Jedrie Harmse
Jedrie Harmse started his career in 1985 in the agricultural sector as a magazine editor and is currently a freelance photo journalist for Farmers’ Weekly. He has over 30 years of experience across multiple disciplines in the publishing industry. “Though I didn’t intentionally choose agriculture, it seems to have chosen me — and I keep returning to it, drawn by the outdoors, the adventure, the stories, inspiring people, and endless opportunities for photography and writing.”
Drone adoption still hinges on economics, education, and policy
The rapid evolution of drone technology is creating new possibilities for South African agriculture, but widespread adoption will depend on convincing data, practical support, and an enabling regulatory environment before drones become mainstream farming tools.
Youth urged to start small and seize opportunities in agriculture
At the Madibeng Agri Youth Day on 23 June in Brits, North West, young people were encouraged not to wait for access to land, funding, or government grants before entering the agriculture sector but to instead build their businesses step by step.
No off-road beast, but still very capable
Jedrie Harmse put the QJMOTOR SRT 900 SX bike through its paces on both tar and gravel to discover exactly what this tough adventure tourer is actually capable of.
Sasol farmers’ day helps equip emerging producers for sustainable growth
Sasol, through its Bridge to Work programme, hosted a farmers’ day in Mpumalanga on 11 June, bringing together emerging producers, industry stakeholders, and government representatives to support the development of sustainable farming enterprises.
Quality standards key to unlocking global cannabis export markets
South Africa’s cannabis industry has a significant opportunity to establish itself as a competitive supplier to international markets, but success will depend on producers’ ability to meet increasingly stringent quality, compliance, and production standards.
How to prepare your motorcycle for long-distance travel
Motorcycles operate in harsh, unpredictable environments, and even well-maintained machines can develop issues. Jedrie Harmse offers some advice.
SA’s cannabis industry should serve local needs first, says activist
South Africa still has the opportunity to develop a world-leading cannabis industry, but achieving that goal will require a more integrated approach to policy development, stronger support for local economic participation, and a regulatory framework that enables meaningful industry growth.
Cannabis and hemp summit tackles industry challenges
The rapidly evolving cannabis and hemp industry took centre stage at the Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit, held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 29 to 31 May.
Gallery | Highlights from Nampo Harvest Day 2026
From machinery displays and livestock exhibitions to crowds filling the showgrounds, these are some of the scenes from this year’s Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville.
Syngenta flags data protection concerns, marks 25 years of farmer support
At a media event hosted on the eve of Nampo 2026 at the Syngenta Boerekos Plaaskombuis at Nampo Park in Bothaville, Free State, Luc Henry, business area head of Syngenta South Africa, said South Africa’s regulatory data protection legislation is significantly out of line with global norms.
The CFMOTO 800MTX: an all-round pleasant surprise
For Farmer’s Weekly’s first review of a motorcycle imported from China, Jedrie Harmse spoke to Henri du Toit, founder of the Proudly Meerkat adventure rider group and a brand advocate for CFMOTO, to get his honest impression of the new CFMOTO 800MTX adventure bike.
Dutch farmers’ co-op offers practical solution to grid limits
Across Europe, manufacturers aiming to cut carbon emissions are constrained by limited grid capacity. In the Netherlands, that constraint has sparked innovation, with a farmer-owned co-op developing a practical way to work around the bottleneck.
A guide to Nampo Harvest Day 2026
In a few weeks’ time, the Free State town of Bothaville will once again become the centre of South Africa’s agricultural scene when this year’s Nampo Harvest Day gets under way.
Peter Morey’s solo motorbike journey redefines the open road
With one bike, an open road, and no fixed plan, Peter Morey proves the best journeys are the ones you don’t overthink. He recently chatted to an old colleague, Jedrie Harmse, about his experiences.
The thrill of doing the ‘meerkat dance’ on dirt
Embodying the ‘meerkat’ posture on a bike provides the control and visibility essential for conquering South Africa’s most challenging farm tracks.
The Kove 800X Pro – tough enough for the farm, fun enough for the...
The Kove 800X Pro is a disruptive newcomer. With its punchy 71kW engine and a lightweight, agile frame, it’s built for the veld. A 275mm ground clearance and 400km range make it a rugged farm-to-town tool, offering high-spec performance at a price that turns heads.
This is Pannar Extravaganza season!
Pannar’s Crop Extravaganza series goes the extra mile and continues to provide farmers with more than just a showcase of new cultivars. These events combine product demonstrations with practical insights from multi-location trials, helping producers make informed decisions about hybrid selection and crop management.
Supply chains, tech, and livestock in the spotlight at Agritec Africa
On its second day, the 11th Agritec Africa International Exhibition & Conference, held from 11 to 13 March at Johannesburg’s Gallagher Convention Centre, focused on supply chain optimisation, smart farming technologies, and the future of South Africa’s livestock industry.
Monitoring the farm on two wheels
While motorbikes provide much pleasure, adventure, and relaxation to two-wheel enthusiasts, they also serve as a practical, fuel-efficient way of monitoring tough farm terrain, writes Jedrie Harmse.
Revival plan for Zebediela Citrus Estate takes shape
As previously reported by Farmer’s Weekly, a strategic partnership between the Bjatladi Communal Property Association, which holds the title to Zebediela Citrus Estate for the community, and Women Investment Portfolio Holdings aims to revive the once-renowned estate after years of neglect.
