Ever heard of the Newton Apple, Northern Spy, Pomme de Neige, and Cox Orange Pippen? These are but a few of the near-lost apple varieties that are preserved in Tru-Cape’s Heritage Orchard on Oak Valley Estate in Grabouw, of which…
Over the past ten years, Hortgro’s pome and stone fruit growers have strategically invested in key export markets through continuous long-term market development campaigns. These efforts aim to put South African deciduous fruit firmly in the saddle as a world…
Omgewingsaktiviste is lief daarvoor om Landbou oor die gebruik van gifstowwe aan te vat, ’n sektor waarin besonders hoë veiligheidstandaarde geld. Die probleem lê veel eerder by onwettige ‘straatgifstowwe’. Veral in informele nedersettings is mense oningelig en onbewus van die…
The Transnet strike might be over, but the fruit industry is not out of the woods yet and the aftermath will be felt by all in the value chain for many weeks to come, but mostly on ground level by…
The deciduous fruit industry calls on all agricultural stakeholders to ensure the dignity and safety of agri workers when people are being transported. Stakeholders need to inform themselves of legislation and follow good practice guidelines. This is a serious matter…
Words by Wiehann Steyn I recently had the opportunity to spend a week in each of Japan, Australia and Ethiopia. The XIII International Plant Bioregulator Symposium held in Chiba near Tokyo was very well attended by South Africans. This should…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp Agricultural transformation and landownership have been serious political issues since the fall of apartheid. Over the years several programmes and projects were initiated, but transformation seemed like an optical illusion. It was there, yet it was absent…
The South African stone fruit industry has lost one of its most dedicated champions with the passing of Grant Smuts, Hortgro Stone Director and esteemed Robertson stone fruit producer. Grant was more than a leader in our sector — he…
Text: Elise-Marie Steenkamp The era of big data is upon us. And it is not just a fad, but will colour how we grow and guide business in future, says Carol Swarts Manager of Agri-Hub – the fresh fruit industry’s…
Nog ’n groep produksiebestuurders het hulle sertifikate ontvang na hulle leierskapsontwikkelingskursus wat deur Hortgro aangebied en deur Mazars gefasiliteer is. Dit is die tweede groep wat vanjaar die kursus voltooi het. Altesaam 16 produksiebestuurders van verskeie plase het aan die…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp In an attempt to facilitate a safe, protected and secure agricultural environment and farming community, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDA) shared a 12-point rural safety action plan at a recent stakeholder engagement session. This action…
By Grethe Bestbier At the start of a new year, many people reflect on the successes and failures of the past. For two of Stellenbosch University’s researchers, their successes were rewarded with research excellence awards. Prof Pia Addison and Prof…