Grain Farmer Development Programme
focuses on human capital
Schools Programme does its part
As a flagship project of Grain SA, the Grain
Farmer Development Programme provides train-
ing and on-farm support to developing farmers.
The success of the programme, which was
introduced in 2000, establishes a platform for
healthy and sustainable transformation on a
broad base. Through funding by the Maize Trust,
the Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust,
the Winter Cereals Trust, the Sorghum Trust and
the AgriSETA, R105 million has since been spent
on training and developing black farmers.
The programme is proud to have ± 4 000 black
farmers in its 109 study groups and a total of
83 black farmers in the 250 Ton club. As part
of Grain SA’s advanced farmer programme,
120 farmers are currently being serviced with
mentoring and on-farm support by development
co-ordinators.
In our efforts to develop the individual and his/
her knowledge, we continue to support the
farmers through study group meetings, dem-
onstration trials and farmers days, the Farmer
of the Year competition, the advanced farmer
programme, training courses, the monthly
newsletter and the weekly radio broadcasts. It is
our belief that investment in the people is what is
going to bring the sustainability to the process of
agricultural transformation.
Danie van den Berg
Free State (Bloemfontein)
071 675 5497
Johan Kriel
Free State (Ladybrand)
079 497 4294
Jerry Mthombothi
Mpumalanga (Nelspruit)
084 604 0549
Naas Gouws
Mpumalanga (Belfast)
072 736 7219
Jurie Mentz
KwaZulu-Natal (Vryheid)
082 354 5749
Ian Househam
Eastern Cape (Kokstad)
078 791 1004
Lawrence Luthango
Eastern Cape (Mthatha)
076 674 0915
Toit Wessels
Western Cape (Paarl)
082 658 6552
Willie Kotzé
Operations Manager: Grain SA Farmer 082 535 5250
Development Programme
We are privileged to receive funding by the
Maize Trust to implement a schools programme.
In our modern society, children are no longer
aware of agriculture’s value as a source of food,
fibre and energy as well as for career choices.
Our message to them is: “Without agriculture,
you would be naked, hungry and thirsty.”
Enquiries about the programme can be directed
to Willie Kotzé (Operations Manager:
Grain SA Grain Farmer Development
Programme) on 082 535 5250.
Enquiries about the programme can be directed to the co-ordinator in your area:
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