Business

Cocoa may be the main ingredient in one of the world’s favourite confectioneries, but its production has, at times, been plagued by scandal. Efforts are underway in Côte d’Ivoire and elsewhere to bring about ethical cocoa production, says Lloyd Phillips.

Agriculture in Africa will never succeed unless governments, private businesses and farming communities learn to trust each other and work together. Klaus Eckstein, CEO of Bayer Southern Africa, spoke to Gerhard Uys about his vision for the continent.

Award-winning farmer, Goodman Ginyigazi, farms over 260 Merino sheep in the rural area of Agnes Rest, in the former Transkei. Despite communal land tenure restrictions, he generates an annual turnover of R120 000 from his sheep alone. He spoke to Mike Burgess about his desire to produce top quality fine wool.

The Donald Woods Foundation (DWF) is working closely with subsistence and small- scale farmers in the former Transkei to boost animal health and overall food security. Grant Hollins visited the Donald Woods Centre in Hobeni to meet with Ralph Spence, who runs the programme on behalf of the DWF.

With renewable energy becoming necessary, could wood gasification present a viable alternative?

Although Zandile Cewu grew up on a farm in the former Transkei, she never imagined she would become a full-time farmer. However, when her father died in 2013, Zandile was left in charge of two family farms. After three years of independent farming, determined Zandile has grown the farming operations and confidently faces all its challenges.

Your farming business is in a one-way financial cul de sac. What remedies do you have at your disposal to solve the problem? Johan Botha, an attorney specialising in insolvencies, and agricultural consultant, Pietman Botha, offer some advice.

It’s important to plan beyond the drought in a sector that will remain a driver of economic growth & social stability.

Fresh produce markets are available to all producers. Yet using them optimally requires know-how.

In order to boost sales, it’s important to know your customers and what they expect.

A rural development project aimed at empowering female farmers is reaching new levels of success.

Dr Gordon Adam, Western Cape coordinator of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of SA (RuVasa), spoke to Glenneis Kriel about developments in the sector.

Applying lean agriculture could help SA's farmers improve operational efficiency

While large farming operations appear to be growing bigger, smaller-scale farmers are becoming more diversified and are targeting niche markets. Their high-quality produce is becoming increasingly sought-after by both local and international consumers. Jay Ferreira visited Fan Olivier on Houdconstant farm.

A passion for pet alpacas lead to the start of an alpaca farm in Wellington.

Eight developing maize farmers plan to better themselves and their community through government and private assistance, hard work and a determination to equip themselves with as much knowledge as possible.

Roelof Bezuidenhout interviews Arthur Rudman, WRSA’s rancher of the year and MD of Blaauwkrantz Farming Enterprises in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape.

Flowershed supplies the local and export markets with indigenous flowers. Here's how they broke into and conquered the indigenous flower market.

Many farmers are not only struggling with the environmental effects of the drought, but experiencing monetary difficulties. Marius Volschenk, Nedbank’s area manager of agriculture in Bloemfontein, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the importance of long-term financial planning.

Agrico has served the SA farming community for more than a hundred years. HEre's how they stay ahead of the game while retaining traditional values.