From backyard farmer to commercial producer
Noliqwa Nhlapo, runner-up in the 2013 Eskom Development Foundation Business Investment Competition, was forced to change direction from piggery to egg production due to land constraints. But she never lost...
Canola: Fields of gold
Canola production has grown in leaps and bounds during the past decade and is set to more than double in the next. With biofuel blending regulations coming into effect in...
Making the most of the ostrich
This ostrich farm in the Western Cape has diversified into tourism, sport, concerts and other attractions that ensure a constant income stream. Jay Ferreira reports.
Aloes boost tourism for local town
Tapping into KZN’s winter-flowering aloes has given local businesses, tourism and conservation a welcome boost. Robyn Joubert reports.
Economies of scale: how does dairy farming fit in
Dairy farming is changing as smaller farmers fall by the wayside and bigger operations expand. David Beca, director of Australian company Red Sky and CEO of NZ Farming Uruguay, dispels...
From corner supermarket to global dairy business
Federico Boglione, the company president of one of the biggest dehydrated milk product suppliers in the world, says the main pillars of success of his Argentinian-based family business, Los Lazos,...
Green tea revival
A once-destitute Seenteko tea farm has received an overhaul that will see a failed sector productive once more. Plandaí Biotechnology will produce green tea extract on the farm. Lindi van...
Dealing with land claims
The pending reopening of the land claims window for a further five years could see a flood of claims being lodged on South African farms. With more than 7 000...
The commercial viability of aquaponics
Aquaponics involves the organic production of crops and fish in a holistic system – the plants are cultivated using fish waste as the main source of nutrients. Leslie Ter Morshuizen...
Tina on feeding a nation
Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s current term as minister of agriculture is drawing to a close. Speaking to Alita van der Walt and Anneli Groenewald, she highlights her successes, and explains how she...
Beekeeping boosts rural upliftment
Rural communities and farm workers can supplement their incomes by cashing in on South Africa’s honey shortage. With African Honey Bee’s business model, budding beekeepers can gain the skills to...
Restaurant manager turns commercial farmer
Through dedication and hard work, William Matasane of Senekal in the Free State has changed from being a restaurant manager to an award-winning commercial farmer in less than 10 years....
