Business

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.

Lusanda Moletsane runs an aggregator of small white beans from two farming clusters located in Nigel and Bronkhorstspruit respectively. She spoke to Pieter Dempsey about her passion for helping small-scale farmers become commercial producers, her success so far, and her dream for the future.

If you intend to start farming, or have plans to expand your existing operation, you are almost certain to require funding. But before you can apply for this, you will need to put together a business plan to convince investors that your endeavour is worth their risk. Prof Sanlie Middelberg of North-West University summarises the main elements of a sound business proposal based on research by master’s student Sicelo Masuku.

Together with a restrictive shareholder agreement, a prenuptial agreement ensures that an ex-spouse will not automatically be a family business shareholder. If the subject is raised far in advance of marriage, or with children before they enter into serious relationships, it is less likely to result in arguments and hurt feelings.

Andries Wiese takes a look at some of the main risks that could have an impact on businesses and individuals in South Africa. He also discusses how they might be mitigated, and says that fresh thinking may be needed.

Skills development is vital to the growth and productivity of any business. Jeandré van der Walt reports on how various commodity organisations are providing the agricultural workforce with more skilled workers.

FarmSol is celebrating five years of supporting new farmers this October. The company aims to connect farmers and markets to improve food security and income in South Africa.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in partnership with the National Treasury Jobs Fund invites suitably qualified farmers to apply for support from the DALRRD/Jobs Fund Programme.

Retiring young at heart is easy when you’re offered the right environment. Just ask the residents at The Retreat Retirement Estate in Pretoria East, who believe that an active retirement space is what makes the difference.

The increase in electricity tariffs and Eskom’s inability to provide enough power for the country makes investing in renewable energy even more attractive for farmers and agro-processing.

After spending seven years in Zithulele and three in Cebe in rural Eastern Cape, Karen and Roger Galloway bought Heartwood Homestead, a small farm close to East London. Here, they practise regenerative agriculture and use their resources to benefit others through an internship programme.

Shaun Brown, owner of Eden Agri packhouse, has brought together a group of citrus producers from the Kat River Valley to collaborate on creating a better future for the area and its people.

The Botswana dairy industry produces about seven million litres of milk annually, while more than 53 million litres will be imported in 2020/21.

Riaan Strydom and his brother have managed to grow a small family farm into a huge, diversified farming business. He spoke to Wouter Kriel about their constant search for new opportunities to add value.

Farmers often collect information in silos, with data standing alone. IQ Logistica, however, provides the perfect solution to this problem: a platform that consolidates data to give farmers a complete picture of their farming operations.

When we speak about safety on farms, many South Africans will probably automatically think ‘crime’, but ensuring the safety of your property, staff and family entails far more than farm security, writes Andries Wiese

In this article, Daniella Keet, head of commercial structured finance solutions advisory at FNB, explains the basics of hedging, and more specifically, how this financial instrument can be used to safeguard a farming business against large, unexpected increases in the fuel price.

Israeli technology in agricultural production can be hugely useful to South African farmers. These technologies range from decreasing water usage to improving propagation.

After the successful approval of the merger between the Senwes and the Suidwes Group during 2020, Senwes is entering year two of three years emanating from the merger approval conditions in terms of which Senwes is required to extent material financial assistance to black farmers.

Insurance policies can be tedious and difficult to understand. Hollard explains what to look out for in your policy and how to claim.