Business

An experimental ‘smart farm’ is taking root at the doorstep of Gauteng’s only Big Five game reserve and could become a blueprint for other socially and environmentally conscious farms in the future, writes Tanya Faber.

Agricultural technology is advancing at a rapid pace. With a host of applications on the market, farmers are spoilt for choice in reducing their workload and optimising systems. Lindi Botha looks at the latest technologies worthy of consideration.

Houers, a leading supplier of corrugated cartons in South Africa, supports the agricultural market and local communities through innovation and training. Read on to learn more about their impactful initiatives.

You may be enjoying the serene life on your farm, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Or you could be on holiday, enjoying your well-earned rest. Regardless of where you are, one thing remains constant – your need to stay connected. With Store.Smartcall, this is no longer just a dream but a reality.

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet but Brian Berkman learns there is a lot more to cut-flower farming than initially thought and the variety planted makes all the difference.

South Africa’s wine industry is dwindling. Yet, Van Loveren Vineyards go from strength to strength each year, excelling both in their business offering and their ability to keep generations of family involved, conflict-free. Lindi Botha speaks to the Retief family about their achievements over the years.

Brian Berkman reports that a chain of upmarket hotels is talent-scouting in the agriculture sector, looking for school leavers with the potential to train for exciting positions in the hospitality industry and tourism.

The race to Net Zero has increased the burden of compliance for farmers, as in addition to administrative tasks, carbon footprints need to be tracked and reported. There is however a silver lining for those who can prove due diligence. Lindi Botha spoke to Marlene Louw, senior economist at Absa AgriBusiness.

Winemaker Chris Groenewald led the South African blind-tasting team in the international championships for the second time last year. He shared some blind-tasting tips with Glenneis Kriel.

In this first part of a series on successful women farmers in agriculture, Cobus du Plessis speaks to Elizabeth Lamond, a beekeeper in the Marquard region, about her rise in the apiculture industry.

Aquagel claims that the use of its micronised volcanic rock and organic biochar combination, called Regenr8, will significantly improve the carbon content of soil and reduce fertiliser requirements.

Faced with a tight deadline, Sampada-Agri and Agrico collaborated to install an irrigation system for sugar beans in just two weeks. This project showcased innovative problem-solving and effective teamwork, ensuring timely planting for Sampada-Agri's expansion into sugar beans.