Crops

Businesses that practise good customer relations make sure their ‘frontline people’ – those who answer the phone – are trained, competent, friendly and helpful.

Communication must be one of the most under-valued and misunderstood activities on a market floor.

The Hawaiian beet webworm is a caterpillar that attacks beet and Swiss chard. The moth’s delta-shaped wings are brown with white stripes.

Rossouw Cillié from Ceres is a dedicated farmer and canny businessman. He supplies markets and retailers with year-round, high quality fresh produce at reasonable prices. Denene Erasmus reports.

Cabbages are popular with South African consumers and can provide growers with sustainable short-term income. However, sound management is needed for keeping cabbages clear of pests and diseases.

As we’ve said before, integrated pest management (IPM), or using the natural enemies of crop pests to help control those pests, has a long way to go in this country.

I recently attended a workshop on the transformation – or lack thereof – that’s taken place in market agencies since government launched its BBBEE requirements.

When it comes to Integrated Pest Management (IPM), tomatoes have quite a complex array of requirements which will depend on the varieties planted and the region where they are grown, as some diseases and pests only occur in certain areas.

World-renowned for its award-winning wines and olive products, Kloovenburg also produces table grapes and figs for export. With four sons all wanting to farm, Annalene and Pieter du Toit are planning to diversify their farming enterprise even further. Keri Harvey paid them a visit.

At the recent Potatoes SA Marketing Seminar held in Pretoria, Africa came under the spotlight.

It requires a lot of observation and experience, but Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can be practiced with cabbages.

Aimed at bringing emerging farmers into the commercial cycle, the Sundays River Citrus Company’s development project is that rarity – one that actually works. Samantha Barnes reports.