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.
Citrus farming: off-season tasks
‘Off-season’ is a misnomer, says Marble Hall citrus farmer Piet Engelbrecht. This is when crucial tasks such as pruning take place. Gerhard Uys visited him.
Communication is key between farmer and market agent
The early part of the year is probably a good time to remind farmers about their responsibilities when dealing with a market agent.
Addressing the risk of polluted irrigation water
A recent study published by the Water Research Commission highlights the urgent need for identifying on-farm treatment options to help reduce the high levels of microbial contamination in irrigation waters,...
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