There can be few avocado producers who have been forced to re-establish their orchards on two separate occasions. Kosie Eloff and his son Manie in Limpopo are among them. But rather than merely repeating the exercise, they used it as an opportunity to introduce ridging in some of their orchards and compare the results with non-ridged orchards.
The story begins in 1976, when Kosie’s family were forced to sell part of their avocado farm, Welgevonden, near Morebeng (then Soekmekaar) to government, as it fell under a proposed homeland. In 1991, government gave the Eloffs the option of buying back the land.
Kosie jumped at the opportunity, but then faced the reality of having to re-establish his avocado orchards on this land. No cultivation had taken place in the meantime, and the orchards had become overgrown by black wattle and Lantana.
“It was a huge task, so I needed to borrow money, and I decided to go big. If I was going to go bankrupt, it might as well be for a large amount,” laughs Kosie.
The commercial banks, however, didn’t share his appetite for risk, and not one was willing to grant financing. Eventually, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) agreed to grant him a loan, which he used to establish 90ha of avocados within a year. “By grace, I didn’t go bankrupt and could continue successfully with the avocados,” recalls Kosie. “But then, in 2009, the farm was hit by a hailstorm, and my son Manie and I were unable to harvest a single avocado from 20 000 of the worst-affected trees. Fortunately, the [IDC] was patient, and we managed to re-establish these orchards, too. Today, we have 300ha under avocado trees.”
SOIL PREPARATION
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.