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Academy
exceeds
the grain perimeter
S
yngenta launched its sixth annual Grain Academy Pro-
gramme in March this year in Hermanus in the Western
Cape. This leadership programme is presented in partner-
ship with the University of the Free State’s Business School
with the support and endorsement of Grain SA. For the first time in
the programme’s history, the Grain Academy is open to producers
who produce crops other than maize, wheat and sunflower.
Syngenta believes that the future of agriculture should be shaped
rather than left to chance and developed the programme to equip
and empower young commercial producers to address the growing
number of challenges facing the agricultural industry.
This year’s programme will focus on leadership, diversity manage-
ment and communication. The 24 students will attend eight mod-
ules during March, June and July, all presented and facilitated by
Dr René Uys and Mr Harry van der Merwe from Thinking Fusion.
Over the past five years, the Syngenta Grain Academy programme
has acquired a reputation as a forum where participants are chal-
lenged to engage honestly with tough issues, thinking it through and
entering into debate around it.
‘Agriculture is under pressure from various sources,’ said Mr Abra-
ham Vermeulen (commercial unit head, Syngenta South Africa).
‘In South Africa specifically, the issue of transformation, seen
through the prism of land reform, is at the top of the national agenda.
Growers and how they conduct their businesses are part of the
debate in all these instances. Our contribution is to equip some
of our most dynamic growers to participate constructively in the
national discourse, and to position the sector as a partner in
progress.’
Dr Dirk Strydom (manager: Grain Economy and Marketing,
Grain SA) mentioned that Grain SA partnered with Syngenta, as
the organisation believed in developing young agricultural leaders
who will provide stability in the agricultural sector. He encourag-
ed delegates to become the leaders who help make a difference in
the country.
‘You have a bright future ahead of you – you just have to decide
which part you will play. Make the greener pastures in South Africa.’
‘We find ourselves in challenging times and need leaders with char-
acter,’ said deputy director of the UFS Business School, Mr Deon
Barnard. He explained that it is imperative to the Business School
that students can apply that which they learn in the Business School’s
programmes in the world.
The Grain Academy programme is an extension of Syngenta’s Good
Growth Plan, which is committed to help producing more food with
less resources, while conserving nature and improving the living
standards of rural communities. This ideal is supported by Syngen-
ta’s SmartFarm concept that encourages producers to make smarter
decisions in general, and specifically when it comes to product pur-
chases and crop investments.
In welcoming the students in this year’s programme, Dr René Uys
(facilitator) spoke about the impact the programme will have in their
lives and said, ‘We have to learn to contribute and make a difference
in the world. Get ready for an uncomfortable but fun journey’.
RELEVANT
Product information
LOUISE KUNZ,
SA Graan/Grain
editorial team
2: Minutes before the onset of the first session of the sixth annual Syngenta Grain Academy Programme. The delegates with
the programme facilitators and speakers at Arabella Country Estate in Hermanus.
1
2
1: Delegates were welcomed and encouraged by Abraham Vermeulen,
Dr Dirk Strydom, facilitators Dr René Uys and Harry van der Merwe
with Deon Barnard.