A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

The

grain and oilseed industry

of south africa – A journey through time

The forensic audit and the corrective steps subsequently instituted by Grain SA also

had an important effect in the field of farmer development, as many of Grain SA’s

farmer development projects were financed by the Maize Trust. Because of the cir-

cumstances that led to the forensic audit, the Maize Trust considered stopping the

financial assistance to Grain SA. This would have placed Grain SA’s farmer develop-

ment projects at risk.

The Maize Trust eventually decided to offer Grain SA the opportunity to put its

house in order. Grain SA accomplished this with distinction, and the measures,

programmes and policies that were introduced at that stage still form the basis of

Grain SA’s management practices.

As organisation Grain SA annually receives an unqualified audit and the factual

findings of the Maize Trust and other trusts with respect to funding are in order.

The participation of the Farmer Development Division in the government’s recapi-

talisation programme since 2013 has testified to thorough credibility and exper-

tise. This was confirmed by an unqualified audit issued by the Auditor-General with

respect to the project.

RESEARCH

Grain SA regards needs-driven crop research aimed at keeping South African

agriculture competitive compared to the rest of the world as of the utmost im-

portance. That is why special attention is given to determining the needs of

producers and to ensuring that the programmes of research institutions ad-

dress these needs.

Grain SA supports the approach that research should be aimed at promoting the

long-term sustainability of grain production. This involves all the facets of grain

cultivation, from production research and research on inputs like seed, fertiliser,

fuel, chemicals and mechanisation, to market research, the provision of grain mar-

ket information, conservation agriculture and even data science.

Information obtained from research results is processed and made available to pro-

ducers and other interest groups. This covers all aspects of grain production and

the data is co-ordinated by specialist working groups to ensure that producers are

duly informed of the most recent developments. Representatives from the Grain SA

working groups also serve on the various advisory committees of the Grain and Oil-

seeds Trusts to support the research needs of producers. The Grain Crops Institute

and Small Grain Institute of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) made a valuable

contribution to research for grain producers over the years.

The

SA Graan/Grain

magazine is used as medium to disseminate research results

among producers.

Over a long period Grain SA has succeeded in building good relationships with re-

searchers and government departments involved (Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries;

Science and Technology; and Trade and Industry). In this way Grain SA attempts to

identify and develop joint research programmes, establish co-operation relationships

and promote technology transfer. This approach is followed with respect to all the

industries, which means that Grain SA is constantly involved in a large number of re-

search activities. This creates opportunities for distributing and publishing the results

and information so that the producer can also benefit.

Grain SA’s core aim is to increase producers’ productivity and provide objective,

real-time information. The decision to take greater responsibility for the direction

research is taking and for how research funds are employed links up with this and

ensures the relevance of this at farm level. Grain-specific research is therefore di-

versified in order to integrate it across the spectrum of the industry.

As research expert, Dr Marinda Visser, Manager: Grain Research and Policy Centre

of Grain SA, is guiding industry research into a new direction, and is even co-

ordinating it at regional level by representing South Africa on the SADC research

priority committee. The key points of Grain SA’s research and development pro-

gramme approved in 2016 are:

• Development of joint research programmes as identified.

Dr Marinda Visser (Manager: Grain Re-

search and Policy Centre, Grain SA)