Top farmers are optimistic, but not naïve about future

Johan and Dirkie van As, winners of the 2018 Grain SA/Syngenta Grain Producer of the Year Award, grow canola, barley, wheat and lucerne on 8 700ha in Swellendam, Western Cape. They also farm 11 000 ewes for wool and meat. They spoke to Sabrina Dean.

How did you experience 2018? According to experts, the last year was the third driest pre-planting season [January to March] since 1906. This brought many challenges, with our grain and grazing crops coming under tremendous pressure. The cost of feed was also far above budget. Fortunately, the good wool price mitigated that cost.

What challenges and opportunities does 2019 hold? Market and production conditions, profitability and economic growth will be our business’s main challenges. Farmers across the agri sector will have to create ways to work together to make land reform work.

What investments are you planning to make in 2019?

We have set ourselves a goal of stabilising the business over the next five years and will continue to strive for efficiency, profitability and increasing production across all branches of the operation. In order to achieve greater efficiency, we will invest in the latest technology.

Are you optimistic about the future of farming in South Africa?

We are of the view that South Africa is one of the most challenging places in the world to farm. We see agriculture as the cornerstone of our country’s economy and believe in sustainability and food security. We are optimistic, but not naïve. The controversy around land reform is not just going to disappear and will continue to cause uncertainty until a solution is found.

• Email Johan and Dirkie van As at vanasbroersedmsbpk@kinko.co.za.