Farmer's Inside Track

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...

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, d...

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...

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 f...

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 lea...

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 adaptabil...

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...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Francois Fourie, a farmer and irrigation designer, shares his expertise in precision irrigation. He explains how he turned a small demonstration unit near Polokwane into a fully operational farm, using Netafim’s advanced drip irrigation systems and fertiliser dosing technologies. Francois discusses how these irrigation innovations optimise water use, impro...

In this episode, Pholisa Bidla, a livestock farmer managing a successful meat operation in the Eastern Cape, operates entirely from her home in Gauteng. From helping her family care for a small herd of cattle as a child to taking full responsibility for the farm after the loss of her parents and brother, she shares her journey, challenges, and hard-earned lessons. Bidla discusses everything from b...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, crop scientist and agronomist Dikgang Molebatsi shares practical insights on building and maintaining soil organic matter for healthier, more resilient farms. He explains what soil organic matter is, why carbon is critical for fertility, and how factors such as tillage, residue management, cover crops, and livestock impact soil health. Dikhang also discuss...

In this Farmer Mentor episode, we follow the inspiring journey of Lesego Mohube from Gauteng, who discovered her calling in agriculture. What began as curiosity soon became a passion for vegetable production. Lesego quickly advanced into the commercial sector, a rare achievement so early in a farming career. Today, she supplies one of South Africa’s largest fresh produce markets. Join us as Lesego...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Limpopo poultry farmer and agripreneur Kamogelo Thobejane shares practical, experience-driven tips to help South African producers maximise every kilogram of poultry feed. From understanding protein, vitamins, minerals and age-specific formulations to spotting poor-quality feed, preventing spillage, adjusting feeders, and avoiding costly mistakes like cons...

Technology and innovation are rapidly transforming the red meat supply chain, addressing questions about authenticity, safety, and environmental stewardship. As consumers seek clearer assurances about what they eat, the industry is rolling out new tools and practices that restore trust and promote responsible farming.  In this episode, Michaela Pretorius, a technical manager at Cavalier, shar...

In this episode, chartered accountant Desry Lesele, driven by his Limpopo farm roots and role as Nedbank's senior agriculture manager, shows farmers how to conquer rising costs, weather volatility, and tight margins with tailored financial tools for growth and resilience. From witnessing his grandmother's struggles growing sorghum and maize, Lesele crafts solutions against input price surges, grai...

Join Farmer’s Inside Track as Craig Carter, a seasoned livestock farmer with 25 years’ experience, shares his journey from electrical technician to successful beef producer. He discusses weaner calf production, choosing the right cattle for the land, managing droughts, and building a sustainable farm. Packed with practical advice, stewardship lessons, and insights for young farmers, Craig’s story...

South Africa’s wine industry is uniting behind a powerful ESG vision that puts people, planet, and profit on equal footing. In this episode, South Africa Wine NPC, Wieta, Vinimark, and Spier unpack how a new ESG framework supports producers from vineyard to glass, helping especially smaller wineries meet global demands for transparency and accountability.  Gerard Martin, Siglinda Lösch, Heidi...