From when she was in high school, Keneilwe Raphesu started shadowing her father, Dr Mamabolo Raphesu, on his farm. Two years ago, she came out from his shadow to swop life in academia for life on a farm. Peter Mashala caught up with this ambitious father-and-daughter team. As a young black woman, many people were […]
Israel Nemaorani, a pioneer black farmer, started farming vegetables in Tshivhilwi outside Thohoyandou in the 1990s and took title to his land in 1994. In 1996 he began to transform the 202ha farm into what is today a successful black-owned commercial citrus farm. Sadly, Israel passed on in 2019. His son, Lavhengwa Nemaorani, intends to […]
Amos Njoro found his passion for farming by accident as a lack of funds stopped him from following his dream of becoming a teacher. Today, Amos is qualified in agriculture and runs a successful grain operation on several farms. He also runs an AgriSeta accredited company, Ya-rona Temo, which offers training and mentorship to many […]
A mechanisation pilot project by the John Deere SMART initiative has doubled the maize yields of two small-scale farmers in one season, and has the potential to usher their whole community into the era of mechanised farming. By Robyn Joubert. Two of the biggest challenges choking the progress of small-scale farmers are access to finance […]
For all your aftermarket agricultural and industrial engine requirements, visit Alert Engine Parts. Since 1946 Alert Engine Parts has distributed premium engine components for more than 3 500 models of passenger, light and heavy commercial vehicles in both petrol and diesel applications, including medium, commercial and agricultural vehicles across the Southern African automotive aftermarket. Alert Engine […]
Agricultural services company FarmSol Holdings is keenly focused on supporting the needs of black farmers. The FarmSol model aims to incubate emerging farmers into thriving businesses, by linking them to the key pillars of growth: access to markets, finance, training and mentorship. Peter Mashala spoke to FarmSol managing director Aron Kole about their track record […]
Two smallholder cotton communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga packed their last woolpack by hand in August, after welcoming new baling machines. With automated baling, these communities can look forward to making bigger margins on their cotton crop. African Farming’s Robyn Joubert reports. It’s a wrap for the 2021-2022 cotton season, with South African smallholder cotton […]
It is estimated that around 20% of losses in livestock production worldwide can be attributed to animal diseases. In Southern Africa, tick-borne diseases remain some of the key illnesses responsible for preventable economic losses in livestock production. Global warming is also inevitably making it possible for implicated vectors to survive in geographies where they did […]
If you own a vehicle with a 12-volt power source, whether it is a quad bike, bakkie or tractor, Terrapro has a cost-effective and multi-purpose seed and herbicide applicator for you. Are you looking for a machine designed for specialist application of small seeds, such as canola, grass and lucerne, that can also spread granular […]
The Department of Agriculture presented a successful farmer’s day for vegetable farmers recently. About 60 small-scale farmers and prospective farmers attended the event. Dr Ian Godie from Nooitgedacht Fresh Produce talked about the origin, growth and current state of affairs of the hydroponic farm at Bredasdorp Park. The project was started in September 2019 as […]
