Grain SA NAMPO Harvest Day 2013 embraces technology and dialogue

According to Cobus van Coller, chairperson of the NAMPO Harvest Day, the attendance figure of 72 376 for 2013 confirm that this showcase of agriculture is regarded as a growing arena for role players in agriculture in southern Africa, Africa, and even internationally. 'In spite of a challenging production year in some parts of the country, the atmosphere at NAMPO Park was still one of geniality and friendship. The Harvest Day once again achieved its objective, namely to create an effective platform for doing business, gathering information, building relationships and even discussing topical matters,' he said.

This year was the eighth year in which NAMPO attracted more than 600 exhibitors of outstanding quality. Interest among visitors was enormous, and exhibitors once again received numerous enquiries. Increasing interest was also shown by international exhibitors and visitors. The Harvest Day offers an ideal opportunity to international exhibitors to investigate a possible market for their products in South Africa. More than 45 international exhibitors were involved in the trade show. In the course of the four days a total of 340 light aircraft and 59 helicopters landed on the "air strip".

Jannie de Villiers, chief executive officer of Grain SA, was pleased with the success of this organisation's NAMPO Harvest Day. He was excited about what Grain SA's partners were establishing in the Harvest Day platform. 'We have now laid the foundation for active dialogue at the NAMPO Harvest Day. I trust that the discussion forum as presented by Senwes, Grain SA and partners at NAMPO 2013, as well as other discussions on technical matters, will in future add even more value to agriculture.'

Toks van der Linde, former Springbok and rugby commentator, led the discussions at the Senwes Future Focus discussion forum. At the end of the week he remarked that he and other independent panel members had learnt to understand the world of agriculture better during the discussion forum.

Other Harvest Day highlights included:

• The first official ploughing competition was presented and participants and visitors alike showed considerable interest. Willie Ludik, a livestock producer from Rouxville, was selected as the first South African ploughing champion and will represent South Africa at the World Ploughing Championships in France in 2014.
• A quarter of a century's farmer patent skills were celebrated by the Grain SA/Omnia Farmer Patent Competition. As part of the 25th anniversary of this competition, a new format and new competition sections were introduced.
• The large and small-stock section was once again a popular destination among visitors. A part of the livestock complex had been revamped to ensure uniformity and to better regulate the flow-through of people. This improvement was definitely a success.
• The first phase of the 8 000 m2 expansion of exhibitor space at the southern parking area was commissioned this year. This new section of the grounds was visited enthusiastically.

Visit the web page at www.grainsa.co.za or www.nampo.co.za for more information and be on the lookout for the June edition of SA Graan/Grain for a complete photo review of this year's Harvest Day.

The dates for the NAMPO Harvest Day 2014 are Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 May.