SA Graan Augustus 2016

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Saam boer ons
vir die toekoms™
BESPROEIINGSBASTERS
BIED JOU ’N
HELPENDE HAND.
UITSONDERLIKEPRODUKTE
ENGEWASPAKKETTE
ULTRAMODERNE
NAVORSINGEN
ONTWIKKELINGSTEGNOLOGIE
GEWASVOORSORG OPTIMALISEER
PRODUKSIE
GEWASBESKERMINGS-
BESTUURSPRAKTYKE 17
that a grain producer could dream of – the latest technology, largest
machinery, seed plots, small and large animals and everything
related to ‘farming’ in between.
NAMPO also hosts the Nation in Conversation dialogue, presented
by Senwes, which aims to encourage discussions amongst leaders
from different affiliations, political backgrounds and the business
sector in order to find common ground upon which the case of
agriculture can be strengthened.
This year’s Nation in Conversation topics, beside talking about
The politics of food to yourself as a panellist, together with
Mpumelelo Mkhabela, Joe Maswanganyi and Prof Mzukisi Qobo,
it also focussed, amongst others, on Success stories in agriculture
with Solomon Masango, Grain SA’s 2015 New Era Commercial
Farmer of the Year; Mitigating risk with Dr Mmatlou Kabala and the
big corporates in the industry; Policy matters with TP Nchocho,
the CEO of the Land Bank, and the hottest topic of the week, Chang-
ing the image of agriculture.
Grain SA launched an extensive agricultural awareness campaign
during 2015, which promoted the exact fact you stated – Breakfast,
Lunch, Supper – farmers feed life!
Not white ones, not black ones – all farmers – all producers! Whether
subsistence for household food security, smallholder producing
for the local community and commercial, producing for national
food security – we need farmers to produce food sustainably, on
every hectare of arable land in South Africa, irrespective of the size.
Promoting the importance of national food security, Grain SA is in
continuous discussion with national and provincial governments,
including agricultural role-players and the Land Bank and during
the past two NAMPO Harvest Days, welcomed amongst others
Mr Senzeni Zokwana, the minister of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, Premier of the North West
Province with Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development,
MEC Ms Naketsi Tlhape, political and royal delegations from
Lesotho, the Land Bank and the DA, amongst others.
Black people, as you refer too, and black politicians might not be
there in corresponding numbers, but Grain SA, a voluntary asso-
ciation for grain farmers have more black farmers, approximately
5 000, than white commercial farmers, approximately 3 500 as paid-
up members. With the developing grain producer’s production not
yet at the levels of white producers, Grain SA, through its Farmer
Development Programme supports farmers of all levels through
study group meetings, training courses and mentoring – so much
that 123 black farmers, through the programme, became fully
fletched commercial farmers.
Most importantly though, what should be talked about is the ina-
bility of our developing producers to grow, to eventually produce
on commercial levels – even in the fertile soils of the Eastern Cape
– and the reasons why. Land tenure, soil rectification, extension sup-
port, mechanisation, production loans and title deeds. What should
be talked about is the inability of our producers to secure loans to
plant in the new season, because they do not own the title deeds
of the lands they farm. Thus they cannot expand and grow because
they cannot secure credit for inputs, amongst others.
We would welcome every opportunity available to meet and talk
about our food security and the development of the agricultural
sector as a whole – better yet, with all role players.
Regards
Jannie de Villiers
CEO: Grain SA
Editor’s note: What is your view on this conversation?
Share it with us on e-mail: or
per sms on 083 490 9449.