12
eNewsletter
2016/07
10 March 2016
Agbiz Congress 2016

The Agbiz Congress, held biennially, remains one of the highlights on the South African agricultural calendar and is one event not to be missed in 2016. This year's congress promises to be extra special as we are also celebrating Agbiz's 70th anniversary at the congress, held on 1 - 2 June at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. The congress theme is: Fit for the Future.

Confirmed speakers:
Mr Ettiene le Roux (Chief Economist at RMB) will give his opinion on where global and local economies are heading. Another excellent speaker, Mr Mpumelelo Mkhabela (Editor of The Sowetan newspaper), will present his view on socio-economic issues in our country, as well as on black economic empowerment. Dr Peter Draper (Managing Director at Tutwa Consulting) will present on trade and investment matters. 
 

Thank you to our sponsors: Standard Bank, Absa AgriBusiness, John Deere Financial, Afgri, Voermol, VKB, Obaro, NWK, Senwes, KLK, FNB, Signa, Engen, Syngenta, Kaap Agri, Monsanto, SSK, Overberg Agri, TWK, Talent Africa, Suidwes, Santam Agriculture, BKB, GWK, Mutual & Federal Agri.
Policy and Legislation
Economic Cluster briefing by Minister Gugile Nkwinti

Minister Gugile Nkwinti, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, as well as Chairman of the Economic Cluster in Cabinet, this week briefed the media on economic performance, infrastructure development and employment. Please click on Economic Cluster Brief to peruse full statement.
Land Bank presents on drought relief to Portfolio Committee on Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries

Mr Tshokolo Nchocho, Chief Executive Officer of Land Bank, this week presented the linked presentation on drought relief to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
DAFF drought relief interventions

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is disseminating information on drought relief interventions and will keep stakeholders abreast of new developments in this regard. Additionally, Minister Senzeni Zokwana and Deputy Minister Bheki Cele will visit provinces that have been impacted by drought to assess the severity and impact, as well as to assess if the affected farmers have benefited from the drought relief intervention support programme. Read more»
Extension of comments period for pricing strategy for water use

The extension of the comments period for the revised pricing strategy for water use charges and the norms and standards for setting tariffs under water services (Gazette number: 39411 Notices 1153 and 1154 of 2015) has been extended until 31st March 2016.  Agbiz will submit its comments accordingly.
Agribusiness Intelligence
Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index Survey

As the sector is faced with a wide variety of challenges, ranging from an uncertain political environment due to the upcoming elections, the global and local economic volatility, to one of the most severe regional droughts our country has yet faced, it is important to analyse and determine the confidence levels in the agribusiness sector. The Agbiz / IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index is set up in such a way to ensure it measures the business confidence, which determines business decisions, and to a lesser extend capture the emotions and emotional influences on the sector. This makes it very unique and valuable. Decision-makers from within the agricultural sector, as well as from StatsSA, SARB, SAIRR, Treasury, etc. are close observers of this index. It is also very valuable for agribusinesses to benchmark itself against the industry's trends.
 
Would you be so kind as to respond to the Agbiz / IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index Survey, for the first quarter of 2016. Kindly submit your response before close of business on Friday, 11 March by clicking on this link.
International Trade and Investment Intelligence
Agbiz participates in the Global Trade Review Africa - Trade Finance Week

CompWorkshopTinashe Kapuya, Head: International Trade and Investment Intelligence at Agbiz, attended the Global Trade Review (GTR) Conference, which was held in Cape Town last week.  His feedback on the conference is linked»
Agbiz Grain
Report on crop estimates and upcoming CELC seminar

Please find linked a report by Mariana Purnell, General Manager of Agbiz Grain, on the crop estimates and the upcoming CELC seminar to be held on 21 April 2016. Further information on the seminar and a registration form to attend is linked under Upcoming Events in this newsletter.
Members' News
Tiger Brands appoints new CEO

Tiger Brands has appointed Lawrence MacDougall as CEO of the company. MacDougall is currently the executive vice-president and regional president at Mondelez International for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mondelez International is a global snack company, which reported net revenues of about $30bn in 2015. Its brands include Oreo and Cadbury. Read more»
Wine grape harvest 2016 nearing its end

More than half the 2016 South African wine grape harvest is already in tanks or barrels, after what will be remembered as one of the hottest, driest seasons in the past decade. Read more
Industry News
New Structure for SAPPO
The South African Pork Producers' Organisation (SAPPO) announced that a new structure for the pig industry will come into effect in January 2017, if the application is approved by the NAMC.  This announcement was made on Monday at a media event held in Pretoria.  James Jenkinson, chairman of SAPPO, said the new structure as approved at SAPPO's annual general meeting in 2015, means that provincial offices will be closed and that the national office will be strengthened.  The new structure will also ensure that all commercial pork producers pay for the services rendered by SAPPO.

Other topical issues highlighted at the event are linked below:
Biogas»
Pork 360»
Industry protection»
Developing pig producers»
High health status
Research»
Welfare issues»
Promotions»
News around the web
Upcoming Events
Undercover Farming Expo
15 - 16 March 2016 | Saint George Hotel, Irene, Pretoria
2016 GOSA Symposium
16 - 17 March 2016 | Club Mykonos | Langebaan
More information: Karen Greeff on 082 042 3890
Crop Estimates Liaison Committee (CELC) Seminar
The Crop Estimates Liaison Committee is hosting a seminar to introduce the Crop Estimates Consortium and showcase the cutting-edge Earth Observation technologies used in the SA crop estimate.
21 April 2016 | 
Centurion Country Club, Centurion
17th Annual Road Transport Legislation Workshop
24 May | Spier, Stellenbosch
26 May | Protea Hotel Edward, Durban
7 June | CSIR, Pretoria
Agbiz Congress 2016
1 - 2 June 2016 | Somerset West, Cape Town
IFAMA 26th Annual World Conference
19 - 23 June 2016 | Denmark
The IFAMA world conference will focus on three major issues crucial to the
food challenge:
People: Flow of Talent in the Food and Agribusiness Sector
Climate: Climate-­Smart Food and Agribusiness Systems
Big data: Better Analytics and Deeper Insight Management
Media release
Farmbiz Agribusiness Africa Conference 
27 - 28 July 2016 | Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
Enquiries: Marianna du Plessis,  africa@farmlinkafrica.co.za or 082 337 6127
Tropentag International Conference on Research in Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development
18 - 21 September 2016 | Vienna, Austria
Social Media
Follow Agbiz on Facebook and Twitter

Be sure to follow Agbiz on Twitter and Facebook for the latest industry news and events.
In this newsletter
Agbiz Congress Update!
Economic Cluster briefing by Minister Gugile Nkwinti
Land Bank presents on drought relief
DAFF drought relief interventions
Extension of comments period for pricing strategy for water use
Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index Survey
Agbiz participates in the Global Trade Review Africa - Trade Finance Week
Agbiz Grain Report
Members' news
Industry News
News around the web
Upcoming Events