The serenity and calm of the Mahela citrus orchard in Letsitele, Limpopo, at dawn belies the full-scale war that is taking place on the farm. Among the branches of this lush and verdant orchard, a silent fight for survival is unfolding as armies of predatory insects stand primed to sniff out their prey, invade and kill their adversaries. Behold nature’s avengers: guardians of the harvest, maintainers of the natural balance and those that ensure farms will keep producing for years to come.
Eddie Vorster, director of Mahela, is one of a growing group of farmers turning to biocontrols to ward off pests in their orchards. These predatory insects, parasites and beneficial microorganisms come without the detrimental effects on eco-systems that result from using synthetic chemical pesticides. Furthermore, farmers are able to comply with food safety regulations while protecting their crops, since these natural solutions don’t leave chemical residues that could keep the produce out of the market.
A PEST-SPECIFIC SOLUTION
Bio-controls also appeal to farmers wanting to maintain biodiversity to extract the full benefit of an eco-system in harmony. Since the biocontrols are pest-specific, farmers don’t risk wiping out other insects on the farm as they would when using chemical pesticides. An added benefit is that bio-controls offer another tool to combat pests so that solutions can be alternated, thereby eliminating resistance build-up.
Bio-control uptake has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years. According to research conducted by AGNews, the global bio-control market is estimated to be worth US$5 billion, with an annual growth trajectory of 17%. The US and Europe represent over 65% of the bio-controls market, while Latin America has the fastest growth rate.
Denne historien er fra 17 May 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra 17 May 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.
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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.
