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?
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
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
