Agribusiness

Agrico’s vision is clear: to provide tools that don’t just work, but help farmers farm more efficiently, productively, and profitably.

If you think holiday or snacks before a braai, chances are good that crunchy and fresh cocktail-sized gherkins pickled in a sweet and tangy-flavoured vinegar brine are on the menu. These gherkins, and many of the other products produced by Miami Canners, are perfect for summer platters, salads, or sandwiches. Magda du Toit visited the Pieterse family on their farm, Miami, near Letsitele, recently to find out the secret behind the success of this family-owned and farm-based business.

It is a sticky business that requires the application of basic physics to extract nature’s golden produce. Charles Friderichs of Honey-Dawn Bee Farm near Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape explains why, when it comes to processing honey, less really is more.

Pork 360 is South Africa’s farm-assured certification that assures consumers, retailers and the entire pork value chain have access to safe, fresh and affordable pork.

Roadway Farms in Albert Falls, KwaZulu-Natal, is implementing a model intended to keep the family operation financially viable and sustainable into the future. Vegetable farmer and entrepreneur Shakti Satyapal talks about how they have reimagined the business in recent years.

Marina Fourie of Beef and Lamb South Africa describes how the organisation is actively working towards the marketing of red meat to consumers, not only for the purpose of short-term purchases, but in order to elevate red meat in the minds of consumers.

Extreme weather events and growing market uncertainty are weighing heavily on canning fruit producers worldwide. From Europe to the US, farmers face smaller harvests, tighter margins, and intensifying competition from the fresh fruit market for yellow cling peaches.

Ronald and Venessa Juckes of Venron Border Collies in Heidelberg, Gauteng, have dedicated 37 years to the breed. Known for producing exceptional dogs and raising breed standards in South Africa, Ronald is also an esteemed judge on both local and international stages.

Earlier this year, Hartenberg Wine Estate, owned by the Mackenzie family, became the first wine farm in South Africa, and the second in the world, to achieve regenerative verification under the Ecological Outcome Verification framework. Viticulturist Wilhelm Joubert shared the lessons they have learnt on this transformative journey with Glenneis Kriel.

Many know Klein Roosboom as a wine brand shaped by Karin de Villiers’s strong vision. But behind the wine lies a deeper story – one of enduring love, shared dreams, and resilience. Karin spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the journey.

Selinah Ntjana, a Limpopo farmer and entrepreneur, is advocating the various benefits of goats through books, skincare, and wellness products. She spoke to Sabrina Dean about her brand, Selinah The Goat.

Siphiwe Sithole is on a mission to establish a culture of food abundance. She spoke to Sabrina Dean about her business, African Marmalade, and how it harnesses the potential of indigenous products grown by smallholder farmers.

As the 2025 Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year, Francois Rossouw Jnr is part of a new generation of producers blending tradition with forward-thinking strategies in sustainability, technology, and people-centred leadership.

The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation works on behalf of red meat producers to ultimately improve their sustainability.

Organic and biodynamic farming practices have been used at Reyneke Wines since the early 1990s. Johan Reyneke, owner of the estate, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his production philosophy.

A young Brangus stud breeder in the Free State is on a mission to open doors for other young farmers. Danielle de Kock shares her story with Farmer’s Weekly, including her work as a farmer, and the challenges and opportunities faced by young farmers.

A high-maintenance crop, if ever there was one, orchids demand attention to detail. With over 35 years of experience in orchid production, LVG Plants combines its expertise with new advancements in greener technologies, ensuring its flowers are beautiful allies for people and planet.

In an era where small to medium-sized farms are struggling to stay afloat, Charlesford Farm near Knysna is bucking the trend with a combination of traditional agriculture, value adding, and agritourism. Owner Cathy Shearer and farm manager Cobus Erasmus spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their approach.

Farming has been a lifelong ambition for 34-year-old Siphe Singasezulu Joyi from Baziya village near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the unique community model that has given him and his brother access to land to grow their business Jay Jay Farming into a commercial operation.

Donkey milk has been dubbed ‘liquid gold’ due to its health benefits and high market value. But low production, easily interrupted when donkeys are stressed, makes donkey dairying challenging. Jesse Christelis, owner of The Donkey Dairy, spoke to Lindi Botha about running South Africa’s first such dairy.