Drought has taken him to the depths of depression, destitution and hopelessness, says Naudé Pienaar, Agri North West deputy CEO. However, it has also taught him about the kindness of people, and the 'miracle' that can happen when South Africans join forces to alleviate the plight of farmers caught in the grips of drought.
Agri North West CEO and deputy CEO, Boeta du Toitand Naudé Pienaar, have earned themselves a special place in the hearts of South Africa’s drought- stricken farmers. Their journey of drought support started in 2012/2013, when their own province suffered one of the worst droughts in history.
Naudé is currently still coordinating the delivery of fodder donated to farmers in the Western Cape and Northern Cape by their counterparts in North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
Drought transformed the North West into a barren and desolate landscape, and it is having a similar effect on the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
“These farmers need us to help them as much as we can to stretch out their own supplies, if they still have any. For others, it literally means the difference between life and death for the surviving livestock,” Naudé explains.
Boeta and Naudé were introduced to the effects of the drought the hard way. During the drought in the province, Naudé received a phone call from a farmer who cried on the phone, saying that he was in the process of shooting the few remaining cattle on his farm because there was no other way out.
Other phone calls he remembers were from farmers’ wives painting a bleak picture of their husbands having lost all hope. The devastation affects everyone, he emphasises: farmers, farmworkers and all their families.
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 29 December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 29 December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
