Bien Donné Farm - Agri Promo

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ARC perspective on the Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Dr. S.R. Moephuli ARC PRESIDENT & CEO T he ARC is pleased to partner with the Agri Mega Group in hosting the Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Expo! The Expo represents the best of showcasing agricultural innovation. This year the Expo is presented by the ARC and its partners, the Agri Mega Group for the second time. We believe that by bringing this exhibit, we present our commitment to the communities, showcasing what could be achieved in agriculture through innovation and hard work. Once again, the Expo will present different ways in which agricultural transformation is occurring, particularly the increased participation of growers, farm workers, exhibitors, the youth and especially small farmers and land reform beneficiaries. As partners we believe that by encouraging the participation of a broad range of stakeholders we demonstrate a commitment to a vibrant and energetic agricultural community that aims to grow the nation. As the ARC, we believe it’s important to regularly and continually engage with the communities and all our stakeholders. We are committed to providing excellence in our service, particularly in research and de- BIEN DONNÉ AGRI CAPE WEEK 2012 velopment. This Expo serves as one of the mechanisms through which the ARC releases the results of its research. For this reason, you will find a number of exhibits by the ARC on what we’ve achieved in our research and development efforts. Our hope is that you will take the opportunity at this Expo to engage with our scientists and researchers to find out about the new technologies, innovations and information in agriculture for the success of your enterprise. The ARC as the owner of this historic site of the Bien Donné Research Farm, and its partner, Agri Mega Group, hereby express our gratitude to the sponsors who made it possible to host this expo. We also thank all the participants for their support in making it a success in 2012. We hope that you learn something, enjoy yourselves and hope to see you once more next year. Please enjoy the Bien Donné Agri Cape Week 6 www.agrimega.co.za
Making the economic drivers of change work for agriculture Nico Loock, Provincial Agricultural Manager: Standard Bank Western Cape www.agrimega.co.za T his year’s Bien Donné Agri Cape Week’s theme of ‘Change for Sustainability’ is seminal to the future of agriculture in South Africa. Sustainability is about ensuring business continuity, and to achieve it, a business needs to be flexible. This may mean interrupting continuity; doing things differently to achieve better and lasting results. Standard Bank Provincial Agricultural Manager in the Western Cape, Nico Loock says: “Standard Bank has prospered for 150 years precisely because it has always adapted its products and services to new and changing circumstances.” “Supporting agricultural players looking for new markets and wanting to diversify their operations, is as important to us now as it was when we first started providing loans to sheep farmers in the Eastern Cape 150 years ago.” Mr Loock says that the Western Cape’s wine industry, in particular, could benefit by diversifying from traditional markets. “The Euro crisis and the recent economic downturn have made American and European wine drinkers look for more affordable wine options, putting pressure on the South African wine industry to develop new marketing strategies and reconfigure logistics to expand beyond traditional markets. “Because of Standard Bank’s strong presence in 17 African countries, we know that Africa represents a vast new market for specialised products, such as wine and fruit. Minister in the Presidency, Trevor Manuel, also identified the tilt in the economic centre of gravity from West to East in the global economy as one of the six major drivers of change for South Africa. BIEN DONNÉ AGRI CAPE WEEK 2012 It makes sense then for our wine and fruit industries to also look to exploring markets in the east.” In fact, the Bien Donné Agri Cape Week’s ‘Change for Sustainability’ theme is extremely apt in light of Minister Manuel’s six drivers of change: the tilt in the economic centre of gravity from West to East, interconnectivity, globalisation, technology, the rise of Africa, and climate change. “Agricultural sustainability will rest on its ability to turn these drivers to its advantage. As a significant player in the value chain, we see it as our responsibility to make such change work for agri businesses,” says Mr Loock. “Standard Bank’s Agriculture division provides advice through dedicated agricultural economists, and practical assistance through specialised products and services that are tailor-made for the industry at large, as well as for individual farmers and agricultural businesses. We are ideally positioned to make change work because we are fully aligned with the six drivers of change.” Standard Bank anticipated the West to East shift several years in advance, obtaining the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) as a majority partner in 2005, thereby enabling it to facilitate market linkages for its customers at the time and moving into the future. It has a strong presence in Africa as well as offices on each of the other continents. It has been an early adopter of technologies that provide customers with online, 24/7 self-service facilities. Today, it leads the field in remote and rural banking facilities, as well as mobile and inclusive banking. “Sponsoring Bien Donné Agri Cape Week is our way of reminding South African agriculture that we know how to harvest change and process it into sustainability.” The bank also extends the concept of technology beyond computing and connectivity to concepts and practices such as precision farming, satellite technologies in tractors, and whatever else is needed to make commercial farming sustainably more productive. Its products are designed to encourage the purpose-driven use of technology. “The Bien Donné Agri Cape Week plays a vital role here in acting as a bridge between research, technology transfer, and practical agriculture,” Mr Loock says. 7
Page 1 and 2: C H A N G E F O R S U S T A I N A B
Page 3 and 4: Better Together: Driving Change for
Page 5: Change for a Better future Orton Ki
Page 9 and 10: w w w . a g r i m e g a . c o . z a
Page 11 and 12: www.agrimega.co.za Proud co-sponsor
Page 14 and 15: Wine industry - adapt for sustainab
Page 16 and 17: Hieroor kan die Rooivleisbedryf pos
Page 18 and 19: Die rol van Kaap Agri in veranderin
Page 20 and 21: How do we go about creating a thriv
Page 22 and 23: Hoe pas ROOIVLEIS by die hedendaags
Page 24 and 25: Klimaatsverandering: Nie-volhoubare
Page 26 and 27: EasyMax TM FF For Solvent and water
Page 28 and 29: Programme Highlites Friday 20 April
Page 30 and 31: Mechanisation and Water: An Odd Cou
Page 32 and 33: AQUACHECK SOIL MOISTURE PROBES Risi
Page 34 and 35: Harvest Indicator: Berry Sugar Load
Page 36 and 37: 36 www.agrimega.co.za
Page 38 and 39: farming organically? Bloublommetjie
Page 40 and 41: C M Y CM MY CY CMY K AGRI MEGA DIGI
Page 42 and 43: Counteracting Climate Change with O
Page 44 and 45: Sustainability of Small Farmers Ism
Page 46 and 47: The challenges facing emerging blac
Page 48 and 49: Healthy Soil + Healthy Plants + Hea
Page 50 and 51: Bien Donné Agri Cape Week 2012 Uit
Page 52: The agricultural businesses that ba

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