Agribusiness

Sarah Allan decided to install renewable energy systems for her farm three years ago, but this turned out to be far more complex than first anticipated. She shares her hard-earned lessons with Robyn Joubert.

Amongst the mostly abandoned factories and warehouses of Dimbaza, a small mohair weaving facility still produces internationally acclaimed 100% mohair carpets. Mike Burgess visited the Dimbaza Mohair Weavers factory.

Robyn Joubert reports on how the government and commodity organisations are working to provide South Africa with more farmers, semi-skilled workers, specialists and artisans.

It seems that red meat consumers never benefit from lower farmgate prices. Could it be that the middleman is milking consumers for all they’re worth, while suppressing farmers’ income? This issue was debated at the Northern Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation congress.

With local demand for tree nuts increasing, De Wet van Rooyen and Hannes Jansen of Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts – one of the largest suppliers of nuts in South Africa – are encouraging farmers to supply this growing market. Denene Erasmus reports.

Oceanwise in the Eastern Cape is one of the largest land-based marine finfish recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in the world. Mike Burgess visited this pioneering initiative.

Wildlife managers need experience and ability to succeed in this exciting, growing business.

Argentina is often seen as a farmers’ paradise – a land of milk and honey, beef and soya. But farmers in that country say that margins are tight and politicians can be a vexation to the agricultural sector. Anneli Groenewald reports on farming conditions in Argentina.

Competition in a fresh produce market is tough, and most BEE market agents fail to survive their first year. Gugu Hadebe and Danny Geral are the exception. Quitting their jobs to start Egoly Market Agents, their partnership has sailed through a year of operation. Peter Mashala spoke to them.

Now in their retirement, Norman and Rina Belcher are producing award-winning cheeses at their Belnori Boutique Cheesery. The Belchers attribute their success to teamwork and paying attention to detail.

Seo Mtetwa, MD of Nu Dawn Eggs, talks about the company's beginning, success and future.

A composting company has embraced social media to differentiate its brand in a competitive market. Robyn Joubert reports.

The government’s mechanisation programme is doomed to failure unless it is project-managed properly and regard is given to the many difficulties of operating machinery in a small-scale environment, says Peter Hittersay, a consultant in agricultural mechanisation.

Anne Turner and Wessel Etzebeth’s small goat milk enterprise, De Böcke Goat Dairy, is less than a year old, but they are already finding a welcome place for their products in this niche market. Denene Erasmus reports.

Nkunzi Milkyway is an Ayrshire milk processor in Pretoria. Its policy of fair payment to producers has contributed to its steady growth of 38% during the past five years, according to Robyn Joubert.

With one supermarket successfully established on the Bluff, Oxford Freshmarket is looking to ramp up turnover with four new store openings in the next two years. Even though Oxford buys off fresh produce markets throughout SA, it prefers to buy directly from farmers. Robyn Joubert reports.

Producing popcorn is a highly specialised industry that differs from conventional maize production, says Johann Kriek, CEO of the Bigfoot Trading Company. Annelie Coleman reports.

A small fruit factory on the Piket-Bo-Berg in the Swartland has secured major contracts in both the local and export markets. The secret to its success is surprisingly simple, as Jay Ferreira explains.

Many farm workers enjoy perks which improve their living conditions. The new minimum wage may mean a loss of benefits and jobs in the agricultural sector. Robyn Joubert reports.

The era of mechanisation and outsourcing in the commercial agriculture sector has arrived to counter the sharp increase in labour costs, says Attie Scholtz, the 2012 Northern Cape Young Farmer of the Year. He explains to Annelie Coleman why mechanisation has become vital for a farmer’s economic survival.