Over the past half-century Grain SA’s NAMPO Harvest Day has grown from small beginnings in 1967 to the diversified agricultural trade exhibition of world standing it is today. The Harvest Day’s origin is attributed to the initiative of three producers from Bloemfontein. For maize farmers, the sixties was a period of transition to large-scale mechanisation and bulk handling of grains and there was a material need to see and compare tractors and implements on a larger scale in working conditions rather than having only one company demonstrating its products on one’s farm. The three musketeers put their hands to the plough in June 1967 the first SAMPI Harvest Day was held at Donkerhoek. A total of eight exhibitors participated and 203 people attended. However, this modest beginning was the inception of an agriculturally focused, needs-driven trade show that grew continually and accommodated more than 650 exhibitors and around 70 000 visitors in 2015
The Harvest Day’s initial focus was on maize production exclusively – in particular its mechanisation aspect by means of controlled demonstrations on a non-competitive basis. Since 2010 it has been transformed into static exhibitions and virtual displays on the stands of the exhibitors, staffed by specialists and marketing personnel. As commercial farming ventures started diversifying for the sake of sustainable profitability, the Harvest Day Committee’s choice of exhibitors and the facilities of the Harvest Day terrain have dynamically kept pace with new developments and the latest farming technology, so much so that practically every facet of agriculture is receiving attention.
The harvest day offered a combination of the latest mechanisation technology, a wide variety of input products, vehicles, fixtures and more. More than a 90% representation of large-stock and small-stock breeds, as well as horses and even exhibitions by the wildlife industry was on show at the animal section.
What impressed me the most was the wall of Remembrance. The monument erected in 2007, in remembrance of all the commercial farmers and farm-workers who have died in farm-murders in South Africa since May 1961. The 3 upright columns represent the husband, wife and child who are often murdered together in a farm attack. To the left are 4 memorial walls and to the right 5, representing each province. The walls each have a black granite panel which displays the victims’ names. This is such a nice gesture!
This was a wonderful experienced and I will defnitely be back next year!!