Maart 2014
12
GRAIN SA
“The training will focus on major grains, such as maize, wheat,
sorghum, as well as protein seeds.”
The project was under the direct management of Dr Yolisa Pakela
Jezile of the ARC, and was facilitated by Dr Marinda Visser of Grain SA.
The farmer development programme of Grain SA has development
offices in Lichtenburg, Bloemfontein, Ladybrand, Belfast, Nelspruit,
Vryheid, Mthatha, Kokstad and Paarl. Apart from managing the
development programme projects, which include service to study
groups, planting and managing demonstration trials, hosting
farmers’ days, individual support to farmers on their land and the
Pula Imvula
monthly newsletter, they also make the necessary
arrangements for the presentation of training courses.
The Maize Trust, the Winter Cereals Trust and the AgriSETA also
sponsor certain training courses, and through the funding of the ARC,
a total of 280 training courses were made possible during the period
of 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. The ARC sponsorship
carried the cost of 151 of these courses which were attended by
2 443 learners.
Table 1
shows the types of courses that were presented.
The introductory courses on the various crops include modules on
soil and climate, plant nutrient requirements, production practices,
weed and pest control and basic record-keeping. These give the
learner a basic understanding of the entire production cycle of that
specific crop.
For crops under irrigation, the production courses cover the same
topics as in the introductory courses, with the added dimension of
water management – including the water requirements and basic
principles of fertigation. The centre pivot management course
is specifically designed to assist with the understanding and
maintaining of a well-functioning centre pivot.
Graph 1: 2 443 farmers attended the courses (2012 - 2013).
Graph 3: Attendees per province (2012 - 2013).
Graph 2: 151 courses were presented (2012 - 2013).
Graph 4: Courses per province (2012 - 2013)
TRAINING
– another example of how we can do more if we
stand together
