The 63rd Annual Fertasa Congress

The 63^rd Annual Fertasa Congress TOOK PLACE ON THE 20^TH OF APRIL AT THE CSIR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE IN PRETORIA

The theme of the congress was Dealing with Challenges in Uncertain Times.

PE Haumann CEO Fertasa

The event was attended by Fertasa members and representatives from various agricultural sectors and institutions.

The following presentations were delivered:

Tom Mason, chairperson of Fertasa explaining Fertasa services to members and its role in the Fertilizer Industry. One of the major challenges mentioned was dealing with expensive fertilizer stocks in a market of shrinking global prices. Service delivery regarding fertilizer registrations is also a major challenge costing the Fertilizer Industry billions of Rands in the long term.

Drivers of world affairs were explained by Professor Michael Clark a, security and defence analyst from the United Kingdom and of Sky News fame, in a presentation aptly titled “The World in Turmoil”.  The role of the big 4 nations in the so called “Asian Century” was analysed in a systematic and understandable manner. The impact on smaller countries was also discussed.

The influence of various factors on South African industries was discussed by Prof Ferdi Meyer managing director of BFAP (Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy). The title of his presentation was “Globalization Versus Localization, Toward Self-Sufficiency”

One of the many challenges for grain farmers is the extremely high price of input commodities. Others include loadshedding and poor service delivery with transport and shipping of products for local and international markets. Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director of Agri SA elaborated on all the cross-influences of dysfunctional systems in his presentation “Status of South African Farming Under Current Conditions”.

Internal political conditions in South Africa are typical of the “VUCA” (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) situation currently widely experienced. Prof Theo Venter gave his opinion on how this is going to play out over the short to medium term in his presentation South African Political Scene Pre-and post- 2024 Elections.”

A panel discussion was conducted to define how challenges should be dealt with under all the conditions described.

The first condition is to establish the necessary principles and standards that should be adhered to when dealing with the identified challenges and to define the envisaged outcome. In this process it is essential that communication should always be transparent and honest.

The presentations are all available on the Fertasa website: www.fertasa.co.za

At the gala dinner the following presentations were made:

CERTIFICATION:    Fertasa Code of Conduct Compliance                          

• SA LIME & GYPSUM
• NUTRIBIO

HONARARY MEMBERSHIP: Service to Fertasa /FSSA over a long time          

• DR ANDRE NEL 
• MR PIETER VAN NIEKERK

APPRECIATION:   Service as Fertasa Chairperson                               

• DR NICOLE HART
• MR HENK LE ROUX

GOLD MEDAL: Award for a person for his/her outstanding contribution to SA Agriculture over a long period of time (Lifetime)

2021:                                                    

PROF PIET STEYN

 2022:                                                    

DR. KOOS BORNMAN

Photos:  Presenters and Gold medal award winners.

Sponsorship was provided by Standard Bank, Inteligro and GuanoBoost.