Tea importer’s modern business plan for a classic product
Consumers worldwide are increasingly demanding varied flavours and health benefits from tea. Meeting this demand is what German-based Teehaus Shila excels at. Lloyd Phillips spoke to deputy manager Arpan Chatterjee...
How to handle 240 000 eggs a day
Marco Torsius is one of the founding members of commercial egg supplier TopLay, and a member of the egg committee of the SA Poultry Association. Sabrina Dean visited him to...
Top new grain farmer: from working on a farm to running one
Grain SA’s 2017 New Era Farmer of the Year, Thulo Mahlatsi, ascribes his success to hard work, careful planning, financial accountability and sound mentoring.
Veld to plate: Profiting from beef exports
Not all cuts of beef are considered equal, and where in the world you eat your steak also determines how much you pay. Namibian farming economics consultant Dr Helmke Sartorius...
International success for SA bow maker
Based in the Eastern Cape, Warrick Harvey has rapidly built an international reputation as a crafter of exceptional bows. Mike Burgess spoke to him about his life-long love of archery.
The digital sharing economy: a cheaper way to mechanise
The cost of farm machinery is a major challenge for small-scale and commercial farmers. Nick Hoffman, general manager at Linebooker, and Jehiel Oliver, creator of Hello Tractor, explain how new...
Witzenberg PALS is serious about land reform
While farmers in the Western Cape’s Witzenberg district initially started Witzenberg PALS to boost black farm ownership in the region, the company is now also involved in transformation in other...
Small-herd stud farming is big business in Canada
Small commercial beef producers and stud breeders make up a large and valuable part of Canada’s cattle value chain. While in Alberta, Gerhard Uys, who recently visited Farm Fair International,...
Top female entrepreneur winning over the wine industry
Berene Damons, the department of agriculture’s 2017 Female Entrepreneur of the Year in the agro-processing category, started work at the Hamilton Russell Vineyards 17 years ago. Promoted almost immediately to...
From a tiny plot to a thriving commercial farm
Former extension officer, Sithembele Malgas, started farming in the Idutywa area of the former Transkei in 1990. Today, he produces cabbages, spinach and butternut in rotation on 3,5ha under irrigation...
Oyster mushroom farming: an affordable start-up
Yolandi Joubert’s oyster mushroom operation, launched just three years ago, is an important lesson in what passion and discipline can achieve in small-scale agriculture.
Donkey farming: opportunity or threat?
At the beginning of 2017, plans aimed at cashing in on the growing demand for donkey meat and hides were announced in North West. Glenneis Kriel reports on the viability...
ZZ2 opens doors to the subtropical fruit industry
With its high start-up costs and complex export rules, the subtropical fruit industry presents formidable barriers to new entrants. Alita van der Walt spoke to ZZ2’s Tommie and BJ van...
New motors from old: Boland entrepreneurs to the rescue!
Replacing a burnt-out electric motor can cost a great deal, whereas rewinding it can return it to tip-top condition at much lower cost. Rashad Williams and Fa-eez Appollis spoke to...
SA’s first commercial cashmere success story
Not only is indigenous iMbuzi goats’ hair used to produce cashmere at the Ivili Loboya production unit near Butterwoth, but local smallholders are also empowered.
Grain SA chairperson: a passionate but practical farmer
It takes a fine balancing act for Grain SA chairperson, Jaco Minnaar, to serve the interests of members while still leaving enough time to pursue his true passion – being...
Artificial insemination: ideal for communal farmers
Communal farmers can benefit from using more advanced farming practices, such as artificial insemination (AI), to improve herd genetics. Basimane Makgetla spoke to Gerhard Uys about how AI has worked...
Delving into the mysteries of Kaltbach’s subterranean cheeses
Switzerland has long been famed for what some describe as ‘stinky and holey’ cheeses. However, as Lloyd Phillips discovered, there is much more to Swiss cheeses. Some, for example, are...
Rabbit farming: how to enter this ’money-making’ market
*Farmer’s Weekly reported in November 2019 that Coniglio Rabbit Meat Farms was liquidated in October 2019.
Working to improve market access for black citrus farmers
In 2012, the South African fruit industry launched an initiative to develop a set of environmental and ethical standards in line with international norms. As part of this, a programme...
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