The National Grain Research Programme (NGRP) has the vision to i) increase collaboration between government, industry and local universities; ii) increase engagements between grain and oilseed stakeholders and, iii) promote industry-relevant, outcomes-based research. In support of this, the 4^th Annual Research Day was held in Potchefstroom on 18–20 March. The meeting was co-hosted by the North-West University and Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The meeting was attended by more than 100 grain stakeholders and provided an opportunity to showcase grain research produced across partnering research institutes (currently including Stellenbosch University (SU), University of the Free-State (UFS), North West University (NWU), Agricultural Research Council and FABI at the University of Pretoria (UP)) and have open discussions with industry and government partners about research directions and priorities needed to help solve grand challenges related to grains in the country.

‘Farming 2.0: Smarter & Greener’ was the theme of this year’s meeting, with sessions focused on new technologies and precision farming, on-farm research and breeding for the future. Other topics covered were plant and soil health, with several presentations on mycotoxins, nematodes and soil health. Furthermore, a group discussion led by Dr Godfrey Kgatle (Grain SA and co-director of the NGRP) was focused on the challenges and opportunities related to grain research in the country. This was followed by a visit to the recently launched NWU Agrihub, where we engaged with industry partners and were introduced to the hub's vision and the trials that were taking place. At the end of the meeting, Dr Miekie Human (SANSOR) led a panel discussion on the current research capacity within the platform and mechanisms to gain more momentum in the NGRP. Panelists included Dr Maneshree Jugmohan-Naidu (DSI), Dr Lukeshni Chetty (SANSOR), Mr Mike Ellis (Grain SA) and Prof. Cobus Visagie (FABI and co-director of the NGRP).

We had a large team from FABI who joined the meeting. Among those who gave presentations were Ms Ofentse Mathibela (High-throughput phenotyping in southern Africa: A South African maize planting date case study), Ms Unathi Tshabalala (Investigating the prevalence of Stenocarpella species and Diplodiatoxin in Eastern Cape maize) and Dr Neriman Yilmaz (Fusarium diversity and associated mycotoxins in Eastern Cape maize: Insights from a multi-season survey).

We thank Prof. Gerhard du Preez (NWU), Dr Jeanetta du Toit (ARC) and their teams for hosting an excellent meeting. We look forward to the 2026 meeting to be held in Pretoria that will be organised by the Grain SA team.