Pieter Nortjé, who farms in Sitrusrand near Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape, was named the 2026 Grain SA/Syngenta Grain Producer of the Year at the awards ceremony in Boksburg, Gauteng, on the evening of 23 October.
According to Grain SA, the award recognises South African farmers whose innovation, resilience, and commitment to agriculture set an example for the sector. It highlights the adoption of advanced technology, efficient resource use, and sustainable farming practices to improve productivity and protect the environment.
Profitability needed for success
Speaking during the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp said farmers cannot invest in tomorrow if their businesses are not profitable today.
He linked farm profitability to employment, investment, food production, and the future of rural communities.
“When a farmer suffers financial losses, the consequences extend far beyond the farm owner. Profitability is what makes sustainability possible,” he said.
Aucamp noted that farming must be recognised as a productive investment that supports sustainability and inspires confidence in South Africa’s future.
He added that building for the future requires everyone to work together and called for partnerships between government and industry to deliver practical results. These included improved market access, investment in agro-processing, and support that enables developing farmers seeking to become independent, commercially sustainable producers.
He also stressed the importance of implementing the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, with progress reflected in farmers’ access to products, technology, new markets, and opportunities for growth.
Aucamp highlighted the potential of biofuels to create an additional market for grain farmers.
“We have to support the infrastructure in energy and in general across the agricultural value chain to ensure the profitability of our farmers,” he said.
Aucamp also praised the achievements of all three Producer of the Year finalists, saying their success provided examples for others to learn from.
A remarkable journey
Nortjé’s farming journey reflects the role of innovation, determination, sound agricultural practices, and continuous improvement in building a successful farming business.
Accepting his award, Nortjé shared the recognition with the people who helped build his farming business.
He paid tribute to his team, acknowledging that the business’s expansion would not have been possible without the right people taking responsibility. He also thanked his wife, Madi, and his 92-year-old father, Anno, recalling how they started out selling tomatoes and collecting empty boxes to reuse for packing the next day’s produce.
For Nortjé, farming is not a destination but a continuous journey to do better. In his speech, he noted with enthusiasm how important the land, water, and good farm management are.
What started on a small scale has developed into a large irrigation grain business in little more than a decade. Today, they manage some 3 300ha of grain under pivot irrigation in the Fish River scheme, spread over various production units. Maize, wheat, soya bean, and canola form the core of the grain branch, while the larger business is still strongly diversified by citrus.
According to Nortjé, the geographical distribution of the farms helps mitigate risk. Differences in climate and seasonal conditions make it possible to spread planting and harvesting over a longer period, balancing risk between production units.
His message to fellow farmers was clear: “Remain positive, support one another, and keep farming.”
The other two finalists were Neethling Dippenaar, a wheat and canola farmer from Swellendam in the Western Cape, and Henk Michau, a summer grain producer from Reitz in the eastern Free State.
Farmer development champions acknowledged
Farmers in Grain SA’s farmer development programme, Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP), were also recognised for their outstanding achievements. The winners were:
- Manqoba Nkosi – Subsistence Farmer of the Year
- Lubabalo Jordan – Smallholder Farmer of the Year
- Kopano Lentswetshipi – Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year
- Motlalepule Vincent Masiu (Masiu Farming Enterprise) – New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year
At just 27 years old, Masiu, who hails from Senekal in the Free State, walked away with a brand-new John Deere 5075E tractor. The family-run operation produces maize, soya bean, and sunflower and keeps a Bonsmara herd. After starting on a smaller scale, they recently acquired a 700ha farm.
Masiu has participated in the programme since 2020.
Celebrating those driving the grain industry in South Africa
In his speech, Jeremia Mathebula, vice-chairperson of Grain SA and chairperson of PGP, said the evening was intended as a coming together to celebrate the farmers behind South Africa’s grain industry.
“Tonight, we have the opportunity to share the stories of our farmers. We will recognise the dedication, innovation, and leadership of producers who continue to make a meaningful contribution to agriculture and food security,” he said.
More passion. More energy. More unity.
Richard Krige, chairperson of Grain SA, reiterated the importance of a unified grain industry.
While celebrating the producers and partnerships behind South Africa’s grain production, he stressed that farming is a team effort.
“Behind every producer are families, employees, neighbours, mentors, and business partners who share the work and help carry the risks. It is this spirit of community that binds us together. That is the pinnacle of success,” Krige said.
He emphasised that recognising excellence must be matched by safeguarding the conditions that enable production. He added that profitable businesses and fair, transparent markets allowed farmers to keep investing in their soil, people, and technology.
A focus on farmer profitability and sustainability
Dr Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA, highlighted the human cost of difficult farming seasons, including the uncertainty faced by employees whose livelihoods depend on farming businesses.
He reaffirmed that grain producers’ profitability and sustainability remain central to Grain SA’s work, adding that achieving these objectives requires strong leadership, open debate, and the ability to stand together once decisions have been made.
Doyer also emphasised that agricultural productivity contributes far more than food production. It supports employment, businesses, and economic growth.
“Together we celebrate not only achievements but also the people and collaboration that help build the future of South African grain farming,” he said.
