Supporting grain farmers in North West

As growers continue to face input cost volatility and declining prices, farmers need all the help they can get to unlock nature’s potential. 

The 2023/24 domestic summer crop production season is fast approaching, with maize planting in the country’s eastern early-planting regions expected to start on October 1.

Grain farming presents emerging farmers with a myriad challenges brought about by a lack of knowledge, skills and experience, as well as limited or no access to finance, adequate farming equipment and quality soil that supports profitable crop production.

AECI Plant Health proudly participated in the Grain Farmers Day hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West on September 6 at the Grootbos Farm in Ventersdorp, which is serviced by AECI Plant Health crop advisor Jaco Geldenhuys.

The objective of the event was to give farmers a platform to engage and acquire information from different industry stakeholders regarding grain production to help farmers to attain the correct technical and financial support.

Together with Khula!, which provides tools and platforms to support and grow your business in the agriculture supply chain, we once again demonstrated how we support emerging farmers.

Khula! marketing officer Wandile Mbonani demonstrated the Khula App and how to access inputs, achieving a whopping 50 sign-ups on the day!

AECI Plant Health advisory technician Trevor Shongwe discussed the mixing order of agricultural chemical products and how to identify and control crop pests and diseases.

Ensuring that emerging farmers are commercially viable, and practice sustainable food production is vital to ensuring food security.