Donkeys
Introduction Donkeys can play a vital role in the economy. As a result of the droughts the number of donkeys used for cultivation and transport has increased dramatically. In the southern part of Africa donkey use is on the increase and liable to remain at high levels for the foreseeable future. Donkeys are utilised throughout […]
Dairy processing
Introduction “Milk producers” are milk farmers. “Milk processors” buy milk from producers and process it for the retail market. Some role players, of course, are both and are termed producer-distributors in the annual Lacto data publication by the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO). The reader will find some of these listed under the “Companies involved” heading. In order to […]
Dairy cattle farming
Introduction South Africa’s dairy industry compares favourably with the world’s top dairy industries in farming methods and processing of dairy products. Although dairy farming occurs throughout South Africa, it is concentrated in the coastal provinces, with 86,1% of production coming from the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape (MPO, 2025). In January 2025 there […]
Baking
Introduction Bread is the second most important supplier of energy (kilojoules) in the South African diet after maize products. Apart from bread, bakers also produce other products like biscuits, pies and pizzas. Local business environment South Africa manufactured 3 182 976 tons of wheaten products in the months October 2023 – October 2024. SA imported […]
Abattoirs and the meat industry
Introduction Natural progression from live animal to carcass to meat: Animals are transported, offloaded and kept for slaughter in a manner that does not involve unnecessary pain. Clean water is provided continuously. Depending on the time they have to wait for slaughtering, food, in accordance with their needs, is provided. The animals are handled in […]
Small and micro milling
Introduction The small and micro milling category is defined as milling which has a capacity of up to 5 tons per hour (micro) and 1 ton per hour (small). There are growth opportunities within the milling industry, both locally and in relation to exports to neighbouring SADC countries. Due to relatively low start up and […]
“Energy farmer”, wins R100 000 funding for project
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Thabang Mabapa was announced the winner of the “business pitch challenge” at an event held in Mamelodi, Pretoria, over the weekend. His Limpopo-based project, Selokong Sa Dimelana, involves engaging local small-scale farmers to grow castor seed crops. This is used for the commercial production of an alternative biofuel. Mabapa […]
West Coast media trip: part 2 (Moutonshoek and Verlorenvlei)
The dust brought up the rear as the two buses came to a halt outside the furtherest buildings on Klein Namaquafontein, one of the farms making up the Moutonshoek Protected Environment.
West Coast media trip: part 3 (Elandsbaai)
The sight of the sea greeted me in the morning, that great mirror of something forgotten within ourselves, about ourselves …
Threats, challenges and opportunities: youth and agriculture
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog As the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has set out in its 5-million jobs document, youth excluded from the labour force for long periods are deprived of on-the-job learning opportunities – and no-one learns as fast as youth. The International Labour Organisation estimates that between 80 to 100 million youth worldwide […]