Saffron: harvesting ‘red gold’ in the Karoo
Bennie Engelbrecht is breaking new ground for saffron production in South Africa through his company Saffricon. He spoke to Wouter Kriel about his journey so far and his plans for...
The basics of wheat production
South African wheat growers have to compete with imports of the grain, which puts them under pressure to maximise production efficiency. Decisions on which cultivar to plant and the seeding...
A formula for successful fynbos production
Nico Thuynsma’s love for all things floral and horticultural, and fynbos in particular, led him to establish a nursery and cut flower operation in the Cullinan area of Gauteng, where...
The pros and cons of drip irrigation
Drip irrigation saves water and electricity, but is not suitable for all crop types. So make sure you end up with the right system, says Bill Kerr.
Integrated pest management: Taking care of crop protectors
Integrated pest management has become an increasingly popular means of protecting crops against damage from pests such as weeds and insects, and is being driven by, among other factors, the...
One of SA’s biggest avocado growers is on a coffee high
With some areas of South Africa having the ideal conditions for growing coffee, the country has the potential to produce a world-class product. However, only a few farmers are planting...
An affordable way to fix poor drainage
Slow water seepage in a field can adversely affect yield, profit, and the land’s long-term sustainability. Lindi Botha spoke to two experts about how to identify and rectify drainage problems.
Great canola yields begin with healthy soil
By investing in soil health, Swartland canola farmer Sakkie Rust has attained higher yields and made his crops more drought-resistant. He explained his methods to Wouter Kriel.
Proper pruning: key to pecan grower’s success
Pecan farming is still in its infancy in South Africa, but with the global demand for nuts increasing, more producers are seeing opportunities to diversify their farms with pecans. Lindi...
Making the most of wild-grown honeybush
While many farmers have had their fingers burnt in the production of honeybush, the crop can be highly lucrative, and Quinton Nortjé of Melmont Honeybush Tea can attest to this....
The fungi that saved a farmer’s avocado orchards
Faced with wilting, unproductive avocado trees, Limpopo farmer Christa Rebel decided to replace them with another crop. In the meantime, however, she planted strawberries on the orchard floor. Then, serendipitously,...
Reducing water loss from soil
There are various ways to ensure that soil loses as little water as possible. These include plastic sheeting to cover the soil, the use of mulch, and loosening the soil.
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