![Opening the doors to finance for SA farmers](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1724048434/articles/uaQvJFDja1724156599905/OPENING-THE-DOORS-TO-FINANCE-FOR-SA-FARMERS.jpg)
Access to adequate financing is essential for the success and growth of agricultural ventures in South Africa. Farmers need capital for equipment, seed, fertiliser and other inputs essential for production.
Additionally, financing is necessary for marketing their produce, which is a critical step before any revenue is earned.
Navigating the complexities of securing agricultural financing can be daunting, but understanding the available options can significantly enhance a farmer’s ability to succeed.
COMMERCIAL BANKS
Commercial banks in South Africa offer specialised agricultural finance products tailored to the needs of farmers and agribusinesses. These products include term loans, revolving credit, and equipment financing. Farmers should approach banks with experience in agricultural lending and enquire about their loan options, interest rates, and eligibility criteria.
The advantages of approaching a commercial bank for finance are the wide range of financial products offered, the extensive resources that established financial institutions have, and the potential for bigger loans.
The disadvantages, however, are that they have stringent eligibility criteria and higher interest rates compared with other sources.
CO-OPERATIVES AND CREDIT UNIONS
Agricultural co-ops and credit unions provide collective financing opportunities and favourable lending terms.
These organisations offer member-exclusive loan programmes and financial services tailored to the agriculture sector. The pros of co-ops and credit unions is that they are member-oriented and potentially offer lower interest rates. They also have financial products tailored to agricultural needs.
The cons are that they are members-only organisations, and they offer smaller loans compared with commercial banks.
MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS
Denne historien er fra August 23, 2024-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
Denne historien er fra August 23, 2024-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
![More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/VBasj4FXZ1725539857303/MORE-FUNDING-NEEDED-TO-FLOODPROOF-OLIFANTS-RIVER.jpg)
More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer recently handed over R14,98 million to the Citrusdal Water Users’ Association.
![Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/1_uL8lGtf1725539759905/ZAMBIA-BURUNDI-AGREE-TO-MAXIMISE-AGRI-POTENTIAL.jpg)
Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential
In a bid to capitalise on the livestock and arable land in Zambia and Burundi, the two countries have agreed in principle to review the existing bilateral trade agreement in agricultural products under memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and to bolster foreign exchange earnings.
![Expanded market brings avocado season success](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/gYsTt7Yxm1725539697707/EXPANDED-MARKET-BRINGS-AVOCADO-SEASON-SUCCESS.jpg)
Expanded market brings avocado season success
The South African avocado industry is making headway in India after gaining market access earlier this year. Supported by the World Avocado Organization (WAO), consumers and food businesses in India are being educated about the health benefits of regular avocado consumption and how best to use this fruit in Indian cuisine.
![Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/hIPDsywUj1725539549374/PLAN-NEEDED-TO-ENHANCE-COMPETITIVENESS-OF-SAS-DECIDUOUS-FRUIT-CANNING-INDUSTRY.jpg)
Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry
Dr Heinrich Jantjies, group risk, safety and security director at Tiger Brands, says the deciduous fruit canning industry has been on a decline in South Africa since 2016. He suggests implementing a Deciduous Fruit Canning Industry Recovery and Competitive Plan to turn the industry around.
![Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/o3E0Gk2-I1725539319019/KRUGERS-MEMORY-LINGERS-IN-HIS-BOEKENHOUTFONTEIN-FARMHOUSES.jpg)
Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses
Lucille Davie visits Kedar Heritage Lodge in North West to see the farmhouses Paul Kruger owned.
![From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/KXiU5nzQP1725539052607/FROM-STREET-ART-TO-FEATS-OF-ENGINEERING-BRISTOL-HAS-IT-ALL.jpg)
From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all
Brian Berkman visits the vibrant UK port city of Bristol and says two days are not enough to explore renowned graffiti artist Banksy's hometown and pop in at all the historical taverns.
![Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/CMdKpFFox1725538948378/MANAGING-BROODMARES-AND-FOALS-PROFITABLY-AND-SAFELY.jpg)
Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely
Broodmares and their foals are at high risk of stress, diseases and injuries if their management is suboptimal, says Dr Mac.
![Double cab's leisure features find favour](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/EdKvhkQ4V1725538815110/DOUBLE-CABS-LEISURE-FEATURES-FIND-FAVOUR.jpg)
Double cab's leisure features find favour
The GWM P500 2.0T HEV 4x4 Super Luxury AT has launched in South Africa, and the bakkie takes aim at the more premium, leisure-focused offerings from rival brands. Car Magazine's Marius Boonzaier writes.
![More fungal diseases that can infect beans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/hGxapspAW1725538716535/MORE-FUNGAL-DISEASES-THAT-CAN-INFECT-BEANS.jpg)
More fungal diseases that can infect beans
Bill Kerr explains the symptoms of angular leaf spot and anthracnose and how to avoid infection in your fields.
![Keeping invasive insects at bay](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/sCJt3-9so1725538531021/KEEPING-INVASIVE-INSECTS-AT-BAY.jpg)
Keeping invasive insects at bay
Featuring an array of delicious fruit from peaches to cherries, stone fruit is attractive to a variety of bugs that can be effectively controlled with integrated pest management, writes Zunel van Eeden.