TRAINING - another example of how we can do more if we stand together

JANE MCPHERSON, programme manager: Grain SA Grain Farmer

Over the past number of years, many role-players in the agricultural sector have been trying to make a success of transformation in the industry. Developing farmers is like any other type of human development – it is all about the person.

If we are to have true and sustainable development, then we need to find the person where he is and take him from there to where he wants to be – it is not about “giving things” and living out our own dreams through another person. We must build on the foundation that exists.

Farmers of all types and capabilities face similar challenges – the weather, the cost of mechanisation, production costs, labour issues, market challenges and many more. One of the major challenges that we face in the field of farmer development is the lack of knowledge (both academic and practical), and a shortage of relevant skills.

Oprah Winfrey says “If you know better, you do better” – and this is why Grain SA was so very pleased to enter into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) on training for developing farmers. Through this partnership we were able to reach more farmers and offer them training.

During 2013, Mr Jannie de Villiers, CEO of Grain SA and Dr Shadrack Moephuli, CEO of the ARC, signed a SLA to specifically focus on the following deliverables (quote from the SLA): “The ARC to transfer funds to Grain SA for the training of grain farmers in the different provinces. The fund is allocated for training targeted at smallholder farmers in the rural farming areas of South Africa.

“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.

Regrettably many of the developing farmers have to make use of agricultural contractors because they do not own their own equipment. The purpose of the contractors course is to make farmers aware of the areas on which they should focus to make sure that they are getting value for money: The timing of the operation, the quality of the tillage and the relative costing compared with the actual costs for each operation.

Grain production involves the use of tractors, farm implements, agricultural equipment and tools. The cost of mechanisation takes up a significant proportion of the budget and through the various “mechanical” courses we expose the farmers to the correct use and maintenance of all the mechanical equipment. Those skills needed in the farm workshop are critical for regular maintenance on the farm. Because the correct calibration of planters and sprayers is so critical for good production practices, there is a specific course that only deals with these two aspects.

The various management courses include farming for profits, resource assessment and farm planning as well as business ethics and farm management. These courses are designed to focus the attention of the farmer on matters beyond mere production – farming is a business and you should conduct your business according to good business management principles.

Through the various courses, we have tried to address most of the dimensions of crop farming. We encourage the farmers to attend all the available courses over a period of years – developing a farmer is a long process.

As Grain SA, we would like to express our thanks to the ARC for the trust they placed in our organisation through this training project. We appreciate the manner in which our relationship has developed over this past year and we look forward to a continued and beneficial relationship – together we can “grow food, knowledge and people”.