“We must recognise the dedication and perseverance that keeps our food systems strong – this sector should never be taken for granted. We never want to be in a situation where we only realise what we had until after we have lost it.”
These are the words of Lindi Botha, chairperson of Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA) North, during the regional awards evening held in Pretoria.
The event celebrated the top contributors to the agricultural sector, with finalists nominated for Farmer of the Year, Agriculturist of the Year, and New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, and North West.
Along with the winners from AWSA’s !Xhariep region, these finalists will now compete in the national competition, scheduled for Friday, 15 November.
In her address, Botha noted the resilience of farmers who have continued to deliver despite mounting challenges such as rising input costs and trade barriers.
“Despite significant challenges like rising input costs, logistics issues, and trade barriers, our farmers continue to provide high-quality, affordable food that remains widely available. Their resilience, as demonstrated by this year’s award recipients, is the backbone of our nation’s food security,” she added.
Agriculturist of the Year
This year, the Agriculturist of the Year category focused on researchers, with Stephan De Groot (Free State) and Professor Driekie Fourie (Gauteng) taking the top honours.
De Groot, a wheat breeder at Syngenta Seeds, was recognised for his work on wheat cultivars, which now account for over half of South Africa’s northern wheat production. His groundbreaking research on genetic resistance to rust diseases and nitrogen efficiency in wheat has had a significant impact on the industry.
Fourie, a world-renowned expert in nematology, was celebrated for her extensive research on plant-parasitic nematodes and her innovative eco-friendly pest management strategies. Her work at North-West University (NWU) has revolutionised how farmers combat nematode-related crop issues, and her contributions continue to enhance agricultural productivity across South Africa.
Farmer of the year
The Farmer of the Year category saw nominations from various regions, with Jozeph du Plessis (North West), Egon Zunckel (KwaZulu-Natal), and Michael Fysh (Gauteng) emerging as regional finalists.
Du Plessis, a fifth-generation grain and cotton farmer, was lauded for his precision farming practices and his commitment to sustainable agriculture. Zunckel, a pioneer of no-till farming in KwaZulu-Natal, transformed his family farm into a model of innovation, expanding its operations from 700 to nearly 5 000 hectares.
Meanwhile, Fysh, known for his biogas and solar-powered piggery near Pretoria, demonstrated his leadership in sustainable farming and carbon emission reduction.
New entrant to commercial agriculture
In the New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture category, Betty Nyambi (Gauteng) was the sole finalist. Nyambi, who transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial pig farming, has made remarkable strides in her industry despite starting with little knowledge of pig farming.
The AWSA North awards were sponsored by New Holland Agriculture, NWK, and Rijk Zwaan, with additional support from Van Loveren and the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO).
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