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October 2022
Grain SA's farmer development team can assist you in your quest to be a better, more successful farmer. The team is active and in the field, working at grassroots every day. This team brings experience, knowledge, expertise and a commitment to equipping every learner towards better agricultural practices as well as building a relevant network of support around every dedicated developing grain farmer.
FARMERS’ DAYS
The farmers’ days provide an opportunity to get farmers together – along with a network of input suppliers, service providers and support groups, including leaders from the different government departments. Demonstration trial sites are often visited, where information can be exchanged with other farmers, input supply companies, local extension officers and other sector stakeholders who are strategically invited to these days.
The exposure and information to which farmers are exposed cannot be under-valued – particularly for the subsistence and small-scale developing farmers, who are being introduced to a broader support network beyond the Grain SA Farmer Development team.
The following farmers’ days were held recently:
At the farmers’ day at Rockmount, the female farmers outnumbered the male attendees.
A demonstration on soil sampling being watched by the Siyachathula study group.
A Farmer Development team member was there when Mthethwa Lethiwe Derril was pulling soybeans from wet patches in the field.
The SA’s Farmer Development team believes in working closely together with farmers and key industry role-players to build supportive networks around developing farmers. During July 2022, the team implemented the following interactions with and for developing farmers:
The opportunities are available. It is up to you to get involved, seek knowledge and get equipped. Focus on accomplishing the success you are aiming for, whether it is returning top yields per hectare, building your livestock component, buying a new tractor, learning more about grain marketing or acquiring new workshop skills – and believe that you can achieve it.
Set yourself realistic goals with achievable timelines. When you tailor your mind to what it is you want to achieve and dedicate the time to reaching this goal, it is easier to accomplish and easier to keep working hard. Constant personal growth and knowledge acquisition are important aspects of every farmer’s life, no matter how long or how new in the game.
During June a farmers’ day which was arranged by the Mthatha office took place in Kambi. It was attended by 50 members of the Siyazondla Study Group.
A bright yellow tent was erected for the farmers’ day at Sehlakwane. It was arranged by the Mbombela office.
At Dukuza in the Bergville area, the regional development manager of the Dundee office, Graeme Engelbrecht, spoke to the farmers.
Grain SA has a wide range of training courses and there is something to suit all developing farmers and their farm workers. Training helps to develop best practices to ensure sustainable farming.
The team is in the field and ready to guide and equip farmer members – reach out and the team will willingly meet and lend a hand! Talk to your regional development manager about what training you would like to see in your region; and get your farming community inspired and educated.
Fanie Pienaar presented an on-farm maintenance and support course on welding at NAMPO Park near Bothaville, which was attended by 20 learners.
Farmers gathered in Ficksburg in the Free State for the ‘Farming for profits’ course.
The Siyachathula Study Group learned more about planter and boom-sprayer calibration at their training course.
When attending a course, you receive a training manual to ensure you can revisit what you learned.
Publication: October 2022
Section: Pula/Imvula
