Cheap imports dampen aspirations
Sugarcane farmer Lee Hlubi is working hard to contribute to the agricultural economy. But the influx of cheap sugar imports is threatening to derail her efforts.
Food losses
I have been pursuing the theme of food wastage and loss for the past few weeks because the problem is much more serious – and complex – than most people...
More about nitrogen
The inability of soil microbes to convert ammonium to nitrate at a soil temperature below 10°C has caused reduced yields in winter without farmers understanding what the problem is.
Carrot Lessons from Rugani Carrots
As struggling farmers, Vito Rugani and Vincent Sequeira had the courage to jettison many of the attitudes that bedevil SA farming. Today, Greenway Farms is the continent’s largest producer of...
The complexity of berry production
While many variables affect commercial berry production, strict management and a scientific approach are crucial for success.
Understanding nitrogen
Certain elements are essential for plant growth, so it stands to reason that if any of these are in short supply, the plant’s development will be affected.
Consumer needs?
Last week, I wrote about the enormous amount of food wasted on our planet daily. The statistics are alarming, but numbers tell only part of the story.
Growing baby carrots
Almost everything that applies to growing ‘normal’ carrots falls away when you plant for the baby carrot market.
‘Be passionate about farming’
Maurice Boki, top developing grain producer, farms maize, crossbred Bonsmaras and Dohne-Merino sheep near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
Mentorship programme benefits farmer
With a passion for farming and a vision of where he wants to be, Mdu Mlangeni is proving that it’s never too late to achieve a dream. As Grain SA’s...
Macadamia nuts – a growing market
if a farmer willing to wait seven years for a return on investment will find that money does indeed grow on trees.
Positive growth for potato industry
I recently attended a Potatoes SA (PSA) Information Day at Patensie, not far from Port Elizabeth. The area is well-known for its citrus and potatoes, which seem to occupy all...
Marketing and presentation of your carrot crop
As with most commodities, presentation of the product has a disproportionate influence on the price received.
Other carrot leaf diseases
This week, I want to look at three other diseases that are very similar, but may need different products to keep in check. These are Cercospora, bacterial leaf blight and...
Ask your market agent
Have you ever spoken to your market agent about his or her ‘legitimacy’ as a commission salesperson?
Mad about maize and working the soil
It takes major effort and progress to become a finalist in Grain SA’s Developing Grain Farmer of the Year competition. Lloyd Phillips visited Thabang Tsephe to find out how he...
Maize success in the Overberg
As maize is a summer crop that requires sufficient water and nutrients, most farmers won’t plant it in a winter rainfall area. But John Walker, a Western Cape farmer with...
Small but sustainable
Subsistence farming need not be a struggle. As Nto Mduli shows, if done right, it can be a valuable source of food and income.
Farmers undeterred by disabilities
A KZN vegetable co-op has given its disabled members a sense of purpose, while making a valuable contribution to the nutritional needs of their families.
Are you covered?
Producers send huge volumes of fresh produce to the markets – over three million tons a year at last count. A large proportion of this is either placed in cold...
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