To kick off the new year, we share the top three niche crops that’s in high demand in Mzansi and internationally. Plus, a guideline on how to market these crops locally and globally! 

 Permaculture can mean a lot of things, but at its core it is all about connecting with your environment and community. This week a number of experts share vital tips for new farmers.

Our “agripreneur 101” features, Terence Lamula, founder of Makhamisa Foods, a sauce manufacturing business based in Edenvale in Gauteng.

On the top of our book pile, is “A Family Affair” by Sue Nyathi. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from Yvette Abrahams, the owner and creator of Khoelife. 

Cotton is a versatile crop, with opportunities to create by-products from the stalks, seed, hulls and it can even be used to graze cattle. This week we share a guide to farming with this hidden gem in Mzansi!

An exciting new world awaits job seekers with the new AgriSETA mobile app, Connect ME. Job seekers are can now be matched with prospective employers with the click of a few buttons. 

We’re joined by Dr Sifiso Ntombela, chief economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council and deputy president of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa who shares an overview the year, plus an outlook for 2022! 

On the top of our book pile, is “That Will Never Work” by Marc Randolph. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from business innovation platform lead at Andermatt Madumbi, Dr Brendon Neumann. 

Some of Mzansi's cattle farmers made big bucks thanks to high weaner prices. However, big industry players, including Roelie van Reneen, supply chain executive at Beefmaster Group, urge farmers to prepare for tougher times as input costs like animal feed prices are expected to rise drastically in 2022. This week he shares advice on how farmers can prepare for tougher times ahead. 

After a three-year-long battle between lawmakers, the parliamentary vote to amend section 25 of South Africa’s constitution that would expressly allow for expropriation of land without compensation has failed. 

The ammendment didn’t get the two-thirds support it needed in parliament, and this week Annelize Crosby, head of land and legal affairs at Agri SA, agricultural law expert Katlego Ngwane and Dr Jack Armour, commercial manager of Free State Agriculture. share their reactions to the outcome. They also look ahead at what the future looks like for land reform in South Africa.

South African dairy farmers operate in an extremely challenging environment, but like many other food producers their resilience outweighs the current struggles. This week we share a guide on how to start a dairy farm in Mzansi! 

During the festive season South Africans are often warned about a surge in crime. Isabel Kruger, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers Organisation Stock Theft Forum unpacks this, sharing vital tips for new farmers dealing with livestock theft this season. 

Dr Nadia de Beer from Agrifarmacy SA, explains how Afrivet’s new reproductive aid product, called BoarBetter is changing the game for Mzansi’s pig industry. 

Our “agripreneur 101” features, Yvette Abrahams, the owner and creator of Khoelife, a smallholding producing indigenous soaps, hand sanitisers, body oils and other personal care products in the Western Cape. 

On the top of our book pile, is The New Farm by Brent Preston. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from SEED programme manager, Stephanie Mullins. 

Buying a new car is always exciting, but it comes at a high cost! - especially if you're a new farmer. Many South Africans are encouraged to use a balloon payment and this week Wesbank’s Kutlwano Mogatusi unpacks this!

You don’t want to miss agricultural economist, Lunathi Hlakanyane’s overview of Mzansi’s niche crops and markets to explore. It’s vital to diversify and become a trendsetter! 

Understanding how global export markets operate is essential for any farmer. Experts in the fruit export industry joins us this week to share crucial tips for farmer’s interested in penetrating international markets.   

We chat to Lucinda Dordley, head of news of Food For Mzansi’s newly launched sister publication called, FoodForAfrika.com with inspiration and news from across the continent. 

On the top of our book pile, is A Fistful of Shells: West Africa from the Rise of the Slave Trade to the Age of Revolution by Toby Green. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from Siphiwe Sithole, African Marmalade founder, an organic farming enterprise in Pretoria.

Despite the latest restrictions on travel and tourism, the South African wine industry is expecting a boost to recover from the serious setbacks of covid-19 pandemic. 

We’re connecting with Wines of South Africa CEO, Siobhan Thompson to tell more about their work promoting the export of all South African wines in key international markets. 

Sunflower farming is South Africa’s third largest grain crop, according to Grain SA. This week on Farmer’s Inside Track Free State sunflower farmer Happy Letsitsa, gives us some insider tips into growing the crop!

At its 190th-anniversary celebrations, Agri-Expo honoured, Joyene Isaacs, for her contribution to agriculture during her term as head of department at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. She says the award and recognition is to all women and people of colour in Mzansi’s agri sector.

Controlling biological pests and diseases effectively can be difficult. In our Farms, Food and Future segment powered by Andermatt Madumbi Sias Leipoldt, platform lead for business development commercial agriculture at Andermatt Madambi, says that a holistic approach to pest control is your best bet. 

From cordials and preserves to hand sanitiser and household cleaning products...This week’s “Agripreneur 101” features, Patricia Manicom who took a chance drive through, Robertson in the Western Cape and found the perfect farm on which to start a retirement business.

On the top of our book pile, is “The Resilient Farmer” by Doug Avery. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from Western Cape poultry farmer, Jo-Andra Cloete Gregory.

Farmers and especially new farmers face numerous challenges, however with the right partners, mentors and investment, growth is inevitable. 

Through its agricultural development programme, launched five years ago the South African Breweries has been able to develop and capacitate over 920 new farmers and increased local barley production by 63% as compared to 2016 output levels within the sector.

Zoleka Lisa, the Vice President of Corporate Affairs at South African Breweries joins us to talk about how this programme has changed the game for new farmers in Mzansi.

As promised in our previous episode we now chat to Audrey September a third-generation agri worker from Uitkyk farm in the Bergrivier region, who was announced as the 2021Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards winner.

Gun licensing in South Africa is under scrutiny again after the introduction of the recent Firearms Control Amendment bill. This week on Farmer’s Inside Track gun expert, Mark Mulder, outlines, the current firearm application process for Mzansi farmers.

We share highlights from Food For Mzansi’s Pan-African Summit on Youth in Sustainable Agriculture where minister Thoko Didiza called on young people of Africa, to engage and grow a vibrant agricultural sector – for the sake of sustainable food security on our continent.

We’re also joined by Western Cape minister of agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer who recognised the more two-hundred-thousand agri workers contributing to food production in the province – saluting, third-generation agri worker, Audrey September who was announced as the 2021 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards winner. 

Sibonginkosi Msipha, joins our “Agripreneur 101” segment. Her chocolate chip cookies had clients at Amazing Spaces running back for more and now she proudly markets her own cookie range, called Mama Bongi.

On the top of our book pile, is “The lie of 1652” by Patric Tariq Mellet. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from beekeeper and founder of Eden Roots Metsana Kojane.