Grain SA's annual Congress is taking place next week from 4-5 March 2020 at NAMPO Park, outside Bothaville. What has now become customary, under the campaign "People like us, do things like this", Grain SA is proud to announce this year's social project. It's easy to explain, just #ShareAGrain

We invite all Congress delegates and guests to donate non-perishable grain products as part of Grain SA's 2020 social initiative #FarmersContribute. Products can be dropped off in the SAMPI Hall for the duration of Congress, following which donations will be distributed to those who need it most.

For more information please click on the image below

A vast array of maize-based products is being produced as a result of nixtamalisation training in local villages around the Elukwatini district in Mpumalanga. Nixtamalisation is a process of preparing maize in an alkaline solution followed by washing and grinding to produce a dough called masa of which a variety of products can be made. This process reduces mycotoxins and increases available protein and micronutrient content.

A project was established, through funding from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in partnership with Grain SA, to train producers in the Farmer Development programme on nixtamalisation. The success of this programme was on display as the Research and Policy Centre team, along with the DSI, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), jumped at a chance to see and taste innovation at its finest.

Producers prepared a variety of products such as steamed bread, fortified porridge, pancakes, yoghurt and snacks made with peanuts. These producers showcased the benefits of agro-processing to food and nutritional security through the value added by nixtamalisation.

The Class of 2020's first intake, was welcomed to the 8th annual agricultural business leadership programme at Pecan Manor on Wednesday, on 26 February 2020. The Leadership Academy for Agriculture, previously known as the Grain Academy was launched by Syngenta, in partnership with the North West University Business School and Grain SA.

The Leadership Academy for Agriculture aims to build leadership capacity in the industry based on the belief that agriculture can be the unifying force and leader of economic growth in South Africa. Jannie de Villiers, Grain SA CEO encouraged students to challenge themselves, to have the difficult conversations, to be open for change, and to do so with courage. "You can make changes a lot easier, adapt, and bring new solutions. We depend on what you are going to do with the knowledge and skills that you obtained, to change the trajectory of where the country is going", de Villiers told the young agri leaders.

For more information on the second programme of the Leadership Academy for Agriculture, please visit the website here 

The Leadership Academy for Agriculture Class of 2020

Book your seat for the 2020 Conservation Agriculture Conference in Reitz, which takes place from 16-17 March or in Ottosdal, which takes place from 18-19 March.

Themed "Let Nature Make you Money", this conference promises to highlight conservation agriculture as a cost effective weapon against rising input costs and climate change, by allowing natural processes to function optimally again.

landbouweekblad  - with the cooperation of Grain SA, the Ottosdal no-till club, Elim Fertiliser and Agricol - brings together world renowned speakers, local experts and successful South African farmers (who paid their school fees) for a South African conference on conservation agriculture, to bring hope to hundreds of farmers caught in a relentless cost squeeze.
 

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​​​​​​Click on each respective photo to book a space or download the latest programmes