Agribusiness

Agribusiness entrepreneur, Leeko Makoene, has a grand vision for South Africa’s young farmers, but thinks a mindshift is needed to kick-start renewal in the sector. She explained to Wilma den Hartigh why the country needs more agribusinesses and fewer farming projects.

The hefty losses suffered in the agricultural sector as a result of the drought has raised questions about the relevance of agricultural insurance in today’s farming environment. Wilma den Hartigh asked agricultural insurers how farmers should be mitigating risk in the future.

Edmund Oettle, South Africa’s only organic brandy producer, explains that his farming approach is a life choice. He speaks to Jay Ferreira about his business operation near Wellington in the Western Cape.

Cocoa may be the main ingredient in one of the world’s favourite confectioneries, but its production has, at times, been plagued by scandal. Efforts are underway in Côte d’Ivoire and elsewhere to bring about ethical cocoa production, says Lloyd Phillips.

With renewable energy becoming necessary, could wood gasification present a viable alternative?

Your farming business is in a one-way financial cul de sac. What remedies do you have at your disposal to solve the problem? Johan Botha, an attorney specialising in insolvencies, and agricultural consultant, Pietman Botha, offer some advice.

It’s important to plan beyond the drought in a sector that will remain a driver of economic growth & social stability.

Fresh produce markets are available to all producers. Yet using them optimally requires know-how.

In order to boost sales, it’s important to know your customers and what they expect.

Dr Gordon Adam, Western Cape coordinator of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of SA (RuVasa), spoke to Glenneis Kriel about developments in the sector.

Applying lean agriculture could help SA's farmers improve operational efficiency

A passion for pet alpacas lead to the start of an alpaca farm in Wellington.

Flowershed supplies the local and export markets with indigenous flowers. Here's how they broke into and conquered the indigenous flower market.

Many farmers are not only struggling with the environmental effects of the drought, but experiencing monetary difficulties. Marius Volschenk, Nedbank’s area manager of agriculture in Bloemfontein, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the importance of long-term financial planning.

Agrico has served the SA farming community for more than a hundred years. HEre's how they stay ahead of the game while retaining traditional values.

The milling operation started out of necessity. Today a successful business, here are lessons from an expert on maize meal and animal feed milling.

Oyster farming offers several advantages: it’s sustainable, has low-impact, and produces naturally organic and healthy food.

Grown on dry, unirrigated land, Darling Wines of Origin produce wines with intense flavour and have proven to be as popular locally as abroad.

Farmer Tom Turner runs an unsual mixed farming operation with his father Frank Turner near Wellington in the Western Cape. By working with and for the sake of nature, Bontebok Ridge Reserve is seeing success both economically and ecologically.

Although Zambia has a thriving agricultural sector, much of the industry still lags in the implementation of modern practices and technologies for improved productivity and profitability. One operation, however, is setting the trend for being a progressive and diversified farming business.