Agribusiness

Russia joined the World Trade Organisation in August 2012. As the largest country on the planet, it holds significant trading potential for South Africa, and the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Directorate for International Trade is trying to find more ways to exploit this business opportunity. Susan Botes explores the potential of the partnership.

Dutch processing technology is being used to solve the problem of transporting perishable cassava roots over long distances in Africa.

Eikenhof Poultry Farms, part of the Free Range Chicken Company, is amongst South Africa’s oldest producers of free-range eggs. The company has taken the lead in offering free-range liquid egg products to retailers and food manufacturers. Denene Erasmus spoke to managing director Dr David Allwright.

Business expansion and community development are guiding principles in the Khourie family business. Bosparadys is a thriving dairy concern set to expand despite the tough economic environment dairy farmers operate in.

In August 2009, Elsa Carstens became the first woman in South Africa to head up two producer wine cellars. Due to financial pressure, these cellars had already opted to amalgamate so they could expand market share. Elsa guided them through this process and launched a successful turnaround. Jacques Claassen reports.

Bulk wine exports have become the backbone of South Africa’s international wine trade. But to increase profitability and ensure financial sustainability, Riebeek Cellars is instead investing in a rebranding exercise aimed at increasing bottled wine sales. Cellar master Zakkie Bester shared some wine, and insights, with Denene Erasmus.

Despite having limited farmland, Chris Venter is a top pepper supplier to a Gauteng supermarket chain. By contracting six other farmers to share the production, he has spread his risk and minimised that of the farmers of Pepper Valley.

Noliqwa Nhlapo, runner-up in the 2013 Eskom Development Foundation Business Investment Competition, was forced to change direction from piggery to egg production due to land constraints. But she never lost sight of the bigger picture. Peter Mashala visited her farm.

Canola production has grown in leaps and bounds during the past decade and is set to more than double in the next. With biofuel blending regulations coming into effect in 2015 and positive results achieved in crop rotation, the canola industry is poised for a boom. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

This ostrich farm in the Western Cape has diversified into tourism, sport, concerts and other attractions that ensure a constant income stream. Jay Ferreira reports.

Tapping into KZN’s winter-flowering aloes has given local businesses, tourism and conservation a welcome boost. Robyn Joubert reports.

Federico Boglione, the company president of one of the biggest dehydrated milk product suppliers in the world, says the main pillars of success of his Argentinian-based family business, Los Lazos, are diversification and value-adding. Denene Erasmus reports.

A once-destitute Seenteko tea farm has received an overhaul that will see a failed sector productive once more. Plandaí Biotechnology will produce green tea extract on the farm. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

The pending reopening of the land claims window for a further five years could see a flood of claims being lodged on South African farms. With more than 7 000 land claims yet to be researched and gazetted by government, farmers are advised to familiarise themselves with the process and their rights. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to Annelize Crosby, legal advisor for Agri SA.

Aquaponics involves the organic production of crops and fish in a holistic system – the plants are cultivated using fish waste as the main source of nutrients. Leslie Ter Morshuizen in Grahamstown has established an aquaponics tunnel system to test its commercial viability.

Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s current term as minister of agriculture is drawing to a close. Speaking to Alita van der Walt and Anneli Groenewald, she highlights her successes, and explains how she plans to ensure food security in South Africa.

Rural communities and farm workers can supplement their incomes by cashing in on South Africa’s honey shortage. With African Honey Bee’s business model, budding beekeepers can gain the skills to operate independently. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

Agricultural production in Africa is generally considered to be underutilised. Many therefore think that the continent is ideal for new commercial forestry plantations to meet global demand. But these ventures are not for the faint-hearted, as Lloyd Phillips reports.

The sugar industries of SA and Réunion Island may have different production challenges, but the ways in which each industry is tackling its problems can help the other. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Kiki Agri’s Philip Kilian explains to Peter Mashala how backyard broiler farming could help boost food security in poor households, thanks to a new easy-to-install system.