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Agriculture

New Era commercial farmer of 2016 hails from Free State

───   SABRINA DEAN 12:00 Mon, 17 Oct 2016

New Era commercial farmer of 2016 hails from Free State | News Article
Farmworkers' boots

A farmer from Tweespruit in the Free State is the Grain SA New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year for 2016.


Frans Mokoena was announced as the winner during a gala event hosted in Johannesburg on Friday night. He told OFM News he is extremely happy.

His mentor and translator Johan Kriel says Mokoena is a shining example to other emerging farmers who want to grow to become fully-fledged commercial farmers.

"Precision farming has actually helped us a lot. Since the GPS technology became available it opened up a lot of doors. We can now take soil samples at the spot they need to be taken and can rectify the problems that exist. We couldn't previously do all of that. So precision farming is important - I have been doing it for the last 16 years."

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Grain Producer of the Year, which went to Mpumalanga farmer Jozua du Plessis. 

He says he is thrilled at the recognition. Commenting on his recipe for success, Du Plessis says precision farming has made a huge difference in the family farming operation.

“When I arrive there he's out on the tractor. He can drive the tractor, he can do everything that needs to be done. It doesn't help to try and give people work to do if you can't do the work yourself,” he explains.

"Then you must use the technology, you must attend courses, you must learn. As he said tonight, he is actually a child of Grain SA. He started with them, did all the courses and we are always there for him. I am personally very proud of this young man. He is a star."


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