Crops
Compiling a Business Plan for a Commercial Aquaponics Project Part 2
Planning your production and Financial Modelling: Using information developed in the market analysis about the customer values, needs, and preferences, describe the products to be offered and how they will compete in the target market. This could be a list of specific products (collard greens) or a list of general classes of products (greens). Product…
Read MorePlanting the right type of seed to improve production
Seeds are the main component of diets globally, 70% of mankind’s food and livestock feed consists of or is derived from seeds. Seeds also fill other rules in the human diet, apart from the direct application as food or feed, and also have a commercial value. The following examples of the importance of seeds commercially…
Read MoreRegenerative agriculture: Some perspectives
Regenerative agriculture is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems. It focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle, enhancing ecosystem services, supporting bio-sequestration, increasing resilience to climate change, and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil. Regenerative agriculture is not a specific practice itself. Rather, proponents of regenerative…
Read MoreCompiling a Business Plan for a Commercial Aquaponics Project Part 1
Commercial aquaponics systems remain a challenge independent of the country, fish, plant species, or system design type. Hobbyists make most aquaponics systems, with aquaponics not being the main source of income. As such, scholars and practitioners have long debated the real profitability of aquaponics systems. With the growth of the aquaponics industry and commercial businesses, sustainable…
Read MoreExploring the possible impact of the EU Green Deal on South African Agriculture
The European Union Green Deal (EUGD) and its accompanying farm to fork (F2F) strategy have been dominating several discussions in the agricultural community since its presentation just over two years ago, mostly because its objectives, although commendable, are considered by many to be unattainable in practical terms. In addition, the knock-on effect of some of…
Read MoreThe Big Five Risks Faced by Farmers
As you think about managing risk to stabilize farm income, there are five basic sources of agricultural risk that you should address: Production, marketing, financial, legal, and human resource risks. Various tools and strategies can be used to manage each of these risks. Production Risks Production risks relate to the possibility that your yield or…
Read MoreMoney must be spent more wisely to control invasive plants in SA
The South African government has spent R7,1 billion (adjusted to 2020 values) between 1998 and 2020 to curb the spread of invasive plants, but we are still struggling to get them under control. What we need is a national strategy that focuses on clearly defined priority sites, improves planning and monitoring, and increases operational efficiency.…
Read MoreBenefits of plant biotechnology for smallholder farmers
On a daily basis we are confronted with headlines signalling the urgency to address issues concerning the climate crisis, food shortages, our deteriorating environment, and declining natural resources. Within this context, agriculture will play a pivotal role due to the growing threat that these adverse environmental and climatic conditions have on our ability to safeguard…
Read MoreA low-cost shade net structure for vegetable production
The demand for food and especially vegetables is increasing in the RSA, as a result of e.g., rising living standards. Higher prices are being fetched for better quality agricultural products. The producer must utilize this opportunity to apply additional and more intensive cultivation methods, to cope with the demand. This will also ensure a higher…
Read MoreInvasive plants reduce resilience to wildfire
The Overberg is preparing for the next fire season as we head into the summer months following a dry winter. Because of the increased fire risks, landowners and property owners are now encouraged to address the threats of invasive alien plants – which increase the severity and frequency of wildfires. In the Overberg, now is…
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