25 Apr 2018The NAMPO Harvest Day 2018 engine is roaring at the starting line in anticipation for this trendsetting agricultural show that will be presented outside Bothaville on 15 to 18 May.
With roughly 740 exhibitors and an expected attendance figure that could exceed last year’s 78 648 visitors, Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day is regarded as the heartbeat of agriculture in South Africa. It offers producers a unique platform to network with the agricultural industry's top role players, strengthen friendships and relationships and come and enjoy what NAMPO offers in a peaceful farming atmosphere.
‘South Africa’s agricultural producers’ openness to new technology is one of the main reasons why the country can claim to provide sustainable food production. “Efficiency with technology” is this year’s theme, and it is very popular among producers,’ says Mr Jannie de Villiers, CEO of Grain SA.
NAMPO 2018 offers a diversified exhibition with a variety of new technology, products and services on one site. Producers can make comparisons and informed decisions with a view to sustainable productivity and profitability. ‘Grain SA’s focus on a better rather than a bigger NAMPO Harvest Day will also be pursued continuously to uphold and promote this agricultural family experience,’ De Villiers says.
Agricultural and trade and investment companies from, among other places, Israel, Poland, England, America, Argentina, India, France, Italy, Denmark, China, Turkey and Russia will participate in the Harvest Day. Exhibitors from Russia are part of the brand new Russian pavilion and the Italian delegation boasts more exhibitors than in previous years. The British Department if International trade is back this year with a bigger contingent of exhibitors.
Grain SA’s reception venue for important guests was enlarged because of an increasing need for facilities to host official meetings and discussions. NAMPO is the one event where role players like commercial and emerging farmers, product and service providers, politicians and other policy makers, civil servants, foreigners, media and the general public can rub shoulders in a unique atmosphere of goodwill. A large number of visitors and delegations from Africa will also be received at the Harvest Day.
Grain SA members
Paid-up members of Grain SA receive their free access tickets electronically beforehand. They are proudly welcomed to NAMPO Park’s exclusive members’ parking area and transported to the members' hall with golf carts. The hall provides early-morning coffee and a welcome resting place during the heat of the afternoon, refreshment for dry throats and a wonderful stoep for exchanging valuable production knowledge.
For an update on the grain markets, live Safex screens and Grain SA’s economists are on hand. Also visit the members’ benefit kiosk to check your registration for the Grain SA app. At the Grain SA and NAMPO Experience Centre the organisation’s activities and focus areas are showcased, with staff on hand to handle enquiries.
Non-members and visitors are not left out, however. The expanded show grounds have led to a considerable increase in the number of seats where tired legs can rest. Non-profit organisations in the community will also handle the restaurants and food stalls once again. This ploughs essential funding back into the community.
Other highlights of NAMPO 2018:
- In the new Wildlife Ranching SA Hall close to the 4x4 track, game and game-related exhibitors will be housed.
- The Standard Bank 4x4 track and the Maxxis Adventure Track for motorcycles promise an unforgettable experience for adrenalin junkies.
- A total of three new vehicles will be introduced to the public by manufacturers at NAMPO 2018.
- At the stock exhibits ten sheep breeds, five goat breeds (including indigenous field goats) and 28 cattle breeds will be on show. The Saddlebred Society will exhibit saddle horses, the Pig Breeders Society will be on standby and a Youth Show will be presented daily.
- The Grain SA/Omnia Farmer Patent Competition is celebrating 30 years of innovative plans and farmer inventors.
- The discussion of the role and contribution of agriculture in deepening our democracy and strengthening the economy promises to once again stimulate interesting debates during this year’s Nation in Conversation.
- Our Ladies’ Programme boasts performances by the artists Marion Holm and Rocco de Villiers, while the food editors Herman Lensing and Arina du Plessis will come to show off their cooking skills.
- NAMPO branded clothing and promotional items will be offered for sale in the NAMPO Hall.
Access tickets
Buy your NAMPO tickets online beforehand at www.ticketpros.co.za at R90 per day for Tuesday and Friday, and R100 per day for Wednesday and Thursday. All tickets cost R20 more when you buy them at the gates. The tickets are linked to a date and can therefore be used only on a specific day.
For more information, visit www.nampo.co.za, or download the NAMPO Harvest Day app from your app store. An electronic flipping book of the NAMPO edition of SA Graan/Grain (April 2018) appears on the website at www.grainsa.co.za. Also tune in to Grain SA Radio, which broadcasts directly from the site on 99.2 FM.
The gates open daily at 07:00 and close at 17:00. Route directions or details on the private air strip also appear on the website and the NAMPO app.
Caption for NAMPO 2018 icon: The theme of Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day for 2018 is: ‘Efficiency with technology’.
Ends
Issued by:
Grain SA Communications
Further enquiries:
Toit Wessels, Assistant Manager: NAMPO & Marketing, Grain SA
086 004 7246 | toit@grainsa.co.za
