Lucentlands Podcast | Harvesting Agriculture Knowledge

Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1 Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/ In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Zander Ernst, Director of Marketing and Production at Allesbeste Boerdery in Tzaneen, Limpopo. From pioneering avocado varieties like Maluma to experimenting with trellising,...

Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1 Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/ In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Hendri Truter, Group CEO of Deli Co Meat Wholesalers, to uncover the real story behind South Africa’s meat industry—from supply shortages and pricing to exports, offal, salami...

Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1 Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/ In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Stephanie Midgley, Specialist Scientist: Climate Change at the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape, about what climate change really means for agriculture in South Afri...

Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1 Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/ In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Uzair Essack, entrepreneur, Managing Director of Riyp Exports, and 2020 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 inductee. Uzair shares his remarkable journey from a financially struggling u...

Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1 Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/ In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Bake Huang, fruit trade specialist from China and representative of Riverking, about the evolving dynamics of China’s fresh produce market. From the collapse of a cherry shipment...

In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Riël Mallan, a trailblazer in South Africa’s agricultural transformation and now founder of Nurture Brands, to discuss the bold decisions, upheavals, and innovations that shaped the modern fruit export industry. From his days as a young table grape farmer during South Africa’s post-apartheid deregulation era to building Fruits U...

In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Christine van Zyl, attorney at TGB Attorneys and specialist in intellectual property law, about one of the most misunderstood and fast-evolving areas in agriculture: plant breeders' rights and IP protection. Christine unpacks South Africa’s new Plant Breeders’ Rights Act of 2018, the implications of "farm...

In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Marco Bertolazzi, Director of Research & Development at global fresh produce brand SanLucar, for a deep and inspiring conversation about fruit innovation, global agriculture, and building a premium brand that’s reshaping how consumers experience fruit. From his humble roots in Italy and a life-changing international horticul...

In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Faith Brown, General Manager of the Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa, to reflect on the Foundation’s 20-year journey of transformation, community empowerment, and sustainable development across Southern Africa’s fruit farms. Faith shares her personal story—starting as the very first person appointed to the Waitrose Foundation...

In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Jon Roberts, General Manager of the Citrus Growers Association Cultivar Company (CGACC), about the fascinating evolution of cultivar management in the South African citrus industry and what it means for growers, marketers, and consumers. From royalty systems and open-source varieties to pink oranges and low-lemonin navels fit for j...

In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Nicci Stewart, Specialist Marketing Strategist at Stardust, about one of the most ambitious citrus marketing campaigns in recent years: repositioning South Africa’s Star Ruby grapefruit for success in European markets under the new “Summer Star Ruby” brand. Nicci shares the behind-the-scenes strategy that is turning a declining glo...

In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down in-person at the Citrus Summit with Mitchell Brooke, Logistics Development Manager at the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA). They discuss the harsh realities and forward-thinking solutions around port logistics, export capacity, and South Africa’s citrus supply chain. With mounting pressure on Transnet, port conges...

In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Rocco Renaldi, Chair for Public Affairs and Government Relations at Edelman, about the critical role of policy, public perception, and lobbying in the battle to keep South African citrus flowing into Europe. With nearly 20 years representing the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) in Brussels, Rocco offers a behind-the-scenes look at...

In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with José Antonio García Fernández, CEO of AILIMPO in Spain and co-founder of the World Citrus Organization (WCO), to explore how global collaboration is changing the future of citrus. José discusses how WCO was born from a long-standing partnership with South Africa's Citrus Growers' Association and why bu...

In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Rob Meihuizen, CEO of TopFruit, and Nick Steyn, Business Manager at KiwiKo, about the massive momentum behind the global kiwifruit industry—and why South Africa is poised to play a leading role. KiwiKo, a global joint venture between TopFruit and key partners from New Zealand and China, is pioneering the...

In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Marcos Fava Neves, one of the world’s leading experts in strategic agribusiness planning. As a professor at the University of São Paulo and founder of Harven Agribusiness School, Marcos shares how Brazil became a global food powerhouse—and what South Africa and other nations can learn from its success....

In this inspiring episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Bahle Kweba and Siphokuhle Nohamba, two young professionals helping shape the future of agriculture through their work at Sundays River Citrus Company (SRCC).Bahle and Siphokuhle share their personal journeys from the Eastern Cape to becoming trusted advisors to some of the country's largest...

In Episode 76 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie welcome Justin Chadwick, outgoing CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association (CGA), and Dr. Boitshoko Ntshabele, incoming CEO of CGA. This episode provides insight into the leadership transition at CGA, the ongoing global trade challenges facing the citrus industry, and what lies ahead for citrus growers in South Africa....

In Episode 75 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Professor Andre Jooste, Head of Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University, to explore how economics shapes the future of farming. From climate change and market volatility to trade agreements and innovation, Andre explains why financial sustainability and economic insight are just as critical to...

In Episode 74 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Najwah Allie-Edries, Head of The Jobs Fund at the National Treasury of South Africa, to explore how this groundbreaking initiative is tackling unemployment, driving economic growth, and supporting businesses and entrepreneurs. Najwah shares her journey in public finance, development, and labor research,...

In Episode 73 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Debbie Matteucci, Chairperson of the South African Bioproducts Organisation (SABO), to discuss the rapid rise of bioproducts in agriculture and what it means for the future of farming. Debbie provides a deep dive into biological control, biostimulants, and sustainable farming practices, explaining how bi...

In Ep. 72 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Dimi Spanos, Managing Director of Grape Evolution Limited, to explore the cutting-edge world of table grape variety development. Dimi shares insights into the breeding process, evaluation challenges, and the importance of adaptability when introducing new grape cultivars to different climates. As the master...

In Ep. 71 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie welcome Gert Breet, Head of Business Development for FNB Agriculture. Gert shares his journey from banking into agriculture and explains how FNB is empowering farmers through innovative financial solutions tailored to their unique challenges and opportunities. This episode offers a fascinating look at how financial instit...

In Episode 70 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie are joined by Wendy Petersen, CEO of the SA Olive Association. Wendy brings her extensive experience in the olive industry to discuss the current state of olive oil production in South Africa and the exciting potential for future growth. Having transitioned from a successful career in the wine industry, Wendy explains...

n Ep. 69 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie are joined by Charl du Bois, Managing Director at Capespan, to discuss Capespan’s landmark 20-year partnership agreement with the Namibian Grape Company (NGC). This partnership not only secures long-term investment in Namibian agriculture but also redefines the collaborative model between a private South African company an...