Lindi Botha
Lindi Botha is an agricultural journalist and communications specialist based in Nelspruit, South Africa. She has spent over a decade reporting on food production and has a special interest in research, new innovations and technology that aid farmers in increasing their margins, while reducing their environmental footprint. She has garnered numerous awards during her career, including The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Star Prize in 2019, the IFAJ-Alltech International Award for Leadership in Agricultural Journalism in 2020, and several South African awards for her writing.
Limpopo nut farm – a shining example of worker empowerment
Springfield Farm has invested in learnerships for its workers, has an open-door policy for agriculture students, and offers mentorships to emerging farmers.
Dwarf avocado trees: low-maintenance, high-yielding orchards
As fruit farmers are pushed to produce more with less, so the trend towards dwarf trees has gained momentum. Dwarf avocado trees offer the benefits of a compact orchard and savings in labour and production costs. Lindi Botha spoke to farm manager Simon Dunshea in Mpumalanga.
Gene editing: a precise approach to crop and animal breeding
Recent breakthroughs in gene editing technology mean that advancements in the industry can be brought to the farm faster, cheaper and more accurately than before. The result is plants and livestock that are naturally more resistant to disease, crops that are higher-yielding, and ultimately, more sustainable, profitable farms.
Solving calcium deficiency for better-quality crops
Calcium is a challenging and intricate element to manage in a crop, but if its levels are not balanced, the quality and shelf life of produce are compromised. Lindi Botha spoke to Lindi Grobler, the owner of Agri-Alchemi, about solving calcium deficiency in tunnel crops.
Joburg chef partners with local farmers
Jack Coetzee, chef of Johannesburg-based Urbanologi restaurant and a believer in sustainable living, sources all his ingredients from within a 150km-radius of the restaurant. To achieve this, he has worked hard at building close working relationships with local farmers.
Farming smarter can reduce methane emissions from livestock
The argument against beef production is gaining momentum, with the industry being accused, often inaccurately, of significantly increasing greenhouse gas emissions. However, climate-smart farming and improving productivity can reduce emissions.
Fertilisation: basic principles that every farmer should know
Achieving optimal yields is greatly dependent on providing crops with the right nutrition at the right time. Understanding the role of fertilisers and ensuring the correct application can make the difference between profit and loss.
Water quality and quantity reach crisis levels
The billions of litres of raw sewage flowing into the country’s rivers daily has reached crisis levels, and pose a threat to the country’s agricultural exports, according to a water specialist.
Macadamias take Hazyview vegetable farmer to the next level
Through perseverance and applying strict business principles, Elias Pangane proved that farming could produce a viable income for him. The Hazyview vegetable and macadamia farmer spoke to Lindi Botha about the success that comes from combining passion with grit.
Water management: rainwater harvesting and better storage
The message is clear: in terms of both quantity and quality, water is a declining resource, and dedicated management is required to make the most out of every drop. Dr Heinz Meissner and Hylton Cruse outlined the advantages of efficient water storage to Lindi Botha.
Craft beer niche market could see barley production rise
The craft beer industry in South Africa has doubled in size over the past five years and there are now more than 220 brands on retail shelves.
Tissue-cultured bananas: uniform and high-yielding
Establishing a healthy orchard starts with choosing the correct plant material. In South Africa’s only laboratory of its type, banana plants are cultivated from tissue culture to produce clones that offer farmers vigorous growth and high yield.
Vital tips for stepping up security on your farm
Despite being continually under the spotlight, rural crime in South Africa continues to plague farmers. Some respond by leaving the sector; others struggle on after having lost property or even loved ones. However, studies show that while the justice system receives much of the blame, farmers should be doing more to secure themselves.
Accessing Africa’s food markets: Insights from three experts
Agriculture employs 70% of the workforce in Africa and constitutes 30% of total GDP. Yet the continent relies heavily on imports and food aid. Lindi Botha spoke to three leaders |
in the African agriculture sector to explain this anomaly.
How to manage brucellosis on your farm – tips from top vets
A widespread problem in sub-Saharan Africa, bovine brucellosis can cripple a cattle or dairy farming operation. As no cure is available, all infected animals are required by law to be slaughtered. This makes prevention and control of the disease a crucial aspect of a cattle operation.
Small-scale cotton farming can create prosperity
The remote community of Khombaso in Mpumalanga has placed all its hope in developing a cotton industry to lift the town out of poverty and prevent further urbanisation of its residents. Lindi Botha spoke to Cotton SA about making small-scale cotton farming viable.
Emergency eradication plan for Palmer amaranth weed
CropLife SA has released an emergency eradication plan for the invasive weed Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), which can result in almost total crop failure in maize.
‘Soya levy could boost SA’s competitiveness’
There has been mixed reaction to the newly implemented soya levy from industry role players, due to concerns among farmers about profitability as a result of the ongoing drought.
Soya levy expected to boost yield and quality
The soya industry is expected to receive a boost of R1 billion per year from the recently imposed Breeding and Technology Levy (BTL).
Children at Play: local farm charity with global impact
Growing up on a farm gave Lion du Plessis insight into the problems faced by farmworkers. But after studying human rights he gained an even deeper understanding of these issues,which spurred him on to create a charity that uplifts rural communities.
