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1 week ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
Orchids are an unforgiving crop; they will not tolerate an unfavourable climate, and require their exact needs to be met to grow and produce blooms. “Orchid production is all about stability and consistency. They need even temperatures, humidity, and just enough light,” says Jaco Meershoek, production manager at LVG Plants in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. LVG produces 1,2 million Phalaenopsis orchids per year.
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1 week ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
While the industry has long been told it is not attractive enough to lure youth, the perception is changing. Ipeleng Kwadi Seboni, national convenor of Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development, told Farmer’s Weekly that she had seen a noticeable uptick in youngsters entering the sector: “Over the last year especially we have seen an increase in farmers registering with our organisation.
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1 week ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
Mathews is the livestock manager at Janvos Landgoed in Davel, Mpumalanga. He heads up the commercial sheep, commercial cattle, and Boran stud divisions on the farm, and is part of the management team in the dairy division. While he states unequivocally that farming is in his blood, and there is nothing else he would rather do, his journey is testament to the challenges that the sector faces for both young and older farmers.
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2 weeks ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
Amid ongoing debates over the emigration of 54 South Africans to the US under refugee status, delegates were unified in their undertaking to remain in South Africa and continue farming. While delegates noted the considerable challenges the sector was facing in maintaining viability, they agreed that there were many positive aspects that farmers should focus on instead. However, Jaco Minnaar, president of Agri SA, said that to remain in business, farmers needed to make several mind shifts.
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3 weeks ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
When choosing a cultivar, focus on those that provide disease and climate resistance, as well as those that show greater adaptability. A farmer should also consider what the crop will be used for; certain markets demand certain cultivars.
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3 weeks ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
Potatoes are a cool weather crop that realises its highest yields and best quality in regions that have a temperate climate and a long average day length during the growing season. While potatoes can be cultivated in most provinces in South Africa, there are seasonal guidelines. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) advises that tubers can be planted from August until June in frost-free areas.
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1 month ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
A desire to be self-sustaining in his food supply led Jesse Christelis to buy a smallholding in Randfontein, Gauteng, in 2011, to farm sheep, chickens and vegetables. But stray dogs and jackals soon got the better of his sheep. Seeking a solution that didn’t entail shooting the predators led him to purchasing two donkeys. “Donkeys have a fight response when faced with predators, and they proved very successful in keeping the sheep safe,” says Christelis.
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1 month ago | 
citizen.co.za | Lindi Botha
Speakers noted the greater challenges Africa would face in maintaining food security compared to other regions. While most of the world would see both rising temperatures and rainfall, Southern Africa was due to become hotter and drier. This will have a significant impact on food production, Farmer’s Weekly reports. Dr Yolandi Ernst, a researcher at the Global Change Institute, said that South Africa and Botswana are at risk of extreme heat, with Southern Africa warming at twice the global rate.
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1 month ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
At a session about the value of South Africa’s fresh produce markets, speakers noted that this system created a stable, commercial foundation for South African producers. It was however crucial that the markets prioritised infrastructure maintenance, and kept up with the times. READ Public-private partnership a boon for Limpopo citrusSello Makhubela, CEO of the Joburg Market, admitted that the Joburg market had fallen behind due to a lack of meaningful infrastructure upgrades.
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1 month ago | 
farmersweekly.co.za | Lindi Botha
“The market is a very vibrant, exciting business, ensuring that people have fresh fruit and vegetables every day,” Charles Park, acting CEO of the Joburg Market, told delegates. READ Focus on global food security at major conference hosted by Joburg MarketHe noted that the market was one of the largest on the continent, and the largest in South Africa. Park shared impressive statistics about the market:The market is 64ha in size. Around 1,4 million tons of produce is traded per annum.
