Day of Celebration

Background

The PGP Day of Celebration is a platform Grain SA established in 2022 to recognise the achievements of developing grain producers giving recognition of excellence in the production of grain across the South Africa’s grain farming community, ranging from farming on a couple of hectares to production of hundreds of tons of grain.

This platform, has in the past couple of years, grown with leaps and bounds and following further re- alignment and testimony to its success, the awards categories were defined to include recognition for New Era Commercial Farmers, who produce commercial harvests of over 250tons as well as Potential Commercial Farmers, whom have access to more than 100 ha of arable land. This exciting new category entrant allows recognition of farmers who can become 250ton New Era Commercial farmers but currently are not able to use all the land available to them (usually because of a lack of production finance or mechanisation). In addition, Grain SA can recognise its subsistence- and smallholder farmers, who produce commercial grain harvests on small but accessibly available land.

This prestigious event is widely regarded as the event of the year in the agricultural industry, affording Grain SA and its partners the opportunity to showcase the role we and South Africa’s producers play to ensure food security for South Africa.

Format of Awards

Following the growth and success of the Grain SA Farmer Development Programme during the past 13 years, Grain SA undertook a revision of the awards programme and its categories. Preceding the Grain SA awards evening in November; Grain SA hosts a Day of Celebration in recognition of our new era developing farmers.

Finalists are nominated in four categories, namely Subsistence Farmer of the Year (0-3 hectares), Smallholder Farmer of the Year (3-35 hectares), Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year (35ha -250 ton) and New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year (250+ ton).

The Day of Celebration, due to its popularity, is hosted at NAMPO Park outside Bothaville and is attended by over 300 guests, including new era grain producers, executive members, corporate agriculture managers, policy makers, government representatives and the media. This event is a true showcase of the development achieved in grain production with the Grain SA Farmer Development program. From 2016, Grain SA, in its endeavours to continuously keep abreast of developments and ultimately wishing to showcase commercial grain farmers on one platform, decided to showcase the winner of all the respective categories during the gala awards evening held in November as well.

Categories

1. New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year

For this category there are three finalists. All finalists will be introduced at this event. The winner will be announced at this event and showcased at the Grain SA Awards evening.

2. Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year

For this category there are three finalists. The winner will be announced at this event and showcased at the Grain SA Awards evening.

3. Smallholder Farmer of the Year

For this category there are three finalists. The winner will be announced at this event and showcased at the Grain SA awards evening.

4. Subsistence Farmer of the Year

For this category there are three finalists. The winner will be announced at this event and showcased at the Grain SA awards evening.

The Day of Celebration is a wonderful platform for knowledge sharing, as successful farmers often implement innovative techniques, technologies, and practices that can benefit the wider agricultural community. Sharing these stories helps spread knowledge and best practices, leading to increased productivity, improved sustainability, and better resource management. This event further highlights the importance of food security, as our farmer’s successes involve increased food production, improved crop yields, and enhanced agricultural practices.