Your cucurbits will get viruses
Apart from powdery mildew (discussed in last week’s column), viruses are the next challenge that almost every cucurbit grower will face at some stage.
Constructive criticism
Last week, I wrote about trust between the producer and the market agent, focusing particularly on the role of the producer.
Producer and market agent – Is there a trust relationship?
In The Speed of Trust, Stephen Covey explains how ‘trust’ can be measured in monetary terms just like any other activity or product in a company, and can make either...
Watching your cucurbits grow
As with any crop, there’s a risk to planting cucurbits and then doing ‘bakkie’ farming – skirting the land with your head half-way out of the driver’s side window.
About the new draft bill
As I write this, the new draft Agricultural Produce Marketing Agencies Bill (APMA) is under public review. The department of agriculture, which is ‘driving’ the bill, has met with many...
Looking after your Cucurbits
It’s important to get the timing right for post-planting nitrogen, cultivation and irrigation if you want to optimise Cucurbit production.
Revitalising markets
In the past, this column carried numerous appeals for government assistance in saving South Africa’s fresh produce markets.
Selling your produce
I wonder how many farmers appreciate the work involved in selling their produce? When you walk onto a busy market floor, you’ll see agents engaged in animated debate with buyers...
Cutting the risks of planting early
In frosty areas, growers usually want to start planting as soon as it’s safe to do so. But due to late frosts, the timing isn’t always easy to determine.
Making Cucurbitaceae weed-control easier
Controlling weeds has become a big issue with the increasing cost of labour. Fortunately, when it comes to the cucumber family, there are several options to reduce weed growth as...
Create a Sense of security
Readers of this column will know that I have written many times about the ‘oil’ that drives the fresh produce engine – that all-important trust between the farmer and the...
Doing sterling work
The challenges of agriculture and the highly competitive nature of international trade make it absolutely essential for us to have support services that supply statistics, information, research, market access, transformation,...
