Farmer's Inside Track Food For Mzansi

The West Rand district in Gauteng is facing the imminent closure of regional gold mines, highlighting an urgent need for economic diversification and rehabilitation of post-mining environments.
 
Bokamoso Ba Rona was established by the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA), Sibanye Stillwater, the Far West Rand Dolomitic Water Association, and the West Rand District Municipality in response to this pressing need.
 
This initiative aims to deploy more than 30 000 hectares of privately owned land in the West Rand for intensive agriculture development.
 
Noxolo Mthembu, project manager at GIFA, Jurgens Kühl, head of advisory and management at CAPIC, and Craig Murrell, head of rural development and advisory services at Agri SA Enterprises, share more details.
 

The application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is crucial for decision-making in banking.
 
In this episode, we delve into the use of GIS at Land Bank, and how it aids in expanding their customer base, effectively managing its database, and benefitting farmers.
 
Alec Azar, general manager for agricultural technical support at Land Bank, joins us to explain how GIS is utilised in banking and its benefits.
 

In this episode, we delve into the world of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in cattle. Discover the economic impact of these diseases in cattle herds and learn about their transmission and symptoms.
 
Dr Geoff Brown, reproductive specialist and owner of Brestbed, shares management practices, diagnostic methods, the effectiveness of vaccines, and dispel myths about their transmission to humans.

South Africa’s agricultural sector boasts a wealth of data that could revolutionise the sector. However, accessing and using this data is a major hurdle.
 
In this episode, we explore this critical yet often overlooked issue with David Jeromin, director of business development at IQ Logistica. He shares how Farmers Friend is tackling these challenges head-on, empowering growers to unlock the true potential of their data.

When North West farmer and businessman, Ben Otukile, patiently sat in his car for over an hour for this interview, he demonstrated the level of dedication and commitment that characterises his agricultural and mining empire.
 
This A-student heads up Otukile and Sons Farming, an enterprise that cultivates maize, soybeans, dry beans, and sunflowers. But his operation based in Licthenburg, North West is not limited to crops and livestock.
 
He also owns and manages Otukile and Sons (Pty) Ltd, a 100% black-owned company specialising in engineering asset management solutions for the mining sector. This is part one of his interview featured in our farmer mentor podcast. 

At the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba, Food For Mzansi interviewed the team from Agri Skills Transfer, who shared their highlights and key takeaways.
 
In this episode, we explore the significance of agricultural education, key challenges, and opportunities in the sector.
 
Additionally, Shaun Welmans, Chief Operating Officer at Agri Skills Transfer, shares his aspirations for agricultural education, particularly within the current landscape of the industry.