Business

Valeska van Schoor, co-founder and director of Gro4Africa, overcame financial and experiential challenges to build a successful farming business with her husband from scratch. She spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about how they transformed a vacant plot into a thriving, sustainable vegetable farm.

Farms that embrace solar energy and battery energy storage system solutions will ensure their energy security and remain competitive in the future, operating more independently from the grid.

Fidelis Zvomuya spoke to two of Limpopo’s young agripreneurs about their hopes and ambitions for the future, and how, with the right support, the impossible becomes possible.

Groot Phesantekraal Boerdery, located near Durbanville along the Diepe River, has a rich history spanning generations. Their Vissershok farm is one of the oldest in South Africa and the country’s first wheat farm, which is why it is officially recognised today as a heritage site.

Jan Strydom, operations manager at ONE54 South Africa, spoke to Marinda Louw-Coetzee about the launch of A1 Fruit Water, a natural sparkling fruit water.

Octavia Avesca Spandiel visited Crossways Farm Village, South Africa’s first contemporary new rural town and smart village near Gqeberha, showcasing its focus on community, conservation, and agriculture.

According to Vincent Mhlonitshwa, making the transition from a communal to a successful commercial farmer requires mentorship. Mike Burgess visited him near Elliot in the Eastern Cape to better understand how a mentor helped establish the foundations on which he built a mixed farming operation on less than 1 500ha.

Agrico is a well-known name in the farming community across Southern Africa. It’s a family business with a passion for agriculture and farmers and the aspiration to make our beautiful region a better place for everyone.

De Rustica Olive Estate Collection Coratina was crowned the best olive oil in the world at the EVOOLEUM Awards in Spain last year. Glenneis Kriel visited the estate to learn more about their recipe for success.

Hollard Group, the largest privately owned insurance company in South Africa, is taking the doom and gloom out of insurance with its new campaign payoff line: ‘Insure your unsure’.

The Agricultural Writers SA National Farmer of the Year 2023, Dewald te Water, runs a diversified agriculture and construction business in Mpumalanga. Growing the business from scratch, he has proved the value of hard work, perseverance, and not being afraid to take risks.

Palm oil has been heavily criticised due to the unsustainable practices used in its cultivation. But this is beginning to change, says Jannie Myburgh, senior manager of trading oils procurement at SD Guthrie International SA. He spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee.

South Africa's agriculture sector, vital to the economy, faces significant energy challenges. Rising electricity costs, supply issues, and the need for sustainable practices have driven demand for reliable and efficient energy solutions.

Keerom Farming, led by Vilhelm Erichsen, has transformed its practices through no-till farming with Bontera products. This innovative approach enhances soil health, crop yields, and sustainability.

South Africa faces increasing water scarcity, severely impacting agriculture. Efficient irrigation systems, like Agrico's centre-pivot technology, are crucial for optimising water use.

As the name suggests, Blitz is a fertiliser that speedily boosts the germination, emergence and early growth phase of plants.

Matebogo Victoria leads the VoiceOut Deaf Cooperative, creating job opportunities in agriculture for the deaf community while championing empowerment and inclusion.

Neither 29-year-old Juan Rabe nor 30-year-old Rowan Delport grew up on a farm, yet they’ve achieved great success with their fresh produce business through hydroponic production. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how they did it.

Meet Mpho Mohaswa, an inspiring entrepreneur who transitioned from a successful corporate career in the oil and gas industry to the world of agro-processing. She has turned a cherished South African tradition into a thriving business with her innovative ginger beer brand, Ghemere.

Humans are dependent on the soil to produce food and fibre for themselves, feed for livestock, and, of late, contributing to the energy supply with crops grown primarily for biofuels.