Business

Part-time sheep farmer, and managing director of the International School of Tanning Technology in Grahamstown, Dr Clive Jackson-Moss, talks about the hides and skins industry.

Patrick and Sarah Buda began farming late in life. In a few short years, and backed by the Ekurhuleni Peermont Chambers of Commerce Trust, they’ve already begun supplying Pick n Pay with produce. Peter Mashala interviewed them.

Elize van Greunen supplies quails and pickled quail eggs to a niche market.

Increasing the productivity of traditional chickens is an easy way of providing food and income for rural families. Dr Ed Wethli spoke to Robyn Joubert about the success of the Umzimkhulu village chicken improvement project.

Instead of competing against each other, small-scale farmers should work together to earn more.

Mahuhudi Masipa of Zuurbekom in Johannesburg’s West Rand left the corporate world to become a pig farmer in 2009. She says farming is a business just like any other and should be approached as such. Peter Mashala spoke to her.

Award-winning farmer Steve Botha has managed to remain successful in the niche market he created through innovation, extending his product range, maintaining a close relationship with his clients and growing baby vegetables and herbs that are hard to find in SA.

While many farmers try to grow their enterprises as big as possible, this goat cheese business is staying small – and it’s thriving, thanks to its location. Robyn Joubert reports.

Jasmyn in Hartbeespoort has grown from a double garage-size farm stall to a farmers’ market of choice for fresh food lovers in the Gauteng area. The farm and shop are run side-by-side, ensuring that customers gets the freshest produce, and the absence of a middleman ensures greater profits.

Tabi Diphoko of Dobsonville, Soweto, has faced many challenges in his farming career, including the loss of his wife, which nearly caused him to give up. But at 77, this remarkable man is determined to grow his piggery bigger than ever. Peter Mashala spoke to him.

An effective labour management system is one of the most important investments 2011 Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year Gog van der Colff made in his grape and raisin enterprise. It afforded every worker the opportunity to take responsibility in this major enterprise and resulted in better production. Annelie Coleman reports.

Once one of South Africa's top agricultural high schools, Settlers is today a shadow of its former self. Its farming facilities have deteriorated, sponsorship has dried up, and many of the pupils don't take agricultural subjects. But there are big plans afoot to refocus the school on agriculture. For the sake of tomorrow's farmers, let's hope they succeed, says Peter Mashala. Read more in the 9 December 2011 issue.