Business

In an ocean of pricey superfoods, soya stands out as being so cheap that its value is often downplayed. Used predominantly for animal feed, soya beans for human consumption faces a significant marketing problem, one which the Cloete family in Mpumalanga are tackling at every opportunity to elevate this humble bean to its deserved spot on our plates. Lindi Botha reports.

We all know there are no short cuts to success and anything worthwhile requires a lot of effort, commitment and determination. That is why you take very good care with who you entrust with your hard-earned money.

The year 2023 has, in many ways, been a year of consolidation and recovery, particularly for exports. And while there has been some easing of input costs, many challenges and elevated risk in the sector remain.

Almost two decades ago, Heather van Zyl began baking rusks in her kitchen for neighbours and friends. Today she sells 60t across five provinces. Mike Burgess visited her recently on the farm Van Zylsrust near Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape to better understand her secret to success.

Sun Exchange uses crowdfunding to help schools, farms and other organisations switch to solar power. Abe Cambridge, the founder of Sun Exchange, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this solution.

Florist Carol Sutherland spoke to Tania Henkel, who runs Imbali Cut Flowers in Gauteng, about the challenges of producing gerberas, also known as Barberton daisies.

Sustainability is not only about humanity adapting to changes and finding ways to fulfil the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations; it also provides significant financial benefits to farmers.

Started in 2008 to help ensure food security for a charity, the Siyavuna programme has expanded to focus on farming, training and growing its value chains.

The innovative Naute Kristall Distillery is situated near Keetmanshoop in Namibia’s arid southern region. Established by Michael and Katrin Weder, it has become renowned for its outstanding, prize-winning gin.

Armed with a degree and youthful vigour, many a graduate has faced the stark reality of being unable to secure a job despite their qualifications. Lindi Botha spoke to Jenny More, director of RecruitAgri, about why this scenario keeps playing out, and how to solve it.

We’re stronger together – how collaborating with the right partners can help the agrisector thrive.

Since 2000, the government has invested more than R74 million in the Blocuso community in the Northern Cape. Dirk Claassen, financial manager of the Blocuso company, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how the community has managed these funds to establish and run a thriving wine grape and raisin farm.

Despite having diversified into mining, construction, civil contracting, and heavy equipment hire, the ALS Group remains at heart a family farming business characterised by attention to detail, professionalism and integrity. Magda du Toit recently visited some of the agricultural and other business ventures in which the award-winning ALS Group is involved, and filed this report.

Diversification enables farmers to spread risk and add additional income streams, but within the opportunities lie some hazards. Lindi Botha spoke to farmers who have successfully integrated their current operations through multicropping and other methods about how to tackle this juggling act without dropping the ball.

The Vine Academy and Model Farm were officially launched in May 2022 to improve the sustainability of raisin farmers. Ferdie Botha, CEO of Raisins SA, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this development.

While rabbit production is relatively small in South Africa, there is great untapped export potential, should the industry meet its challenges head-on.

Local communities need to be part of the process of better understanding climate change adaptation. Moreover, supporting small green economies could assist in job creation for the community. An environmental project in Eldorado Park is seeking to do just this.

With so many variables in the farming landscape, diversification is a useful strategy to hedge one’s risk and ensure a steady cash flow. However, managing multiple divisions comes with its own challenges. Jan Grey, who farms in Mpumalanga’s Bethal region, spoke to Lindi Botha about his winning strategies.

The US offers many top choices for South African farmers seeking to emigrate. Florida and Texas are traditionally two of the most popular states that South Africans choose to relocate to, and both offer excellent agriculture opportunities.

Despite its recent financial troubles, Themba Rikhotso, CEO of the Land Bank, told Annelie Coleman the institution was on its way to recovery.