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Successful farmers know all about
hard work and commitment
“H
e helps others most, who shows them how to help
themselves,” is a quote by the often cited American
evangelist, AP Gouthey. At this year’s Day of
Celebration it was clear that the valued advice shared
with new era farmers by Grain SA’s team and mentors are making
an enormous difference in the area of farmer development.
More than 200 guests, including government representatives,
agricultural stakeholders and approximately 140 new era farmers
(many sporting colourful traditional outfits) attended the Day of
Celebration on 1 October in Bloemfontein, where their progress and
hard work were acknowledged.
All nominees had shown some growth in their farming operations
through input from Grain SA’s Farmer Development Programme,
which provides information on the importance of how increased
knowledge on weed control, soil health and seed selection can
have a profound effect on farming operations. The finalists shared
how important the input from their Grain SA mentors was. Building
good relationships with commercial farmers and agribusinesses
and attending Grain SA’s courses were also part of their recipe
for success.
The 2015 winners
The 2015 Grain SA/ABSA Subsistence Farmer of the Year is
Mr Ngubengcuka Moyo from Maclear, who is mentored by
Mr Vusi Ngesi (Maclear). Moyo does all his farming manually and
although he uses a hand planter and knapsack sprayer, he has
improved his yields by using GM seeds, the correct fertiliser and
chemical weed control. Moyo chooses to farm using no-till methods
to help conserve the land for future generations.
Mr Daliwonga Nombewu from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape is the
2015 Grain SA/Syngenta Smallholder Farmer of the Year.
13
November 2015
GRAIN SA
LOUISE KUNZ,
SA Graan/Grain
contributor and photos:
JOANIE SCHEEPERS
1: The finalists of the 2015 Grain SA/ABSA
Subsistence Farmer of the Year: Musawen-
kosi Ntombela, Ngubengcuka Moyo (winner)
and Jabulani Mbele.
2: Daliwonga Nombewu (winner), Lawrence
Mtsweni and Salphanius Motswenyane were
the 2015 Grain SA/Syngenta Smallholder of
the Year finalists.
“
...Grain SA’s team
and mentors are
making an enor-
mous difference in
the area of farmer
development.
“
1
2
Day of Celebration