12
e-Newsletter
13/18
13 April 2018
POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Farming
In the linked Grootplaas interviewDr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, discusses the process Government has to follow before it can amend the Constitution in order to implement its policy with regard to land ownership [the interview is in Afrikaans].
AGRIBUSINESS RESEARCH

The west coast of South Africa, which is well known for good wines and being the country' major winter grains producing region, has been saddled with below-normal winter rainfall for the past three years. The impact of this is clear from the Western Cape's dwindling agricultural output.  In 2017, the Western Cape's winter wheat production declined by 47% from the previous year, easing to 586 800 tonnes. Because of the province's large share in national wheat production, the aforementioned decline translated to a 20% reduction in national wheat production to 1.52 million tonnes. This led to a notable increase in wheat imports in order to fulfil  the domestic needs. Click here to read Wandile Sihlobo's column published in Business Day on 12 April 2018.

The South African tractor sales were up by 41% y/y in March 2018, with 726 units sold. This follows a 12% y/y contraction in February. On average, 23 tractors were sold a day last month compared to 21 tractors in February 2018 and 16 tractors a day in March 2017. Given that this is a fairly quiet period in the fields (in both summer and winter crop growing areas), the private sales were expected to have followed a normal trend, but the overall boost could be linked to government tenders ahead of the end of the financial year. The combine harvester sales were also solid, recorded a 9% y/y uptick. Agbize conomst, Wandile Sihlobo  provides more information in the linked update»

Click here to read the daily market view on commodities and the weekly wrap.  
OTHER NEWS

Senwes' new TV commercial captures the "goodwill that still exists between ordinary people, it reminds us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things... its small things like these that can create a wave that no one can foresee or stop," says Francois Strydom, Senwes Group CEO, about the company's new television commercial due to hit the small screen in April 2018.  "What makes this more significant is that we are in a very volatile situation politically, where nothing is certain, yet the unbridled joy and real friendship between these two boys is a beacon of hope that can make a difference. Senwes is not about making money, we care about how we treat our customers and clients, and above all we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of the communities where we do business. We have connected these two events - the rescue efforts of the boys and Seun's entrepreneurship share a vision of the difference that we want to make in people's lives."   The incidents that Francois refers to played out on the morning of January 4th this year, when the Shosholoza Meyl train collided with a truck near Geneva station between Hennenman and Kroonstad.  Read more»

Monsanto South Africa this week celebrated an important milestone with the opening of its state of the art Plant Health Pathology laboratory at its maize breeding and research facility at Petit, reinforcing the company's commitment to bring better products to farmers. 
"Monsanto has always strived to provide the best possible products to farmers to improve on-farm productivity and this is a major step forward to achieving our sustainability goals in Africa" said Kobus Steenekamp, Commercial Lead for Monsanto in South Africa -  Read more»

In the last four decades, the world has experienced an enormous shift in where value lies. Consider that in 1975, just 17% of the market value of S&P 500 companies was tied to intangible assets, including data, intellectual property, and other technologies. The bulk of their value was in physical assets. Today, the numbers have reversed: Just 16% of value is in physical assets; the rest comes from intangibles. That shift has been facilitated by, among other things, advances in computer processing, cloud computing, sensors, software, and ever-smarter devices. This broad reliance on data and information extends to all companies - from automakers and aerospace giants to financial institutions and retail chains. As a result, organizations of all sizes and across all industries are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. And the threats are increasing not only in frequency, but are becoming more severe, diverse and complex, with significant consequences. You need to understand your risk in this global threat, and this released Global Cyber Risk Perception Survey by Marsh will assist you. Please click on Marsh Report to peruse.

In this newsletter:
-Training without trading does not transform
-Jobs fund case study "Timbali provides holistic end-to-end incubation"
-Getting down and dirty to change lives

At the recent Nedlac Trade and Industry Chamber (TIC) meeting, the dti presented on the recently launched Agro-processing Support Scheme (APSS). The Agro-Processing Support Scheme (APSS) aims to stimulate investment by South African agro-processing / beneficiation enterprises. Investments should demonstrate that they will achieve:
  •   Increased capacity;
  •   Employment creation;
  •   Modernised machinery and equipment;
  •   Competitiveness and productivity improvement;
  •   Broadening participation
Application window for support is currently open and will close by the end of June 2018. The application process is as follows:
  • Applicant obtains Programme guidelines and application  form from the dti website (www.thedti.gov.za) under Financial Assistance (incentives) tab;
  • Applicant e-mails the completed, signed application form with supporting documents to apssapplications@thedti.gov.za
UPCOMING EVENTS
LESS THAN 30 DAYS LEFT to register for the 
2018 Agbiz Congress

We are pleased to announce another international keynote speaker, Dr Neal Gutterson, Chief Technical Officer at Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont™. Dr Gutterson will bring us valuable insight on research and development, as well as product development in relation to our congress theme of 'Uncertainty Creates Opportunity'. 

Our dynamic programme promises to provide insights from high profile speakers, such as Prof Marcos Fava Neves from Brazil who will bring an outlook on global agribusiness; Mr Goolam Ballim, chief economist at Standard Bank will provide an economic outlook; and Mr Mpumelelo Mkhabela, respected political analyst will address socio-economic expectations. 

On the second day of the congress, the focus on natural resources will be key part of the morning session. In this session Prof Mohammed Karaan, Member of the National Planning Committee and former dean of the faculty of agrisciences at Stellenbosch University will provide insight on water security and water governance in South Africa; and Theo Boshoff, Head of Legal Intelligence at Agbiz, will join well-known land reform expert Prof Ben Cousins from PLAAS, University of the Western Cape, in a panel discussion on land reform, with specific reference to 'Expropriation without Compensation'. Also planning to have the new Director General of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform on the panel. Watch this space!!! 

This will be followed by a session on trade competitiveness and investment opportunities with presenters, Prof Wilma Viviers, Director of TRADE at North-West University and WTO chair, Martin Cameron, Managing Director of TRADE Research Advisory (Pty) Ltd and Sifiso Ntombela, Agbiz Head International Trade and Investment. This will be followed by a session on trade competitiveness and investment opportunities with presenters, Prof Wilma Viviers, Director of TRADE at North-West University and WTO chair, Martin Cameron, Managing Director of TRADE Research Advisory (Pty) Ltd and Sifiso Ntombela, Agbiz Head International Trade and Investment. 

Agbiz has invited the President of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, to deliver the opening address to Congress. The Presidency has indicated that the invitation is being considered, but we await final confirmation. 

We will also be hosting panel discussions to trigger an exchange of viewpoints among experts, and to offer opportunity for response to delegates. 

Click here to see the list of companies and organisations already registered to attend this event.

Accommodation at the Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth where the congress is taking place, is selling out fast but a few rooms are still available. Please use the block code to book a room: AGBIZGRP18  More information»

IMPORTANT DATES
Closing date for registration: 4 May 2018
Congress: 7-8 June 2018
Welcome Function: 6 June 2018
Gala Dinner: 7 June 2018
Agbiz AGM: 8 June 2018


We look forward to seeing you at the 2018 Agbiz Congress. Follow all the latest about the 2018 Agbiz Congress and join the conversation on social media by posting and tweeting using the official congress hashtag #AGBIZcongress18 

Kind regards, 
John Purchase 
CEO, Agbiz 
FERTASA Annual Congress
19 April 2018
Premier Hotel OR Tambo | Johannesburg
More information

Farmer's Weekly tour to AgriTech tour to Israel
6-11 May 2018
More information: Marianna du Plessis, email africa@caxton.co.za

NAMPO 
15-18 May 2017 | NAMPO Park | Bothaville 
More information

21 to 25 May 2018 | South Africa
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), The World Academy of Sciences Regional Office for sub-Saharan Africa (TWAS-ROSSA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) are seeking candidates to participate in the inaugural regional training workshop on science diplomacy to be held in South Africa.  More information

World Potato Congress
27-31 May 2018 | Peru | South America

Potatoes SA Transformation Symposium
7 June 2018 | Pretoria
More information

4th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) week
16-20 July 2018 | Johannesburg
More information»

Vision 2030 Summit
20-21 June 2018 | Emperors Palace | Gauteng
More information

IFAMA World Conference
23-27 June 2018 | Buenos Aires | Argentina
More information

Regional Trade Facilitation Forum for grain stakeholders in the Eastern & Southern Africa region
28 June 2018 | Lusaka | Zambia
The Forum is expected to convene sellers and buyers of grain commodities from the Southern and Eastern Africa regions to network and execute trade deals.
Invitation letter
Programme
Registration form

FW Agribusiness Africa Conference
18-19 July 2018 | Emperors Palace
Enquiries: Marianna du Plessis, e-mail  africa@caxton.co.za

PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa Conference and Tradeshow
15-16 August, 2018 |  CSIR | Pretoria
Enquiries: Petrie Vogel, e-mail: petrie@abevents.co.za

Agbiz Grain Symposium
22 August 2018 | Pretoria
Enquiries: Mariana Purnell, e-mail mariana.purnell@agbizgrain.co.za

AGRI 5 Commodities Workshop & Expo
Date: 20th -21st September 2018
Venue: East London Show Grounds
Contact info: 011 056 6856

56th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA)
25-27 September 2018 | Lord Charles Hotel | Somerset-West

Agbiz membership
Being a member of Agbiz provides various benefits and opportunities

- Agbiz is the only organisation that serves the broader and common over-arching business interests of agribusinesses in South Africa.
- Agbiz addresses the legislative and policy environment on the many fronts that it impacts on the agribusiness environment.
- Agbiz facilitates considerable top-level networking opportunities so that South African agribusinesses can play an active and creative role within the local and international organised business environment.
- Agbiz research provides sector specific information for informed decision making.
- Agbiz newsletter publishes members' press releases and member product announcements.

Third-party website links to this newsletter
The Agbiz Newsletter may contain a few links to websites that belong to third parties unrelated to us.  By making these links available, we are not endorsing third-party websites, their content, products, services or their events.  Agbiz seeks to protect the integrity of its newsletter and links placed upon it, and therefore welcomes any feedback.
In this newsletter