Lindi Botha, AWSA North chairperson, praised the dedication of farmers at the regional awards ceremony. Image: FoodforMzansi shared via Instagram.
(The Post News)- The Agricultural Writers South Africa (AWSA) North awards ceremony took place in Pretoria on October 22nd, recognizing excellence in agriculture. This esteemed event celebrated the sector’s top performers, featuring finalists vying for the esteemed Farmer of the Year, Agriculturist of the Year, and New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture awards.
Researchers Stephan De Groot (Free State) and Professor Driekie Fourie (Gauteng) claimed top spots in the Agriculturist of the Year category. Syngenta Seeds’ wheat breeder, Stephan De Groot, was honored for his remarkable achievements. His wheat cultivars now comprise over 50% of northern South Africa’s production, thanks to groundbreaking research on genetic resistance to rust diseases and enhanced nitrogen efficiency.
Lindi Botha, chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA) North, said, “We must recognize the dedication and perseverance that keep our food systems strong.” Botha added that the sector should not be taken for granted, while emphasizing its importance and noting that they should avoid being in a situation where “we only realize what we had until after we have lost it.”
Farmers from various provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, and North West, were represented. The Farmer of the Year category nominated regional finalists, including Jozeph du Plessis (North West), Egon Zunckel (KwaZulu-Natal), and Michael Fysh (Gauteng).
Du Plessis was praised for embracing precision farming and sustainable agriculture. Zunckel’s visionary approach to no-till farming expanded his family farm from 700 to 5,000 hectares, showcasing remarkable growth. Betty Nyambi, a Gauteng-based farmer, took center stage as the sole finalist for New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture. Her transformation from subsistence farming to thriving commercial pig farming showcased determination and rapid expertise acquisition.
According to Botha, despite substantial hurdles like rising input costs, logistics issues, and trade barriers, their farmers continue to produce high-quality, affordable food that is widely available. This year’s award recipients display their tenacity, which is the backbone of the nation’s food security.
Sponsors New Holland Agriculture, NWK, and Rijk Zwaan, along with Van Loveren and SAPPO, contributed to the success of the AWSA North awards. The Xhariep region’s finalists will now compete in the national competition on Friday, November 15.
About the Author
