Farmer's Inside Track

In this episode, we explore how agro-processing can help South African farmers diversify income, add value to their produce, and build resilient businesses.

Agro-processing expert Martin Boima shares practical advice on food safety, product testing, labelling compliance, and establishing shelf life, while highlighting common pitfalls and tips for starting small and scaling gradually. Whether you’re a small-scale farmer considering value-added products or simply curious about the food value chain, this episode offers essential guidance for turning raw produce into profitable, market-ready goods.

Lesedi Moseki, an agricultural economist and founder of iGroVest Group, discusses building a niche agribusiness from the ground up. From leaving formal employment just before lockdown to starting castor bean production with virtually no capital, Lesedi shares the realities of agripreneurship.
He unpacks why farming is not a quick path to wealth, why emerging farmers should explore untapped and scalable niche markets, and how collaboration can help build sustainable, black-owned agricultural industries.

This conversation offers practical insight for farmers looking to diversify, innovate and grow beyond traditional commodities.

South African wine's vine-to-bottle journey thrives on fair labour, yet gaps in training and awareness leave seasonal harvesters and staff vulnerable to grey areas in rights and responsibilities. The Wieta Labour Desk closes this divide with hands-on sessions, a support hotline, and practical capacitation, turning legal theory into daily empowerment across the value chain.
In this episode, Wieta programmes manager Chirstone Hornsby and labour coordinator Abraham Daniels share how the desk unites unions, producers, and brands to deliver payslip breakdowns, health safety know-how, and responsible rights usage, especially during harvest influxes.

By fostering dialogue over directives, the Labour Desk builds a resilient workforce, allowing the industry to harvest success with a clear conscience.

For decades, farmworkers in the wine industry laboured in silence, unsure of their rights and excluded from decisions that shaped their lives. Through the DONUTS programme, Fairtrade Africa has invested R12 million to bridge the gap between management and labour. By prioritising skills development and human rights, the initiative has turned vulnerable workers into confident leaders, proving that sustainable wine starts with empowered people. Discover how respect and education can transform a harvest.

Water scarcity in South Africa is one of agriculture’s biggest challenges. In this episode, Marco Appel, agricultural economist at Netafim Southern and East Africa, explains how precision irrigation and smart water management can reduce costs, boost farm profitability, and treat water as a strategic asset. Learn practical tips to improve water use efficiency and maximise every drop on your farm.