With the call to increase job opportunities in agriculture, many farmers have been left scratching their heads over the economic implications. But the Schroeders of Mpumalanga have found a winning recipe in coffee production: its high labour component and profitability levels make the crop viable. Lindi Botha visited the mother-and-son team on their farm near Hazyview.
The coffee industry has grown in leaps and bounds as a global coffee culture pushes up demand. It is estimated that more than two billion cups of coffee are consumed globally every day.
With this increasing demand, on-farm prices have remained steady. This justifies the crop’s considerable labour expense, according to Hazyview coffee farmer Wolfgang Schroeder of Shiloh Estates.
He adds that with this high labour component, there is much incentive to develop the coffee industry in South Africa. “Workers get paid per kilogram picked and they all achieve minimum wage plus 50%.”
Coffee farming requires about 2,5 workers/ha in season and one permanent worker for every 3ha throughout the year.
“The price we get for the coffee is good enough to make the high wage bill viable,” says Wolfgang. “It’s an ideal job for women and the elderly because it’s not backbreaking. We also find the women pick the berries more gently.”
COFFEE SHOP
The coffee farm has opened up further opportunities for the Schroeders. Two years ago, they launched a coffee shop on the farm, enabling visitors to taste the very coffee they can see growing from the deck.
Wolfgang’s mother, Mariana Schroeder, who runs the shop, says that when the coffee farm started taking off, they realised there was a need for people to taste the product on-farm.
“We converted an old boathouse next to the farm dam into a small restaurant,” she explains. “Initially, we only sold cake with the coffee, but as we’ve grown in popularity, we’ve expanded the menu.”
The tranquil atmosphere and farm vistas ensure a steady stream of tourists. Mariana adds that the locals have also supported the venture.
AN EARLY SETBACK
The flourishing coffee plantations make it easy to forget that the operation started disastrously.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 08,2019-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 08,2019-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
