Farming Basics

Agricultural transformation in South Africa has been a dismal failure since 1994, according to Agang leader Dr Mamphela Ramphele.

The pending reopening of the land claims window for a further five years could see a flood of claims being lodged on South African farms. With more than 7 000 land claims yet to be researched and gazetted by government, farmers are advised to familiarise themselves with the process and their rights. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to Annelize Crosby, legal advisor for Agri SA.

Aquaponics involves the organic production of crops and fish in a holistic system – the plants are cultivated using fish waste as the main source of nutrients. Leslie Ter Morshuizen in Grahamstown has established an aquaponics tunnel system to test its commercial viability.

Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s current term as minister of agriculture is drawing to a close. Speaking to Alita van der Walt and Anneli Groenewald, she highlights her successes, and explains how she plans to ensure food security in South Africa.

Rural communities and farm workers can supplement their incomes by cashing in on South Africa’s honey shortage. With African Honey Bee’s business model, budding beekeepers can gain the skills to operate independently. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

The aim of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is to increase agro-industrial capacity in the agricultural value chain. The organisation takes on projects based on their potential to transform rural communities and create sustainable jobs. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to Rian Coetzee, head of agro-industries at the IDC.

VKB is a strategic partner in government’s Recapitalisation and Development Programme. Transformation manager Moses Maine explains to Peter Mashala what this means in practice.

Agricultural production in Africa is generally considered to be underutilised. Many therefore think that the continent is ideal for new commercial forestry plantations to meet global demand. But these ventures are not for the faint-hearted, as Lloyd Phillips reports.

Zakhe Agricultural College, situated on Baynesfield Estate in KwaZulu-Natal, celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. Principal and executive officer, Richard Dladla, gives an overview of this private college.

The sugar industries of SA and Réunion Island may have different production challenges, but the ways in which each industry is tackling its problems can help the other. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Corniel Louwies (29) is Agri Gauteng’s 2013 Young Farmer of the Year. He has been producing maize on 100ha of leased land in the Randfontein district while working as a farm foreman. He has an overriding passion for farming, but in an interview with Annelie Coleman said he has had to fight an uphill battle to stay in the industry.

Kiki Agri’s Philip Kilian explains to Peter Mashala how backyard broiler farming could help boost food security in poor households, thanks to a new easy-to-install system.

Sarah Allan decided to install renewable energy systems for her farm three years ago, but this turned out to be far more complex than first anticipated. She shares her hard-earned lessons with Robyn Joubert.

Amongst the mostly abandoned factories and warehouses of Dimbaza, a small mohair weaving facility still produces internationally acclaimed 100% mohair carpets. Mike Burgess visited the Dimbaza Mohair Weavers factory.

Free State Agriculture recently completed a provincial land audit in conjunction with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. FSA president Dan Kriek told Annelie Coleman that the missing link in the land reform debate has always been a comprehensive, scientific and credible land audit.

Robyn Joubert reports on how the government and commodity organisations are working to provide South Africa with more farmers, semi-skilled workers, specialists and artisans.

The Slow Food Movement encourages consumers to take greater responsibility for the food they eat by getting to know the producer and his production processes, instead of relying on labels and misleading advertisements. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to Mike Crewe-Brown, Slow Food Magalies Valley convivium leader, about what the movement entails.

The competition commission recently ordered Massmart to increase its supplier development fund, which was set up to assist its SA smallholder farmer suppliers. Group supplier development executive Mncane Mthunzi spoke to Peter Mashala.

It seems that red meat consumers never benefit from lower farmgate prices. Could it be that the middleman is milking consumers for all they’re worth, while suppressing farmers’ income? This issue was debated at the Northern Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation congress.

With local demand for tree nuts increasing, De Wet van Rooyen and Hannes Jansen of Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts – one of the largest suppliers of nuts in South Africa – are encouraging farmers to supply this growing market. Denene Erasmus reports.