Farmer's Inside Track

In this episode, we explore how precision drip irrigation is transforming sugarcane production across Africa. Gary Francis from Netafim shares insights from his extensive experience in greenhouse farming and large-scale sugar estates, unpacking why land, water and energy efficiency are now critical to profitability.

He explains subsurface drip systems, fertigation, yield optimisation, and the growing role of automation through tools like GrowSphere, which allow farm managers to monitor and control irrigation remotely. We also discuss operational efficiencies, ongoing technical support, and what the future holds for sustainable sugarcane production.

Pneumonia is one of the most costly and dangerous diseases in livestock, especially for young, stressed, or newly managed animals. In this episode, animal health technician Kenneth Malatji explains how early detection, daily observation, and swift, informed action can mean the difference between recovery and loss.

He shares practical tips on recognising early warning signs, administering antibiotics correctly, providing supportive care, and implementing farm management practices to prevent pneumonia. This episode equips farmers with the knowledge to protect their herds, save time and money, and improve animal welfare.

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of award-winning commercial farmer Meshack Ndongeni. From his early days on a small family plot in the Eastern Cape to running a diversified commercial farm, Ndongeni shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset that shaped his success.

Learn how he transitioned from contracting to owning his own farm, the importance of treating farming as a business, and practical strategies for managing risk, climate variability, and profitability. Ndongeni also offers invaluable advice on how mentorship and hands-on experience can build a lasting legacy in agriculture.

Carbon credits are gaining traction across various industries, but they are also emerging as a new opportunity within agriculture. In this episode, we explore what carbon credits are, how they work, and why they are becoming increasingly relevant for South African farmers. Matthew Kensett, manager of the Carbon Smart programme at UPL Africa, joins the conversation to answer frequently asked questions from farmers and unpack what carbon credit farming could mean for the future of sustainable agriculture.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, award-winning pomegranate producer Debbie Theunissen, owner and managing director of Bovenvlei Farm in the Western Cape, unpacks her journey from food technologist to commercial fruit farmer. Theunissen explores the realities of entering agriculture without a farming background, building an export-focused pomegranate business, navigating water licensing, drought and long production cycles, and using technology to drive quality, sustainability and long-term farm viability.

Community development often fails due to fragmented efforts and short-lived gains. Seriti Institute changes the narrative by acting as a vital facilitator, uniting government, the private sector, and local communities.

In this episode, Juanita Pardesi, CEO of Seriti Institute, explains how they realign partners around shared outcomes through initiatives like Agri-nodes, GreenWorks, and Hluma Roots, empowering over 13 000 people nationwide with jobs, skills, and resilient enterprises.

By interconnecting food security, climate resilience, and enterprise growth, Seriti turns one-off projects into sustainable systems that foster long-term independence.

In this episode, plant pathologist Dr Godfrey Kgatle explains how seed genetics influence farm profitability, resilience, and food security in South Africa. He unpacks the role of hybrids, GMOs and emerging new breeding techniques (NBTs) in improving yields, managing pests and diseases, and adapting to climate variability. Kagtle also highlights South Africa’s strong regulatory framework and why farmer choice and innovation are key to sustainable, profitable farming.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we speak to Dale Hutton, the 2025 Toyota SA Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year, about his journey from environmental science to pasture-based dairy farming in KwaZulu-Natal. Dale gives practical insights into pasture management, KiwiCross genetics, dairy efficiency, solar power, and managing the volatility of farming. He also shares honest reflections on leadership, resilience and stewardship of the land.

South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry thrives on the dynamic partnership between Culdevco and Cultipowered, blending cutting-edge research with meaningful upliftment for growers across the board.

In this episode, Culdevco’s general manager, Mishkaat Anderson, reveals how they commercialise ARC-bred cultivars like Ruby Sun stone fruit and Cheeky pears, emphasising profitability, climate adaptability, disease resistance, and low-input sustainability for superior export performance. Dr Konanani Liphadzi, Cultipowered chair, highlights how they are reinvesting royalties, via their 51% stake, into equitable access, rural infrastructure, bursaries, and capacity-building to transform the fruit industry inclusively.

In this episode, we speak with Steven Francis, CEO and founder of Franchising Made Easy, about how farmers can move beyond production to become successful agripreneurs. Francis shares practical strategies for adding value to farm produce, diversifying crops, and accessing both local and export markets.

He explains how farmers can see themselves as CEOs of their own farms, adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, and identify opportunities for fast-moving crops to strengthen cash flow. Listeners will gain insight into using market information and pricing tools, building farm management and technical skills, and preparing produce for premium markets through effective branding.