A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

THE

GRAIN AND OILSEED INDUSTRY

OF SOUTH AFRICA – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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The granting of financial support for research projects occurs in consultation with

the technical committees in terms of the provisions of the Trust Deed.

The Board of Trustees of the Winter Cereal Trust comprises twelve trustees who

represent the different interest groups in the industry, in addition to representatives

of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Oil and Protein Seed Development Trust

The business plan that the Oilseeds Board submitted to the Minister of Agriculture

made provision for the establishment of the Oil and Protein Seed Development Trust

(OPDT) as one of the structures that would look after the interests of the industry

after the dissolution of the Oilseeds Board.

The OPDT was registered on 18 September 1997 with a view to receiving certain

investment assets, particularly the assets of the former Oilseeds Board, and

administering them to the benefit of the beneficiaries of the Trust. The assets

comprised capital of R58,3 million, the Oilseeds Building and movable assets, as

well as all outstanding levy money that still had to be collected. Funds in the trust

and/or statutory levies would in future be utilised only for activities that are in

the interests of the industry as a whole, for instance market information, support

services and research projects.

The main aims of the Trust are to promote and develop the oilseeds industry in

South Africa through:

• The funding of research projects with respect to the improvement, production,

storage, processing and marketing of oilseeds.

• The funding of the provision of information and advisory services with respect

to the production and marketing conditions of oilseeds.

• Investment and preservation of the Trust’s assets.

• Productive employment of the Trust’s assets in such a way that their real value

is preserved and grown as far as possible.

• Funding of market access of any other action in the interests of the oilseeds

industry, subject to the objectives of the 1996 Act.

According to the information on the OPDT, the Board of Trustees currently

comprises seven trustees, six of which are appointed by the Oilseed Advisory

Committee, taking into account proposals or nominations by directly affected

groups. The other trustee is appointed by the Minister of Agriculture.

Do you remember the search for 300 000 tons

of maize in those days?