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Money cannot be lent responsibly without collateral, a constraint that has long hobbled the ability of commercial banks to lend money to communal farmers. The Land Bank is now exploring alternative models of funding these farmers. Its CEO, TP Nchocho, spoke to Luyolo Mkentane about its strategy.

Water has become a political issue and the quality of South Africa’s water resources needs to be addressed, says Prof Anthony Turton, a scientist specialising in water resource management. He spoke to Gerhard Uys.

As consumers grow more affluent, they become more fastidious about the food they eat. This trend has sparked a rising demand for food that is produced in an environmentally friendly fashion. Dr Hannes Swart, the chairperson of the local organising committee of the World Veterinary Poultry Association Congress, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this trend and its effect on the local poultry industry.

South African stock farmers face an ongoing battle against predators. Merino farmer Guillau du Toit, newly-elected chairperson of the Predation Management Forum (PMF) and the National Wool Growers’ Association, spoke to Lourens Schoeman about the PMF’s proposals to improve the situation.

The Boer goat can help to make emerging farmers successful, and they also have a large local and foreign stud market.

Violence affecting farming communities is a dreaded reality in SA and in the long term could be devastating for rural communities, Free State Agriculture’s safety analysts Dr Jane Buys and Gernie Botha told Annelie Coleman.

Ernest Pringle, head of Agri SA’s Development Council and outgoing president of Agri Eastern Cape, says that farmers accept land reform to be a prime concern, but judging by the national budget, government does not. He spoke to Nan Smith.

The University of the Free State (UFS) supports the development of a long-term sustainable and profitable agricultural sector on the African continent, according to Prof Neil Heideman, dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the institution. Annelie Coleman asked him how the university has positioned itself to add value to the sector.

Agriculture is key to SA’s economy and government must provide legislation to help the sector thrive. Designate CEO Omri van Zyl explains his views on the future of agriculture to Gerhard Uys.

Dr Christo Marais, chief director of natural resource management programmes at the Department of Environmental Affairs, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about challenges and opportunities in the sector.

The traceability of food products is growing in importance across the world, and the sooner South Africa’s red meat value chain grasps its value, the better, according to Prof Frikkie Neser, animal scientist at the University of the Free State. He told Annelie Coleman that a traceability system is essential to counteract the dwindling profitability of red meat production in South Africa.

Indwe Trust NPC, an NGO based in Cape Town, has initiated several social upliftment projects in the Eastern Cape. Co-founder and managing director Mpumelelo Ncwadi explained the motivation behind these ventures to Glenneis Kriel.

Capespan SA appointed Stuart Symington as new managing director earlier this year. He previously served as CEO of the Perishable Products Export Control Board and CEO of the Fresh Fruit Exporters’ Forum. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the future of Capespan SA.

Land reform is essentially about social and economic redress. But lately government has been using the process as part of a larger socialist agenda, says Johannes Möller, Agri SA president, in a frank interview with Annelie Coleman.

The Banking Association of South Africa has committed itself to an ambitious 15-year financing plan for SA agriculture. Luyolo Mkentane spoke to the association’s GM, Pierre Venter, about the options and practicalities.

Leading sugarcane farmer, Charl Senekal, says land reform and a strong black agri sector are crucial. But he laments the mixed messages from government and stresses that commercial farmers must not lose out in the land reform process. Luyolo Mkentane spoke to him on this issue and the KZN drought.

Nosey Pieterse is the secretary general of the Building and Allied Workers’ Union of SA. He is also an emerging pig farmer. He entered the limelight during the violent farm worker strikes in late 2012 and early 2013 in the Western Cape.

Vusi Mlambo, enterprise development manager at fresh produce agent, RSA Group, has for the past six years helped thousands of local emerging farmers gain access to markets. Luyolo Mkentane spoke to him.

Gerhard Diedericks, head of Santam Agriculture, says that with the growing market for game in South Africa, especially for rare and exotic animals, and the high risk associated with this type of investment, insurance is becoming increasingly important.

Developing farmers’ lack of access to markets and facilities was highlighted by Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, in an interview with Luyolo Mkentane. The minister is also keen to ignite a passion for agriculture amongst young people.