11
January 2014
the highlights in the industry where the trust has or is still playing an
important role are the following:
The development and co-funding of the South African Grain Infor-
mation Service (SAGIS) and the Southern African Grain Laboratory
(SAGL).
The development of a model to predict the effect of changes in the
agricultural industry (BFAP).
The funding of a highly successful Farmer Development Programme
for emerging grain farmers (Grain SA).
The development of a crop estimates model [DAFF/SiQ (Pty) Ltd].
A generic marketing campaign for maize (Pap Idols).
South Africa’s participation in a World Trade Organisation dispute on
trade subsidies.
A dedicated and focused schools programme, managed by Grain SA,
to increase knowledge and awareness among school children about
maize, farming and careers in agriculture.
The Maize Trust bursary scheme and internship programme.
The launch of a pilot project to assist black emerging farmers and the
formation of the Grain Farmer Development Association (GFADA).
The donation, allocation and distribution of maize meal to the value of
R1 million to help the poor.
An application on behalf of all the agricultural trusts to get clarity on
the tax exemption status of the trusts (SARS).
The development and erection of the Grain Building in Pretoria.
The development of a common and focused mycotoxin research
strategy and a dedicated panel of mycotoxin experts (facilitator:
Prof PS Steyn).
The possible development of a public-private-partnership to co-fund
approved mycotoxin research projects (The Department of Science
and Technology).
The development of a conservation agriculture strategy for maize
and the appointment of a specific facilitator to drive this process
(facilitator: Dr Hendrik Smith at Grain SA).
Board of Trustees
To have continuity among trustees is extremely important to ensure
the correct functioning of the trust. During the past financial year there
were no changes to the trustees. The Board of Trustees is comprised by
three ministerial representatives, namely Karabo Peele, Toto Hewu and
Penny Daly as well as three trustees from industry, namely
Jannie de Villiers who is the representative of white maize producers,
Neels Ferreira who represents yellow maize producers and
John Purchase who represents maize processors. The composition of
the trust was also a negotiated agreement between the government
and the maize industry in the 1990s, in an effort to provide fair
representation to the parties involved.
Grain SA’s Grain Farmer Development
Programme also benefits
The trust currently contributes approximately R15 million per annum to
Grain SA’s Grain Farmer Development Programme; this represents the
lion’s share of the costs of that programme. This programme has always
been supported by the Maize Trust and is generally seen as the most
successful development programme for emerging farmers in the grain
industry.
The Maize Trust is committed to capacity building in the South African
maize industry. Training, development and mentorship of new farmers
are a crucial part of this. Without successful producers the industry and
the country will suffer, because reliance on imports is not regarded by the
trust as a long-term solution to food security.
It is also crucial for farmers to be well-trained in order to be more
competitive in the international market. Over the past few years, South
Africa has proved to be a regular exporting country for maize, and
therefore international competitiveness is imperative for our producers
to survive. The trust supports farmer development for these reasons and
believes that sustainable commercial production of maize will achieve
food security and independence from other sources for our country.
Custodian of the
maize industry
The investments of the trust have always been managed prudent-
ly and with great caution, which resulted in very good returns and
a steadily growing asset value. The Grain Building in Pretoria is
one of the Maize Trust’s investments.
