Business

Richard Mashinini runs a flourishing commercial farm in the Free State. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about his education and the people who helped him succeed, and the uncertainty of farming on rented land.

Agriculture has an important role to play in funding a greener future for the planet. Green bonds, which are fixed-income financial instruments that offer environmental and/or climate benefits, will give farmers the opportunity to lower their carbon footprints.

OneFarm Share allows farmers to contribute their surplus fresh produce to needy families across the country.

Larry Whitfield, owner of Loxtonia, an apple, pear and plum farm, has successfully branched into cider production. Unusually, he uses fresh apples to produce his award-winning ciders. He spoke to Wouter Kriel.

The egg industry is one of the largest employers in South Africa’s agriculture sector and a key provider of affordable protein to millions of consumers. Pieter Dempsey spoke to Dr Abongile Balarane, general manager of the Egg Organisation at the South African Poultry Association, about the strategies that are being adopted to support egg producers and secure the future of the industry.

Life is dynamic, and sometimes change happens for the worse. This is why you need to be properly prepared for these changes. Hollard explains that insuring your property and business is not a once-off event, and that you should constantly be reviewing your cover.

Limpopo insectary Insectec was founded to develop a secure and steady supply of biological pest control solutions for producers of a variety of fruit and vegetable crops.

Give each person an opportunity to voice their disagreement in your family business, suggests Trevor Dickinson. Doing so will not only reduce resentment, but will help define the role of the next generation.

HelloChoice links buyers and sellers through its website and mobile app, and is specifically designed for South Africa’s market environment.

Digitalisation, in combination with growing concern over pollution, wastage and food safety, is resulting in smarter, more functional packaging with a smaller environmental footprint. Alwyn van Jaarsveld, head of sales at Tessara, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the latest packaging trends.

Corona beer, which originated in Mexico, is traditionally served with lime. But when beer-brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev added the brand to its line-up, it encountered a problem: a shortage of limes in South Africa. This presented a novel opportunity to increase local lime production and develop new farmers.

Western Cape pome fruit producer Steven Versfeld earlier this year became the first farmer to achieve platinum status with no non-compliances from the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa for his workforce management. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this accomplishment.