How to avoid the pitfalls of green power
Sarah Allan decided to install renewable energy systems for her farm three years ago, but this turned out to be far more complex than
first anticipated. She shares her hard-earned lessons with Robyn Joubert.
Bee farming in Friemersheim
A honey bee farming initiative started by Reginald and Irma Jacobus in Friemersheim has brought hope to this rural town by helping to stem the tide of unemployment and poverty. Denene Erasmus reports.
Global fame for SA mohair factory
Amongst the mostly abandoned factories and warehouses of Dimbaza,
a small mohair weaving facility still produces internationally acclaimed 100% mohair carpets. Mike Burgess visited the Dimbaza Mohair Weavers factory.
The skills needed to make SA farming more profitable
Robyn Joubert reports on how the government and commodity organisations are working to provide South Africa with more farmers, semi-skilled workers, specialists and artisans.
Meat pricing, the middleman & profit margins
It seems that red meat consumers never benefit from lower farmgate prices. Could it be that the middleman is milking consumers for all they’re worth, while suppressing farmers’ income? This issue was debated at the Northern Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation congress.
Time for farmers to go nuts
With local demand for tree nuts increasing, De Wet van Rooyen and Hannes Jansen of Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts – one of the largest suppliers of nuts in South Africa – are encouraging farmers
to supply this growing market. Denene Erasmus reports.
Pioneering Dusky Kob production in SA
Oceanwise in the Eastern Cape is one of the largest land-based
marine finfish recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in the world.
Mike Burgess visited this pioneering initiative.
Community opts for a sustainable livelihood
The Onverwacht community, with support from Food and Trees for Africa, an international NGO, has opted for a more sustainable solution than RDP housing to improve their lives. Peter Mashala reports.
How to start farming high-value game species
Wildlife managers need experience and ability to succeed in this exciting, growing business.
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 certification.
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 can be a vexation to the agricultural sector. Anneli Groenewald reports on
farming conditions in Argentina.
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 to start Egoly Market Agents, their partnership has sailed through a year of operation. Peter Mashala spoke to them.