Farmer's Inside Track

Unpack the crucial role of women across the value chain, who are driving change within African agriculture. We highlight Fairtrade’s comprehensive gender strategy, which includes standards for protection, enhancing leadership capabilities, economic development, and addressing gender-based violence. Hear how specific initiatives, like the Women's School of Leadership program, are designed to build...

Feeding people while protecting the planet and agricultural workers is no easy task. In this episode, we chat with Mary Willemse, campaign manager at BASF about how they’re helping rural communities use agricultural chemicals safely and wisely.  From hands-on training to life-saving safety tips, discover how farmworkers are being empowered to protect their health, the land, and their future.

For too long, historical barriers have limited who gets to succeed in South Africa's wine industry, but now, the  Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA)  are working together to change that. Their initiative, the  Black Producers Support Programme , is a powerful force for change, helping to reshape the industry into one that is more inclusive, diverse, and soc...

Vumile Mzinzi is no ordinary farmer. After building a successful career as a pharmacist, he returned to his family's farm in the Eastern Cape, combining his medical expertise with his passion for agriculture.  In this episode, we hear about his innovative approach to farming. He shares how his background in medicine gives him a unique edge in crop production, and how he's building a sustainab...

Discover how Fairtrade Africa empowers farmers to combat climate change threats by supporting them to not only grow food but also grow people. Learn about innovative interventions like clean energy adoption for cooking and lighting, dynamic agroforestry (intercropping food crops within cocoa farms), and beekeeping, which diversify income streams and ensure food security. We confront the harsh real...

In this episode, we focus on what South Africa’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) control efforts mean for farmers on the ground.  Veterinary expert Prof Ishmael Jaja explains how the disease spreads, why multiple virus strains make control difficult, and what practical steps communal and small-scale farmers can take to protect their livestock.  Whether you farm cattle, sheep, goats or pigs,...

This episode is a deep and heartfelt conversation with Mmadipilo Letlape, a dynamic livestock farmer and founder of Nature Nation Camp. Through her personal story, Mmadipilo unpacks the realities of being a woman in agriculture, especially when navigating male-dominated spaces and family dynamics. Hear how she carved her way into farming. She opens up about her early mistakes, financial challenges...

Thinking of growing sorghum? Discover expert tips on top varieties, ideal planting times, and why this drought-resilient crop could be one of your most profitable moves yet. Agronomist and PhD researcher Hammond Motsi breaks down everything you need to know. From planting and regional suitability to pest control and market potential.  He also explores how sorghum stacks up against maize in in...

When planting season rolls around, your seed choice might seem like a small detail, but it could be your biggest decision. In this episode, we dig deep into maize hybrid selection with Reggie Mchunu, key accounts manager at Pannar. He breaks down why not all hybrids are created equal and how factors like yield potential, disease resistance, standability, and adaptability can determine your farm’s...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we’re joined by a true trailblazer — Lesedi Gaabue, the first Black woman to graduate in town planning from North West University. But her journey doesn’t stop at the drafting table. Lesedi is also a passionate poultry farmer, raising broilers in the rural parts of North West. She opens up about her unexpected entry into farming, the costly lessons of her...

In this episode, we sit down with Siziphiwe Jojo, agricultural economist and head of business at Agricast Advisory Services, to unpack the essential elements of a strong agribusiness plan. Jojo explains why a business plan is more than just a funding tool; it’s a strategic roadmap for long-term success.  From aligning your goals with funders to mastering financial projections, she walks us th...

No rain, no gain? Not quite. In this episode of Food For Mzansi, we dive into the water challenges facing Western Cape farmers, and the cost-effective solutions they are adopting to survive and thrive.  We also spotlight GreenCape’s upcoming Water and Energy Resilience Roadshow, a free initiative bringing expert advice and practical tools directly to farmers and agri-businesses across the pro...

In this episode, we sit down with Henrey Gibbs, a first-generation, self-taught livestock farmer from Klerksdorp, North West. Henrey shares how a trip to a Mafikeng auction sparked a lifelong passion for farming, and how goats became a strategic cashflow supplement to his beloved cattle.  We dive into the challenges of navigating agriculture without formal training, the filtering of advice fr...

In this inspiring episode of Farmer's Inside Track, we meet Musa Nhlapo, a passionate wine entrepreneur from the township of Kagiso. With grit, vision, and guidance from the South Africa Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB), Nhlapo is building Adisa Wine, a brand rooted in growth and possibility. Kachné Ross, executive manager of SAWIPB, shares how the organisation is revolutionising talent de...

In this episode, we explore why Kalahari Red goats are becoming the breed of choice for many South African farmers.  Join us as we speak to Leroy van de Merwe of Redstag Ranch in Limpopo. From the breed’s remarkable adaptability and meat quality to practical advice on breeding, culling, and managing performance. We also bust the myth of the "low-maintenance" goat, as van de Merwe highlights h...

Ready to take your farm to the next level? Join us for a lively panel discussion where we’ll explore how South African farmers, both seasoned pros and newcomers, can use smart financing and precision agriculture to build more profitable, sustainable businesses.​ Our panel of experts will break down how to access the right funding at every stage of your farming journey, manage cash flow like a pro,...

Beyond the Field, aangebied deur John Deere Financial en gefasiliteer deur Anrich Herbst, bring Antois van der Westhuizen (besturende direkteur, John Deere Financial) en Pieter Pienaar (kredietverkope en bemarking, John Deere Financial) saam om met kundiges te gesels oor finansiële vennootskappe en boerdery as besigheid.​ Corné Louw (landbou-ekonoom, Graan SA) en Marlene Louw (senior-ekonoom,...

In this episode, we sit down with Mosa Balesamang,  an animal scientist, livestock consultant, and passionate sheep farmer making waves both in the field and on TikTok. Mosa shares her journey from earning her degree in Animal Science in 2017 to serving in Botswana's Ministry of Agriculture, and how her work in cattle insemination and livestock consulting is helping reshape the future of farm...

If you think farming has nothing to do with your dinner plate, think again. In this episode, we’re crossing over to our sister publication, Food For Mzansi’s Farmer’s Inside Track podcast for a special feature that dives into sustainability and the red meat on your plate. Frik van Rooyen from the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) joins the conversation with a powerful message about sustainabi...

After 44 years in agriculture and over two decades in the wine industry, Rydal Jeftha, managing director of Koopmanskloof Wines, knows that the future of South African wine lies in its people. In this episode, Jeftha shares his journey from navigating the industry without a mentor to becoming one of its most passionate champions of skills development and knowledge transfer. We dive deep into his p...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked threats to crop production, free water or gravitational water, and how it affects South African farmers across different provinces.  Soil scientist Peter Mudau breaks down what free water is, how to identify it, and why proper management is crucial for healthy soils and productive yields.  From recognising signs of waterlogging to...

In this episode, we sit down with legal expert Pearl Gibbs, an attorney, conveyancer, and notary public, who unpacks the most pressing legal challenges facing South Africa’s new-generation farmers. From contract negotiations with powerful agricultural companies to navigating the complexities of long-term land lease agreements, our guest shares crucial legal strategies to level the playing field.&n...

In this episode, we chat to Kevin Pieterse, an experienced farm manager and Kyron Agri representative, who unpacks practical strategies for controlling and managing endoparasites in livestock.  From understanding different types of internal parasites to choosing the right dewormers and implementing effective treatment timelines, Pieterse offers valuable insights every farmer should know.&nbsp...

From laying bricks to paving his own path to success, Anton Saunderson’s story is one of vision and transformation. In this episode, we meet a man who began with a modest construction crew and followed his heart all the way to the cattle kraal. Today he passion has evolved into a high-functioning feedlot where 180 cattle are managed with sharp precision. Behind it all is a businessman who runs on...

One bad seed can ruin everything. In this episode, part of a special SANSOR campaign, we unpack why seed certification matters more than you might think.  Across Africa, many farmers unknowingly plant uncertified or poor-quality seed—jeopardising their harvests, their incomes, and their futures. Thabiso Ntsele, certification technician at the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR),...