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Wildeklawer's Louis de Kock Scoops Potatoes South Africa National Farmer Of The Year Title
16 September 2005
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Potatoes South Africa's National Potato Farmer of the Year is Louis de Kock, co-owner with his wife, Cora, of the Wildeklawer farm at Barkly-West in the Northern Cape Province.
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Pictured at the award ceremony for National Potato Farmer of the Year were, from left, Frank Lawrence, out-going Chairman of Potatoes South Africa; Louis de Kock of Wildeklawer, National Potato Farmer of the Year; Cora de Kock of Wildeklawer; Leon van Wyk, Product Manager: Vegetables, Syngenta; and George Steytler, former National Potato Farmer of the Year and an adjudicator of this year's competition.
Louis beat 11 other regional finalists for the title, in a competition organised by Potatoes South Africa, an industry-related body supporting the country's potato producers, and sponsored by Swiss-based agri-business giant Syngenta.
The innovative Northern Cape engineer-turned-farmer's success was announced at a special function in Pretoria, forming part of the bi-annual congress of Potatoes South Africa. He was presented with a floating trophy, certificate and a trip to Switzerland for himself and his wife, where they will tour Syngenta's operations.
"This award actually belongs as much to Cora, who is in charge of Wildeklawer's marketing function, and to Wildeklawer's 1 000-strong team involved in the broader farming, packaging and distribution functions; I am very grateful for their input," said Louis.
The competition was adjudicated by a panel of four experts: Professor Piet Hammes of the Department of Plant Production and Soil Science at the University of Pretoria; Dr Ben Pieterse, Manager: Research and Development, Potatoes South Africa; Mr Leon van Wyk, Product Manager: Vegetables, Syngenta; and Mr George Steytler, a prominent Northern Cape potato farmer and previous holder of the Potato Farmer of the Year title.
George, commenting on Louis' success, said: "The extent to which labour relations have developed at Wildeklawer under Louis' very good management, is particularly commendable."
In reaching its decision, the adjudication panel looked at the following criteria: production management; marketing management mechanisation; financial management; labour management; involvement in organised agriculture; management information systems; and general farming practices.
In addition, the panel spent time in on-site assessment at each of the 12 finalists' farms.
At Wildeklawer, the adjudicators were orientated on cultivars used; soil preparation and maintenance; planting techniques; cultivation and irrigation; pest and disease control; harvesting; packaging; distribution and marketing; as well as human resource practices.
Louis and Cora rose to prominence earlier this year when they launched the Wildeklawer Sweet Onion to the South African market for the first time. The milder, sweeter onion - which can be prepared without tears - was an immediate hit with local consumers and supermarket shelves were cleared within weeks.
While Wildeklawer is both South Africa's biggest single producer of onions for the domestic market and a significant onion exporter, it is also a substantial producer of potatoes.
Wildeklawer is sponsor of Griquas rugby.
Delighted Wildeklawer employees welcome home a victorious Louis de Kock, Potatoes South Africa's National Potato Farmer of the Year |
In an impromptu ceremony before the start of the working day, Potatoes South Africa's National Potato Farmer of the Year, Louis de Kock, acknowledges the contribution of all of Wildklawer's staff to his winning of the coveted title. |
An elated Judidia Lekgetho, Chairman of the Wildeklawer Workers' Forum, holds aloft the certificate proclaiming Wildeklawer co-owner Louis de Kock Potatoes South Africa's National Potato Farmer of the Year. |
Queries:
James Duncan
Lwazi Strategic Communications
+27 11 880 4232
+27 82 892 8052