Fresh Produce sector faces challenges
Challenge. I hope that my readers will regard this word in a positive way, instead of as something to be dreaded. I say this because the fresh produce sector faces numerous challenges.
Smart irrigation saves water
A degree of operational loss is unavoidable when using irrigation. But water loss because of poor or non-existent maintenance of irrigation equipment, pipelines and dams, is unacceptable.
Choosing the right canola cultivar
Canola plantings in the Swartland in the Western Cape have been increasing steadily over the past few years, as more farmers recognise the benefits of including canola as a viable cash crop in rotation with wheat and other grain crops.
Weevils & other sweet potato pests
The sweet potato weevil (Cylas spp) is arguably the most destructive pest of this crop.
Fresh produce sector : More change for the better
The rapid changes that we witness every day in the world are well-documented, but I remain constantly intrigued by them.
Irrigation & pest control in sweet potatoes
For sweet potato runners to root, the soil around the plants must be moist. Usually, the irrigation applied just after planting will be enough, but this depends on soil type and weather conditions.
Sugarcane: lessons from Australia
Situated along 2 100km of the continent’s east coast, Australia’s 385 000ha sugar industry was producing a whopping 32 million tons of irrigated sugarcane in 2008. This was processed to produce 4,7 million tons of raw sugar.
Design a crop cover strategy
Agricultural practices that degrade the soil are responsible for a host of problems: erosion, nutrient runoff, waterlogging, acidification, compaction, crusting, salinisation, nutrient depletion, leaching, organic matter loss, toxic accumulation, and desertification.
Sweet potatoes after planting
Sweet potatoes are highly adaptable when it comes to soil type. I have grown this crop commercially in soils ranging from sandy to a very heavy clay.
Remembering Len Hobson
Len Hobson, who died recently at the age of 87, introduced papayas from Hawaii to South Africa in the late 1960s and became a recognised authority on subtropical fruit and macadamia nuts.
Improvements at Springs Market
I cannot believe the transformation that has taken place at Springs Market.
Growing sweet potatoes
Unless you obtain clean planting material from time to time, there is a risk of virus lowering yield and quality in your sweet potatoes.
From 2ha to commercial success
Ralph Swart, who has lived in Elim, Western Cape, all his life, began farming in 1975 with roughly 2ha for planting, one cow and 10 sheep. Today he farms on 1 280ha. He shares the secrets of his success with Farmer’s Weekly:
The future of sweet potatoes
Sweet potato consumption has not grown in the way it should have. When travelling in the Mpumulanga Lowveld 35 years ago, I recall that in season there would be piles of sweet potatoes in bags for sale at the roadside.
Fresh Connections conference – an event to remember
The annual two-day ‘Fresh Connections Conference’ hosted by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) on 13 and 14 August this year was once again a winner.
Production secrets of a top barley farmer
Award-winning barley farmer Hermie van Zyl of the Western Cape has worked with his father and uncle over the years to fine-tune their production plan. Their success, he maintains, lies in sticking with this method.
More research on fresh produce wastage
I have always considered the apple industry to be at the forefront of innovation.
Capsicum diseases
Spotted wilt, which was covered in a previous article, is but one of 17 viruses found in peppers worldwide.
Service improvements at the Markets
On many occasions, I’ve pummelled markets on their inability to upgrade and make improvements.
