Farmers’ strategies for weathering the flower market storm
Carol Sutherland, a florist for almost 30 years, has seen many changes in South Africa’s flower industry. For this first article of a three-part series, she spoke to Leon Pretorius,...
Manuchar claims a stake in high-precision agriculture
Manuchar has expanded its crop nutrition footprint with the purchase of a 50% stake in Anorel (Pty) Ltd, a distributor of fertilisers for high-precision agriculture. This will enable it to...
Challenges and opportunities for farming in Senegal
Despite adverse production conditions, Senegal’s agriculture sector is an essential employer. Janine Ryan looks at some of the major commodities produced in this West African country.
Spreading the word: evangelising agriculture
In his recent budget speech and interview with Farmer’s Weekly, Thabo Mokone, MEC of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted key outcomes and plans for the department.
The slow transformation of SA’s dairy industry
Effecting change in the dairy industry is not for the short-sighted or faint of heart. Simpiwe Somdyala, CEO of Amadlelo Agri, spoke to Susan Marais about the agricultural investment company’s...
Harnessing the power of technology for smallholder farmers across Africa
Agriculture is critical to economic growth in Africa. According to the United Nations, 65% to 70% of the continent’s workforce is employed by the sector, which accounts for about a...
Apply now for the Land Bank’s Blended Finance Scheme!
The Land Bank’s Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) is an exciting new finance programme designed to help developing farmers realise their dream of going commercial.
Astute marketing drives avocado consumption
South Africa’s avocado industry has attained the holy grail in marketing for a non-essential product: getting consumers to feel they need it rather just want it. The resulting sales growth...
Capetonian’s rooftop food-growing system spreads throughout SA
Fresh Life Produce has developed a vertical growing system designed to meet the specific needs of African producers. Louis- Gillis Janse van Rensburg and Akhona Gxuluwe spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this...
Empowerment through winemaking: Farmworkers make top-quality wines
As part of an empowerment project, farmworkers at Kleine Zalze wine estate have released the first wines produced from grapes grown in their own vineyards. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel...
New Cape blush pear cultivar Rosy-Lwazi makes its debut
South Africa’s 2022/2023 deciduous fruit season delivered something special to the market this January: Rosy-Lwazi, a brand-new very early red blush pear.
From civil engineers to chilli entrepreneurs
Mmule Matlala and her husband, Blessing, two 37-year-old civil engineers, left steady and well-paid Transnet jobs to start a food-production and agro-processing company. Susan Marais reports on their growth.
How to fight the effects of rolling blackouts and rising energy costs
Dr Idan Chiyanzu, Primrose Magama, Siyabonga Gasa and Erence Manyako, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council’s Natural Resources and Engineering Division, offer some advice to farmers on how they can...
The importance of seed labelling for crop farmers
How can farmers ensure that the seed they buy is from a trusted source and conforms to a set standard? Magda du Toit spoke to Kobus van Huyssteen, acting technical...
Irrigation unlocks value for Sandveld potatoes
Stephan & Seun Farming in the Western Cape is ambitious and technologically driven. Their potato cultivation leans heavily on irrigation, and Agrico has been their trusted supplier for decades.
Meticulous management drives success for mushroom grower
Marietjie Kruger of Heidelberg grows and sells fresh mushrooms and processed food in Gauteng. She spoke to Annelie Coleman about the complex growing process that is required before harvesting.
Summer savers up for grabs at Agrimark Online
Gear up for endless summer thrills with Agrimark Online’s range of pool, garden, irrigation, outdoor & DIY products. There is so much to choose from their selection, and everyone is...
Technology and innovation to ignite agricultural transformation
The South African agricultural sector offers enormous potential. The vast landscapes, fertile soil and remarkable weather systems provide opportunities for growth and economic transformation. However, there are challenges that are...
Groundnut production in Sudan
While farmers in Sudan are facing economic hardships, the country’s groundnut production remains a significant foreign-exchange earner. Janine Ryan reports.
Partnerships pay off for Western Cape nursery
Kobus se Kwekery in Oudtshoorn won Klein Karoo Seed Production’s award for the best emerging agricultural business in both 2017 and 2020. Yolandi Leen, who co-owns the nursery with her...
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