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CHAPTER 8
pest control et cetera. The farmers are able to experience the practices and
then do the same on their own land.
The personnel in the programme will coordinate the establishment of these trials
together with other role-players in the industry – the contractor, the seed companies,
the fertiliser companies and the agro-chemical companies so that the farmers are
exposed to the best possible production information and techniques.
This is a key
component towards empowering farmers to continue profitably and sustainably as
the vision is they will eventually be supported and guided by the commercial sector
representatives from the input supply companies. The exposure of the farmers to
the representatives of the input supply companies for the development of relation-
ships is one of the purposes of the farmers’ days. The year 2015 saw 87 farmers days
held around the country which 5 656 farmers attended.
Training courses
Under the leadership of McPherson and Dr Willie Kotzé, the training programme
has steadily expanded considerably. Significant training and training manual
development had been done with the funds from the different trusts.
Farming today is business and it requires an in depth understanding of a large
number of diverse subjects – from the soil to income tax. Kotzé reported that
189 courses had been offered during the 2009 financial year – 159 for the Maize
Trust, eleven for the OPDT, ten for SAB, five for Sorghum and four for Winter
Cereal. Each course has been developed to address a specific need that we
identified through our interactions with the farmers at the different levels.
Although not all the courses are available in all the languages, a trainer who is
proficient in the local language and can explain the course to the farmers is sent
to the region.
The courses are structured with a theoretical and practical part. The theory is
taught during the morning and the practical is done in the afternoon. Equipment
that is available to the farmers is used during the practical training sessions – it
does not empower them if they are taught on equipment that they cannot access.
It is also good to show them what they can do with the equipment that they have.
Altogether 123 courses were presented to 1 985 farmers in the Eastern Cape, Free
State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the North West Province during 2015.
The 250 Ton Club and Day of Celebration
Although any development process is a slow and steady journey, it was evident
that there was already much to celebrate in the field of Farmer Development. The
decision was made to take one day off from facing development challenges, to
celebrate and recognise the many different individuals and institutions involved in
the field. Furthermore, to inspire and encourage all the farmers The 250 Ton Club
was established with different levels of membership:
• Bronze – 250 Ton member
The correct application of lime always
yields good results.
Dr Willie Kotzé
Some of the developing farmers who became members of the 250 Ton Club in 2008.