As South African farmers, we face growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and embrace sustainable practices. South Africa is one of the world’s most carbon-intensive agricultural producers, emitting over 1,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) for every $1 million in agricultural exports. Globally, agriculture contributes 18.4% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Key culprits include fossil fuel use for machinery, …

As extreme weather events grow more common, South African farmers face a pressing challenge: producing high-yield maize crops while keeping soil healthy and resilient. In this context, sustainable agriculture practices have become critical to the survival and profitability of grain farmers in South Africa. Cultivating maize while keeping soil healthy and resilient demands more than traditional fertilisation; it requires integrated …

With global concerns over the environmental impact of chemical fertilisers mounting, farmers and researchers are turning towards alternative solutions rooted in nature. One such solution gaining traction is kelp, a marine plant with a long history of use in various cultures around the world. Kelp fertiliser shows promise and potential in South Africa and around the world. The cons of chemical …

In agriculture, where every gram of yield matters, farmers are constantly on the lookout for innovative solutions to enhance productivity and crop quality. One such solution that has garnered attention in recent years is triacontanol, a natural plant growth regulator. Here’s how to use triacontanol on plants and the benefits of doing so. What is triacontanol? Triacontanol, a long-chain fatty alcohol, …

Diseases and pests are among the major constraints to agricultural production worldwide. These problems have been further exacerbated by mono-cropping production systems in response to the increased food demands of an ever-expanding population. As a result, most commercial farmers have resorted to excessive chemical use to manage diseases and pests. The indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides not only poses risks …

It’s responsible for giving brown sugar its flavour and colour; it adds aroma, colour, and wonderful chew to cookie batters and provides thickness to baked beans, marinades and sauces. You may be aware that molasses has many uses in the culinary world, but did you know that fermented molasses has myriad benefits in farming for both crops and soil health? …

An article by agronomic consultant Jim Pingrey printed in the July 2023 issue of the Acres U.S.A. magazine proposes that “soil health is essential for a resilient plant, but we can also ramp up plant resilience and aid in building soil health by applying timely foliar sprays”. In recent times, foliar feeding has become accepted as an essential aspect of …

As a grower or farmer, you may constantly be dosing your system with extra nutrients in the hopes that your plants will thrive. But each nutrient has a specific role to play, and you need to understand how the seven micronutrients work to optimise crop production, promote sustainable agriculture, and achieve economic benefits. What are micronutrients? Nutrients can be macronutrients …