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CHAPTER 6
The jovial atmosphere is characteristic of Grain SA’s Harvest Day and the togetherness
is always comforting. It is also an important networking opportunity for producers to
communicate with one another and to exchange solutions for sustainable production
at farming level. Families with prams sitting on the grass in the shade of a tree over
lunch are also a common sight.
ROAD AHEAD
Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day falls under Dr Dirk Strydom, Manager: Grain Eco-
nomics and Marketing since April 2016. Mr Toit Wessels, previously with Grain SA
as members’ marketer in the Western Cape, was in the meantime promoted to
Assistant Manager: NAMPO Harvest Day and Marketing and takes the reins of the
Harvest Day from 1 October 2016, with Loxton who will support him as mentor.
IN CONCLUSION
After the conclusion of the 50th Harvest Day in 2016 and looking back over the past
five decades, Van Coller described the character of the Harvest Day as follows:
‘Over the past half century this has developed into a brand that portrays modern
agriculture in South Africa accurately. It appeals to the general public as consumers
of our agricultural products; it appeals to all producers in our country; it appeals
to decision-makers in government circles and the industry; it even appeals to the
international arena and the growing interest from abroad confirms it.’
Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day definitely developed into an integrated part of
agriculture in South Africa as a whole. This is a proven recipe consisting of:
• Permanent facilities and modern infrastructure;
• Directional agricultural leadership;
• The dedication of SAMPI, NAMPO and Grain SA’s Executive members and staff;
• Sustained support from local and international input providers;
• Helpfulness of volunteers over many years;
• Growing annual attendance by producers and the general public; and
• Contributions to communities and the regional economy.
Seen in perspective, SAMPI’s members have literally and figuratively laid the corner
stone and poured the foundations of the Harvest Day. The NAMPO generation
completed the structure of the building and erected the roof. This paved the way for
Grain SA as a united grain and oilseeds organisation to add the final touches to the
building and colour the exterior and the interior to set the pace in the modern era of
agriculture in a sustainable manner.
Families relaxing in the shade of the trees – a familiar sight at NAMPO.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE
IN NAMPO PARK WAS
CREATED OVER THE
YEARS AND EXPANDED TO
HANDLE A LARGE NUMBER
OF VISITORS WITH
EASE AND TO PROVIDE
EXHIBITION FACILITIES
OF A HIGH STANDARD TO
EXHIBITORS. EVEN THE
RUNWAY COULD HANDLE A
TOTAL OF 365 AEROPLANES
AND HELICOPTERS OVER
THE FOUR DAYS WITH
EASE THIS YEAR. GRAIN SA
IS GEARED TO PROUDLY
PRESENT THE 50TH NAMPO
HARVEST DAY NEXT YEAR.
– Mr Cobus van Coller,
Harvest Day Chairperson;
2015.
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