A partnership built on pineapples & a promise
Hluhluwe’s first black, queen pineapple grower has enormous support from his mentor and staff – but a lack of financial continuity from government could upend their best efforts.
Hands-on apple success in the Greyton district
Greyton is not known as an apple-growing area. Yet here, the farm Ouplaas boasts profitable apple orchards, thanks to organic compost and hands-on management. Nonetheless, heavy summer rains required smart management to save the 2014 crop.
Cultivating pseudo-grains in South Africa
The NuGrainSA Consortium introduced pseudo-grains to South Africa in 2013. Plant breeder at ARC-Roodeplaat, Willem Jansen van Rensburg, says that quinoa and grain amaranth are the most promising for local cultivation.
With mushroom & moringa on the side
After the success of the Winterveld Citrus Project, Winterveld United Farmers’ Association’s first project, its members decided to diversify and supplement their income. Philip Kgosana explains to Peter Mashala why he chose two unusual options.
Indigenous ‘Kanna’ keeps you calm & focused
Inspired by indigenous knowledge, a South African company has developed a natural, highly effective, mood-lifting and anxiety-reducing plant extract from the succulent plant, Sceletium tortuosum. Denene Erasmus spoke to Dr Nigel Gericke.
Cheap imports dampen aspirations
Sugarcane farmer Lee Hlubi is working hard to contribute to the agricultural economy. But the influx of cheap sugar imports is threatening to derail her efforts.
Carrot Lessons from Rugani Carrots
As struggling farmers, Vito Rugani and Vincent Sequeira had the courage to jettison many of the attitudes that bedevil SA farming. Today, Greenway Farms is the continent’s largest producer of carrots. Lindi van Rooyen visited the farm.
The complexity of berry production
While many variables affect commercial berry production, strict management and a scientific approach are crucial for success.
‘Be passionate about farming’
Maurice Boki, top developing grain producer, farms maize, crossbred Bonsmaras and Dohne-Merino sheep near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
Mentorship programme benefits farmer
With a passion for farming and a vision of where he wants to be, Mdu Mlangeni is proving that it’s never too late to achieve a dream. As Grain SA’s mentorship programme has contributed to his success, he now contributes to the livelihood of the community.
Mad about maize and working the soil
It takes major effort and progress to become a finalist in Grain SA’s Developing Grain Farmer of the Year competition. Lloyd Phillips visited Thabang Tsephe to find out how he made the cut.
Maize success in the Overberg
As maize is a summer crop that requires sufficient water and nutrients, most farmers won’t plant it in a winter rainfall area. But John Walker, a Western Cape farmer with access to irrigation water, produces maize to make quality silage for his Jersey cows.
Small but sustainable
Subsistence farming need not be a struggle. As Nto Mduli shows, if done right, it can be a valuable source of food and income.
Farmers undeterred by disabilities
A KZN vegetable co-op has given its disabled members a sense of purpose, while making a valuable contribution to the nutritional needs of their families.
New farmer moves ahead with skill & understanding
Warren Bam, winner of the deciduous fruit industry novice award and the Toyota New Harvest of the Year competition, spoke to Denene Erasmus about the journey that has led to his managing an organic, export table grape and blueberry farm and starting his own farming business.
Profit through precision farming
The father and son team of Pauciflora Farming in Arlington attribute their success to precision farming and reduced tillage. Dirk and Herman van Rensburg were finalists in the 2013 Grain SA Syngenta Grain Producer of the Year competition.
Carrot suppliers success with Woolworths
Being a major supplier of carrots to Woolworths for more than a decade has not been easy. But Greenpak farm has reaped the rewards of being part of this retail chain’s Farming for the Future programme, which has reduced input costs while increasing yields. Lindi van Rooyen reports.
Making SA’s best olive oil
At Andante Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Porterville, quality starts in the orchard with fine-tuned production practices.
Leading fruit farmer’s orchard renewal
Rossouw Cillié, Agri Writers’ SA Farmer of the Year, has a diversified enterprise with several production branches and a value-adding component. He told Denene Erasmus about his latest project – to replant and expand his fruit orchards.
Sugarcane, with tomatoes on the side
Growing tomatoes in Pongola in summer is not for the faint- hearted. But the Terblanche family has fine-tuned its programme and picks tomatoes year-round, with many benefits for the sugarcane operation. Robyn Joubert reports.
