Bright future awaits Grain Academy class of 2018

By Jeandré van der Walt
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Syngenta recently launched its 6th annual Grain Academy Programme. The ceremony was held at the Arabella Country Estate in Kleinmond.

Bright future awaits Grain Academy class of 2018
The Syngenta Grain Academy Class of 2018.
Photo: Courtesy of Syngenta
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The programme is a partnership between Syngenta, Grain SA and the University of the Free State (UFS) Business School.

What makes this year’s programme special is that the Grain Academy will move to the Western Cape and open its doors to all farmers.

The academy was launched in 2013, and the leadership programme is specifically tailored for young commercial farmers to equip and empower them to address the challenges that the agricultural industry faces.

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This year’s programme will focus on the following topics, among others:

  • The changing and interactive future of agriculture
  • The art of leading
  • Providing direction
  • The value of diversity
  • Leading and facilitating change and transformation.

Welcoming the delegates, Dr Dirk Strydom, Grain SA’s manager for grain economy and marketing, said it was important to develop young agricultural leaders who will change the future.

“This programme is an opportunity to invest in our youth,” he said.  He added that the programme will also assist delegates with people skills, enabling them to work with others and to help others work together.

“Learn how to understand people and you will get far in life,” Strydom said.

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Jeandré van der Walt
Jeandré Du Preez is the newest addition to the Farmer’s Weekly team. Originating from a Riversdal farming family, she has farming in her blood. After school she furthered her studies at Stellenbosch and has been working as an agricultural journalist for the past two years. She says she feels privileged to write about an industry paramount to the survival of all South Africans and is inspired by the innovative solutions with which the farming community bridges the many challenges they face. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. If she is not writing or visiting farms, you’ll find her relaxing with a good mystery novel or exploring her other passions: travelling and cooking.

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