Business

A small dairy research farm near Gulu in northern Uganda is benefiting from the expertise of a large US-based dairy operation, Country Dairy. On a recent trip to South Africa, Country Dairy herd manager, SA-born Johan Vosloo, spoke to Gerhard Uys about how similar empowerment models could help stimulate the small- to medium-scale agricultural sector in South Africa.

Small-scale farming operations are just as exposed to risk as their larger counterparts. Diversifying production is therefore also an option on smaller farms to mitigate this risk.

The milling operation started out of necessity. Today a successful business, here are lessons from an expert on maize meal and animal feed milling.

Oyster farming offers several advantages: it’s sustainable, has low-impact, and produces naturally organic and healthy food.

Farmers Kabelo and Matshidiso Mooketsi had no previous agricultural knowledge before they began working on a communal farm in 2008. Despite a lack of experience and a difficult introduction to the sector, they persisted and now run an award-winning mixed livestock operation in North West. Wayne Southwood visited them on their farm.

What are the implications of the new AgriBee codes for farmers, small agri-businesses and large enterprises? Consultant Melcus Nel talks to Gerhard Uys about the way forward.

Becoming a farmer didn’t simply fall into Willem Klaase’s lap. He and his wife, Martha, worked hard and took risks to get where they are today. He talked to Glenneis Kriel about this journey.

Grown on dry, unirrigated land, Darling Wines of Origin produce wines with intense flavour and have proven to be as popular locally as abroad.

Alexious Shoko, Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year, suffered setbacks and financial despair. Yet he refused to give up. He spoke to Jeandré du Preez about his inspiring journey to success.

Farmer Tom Turner runs an unsual mixed farming operation with his father Frank Turner near Wellington in the Western Cape. By working with and for the sake of nature, Bontebok Ridge Reserve is seeing success both economically and ecologically.

Children in farming communities often face educational obstacles as well as lack of support and encouragement to achieve success. Charmaine Gola from the Pebbles Project spoke to Jeandré du Preez about how this non-profit organisation endeavours to ensure that every child it works with becomes a constructive contributor to society.

Although Zambia has a thriving agricultural sector, much of the industry still lags in the implementation of modern practices and technologies for improved productivity and profitability. One operation, however, is setting the trend for being a progressive and diversified farming business.

The Toyota New Harvest of the Year finalist for 2015, Koena Jack Moradu, has a simple yet sensible vision: to leave a legacy that will allow his children and his children’s children to continue working the soil.

Mpumalanga farmer Johannes Simelane is thankful for the agricultural expertise his late employer shared with him, and is now sharing it with others in his community.

Aviwe Gxotiwe farms with his father, Harry, on a 2 400ha irrigation farm along the Fish River in the Somerset East district, Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess visited this ambitious young man to learn about his journey to Soutvleij farm and his hopes to make it commercially viable.

Gugu Mlipha is the SA Agricultural Writers’ New Entrant to Commercial Farming for 2015. She farms vegetables on 6ha in Walkerville, Gauteng, and also runs a vegetable processing business. She has plans to further diversify her business.

Stephan Fourie of Potato Pride near Frankfort in the Free State sees his workforce and surrounding community as a responsibility not to be taken lightly. He explains his approach to Gerhard Uys.

While the South African government and the country’s white farming sector are still finding mutually acceptable ways to implement land reform, a small agri-village in the Winterton area of KwaZulu-Natal became a trendsetter decades ago.

The Mohair Empowerment Trust has launched a project aimed at establishing commercial mohair producers within a five-year period. Mike Burgess travelled with the trust’s Bongani Ndhlovu to one of four projects in the Eastern Cape’s Karoo region to find out more about its unique approach to the sustainable development of emerging farmers.

Leading UK potato producer Tony Bambridge was recently sponsored by Syngenta to give a presentation at the Potatoes SA Congress on potato production and market trends in his home country. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the lessons that had been learnt in the industry.