Value vs price
To many farmers and market agents, price is all that matters. Of course price is important, but these days there’s a lot more to the equation.
Understanding plant breeders rights
I’ve met a few senior people in the fresh-produce sector who don’t know what plant breeders’ rights (PBRs) are.
Table grape farmer increases turnover by 900%
Jacques Beukes is a table grape farmer in the Western Cape, and is always searching for new ways in which to expand and improve his business. Since joining the family...
Enabling good value between farmer and agent
At a recent conference, Tommie van Zyl, CEO of the ZZ2 group, talked about the agency system being a good ‘enabler’, and his remarks got me thinking.
Choose the right onion variety
Choosing the right type of onion can be difficult, as the variety has to suit both the area and the planting seasons.
The fine business of growing micro-greens
Erika Oberholzer produces microgreens and elfin vegetables for local and export markets, as well as herbs and medicinal plants for the essential oils industry, on 7ha in Midrand.
Fresh produce markets and politics
Regular readers of this column will know that I am strongly opposed to political interference in markets.
Planting dates for onions
One of the challenges of growing onions is getting the planting date right. Farmers unfamiliar with this crop would expect to plant it earlier in cool areas and later in...
Combining tunnels, nets and open-air farming for diversified vegetable production
Lephalale vegetable producer, Pieter Pieterse, spoke to Gerhard Uys about the challenges of sustainably farming numerous crops in tunnels, on open land and under netting.
Continuity of supply to the markets
One of the basic tenets of good marketing is to always ensure you have your product available and in front of the buyer’s eyes. Admittedly, that’s easier said than done,...
Optimising conservation farming with technology
Andrew Jonker runs a wheat and livestock operation near Riversdale in the Western Cape. He explained to Glenneis Kriel how he combined conservation farming principles with the latest precision farming...
Durban market introduces first ‘cash deposit device’
Congratulations to Durban market for introducing the ‘cash deposit device’. The first of its kind in a South African market, this enables buyers to deposit cash directly into their accounts...
