Deciduous fruit
Pome fruit (apples, pears) and Stone fruit (peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots)
Cut flowers
Introduction South Africa has a diverse and highly suitable natural environment for the production of flowers. Indoor and outdoor production occurs across differing climactic regions of South Africa. Most commonly produced products include Roses, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Proteas, Foliage, Gypsophila, Limonium and a wide range of seed grown flowers e.g. Lisianthus, Delphinium, Helianthus, Limonium, Grasses, Craspedia, […]
Citrus Fruit
Oranges, soft citrus, grapefruit, and lemons and limes
Berries and exotic fruit
Introduction Berry farming is capital intensive and export orientated. It is also labour intensive, and so has been championed as a crop of national interest by government for its employment and earner of foreign exchange potential. Berries are sold as fresh produce, and so the post harvest process from the field to the customer plays […]
Tobacco
Introduction The tobacco plant is a member of the same botanical family as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplants. Tobacco does well in poorer soils, providing farmers with a welcome alternative crop. In many cases, tobacco provides a higher income than any other smallholder crop. As a crop, it fits well into environmentally friendly rotations: growing […]
Sugarcane
Introduction Sugarcane is cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates in areas with a plentiful supply of water. Approximately 800mm per annum is needed for a successful crop. Lower rainfall than this leads to difficult times for the industry. There is a vast global market for sugarcane derivatives. These are prevalent in the modern diet both […]
Honeybush
Introduction Like rooibos, honeybush is a uniquely South African herbal tea. It is made from the leaves and stems of the indigenous Cyclopia shrub that grows naturally in specific fynbos regions in an area ranging from Piketberg in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The 23 known honeybush species – all […]
Chicory
Introduction Chicory (Cichorium intybus), a member of the sunflower family, produces a large tapered root which has been used for many years for its beneficial effect on the human digestive system (the health benefits of chicory were documented on the website www.chicory.co.za). It grows for seven or eight months before being harvested and defoliated. Roots […]
Cassava
Introduction Find the “Production Guidelines: Cassava” document at www.nda.gov.za. Cassava is a woody shrub with an edible root, which grows all year round. It is found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Compared with grains, cassava tolerates poor soils and is more resistant to drought, pests and diseases. It has limited labour requirements. […]
Beekeeping
Introduction Honeybee products include honey, bee-collected pollen, royal jelly, wax, and health supplements. Honey and wax go beyond the food market and are used in large quantities in the manufacture of beauty products, candles, lipstick, medicine, herbal tea and chewing gum. Honey is a natural anti-oxidant and can, for example, be used to extend the […]