From the corporate world to macadamia cultivation

With the support of his wife, Andrew Doré has changed his approach to macadamia farming by adopting organic practices. He spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about his farming experience, challenges, and how he expanded his business into processing macadamia nuts into health products.

Optimising stone fruit production with biological control

Featuring an array of delicious fruit from peaches to cherries, stone fruit is attractive to a variety of bugs that can be effectively controlled with integrated pest management, writes Zunel van Eeden.

Sorghum: boosting rural economies and enhancing soil health

Sorghum can transform rural economies by boosting food security, supporting local processing, and enhancing soil health. Nate Blum, CEO of Sorghum United, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the potential of this drought-resistant grain.

How to build up humus in your vegetable crop

The importance of building up humus in vegetable fields cannot be overstated. Without achieving this, the soil will not become self-sustainable, writes Bill Kerr.

Bacterial diseases in beans are your crop’s biggest threat

Bill Kerr says he can’t overemphasise the importance of making sure that the bean seed you purchase is disease free.

Ways in which soil microbes and plants interact

A very important part of the success of this project is an understanding of the soil food web, in other words, how organisms that live in the soil interact with plants, writes Bill Kerr.

Pomegranates: easy to grow in the right climate

As unfussy as they come, pomegranates are a relatively easy crop to cultivate. With market conditions picking up, the fruit offers first-time, part-time and long-time farmers an attractive option should they find themselves in the right climate. Lindi Botha reports on the success of a farm in Gauteng.

Pest and disease control under shade netting

As fruit-importing countries become increasingly intolerant of pest infestations and diseases posing phytosanitary risks and equally intolerant of the use of pesticides, South African fruit producers have had to revisit their pest and disease management strategies, writes Magda du Toit.

Boost soil health and yields by increasing organic matter

Bill Kerr says that increasing the organic and microbe content of your soil is the first step to ensuring healthier crops and greater yields.

The real reason fresh produce transformation has stalled

Transformation in the fresh produce sector faces a significant challenge in that small-scale producers are unable to stay the course. Lindi Botha reports on how overwhelming obstacles, such as defunct government infrastructure and the high cost of food safety compliance, are shattering these farmers’ prospects for success.

Precision irrigation: empowering agriculture amid water scarcity

Precision irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, maximising efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. Zunel van Eeden spoke to Netafim South Africa’s Charl van Reenen about this irrigation technique, which can help South African farmers address the challenges brought about by a water shortage.

Tasty, nutritious beans come in many forms

Beans originated in Central and South America and have been domesticated for thousands of years, says Bill Kerr.

Avocado production: Western Cape vs the northern provinces

Avocado production in South Africa has traditionally been linked to the hot and humid northern provinces. Recently, though, Western Cape plantings have grown. Louis Vorster, who has extensive experience in avocado production, spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee about the differences in production between these regions.

Managing macadamia production when margins are low

Macadamia nut farms have been in dire straits over the past two seasons as prices have dropped and input costs have risen. With little relief on the horizon, orchard management needs to be revised to maintain sustainability. Lindi Botha looks at the options available to farmers to reduce their costs.

Crops