The 16 finalists of the 2026 Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) Farmer of the Year Competition collectively farm nearly 2 390 hectares across six provinces, highlighting the steady progress developing grain farmers are making as they build stronger businesses and move closer to commercial grain production.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
The recent adjudication process took judges to farms in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State and North West. While each farming operation had its unique story, judges observed a common trend of improving production, expanding planting areas and strengthening farm businesses.
However, the adjudication process also reinforced the need for continued access to finance, production support, markets and strategic partnerships to enable more developing grain farmers to establish sustainable commercial enterprises.
Also read: How Grain SA’s Phahama Grain Phakama is turning small-scale farmers into grain entrepreneurs
Competition reflects farmer development
According to PGP, the competition is about more than recognising outstanding farmers. It also provides valuable insight into where farmers are succeeding, where challenges remain and how the agricultural sector can work together to create more opportunities for developing grain producers.
The PGP Farmer Development Programme currently supports 6 783 developing grain farmers across South Africa through training, mentorship and production support. The annual competition serves as a snapshot of the programme’s broader impact and the progress farmers are making at different stages of their commercialisation journey.
The competition recognises farmers in four categories:
- Subsistence: 1 ha to 3 ha
- Smallholder: 4 ha to 49 ha
- Potential Commercial: 50 ha to 249 ha
- New Era Commercial: More than 250 ha
These categories reflect the progression from small-scale production to commercially viable grain farming businesses.
Farmers expanding their operations
This year’s finalists include several farmers who have successfully advanced to higher competition categories after expanding their farming operations.
Lubabalo Jordan from the Eastern Cape and Mnculwane Mfaniseni from KwaZulu-Natal both progressed from the Subsistence category to the Smallholder category.
Other finalists have achieved even greater expansion. Masiu Farming increased its planted area from 30 hectares to 550 hectares, while Kopano Lentswetshipi expanded from 90 hectares during the 2022/23 season to 367 hectares in the 2025/26 season.
These examples demonstrate what can be achieved when farmers receive sustained support and continue investing in their farming enterprises.
Also read: Engineer-turned-farmer wins 2025 Grain SA New Era Commercial Farmer Award
Collaboration remains key
Sibusiso Mabuza, CEO of PGP, said the competition provides an opportunity to witness farmer development in action.
“Each year we meet farmers who are improving their production, strengthening the way they manage their businesses and looking for opportunities to grow. Seeing farmers move into new categories and significantly expand their production shows what is possible when they have access to the right support.
“At the same time, it reminds us that no farmer succeeds in isolation. Continued collaboration between farmers, government, financiers and industry partners is essential if we want to see more developing grain farmers become successful commercial producers.”
Mabuza said farmer development is measured not only by yields or hectares planted, but also by improved decision-making, stronger farm management and the ability to build businesses that support families, stimulate local economies and strengthen South Africa’s food system.
Also read: Here are the 2025 Phahama Grain Phakama/Grain SA Development Programme award winners!
Winners to be honoured in October
The finalists will be recognised during the 2026 PGP Ukukhula Conference and Day of Celebration, which will take place on 8 October 2026 at Nampo Park in Bothaville.
The conference will bring together farmers, government representatives, industry leaders, financiers and development partners to strengthen partnerships and identify practical solutions to accelerate the commercialisation of developing grain farmers.
The event will also celebrate members of the prestigious 250 Ton Club, recognising farmers who have achieved significant production milestones on their journey towards commercial grain production.
“We have seen what developing grain farmers can achieve when they have access to the right support. Our responsibility now is to ensure that more farmers have those same opportunities. Commercialisation is not the responsibility of one organisation; it requires a collective effort across the agricultural sector,” Mabuza concluded.
