Business

After the successful approval of the merger between Senwes and the Suidwes Group in 2020, Senwes is currently in the final year of three years emanating from the merger.

Dilapidated country roads are a direct threat to South Africa’s agricultural and rural economies, yet farmers and communities have largely encountered a wall of indifference from government. In an attempt to be heard, Agri SA and its affiliates conducted a countrywide survey amongst 311 primary production units, many of which expressed frustration over the authorities’ lack of action.

Toverveld Biltong was started by Madie van Zyl some 14 years ago as a way of earning additional income. Annelie Coleman visited her on her family farm, De Dam, near Colesberg to learn more about her enterprise, and discovered why demand for Toverveld’s biltong and other meat products has grown … and grown.

Egypt has become a global powerhouse in terms of orange production and exports, and its government is aiming to improve production even further.

Despite South Africa’s economy and infrastructure being under severe stress, global agtech company Syngenta is investing in the country’s seed market. Gaël Hili, Syngenta’s regional director for Europe, Africa and Middle East Seeds, spoke to Susan Marais about the potential that South African agriculture holds.

The Agricultural Writers SA Farmer of the Year for 2021, Jan le Roux, has earned himself a reputation among his staff as a perfectionist and a stickler for detail. At the same time, he believes in giving as much responsibility as possible to his 6 000 workers in order to promote empowerment. Lindi Botha visited the Le Roux Group’s operation in the Western Cape to learn more about Le Roux’s methods for developing an efficient workforce.

Thabile Nkunjana, an agricultural economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), and Dr Sifiso Ntombela, chief economist at the NAMC, examine the decline in South Africa’s sugar production and the factors threatening future growth.

Derec Giles admits that he wouldn’t have been able to financially survive the ongoing drought on his farm in the Klein Karoo without his highly diversified approach to production. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about each of his enterprises.

Calling all young agripreneurs! Entries are open for the Nestlé Needs Youth Agri Competition, with top mentorship and coaching prizes up for grabs.

The Technology Innovation Agency helps bridge the gaps in the research and development of agricultural technologies in South Africa.

Aquaponics and hydroponics systems have numerous advantages over traditional soil-based production techniques. Magda du Toit spoke to two farmers who practise these intensive agriculture methods.

Heart, soul and spirit: all of these can be found in spades on Seafield Farm, a family-run sugar cane concern in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Owner Brad O’Neill spoke to Susan Marais about how innovation in the form of rum distillation is helping his business rise above the sugar cane crisis, while regenerative farming methods are keeping the farm’s already fertile, high-quality soil in peak condition.