very important part of the Farmer Development Programme. During the February/March period, 48 training courses took place thanks to the support of the Oil and Protein Development Trust (OPDT).

Trainer Fanie Pienaar presented a mechanisation management course in the Free State. According to a female farmer who attended it, the course was insightful and for her the highlight was testing each part’s functionality on a real tractor.

An introduction to soybean production was presented in the Mbombela region by trainer Elias Dladla.

In Mthatha trainer Lunga Mhlonyane presented an introduction to sunflower production. The farmers were fascinated to learn that most of the home-based animal feeds they are buying (especially for chickens and pigs) requires sunflower.

Bringing farmers together for a day

Two farmers’ days were held during February and March – one in the Dundee region and one for farmers in Limpopo. Approximately 120 farmers attended the farmers’ day at Uphuzane-Kwa Nkosi in the Dundee area. It was held in collaboration with Bayer and the local office of the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development-eDumbe (KZNDARD). Presentations provided by Bayer focused on the different suitable types of varieties according to the area’s prevailing weather conditions.

The KZNDARD’s presentation highlighted the importance of collaboration and the importance of being an organised farmer. The PGP team discussed membership of Grain SA, the different projects available according to farmer classification as well as the study group approach PGP is using to mobilize farmers and promote participation.

Jerry Mthombothi, regional development manager in Mbombe­la, was invited by the Department of Agriculture in Limpopo to do a presentation on soil preparation. Apart from grain production there were also presentations about broiler production, biosecurity and medicine and vaccination management at the Limpopo farmers' day.

Apart from the valuable information, farmers received a copy of Pula Imvula as well.

The farmers’ day in Limpopo was well attended. Many farmers who attended have shown interest in joining the PGP study groups.

Publication: May 2025

Section: Pula/Imvula