Food safety
A market may not process food, but it can surely be classified as a ‘food distribution facility’, the food here being ‘fresh produce’.
Weed control and ridging of potatoes
Management of the potato crop after planting depends on various factors. One is weed control. The procedure you use will depend on what sort of weeds you can expect in the particular land.
Lofty objectives
A reader emailed me recently about his fruit being rejected at the market by a department of agriculture inspector because the cartons weren’t properly marked with all the information required by law.
Why potato irrigation is so important
As potatoes can have a confined and intense root system, together with a fairly large leaf area, it stands to reason irrigation requirements will differ from other crops.
Now’s the time!
While I’m on a roll about the positive developments taking place on markets, there’s another issue which I believe needs attention in the sector.
Potato planting procedures
Potatoes are a productive crop and as such are heavy feeders. The potato also has a rather confined root system, so make sure the fertiliser is placed where the roots have easy access to it.
Are you in or out?
The industry-related initiative to help improve markets launched by the Institute of Market Agents of SA (IMASA) last year seems to have gained a lot more momentum than expected.
Climate, soil and potatoes
Potatoes have to be ridged and lifted. These two operations can be troublesome with certain clay soil, especially when the weather doesn’t play along.
Potato pieces
Sports medicine expert Dr Tim Noakes caused a minor flurry recently when he referred to the exclusion of carbohydrates, which includes potatoes, in an athlete’s diet.
Herbs – a beginner’s success story
While many emerging farmers usually battle to survive, being thrown in the deep end helped organic farmer Jimmy Ka-Botha to succeed. Today he supplies Woolworths and Pick n Pay. Peter Mashala visted him.
Starting off with potatoes
Potatoes are an amazing crop. The amount of nutrients produced on a hectare of potatoes is staggering. It’s virtually a complete food, with a high nutritional content and a good balance of these nutrients.
Doing their job?
Some market agents believe BEE agencies operating on markets are solely responsible for assisting and promoting small-scale farmers.
Use your herbicides more effectively
If you want lands free of weeds, herbicides must be used properly. The first principle is timing.
It’s happening!
I regularly attack politicians and their bedfellows, and highlight the damage they’re causing to SA’s fresh produce markets.
Other weeds to watch out for
There are a number of particularly bad weed species which can be tough and costly to deal with once established.
Success at Last?
Many role players have for years lamented the lack of commitment by municipalities when it comes to their fresh produce markets.
Follow me!
Many of my colleagues are worried about the future of commission markets in this country.
Coping with nutsedge
Officially, the world’s number one weed is nutgrass, more correctly called ‘nutsedge’, as it’s not a grass but a sedge. (Sedges don’t have nodes as do true grasses.)
Watch out for weeds
The appearance of one or two unknown weeds on my land has reminded me of the danger of leaving them unattended just because they appear to pose no threat due to their low numbers.
Adding value
Marketing fresh produce is a competitive and frequently expensive business as producers seek ways to improve margins.
