Senwes Scenario December 2018 / January 2019 | Page 20

NEWS
Let's drink to our
barley producers
SABBI invited a number of journalists in the agricultural
field to Hartswater and surrounding areas to participate
in the 2018 SABBI Hartswater Irrigation tour, which was
held at the same time as their farmers' day. A number of
Senwesters and some of our producers were also present.
 By Aubrey Kruger
Senwes Scenario Editor
B
AWARDS
arley producers in Hartswater
proudly received a number
of awards from SABBI. The
commercial barley producer of
the year award was received by Senwes
producer Dewald Dempers from Dewald
Dempers Farming, on whom Senwes
Scenario focused in 2015.
The emerging barley producer of the
year was Vivian Seboko en Louis Olivier
was honoured for his lifetime contribu-
tion to the industry. His son, GP Olivier,
received the award on his behalf. Frank
Lawrence from Idstone Farming was also
honoured for his significant contribution
as producer. The awards were handed
over by SABBI's Josh Hammann (Director:
Agricultural Development in Africa)
and David Hauxwell (Vice-President:
Procurement in Africa).
EMERGING PRODUCERS
A few emerging farmers were also on tour,
one of which was Richard Segwai in the
Taung area. He says that they produce
on approximately 10 hectares of land,
some people on 7,5 hectares. He said
that he would like to produce profitably,
but that he did not have enough land to
achieve this goal. The agronomist here
is Johannes Kokome. According to him
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they plant barley from the end of June,
depending on the type of cultivar which
they receive. They deliver to the nearby
Senwes silos at Magogong, Hartswater
and Jan Kempdorp.
Hartswater is the heart of the barley
irrigation area, where 60 000 tons of bar-
ley are produced for SABBI, 7 000 tons of
which by emerging producers.
According to Ben Wolhuter, agronomist
and project manager at Farmsol in the
area, approximately 108 emerging farm-
ers deliver barley. They assist producers
in Rethuseng, Boselee, Tshidiso and
Pudumue, which form part of Taung.
The innovative part is that they con-
duct studies here to determine the per-
formance of the different cultivars. Some
of the challenges faced by them are the
extent of their land, the upgrading of irri-
gation pipes and animals marauding into
their fields.
Accordig to Cynthia Funde, the public
interest and liaison manager at SABBI,
it is their objective to increase the num-
ber of emerging producers. Wolhuter
mentioned that the area was perfect to
obtain knowledge, but there was a lack of
land, which is a huge limitation. It is very
innovative and there is no other barley ini-
tiative such as this one - approximately 1
124 hectares of barley are produced here.
Gawie Kotze, SABBI agri-manager in
irrigation areas in South Africa, said that
they test 100 to 180 seeds per m² and
“work with seeds per m², since the size
SENWES SCENARIO | TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION 2018
Commercial barley producer of the year!
Senwes producer Dewald Dempers from
Dewald Dempers Farming receives his
award from SABBI's Josh Hammann
(Director: Agricultural Development
in Africa) and David Hauxwell (Vice-
President: Procurement in Africa).
The emerging barley producer of the year
is Vivian Seboko! She receives her prize
from SABBI's Josh Hammann (Director:
Agricultural Development in Africa)
and David Hauxwell (Vice-President:
Procurement in Africa).
and weight of the seeds differ”. Barley
must be planted further apart than wheat,
since it spreads more and has more ears
per plant.
Congratulations to all the producers in
the area - we salute you all! You really are
ambassadors in the barley industry!