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March 2024
The regional meeting for Region 29 of Grain SA was held in Ermelo on 6 February this year. This gathering serves as an important platform for Grain SA, the leading voice for grain farmers, to provide updates on its activities, initiatives and advocacy efforts.
At the meeting, discussions focussed on several key topics, including the new Grain SA structure, the Farmer Development Program-me (FDP) and its opportunities, the importance of understanding economics for farmer profitability and Grain SA membership. Dr Tobias Doyer, Grain SA’s new chief executive officer (CEO) was introduced and he addressed the farmers via a video message.
One of the highlights on the programme was a comprehensive presentation on one of the strategic focusses of Grain SA, which is to be intentional in its efforts to support small-scale grain farmers, aiming to facilitate their transition into commercial farmers. In addition, the new Grain SA logo featuring the slogan ‘We are’ was highlighted. The significance of the slogan was explained, emphasising that everyone within the collective ‘we’ contributes to the organisation’s collective strength.
FDP AND OPPORTUNITIES
Grain SA’s vice-chairperson, Jeremia Mathebula, explained in detail what the Farmer Development Programme entails, including its objectives, primary areas of focus and partners. The programme now falls under a non-profit company called Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP). Through the FDP, PGP aims to empower farmers, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector in South Africa.
He emphasised that, while the programme supports farmers in preparing business plans and obtaining funding, it is essential for them to register their businesses with relevant stakeholders. This ensures that they have the necessary documentation to get assistance.
However, collaboration is required for the programme to thrive and achieve success. Both Grain SA and its farmers must join forces and work closely together, hand in hand, to ensure its effectiveness and success. ‘It is important to maintain ongoing collaboration and communication between Grain SA and the farming community,’ Jeremia added.
APPLIED ECONOMICS AND LEVIES
Applied economics intern at Grain SA, Lerato Ramafoko, discussed the role of her department within Grain SA. She highlighted its function in monitoring and analysing developments in international markets. This department equips grain farmers with important information to facilitate informed decision-making regarding their crops, pricing strategies and market positioning.
Patricia Zimu, Grain SA’s levy officer and marketer, provided an in-depth overview of the organisation’s membership structure. She elaborated on how Grain SA levies are collected and explained the communication channels used to engage with farmers. In addition, she highlighted the need of establishing committees to ensure that Grain SA reaches all farmers across the region.
The regional meeting held in Ermelo played an important role in facilitating a dialogue between Grain SA and grain farmers. Attendees were encouraged to voice their concerns, raise questions and share their experiences. From challenges related to input costs and access to markets, to issues with infrastructure and regulatory compliance, farmers used the opportunity to raise their concerns and seek solutions. The meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration and communication between Grain SA and grain farmers in advancing the interests of the agricultural sector.
– Nolo Bakwa, communications intern at Grain SA, attended the meeting on behalf of the Pula Imvula editorial team.
Grain SA’s team in Ermelo: Patricia Zimu, Jerry Mthombothi, Mussa Thomas Sibiya (executive member for Region 29), Jeremia Mathebula and Lerato Ramafoko.
Alfred Gondo, Nobuhle Duma and Hazel and Timot Mathelela attended the regional meeting in Ermelo.
To facilitate successful transformation and sustainable development in the grain farming sector, there are different groups of farmers in PGP’s Farmer Development Programme.
For the 2023/2024 season, the Standard Bank (in partnership with the Kgodiso Development Fund and Pepsico) and South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA) projects are helping more advanced farmers to improve their agricultural practices and skills. Other donors include the Maize Trust and the Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust (OPDT). It is important to encourage the farmers to keep going and to follow up on processes during farm visits.
Mentor Martin Botha visited Badge Skosana from Mpumalanga. Badge forms part of the Standard Bank/KDF project. Martin and Badge examined the maize crops for stalk borer and made sure no bollworms were present on the soybean crop.
Johannes Setshego from the Virginia district is a Standard Bank/KDF project participant. When he was visited by Johan Kriel, regional development manager, the sunflower was emerging well, and the fields were clean and free of weeds. The maize crop showed promise of a good yield, but follow-up rains were really needed.
Mentor Timon Filter visited Mathews Mlotshwa (who is part of the SACTA project) early in February. During the visit, he explained calibration and the mixing and spraying of chemicals. Timon also discussed the importance of having your administration in place.
Chris de Jager visited farmer Reginald Masondo, who falls under the Dundee office, in January. Reginald is part of the SACTA project. He was busy discing and planting maize after starting late because of all the rain. During Chris’s visit, there were still some parts of the land that were too wet to be worked.
A total of 17 farmers successfully completed the ‘Introduction to groundnut production’ course sponsored by OPDT, which was presented in Osizweni in KwaZulu-Natal by mentor and trainer, Paul Wiggill. Farmers found the course informative and are grateful for the new knowledge they can put into practice.
During a practical demonstration on the calibration of a boom-sprayer, eager farmers had the opportunity to bring the theory they had learned into practice.
Currently there are five demonstration trials growing – four in the Mbombela regional office’s area of responsibility and one in the Dundee region.
The trial plot at Luphisi (sponsored by OPDT) was planted using the conventional tillage method of planting. After planting the pre-emergence herbicide Baseline mixed with Lamda was sprayed to control cutworms.
When Jerry Mthombothi, regional development manager at the Mbombela office, visited the trial plot at ka-Dlamini, he noticed some weeds in the field – so the group received 4 litres of Roundup herbicide to control these. The maize was almost knee height, and they were advised to top-dress with nitrogen (N) fertiliser.
This group of farmers are very proud of the maize trial plot they planted at ka-Dlamini.
Publication: March 2024
Section: Pula/Imvula
