Tobacco Mosaic Virus: symptoms, transmission and management
Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) can infect a wide range of hosts, and losses of up to 20% have been reported in infected tomatoes. Phillip Mphuthi of the Agricultural Research Council’s...
Amaranth farm trial: a high-potential crop for marginal land?
Amaranth has a high nutrient value and is a popular superfood worldwide. Because it can withstand harsh climatic conditions, it is also an attractive crop to farm. Western Cape farmer,...
Get to know how your crop ‘thinks’
A crop has no way of ‘knowing’ or ‘sensing’ your good intentions. Instead, it responds to the prevailing conditions as a means of self-preservation.
Attention to detail – key to successful cherry farming
Jeandré du Preez visited Derick van Zyl, estate manager of the farm, Esperanto, in the Koue Bokkeveld, to learn about cherry production in that province, and what makes this crop...
The benefits of farm trials – Part 1
When a farmer says he has 20 years’ experience, it could mean that he has simply been doing the same thing for 20 years without ever trying anything new!
Cash crops can combat low grape prices – Part 2
While some farmers in the Olifants River Valley are switching to organic production to overcome poor wine prices, others are converting to fruit and vegetables.
Don’t drown your crop’s roots!
Where many farmers fall short is knowing how deep the water has penetrated after irrigation or rain.
Diversification beats poor wine grape prices – Part 1
Wine grape prices have remained unchanged for the past decade, and producers in the Olifants River Valley have started to investigate alternative avenues for generating income. Local farmer, Willem van...
Olifants River Valley farmers’ irrigation woes
The supply of water to Olifants River Valley producers has been frequently interrupted in recent years due to breakages in the irrigation canal. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Johan Matthee, CEO...
Getting irrigation right
Farmers often ask me how frequently and how much they should irrigate. There is no simple answer, as many aspects must first be considered.
Crop problems: look for the clues!
We recently discussed how to identify mineral deficiencies and eelworm infestation. Many other problems can occur, of course.
The guardians of South Africa’s export fruit quality
Farmers invest considerable money and time to produce high-quality fruit and vegetables. Lucien Jansen, CEO of the Perishable Products Export Control Board, South Africa’s export certification agency, spoke to Glenneis...
Know the facts before switching irrigation systems
Drip irrigation systems have a well-deserved reputation for water-efficiency. Although this gives them an obvious advantage in water-scarce South Africa, irrigation specialist, Mark Zartmann, explains that there are several factors...
Conservation farming helps Zambian smallholders thrive
People living in the Simalaha Community Conservancy in western Zambia have risen out of poverty through the use of conservation agriculture (CA) methods, according to Chrispin Muchindu, CA manager at Peace...
Cape Flats vegetable farmer cashes in on informal market
Extensive diversification, including vegetable production, livestock sales and a farm stall, has helped Philippi farmer, Leon Rix, to significantly reduce his business risk. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the...
Working as a market agent
The daily sales process is like a finely-tuned machine, and like any machine, it needs oil. In this case, that oil is communication.
Maize production: Managing critical plant growth stages
There is more to a maize land than meets the eye. It is a mass production facility with thousands of efficient ‘factories’ per hectare, each storing the sun’s energy through...
Know your spinach variants
Chard (Beta vulgaris) is also known as ‘Swiss chard’, ‘silver beet’, ‘mangold’ and other names. In South Africa it is usually referred to simply as ‘spinach’.
Use social media apps to promote fresh produce
In late December, to market its Cuties mandarins, Sun Pacific introduced a marketing campaign on Snapchat, the social media messaging and imaging app.
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