Business

In a world of decreasing farm margins, every hectare, every input, and every rand invested must earn its place. This is the philosophy that guides Anton Pelser, the Agri Mpumalanga Young Farmer of the Year 2026. He spoke to Lindi Botha about the data, discipline, and long-term thinking that guides every decision.

Just over two years after entering the industry, Mecia Petersen was appointed CEO of the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI). She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about taking a chance, growing into leadership, and why women should not wait until they feel completely ready to pursue an opportunity.

History is full of women who have played crucial and pioneering roles in science, overcoming various barriers to contribute to discoveries and innovations across disciplines. Not all of them are equally known, but someone who deserves to be a household name is Dr Renée Prins, Founding Director CenGen Pty Ltd.

From launching livestock genomics initiatives, to mentoring future scientists, to becoming the first female Head of Department of Animal Science at the University of Pretoria (UP), to leading the South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS), Prof Esté van Marle-Köster’s journey in the agriculture sector has been nothing short of inspirational.

Vinpro’s latest cost guide shows that long-term profitability is less about cutting costs than making every vineyard decision count. Yolandi Botha, an agricultural economist at Vinpro Agricultural Economic Service, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this.

Women and young agricultural entrepreneurs from across Gauteng were recognised at River Meadow Manor in Irene on 14 August 2026 during the Gauteng Women Entrepreneurs Awards and Youth Entrepreneurs Awards. The awards highlight value creation, mentorship and wider participation in the agricultural economy.

In a free market environment, planning is crucial. To make planning possible, official, reliable, accurate, credible, objective and timely crop forecasts are essential to keep the market working. This is where Rona Beukes, a senior statistician in Crop Estimates and Agricultural Statistics in the Directorate: Statistics and Economic Analysis at the Department of Agriculture, has carved a name for herself.

After the closure of Roodeplaat Research Laboratories in 1994, where Karen Nel worked as a biochemist, she, along with two colleagues, founded a vaccine-manufacturing business called Design Biologix.

Lowering field temperature as soon as possible after picking, along with better on-farm cooling and storage, can help farmers protect quality, retain market options, and reduce post-harvest losses of fruit and vegetables.

Mohair Empowerment Trust manager Beauty Mokgwamme spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to empowering emerging farmers to become commercially viable, thereby transforming lives through agriculture.

From growing up in a small Northern Cape town to becoming a pioneering scientist, Dr Marinda Visser expanded her horizons to lead vital national research partnerships, championing biosecurity and mentoring agriculture’s next wave of leaders.

Driven by climate change and shifting consumer tastes, South African winemakers are embracing heat-tolerant, disease-resistant alternative grape varieties. Explorations at nurseries like Bosman Adama show how these novel cultivars secure sustainable viticulture.

a farm with little more than a single rondavel on it. Today, that property has become Kilima Horned Heritage, a diversified enterprise built around wildlife, tourism and livestock. Henning Naudé spoke to her about building Kilima, learning about an unfamiliar industry, and finding her place as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Quality, consistency, and partnership are three important pillars that a flower business in Brazil is attributing their success to. Joost Kalanchoe, a business based in Holambra, has been specialising in the greenhouse production of potted Kalanchoe and Euphorbia milii. These flowers are sold on the flower auction in Holambra.

‘The flood showed us the worst of nature, but it also showed us the very best of people.’ Pieter de Waal spoke to several farmers and winemakers affected by the floods.

For Fruit South Africa CEO Fhumulani Ratshitanga, leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening carefully enough to bring different voices together. She spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the experiences that’ve shaped her leadership, and why trust is the foundation of progress.

By placing training, mentorship, and practical skills at its core, the Mathuba Farming Academy in the village of Ha-Ravele, near Makhado in Limpopo, is equipping farmers to build productive, sustainable, and commercially viable enterprises.

Brazilian coffee producer Luka Delpasso is adding value to the family business by producing, roasting and marketing specialty coffee while farming in harmony with nature. Quality, sustainability, and innovation are at the heart of the enterprise.

Established in 1692, Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch blends its historic Cape heritage with modern, award-winning winemaking. Today, it stands as a global leader in regenerative agriculture, art, and tourism.

Vencor Holdings, an integrated meat producer based in Polokwane, Limpopo, recently completed the latest phase of an extensive solar and battery installation aimed at reducing its exposure to rising electricity costs while improving supply security. Ruan Erasmus, CEO at Vencor Holdings, and Connor Northing, chief technical officer at SunRanch Solar, spoke to Henning Naudé about the hybrid energy strategy behind the project.