Follow PGP's footprint on social media

April 2024

In the era of technology the agricultural sector uses digital tools to improve productivity, sustainability and inclusivity. The Farmer Development Programme is positioned between traditional farming practices and digital innovation, aiming to empower farmers through knowledge sharing and access to resources.

This article explores the digital footprint of the Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) Farmer Development Programme (FDP), highlighting how technology is reshaping the landscape of agricultural development in South Africa.

At the heart of the programme’s digital strategy is various online platforms, designed to facilitate learning, communication and collaboration. The Grain SA website serves as a central hub, offering resources such as articles, guides and multimedia content on topics ranging from crop management to financial literacy.

Through the online platforms, farmers gain access to expert insights, empowering them to make informed decisions and adopt the best practices. Grain economics offer useful tools to equip farmers in their decision-making with updated market, production and inputs reports. 

SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE   
The FDP maintains an active presence on Twitter and aims to extend its reach to other social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The Twitter page for the FDP has seen notable growth in recent months, with the article titled ‘Forecasts point to development of El Niño in 2023’ becoming particularly popular, capturing significant attention and encouraging active engagement from followers.

These channels serve as channels for engagement, allowing farmers to connect with peers, share experiences and seek advice in real-time. In addition, social media campaigns raise awareness about upcoming events, initiatives and opportunities in the agricultural community. This fosters a sense of belonging among communities.

MOBILE APPLICATIONS 
The FDP utilises mobile applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram to deliver valuable services directly to the farmers’ fingertips. From market prices and production conditions to pest identification and crop management tools, these applications empower farmers to overcome challenges and optimise their operations with ease. By leveraging mobile platforms, the programme ensures accessibility and inclusivity. 

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 
While the digital footprint of the FDP offers great opportunities for agricultural development, it also poses challenges that must be addressed. Digital literacy, limited access to infrastructure and concerns regarding data privacy need to be considered. However, by investing in education and promoting innovation, these challenges can be overcome, unlocking the full potential of digital technologies to drive inclusive and sustainable growth in South Africa’s farming communities.

In conclusion, the digital footprint of PGP’s FDP reflects a shift in agricultural development. Through digital platforms, social media engagement, mobile applications and data-driven approaches, the programme is transforming the way farmers access information, connect with fellow peers and optimise their farming operations. By embracing innovation, the programme is not only shaping the future of farming in South Africa but also paving the way for a more sustainable agricultural sector.
 
– Article written by Nolo Bakwa, communications intern at Grain SA.  

Special moments at the 2024 Grain SA Congress were shared on the Twitter page. The Congress theme was ‘What keep farmers awake at night?’  

Knowledge is power

It is very important to increase your knowledge if you want to become a successful farmer. During February the Farmer Development team presented eleven training courses, which were sponsored by the Oil and Protein Development Trust (OPDT). 

The courses were presented by PGP's offices in Kokstad, Mbombela, Dundee, Louwsburg and Lichtenburg. It included an introduction to groundnut, sunflower and soybean production. There were 160 farmers who attended the courses and 154 of these attendees successfully completed the courses. 
 

Mentor and trainer, Timon Filter, presented the introduction to soybean production course at Pixley Ka Seme in Mpumalanga. This group of farmers was keen to learn and can’t wait to start planting soybean and move on to crop rotation.

The course held at Dukuza near Bergville comprised of people aged between 32 and 72. Many good questions were asked. The older farmers have an advantage with practical experience, while the younger attendees did well in the theory.

Farmers are serious about production

A total of 78 farm visits took place during February. Approximately 25 advanced farmers, who are part of either the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA) or the  Standard Bank/Kgodiso Development Fund projects, were visited by the team.

Mentor Johan Roux paid a visit to Isaac Malakoane in the Ladybrand area. Although it was very dry and rain was urgently needed, the first maize crop was looking promising. 

The maize crop of farmer Raphael Tamsanqa Masuku is looking very good. Mentor Chris de Jager reported that weed control was done and the crop has good potential. 

Even though Badge Skosana from the Mbombela area received good rain, he had a lot of hail damage after a storm. There was hail damage of up to 80% on his soybean crops and the damage on the maize still had to be determined by an assessor. Mentor Martin Botha trusts that the seeds were not damaged too badly.  

Publication: April 2024

Section: Pula/Imvula