Nico Laubscher and his sons, Nico Jr and Sybrand, farm wine grapes and cucumbers at Alzanne Boerdery near Vredendal on the Cape West Coast. “We’re always searching for ways to improve things on the farm, and we turned our attention to renewable energy in 2020,” says Laubscher.
He adds that farmers are increasingly focusing on reducing their carbon footprint to remain sustainable.
“Vredendal is known for its many sunny days, and we thought solar energy might be a good option to explore in this regard. After making a few phone calls, we were introduced to Paul Kotze of Solar Energy Architects in Cape Town, who came out to our farm to do an evaluation for us. He confirmed something we’d already suspected: solar could work for us. However, we didn’t have enough roof space on our farm buildings to install the required number of solar panels.”
Laubscher says at that stage they were also considering plans to construct additional cooling facilities, which would have solved the problem regarding the lack of roof space, but they were concerned about the potential theft of the solar panels, as these buildings would be further away from the family’s immediate working and living spaces.
Denne historien er fra November 19, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra November 19, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
