Farmer's Inside Track

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 r...

In this Farmer Mentor episode, Zen Teitge, CEO of Manger Care Centre in XXX, shares how agriculture is helping transform lives. From supporting vulnerable communities through accredited training and commercial farming to empowering emerging farmers to build sustainable livelihoods, Teitge discusses the power of farming as a tool for rehabilitation, opportunity, and community development in South A...

True biosecurity is about more than just fences; it is about farmer-led resilience. Dr Stefan Steyn joins us to discuss the vital role of the Red Meat Producers' Organisation (RPO) in connecting rural communities with the state, ensuring that producers’ interests remain a priority in national policy. Steyn has spent the last 16 years refining his expertise in the veterinary field. As a technical m...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, livestock specialist Junior Mkansi shares practical calf-rearing tips to help farmers build healthier, more productive herds. From the importance of colostrum and early nutrition to biosecurity, weaning, and disease prevention, he unpacks the key management practices that shape calf growth and long-term performance. It’s a practical introduction for cattle...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we speak with Jared Gouws from Netafim about how irrigation automation is helping farmers improve precision and efficiency. He explains how sensors, data and centralised control systems enable real-time irrigation decisions, reduce labour and optimise water and nutrient use. The discussion also explores how automation is becoming increasingly accessible to...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we speak to Lebo Mashigo, founder of Eggsellent, a commercial layer farm that started as a small backyard egg-selling business and has since grown into a 15 000-bird operation, with plans to expand to 30 000. Lebo shares how she turned personal necessity into a thriving agribusiness, the impact of Covid-19 on demand, and how funding, mentorship, and contin...

Fairtrade Africa’s new 2026–2028 strategy is a practical roadmap to help farmers and workers succeed in an increasingly complex global trade environment. This episode explores how the organisation plans to improve market access, strengthen producer voices, and build resilience against climate shocks, inflation, and price volatility. Senior leaders Chris Oluoch, Madeline Muga, and Paul Colditz expl...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we explore the importance of post-harvest tomato handling and how it directly influences quality, shelf life, and profitability. Commercial vegetable farmer Lesego Mohube shares practical advice on reducing losses through improved harvesting, handling, packaging, and transport practices. Learn key on-farm strategies such as harvesting during cool hours, mi...

Certification provides a standard, but it doesn’t solve every challenge on the farm. Fairtrade Africa’s DONUTS programme, led by Thomas Mukhebi, is diving into the “uncomfortable spaces” that audits can’t reach, such as financial inclusion and social equity. Discover how it goes beyond compliance to tackle child labour, weak farmer participation, degraded land, and limited market access. The DONUT...

Eastern Cape commercial vegetable farmer and Bayi Holdings founder Inga Qeja shares how a spinach harvest during the Covid-19 lockdown sparked his journey into commercial farming. He reflects on building his business from the ground up, expanding into multiple crops, and overcoming major setbacks, including crop losses and infrastructure failures. Drawing inspiration from the book “Think and Grow...

We explore how farmers can assess and manage pasture health with expert guidance from the ARC. Learn why annual field condition assessments are crucial, how to calculate field condition scores, and practical tips to optimise grazing, improve livestock nutrition, and maintain sustainable rangelands year-round.

Join us as we speak with Lesedi Serapelwane, a third-generation farmer leading her family’s commercial farm in the Kalahari. She shares her journey from media to agriculture, the challenges of farming in harsh conditions, and the importance of adaptability, mentorship, and community. Lesedi also discusses empowering young farmers, especially women, through her Morakeng Farm Camp, and offers insigh...

Fairtrade Africa has created a space where farmworkers speak directly to management. In this episode, we learn how the Dignified Opportunities Nurtured through Trade and Sustainability (DONUTS) programme brings workers, unions, and employers into the same room, bridging the gap between labour law and the reality on the ground. The initiative transforms workers from passive recipients into active s...

In this episode, we explore how agro-processing can help South African farmers diversify income, add value to their produce, and build resilient businesses. Agro-processing expert Martin Boima shares practical advice on food safety, product testing, labelling compliance, and establishing shelf life, while highlighting common pitfalls and tips for starting small and scaling gradually. Whether you’r...

Lesedi Moseki, an agricultural economist and founder of iGroVest Group, discusses building a niche agribusiness from the ground up. From leaving formal employment just before lockdown to starting castor bean production with virtually no capital, Lesedi shares the realities of agripreneurship. He unpacks why farming is not a quick path to wealth, why emerging farmers should explore untapped and sca...

South African wine's vine-to-bottle journey thrives on fair labour, yet gaps in training and awareness leave seasonal harvesters and staff vulnerable to grey areas in rights and responsibilities. The Wieta Labour Desk closes this divide with hands-on sessions, a support hotline, and practical capacitation, turning legal theory into daily empowerment across the value chain. In this episode, Wieta p...

For decades, farmworkers in the wine industry laboured in silence, unsure of their rights and excluded from decisions that shaped their lives. Through the DONUTS programme, Fairtrade Africa has invested R12 million to bridge the gap between management and labour. By prioritising skills development and human rights, the initiative has turned vulnerable workers into confident leaders, proving that s...

Water scarcity in South Africa is one of agriculture’s biggest challenges. In this episode, Marco Appel, agricultural economist at Netafim Southern and East Africa, explains how precision irrigation and smart water management can reduce costs, boost farm profitability, and treat water as a strategic asset. Learn practical tips to improve water use efficiency and maximise every drop on your farm.

Ethical wine production often stumbles on vague promises and unchecked supply chains. The Wieta Fair Labour Seal raises the standard by serving as a trusted enforcer, linking rigorous audits, producers, and global consumers around verifiable fairness. In this episode, Wieta sustainability officer Mila Pretorius , senior advisor Adrian Bezuidenhout , and Kleine Zalze cellarmaster RJ Botha reveal ho...

In this episode, we explore why farm insurance has become a critical business tool for South African farmers facing unpredictable weather, rising costs and limited state support. Agricultural economist and Land Bank Insurance strategic partnerships manager, Lunga Njara, unpacks the different types of cover. He also shares practical guidance on selecting the right policy, preparing accurate farm da...

In this episode, we meet Free State farmer Vincent Masiu, who is transforming a land reform farm into a thriving mixed farming operation. From maize and sunflower to livestock, layers, and future potato production, Vincent shares his journey of resilience, problem-solving, and collaboration with his family. He discusses the challenges of starting from scratch, navigating droughts and finance, and...

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 grow...

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 antibioti...

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 busine...

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 questi...