Success with small-scale herb production
Husband-and-wife team, Miki and Cathy Clark, knew nothing about farming when they began their small-scale herb production operation on 1,2ha of land five years ago. Now they produce over 2t...
Shelf life: a price driver
Senescence is the aging of fruit and vegetables until final decay, when they have to be discarded.
Pest control with benefical insects
If allowed to flourish, predators and parasitoids can control certain pests almost entirely.
Why we bank on butternuts – Drotskie brothers
Francois and Danie Drotskie run a mixed farming operation comprising vegetables, cattle and game. Surprisingly, their butternut crop is amongst their most valued enterprises. Gerhard Uys visited them.
The four pillars of the fresh produce market
Market management and agents. Infrastructure. Farmers. Buyers. These are the four pillars of the fresh produce market.
Using IPM for diamondbacks
My interest in integrated pest management (IPM) was sparked many years ago when carrying out brassica trials.
Benefits of vermiculture
David Leslie and his son James use vermiculture to keep their potato, bean, maize and soya crops healthy – and it’s paying off. Gerhard Uys visited them on their Free...
Farmers need constructive feedback from market agents
Ask any market agent what the toughest aspect is about dealing with farmers, and the reply will probably be: “Criticising their products.”
The benefits of holistic pest control
Integrated pest management (IPM) combines various methods to control pests.
The relationship between producer and market agent
The trust relationship between producer and market agent is the oil that lubricates the fresh produce engine.
Fine-tuning your lettuce
I often see a large amount of lettuce left behind on the land after harvesting.
A fine fynbos business
Fifteen years ago, Jacky Goliath and Elton Jefthas planted 1 000 fynbos plants in Elton’s back garden, establishing De Fynne Nursery. Today, operating on 22ha, De Fynne is a renowned...
