Farmer's Inside Track

Behind every glass of locally produced milk lies a dedicated network of South African farmers, factory workers, and rural communities whose care shapes the nation’s health. Conny Sethaelo, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Director at Nestlé Nespray, joins us to discuss how the brand connects local sourcing with cutting-edge environmental practices to create a sustainable value chain from pasture to packaging.

In this episode, she invites consumers to “look beyond the glass” to understand the incredible journey of South African dairy. Sethaelo highlights how Nestlé Nespray draws 100% of its milk from over 96 farms across the Eastern and Western Cape.

Furthermore, she explains how regenerative agriculture and low-carbon practices have successfully achieved a 26% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 25% drop in methane emissions, proving that high-quality nutrition and environmental preservation can work hand in hand.

What does regenerative agriculture look like in practice, and why are more farmers paying attention? In this first episode of our special Nedbank series, Daneel Rossouw unpacks how regenerative farming can help farmers navigate rising costs, climate uncertainty and growing pressure to do more with less.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Gauteng farmer Simphiwe Hlubi shares how a childhood passion for agriculture grew into a diversified farming business focused on livestock, poultry and feedlotting. He discusses the challenges of market access, rising input costs and funding, while highlighting the importance of diversification, planning and mentorship. Hlubi also shares his vision of building a lasting agricultural legacy for future generations.

What role does growing media play in crop success? In this episode, we unpack the science behind specialised substrates such as coir, peat moss, perlite, and Hygromix, and their growing role in greenhouse, nursery, and intensive horticultural production.

Featuring insights from Dean Oellerman of Greenhouse Technologies, the conversation explores root development, water management, germination, nutrient monitoring, and the realities of adopting soilless growing systems in Southern Africa.

In this episode, we speak to Matjee Mokgoadi, founder of Phuti Ya Mashilape Group and a youth agricultural leader, about empowering emerging farmers through mentorship, agribusiness support and cooperative development.

He shares insights on overcoming funding and market access challenges, building sustainable farming systems and why young people should view agriculture as a viable business and career opportunity. The conversation highlights the importance of leadership, collaboration and practical experience in driving rural economic development.

In this episode, we speak to Absalom “AB” Mfumadi of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) about how farmers can use weather technology to strengthen climate resilience and improve on-farm decision-making.

From real-time storm tracking and 10-day forecasts to livestock heat-stress monitoring and digital weather tools, Mfumadi unpacks how weather data can help producers plan operations, protect workers and livestock, and adapt to increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.

We also explore accessible tools for smallholder farmers, advanced solutions for commercial operations, and the important role of blending modern forecasting with indigenous weather knowledge.

True sustainability in modern farming is about more than just food production; it is about building energy independence and financial resilience. Paul Stuart, Gordon Ayres, and Lusani Khubana join us to discuss bioenergy, innovation, and sustainability, exploring what the upcoming Bio360 Africa event means for the future of African agriculture.

Stuart is the CEO and director of Bioenergy Events and Services (BEES); Ayres serves as the secretary general of SABIA; and Khubana is a projects officer at Madam Waste. Together, their work centres on driving collaborative, localised green energy solutions and helping agricultural producers valorise their residual waste.

In this episode, they highlight why the modern African farmer must plug into bioenergy networks to diversify income streams, remediate depleted soils, and transition toward a self-sustaining circular economy.

The panel explores how the BEES platform has adapted 20 years of international expertise to deliver an Africa-ready approach, moving away from reckless grant-heavy tick-box projects towards genuine local collaboration.

True sustainability in livestock farming begins with selecting animals that can thrive in their specific environment. Ndumiso Gule joins us to discuss the vital role of climate-smart genetics and breed selection as a primary defense against extreme weather conditions.

Gule is the director of Gule Agri Consulting and works closely with the Red Meat Producers' Organisation (RPO) to deliver essential farmer training sessions and information days across the country.

In this episode, he highlights why matching cattle genetics to geographic realities is crucial for low-input farming. Gule explains why indigenous breeds, such as Nguni and Afrikaner cattle, remain uniquely equipped to withstand Africa’s harsh, tropical conditions and continue to anchor the modern beef industry.

In this episode of Farmer’s Insight Track, young Limpopo farmer and agribusiness entrepreneur Thabo Phasha shares his journey as a third-generation farmer building a grain and agro-processing business. He discusses treating farming as a business, the role of mentorship, collaboration and discipline, navigating growth challenges, and his passion for youth advocacy and agricultural policy. A practical conversation on entrepreneurship, resilience and the future of farming.

In this episode, plant pathologist Neo Hlongwane unpacks the growing concern around Goss’s wilt and what it means for South African grain producers. With no official cure or remedy available globally, farmers are being urged to focus on prevention and integrated disease management strategies.

We discuss the importance of strict sanitation, disinfecting equipment and tools, managing infected crop residues, controlling weeds that may host the disease, and rotating with non-host crops such as soybeans, sunflowers, and lucerne. Tune in as we explore practical steps farmers can take to reduce the spread and protect crop health this season.