Empowerment

Communal farmers can benefit from using more advanced farming practices, such as artificial insemination (AI), to improve herd genetics. Basimane Makgetla spoke to Gerhard Uys about how AI has worked for him as a weekend communal farmer running a small, but improving, herd.

In 2012, the South African fruit industry launched an initiative to develop a set of environmental and ethical standards in line with international norms. As part of this, a programme was established to assist black citrus farmers to comply with those standards and expand their exports. Alita van der Walt outlines how the programme works, and examines its successes.

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.

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 and beef producer, Makolobane, about how new black farmers can get ahead and why they should take pride in being involved in agriculture.

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 towards educating, supporting and empowering others.

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 to Glenneis Kriel about the turnaround.

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.

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 has gone on to establish a flourishing Internet business with over 400 clients.

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 uplifting the local community at the same time. Glenneis Kriel reports.

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 Alita van der Walt about the challenges that farmers face in Africa and elsewhere, and how he plans to address these.

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, 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 his guidance. His confidence in the opportunities for black women in agriculture is now reaping extraordinary rewards.