Toyota/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year 2022
Farmer's Weekly|Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
With the slew of challenges currently facing the agriculture sector, taking on farming as a career is a daunting prospect. Hannes Wolvaardt, Toyota/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year 2022, a first-generation farmer, shows what can be achieved by courage, discipline, hard work and attention to detail. He spoke to Magda du Toit.
Magda du Toit
Toyota/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year 2022

In 2011, Wolvaardt and his brother, Riaan, started farming peppers on 3ha of rented land near Letsitele in the La Cotte region of Limpopo, using borrowed implements and a small car.

Today, the Wolvaardt brothers farm peppers, tomatoes and citrus (lemons and Star Ruby grapefruit) on 102ha. Wolvaardt has twice been elected Limpopo Young Farmer of the Year, and in November last year was announced as the 2022 Toyota/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year.

He recently spoke to Farmer's Weekly about his farming methods, his challenges, his plans for the future, and his advice for other farmers. 

How do you and Riaan plan your operation?

We work backwards from our goals, establishing what we need to achieve those goals. We focus on what the market requires and then go to the drawing board to determine how to produce a quality product. Budgeting is a crucial part of our business and we do our utmost to stay within our annual budget limits.

Are there any specific farming opportunities that you would like to pursue?

Over the past couple of years, we've focused on growth and expansion. We're now in a phase of consolidation and strengthening our base. We currently have a more vertical focus and are looking at effectiveness and efficiency. Having said that, we're entrepreneurs, so if an opportunity knocks, who knows?

Is there anything about your operation that you'd like to change?

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023-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.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023-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.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS FARMER'S WEEKLYAlle anzeigen
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
Farmer's Weekly

Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid

A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
IPM requires a completely different mindset
Farmer's Weekly

IPM requires a completely different mindset

You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Farmer's Weekly

Does parrot farming protect wild species?

Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Farmer's Weekly

Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic

Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
Farmer's Weekly

Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming

The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farmer's Weekly

Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms

Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
Farmer's Weekly

The impact of theft on farms in South Africa

A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
Farmer's Weekly

Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze

John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Farmer's Weekly

Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month

Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.

time-read
1 min  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
Farmer's Weekly

SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'

The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024