Olives
Introduction Olive products are olive oil and table olives. Harvesting can be done mechanically or by hand. The latter yields a better product but is more labour intensive. Olive farming is a long-term investment, with a return on investment only showing four to five years after planting. The climate in the Western Cape is ideal […]
Mushrooms and truffles
Introduction Fungiculture is the process of producing food, medicine and other products by the cultivation of mushrooms and other fungi (like truffles). Unlike plants which depend on the sun, mushrooms rely on their growing medium for food and energy. Examples of this food-and-energy source are compost, mulched hay, sawdust and wood chips. Four important mushroom […]
Indigenous food crops
Introduction Indigenous food crops refer to crops that have their origin in South Africa. Added to these crops are those that were introduced into the country and are now recognised as naturalised or traditional crops. These crops are produced and found growing in the country under various weather conditions with many found in the wild. […]
Fruit – general
See also the citrus fruit, deciduous fruit, subtropical fruit, table grapes, berries and exotic fruit, and olives pages.
Floriculture and nursery crops
Introduction Floriculture, or flower farming, is a discipline of horticulture concerned with the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens and for floristry, comprising the floral industry. The development plant breeding of new varieties is a major occupation of floriculturists. Floriculture crops include bedding plants, flowering plants, foliage plants or houseplants, cut cultivated greens, […]
Rabbits
Introduction The area required for an economic unit is fairly small. A plot or even a comparatively large town property (regulations permitting) is suitable. Rabbits compare favourably with other animals as converters of vegetable feed to meat. To produce 1 kg live mass meat, the rabbit only requires 3,5 kg vegetable feed. The reproduction potential […]
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 […]