How to sell careers in agriculture to millennials
Group manager for assurance services at NWK, 34-year-old Jacqueline Mathews, maintains that South Africa’s agriculture sector needs tech-savvy, curious young people.
Cold-pressed sunflower oil: a hot new product
Vergezocht Plant Oils is the first factory in Africa to produce cold-pressed, high-oleic sunflower oil. Sabrina Dean visited the plant in Bloemfontein in the Free State to find out more...
Entrepreneur sells family-brewed Aloe ferox remedy nationwide
Mazoyi Mixture was developed by Lwazi Marawu’s family in the Eastern Cape, and its recipe has been passed down the generations. In recent years, Marawu has taken distribution of this...
The female tractor technician who is breaking stereotypes
Lerato Baloyi is currently the only female agricultural equipment technician employed by John Deere Sub-Saharan Africa. Siyanda Sishuba spoke to the 29-year-old Baloyi about her often-challenging journey in this male-dominated...
Scaling up aquaponics
Investing in efficient systems that optimise the use of space and yield, while reducing cost, is one way in which Gauteng-based Ichthys Aquaponics is growing its business. Siyanda Sishuba visited...
How super-detailed drone mapping is changing farming forever
To stay profitable in an increasingly tough environment, farmers must use their land and other resources to their maximum potential. The amazingly detailed imagery captured by unmanned aerial vehicles can...
Standard Bank invests in affordable agritech solutions
The digitisation of agriculture is transforming farming, and these solutions are fast becoming integral in farming practices.
Organic winemaking: where nature sets the pace
Reyneke Wines was among the first organic wineries in South Africa to receive a five-star rating in Platter’s Wine Guide. Owner Johan Reyneke spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his long...
Limpopo nut farm – a shining example of worker empowerment
Springfield Farm has invested in learnerships for its workers, has an open-door policy for agriculture students, and offers mentorships to emerging farmers.
Big opportunities for small-scale tobacco farmers
The tobacco farming industry is faced with challenges such as the regulation of the use of tobacco by the Department of Health, as well the ongoing threat of an illicit...
Digital revolution links fresh produce farmers and buyers
For those already using it, a newly launched and innovative online trading platform is reportedly revolutionising the way that South Africa’s fresh produce sellers and buyers conduct their typically time-sensitive...
Farmer’s 20-year journey to acquire land, know-how and finance
Western Cape farmer Andries van der Poll grows wheat and medics on rotation on dryland, produces irrigated maize, and runs Dohne Merino sheep and Red Angus cattle. He spoke to...
Online Veggie Box company brings consumers closer to the farm
Few consumers properly understand how food production works or have any emotional connection with farmers and farming. This is according to Lauren Murphy, who, through her Internet-based farm produce marketing...
Entrepreneur empowers Eastern Cape communal sorghum farmers
By developing and establishing partnerships, Luleka Mbete’s business, LM Holdings, has initiated a system that brings sorghum producers in the Eastern Cape together to link them to funding, technical expertise,...
Unique fund aims to generate 1 700 jobs over three years
Hortfin was launched in October last year to create jobs and accelerate transformation in South Africa’s deciduous fruit, table grape and wine industries. Michael Brinkhuis, CEO of Hortfin, spoke to...
Joburg chef partners with local farmers
Jack Coetzee, chef of Johannesburg-based Urbanologi restaurant and a believer in sustainable living, sources all his ingredients from within a 150km-radius of the restaurant. To achieve this, he has worked...
Honeybush tea: Small industry, big potential
Although honeybush has long been used in parts of South Africa to brew a caffeine-free tea, it has remained a small-scale activity. However, the industry has potential to grow and...
Creating a better world through skills and diversity
Diversity in the workplace at top agricultural companies such as Corteva Agriscience brings more ideas, skills and creativity to the table.
Pretoria breeder’s passion to save SA’s spotted donkey
Gerrit van de Pypekamp realised that if someone didn’t take charge and save the spotted donkey, its genetics would one day be extinct. What he did not expect was how...
How African superfoods inspire local agripreneur
Indigenous African ingredients and food traditions are underrepresented on the local and international markets. Black Umbrellas Global Entrepreneur Week 2018 overall winner Sipamandla Manqele founded her unique agribusiness to help...
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