Business

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 to start Egoly Market Agents, their partnership has sailed through a year of operation. Peter Mashala spoke to them.

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 agribusiness and food security for TechnoServe SA, explains to Peter Mashala what makes his company’s projects successful.

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.

Seo Mtetwa, MD of Nu Dawn Eggs, talks about the company's beginning, success and future.

A composting company has embraced social media to differentiate its brand in a competitive market. Robyn Joubert reports.

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 Hittersay, a consultant in agricultural mechanisation.

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 the breeding and rearing of the animal. At Summerhill Stud, a unique school is teaching these skills. Lloyd Phillips reports.

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 in this niche market. Denene Erasmus reports.

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 to Robyn Joubert.

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.

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 off fresh produce markets throughout SA, it prefers to buy directly from farmers. Robyn Joubert reports.

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.

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 Jay Ferreira explains.

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.

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.

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 of the Year. He explains to Annelie Coleman why mechanisation has become vital for a farmer’s economic survival.

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 Derrick Baird.

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 of employees.

The new minimum wage for farm workers came into effect on 1 March. While most farmers will do their utmost to hold onto their current workforce, some will have no option but to retrench. Industrial relations expert Grant Hollins explains the do’s and don’ts of retrenching staff.

Community non-profit organisation, Letsha la Eleroi, farms on a small scale to provide fresh vegetables to the sick and the elderly. Project chairperson Beauty Tsokunyane tells Peter Mashala how the project progressed from home-based care to a profitable operation.