Business

Many Christmas plants such as poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe are deeply rooted in Northern Hemisphere traditions and aren’t naturally adapted to South Africa’s warm December climate. Horticulture expert Andy de Wet talks about traditional plants and indigenous alternatives.

Welma Viljoen, owner of Mobjadi Farm, spoke to Carol Sutherland about the greenery she produces for the flower market, and the challenges she faces in production and getting her product to market.

In February 2024, the Hlokomela Junction Clinic in Letsitele, Limpopo, opened its doors to provide healthcare services to farmworkers in the area. Farmer’s Weekly visited the clinic to find out more.

Glenneis Kriel caught up with Kevin Ruck and Gabriel Lee to learn more about the production of these succulent bivalves.

This year marks the centenary of Pinotage. Beyers Truter, owner of Beyerskloof and chair of the Pinotage Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his journey with the variety and its rise to international recognition.

The cannabis hype in South Africa has been dampened by the reality of pricey compliance and start-up costs. Hemp presents the solution to both, requiring low input costs while offering promising marketing opportunities. Lindi Botha visited Green Route Hemp Industries in Walkerville, Gauteng, to find out about the value chain development needed to propel the local industry forward.

The 2025 UN Climate Change Conference, taking place this month in Brazil, will highlight the role of agriculture in combatting climate change, as it becomes increasingly clear that the sector is not only vulnerable to climate change but is also one of the most powerful levers we have to address it.

Changing drinking habits, the rise of younger consumers, and supermarket dominance are reshaping how wine is sold and enjoyed. With traditional marketing losing traction and digital competition intensifying, producers are rethinking how to reach customers and keep their brands relevant.

For over 70 years, Omnia has stood shoulder to shoulder with Southern African producers - not just as a supplier, but as a trusted partner in the field.

Agrico’s vision is clear: to provide tools that don’t just work, but help farmers farm more efficiently, productively, and profitably.

If you think holiday or snacks before a braai, chances are good that crunchy and fresh cocktail-sized gherkins pickled in a sweet and tangy-flavoured vinegar brine are on the menu. These gherkins, and many of the other products produced by Miami Canners, are perfect for summer platters, salads, or sandwiches. Magda du Toit visited the Pieterse family on their farm, Miami, near Letsitele, recently to find out the secret behind the success of this family-owned and farm-based business.

It is a sticky business that requires the application of basic physics to extract nature’s golden produce. Charles Friderichs of Honey-Dawn Bee Farm near Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape explains why, when it comes to processing honey, less really is more.

Pork 360 is South Africa’s farm-assured certification that assures consumers, retailers and the entire pork value chain have access to safe, fresh and affordable pork.

Roadway Farms in Albert Falls, KwaZulu-Natal, is implementing a model intended to keep the family operation financially viable and sustainable into the future. Vegetable farmer and entrepreneur Shakti Satyapal talks about how they have reimagined the business in recent years.

Marina Fourie of Beef and Lamb South Africa describes how the organisation is actively working towards the marketing of red meat to consumers, not only for the purpose of short-term purchases, but in order to elevate red meat in the minds of consumers.

Extreme weather events and growing market uncertainty are weighing heavily on canning fruit producers worldwide. From Europe to the US, farmers face smaller harvests, tighter margins, and intensifying competition from the fresh fruit market for yellow cling peaches.

Ronald and Venessa Juckes of Venron Border Collies in Heidelberg, Gauteng, have dedicated 37 years to the breed. Known for producing exceptional dogs and raising breed standards in South Africa, Ronald is also an esteemed judge on both local and international stages.

Feeding a growing population while protecting natural resources demands innovative thinking and strong voices to move science out of research papers and into public discourse. Lindi Botha spoke to scientist Enrike Maree about making science part of the conversation.

Earlier this year, Hartenberg Wine Estate, owned by the Mackenzie family, became the first wine farm in South Africa, and the second in the world, to achieve regenerative verification under the Ecological Outcome Verification framework. Viticulturist Wilhelm Joubert shared the lessons they have learnt on this transformative journey with Glenneis Kriel.

In December 2015, Dr Erna Blancquaert made history when she became the first woman of colour in Africa to obtain a PhD in viticulture. She is now a lecturer and researcher in grapevine and wine sciences at Stellenbosch University.