Farming Basics

Micro mills can fill an important niche in both the food chain and rural areas, says Sé Higgins, co-founder of Kuvusa Mills and managing director of African Micro Mills.

African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership plans to bolster fertiliser inputs to smallholders and so contribute to an African green revolution. The NGO has set itself the goal of increasing the number of fertiliser users by 15% and of at least doubling fertiliser use in the countries where it operates. Peter Mashala spoke to Cecilia Khupe, AFAP’s director of programmes.

Multi-national financial services provider, Rabobank, says the value of the so-called fifth quarter has increased significantly in recent years, making meat processors more competitive. Albert Vernooij, of Rabobank’s Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory division, shares his research with Farmer’s Weekly.

South Africa’s R12 billion a year sugar industry may be one of the world’s leading cost-competitive producers of high quality sugar, but it is currently beset by challenges. Trix Trikam, executive director of the SA Sugar Association, shares his thoughts on the matter with Lloyd Phillips.

A number of illness-related deaths and low productivity in the workforce spurred poultry producer Astral to implement a wellness programme that reduced fatal illnesses and significantly improved overall health and efficiency in the workforce. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

Amathole Berries near Stutterheim expects to yield 3 000t of blueberries per season by 2020. Mike Burgess spoke to acting CEO Ryan Davies about the company’s challenges and its place in the berry corridor.

Ntombi Msimang is the chairperson of the Agri-Sector Unity Forum (ASUF), which was established in November last year amid calls for greater unity in agriculture. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to her.

Major agricultural products supplier, Dicla Farm & Seed, recently established a training centre near Tarlton, north-west of Johannesburg, to equip new small-scale farmers and farm workers with practical skills and knowledge. Peter Mashala visited the Dicla Training Centre.

Sound management and investing in human resources has brought Gilbert Phalafala swift success.

Dried fruit company, At Source Handmade Foods, was founded in 2002 and just over a decade later it is one of the three largest local dried tree fruit businesses, capturing an estimated 15% share of the formal retail market. Denene Erasmus spoke to the founder, Handri Conradie and technical manager Anton Erwee, about how they revolutionised the dried fruit business.

Investment in companies that provide sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to agricultural production is gaining momentum as concern grows over farming’s impact on the earth’s resources. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to Rudi van Niekerk, investment advisor at private equity investment fund Agri-Vie, about investing in bio-crop production company Hygrotech.

SA’s biggest macadamia processor, Green Farms Nut Company, has entered into a joint venture with its Australian counterparts to become the world’s largest macadamia marketing company.

With renewable energy increasingly being promoted internationally as better for the environment, Eskom is in the process of incorporating renewably-produced electricity into the national grid. Eskom’s CEO, Brian Dames, explained this process to Lloyd Phillips.

Agribusiness VKB has stabilised the Free State grain market by establishing a chicken broiler project and building a state-of-the-art chicken abattoir in Reitz. Sas Kasselman of Grain Fields Chickens says diversification contributes to food security and creates extra income. Annelie Coleman reports.

After nearly six years at the National Agriculture Marketing Council (NAMC), Prof André Jooste recently took over as CEO of Potatoes South Africa (PSA). He spoke to Robyn Joubert about his vision for the future.

Big timber companies may not consider porcini mushrooms to be worth much effort, but an Italian mushroom picker has made a meaty business out of this gourmet food. Robyn Joubert reports.

In the political dust cloud kicked up in the wake of the farm strikes in the Western Cape, it has been difficult to see exactly why the strikes took place in the first place. Now that the various parties are locked in negotiations, it is even more difficult to see what the outcomes of the negotiations are likely to be, and beyond this, what consequences the country should brace for. Professor Mohammad Karaan of Stellenbosch University has observed these historic events from a ringside seat (when he hasn’t been participating directly). Sean Christie caught up with him.

Brienne van der Walt was recently appointed managing executive of Absa AgriBusiness as part of the bank’s restructuring. He spoke to Lindi van Rooyen about Absa AgriBusiness’s renewed focus on the farmer and branching into Africa.

Agriculture remains the main source of employment and income in rural areas, where the majority of the world’s poor and hungry people live. Ertharin Cousin, executive director of the World Food Programme, explains how, through its Purchase for Progress initiative, the organisation supports smallholder farmers, whose pooled resources provide them more buying and negotiating power.

The Glenconner & District Predator Management Forum said in an article published in Farmer’s Weekly last week that jackal and caracal populations are increasing and that drastic steps must be taken for small-stock producers to survive. Dr Dan Parker of the Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group at Rhodes University responds. Nan Smith reports.