THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRACTOR AND A FERRARI IS NOT THE PRICE

During the ANC's Bosberaad in September 2012 the cabinet will consider minister Trevor Manual's 2030 plan and recommendations for South Africa. With the appointment of the members of the National Planning Commission (NPC), the names were watched with great interest to see who would be serving and promoting the case for agriculture.

In this regard I particularly wish to compliment Professor Mohammad Karaan. The manner in which he surrounded himself with competent people and leaders in the agricultural sector definitely was a recipe that worked. It is therefore not a coincidence that we read in Proverbs 15:22 that: "Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."

The success of a community is built on the foundations of its institutional capacity. The agricultural sector in South Africa is very blessed with institutions such as Grain SA and others that possess the country's memory and knowledge that was used by the National Planning Commission to achieve their plans and dreams.

This involuntarily made me think of the days when the Maize Trust had to contemplate whether it should be involved with the establishment and funding of the Buro for Food and Agriculture Policy (BFAP) or not. What a brilliant investment it turned out to be! BFAP did a mammoth task to add flesh to dreams such as job creation in the agricultural sector and also the identification of growth opportunities.

The 2030 plan creates a framework within which Grain SA will likewise have to reflect on what type of organisation will be required to serve the needs of grain and oilseeds producers as well as the industry as a whole. In this regard, the National Planning Commission left a suggestion or two as to where the focus ought to be. The road runs via the knowledge and competence of those people who lead and serve the organisation. Competence drives change and change brings development.

By now you are surely wondering where the tractor and Ferrari I referred to in the heading, fit in? There is continuous reflection on why agriculture is not attractive to young people as a career choice. For us who have the soil in our veins, it is difficult to understand why they prefer a Ferrari over a tractor, because it can definitely not be the price, both are equally expensive!

Our task therefore is to persuade these young people that there lies greater satisfaction in the cultivation of the land to produce a crop and in so doing keeping humankind and the animal kingdom alive than in the short-lived thrill of flooring the petrol pedal of a Ferrari (as a result of the condition of our country's roads he would most likely within a few minutes be fitting the spare wheel or will have to pay a speeding ticket).

Our schools programme, funded by the Maize Trust and the Winter Grains Trust, annually reaches 33 000 grade 9 learners. Through this it is tried to introduce them to the agricultural sector as a possible career opportunity.

That agriculture possesses the ability to lead South Africa to a new future by 2030 is not denied at all, but it will require visionary and brave agricultural leaders including a lot of very hard work. The Bible teaches us that farmers yield excellent leaders who are used as examples all over.

Your support as a member of Grain SA will ensure that the organisation not only retains its competence, but will be able to expand to deliver the necessary leadership en route to this future. As producers we know that the road to the future is not built for Ferraris, but rather for tractors and therefore we will not flinch at every pothole, incline and rocky outcrop. Viva Grain SA viva!

Jannie de Villiers, CEO