From novice farmer to successful tunnel producer
Eleanore Swart produces tomatoes under cover near Botrivier in the Overberg. Having recently secured a long-term contract with a major fresh produce retailer, she plans to significantly expand production.
How young black farmers can make headway in the agri industry
Young black farmers are tech-savvy and willing to learn, but is the government taking them seriously? Gerhard Uys spoke to Dimakatso Nono Sekhoto, AFASA Youth chairperson and MD of apple...
Work your networks, says self-taught veggie farmer
Anastasia Smith won first prize in the 2016 Western Cape Top Women in Agriculture competition’s smallholder entrepreneur category. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about her farming journey and her attitude...
Young learners benefit from eco-education
An active return to environmental education practices at Laurus Primary in Oudtshoorn is not only benefiting learners, but also helping boost school income. Ronelle Huysamen, principal of the school, spoke...
Game & small-stock: different management, the same care
Sheep and antelope production combine the best of two worlds for energetic farm manager, Emilize Vögel. She spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about her passion for this demanding job.
A livestock farmer’s thriving rural Wi-Fi network
Many isolated regions in South Africa struggle with unreliable Internet access. To solve the problem in his area, Barkly East livestock farmer, Chris Isted, built his own wireless network, and...
Karoo cheesery’s big plans for the community
Dean Lategan and Ashley-Ann May of Latana Cheese near Oudshoorn have been producing boutique cheeses since 2012. Now the two are planning to expand production into goats’ milk cheese, while...
Dr Theo de Jager – speaking out for the world’s farmers
Newly elected president of the World Farmers’ Organisation, Dr Theo de Jager, is no novice when it comes to advocating on behalf of farmers at international level. He spoke to...
Advice for aspiring women farmers
Women who venture into farming on their own, or in partnerships with their husbands, have to remember certain basic principles to be successful.
Linda Zwane, empowering women farmers in Mpumalanga
Linda Zwane, a livestock farmer in Mpumalanga, made it his business to introduce 120 young, black women to livestock husbandry on his farm, as well as mentor those that requested...
The benefits of choosing a career in agri – Nono Sekhoto
Thirty-five-year-old, Nono Sekhoto, joined her father’s farming operation, Makolobane Farmers Enterprises near Senekal, in 2011. Realising the importance of being part of a network, she joined the African Farmers’ Association...
Curiosity: winning secret of a top agri worker
Anton Alexander, 2016 Western Cape Prestige Agri Worker of the Year, started working as a general worker and rose through the ranks to become a human resources officer on Ouwerf...
Hluhluwe farmers assist community in crisis
In response to the devastating drought in their area, a group of Hluhluwe commercial farmers has exemplified the spirit of ubuntu by assisting communal farmers.
A learning environment for farmworkers’ children
Lesedi Day Care was established by Katlego Sitrus to provide a safe and nurturing environment for farmworkers’ children. Wilma den Hartigh visited the farm school near Marble Hall.
Soldier, sportsman and legendary farmer
Neville Fletcher of Cathcart in the Eastern Cape is an extraordinary man. A war veteran who saw action in the fierce Italian campaign, he returned to South Africa to enjoy...
Farmers assist students with practical training
Walter Gouveia and Kobus Schoeman believe it is up to younger farmers to break the mould of conventional farming practices and stereotypes and farm sustainably for the future. They now...
Finding a way forward for land reform in South Africa
More than two decades into South Africa’s democracy, progress in righting the wrongs of land ownership patterns established by the Natives Land Act of 1913, has been dismally slow. Moreover,...
Incentivising locals ensures livestock project’s success
Communal farmers often struggle with low birth and survival rates amongst their livestock. Determined to change this, empowerment company, Mngcunube Development, is now in its third decade of supplying animal...
Eastern Cape empowerment project’s R1,5m pineapple crop
An old Eastern Cape pineapple farm has been revitalised to provide job opportunities for the local community. This year, the first harvest is expected to earn more than R1,5 million.
SAPPO helping small-scale pig farmers
Only a handful of black pig producers in South Africa have achieved commercial status. Most run small operations that make only a marginal contribution to total pork production.
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