Starting small put Mathebula on a path to prosperity
Sanela Mathebula went from humble beginnings with 15 000 cabbage seedlings to building New Style Farming into a thriving enterprise in Mpumalanga. His advice to aspiring farmers emphasises starting small, learning from others, and maintaining discipline
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Cybersecurity in agriculture: A critical factor for South Africa’s food security
In every industry across the globe, technology has improved productivity, efficiency, and communication, and agriculture is no exception. “Once considered a traditionally low-tech industry, the increased use of email, online monitoring tools, remote controls, and payment systems – together with automated smart farming equipment such as internet-connected tractors – means the digital threat level has increased for farmers,” says Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO of ESET Southern Africa.
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Fighting the Russian wheat aphid to safeguard SA’s crop
Addressing the challenge of Russian wheat aphid in South Africa requires a multifaceted approach that combines host-plant resistance and biological, cultural and chemical control.
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The critical element that determines cabbage yield
Farmers know that nitrogen is necessary for growing cabbages and other crops, but many do not fully understand its importance for maximising yields, writes Bill Kerr.
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How crop diversification is boosting productivity and sustainability in SA agriculture
The agricultural landscape is experiencing a notable shift away from the conventional method of mono-cropping, where large expanses of land are dedicated to the cultivation of a single crop variety.
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How a focus on genetics can triple macadamia yield
The macadamia industry has yet to make the quantum leap in yield seen in older industries like apples and citrus. But with a greater focus on genetics, and fine-tuning every step in the production process, tripling macadamia yields could soon be a reality.
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Farmers can save water with wireless technologies.
I study computers and information technology in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and direct Purdue’s Environmental Networking Technology (ENT) Laboratory, where we tackle sustainability and environmental challenges with interdisciplinary research into the Agricultural Internet of Things, or Ag-IoT.
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Avo farm’s long journey to profitability
Land restitution farms in South Africa have a patchy success rate, with many going to ruins after the change in ownership. Failure is usually attributed to the sudden change in management from those with a farming background to those without, as well as a critical lack of operating capital. Lindi Botha spoke to Tom Mdluli of the Matsafeni Trust about surviving despite the challenges, and their plans to expand the operation.
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Freshwater Is Disappearing. Can Technology Save Us?
Global climate change and the exponential increase in population has led to water scarcity and recent headline-grabbing water shortages in major urban centers like Capetown and Sao Paulo. As water scarcity or cleanliness continue to present major issues to humanity’s survival, communities across the globe are turning to technology to help access more fresh water–or…
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Agriculture sector defies odds with 10% year-on-year job growth in Q3 2023
The latest update on the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) data from Statistics South Africa has confirmed the resilience of agriculture as it defied the odds and made a significant improvement in employment in the sector.
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