Kirkwood irrigator Pieter Nortjé named 2026 Grain SA/Syngenta Producer of the Year

Pieter Nortjé, a grain and citrus farmer from Sitrusrand near Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape, was named the 2026 Grain SA/Syngenta Grain Producer of the Year at a ceremony in Boksburg, Gauteng, on the evening of 23 October.

Nortjé farms roughly 3 300ha of grain under pivot irrigation in the Fish River scheme, spread across several production units, and built that business from a small start in little more than a decade. Maize, wheat, soya bean and canola form the core of the grain branch, while citrus keeps the wider operation strongly diversified.

Grain SA says the award recognises South African farmers whose innovation, resilience and commitment to agriculture set an example for the sector. The judges look for adoption of advanced technology, efficient resource use and sustainable practices that lift productivity while protecting the environment.

What did the agriculture minister say?

Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp used his keynote address to make profitability the central condition for everything else in farming. He said farmers cannot invest in tomorrow if their businesses are not profitable today, and he linked farm profitability directly to employment, investment, food production and the future of rural communities.

"When a farmer suffers financial losses, the consequences extend far beyond the farm owner. Profitability is what makes sustainability possible," Aucamp said.

He argued farming must be recognised as a productive investment that supports sustainability and builds confidence in South Africa's future. Building that future, he said, requires government and industry to work in partnership and deliver practical results. He listed three priorities:

• improved market access
• investment in agro-processing
• support that enables developing farmers to become independent, commercially sustainable producers

Aucamp stressed implementation of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, with progress measured in farmers' access to products, technology, new markets and growth opportunities. He also flagged biofuels as a potential additional market for grain farmers.

"We have to support the infrastructure in energy and in general across the agricultural value chain to ensure the profitability of our farmers," he said. He praised all three Producer of the Year finalists, saying their success gave others examples to learn from.

How did Nortjé build the business?

Nortjé's journey reflects innovation, determination, sound agricultural practice and continuous improvement, according to the award citation. Accepting the award, he shared the recognition with the people who helped build the business. He credited his team, acknowledging the expansion would not have been possible without the right people taking responsibility.

He also thanked his wife, Madi, and his 92-year-old father, Anno, recalling how the family started out selling tomatoes and collecting empty boxes to reuse for packing the next day's produce.

For Nortjé, farming is a continuous journey rather than a destination. In his speech he emphasised the importance of the land, water and good farm management. The geographical spread of his farms mitigates risk: differences in climate and seasonal conditions let him spread planting and harvesting over a longer period, balancing risk between production units.

His message to fellow farmers was direct. "Remain positive, support one another, and keep farming," Nortjé said.

The other two finalists were Neethling Dippenaar, a wheat and canola farmer from Swellendam in the Western Cape, and Henk Michau, a summer grain producer from Reitz in the eastern Free State.

Who won in farmer development?

Farmers in Grain SA's farmer development programme, Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP), were also recognised. The winners were:

• Manqoba Nkosi – Subsistence Farmer of the Year
• Lubabalo Jordan – Smallholder Farmer of the Year
• Kopano Lentswetshipi – Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year
• Motlalepule Vincent Masiu (Masiu Farming Enterprise) – New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year

Masiu, 27, from Senekal in the Free State, won a brand-new John Deere 5075E tractor. The family-run operation produces maize, soya bean and sunflower and runs a Bonsmara herd. After starting on a smaller scale, the family recently acquired a 700ha farm. Masiu has participated in the PGP programme since 2020.

What did Grain SA's leaders say?

Jeremia Mathebula, vice-chairperson of Grain SA and chairperson of PGP, framed the evening as a celebration of the farmers behind South Africa's grain industry. "Tonight, we have the opportunity to share the stories of our farmers. We will recognise the dedication, innovation, and leadership of producers who continue to make a meaningful contribution to agriculture and food security," Mathebula said.

Richard Krige, chairperson of Grain SA, reiterated the importance of a unified grain industry and stressed that farming is a team effort. "Behind every producer are families, employees, neighbours, mentors, and business partners who share the work and help carry the risks. It is this spirit of community that binds us together. That is the pinnacle of success," Krige said.

He argued that recognising excellence must be matched by safeguarding the conditions that enable production. Profitable businesses and fair, transparent markets allow farmers to keep investing in their soil, people and technology.

Dr Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA, highlighted the human cost of difficult farming seasons, including the uncertainty faced by employees whose livelihoods depend on farming businesses. He reaffirmed that grain producers' profitability and sustainability remain central to Grain SA's work, and said achieving those objectives requires strong leadership, open debate and the ability to stand together once decisions have been made.

Doyer added that agricultural productivity contributes far more than food, supporting employment, businesses and economic growth. "Together we celebrate not only achievements but also the people and collaboration that help build the future of South African grain farming," he said.

Farmers should watch next for movement on the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan and any concrete government steps on biofuels market access, both flagged by the minister as near-term priorities for the grain sector.