Managing early fruit set in peppers
Peppers are relatively easy to grow when conditions are suitable. If not, taking the necessary precautions will avoid some problems.
Earthworms boost organic exports
The Rethabiseng Food Garden Project’s new flow-through vermicasting operation not only complements the organic production of vegetables and herbs, but is helping to combat climate change.
Food security?
We often hear commentators offering sage counsel on how to market fresh produce successfully in a country as diverse as ours.
Faith in the future of farming – Sakkie van Zyl
Sakkie van Zyl, Agri North West’s 2014 Young Farmer of the Year, is so positive about the economic prospects of SA agriculture that he left the corporate world to join...
Choose your markets
Younger farmers might find it hard to believe that their fathers had essentially one marketing option for fresh produce – the markets.
Managing peppers through to maturity
As noted last week, the balance between fruit set and leaf volume can have a major effect on the yield and bearing pattern of a pepper plant through its lifetime.
SA apples: all set for healthy growth
By embracing new technology to ensure a greater yield and utilising resources efficiently, South African apple producers can look forward to a bright future.
Fruit and vegetable production with the neighbours
A few years ago, I wrote about the development of fruit and vegetable production in our neighbouring countries – specifically Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Preparing and planting capsicums
Basic fertilisation for capsicums should be adjusted according to a good soil analysis. If you don’t do this, you’ll waste fertiliser and perhaps exacerbate already unbalanced soil fertility.
Fine fruit: the heart of top olive oil
Olyfberg Olive Estate, one of SA’s original commercial olive producers, is renowned for its award-winning blended extra virgin olive oil. Estate manager Pieter Kruger stresses that this success begins in...
Raising capsicum seedlings
Capsicum seedlings need to be treated differently from other kinds of seedling.
Grassroots no-till in Argentina
Argentina is engaged in comprehensive research on no-till – and its crop farmers benefit directly from its results. Lloyd Phillips spoke to a number of no-till farmers operating under various...
Fresh produce news
I never cease to be amazed at the versatility of fresh fruit and vegetables, and this week I want to move away from the market floor for a moment and...
Producing capsicum seedlings in soil beds
The usual way to grow chillies and peppers is to plant the seed in cavity seed trays with a good growing medium.
Prices continue upwards
High(er) prices might sound like good news for farmers, but it certainly won’t be for beleaguered consumers (who include all of us) as they struggle with increases on a wide...
Doing the tango with no-till in Argentina
Argentina’s commercial crop-farming sector is a world leader in no-till practices, ensuring that the country can be confident of a sustainable and productive agricultural future.
Understanding chilli pungency
The pungency or ‘burn’ of a chilli is the result of a complex combination of capsaicinoids that have a different effect depending on which are present and in what combination.
Moringa: superfood for the hungry
A KZN husband and wife team are growing and distributing the highly nutritious Moringa tree amongst the poorest of the poor.
Making smallholder farming work
Introducing best-farming practices to developing agricultural communities heavily reliant on manual labour or outdated methods, can dramatically increase productivity, sustainability and job opportunities.
(Mis)managing Markets
Regular readers of this column will know that I’m ascerbic in my criticism of municipalities controlling and managing fresh produce markets.
