Wupperthal rooibos farmers co-operate for a better future
Rooibos has been grown in Wupperthal in the Western Cape for almost 200 years. Recently, the small industry has become more profitable, thanks to a co-operative formed to gain Fairtrade...
Farming in Argentina
Argentina is often seen as a farmers’ paradise – a land of milk and honey, beef and soya. But farmers in that country say that margins are tight and politicians...
Success for BEE market agent
Competition in a fresh produce market is tough, and most BEE market agents fail to survive their first year. Gugu Hadebe and Danny Geral are the exception. Quitting their jobs...
TechnoServe SA: supporting new farming entrepreneurs
Millions of rands are pumped into farmer development projects in the government and private sectors, yet hundreds of these projects fail within their first year. Mandla Nkomo, programme manager for...
Belnori goat milk cheese: creamy perfection
Now in their retirement, Norman and Rina Belcher are producing award-winning cheeses at their Belnori Boutique Cheesery. The Belchers attribute their success to teamwork and paying attention to detail.
Nu Dawn Eggs: production tips and secrets
Seo Mtetwa, MD of Nu Dawn Eggs, talks about the company's beginning, success and future.
Compost company embraces social media
A composting company has embraced social media to differentiate its brand in a competitive market. Robyn Joubert reports.
Smallholder mechanisation: shuddering to a halt, again
The government’s mechanisation programme is doomed to failure unless it is project-managed properly and regard is given to the many difficulties of operating machinery in a small-scale environment, says Peter...
Unique school teaches horse racing skills
Horse racing is widely enjoyed in South Africa and abroad. Before a Thoroughbred is ready for the track, an enormous amount of effort, expertise and specialist skill has gone into...
Goat milk products
Anne Turner and Wessel Etzebeth’s small goat milk enterprise, De Böcke Goat Dairy, is less than a year old, but they are already finding a welcome place for their products...
Nkunzi Milkyway steady growth
Nkunzi Milkyway is an Ayrshire milk processor in Pretoria. Its policy of fair payment to producers has contributed to its steady growth of 38% during the past five years, according...
From a driver to successful small-scale pig farmer
Marius Herman from Kraaifontein started farming with pigs six years ago and in a short time has managed to establish a viable small business. Denene Erasmus visited him.
Oxford Freshmarket graduates from the Bluff
With one supermarket successfully established on the Bluff, Oxford Freshmarket is looking to ramp up turnover with four new store openings in the next two years. Even though Oxford buys...
The art of world-class popcorn
Producing popcorn is a highly specialised industry that differs from conventional maize production, says Johann Kriek, CEO of the Bigfoot Trading Company. Annelie Coleman reports.
Jam-packed with quality
A small fruit factory on the Piket-Bo-Berg in the Swartland has secured major contracts in both the local and export markets. The secret to its success is surprisingly simple, as...
Recapitalising: a fresh start
Lawrence and Simphiwe Mtswene’s farm near Nigel is due to benefit from the Recapitalisation and Development Programme, a boost after the couple’s long financial struggle. Peter Mashala reports.
Weighing up the wage increase
Many farm workers enjoy perks which improve their living conditions. The new minimum wage may mean a loss of benefits and jobs in the agricultural sector. Robyn Joubert reports.
Agricultural mechanisation for economic survival
The era of mechanisation and outsourcing in the commercial agriculture sector has arrived to counter the sharp increase in labour costs, says Attie Scholtz, the 2012 Northern Cape Young Farmer...
Greenhouse farming at Dube Tradeport AgriZone
Well-established vegetable grower Qutom Farms has taken out a lease on advanced greenhouses at Dube TradePort’s AgriZone, allowing the company to expand its regional supply. Robyn Joubert spoke to director...
Economic reasons for retrenchment
Economic - The immediate inference one might make regarding economic reasons for a retrenchment is that the business is suffering losses and needs to cut costs by reducing the number...
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