Farming Basics

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.

The way farmers present themselves to government will determine their future, political analyst at the University of Johannesburg, Dr Piet Croucamp, told delegates at the Free State RPO congress. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about the strained relationship between the state and farmers.

The SA Stud Book was recently awarded the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) Certificate of Quality in Denmark. The certificate was awarded for all aspects of animal recording and genetic evaluation for all species and production systems applied for. Annelie Coleman spoke to manager Charl Hunlun about the significance of the accreditation.

Oceanwise in the Eastern Cape is one of the largest land-based marine finfish recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in the world. Mike Burgess visited this pioneering initiative.

The private Bothaville Agricultural College, an initiative of the Bothaville Maize Capital Chamber of Commerce, is the first of its kind in South Africa. Full-time classes at the college are due to start in 2015. Annelie Coleman asked college principal Marius Heyns about the new venture.

Wildlife managers need experience and ability to succeed in this exciting, growing business.

Packaging choices could spell success or failure in the agriculture sector, especially for exports. This is according to Ralph von Veh, MD of the corrugated division of leading paper and packaging company Mpact. Robyn Joubert reports.

After spending more than two years in retirement, Motsepe Matlala, the former president of the National African Farmers’ Union of South Africa (Nafu), has been asked to come back and rebuild the collapsed organisation. He shares Nafu’s new plans with Peter Mashala.

Argentina is often seen as a farmers’ paradise – a land of milk and honey, beef and soya. But farmers in that country say that margins are tight and politicians can be a vexation to the agricultural sector. Anneli Groenewald reports on farming conditions in Argentina.

Competition in a fresh produce market is tough, and most BEE market agents fail to survive their first year. Gugu Hadebe and Danny Geral are the exception. Quitting their jobs to start Egoly Market Agents, their partnership has sailed through a year of operation. Peter Mashala spoke to them.

Now in their retirement, Norman and Rina Belcher are producing award-winning cheeses at their Belnori Boutique Cheesery. The Belchers attribute their success to teamwork and paying attention to detail.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recently brought its New Generation Plantations project to SA, where it is engaging with timber stakeholders and government to implement the concept. Rod Taylor, director of forests for WWF International, explained the project to Robyn Joubert.

KZN commercial sugarcane grower Roy Sharma was recently appointed president of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) at its 11th conference in India. He spoke to Robyn Joubert about the industry.

Seo Mtetwa, MD of Nu Dawn Eggs, talks about the company's beginning, success and future.

A composting company has embraced social media to differentiate its brand in a competitive market. Robyn Joubert reports.

This is the centenary year of the 1913 Native Land Act and the land debate is heating up ahead of the 2014 presidential elections. Prof Steven Friedman cautions against emotional reactions and says that farmers should keep the government’s actual policies in mind. Lindi van Rooyen reports.