Cillie who, together with AJ Griesel, Laastedrift's commercial manager and financial director, Innis Nagel accepted the award, said they achieved their success by producing value-added quality products scientifically and in harmony with nature, by recognizing the diversity and origin of their work force so that respect and individual freedom of association is inculcated and by creating a safe and healthy working environment.
Charles Hughes, Tru-Cape's managing director said that Cillie's progressive farming practices and focus on his community and environment was what all Tru-Cape growers strived for. Aside from technical farming excellence, Cillie and his team have also lead the way in terms of successful community engagement and actively addressing the issue of agricultural transformation. As early as 2003 60% of the ownership of Morceaux farm in Ceres was transferred to a group of farm workers. Morceaux is an 93ha apple and pear farm adjacent to the town of Ceres.
Cillie says that Laastedrif uses the latest technical techniques in order to produce fruit of international standard. Laastedrif has also adopted an aggressive replanting plan with the newest generation varieties. They aim to develop 150 new hectares of apples in the next five years. To assist in this, Laastedrif has even started their own nursery to grow their own tailor-made three year old trees. In conjunction with Tru-Cape, Laastedrif started their own trial blocks in order to evaluate new varieties adapted to their micro climate.
As a result of an aggressive replanting strategy a large percentage of trees will be non-bearing so that Cillie can ensure that he leaves behind a much stronger and vibrant farming business than what he started out with. Hughes said it is precisely because of Cillie's long-term planning and foresight of which varietals will be in greater demand in the future that makes him the excellent grower he is. "His feel for the business of agriculture is what makes him such a valued member of our board, director of our company and of Ceres Fruit Growers too."
Adéle Engelbrecht, chairperson of the Agricultural Writers' Association of South Africa in the Western Cape says that the nominees for the Agricultural Writers' South Africa Farmer of the Year competition are selected according to a strict set of criteria that revolves around sustainability and social responsibility. "All aspects of a farming business have to be sustainable which includes running a financially stable business while using the land in a manner that will conserve it for the next generation.
"As a visionary industry leader in agriculture in the Western Cape, Rossouw Cillie has over a relatively short space of time built an impressive farming enterprise for fruit and vegetable production that spans the entire value chain. By growing and diversifying their farming and business activities, Laastedrif Farming has managed to guarantee financial stability and sustainability," Engelbrecht says.
"Protecting biodiversity is one of the cornerstones for Laastedrif Farming and apart from their direct involvement in several conservation efforts, all farming activities are run according to best industry practise guidelines for natural resource management. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the business is the care and attention that is given to ensure a safe and happy work environment for the farm workers at Laastedrif. Workers have the opportunity to benefit from, amongst others, training courses to broaden their skills sets, schools and crèches for their children, an on-farm clinic and library," she concludes.
