Agricultural Writers SA acknowledges
the role that farmers and agriculturists
play in the agricultural sector and in
addressing food security. with its own infrastructure. The combined
production of the separate farming units
makes Pieter Graaff the single largest
individual apple producer in South Africa.
I am sure, that although we will not
hear the words, future generations
will thank you for your contributions
and efforts to create an enabling
environment that facilitated growth,
success and food security in our lovely
country,” said Magda du Toit, chairperson
of the Agricultural Writers SA. Other farming activities includes the
cultivation of pears, nectarines, peaches,
cherries, wine grapes, vegetables, grain,
forestry with a sawmill, cattle, sheep and
a thoroughbred stud.
“The ultimate measure of a person
is not what they do in moments of
comfort and convenience, but rather
what they do during times of challenge
and crisis. That shows resilience and
that is the match that ignites hope,
excellence, innovation and forward
thinking. And that is what all our
regional winners managed to do.”
The 2018 Farmer of the Year in the
Western Cape and National Farmer
of the Year Pieter Graaff took over
the farming business, Witzenberg
Properties, just outside Ceres from his
father dr. Jan Graaff, in 1984. Under
his leadership five farming units were
added to the original farm resulting in
better productivity and an increase in
the total turnover and profit. Pieter Graaff
also expanded his farming business
vertically into the complete value chain.
The six farming units are all situated in
four unique climate zones within the
Ceres area, spreading the climate risk
of the farming business. Each of the
six units are operated independently
Properties chose to develop in
partnership rather than alone. With
this philosophy a business was built
with far greater influence across the
whole value chain.
Witzenberg Properties has a proud
tradition of taking care of its people.
It is an employer of choice within the
greater Ceres area and renowned
as a company where people work
until retirement. It provides employee
benefits beyond the minimum
requirements, to provide every
employee of Witzenberg Properties the
opportunity to live a life of dignity.
Since the onset of his career, Pieter
Graaff has made the conscious
decision to rather be “a small fish in a
big ocean, as opposed to being “a big
fish in a small pond”.
Unlike many other entrepreneurial
farming companies, Witzenberg
I am sure, that although
we will not hear the words,
future generations will thank
you for your contributions
and efforts to create an
enabling environment that
facilitated growth, success
and food security in our lovely
country,” says Magda du Toit,
chairperson of the Agricultural
Writers SA.
Tru-Cape managing director, Roelf
Pienaar says: “Tru-Cape Fruit
Marketing was over the moon when
our chairman Mr Pieter Graaff was
confirmed as the Western Cape
Farmer of the Year, earlier this
month, but the news now that he
has been awarded by the Agriculture
Writer’s Association as South Africa’s
National Farmer of the Year has filled us
with pride at our close association with
him. Our heartiest congratulations go to
Pieter.
“As the largest exporter of South
African apples and pears, Tru-Cape
needs innovative growers like Pieter
Graaff and others to maintain our
competitive edge. His forward-
thinking and business-like approach
to growing the best South African
fruit is a large part of our success.”
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