Farmer's Inside Track

South Africa’s cannabis industry is lighting up the horticultural landscape, offering immense potential for local farmers. In this episode of Farmers Inside Track, we explore the rapid growth of medicinal cannabis cultivation since its decriminalisation in 2019.

According to Stuart Spooner, director at The Lamphouse, the exclusive South African distributor of Fluence horticultural lighting products in the country, this regulatory shift signals a promising future.

From boosting yields and quality to tackling energy efficiency and sustainability challenges, we uncover the tools and strategies propelling this industry to global competitiveness.

In this episode, we dig deep into the inspiring story behind Ubuntu Extra virgin olive oil, and its founder, Loyiso Manga.

Driven by a passion to make high quality olive oil accessible to all South Africans, Loyiso set out on a journey to create a brand that is fresh, positive and grounded in the African values of community and sharing.

For over two years, he faced the challenges of finding the right olive oil farm partner and securing funding, yet his vision for a healthier South Africa kept him pushing forward.

Today, he is supplying some impressive markets and have won a couple of awards along the way.

Explore the transformative potential of genome-edited crops and their benefits for small-scale farmers. This discussion features industry experts Chantel Arendse, Plant Biotechnology Lead at CropLife South Africa, and Dr Hennie Groenewald, Executive Manager at Biosafety South Africa.

We investigate how innovative agricultural technologies can boost productivity, resilience, and sustainability in farming practices.

Experts also discuss effective strategies for communicating agricultural science to enhance understanding and acceptance within local communities.

In this episode, entomology expert Blessing Mphahlele, a PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria, shares vital insights for tomato farmers combating the Tuta absoluta pest.

We discuss the pest's origins, its impact on South African tomato crops, and the importance of integrated pest management (IPM).

Blessing explains why avoiding the overuse of insecticides is critical to prevent resistance and highlights effective decision-making processes, such as monitoring pest population thresholds.

We also explore the potential of biological control methods, including the natural predator Nezirochoris tenax (Nezibug), and provide practical tips on how farmers can balance chemical, biological, and mechanical strategies for sustainable pest management.

In this episode, we speak with Muhammad Ghoor, founder of the Meatcart, a Johannesburg-based butcher.

Ghoor shares his expertise on the requirements for producing and marketing halal-certified meat. He provides practical advice for farmers on navigating the halal certification process, meeting abattoir standards, and ensuring traceability.

Ideal for farmers interested in supplying to the halal market, this episode explores the significance of halal slaughter processes, key certification bodies, and strategies to maintain high standards throughout the supply chain.

In this episode of Farmers Inside Track, Dr Josef van Wyngaard, Technical Manager at Voermol Feeds, joins North West’s young livestock farmer Thabo Dithakgwe. Farming 790 hectares near the Kalahari Desert, Thabo shares his journey toward becoming one of South Africa's youngest black stud breeders, raising high-value Bonsmara bulls.

Discover how Voermol Maxiwol and Phosphate Block help keep his herd healthy and productive. Dr Josef also explains Voermol’s extensive farmer support and offers insights into product benefits, best practices, and the future of livestock nutrition.

Good quality irrigation water is crucial for the health of your crops and the longevity of irrigation equipment.

In this episode, Dexter Neethling, product manager at Netafim South Africa, talks about declining water quality and the vital role of filtration and standards in agricultural irrigation.

He also shares information on how water quality is classified and its impact on filter selection, what farmers should know about managing water quality and more.

Disclaimer: This is a re-run of an episode that originally aired previously. We're excited to bring it back to our listeners.

In today's agricultural landscape, precision, efficiency, and sustainability are more crucial than ever. With rising input costs, narrowing profit margins, and increasing food demand, farmers must utilise the right tools and technologies to succeed. However, when it comes to irrigation equipment, how do you know you've chosen the best tools for the job?

In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, we delve into the intricacies of drip irrigation with Hein van Graan, Netafim South Africa's branch manager in Nelspruit. Van Graan guides us through the essential features of drippers and driplines, explaining how these components can address common field challenges.

He also discusses the various classes of drippers, their applications, and the critical factors farmers must consider — such as flow rate, spacing, and wall thickness — when selecting the right dripline for their needs.

Disclaimer:

This is a re-run of an episode that originally aired previously. We're excited

to bring it back to our listeners.

Since its inception in 2022, Tri Toad Nursery has been a game changer in the commercial seedling and plant industry.

Under the inspiring leadership of Sheena Paulus, this women-owned business based in Philippi, Cape Town, has rapidly grown into a powerhouse. Specialising in vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings, Tri Toad Nursery supplies major retail garden centres like Stodels, Cape Gardens, and Buco.

Guess what? Sheena Paulus and her team are not just growing seedlings—they’re also growing an impressive business, with estimated annual revenue exceeding R3 million.

In this episode, we are joined by Tumelo Makgaka, CEO and founder of Leruo. Makgaka discusses how technology has become instrumental and accessible in aiding livestock farmers with herd management and market access.

He highlights the benefits of using the facial recognition technology on Leruo for record keeping, marketing, health management and traceability.