Farmer's Inside Track

South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry thrives on the dynamic partnership between Culdevco and Cultipowered, blending cutting-edge research with meaningful upliftment for growers across the board.
In this episode, Culdevco’s general manager, Mishkaat Anderson, reveals how they commercialise ARC-bred cultivars like Ruby Sun stone fruit and Cheeky pears, emphasising profitability, climate adaptability, disease resistance, and low-input sustainability for superior export performance. Dr Konanani Liphadzi, Cultipowered chair, highlights how they are reinvesting royalties, via their 51% stake, into equitable access, rural infrastructure, bursaries, and capacity-building to transform the fruit industry inclusively.

In this episode, we speak with Steven Francis, CEO and founder of Franchising Made Easy, about how farmers can move beyond production to become successful agripreneurs. Francis shares practical strategies for adding value to farm produce, diversifying crops, and accessing both local and export markets.
He explains how farmers can see themselves as CEOs of their own farms, adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, and identify opportunities for fast-moving crops to strengthen cash flow. Listeners will gain insight into using market information and pricing tools, building farm management and technical skills, and preparing produce for premium markets through effective branding.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Francois Fourie, a farmer and irrigation designer, shares his expertise in precision irrigation. He explains how he turned a small demonstration unit near Polokwane into a fully operational farm, using Netafim’s advanced drip irrigation systems and fertiliser dosing technologies. Francois discusses how these irrigation innovations optimise water use, improve crop yields, and provide practical insights for farmers looking to implement precision irrigation on their own farms.

In this episode, Pholisa Bidla, a livestock farmer managing a successful meat operation in the Eastern Cape, operates entirely from her home in Gauteng. From helping her family care for a small herd of cattle as a child to taking full responsibility for the farm after the loss of her parents and brother, she shares her journey, challenges, and hard-earned lessons.
Bidla discusses everything from breeding programmes, veterinary care, and biosecurity to the importance of strong relationships with neighbours, employees, and the department of agriculture.
She also offers practical advice for new farmers entering the livestock industry.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, crop scientist and agronomist Dikgang Molebatsi shares practical insights on building and maintaining soil organic matter for healthier, more resilient farms. He explains what soil organic matter is, why carbon is critical for fertility, and how factors such as tillage, residue management, cover crops, and livestock impact soil health.
Dikhang also discusses the role of climate change, composting, crop rotations, and emerging innovations in boosting organic matter, improving water retention, and enhancing nutrient cycling. Tune in to learn how to sustain soil life, increase crop productivity, and create a long-term, self-sustaining farming system.