Grain Farmer Development Programme
Grain SA
Desember 2013
18
Progress of emerging farmers
LOUISE KUNZ, SA GRAAN/GRAIN CONTRIBUTOR
On Thursday, 17 October 2013, Grain SA hosted a Day of Celebration,
where acknowledgement was given for progress in the field of farmer
development. The function, which was held at Amanzi Game Lodge on
the outskirts of Brandfort in the Free State, was attended by more than
200 guests among which were approximately 120 emerging farmers.
According to Ms Landi Kruger (data administrator and economist at Grain
SA) there is so much to celebrate in the field of farmer development and
transformation within grain production, that a celebration had to be
held to recognise many different individuals and institutions who are
involved in this field.
At the onset of the function, vice-chairman of Grain SA, Mr Victor
Mongoato, who acted as the programme director, shared a Sesotho
custom with guests. According to legend, a wooden spoon is passed
among inhabitants of a community during a time of drought to symbolise
the fact that everyone will have food to eat. Kruger started the “passing
of the spoon” and guests enthusiastically joined in.
Ms Jane McPherson (programme manager: Grain Farmer Development,
Grain SA) said that the 250 Ton club was started to recognise the progress
emerging farmers were making. “Becoming a farmer is a slow and
tedious process and through this club it is exciting to see the progress
being made in the field,” she explained.
“Our mission is to develop capacitated farmers and contribute to food
security,” she said. She urged farmers to use the natural resources
available to them to make a contribution to food security no matter what
size their land is.
She also mentioned that these awards inspire other farmers to set bigger
goals. McPherson went on to thank the Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development as well as other parties for their continued coopera-
tion and support in keeping the Grain SA Grain Farmer Development
Programme alive. “We celebrate what you have made possible for us,”
she concluded.
“We all share a collective responsibility to feed our nation,” said Mr Louw
Steytler (chairman of Grain SA). “If we don’t address food security, we
won’t have food to eat.” He urged farmers to join in the responsibility of
this massive challenge to ensure that there is transformation without the
destruction of the country’s food security.
Grain SA’s CEO, Mr Jannie de Villiers, was delighted to address the
“harvest of farmers” at the Day of Celebration. He thanked all contributors,
which included farmers and sponsors, for their contribution towards food
security and urged farmers to develop their knowledge.
“Thank you for persevering in a difficult time and for producing more than
you consume so that we can feed the nation,” De Villiers added. He was
excited about the growth of the Grain Farmer Development Programme
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1: The new members of the 250 Ton club: Seated from the left are Joel Ralekhetla (Welkom), Lebohang Khitleli (Matatiele) and Mncedisi Dlamini (Iyay’phandela
Farming, Delmas). Standing: Victor Mahlinza (Nthabamhlopphi), Thabang Tsephe (Matatiele), Frans Mokoena (Tweespruit) and David Mongoato (Matatiele).
2: Maurice Boki (Matatiele) and Keith Middleton (Jacobsdal) became members of the 500 Ton club.
3: Tikwe Farming (Hoopstad) joined the 1 000 Ton club and was represented by Solomon Ncholu, Lukas Skei and Andries Mosoeu.
4: The Subsistence Farmer of the Year is TO Mdluli (in the centre) with finalists Emmanual Hadebe (left) and Patrick Nxumalo (right), both gentleman are from
Estcourt.
5: From left: Simphiwe Jalisa (Elliot), Vuyani Kama (Elliot) and Victor Mahlinza (Estcourt, winner) were finalists in the Smallholder of the Year category.
6: Activities of the Grain Farmer Development Programme were photographed and turned into placemats to decorate the tables.
