Agbiz CEO appointed to Land Bank Board

Dr John Puchase (Agbiz, Chief Executive) was appointed to the Land Bank Board at the Cabinet Meeting held on 13 June 2012.  Mr Bafana Mathidi and Ms Nomavuso Patience Mnxasana were reappointed to the Land Bank Board for another term as well as Mr Lebogang Serithi.

Agbiz presents at IFAMA World Forum, Shanghai, China

The International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) hosted their 22nd Annual World Forum and Symposium in Shanghai, China from 9 - 14 June 2012, with the theme being 'The Road to 2050: The China Factor'.

Agbiz participated in the Symposium in a session on 'Increasing Productivity without losing jobs in Agriculture', with a paper entitled 'Perspectives on the Competitiveness of the South African Agribusiness Sector', authored by Ms Lindie Stroebel and Dr John Purchase.

Agbiz was also invited to present a paper to the IFAMA World Forum in a session focussed on 'Models for Human Capital Development in China and Beyond', and Dr Purchase highlighted the initiatives by Agbiz and other institutions active in this field in South Africa, with specific reference to the highly successful and innovative Agbiz/IFAMA Student Case Competition, under the initiative of Ms Lindie Stroebel and staged at the recent Agbiz Congress.

Presentations are available on request.

Please consult www.ifama.org for more information on the IFAMA World Forum and Symposium.

Agbiz addresses SACAU Policy Conference in Madagascar

Farmer organisations - representing millions of small, medium and large-scale farmers in the SADC region - gathered in Antananrivo, Madagas­car, at the end of May to explore greater access to the sector's value chains. The South African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) two-day annual conference was held on the island to discuss "Connecting farmers to the Agricultural Value Chains in southern Africa".
 

Dr John Purchase, Agbiz CEO, told delegates that agribusiness was based and totally dependent on primary agriculture. Dr Purchase said government was an important roleplayer: "It is important that they set the rules for the game and referee accordingly. Sometimes they unfortunately like to play as well - generally with less beneficial consequenc­es," he added. He noted that SACAU could play a facilitating role as aggregation - from both small and large scale farmers - was essential to ensure a globally competitive value chain.
 

Speakers included Mr HercuBloem, Managing Director of African Business (AFGRI); Mr Pieter Esterhuysen, General Manager (Grainlink), Senwes;Dr Hans Balyamujura,General Manager AgriBusiness Frontline and Africa;Mr Gerry Van Den Houten, Technical, Supply Chain & ED Director (SABMill­er); Mr Russel du Preez, Managing Director (Russell­Stone Group) and UNDP Programme Analyst, Mrs Tiina Turunen.
 

The SACAU Newsletter includes further information.  An online copy is available on request, e-mail communication@agbiz.co.za

Government and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) agree on the principles underlying the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) but will continue consultation on the detail of implementation.
 

BUSA Vice-President Brenda Madumise said that for several years, South Africa had pursued sensible macro-economic policies. However, for South Africa's economic performance to be enhanced and sustained over the longer term, business and government needed to work effectively towards addressing the microeconomic constraints to growth, such as infrastructure and logistical backlogs, telecommunications, the security of water and electricity supply, competitiveness and productivity. Read more»

Following the successful Career & Bursary Fairs held at Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch recently, a bigger "Sustainable Food for Life" Agri-Food Career & Bursary Fair will be taking place at the University of Pretoria on 22-23 August 2012.  

The Career Fair's objective is to entice young people to consider a career in the agricultural/horticultural industry, and the focus is on first-year BSc Biological Science students, many of whom have not yet decided on an area of specialisation from their second year onwards, agricultural students currently registered at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level and students from other disciplines such as B.Com and Engineering.  

Agbiz officially endorses the Career Fair and invites all its members to attend, and to consider exhibiting at this event. Taking place over two days, this will allow exhibitors to have enough time to spend with prospective employees, students and top performing Gr 11 school learners.
 

For more information, to book an exhibition stand or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Marianne van der Laarse, PMA Southern Africa Country Representative at e-mail: mvanderlaarst@pma.com or Tel: 012 332 0696.

A new South Africa business portal is set to be launched mid-July, 2012. In an effort to further promote your commercial activity this opportunity  will substantial enhance your exposure on the internet. 
 

SouthAfrica.io is a South African company introducing a first to market internet smart find engine to South Africa. The smart find engine allows consumers to find relevant content on the internet allowing South African businesses to easily upload all their offerings, products and services free of any costs without the aid of technical personnel. 

Click here for a detailed description on SouthAfrica.io» or contact Coenrad at e-mail Coenrad.scheepers@busa.org.za or at 011 784 8000 to obtain additional information.

Customs tariff applications has been published on the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) website.  It is a list of applications that have recently been received, or made, by ITAC, and in respect of which comments are welcomed. Details (for submissions or enquiries) are accessible on the ITAC website http://www.itac.org.za/news_article_page.asp?aID=415.

New market: Export of fresh citrus fruit from the Republic of South Africa to Thailand

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) wishes to announce the establishment of a new market for the export of fresh citrus fruit from the Republic of South Africa to the Kingdom of Thailand with effect from 31 May 2012. Please click here for more information».

A brief market intelligence on the Tanzania grain markets in particular for the Maize, Wheat, Rice and Barley sub-sectors. The purpose of the brief is to promote and develop bi-directional trade between South Africa and Tanzania through increased agricultural and agro-industrial investments and partnerships. Click here for more information» 
The grain commodities is available on the Jadafa website under the Tanzania Country Profile www.jadafa.co.za

This is the 5th year of the Toyota New Harvest of the Year Competition.

The upward curve for value-adding services to the Agriculture sector seems to have no limits for the Agri Mega Group. Senior members from their executive have just returned from Argentina after having spent a week in top-level engagements with leading agriculture stakeholders in the grain, dairy, livestock, feed, and technology sectors. Read more»

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