Agriculture is in a time where the focus is increasingly placed on the subject of soil microbiology and "soil health". Regular discussions across the spectrum, between the media, produce...
Corteva Agriscience™ is a dedicated agricultural company that focuses on supporting farmers to get the most out of every hectare every season. Our solutions increase productivity an...
What is silk jamming? This phenomenon occurs when the silks are supposed to appear at the tip of the cob and the elongation of the silks is obstructed by husk leaves that are packed too...
The invasive alien plant, prosopis, is a serious threat to of areas in Southerern Africa where it threatens water resources, indigenous vegetation and the livelihood of communities who a...
A relish is a sweet-n-sour condiment containing preserved fruit/vegetable pieces and spices. It is served with curries, hot and cold meats, and savouries. Pear relish is usually prepared...
The discovery of spices and herbs, in particular the trade of these ingredients, was a defining moment in world history. Firstly, because spices and herbs enhanced the culinary experienc...
Kiwi fruit production has been a hot topic for over two years. Many growers have seized the opportunity to farm with kiwis and capitalise on the demand for this exotic fruit. Contrary...
After more than a hundred years in the fertilizer industry, we still take care of your fields. Our experienced agricultural experts are ready to help you find the right nutrition for you...
Adding value to nuts has always played a vital role within the tree nut production industry. The process improves the profitability of producers, it empowers them, provides safe, quality...
A rare production system farmers delve into in sub-Saharan Africa is herb and spice production. This may be due to the lack of knowledge of their value, supply chain and market linkages,...
The invasive alien prosopis species is spreading at an alarmingly rapid pace. It is already covering 1,8 million hectares of grazing rangelands, and based on the present spreading rate o...
Markets in all agricultural systems are best accessed by the supplier fulfilling pre-established requisites. These requisites help the supplier to meet target market specifications, e...
Pioneer understands that precision farming is more than the technology in your tractor and how you prepare your seed bed. It is also about your seed and the result you see in your plant'...
Since the breakout of Covid-19, the prices of fertilisers have been rising monthly. This has been compounded with the war in Ukraine. Regardless of whether the commodity prices of fertil...
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Fruit that has had almost all of the water content removed through drying methods is referred to as dried fruit. The fruit shrinks during this process, leaving a small, energy-dense drie...
Maize sweeteners and syrups are manufactured from the starchy endosperm of maize using a conversion process known as hydrolysis. This hydrolysis process can be chemical (by means of stro...
Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is an exotic arthropod pest which is highly damaging to maize in sub-Saharan Africa and Zambia in particular. It attacks maize which is a staple cro...
Southeasterly (SE) winds in the Western Cape in the latter part of the year can be especially damaging to young mandarin fruit, because it coincides with the first 12 weeks after petal d...
The seed, which is the first of many growing stages in a plant’s life cycle, is also the stage at which the plant is most vulnerable. Therefore, safeguarding the seed is the most im...
Sweet potato sugar syrups are made from sweet potato starch, which is converted into a range of different types of sugars by means of special enzymes. The manufactured syrups can be used...
African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) The African yam bean belongs to the family Leguminosae. The annual climbing or prostrate vine is mainly grown for its fleshy roots that looks ...
The key to successful crop farming is planting the right product on the right hectare. And the way to determine what is the right product for the right hectare, is to plant trials. This ...
Soya sauce is the dark brown liquid extracted from a fermented soya-wheat mixture. It has a salty taste and sharp flavour. It is used as an all-purpose seasoning. Soya sauce is prepared ...
Summary Cold injuries lead to a diminished stand and subsequently to a reduction in yield. Cold that presents early in the season, has a sizable influence on the development of m...
Syngenta Zambia has “cemented” its commitment to Zambian farmers and crop protection with their new corporate office in Lusaka’s Rhodes Park area. Syngenta Zambia held a launch ...
The tree nut production industry is expected to grow to US$103 billion in 2027 according to a report from Intrado GlobeNewswire, 2020. It is mind boggling to find the roots of this in...
Some plant species that have been brought to Southern Africa from other countries pose a serious threat to the environment, including water resources, indigenous vegetation, agriculture,...
When most people think of high-value crops, the first things that come to mind are probably fruits and vegetables. However, one nut is quickly becoming a favourite among high-value crop ...
South African seed potato producer RegenZ and European hybrid potato seed innovator Solynta announced a partnership to bring hybrid true potatoes to the South African farming community. ...
Vegetable crops offer a good source of income for both small- and largescale farmers. But it takes so much more than placing a seed in the soil and harvesting the plants at the end of th...
The global tree nut production industry continues to steadily grow corresponding to increasing demand. The Tree Nuts Market Outlook, from the Future Market Insights states that the globa...
Introduction The development and large-scale implementation of hybrid genetics are one of humanity's greatest achievements, resulting in a multifold increase in productivity over histor...
Farmers welcome Syngenta’s announcement of ORONDIS® Ultra fungicide with two active ingredients for unsurpassed late blight and downy mildew control. ORONDIS® Ultra fungicide brings ...
Ripper Tillage Equipment has an implement for every job throughout the planting journey. The team specialises in custom-built equipment that ensures results in your crop because a succes...
Tree harvesting has left the Miombo woodlands in northern Malawi denuded of trees, resulting in major soil erosion. Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services, based in Georg...
A mark of assurance in seed treatments You choose a seed treatment package to help assure a successful season. In turn, you should feel assured that those seed treatments perform as exp...
Each year, in rural communities, devastating livestock losses due to crime, pests and diseases, natural disasters and fires¹ increase the burden on impoverished South Africans. More and...
The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is one of the most important seed legumes in Africa. The edible leaves and seed have significantly high levels of protein (up to 40%), as well as t...
Jute Mallow and Ethiopian Kale are two ancient African plants that are used as leafy green vegetables. Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius) Jute mallow belongs to the Malvacea...
Any plant that is not wanted or that sprouts up at the wrong time or in the wrong place is considered as a weed. There are a number of drawbacks associated with weeds: Weeds cons...
According to the McKinsey and Company report, Winning in Africa’s agricultural market, more than 60% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa are smallholder farmers, and about 23% of s...
Soya beans (Glycine max) is a crucial food legume crop being cultivated extensively in our country Zambia on large and small-scale farms. Growers must follow basic agronomic principle...
"It was truly a privilege and a blessing from day one to be in agriculture," says Chrisna Heuer, marketing manager in South Africa for Yara Africa Fertilizer (Pty) Ltd, an international ...
Data from multiple years helps any farmer make informed decisions Important factors to consider are the relative yield potential of current crop stand versus replanting, as well as th...
Increasing input costs, over-reliance on fertiliser, consumer pressure to farm more sustainably, government regulations to reduce greenhouse gases, the unpredictable effects of climate c...
Eggplant, aubergine or brinjal, whatever you would like to call them, this vegetable has probably made an appearance on your plate and is definitely worth growing in your garden or on yo...
Following the opening of Corteva Agriscience’s Centre for Seed Applied Technologies (CSAT) laboratory in Rosslyn, Gauteng, farmers can now reap the benefits of LumiGEN™ seed treatmen...
Barbecue sauce During barbecue-style cooking, barbeque sauce is used as a flavouring sauce, marinade, or basting for pork, beef and chicken. Barbeque sauce is a ubiquitous condiment tha...
Legumes are a staple in many developing countries. Besides being a valuable source of protein, it also enriches the soil in which it grows. In this series, we highlight traditional crops...
The main asset utilised for farming in Africa is soil, a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms for that sustain plant growth. The optimum use of this re...
Intellectual knowledge blended with practical experience is always a well-balanced combination in any profession. In a sector such as agriculture, the value such an individual brings o...
Vinegar is the sour liquid obtained by naturally fermenting the juice of any fruit, cereal or sugar substances. Fermented grape juice, that is wine, is used as the starting material to w...
Lerotho, Bangala, Spider flower, Delele, Jew’s mallow and kale are all part of the African leafy vegetables that can be commercially grown. These plants also help fight against malnutr...
Bell peppers, sweet peppers or just good old peppers, these vegetables are jam packed with nutrients. Red peppers contain 300% the daily requirement of Vitamin C — significantly more...
The methods used to apply plant protection chemicals are referred to as application techniques. There are many factors that contribute to good plant protection, including the substa...
For some time now, Syngenta Zambia did not have an alternative seed treatment solution for soya bean in Zambia other than DIVIDEND® Extreme. They had been providing some third-party pro...
In this article, we discuss seeding rates, depth of planting, nutritional requirements and crop protection. [caption id="attachment_4171" align="aligncenter" width="352"] Neat seed sp...
The benefits of accepting a world class agro-chemical company in a developing country are numerous and valuable. Apart from the job opportunities created and the professional skills that...
Tradecorp is a global reference in the field of biostimulants and crop nutrition specialist, developing and manufacturing first-class, innovative solutions that are marketed in more than...
Research enables us to better understand the challenges farmers face daily, providing evidence about which solutions are needed. By combining the strengths of both companies, Tradecorp a...
“I really appreciate the World Focus view,” says Herlu Smit of Boomplaas near Jacobsdal in the Western Freestate. “They do not pester you to peddle their product – their aim is t...
Cash crops keep farmers going by providing a regular income and a steady cashflow. However, expanding your farming operations always remains a good investment, and there are various opti...
180 years. That is for how long a pecan nut tree can yield its rich annual nut crop. With an expected productive life that long, today’s investment for the future of your children and ...
Shade cloth cover for plants is relatively less expensive than other protective structures. Furthermore they are easy to erect and the producer can design his own structure to fulfil his...
Macadamia is a tasty and very nutritional nut that was originally and indigenously grown in Australia. There are several varieties of macadamias, although only two are edible. Over the l...
In the previous articles of this series we have covered crop establishment, crop nutrition and crop protection. It’s befitting then to end this four-part series with a look at activiti...
Vinegar is the sour liquid obtained by naturally fermenting the juice of any fruits, cereals, or sugar substances. Apple vinegar is produced by alcoholic fermentation followed by acet...
Improving production and profits while minimising expense and effort is every farmer’s goal. Bayer understands this and continuously develops products that will enable a farmer to achi...
In the previous issue, we discussed ways of bringing back food plants our ancestors used, but which have become neglected and underutilised in recent times. By using these plants in t...
With the high cost of living and rising food prices, many South Africans are struggling to put food on their plates.1 September is planting season in South Africa, and the climate and so...
It has been almost four years since the Constitutional Court ruled that South Africans have the right to consume cannabis in the privacy of their own homes, effectively decriminalising t...
In previous issues, we discussed the value of indigenous and ancient food plants of Africa that can provide essential nutrition that is lacking from ‘modern’ food plants that are pre...
Methods of chemical pest control The following must be done before applying pesticides: Choose the active ingredient in a pesticide: Whenever possible, use an active ingredient th...
The landscape of the South African avocado and macadamia industry is in a state of uncomfortable upheaval, with local growers and tree nurseries scrambling to adjust and adapt to the pre...
Ketchup is made from strained, pulped tomatoes and additions such as spices, salt, sugar, vinegar, onions, and garlic, and it contains no less than 12% tomato solids. The principles o...
Sesame is an erect, annual plant (Sesamum indicum L. Pedaliaceae), which is cultivated for its seeds, which are used for food flavouring and for the extraction of a prized oil. The seeds...
Sauerkraut is made from shredded cabbage leaves preserved through an acidifying fermentation process. Sauerkraut is produced from both hard white or red cabbage varieties. Process descr...
Bell peppers can be preserved in the form of a sauce known as Salsa. Salsa is a spicy sauce that is served with meat and Mexican food. It is best served fresh, but can be frozen for late...
Chilli peppers can easily be pickled in a brine or vinegar solution, alone or with other vegetables and seasoning. The bright red-coloured chillies make attractive pickles. Certain varie...
Peppers can easily be pickled in a brine or vinegar solution, alone or with other vegetables and seasoning. The variety of coloured peppers available make attractive pickles. Certain var...
Small onions are peeled and stored in brine (salt solution) to facilitate natural fermentation of the product. The fermented onions are then packed and preserved in vinegar to produce pi...
Fresh-pack or quick process pickles (that is whole cucumber dills, crosscut cucumber slices, bread-and-butter pickles) are made by the addition of an acid such as vinegar and not by th...
Fermented pickles or brined pickles undergo a curing process for several weeks during which fermentative bacteria produce acids necessary for the preservation of the product. These ba...
Pickles generally fall into two categories, namely clear pickles, and thick, saucy pickles such as piccalilli. Pickled vegetables are preserved by the addition of acid, salt, and sugar. ...
Virgin olive oil is the oil extracted by mechanically pressing the fruit without using any heat, and may have a slight off-flavour, “olive-fruity” and may contain acid up to 0,3 to 0...
When farmers use their raw products produced on the farm to make refined products that can be sold to the retail or wholesale markets, they add value to their products and boost their pr...
Add value to your avos by making guacamole The principle of any farming business is to grow or cultivate natural products in order to supply a demand set by the market. Many farmers do ...
Grinding Grinding involves exposing dried products to friction and pressure to produce a fine powder. Before extraction of the oil can take place, the dried rhizomes are ground. Size r...
Drying is the removal of surface and/ or internal moisture from a product to lower the overall moisture content. There are various methods to dry ginger, each with a different purpose...
Peeling involves removing the skin, peel or other outer protective layers from fresh produce using manual or mechanical devices. Before further processing the ginger rhizomes are peeled....
We can use the very tasty and healthy spice, ginger, which is popular for its uses in food and home remedies, to extract ginger oil, which can also be applied to alleviate a number of he...
You can earn more for your produce than the current market prices. If you add value to your produce by processing and packaging it, you can increase your profit by selling processed cond...
Oja Farms has always been a family-owned and operated business. Located in the heart of the Mpumalanga Highveld, brothers Jannie and Martin Cloete are the fourth generation of their fami...
Swiss chard can easily be confused with spinach. This is because these green, leafy vegetables only differ slightly in appearance: Swiss chard has bigger, broader leaves and thicker stem...
A cucurbit is any plant from the Cucurbitaceae family. These plants are climbing or trailing plants and include squash, pumpkin, gourd, watermelon, melon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, and marr...
Mashed, fried, or roasted; there is nothing quite like the versatility of the potato. These starchy vegetables are a staple for many people across the globe, ranking as the world’s fou...
Evidence suggests that onions have been part of the human diet for over 5 000 years. This means that it may have been one of the first cultivated crops. Knowing this, a quote by American...
Beetroot or beets, as they are known in other parts of the world, is a versatile vegetable, known for its rich, dark red colour and sweet taste when consumed raw. Beetroot refers to t...
Sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, vitamin E, C and B6, as well as iron and potassium. Orange types are also high in vitamin A. The high carbohydrate content is a key source of en...
Seeds are a vital input for agricultural productivity. There are many seed companies that offers good seed. To provide the farmer with the best yields, seed should have the best genetics...
The world is undergoing great shocks due to climate change. Every drop of water is more important than ever before. Agriculture has become more scientific, and farmers that depend on rai...
The sunflower, Helianthus annus L., is one of the few crop species that can be traced back to North America, despite reports that it originated in the Fertile Crescent, Asia, or in Sout...
Everybody knows tomatoes. Tomatoes are normally big, round, edible, pulpy berries that are often red in colour but may also be yellow, orange, green, or purple. Tomatoes can vary in s...
Dry beans are an ecologically sound foodstuff in today’s world. Dry beans are one of the easiest crops to produce organically. Dry beans are an excellent source of protein when combi...
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable. Crunchy and mild, it works as both a supplement and a substitute for many dishes. Growing cauliflower is very similar to growing cabbage. Neverthel...
Soya beans are healthful and rich in protein, giving them numerous nutritional uses. People can eat them, drink them in milk alternatives, and take them in the form of supplements. Soya...
Nuts and legumes are very good alternative sources of protein that can be utilised in areas where meat is not readily available or too expensive to buy. Cultivating and supplying peanuts...
Carrots Origin and distribution Carrots are believed to have originated in Afghanistan, which remains the centre of diversity of D. carota. They were known to the Greeks and the Roma...
Whether you are a commercial vegetable farmer, subsistence farmer, emerging farmer, or just an avid gardener who wants to learn to grow his own vegetables, there are certain important gu...
Agriculture is not only limited to commercial farming units. In fact, the majority of agricultural products in Africa are produced by small-scale and emerging farmers. If more people are...
Avital part of crop production is pest control. However, pesticides should be used responsibly to prevent harming farmers, workers, consumers, and the environment. Guidelines for action...
When it relates to agriculture, marketing starts right on the farm, with the planning of production to meet specific market demands and future growth opportunities. It consists of the f...
Shading vegetables Because Namibia’s climate is often warm, shade netting helps most vegetables grow. Shade netting throughout the garden is expensive, so only use it where needed. Mo...
Irrigation methods There is no one-size-fits-all method of irrigating fields that differ in soil, crop size, or crop types. Any location’s best system is the one that can provide appr...
Agriculture relies heavily on soil. As a result, fertiliser is required to replace the nutrients taken from soil by our crops. This replenishment ensures sustainable production of high-q...
Fertile soil provides plants with the nutrients they require to flourish, resulting in nutritious food for humans and animals. Soil fertility is essential to agricultural production, whi...
The stage between sowing and the appearance of the first true leaves is crucial, and many seedlings are lost if conditions are not favourable. Many crops are sown directly in the field o...
It is well known that continuous cultivation of the same crop on the same soil leads to “tired” or “sick soil”, with consequent reduction in yields over time. However, this does ...
Farmers are facing the constant battle of increasing input cost. This is not limited to fertilizer and chemicals, but seed cost has increased exponentially in the last year. W...
Drying is the removal of surface and/ or internal moisture from a product to lower the overall moisture content. There are various methods to dry ginger, each with a different purpose a...
The right location, cultivar, land preparation and cultivation programme are crucial to ensure the best yields, profits, and sustainability of your pecan nut operation. Pecan trees like ...
The annual Namibian Table Grape Competition, hosted by the Namibian Grape Growers Association, was held in Aussenkehr on 9 November 2019. This prestigious event draws great attention ...
Zimbabwe is the largest producer of tobacco in Africa. The plant, also known as the ‘golden leaf’ has been the backbone of the country’s agricultural economy. Tobacco constitutes 3...
Botswana is home to more cattle than people. In recent years, the government has made an effort to encourage agriculture in order to boost the national economy. Many farms are being set ...
Constant attacks are launched against farmers by various vicious pests and plagues. Fortunately, Bayer offers a complete arsenal of weapons for farmers to defend their crops against thes...
The brilliant feature of a Valley centre pivot is that a Valley keeps on going and going, year after year. But what about the new, helpful control technology that is now available that d...
An ongoing concern of tree-lovers is a dreaded pest known as the polyphagous shot hole borer beetle (PSHB). This tiny beetle bores into tree trunks, introducing a fungus that weakens a...
The President of the British Royal Academy, Sir William Crookes, warned that a lack of food security could pose a danger to England and other prosperous nations in the foreseeable future...
In the previous two parts on ancient African foods, we discussed food security in Africa and how ancient food plants that are not cultivated anymore can help to add nutrients to the Afri...
Africa has for a long time suffered from political turmoil, drought, and famine. Climate change badly affects Africa, as it causes weather patterns that are different from what we are us...
Interesting facts became known in Jurie van der Walt’s research on food in ancient cultures. He has published two books, namely The history of food and why we eat it (2020), and We nee...
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. They have also been a very good friend to Botswana’s economy. The diamond industry in Botswana is responsible for most of the job opportunities in ...
Choosing which crop to grow Besides the various grain crops like maize and pearl millet, there are several groups of vegetable crops to choose from. Farmers can consider the following: ...
Soil pH is the measure of acidity and alkalinity in soil chemistry. Plant nutrients are affected by soil pH as the pH controls the nutrient’s chemical form. Knowing the texture of y...
Plants also need to eat. If they are well-nourished, the farmer will reap rich harvests, enabling him to feed the population. The best way to see what your crops need, is to take soil sa...
Agriculture as the backbone of Namibia’s economy has a major role to play in achieving Vision 2030. However, to be able to make a significant contribution towards the growth of the eco...
Chutney is a sweet, tangy condiment that is served with curries, hot and cold meats and savouries. Peach chutney may be prepared from both green and ripe peaches, along with other fru...
Green mangoes with premature soft seeds are suitable for achar or oil pickles. Achar is very popular with a large part of the Southern African population. It is eaten with maize porridge...
Cottage cheese is categorised as a cultured dairy product. It is the product obtained from coagulated milk, cream, partly or wholly skimmed milk, reconstituted (prepared) milk, or a com...
Southern African farmers are well known for the regular economic challenges they have to face. These realities force them to search for new options of surviving and expanding their busin...
A variety of equipment for different methods of fertigation is available in the local trade. The choice lies with the producer on how specialised he wants to operate and which equipment ...
Some irrigation water and fertiliser product combinations can cause detrimental reactions such as corrosion and sedimentation (resulting in blockages). It is therefore recommended that a...
Fertiliser products are available in a water soluble granular, powder or liquid form. The choice between the different types will depend on the storage space available, the available inj...
In this series we discuss the design of irrigation systems for fertigation. Fertigation means the application of dissolved nutrients through an irrigation system. The total or partial re...
There are many advantages to producing your own food. Not everyone can keep livestock, but whether you live on a farm or in a flat in the middle of Johannesburg, you can produce your own...
Tomatoes are used in a variety of ways. Ripe tomatoes are consumed fresh or processed into purée, paste, powder, ketchup (tomato sauce), sauce and soup or canned as whole fruit. The unr...
Irrigation can drastically improve crop production, but only when the correct management principles are applied. Drought is any farmer’s worst nightmare. Irrigating your crops will ...
Soft, even rainfall over a field of uniform soil type will allow water to penetrate (sink into) the soil to a similar depth at each point in the field. Each plant has an equal chance of ...
What happens with water? [caption id="attachment_1183" align="alignnone" width="200"] (Photo by gardeningknowhow.com)[/caption] Plant available water is stored in the soil. Water tha...
Unlike nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), the majority of soils in Africa are historically considered to be rich in potassium (K). However, farmers should keep in mind that not all K exist...
It is important to understand the most fundamental principles of irrigation to become a good farmer. In this series we shall discuss all the steps and general practices to ensure that yo...
More now than ever, engaging in agricultural production requires farmers to fully understand all aspects of their production systems, ensuring that they are meticulous in gathering and c...
With temperatures rising, growers are experiencing increased pest pressure from common insects such as lepidoptera, aphids (aphidoidea), and whiteflies (aleyrodidae). Growers should f...
Soil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fibre cannot be produced. This article forms part of a series to highlight this resource. In this art...
We started with research on an annual fodder sorghum (cultivar Kow Kandy), in the Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone districts of Zambia in 1999/2000,. The Kow Kandy was specifically popular ...
Soil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fibre cannot be produced. The mineral fraction of soils originates mainly from geological material. T...
Soil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fi bre cannot be produced. The mineral fraction of soils originates mainly from geological material...
Soil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fibre cannot be produced. Furthermore, it is often also the most expensive single capital asset of t...
(Image source: unsplash.com by Kelly Sikkema) Soy beans Soy beans dominate the world oilseed production and make up about 50% of the total world oilseed crop. Soy beans are the most im...
Soy paste Soy paste is basically prepared from whole or flaked soy beans and other cereals (wheat, rice, barley) that is fermented, mixed with brine and fermented again to produce a sal...
Better results can be expected if plants are well fed, and protected from extreme temperatures. One of the ways to achieve this is through mulching. Mulching means placing the organic or...
Soy bean oil When soy beans were first processed commercially, the oil was considered as the most valuable component and the defatted soy bean flour as a by-product. But since 1960, the...
The planting season has begun. Most farmers have decided which crop they will plant, and now land preparation is their next focus. This is a key process to successful crop establishment....
Cabbage is one of the most popular vegetables in horticulture. It originated in Europe but is grown around the world today. It is not just high in nutrients but can also be used for medi...
A crop farmer can also harvest the secondary process, namely the processing of oil seeds. African farmers facing current economic realities are searching for new methods to survive and e...
