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chapter 5
An important benefit of the above matters was greater competition in the value
chain of the wheat industry. A disadvantage was that all the business statistics
were lost in the process, because the competition authorities expressed qualms
about them. The result was that the statistics process was scrapped, and since
2007 statistics on the amount of bread sold in South Africa, how much flour and
what type of flour is sold and in which province growth is experienced, are no
longer readily available.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
As a responsible corporate organisation Grain SA’s strategic objectives are not
only aimed at ensuring profitable and sustainable grain production for commer-
cial and developing producers, but also at accomplishing social responsibility.
Grain SA carries out this responsibility in various ways, of which the initiatives
below are only a few examples.
1. Grain data
Processed supply and demand information for grain is readily available in the world
market, but similar processed information for the African and South African market
is incomplete. Grain SA provides the only formal source of processed information
on the South African grain market. It involves the collection, sustained research
and interpretation of information for the local industry. This market information,
which is currently provided free by Grain SA, is recognised by local as well as in-
ternational companies and organisations. The information is updated daily on the
Grain SA website.
Objective information is essential for the effective functioning of the free market in
South Africa and for producers to make informed business decisions.
The role-players using this data include:
• Financial institutions
• Public stakeholders
• Trade and grain-logistics-related stakeholders
• Production and input-related stakeholders
• Media
• Grain consumers
• Producers
• Consultants
• International stakeholders
• Politicians and political analysts
• Food security-related stakeholders
Other initiatives
2. The Schools Programme
Grain SA’s Schools Programme was established in the NAMPO era and was initially
sponsored by input providers (Omnia and Northmec). In time it became part of a part-
nership with the Maize Trust, the Winter Cereals Trust and the AgriSeta, which each
funded the programme in different ways and in different areas.
Through the Schools Programme learners are made aware of the role of agriculture
in a modern environment, as well as of the contribution of agriculture as source of
food, fibre and energy.
Initially the programme was offered at NAMPO Park and the objective was to in-
volve 50 high schools, 30 primary schools and 20 pre-primary schools/year from
all the provinces in South Africa. The programme was a great success right from
the start, and in time thousands of school children from a large number of schools
were reached through the programme. It has grown to such an extent that a full-
time staff member, Mr Heubert McGluwa, was appointed in 2004 to supervise the
programme.