Sponsors contribute to growth of developing farmers

March 2025

JANE MCPHERSON, PGP ADVISOR

PHAHAMA GRAIN PHAKAMA (PGP) HAS TAKEN OVER THE FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (FDP) OF GRAIN SA THAT HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE FIELD FOR MANY YEARS. IT IS THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MANY FARMERS AND AT DIFFERENT LEVELS.

It is a long process to develop and grow people and not an event that happens within a certain time period.

TO OUR SPONSORS
A big thank you to all the sponsors who enable us to continue developing farmers:

• The Maize Trust has been an extremely reliable donor to this programme. The trust has made it possible for the team to do this work and grow the entire programme through many years of funding for the study groups, demonstration trials, farmers’ days, advanced farmer support, the Pula Imvula and training courses.
• The Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust (OPDT) has also supported various projects within the programme for many years. They contribute to the Pula Imvula and sponsored many training courses that relate to the oil seeds industry.
• Bayer (previously Monsanto) remains a vital sponsor of the entire programme – all levels of farmers can be supported as a result of their funding.
• Pannar (Corteva) is a trusted and reliable funder and has walked the road with this programme for many years.
• Grain SA has contributed financially as well as with numerous other forms of support to the programme. PGP is proud to acknowledge the close association we have with Grain SA, our ‘parent’ organisation.

MAKING MENTORING POSSIBLE
In more recent years, various programmes have been established where farmers can get loan funding. Where loan funding is involved, it is important to have on-farm mentors who visit the farms regularly.

PGP has come to rely on many partners for the funding of mentors – the Maize Trust, OPDT, the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA), Standard Bank and the Kgodiso Development Fund, PepsiCo as well as Absa (who joined in this year). Mentoring makes an extremely valuable difference in the farmers’ lives.

The personnel of the programme have direct contact with the different levels of farmers in the various regions. It is a huge blessing to be able to bring information to the farmers. However, it is almost more important for the farmers to know and feel that their challenges are understood and that someone cares about them and their endeavours. 

Without the support of all the donors, we would not be able to reach out to our developing farmers.

Publication: March 2025

Section: Pula/Imvula