public relations officer, Grain SA alzena@grainsa.co.za
In a good year for grain production – and with a season that started very well – the COVID pandemic and the risks and regulations associated with it, are preventing the Grain SA team from travelling to our producers for the regional meetings. Acknowledging that these interpersonal interactions in each area, and driving past fields with growing crops are the ideal, the organisation had to adapt once again in trying times. It is still vital for Grain SA to establish what our members deem important and which issues we, as an organisation, should be paying attention to in the coming year.
The 2021 regional meetings will proceed in a virtual format and Grain SA is inviting all members and interested grain producers to join in the discussions. Six regional virtual meetings, focussing on the different areas, are scheduled for the following dates:
- 11 February 2021 for winter grains
- 12 February 2021 for farmer development
- 15 February 2021 for the Eastern Free State region
- 17 February 2021 for the Highveld region
- 18 February 2021 for the North West region; and
- 19 February 2021 for the Central & Western Free State regions
Information pertaining to these interactive virtual meetings has been sent to our members and the links for each meeting will be made available on the website as well as communicated on all channels.
Click on the QR code for a short message from Jannie de Villiers, Grain SA CEO relating to the regional meetings.
Congress to focus on credibility of grain markets
The Grain SA Congress for 2021 will also be presented on a virtual platform due to COVID restrictions and will take place on the scheduled dates of 3 and 4 March. Themed ‘Credibility of Grain Markets’, the programme will host Prof Johan Willemse from Agrimark Trends, who will lead discussions as keynote speaker, after which there will be ample opportunity available for questions and answers. The second keynote speaker will be announced shortly.
Paid-up members will be able to register as delegates to Congress to participate in the question-and-answer sessions. However, the virtual Congress will also offer the opportunity to non-members and guests in the agri sector to link up and follow the presentations and discussions on the morning of 3 March, during the open session.
The last session on 3 March 2021 will be a closed session for delegates only for the discussion of in-house matters as well as the approval of financial statements, the levy budget for the new financial year, the annual report and minutes of the 2020 Congress.
On 4 March, the second day of the virtual event, delegates will be able to join break-away sessions for the different grain commodities. They can choose to participate in any of the following work sessions:
- Maize
- Winter grain, barley and canola
- Sunflower and sorghum
- Soybeans
- Groundnuts
Congress will conclude with a joint session for the announcement of election results, awards and acknowledgements.
This event will be supported by various sponsors which will enable Grain SA to present a high-level, interactive, virtual Congress.
