Grain SA Farmer Development Programme

Real conversations, real growth. The Legolaneng Study Group in Limpopo unpacked key topics: harvesting and storage, costing, record keeping, budgeting and farm planning. Strong farms are built on more than production; they are built on good decisions.

Goss’s wilt, a bacterial disease in maize is present across SA. No major losses yet, but it spreads fast if ignored. Stay ready. Stay checking. Read more: f.mtr.cool/pfvpiwwuud

Bethlehem, Free State 📍 Today’s PGP Funding and Finance Workshop focused on one thing: making finance practical and accessible for farmers. With Land Bank (Bethlehem), Kgodiso Fund and Standard Bank, farmers unpacked how to access funding, manage it, and plan with confidence across grain, soybean, groundnut and dry bean production. #PGP #FarmerDevelopment #GrainProduction #FinanceSupport

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 | Events in the Middle East are starting to have a real impact on agriculture in South Africa. Rising fuel and fertiliser prices are putting added pressure on grain producers, at a time when margins are already tight. Grain SA and FERTASA are encouraging a calm, proactive approach, with careful planning, cost management and support across the value chain.

The @africanfarming_ Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 is still underway in Pretoria. PGP is engaging with partners, sharing insights and strengthening relationships that support the growth of SA’s next generation of commercial farmers. Our CEO, Sibusiso Mabuza, is actively connecting with stakeholders on the ground. #PGP #AfricanFarming #AgriDevelopment

Bayer and PGP hosted a Farmer’s Day in Dannhauser, KZN  ✔️ Cultivar trials ✔️ Chemical use & safety ✔️ Refuge areas in BT maize Important conversations helping farmers make better decisions and protect future production. #FarmersDay

Grain SA is looking for a Research Coordinator Intern.  More info: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗹𝗻𝗸𝗱.𝗶𝗻/𝗱𝗖𝗴𝗞𝗡𝗡𝗬𝗙

Meet Jabu Mashinini from Kaallaagte. His 64 ha of maize are thriving, with heads averaging 230g. Mentored by Jacques Roux and supported by SACTOR, Maize Trust & Oil & Protein Seeds Development Trust for soil testing and correction, this shows how partnerships and proper soil care show real results.  #PGP #SoilHealth #FarmingSuccess

Some PGP farmers, across all farming levels, have been hit by drought and hail this season. A reminder of the challenges farmers face, and why support must go beyond production to include risk management and partnerships that help farmers recover and keep going.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Farmers are under pressure. Costs are rising, grain prices remain low, and profitability is under strain. The message from the Grain SA 2026 Congress is clear: 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑝 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑. Read more 👉 f.mtr.cool/abdlufmzoe

Maize trial plots in Emmaus, KZN in partnership with Bayer covering 1.5 ha, these trials teach subsistence farmers how pre-emergence sprays control weeds and protect yields for stronger harvests 🌱

The Vleeschboom Study Group in Limpopo engaged on key topics: harvesting and grading, maize pricing (SAFEX), costing and record keeping. Practical knowledge that supports better decision-making and stronger farming businesses. #PGP #FarmerDevelopment

Leaf diseases can reduce maize yield and quality. Know what to look for and how to manage them to protect your crop. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 f.mtr.cool/oxhvcyijyi

Mr Mabula, an advanced farmer in the PGP Farmer Development Programme from Kaallaagte in the Eastern Free State, is using a drone to spray bollworm on his 80ha of soybeans. Adopting precision agriculture is part of the journey as the programme supports farmers to grow from subsistence to commercial farming.

The 2026 Grain SA Congress concludes today at NAMPO Park after two days of engagement among farmers and stakeholders from across South Africa. Discussions focused on the challenges facing the grain sector and the future direction of the industry. Safe travels to all farmers heading home.

Commodity breakaway sessions are now underway at #GSAcongress26. Farmers are meeting in groups focusing on maize, winter cereals, barley, canola, sunflower, sorghum, soybeans and groundnuts.

Day two of the Grain SA Congress is underway at NAMPO Park. Today’s programme includes governance matters, financial reporting, discussions on commodity levies and membership, and working group sessions where farmers engage on key commodity issues. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: f.mtr.cool/lbntjuicpx

Day 1 of the Grain SA Congress: Minister John Steenhuisen highlighted the vital role of grain farmers and committed to actions supporting them, including wheat tariff automation, better infrastructure, faster approvals for inputs, and a mass livestock vaccination program. #GrainSA #DevelopingFarmers #FoodSecurity

Mid-morning at the #GrainSACongress included recognition for Infoworks, publisher of the PGP farmer development magazine Pula/Imvula, for sharing valuable knowledge with developing farmers. Keynote speaker Kevin Kalb encouraged farmers to focus on soil health and efficient input use, showing that strong yields come from better management, not just more fertiliser.

Registration is underway at NAMPO Park for the 2026 Grain SA Congress. Farmers from across the country have gathered for two days of discussions about the future of the grain sector. Congress was officially opened by Grain SA CEO Dr Tobias Doyer, followed by a welcome from Vice-Chairperson Jeremia Mathebula. For PGP, being here matters. It gives developing farmers a voice and a place in the conversations shaping agriculture. #GrainSACongress #FarmerDevelopment #GrainSA