Farmer's Inside Track

Eastern Cape commercial vegetable farmer and Bayi Holdings founder Inga Qeja shares how a spinach harvest during the Covid-19 lockdown sparked his journey into commercial farming. He reflects on building his business from the ground up, expanding into multiple crops, and overcoming major setbacks, including crop losses and infrastructure failures.

Drawing inspiration from the book “Think and Grow Rich”, Inga speaks on resilience and the reality that agriculture demands persistence over profit. He also highlights his commitment to mentoring rural farmers through knowledge-sharing and local initiatives.

We explore how farmers can assess and manage pasture health with expert guidance from the ARC. Learn why annual field condition assessments are crucial, how to calculate field condition scores, and practical tips to optimise grazing, improve livestock nutrition, and maintain sustainable rangelands year-round.

Join us as we speak with Lesedi Serapelwane, a third-generation farmer leading her family’s commercial farm in the Kalahari. She shares her journey from media to agriculture, the challenges of farming in harsh conditions, and the importance of adaptability, mentorship, and community. Lesedi also discusses empowering young farmers, especially women, through her Morakeng Farm Camp, and offers insights on leadership, resilience, and building a lasting legacy in agriculture.

Fairtrade Africa has created a space where farmworkers speak directly to management. In this episode, we learn how the Dignified Opportunities Nurtured through Trade and Sustainability (DONUTS) programme brings workers, unions, and employers into the same room, bridging the gap between labour law and the reality on the ground.

The initiative transforms workers from passive recipients into active stakeholders, empowering them to speak their truth and lead from within.

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.