OVERVIEWAgriculture and
OVERVIEWAgriculture and agro-processingSunflowers thrive in dry conditions.Afarm at Biesiesvlei has squeezed 38 000 sunflower plantsonto each of its planted hectares. Biesiesvlei is south-eastof Mahikeng on the N14 between Vryburg and Lichtenburgand does not get much rain.A representative of Pannar Seed in nearby Sannieshof reported onthe company’s website about the astonishing yield achieved by aparticular hybrid seed in those conditions, in the context of advisingwhat seed varieties to plant in what kind of micro-climate. Maize andsoybean yields have suffered in South Africa’s western areas. WithSouth Africa and the world growing hotter and extremely dry periodsbecoming more commonplace, sunflowers offer a good alternative.Sunflowers are mostly grown in the North West and Free Stateprovinces and represent the number three grain crop in terms ofSouth African cultivation volumes, after maize and wheat. In theNorth West, nearly two-million hectares is planted with summercereals, with about 50 000ha given over to winter cereals. The NorthWest produces about 20% of South Africa’s maize and about 15%of its wheat. The central and southern sections of the province aredominated by maize and wheat farming. When it comes to sunflowerseed, the North West is responsible for 33% of South Africa’s stock,and 23% of the nation’s groundnuts.The National Grain Research Programme (NGRP) held its 2025Annual Meeting in Potchefstroom, in association with the North-West University (NWU) and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).SECTOR INSIGHTSmarter and greener were thethemes at a grain conference.Under the theme “Farming 2.0:Smarter & Greener”, delegatesheard about cross-disciplinarycollaboration to ensure foodsecurity, optimised soil mapping,trend shifts in global tradeand how drones can enhancemonitoring and spraying. Keyelements that emerged toensure a sustainable futurewere the need to collaborate,to be adaptable and to deployappropriate technology.After one of the sessions, a visitwas made to the NWU Agri-Hub,where advancements in climatesmartagriculture and remotesensingapplications are the workof eager researchers. The hubNORTH WEST BUSINESS 2025/2614PHOTO: North West Development Corporation
initiative was officially launched earlier in the same monthof the conference and is a collaboration between theNorth-West University and the North West Departmentof Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). Theuniversity’s Molelwane Farm is the site of the hub whereeconomic growth and agricultural sustainability in theprovince will be addressed. At the launch, attended byPremier Lazarus Mokgosi, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, NWUprincipal and vice-chancellor, referenced the promotion of inclusivegrowth, the enhancement of competitiveness, transformation andfood security as critical goals.The Provincial Government is working with the IndependentDevelopment Trust on four agricultural projects, namely, SpringbokpanGrain Silos, Kgora Farmer Training Centre and the SelamePoultry and Melton Research Farm.The dry western region of the province is home to large beefcattleherds, and this is where the growing game-ranching andhunting industry has its base. The eastern and north-eastern parts ofthe province receive relatively good rainfall and are suitable for thecultivation of crops.The North West has approximately 1.6-million beef cattle,representing 12% of South Africa’s herd. Major breeds includeSimmental, Brahman, Bonsmara and Simbra, a cross between theBrahman and Simmental breeds.The province is sometimes called “The Texas of South Africa”because of its superb cattle herds but the province also producesgood crops of onions and other vegetables. Proximity to the largeurban concentrations of Pretoria and Johannesburg are advantagesfor the horticulture subsector. The North West supplies 5.4% of SouthAfrica’s potatoes, but parts of the Kalahari are ideally suited to thecultivation of seed potatoes.Kalahari Red and Boerbok goats are found in large numbers inthe dry west. The number of goats for the province is estimated at701 587 which is 12% of South Africa’s total. There are estimatedto be 318 843 pigs, which is 20% of South Africa’s total drove. Forthose who know the North West as a water-scarce region, it may besurprising to learn that a priority in several years since 2021 has beenthe repair of earthen dams and fences damaged by flooding.ONLINE RESOURCESDepartment of Agriculture and Rural Development:www.dard.nwpg.gov.zaGrain SA: www.grainsa.co.zaOil and Proteian Seeds Development Trust: www.opot.co.zaSouth African Grain Information Service: www.sagis.org.zaLaunch of the Agri-Hub.CompaniesSenwes has a strong grain divisionand it controls 68 silos. Itsheadquarters are in Klerksdorpand it has increased its stakein KLK so that it now controls57.44% of the company moststrongly associated with theNorthern Cape. Suidwes isbased south of Klerksdorp inLeeudoringstad. More than 90%of the shares in the companyare held by farmers. Grainhandling is the main businessand there are divisions for retail(17 outlets and one animal-feeddepot), mechanisation, financeand research and agriculturaleconomics (Terratek).Brits is the location of the headquartersof the MGK Group. Thecompany runs five divisions anda plant that makes full-fat soy, acomponent in animal feed.NWK is another company withmanufacturing capacity. TheLichtenburg-based enterprisemakes liquid fertiliser (up to 10tons per month), animal feed(Opti Feeds), processes sunflowerseeds (Epko),and runs threegrain mills. Another subsidiary,Opti Chicks, has a capacity of600 000 chicks per week.NWK also deals in grain, runsseveral retail outlets and hasa half-share (with Senwes) inCertiSure Brokers. The companyhas 37 silos with a capacity of2.5-million tons. ■PHOTO: NWU15 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2025/26
