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CHAPTER 1
was subsequently introduced from 1 May 1958 and it was decided at the same time
to pay Maize Board agents a separate compensation for fumigation.
Compulsory insect control by all the interest groups like agents, millers and malt
manufacturers was introduced by the Maize Board in 1964. The constant focus on
insect control because of this contributed to the maize industry in South Africa incur-
ring very few losses as a result of insect infestation in the long term.
Research
In 1948 the Maize Board, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture,
started developing hybrid maize seed. The Maize Board invested large amounts to
encourage the propagation of the seed and was directly involved in this from 1947
until 1971.
In 1951 the Maize Board also launched an experimental-farm scheme with a view
to improving the productivity of farming operations. In collaboration with the De-
partment of Agriculture, trials were conducted on the following four experimen-
tal farms: Ashley (Standerton district), Braklaagte (Bothaville district), Goosens
(Senekal district) and Holfontein (Lichtenburg district). In 1971 it was decided to
retain only Holfontein and sell the other farms, probably because the project did
not enjoy the degree of success that was initially envisaged. Holfontein was then
used until 1978 for a joint project between the Maize Board, the Meat Board and
Vleissentraal to encourage the use of maize as animal feed. However, this was
stopped at the insistence of the Department of Agriculture.
The Maize Board was thoroughly aware of the importance of research for agri-
cultural production and donated an amount of R3,9 million from the Stabilisation
Fund to the Department of Agriculture in 1979 to construct research facilities at the
Summer Grain Research Centre in Potchefstroom.
Biofuel
The manufacture of biofuel from maize started in the USA, driven by the USA ob-
jective of reducing dependence on crude oil and stimulating their rural economy.
In addition, the process produces a reasonable volume of a by-product with a very
high protein content that is excellent for animal feed. These objectives and benefits
also apply in the South African context, and in 1990 the Maize Board appointed ex-
perts at a cost of R6 million to investigate the possibility of manufacturing ethanol
in South Africa.
The investigation found that South Africa had the right quality and sufficient maize
as well as the necessary infrastructure to successfully manufacture ethanol from
maize. The possibility of crop failures and the effect this could have on the profit-
ability of such an industry were identified as the biggest obstacles.
At a mass meeting of grain producers held in the Centurion cricket stadium in 2005
the possibility of constructing a biofuel plant at Bothaville in the Free State was in
fact discussed. However, this did not get off the ground because of the government’s
policy that maize may not be used for the manufacture of ethanol because it is an
important staple food in South Africa.
By 2014 there was still no commercial biofuel plant in South Africa. In the meantime,
the government did decide to develop a biofuel plant at Cradock in the Eastern Cape
in order to manufacture ethanol for compulsory blending into fossil fuel. However,
ethanol will be manufactured from grain sorghum and not from maize, as sorghum
is not regarded as a source of staple food.
WINTER CEREAL PERSPECTIVE
Wheat
Production
Wheat cultivation with a view to baking bread is one of the oldest branches of agri-
culture in South Africa, and wheat milling is one of the oldest industries.
Maize grading is done by an inspector of
the Board.
Insect control intensifies.
Research plays a major role in the quality
of our grain products.