In the many years I have spent running development and skills transferral projects in communal farming areas, I have noticed a distinct problem that occurs across vast expanses of these areas, and this relates to a lack of handling or loading facilities where livestock can be viewed, sorted, and loaded by prospective buyers or agents. The same counts for facilities needed to process and market crops and vegetable produce.
Essentially, you can produce good quality livestock, but if buyers are expected to struggle while processing and later loading your livestock because of poor or non-existent facilities, there will ultimately be two detrimental outcomes. Firstly, reputable buyers will stop buying in your village, and secondly, buyers prepared to struggle under these circumstances (often being unscrupulous buyers) will often pay you way less than what your livestock is actually worth on the open market.
Denne historien er fra October 20, 2023-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra October 20, 2023-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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Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
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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
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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
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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.