Rural insight

Minister Nkwinti’s suggestion that 50% of farms be transferred to farm workers, ignores empowerment strategies championed by organised agriculture and is a departure from the land reform model proposed in government’s National Development Plan.

Knowledge is the foundation of any enterprise, says Free State farmer Michael Ramoholi. The knowledge he gained from participating in Grain SA’s study groups and agricultural courses contributed to his success as a producer, he told Annelie Coleman.

Judging by participants’ comments, the second Farmer’s Weekly tour to Argentina was as successful as last year’s. The South Africans and Zimbabweans who accompanied FW journalist Lloyd Phillips learned much about the country’s agriculture.

For much of the South African population, destitution and undernourishment are everyday realities. In Johannesburg, a project has been established to curb food insecurity through community agricultural centres across the city. Stanley Karombo visited one such centre in Orange Farm.

William Rogers immigrated to the Eastern Cape a century ago, bought Hathersage farm in 1926, and began farming Merinos. Today the farm belongs to Richard – William’s grandson – and Jenni Rogers, and wool is still the family’s livelihood. Heather Dugmore paid a visit to Hathersage.

Barkly East is better known for its breathtaking highland beauty than its farm attacks. But two recent incidents have sent shockwaves through the community. Mike Burgess assesses the impact the violence has had on the platteland community.

The Nooitgedachter, SA’s first ‘indigenous’ horse breed, was developed by the department of agriculture at the Nooitgedacht Research Station near Ermelo. Mike Burgess visited Braam Olivier’s farm for a closer look at this breed forged by centuries of exposure to African conditions.

Since 2000, warrant officer Duma Maseyimani from the SA Police Service’s Aliwal North stock theft unit in the Eastern Cape has made over 300 arrests and helped secure more than 270 convictions. Mike Burgess visited him to understand why he is so successful at cracking cases.

Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year for 2013, Kolie Paulse, has an unwavering commitment and passion for his work. This has seen him advance from a general labourer to a farm manager and irrigation specialist.

The Kukung family has farmed on communal land in Kgabalatsane village for more than six decades. Patrick and Benny Kukung explain to Peter Mashala how the village’s communal farming system has deteriorated.

Peering over the fence to see how the farmer next door is doing is a temptation few can resist. Recently a group of 16 American farmers visited South Africa. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to them about American trends and comparisons with South Africa.

CEO of the Rhys Evans Group (Grain SA’s 2013 Grain Producer of the Year), Anthony Evans, says land reform is the industry’s main problem.