Western Cape’s top young farmer for 2016 announced

A table grape farmer from the Hex River Valley, Jacques Beukes, has been named the 2016 Western Cape Young Farmer of the Year.

Western Cape’s top young farmer for 2016 announced
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According to Kosie Loubser, chairperson of Agri Western Cape’s Young Farmers Committee, this year’s competition seemed tougher than ever: "We had to designate a winner out of six brilliant young farmers. What each one had to offer was incredible."

Beukes, who has been farming for 10 years on Modderdrift farm, said that young farmers bring many new ideas and energy to the economy. “They like new developments and challenges.”

He added that he loves the table grape industry.

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"I will continue to invest in this wonderful industry. The industry has many challenges, but you must convert these into opportunities. When you aspire to higher standards, you put your fellow producers under pressure to also lift their standards. In this way you contribute to a better South African agricultural industry," he said.

Beukes will compete against winners from other provinces for the coveted Agri SA Toyota SA National Young Farmer of the Year title in October.