Insect predators and the upskilling of a rural community in Letsitele
Farmer's Weekly|Farmer's Weekly 6+13 January 2023
New industries require new expertise, and this gives people a chance to expand their skills. Karel van Heerden, CEO of Insectec, spoke to Lindi Botha about how the niche insect-breeding industry is creating fulfilling employment for the people of a small town in Limpopo, and changing their lives for the better.
Lindi Botha
Insect predators and the upskilling of a rural community in Letsitele

Insectec, near the small town of Letsitele in Limpopo, is the largest insectary in the Southern Hemisphere, and produces natural insect predators of citrus pests. Insectec has to nurture these predators with the very pests they will ultimately eliminate in the orchard. Ironically, therefore, these pests are also bred and fed. This is done with butternuts (supplied by farmers in the area), which supply both a food source and breeding environment.

Each step in the system needs to be followed diligently and meticulously to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that farmers receive the highest-quality live product that will do what is promised: reduce pest infestation in orchards. The processes involved in breeding insects require a unique set of skills, but as the industry is still in its infancy both locally and internationally, there are no tertiary institutions that provide training to breed the insects in the way that Insectec does: intensively and in large quantities.

Hiring the right staff for these tasks requires finding people who are willing to learn. In turn, people are given opportunities for upliftment through gaining niche skills. Such expertise is set to be in high demand as farmers increasingly look to biological methods of pest control.

According to Karel van Heerden, CEO of Insectec, the company introduces constant innovation to improve production methods.

“Everything Insectec has achieved so far has been based on research and trials. Minimum input with maximum output is always more cost-effective, and optimal training is imperative to achieving this.”

FAST FACTS

この記事は Farmer's Weekly の Farmer's Weekly 6+13 January 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Farmer's Weekly の Farmer's Weekly 6+13 January 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

FARMER'S WEEKLYのその他の記事すべて表示
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 分  |
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 分  |
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 分  |
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 分  |
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 分  |
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 分  |
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 分  |
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 分  |
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 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024