If you’ve been following Food For Mzansi, you would know that the recent Vinpro Information Day was a huge success. This is the wine industry’s number one annual event – finally back after Covid-19 forced organisers to cancel last year’s conference.

But, it’s a new year filled with loads of opportunities for black winemakers, as well as other black talent in the wine industry. Food For Mzansi co-founder and editor-in-chief Ivor Price sat down with Rico Basson, the managing director of Vinpro…

Crazy question, ever considered farming insects? Well, according to a World Bank report farming insects can play a vital role in both food security and climate-smart agriculture and this week we share a guide to farming insects for food and feed! 

Farmers are encouraged to diversify their agribusinesses to thrive but often the answer lies beyond farming and this week Jacqui Taylor, chief executive officer of Agritourism South Africa joins us to share advice for new farmers.

Our book of the week is Get out of your mind by Luyanda Mpahlwa and Klaus Doppler. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from Citrus Growers Association CEO, Justin Chadwick. 

As new farmers in Mzansi, understanding global GAP certification is vital to ensure the successful running of any farming enterprise. GAP certification is an independent certification system for Good Agricultural Practice for farm productions. 

It covers a number of aspects, including food safety and traceability, environment, worker’s health, safety and welfare and animal welfare to name a few. Tamsin Davids, owner of Krystal Consulting, Food safety and quality solutions, joins us now to unpack this! 

This week we focus on why soil health is vital for new farmer’s in Mzansi. Now, according to a study by a professor of systems ecology at Wits University, Robert J. Scholes, Limpopo's soil might be among the most degraded in South Africa, particularly in communal areas.   

To unpack this we chat to Dr Corrie Swanepoel, soil scientist at the Agricultural Research Council, about why soil management is crucial for both the general community and farmers in the country. 

Mzansi has been chanting, Go Dairy-Free this month, as part of the Veganuary movement, asking South Africans, to choose a plant-based diet this month. Dewald Olivier, chief executive of the South African Feedlot Association however warns it’s not that simple…

Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared several crucial expertise for new farmers to get up to sprinting speed in Mzansi’s agri sector. A week ago, we shared a guide on how to fund your farm and this week we share the 101 on registering your farming business! 

Biosecurity and poultry farming go hand in hand and experts believe it is the first line of defence in the fight against poultry diseases. Western Cape poultry farmer, Jo-Andra Gregory, agrees and this week she shares tips for new farmers.

South Africans loves a mouth-watering potjie and this week our “Agripreneur 101” segment features, Ulrich La Lay AKA the Potjie Guy!

Our book of the week is Setting the table by Danny Meyer, is for sure a must read for the new year! And, our farmer tip of the week comes from Kelly Dini, Customer Experience Consultant at Seeds For Africa. 

Bockchain technology is silently revolutionising agriculture. We want to better understand how we can ensure efficiency and transparency in supply chains – from seeds to grocery shelves using blockchain. Our expert guest is Anzill Adams, the CEO of DataLedger and BeefLedger South Africa. He is currently completing his PhD in blockchain technology.

Many farmers are ready to take the first steps in regenerative agriculture. It is essentially a set of farming principles and practices that rehabilitates and enhances the entire ecosystem of the soil.

Food For Mzansi’s Duncan Masiwa chats to Andrew Ardington, the founder of Regenerative Agriculture Association of South Africa.

Operating a new farm comes with a million challenges, including setting up a detailed production plan. Making the business work is essential, and this week we share tips on how to fund your farm! 

Thapelo Phiri encourages farmers to explore organic fertilisers to farm more sustainably. He joins us to share a few vital tips for new farmers.

Aquaculture is a topic we’ve covered quiet extensively here on Farmer’s Inside Track, but we know it can be a difficult field to enter in Mzansi. So, we asked experts for advice to get you up to sprinting speed.

Our book of the week, Leaders eat last by Simon Sinek, is a must-read for the new year! And, our farmer tip of the week comes from Dr Raesibe Kekana, technical veterinarian for ruminants at MSD Animal Health.

As we kick off the new year, in an exclusive interview with Food For Mzansi's head of news, Duncan Masiwa, the recently appointed MEC for agriculture and rural development, Thembeni Nxangisa talks about his plans to take the province's farming sector forward.