Dorp van die Jaar semi finalists
We look forward to visiting the various towns which proceed to the finals
Innovative Partnerships Stimulate Investment in Small Scale Agribusiness
When the tractor at AA Ataqwaah Enterprise broke down for the last time in 2011, Managing Director Abdulazziz Munkaila did not know how he was going to accommodate the 50 farmers around Zabzugu District in Northern Ghana who depended on his services to prepare their farmlands for planting. He had tried to access mechanization services from other providers, but they proved unreliable and the high interest rates at Ghanaian banks made buying a new tractor financially impossible. Without dependable tractor services, Munkaila’s nucleus farming enterprise was forced to cease financing other agro-inputs to smallholder staple food farmers because it had become too risky.
Three years later, through a deal brokered by the USAID Financing Ghanaian Agriculture Project (USAID-FinGAP), AA Ataqwaah became one of fourteen “small to medium including large enterprises” (SMiLEs), working in the rice, soybeans, and maize value chains, to receive a loan from Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans (SASL), which they used to purchase a new John Deere tractor. USAID-FinGAP staff had negotiated with Danida for a low interest, guarantee-backed sum of capital worth US$3 million for USAID-FinGAP partner’s SASL to provide loans with the specific purpose of providing land preparation services. USAID-FinGAP then linked SASL and AFGRI, the local John Deere dealer, to create an appropriate tractor equipment loan product for agriculture service providers. To make the financing attractive and feasible, John Deere covers 4 percentage points of the interest charged by SASL and offers training and equipment warranties for the life of the loan. Repayment begins in July 2015 with bullet payments over three years.
“Access to the John Deere tractor has been a relief to me and smallholder farmers in the area. I plan to assist between 110 and 120 outgrowers in rice (about 100 acres) and maize (about 280 acres) during the upcoming season,” Munkaila said. “I will also cultivate 100 acres rice and 50 acres maize on my own farm.”
Now that agricultural service providers like AA Ataqwaah have the ability to provide land preparation services, they have the necessary confidence to extend new input financing to smallholder farmers. SASL has made 15 tractor loans worth almost US$450,000. Each loan represents expanded agricultural services to support on average of 200 rice and maize smallholder farmers, bringing the program’s reach to nearly 3,000.
Gerrie Jordaan, Country Director of AFGRI Ghana, who has seen sales of John Deere tractors and accessories increase by about 20%, said, “Farmers are able to buy full complements of tractor and accessories since they do not need to mobilize funds to cover 100% of the cost. Moreover, these farmers are able to buy mechanization equipment such as planters which are also financed under the same arrangement.”
USAID-FinGAP used internal staff resources to link agents already providing services and subsidies and unlock commercial financing at competitive rates. The result was successfully expanded critical agricultural services for Northern Ghana’s poorest agricultural entrepreneurs. USAID-FinGAP has discovered that, rather than investing in new subsidies or technologies, sometimes the innovation is in the bundling and linking of existing tools to create economies of scale that are commercially viable for everyone.
AFRGI Sales Manager Bernard Asamoah-Akrasi summarized it eloquently when he said, “The collaboration brokered by USAIDFinGAP is bridging the financing gap.”
AA Ataqwaah’s new John Deere tractor
provides land preparation services to
over 100 smallholder farmers in
Northern Ghana.
Gerrie Jordaan, Country Director of AFGRI, has seen local John Deere tractor sales increase by about 20%.
Emerging farmers in South Africa will help take the agricultural sector into the future
Media Release
Nation in Conversation
Nampo Harvest Day
12 – 1 5 May 2015
The vastness of South Africa, coupled with a good climate allows the country to be a leading food producer, producing sufficient food to feed the nation and export surpluses globally.
In order to ensure sustainable agricultural practices into the future, it is, however, essential that the sector invests in the development and training of emerging farmers to become more commercially viable.
South Africa’s commercial farmers form backbone to ensuring food security for our nation and economic stability. Agriculture remains one of the largest employers in the country.
AFGRI, as a leading South African agricultural services and food company, is committed to playing its part in providing support to existing large commercial farmers and contributing to the development of smaller, emerging farmers. It helps to ensure that skills, passion and talent are passed from one generation to the next. The industry needs to keep pace with technological changes, advances and changing food requirements.
Commercial farming in South Africa is a highly-complex and sophisticated business. Given the technological revolution in farming, even emerging farmers now have to be well-equipped in order to become the commercial producers of the future.
Access to finance and efficiencies is key, and land transformation remains a challenge to South African agriculture. AFGRI believes support of emerging farmer is paramount to the transformation of this sector, without losing sight of the importance of the commercial farming sector.
“Viable agriculture ensures food security, employment opportunities and forex exchange earned from exports for the country,” explains Chris Venter, CEO of AFGRI.
It is for these reasons, and in recognition of Government’s efforts to transform the agricultural production sector, that AFGRI launched its Harvest Time Investments initiative in 2012.
The Harvest Time Investments programme is targeted at micro emerging farmers and large emerging producers. It operates as a joint venture with the Vastfontein Community Centre outside Hammanskraal near Pretoria. The programme assists its members with a diverse range of practical and theoretical training over a five-year period. They also benefit from experienced mentors and tutors giving guidance throughout the entire agricultural value chain.
The emerging farmer initiative operates within the parameters of a number of strategic partnerships including seed, fertiliser and other input suppliers, mechanisation companies and a number of governmental bodies.
Direct benefits include technical skills transfer, more employment opportunities, increased personal income and community transformation.
“A pivotal aim is to assist farmers to realise their potential and that of their farms. We are convinced that this sector will continue to contribute to the development of our country and people,” says Venter.
Given its commitment to the development of the local agricultural industry, AFGRI is pleased to support the Nation in Conversation dialogue platform at Nampo 2015. “We believe Nation in Conversation champions the cause of agriculture. Wide and on-going consultation is required to move our industry into a new era,” says Venter.
Nampo Harvest Day annually draws all the relevant role players in agriculture together over a four-day period. This platform allows conversations to take place amongst key role players so that major issues affecting agricultural producers in South Africa can be brought to the fore.
AFGRI will be participating in Nation in Conversation from 12 – 16 May 2015, where topics include labour relations, land reform, availability and sustainability of natural resources, and technological integration in agriculture.
Panelists participating in the debates are well-versed on these topics. “The value AFGRI adds stems from our experience and knowledge of what is happening at a ground level in agriculture. Our sector will continue to contribute to the development of our country and its people,” ends Venter.
Vodacom Bulls Fitness Report – presented by Medihelp
Springboks back for Bulls
Incumbent Springboks Adriaan Strauss, Jan Serfontein and Handré Pollard is fit again and will be considered for Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Cell C Sharks in Durban.
According to Vodacom Bulls team doctor Org Strauss, all three are ready to travel to the East Coast, along with Lappies Labuschagne, who recovered from his shoulder injury that kept him out of action for the matches against the Crusaders, Lions and Reds.
Strauss was rested against the Reds per SARU agreement, while Serfontein last played against the Force and Pollard against the Crusaders.
A number of players, Jacques-Louis Potgieter (hamstring), Marcel van der Merwe (ankle), Burger Odendaal (contusion), Bjorn Basson (ankle) and Morné Mellett (back spasm) did not train on Monday, but will be back on Tuesday, Strauss confirmed. Akona Ndungane has also recovered from a broken hand.
Victor Matfield (knee, two to three weeks), Travis Ismaiel (ribs, 20 April) and William Small-Smith (foot, 20 April) will return before month’s end.
Pierre Schoeman, Bandise Maku, Carlo Engelbrecht, Werner Kruger, Duncan Matthews, Ruan Steenkamp and Ryan Nell are all still on the long-term injury list.
New starting props for Vodacom Bulls
Marcel van der Merwe and Dean Greyling will earn first starts in the 2015 Vodacom Super Rugby competition as Vodacom Bulls coach Frans Ludeke made three changes to his pack that will face the Western Force at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Van der Merwe and Greyling, who both made late starts to the competition due to injury, will swop places with Trevor Nyakane and Mornè Mellett respectively. In other swop, Grant Hattingh will earn his first start of the season and Victor Matfield will move to the bench.
The bench also have two new faces this week, with Arno Botha returning and Jaco Visagie replacing the injured Callie Visagie. Should he take to the field, Visagie will make his Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom Super Rugby debut.
Botha, who was injured in the season’s opener against the DHL Stormers, is fit again and replaces Hanro Liebenberg.
Ludeke left his backs unchanged.
“We are good to go after a week’s rest and determined to maintain the momentum the last two wins have created,” Ludeke said. “We have made some changes to the pack, but its part of the rotational policy. All three players deserve a start. We are also happy to see Arno back in full force.”
Vodacom Bulls captain, Pierre Spies, warned that the Force cannot be underestimated, given the closeness of results between the teams in the past.
“We always seem to be in tight matches against each other. The trick for us will be to play the big moments better and to execute whenever we create scoring opportunities.”
The team (with Super Rugby caps) is: Jesse Kriel (5), Francois Hougaard (76), JJ Engelbrecht (53), Jan Serfontein (32), Bjorn Basson (75), Handrè Pollard (17), Rudy Paige (11), Pierre Spies (c, 107), Lappies Labuschagne (31), Deon Stegmann (83), Grant Hattingh (38), Jacques du Plessis (19), Marcel van der Merwe (21), Adriaan Strauss (109), Dean Greyling (57).Replacements: Jaco Visagie (0), Mornè Mellett (28), Trevor Nyakane (46), Victor Matfield (142), Arno Botha (23), Piet van Zyl (47), Tian Schoeman (1), Jurgen Visser (27).
Milestones:
- There are three centurions in the match day squad. Victor Matfield 142 (Bulls 134 & Cats 8); Adriaan Strauss 109 (Cheetahs 97, Bulls 12) and Pierre Spies 107 (all Bulls)
- Coach Frans Ludeke will extend his Vodacom Super Rugby as most experienced coach ever – He has coached the Vodacom Bulls in 113 matches and the Cats in 24 for a tally of 137.
- Victor Matfield will extend his SA record as most capped Super Rugby player to 143 and his Vodacom Bulls record to 135. It also is his 16th season of Vodacom Super Rugby, a record he shares with Tony Brown and Tana Umaga.
Opta Facts
- In the regular season, the Bulls have won their last 15 at home to Australian sides, last losing in February 2007; however that defeat was inflicted by the Force.
- The Bulls have the best ruck success rate this year (96%) in the competition.
New loose trio for Vodacom Blue Bulls
Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais made changes to his loose trio for Friday’s Vodacom Cup clash against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg.
Marais opted for Chris Massyn to replace the injured Roelof Smit and in a straight swop with the Vodacom Bulls gained Hanro Liebenberg in place of Arno Botha, who was called into Vodacom Super Rugby action.
The undefeated Blue Bulls face another side that is unbeaten and according to Marais, even greater intensity is going to be needed.
“We are playing well, but will have to improve in all areas if we want to beat the Golden Lions on their home turf. That said, I believe we are a competitive team and will give good account of ourselves.”
The Vodacom Blue Bulls team is: Ganfried May, Travis Ismaiel, Marquit September, Warrick Gelant, Jamba Ulengo, Kobus Marais, Ivan van Zyl, Jacques Engelbrecht, Hanro Liebenberg, Chris Massyn, Marvin Orie (c), RG Snyman, Basil Short, Arno van Wyk, Hencus van Wyk. Replacements: Jan-Henning Campher, Du Toit Genis, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Nardus van der Walt, Kefentse Mahlo, Kurt Webster, Jade Stighling.
Match details:
Friday, 20 March
Xerox Golden Lions v Vodacom Blue Bulls
Kick-off: 15h00
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Vodacom Bulls Fitness Report – presented by Medihelp
Visagie, Ndungane to miss Force clash
Vodacom Bulls hooker Callie Visagie and wing Akona Ndungane has been ruled of out action for this weekend’s Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Western Force at Loftus Versfeld, it was confirmed on Monday.
Ndungane has in fact been ruled out for a month after he broke his hand, while Visagie will miss the clash against the Perth side due to a chest injury.
Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who missed the last match against the Toyota Cheetahs due to a hamstring strain, will train on Tuesday and should be fit to be considered for the weekend.
Vodacom Blue Bulls flanker Roelof Smit meanwhile injured his ankle against the Leopards XV and will be out of action for between one and two weeks.
AFGRI a sponsor to Nation in Conversation/Nasie in Gesprek at NAMPO Harvest Day
Media Release
Nation in Conversation
Nampo Harvest Day
12 – 15 May 2015
A new approach to agriculture starts with dialogue
There is no doubt that South Africa’s agricultural industry is under pressure. High economic and political demands are being placed on food producers to transform and find a different approach to agricultural practices, production activities, ownership and utilisation of land and resources; and to continue to ensure food security, and the health and wellness of the nation.
A united and collective effort is required to ring in the changes. Agricultural producers do not operate in isolation. They form part of the great tapestry of our nation and play an essential role to ensure the country’s stability and economic growth through food production. The fate of these producers is inextricably linked to every aspect of society. With urbanisation the ordinary citizen lost touch with the realities of food production and agricultural matters. These were shifted to the background where it was seldom considered important by the consumer.
However, the stability of the agricultural sector impacts on the livelihood of the entire population and the national debate around these issues should be considered much more widely than just amongst those with a direct economic or political interest in agriculture.It is for this reason that key role players under the leadership of Senwes, launched the Nation in Conversation dialogue platform in 2013 at the Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville. Nation in Conversation draws thought leaders from various affiliations, political backgrounds and the business sector together at a single venue to discuss and debate agricultural matters of national importance, to seek solutions and find constructive approaches to ensure the on-going viability of the agricultural industry in South Africa.
“It is in our joint interest to ensure that our agricultural industry remains secure and stable, that we seek consensus to overcome the many challenges facing agriculture today and work together towards a sustainable future,” explains Senwes CEO, Francois Strydom. “The future of agriculture and the welfare of our country are intertwined and can only be secured through progressive action, finding mutual ground and establishing partnerships between commercial farmers, civil society and the State”.
“Nampo Harvest Day, presented by Grain SA, provides the ideal platform to host these conversations,” explains Strydom. This well-known trade show runs over four days from 12 – 15 May and has established itself in the Southern African region as the top gathering place for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including commercial and emerging farmers, civil servants, corporate businesses and aligned industries.
More than 70,000 local and foreign visitors attend Nampo every year and the organisers accommodate 650 exhibitors during the four day period. Nampo helps to provide agricultural producers with the knowledge and skills to handle the many technical, economic and political challenges they face. The growing interest from foreign companies in Nampo also serves to confirm the international interest in Africa as a food producer, and particularly South Africa as a portal to the rest of the continent.
This year, Nation in Conversation aims to give issues such as food security and land reform a broader platform to help ensure that food production and job creation are not compromised when new approaches to agriculture are adopted. “We wish to ensure the debate is inclusive and far reaching and that broader media platforms will be included in the discussions to reach and engage a wide audience. It is not merely a debate between people already involved in this sector. Nation in Conversation goes beyond agriculture. It is about you, and me, and our future together,” says Strydom.
Debates during the 2015 edition of Nation in Conversation will give consideration to labour matters in agriculture, how to ensure job security and healthy labour relations which will help to unlock the large scale benefits of a satisfied labour force. Training and developing new entrants to agriculture, mentorship programmes and incentive schemes are some of the issues to be considered.
Land reform and ownership remains a contentious issue. It is widely accepted that land ownership and the utilisation of land should be viewed in a different way. While it is undeniable that the issue of access to land has to be addressed, this should not happen at the loss of food production. This is a cost the country can ill afford. In order to facilitate the process of transformation without undue compromise, Nation in Conversation believes it is essential to create a platform where different mindsets can engage to find common ground.
The severe pressure that is currently being placed on our natural resources and the scarcity thereof will also come under the spotlight. Combined efforts have to be made to address these threats and adopt more eco-friendly farming practices to provide for a secure future. New business models have to be investigated to ensure lasting agricultural production.
This also brings the matter of the integration of technology in agriculture to the fore. New technology, although initially expensive, can help tremendously to bring the cost of production down in the long run and underscores the competitiveness of the South African farmer in a world market. “South African farmers are widely considered as early adopters of technology. It is, however, essential that we find ways of extending our reach further through the creation of a technological “hub” in agriculture,” says Strydom.
Nation in Conversation will host daily panel discussions in English and Afrikaans in front of a live studio audience at Nampo. These debates, hosted by economist and television anchor Theo Vorster, will be broadcast on various television screens placed throughout the venue and on different media platforms.
“We hope to inspire not only farmers, but society as a whole, to think and do differently when it comes to agricultural matters,” ends Strydom.
This Senwes-initiated Nation in Conversation series is also partnered by Afgri, Engen, Grain SA, John Deere, and Monsanto, in an effort to get the nation talking about farming and our combined future. Agri SA endorses Nation in Conversation.
To read more about Nation in Conversation and for details on the debates and programme schedule, visit www.nationinconversation.co.za.
Stegmann to lead Vodacom Blue Bulls against Saracens
Flanker Deon Stegmann will lead the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Saturday when they take on Saracens in a friendly match outside London. The Blue Bulls named their final travelling squad on Wednesday, just before departure to England.
Regular captain Pierre Spies will only play off the bench in his return to first class rugby after more than 12 months on the side-lines; hence the decision to employ Stegmann’s proven leadership skills. The former Springbok flanker captained the Vodacom Blue Bulls with great success in the Absa Currie Cup competition in the past.
Another former captain, Victor Matfield, will travel to London as part of the coaching team and not as a player and will not be in action over the weekend.
A number of Matfield’s Springbok team members who travelled to Europe in November will start the match, but flyhalf Handre Pollard will only be used of the bench as the playmaker has just recovered from a foot injury.
Jan Serfontein and Francois Hougaard will start, as well as Trevor Nyakane, who missed the season-opening friendly against the Cheetahs last weekend due to a back spasm.
“We are keen for a competitive outing that will test our combinations selected for this match,” Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said. “We will be looking to give a number of subs some game time, but we’ll also be aware that momentum will be important during the match.”
The Vodacom Blue Bulls team is: Jurgen Visser, Jamba Ulengo, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, JacquesLouis Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Hanro Liebenberg, Lappies Labuschagne, Deon Stegmann, Grant Hattingh, Jacques du Plessis, Werner Kruger, Callie Visagie, Trevor Nyakane. Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Mornè Mellett, Marcel van der Merwe, Dayan vd Westhuizen, RG Snyman, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Roelof Smith, Pierre Spies, Piet van Zyl, Rudy Paige, Handrè Pollard, William Small-Smith, Duncan Matthews, Jesse Kriel.
Kick-off is at 17h15 SA time.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls will also play with the J9 Foundation’s logo on their sleeve to create awareness for MND. The foundation, named after former Vodacom Bulls captain, Joost van der Westhuizen, is doing great work to create awareness for Motor Neuron Disease.
Claire Kaye-Grobler, from the J9 foundation: “Events like the upcoming friendly game between Saracens and the Vodacom Blue Bulls are absolutely crucial in the global fight against MND, this disease is an otherwise forgotten about disease with no cure and no cause, it therefore discriminates against no one and we thus need people to stand up now and push for researchers to find a cure or cause and this will only happen with awareness.”
Richard Papo
Marketing Manager
Tel: +27 12 420 0735
Cell: 079 495 7903
Email: richardp@bluebull.co.za