•••
T RADE N E W S
Senwes’ Jaco Minnaar
AUBREY KRUGER
the new drive behind Grain SA
JACO MINNAAR WAS
ELECTED AS THE NEW
CHAIRMAN OF GRAIN SA
AT THE RECENT GRAIN SA
CONGRESS AT NAMPO
PARK.
T
he 39-year old Jaco has
been involved with agriculture for some time now - 17 years
to be exact.
During his term of office he
will have to deal with a number of
difficult matters on the agenda of
Grain SA. He refers to the difficult conditions due to the current
drought, which in his opinion is a
fair drought in many respects. ?
Food security is a burning issue
at present and all possible attempts
should be made to ensure a normalisation of the hectares planted
next year. One of his other objectives is to ensure the sustainability
of agricultural producers, at social
and economic level. The well-being of commercial and emerging
producers should also receive
attention and we must ensure
the competitiveness of the sector.
In addition we have to attend to
training and opportunities in the
market.
Jaco is cut out for the position.
He has been involved in the Grain
SA framework as part of the executive management and the audit
and marketing committees. He
also served on various Free State
Agriculture committees from 2003
to 2011.
Jaco is well-known in Senwes
circles and he was elected as a
50
member of the Senwes Board of
Directors in August 2011.
Jaco is geared for the challenge. “I think it will be quite a
challenge, particularly in view
of the excellent work done by
my predecessors. This in itself is
quite intimidating.” In response
to a remark that he will be taking
over in a very difficult time, Jaco
confirmed that the coming period
would indeed be very challenging.
Jaco farms on his farm, Botesrust, with diversified crop farming,
livestock and game. He decided to
invest in game in partnership with
a number of parties. He has been
married to Nicolene for 12 years
and they have two children, Henke (8) and Daniel (4).
Jaco’s term of office will commence in March this year up until
the 2017 Grain SA Congress.
Although he has a well-known
name in agricultural circles,
he is a man in his own right
and has managed to prove
himself over time. Jaco is
an introvert but this does
not stop him from tackling
any problem headon. “There is
work to be
done!”
Jaco is
taking over
Jaco Minnaar is pas aangewys
as die nuwe Voorsitter van
Graan SA.
Apr/May 2016 • SENWES Scenario
from outgoing Chairman, Louw
Steytler. Andries Theron and Preline Swart will be his vice-chairmen.
Louw’s message to producers
is that they should never underestimate their position. He said
that land will always be the corner
stone of food security. “I have seen
unbelievable things in agriculture
- involving all
cultures and
colours.”