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Smaller farmers struggle to sustainably produce large quantities of quality crops and get them to market. The ‘cluster farming’ concept is changing that, says Diale Mokgojwa of Standard Bank.

You’ve grilled the perfect steak. How could you make it even better? Nothing, if you are a purist. Quite a lot, if you’re ready to venture into the unknown. To do this, you’ll need butter. Anchovies. Maybe even a can of smoked oysters...

Those with business interests in Botswana should take note of the following judgement.

For the mid-20th century connoisseur, the ideal of fine dining consisted of a prawn cocktail, followed by Tournedos Chasseur, finished off by an Irish coffee. Here’s that very same culinary delight, but without the Irish coffee. Or the prawn cocktail.

It’s not about pessimism, but planning. We must plan each crop as if this season will be our worst ever.

Government’s many land reform policies and legislation may be intimidating for South Africa’s commercial farmers, but organised agriculture is striving to ensure that these are developed and implemented fairly. Sandy la Marque, CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, explains.

A recent ruling reveals how SARS views the matter of the exercising of company share options.

For years, vegetables were simply annoying competitors for real estate on my plate. I needed the room – all of it – for meat. Then I learned how to cook the green things. No boiling to a flavourless pulp: just a moment at high heat in a wok.

Grain farm operating expenses have increased steadily over the past decade, with the high costs of inputs, especially electricity, becoming one of the most serious challenges facing farmers. But the sector has great potential for efficiency improvements, says Andrew Etzinger, senior general manager at Eskom’s Integrated Demand Management department.

This superb homage to the pig is a luxurious meal, easy to cook and quick too, assuming that you have some quality chicken stock in the freezer. If not, I’ve shown you how to make your own.

Beware! Unless you get your own house in order and work with your neighbours this dry season in fighting fires, you are taking a grave risk.

South Africa needs a new champion to nurture the bond between people and planet, and fight off corporate greed, says writer and researcher Glenn Ashton.

Baking, as I’ve mentioned before, is a dark zone of potential failure and damaged emotions. But sometimes, there is light at the end of the oven. Here is a totally unexpected cake, invented by sheep farmer and slow food specialist, Richard Haig of Enaleni Farm. As the ads used to promise, it’s truly flop-proof.

Merely delivering grapes to a co-op is not ‘disposing’ of it. At this stage, the grower still owns the produce.

Africa is brimming with business opportunities, says African specialist Victor Kgomoeswana. He set out some of these, with advice on doing business on the continent, to agribusiness leaders at Standard Bank’s agribusiness lunch in Durban recently.

Nowhere does it say that you have to have spaghetti with bolognaise sauce. And to prove it, here’s a combination of great flavours, textures and aromas all designed to transform pasta into the meal of your dreams…

Preventive maintenance is an essential part of any well-managed and competitive organisation.

Glyphosate has its supporters and detractors. Dr Charlie Reinhardt examines the science behind the world’s most widely used herbicide.

While there are some folk, this backwoods cook amongst them, who regard plain vanilla ice cream as an eternal miracle of fine dining, other more sophisticated diners have requested a few enhancements. Here they are...

When it comes to resolving a dispute with SARS, ensure there is no room for later dissension.