The Mbali Nwoko Podcast

I have the pleasure of speaking with Zoe, the Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) based in Nairobi. Zoe brings a wealth of experience in management consulting across the African continent, particularly in the food systems practice. Our conversation delved into various aspects of sustainable agriculture and the innovative trends shaping the industry.

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In conversation with Glantine Mashile, MD of Geekay Agribusiness.
Glantine shares invaluable insights on the challenges farmers face in securing loans from retail banks, particularly for black and emerging farmers. He emphasises the importance of proper business structuring, compliance, and record-keeping to become bankable.

We discuss the types of capital available, including loans from retail banks and grant funding, and the common hurdles farmers encounter, such as lack of knowledge about financial products and stringent compliance requirements. Glantine outlines the critical factors banks consider when approving loans, including the purpose of the loan, the amount, security, repayment plans, and management quality.

The conversation also touches on the volatility of the vegetable production sector and the difficulties in obtaining financial assistance compared to more regulated industries like grain or long-term crops. Glantine advises farmers to manage their credit life, keep detailed records, and seek expert advice to mitigate risks and improve their chances of securing funding.

Visit: https://geekay.co.za/
Contact:  [email protected]

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Dr. Penny, an ESG specialist, sheds light on the significance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in today's agricultural landscape. She shares her expertise as an ESG Investment Analyst at SBG Securities, emphasising the importance of incorporating environmental, social, and governance factors into investment strategies for equities, with a primary focus on climate change.

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Michelle shares her journey in the agricultural sector, her recent award win, and her work with small-scale farmers through Urban Farmer.  We discuss the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, the importance of information access, and the vision for the future of agriculture in Africa.

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In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Minki, a seasoned business growth consultant and coach at GROW. We explore the crucial role of business coaching in the success of entrepreneurs, delving into the importance of clarity, focus, and intentionality in building a thriving business.

We also discuss the difference between business coaches and board members, the significance of setting clear objectives, and the various measurements of success beyond just financial gains. Minki shares valuable insights on how entrepreneurs can scale their businesses, empower their teams, and drive growth in multiple aspects.

If you're an entrepreneur looking to gain clarity, focus, and strategic direction in your business, this episode is a must-listen. Minki's expertise and practical advice will inspire you to take your business to the next level.

You can listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

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In conversation with Oxolo Mofokeng, the Deputy Director of Siyavuna  Abalimi Development Centre.

Siyavuna focuses on empowering rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal through sustainable farming practices. They provide training to both elderly farmers and youth, emphasizing the importance of skills development and enterprise development. Oxolo explains how their training program includes a participatory-guaranteed system where farmers commit to sustainable farming practices without using chemicals. 

Additionally, they offer training on developing an enterprise, mentoring, and providing in-field support to address challenges faced by farmers.

Visit https://siyavuna.org.za/ for more info.

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In our first episode of 2024, we dive into the transformative world of agricultural technology with our guest, Francois Rossouw, CEO of SAAI. Francois, a returning friend of the podcast, shares exciting developments about SAAI's latest innovation, AI Farmer, powered by AELA.

AI Farmer, formerly known as Hi Saai, is a groundbreaking technology providing personalized, real-time advice to farmers. It's like having an agricultural extension officer in your pocket, digitally offering expert farming guidance tailored to your needs. This AI-driven platform is revolutionizing the way farmers make decisions, ensuring they have access to the best agricultural knowledge and advice, irrespective of their location or scale.

During our conversation, Francois explained how AI Farmer leverages large language models to process language in a human-like manner, distilling complex agricultural information into actionable advice. The platform taps into a vast repository of farming knowledge, simplifying it for farmers to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

We also discuss the importance of partnerships with research institutions and companies to keep AI updated with the latest agricultural data and research. AI Farmer is not just for SAAI members; it's available to all farmers and is currently in its beta version on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Francois emphasizes the need for farmer feedback to evolve the technology further. He proudly notes that this South African company is bringing world-leading technology to the global stage, showcasing the country's innovation prowess.

For anyone interested in agriculture and technology, AI Farmer represents a significant leap forward. It's a tool that can benefit farmers, agricultural extension officers, investors, lecturers, and students alike. The potential of AI in agriculture is vast, and AI Farmer is at the forefront of harnessing this potential for a more profitable and sustainable farming future.

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Ukhanyo Farmer Development (NPO) is a pioneering initiative dedicated to empowering and uplifting farmers in South Africa, in the Eastern Cape province. Focused on rural agricultural development, the organization aims to unlock the full potential of farmers by providing essential resources, training, and support. 

Through strategic guidance and community collaboration, Ukhanyo Farmer Development strives to catalyze sustainable growth in the agricultural sector, fostering economic independence and prosperity. 

Join us in this podcast episode as we delve into the impactful work of Ukhanyo Farmer Development and explore the key strategies for driving positive change in rural farming communities.

Visit www.ukhanyofd.co.za for more info.

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Over the past couple of months, the poultry industry in South Africa has faced unprecedented challenges, especially with the emergence of the bird flu virus. This outbreak has had a profound impact, particularly on the availability of poultry products, with eggs being a notable example, on many retail shelves. 

Thabile Nkunjana joins us once again; he's an economist from the National Agricultural Marketing Council. In this episode, he provides a deep understanding of the complexities and implications of the bird flu virus. 

Additionally, he unravels the reasons behind the shortage of poultry products and discusses its ramifications on the South African consumer market, businesses, as well as the broader agricultural sector.

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Agrikool, is a startup focused on making food and agricultural products accessible to everyone.  Palesa Motaung, COO of Agrikool discusses the challenges of agri-entrepreneurship in South Africa and how Agrikool has had to adapt its business model to meet the needs of its target market. The episode also highlights Agrikool's strong retail partnerships in the sector and their commitment to research and development to support the farming community.

Episode timestamps:

[00:18] Agri-entrepreneurship challenges in South Africa.

[06:00] Access to finance for farmers.

[09:07] Challenges for small-scale farmers.

[15:19] Small-scale farming challenges.

[19:07] Initiatives should be more focused.

[23:02] Small-scale farmers and research.

[26:40] Qualifying to supply through Agricool Farms.

[30:29] Seasonality and market pricing.

[34:10] Market intelligence is gold.

Visit Agrikool for more information.

Please rate and review this podcast episode.
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