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Plaastoe! UITGAWE 27 | R45.00 (BTW ingelsuit) | NamibiĂŤ N$45.00

ALLES PLAAS

Hydroponics The highs and lows

What to feed your pets Slaan munt uit tonnels Maak meer geld met wol Even in drought there is beauty Transforming Agribusiness through tech LekkerBekkig: die Pasta Prinses Bonnievale en Wandsbeck skud blad op toekoms Farmer gets citrus production up by 40% and bolsters workersâ€™ empowerment

T O P R E O B PROMOSIE

INHOUDSOPGAWE

BROKKIES Lees meer oor nuuswaardige gebeure van die afgelope maand of twee.

TONNELBESPROEI MET SUKSES Felix Reinders van die Landbounavorsingsraad gesels oor verskillende tipes besproeiing in tonnels en hoe dit produksie beïnvloed.

BONNIEVALE EN WANDSBECK WYNE SKUD BLAD ’n Nuwe wynmaatskappy word gevorm met groot beloftes vir die toekoms en die wynbedryf.

CITRUS PRODUCTION UP BY 40% A top South African citrus producer increases production whilst bolstering successful blackworkers’ economic empowerment programme.

TRANSFORMING AFRICAN AGRIBUSINESS WITH TECH We take a look at the landscape of small farms in South Africa and how tech can transform, not only their business, but also food security in Africa.

WOLSKAPE: SKAKEL OOR NA DIE PRODUKSIE VAN WOLSKAPE Wolskaapboerdery is tans op ’n hoogtepunt. Baie boere wil daarna oorslaan. Ons kyk na verskillende opsies en wat dit behels.

GARDEN Hydroponics: A brief history and an introduction of how it all works, and the different hydroponic systems.

FOOD RELATED ISSUES IN DOGS AND CATS You are what you eat, is not only applicable to humans. Even more so in animals. Dr Joan Kleynhans Jordaan talks about the food animals eat and how it impacts on their health.

LEKKERBEKKIG: DIE PASTA PRINSES Dis orals so warm dat die gedagte van vleis mens amper dwars in die krop steek. LekkerBekkig vertel hoe om self pasta te maak en deel ’n paar lekker resepte en stories.

EVEN IN DROUGHT THERE IS BEAUTY Agritourism can be a source of income even in times when the heavens do not open. Jacqui Taylor from Agri-tourism SA.

INHOUD

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ie jaar het afgeskop, en so ook reën wat plek-plek in die binneland begin val. Die Suid-Oos is laat hierdie jaar en klimaatsverandering begin meer en meer sy effek afstempel. Dit laat mens wonder of die plantseisoen in die binneland ook moontlik aangeskuif het, en of dit ’n eenmalige gebeurtenis is? Boere sowel as die saad en meganisasie maatskappy moet dalk oorweeg om die seisoen aan te pas.

REDAKSIE

In hierdie uitgawe van Plaastoe kyk ons na 'n vorm van boerdery wat juis op water gebaseer is en ironies genoeg water kan spaar oor die langtermyn. Hidroponika is al bekend aan die mensdom vanaf die tye van die hangende tuine van Babilon. Dit het egter baie ontwikkel en daar bestaan verskeie tipes daarvan. Ons gesels in die tuinkolom oor die geskiedenis en ook toepassings van hidroponika. Verder kyk ons na die besproeiings aspek daarvan in ’n artikel geskryf deur Felix Reinders van die LNR.

Ek dink al die polemiek rondom politiek gaan ons mal maak teen die tyd wat die verkiesings kom. Dis baie meer produktief om vir voorbeelde te soek waar transformasie wérk (al klink dit soos ’n teenstrydigheid), wins verhoog en transformasie verbeter. Ons praat meer oor só geval in die sitrusbedryf. Gepraat van transformasie. Kleinboere in Afrika en tegnologie sowel as ontwikkeling is nie iets wat jy sommer maklik in een sin aantref nie. Nog minder in die werklikheid. Ons gesels met SAP en kyk hoe hulle stelsels voedselsekuriteit in Afrika kan help, en hoe dit toegepas word in Suid Afrika. Verder bekyk ons die wolskaapbedryf van nader en praat oor hoe boere na hierdié winsgewende vorm van boerdery kan omskakel. Nie net mense word beïnvloed deur wat hulle eet nie. Sowel honde as katte se siektes hou ook verband met wat in hulle bekke gesit word. Ons plaaslike veearts Dr Joan Kleynhans Naude is terug op haar pos en gesels meer oor dié onderwerp. Ons plaas ook ’n kort artikel oor bek-en-klou-seer en hoe biosekuriteit die enigste uitkoms is oor die langtermyn. LekkerBekkig het op haar reise die Pasta Prinses van Papendorp ontmoet en skryf oor die mooi vrou se gedagtes, pasta en plaaslike basaars. Nou maar toe, laat ons die kop lig en die jaar vierkantig in die oë kyk. Ons volgende uitgawe is in April en dan is dit al weer tyd vir bietjie rus. In die tussentyd wederom en moenie skroom om vir ons julle mooi stories te stuur nie.

Redakteur Marlene Bramley: 083 600 5110 marlene@plaastoe.co.za Skrywers Dale Barber Marlene Bramley Jacqui Taylor Felix Reinders Joan Kleynhans-Naude LekkerBekkig Ontwerp Sonnel Grobbelaar Taalversorger Izelle Roux Advertensieverkope Marlene Bramley: 083 600 5110 Mei-Li Coetzee: 072 396 5846 Kantoor Marlene Bramley: 083 600 5110 Teken in op Plaastoe! tekenin@plaastoe.co.za Plaastoe! Digitaal www.plaastoe.co.za/skryf-in Klets saam www.facebook.com/Plaastoe www.facebook.com/LekkerBekkig Webtuiste www.plaastoe.co.za Foto-kompetisie fotos@plaastoe.co.za distribusie@plaastoe.co.za Skryf ook vir ons indien Plaastoe! nie beskikbaar is wanneer jy dit soek nie, met bogenoemde inligting. Uitgewers Uitgewers Plaastoe (Edms) Bpk www.plaastoe.co.za, Tel: 083 600 5110 Kopiereg Plaastoe (Edms) Bpk 2017 Alle artikels, foto’s en inligting hierin bevat, behoort aan Plaastoe (Edms) Bpk en mag nie sonder toestemming herdruk of gebruik word nie. Die opinies wat uitgespreek word in hierdie publikasie is die van die skrywer en is in geen verband die amptelike opinie van Plaastoe (Edms) Bpk.

Plaastoe groete.

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skryf aan Marlene

verspreiding & datums Jy kan jou Plaastoe! koop by al die winkels waar jy dit in die verlede gekry het, en dit ook gratis aanlyn lees op Issuu.com. Tik net die naam Plaastoe! in, en al die uitgawes sal daar verskyn. Een verandering wat ons wel aanbring is dat ons nou slegs elke twee maande publiseer. Jy kan jou Plaastoe! vroeg in April weer op die rakke verwag. Weereens dankie vir jul ondersteuning. 2

Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

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BROKKIES

Woodlands Dairy has partnered with the Colours of You SA (COYSA) collective to turn trash into a piece of art to communicate and highlight the beauty which comes from cleaning up your hood for good. Launched in January, the artwork forms part of a billboard on the R303 as motorists leave the N2 and enter Humansdorp, and is part the dairy’s ‘Clean up your hood for good’ campaign. "We wanted to involve local creatives to help us drive awareness about the benefits of cleaning up their neighbourhood,” remarks Woodlands Dairy/First Choice GM: Sales and Marketing, Tinus Pretorius. “We need to get the public’s attention when it comes to littering, and what better way they to use the rubbish that's thrown away. It also gives people a taste of the amazing work from the Port Elizabeth arts community.” The billboard forms a visual representation of how much beauty we can add to our surroundings if we just gave it a little care. Woodlands Dairy and COYSA hope that the public can become more environmentally aware and be inspired to do their part in cleaning up their hood for good; whether through recycling or getting creative.

Zinzi May (art director/graphic designer) from COYSA spearheaded the project and partnered with some of Nelson Mandela Bay’s most creative minds: Jonathan van der Walt (sculptor) and Sarah Walmsley (sculptor) who both specialise in figurative sculptures using bronze, resin and glass and Robyn Munnick (fine artist) who creates multi-model paintings that form an installation. The COYSA collective said of the project: “Thanks to the vast size of the billboard we were able to experiment with the recognisable aesthetic of rubbish and use its texture, colour and scale. We're grateful to have been given this opportunity and it is great to be part of a campaign to prevent future pollution as well as providing us with creative ammunition to convey this powerful message and demonstrate the environmental frustration that exists. “The team is fascinated at how it all came together, layer by layer, working as a solid creative unit while adding our unique touches. We hope that it will be well received and bring about great awareness." Watch this space, and look forward to more initiatives and incentives to ‘Clean Up Your Hood For Good’.

Gerard Addison (art director/graphic designer) and Plaastoe! Edition 27 3

New global alliance commits over $1.0 billion USD To help end plastic waste in the environment; sets goal of investing $1.5 billion USD

LONDON, JANUARY 16, 2019 – An alliance of global companies from the plastics and consumer goods value chain today launched a new organisation to advance solutions to eliminate plastic waste in the environment, especially in the ocean. The cross-value chain Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), currently made up of nearly thirty-member companies, has committed over $1.0 billion with the goal of investing $1.5 billion over the next five years to help end plastic waste in the environment. The Alliance will develop and bring to scale solutions that will minimise and manage plastic waste and promote solutions for used plastics by helping to enable a circular economy. The Alliance membership represents global companies and is located throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. “Everyone agrees that plastic waste does not belong in our oceans or anywhere in the environment. This is a complex and serious global challenge that calls for swift action and strong leadership. This new alliance is the most comprehensive effort to date to end plastic waste in the environment,” said David Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble, and chairman of the AEPW. “I urge all companies, big and 4

Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

small and from all regions and sectors, to join us,” he added. “History has shown us that collective action and partnerships between industry, governments and NGOs can deliver innovative solutions to a global challenge like this,” said Bob Patel, CEO of LyondellBasell, and a vice chairman of the AEPW. “The issue of plastic waste is seen and felt all over the world. It must be addressed, and we believe the time for action is now.” The Alliance is a not-for-profit organisation that includes companies that make, use, sell, process, collect, and recycle plastics. This includes chemical and plastic manufacturers, consumer goods companies, retailers, converters, and waste management companies, also known as the plastics value chain. The Alliance has been working with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development as a founding strategic partner. The Alliance today also announced an initial set of projects and collaborations that reflect a range of solutions to help end plastic waste: • Partnering with cities to design integrated waste management systems in large urban areas where infrastructure is lacking, especially those along rivers which transport vast amounts of unmanaged plastic

waste from land to the ocean. This work will include engaging local governments and stakeholders and generate economically sustainable and replicable models that can be applied across multiple cities and regions. The Alliance will pursue partnerships with cities located in high plastic leakage areas. The Alliance will also be looking to collaborate with other programmes working with cities, such as Project STOP, which is working in Indonesia. • Funding the Incubator Network by Circulate Capital to develop and promote technologies, business models and entrepreneurs that prevent ocean plastic waste and improve waste management and recycling, with the intention of creating a pipeline of projects for investment, with an initial focus on Southeast Asia.

• Clean up of concentrated areas of plastic waste already in the environment, particularly the major conduits of waste, like rivers, that carry land-based plastic waste to the sea. “Success will require collaboration and coordinated efforts across many sectors – some that create near-term progress and others that require major investments with longer timelines. Addressing plastic waste in the environment and developing a circular economy of plastics requires the participation of everyone across the entire value chain and the long-term commitment of businesses, governments, and communities. No one country, company or community can solve this on their own,” said Veolia CEO Antoine Frérot, a vice

• Developing an open source, science-based global information project to support waste management projects globally with reliable data collection, metrics, standards, and methodologies to help governments, companies, and investors focus on and accelerate actions to stop plastic waste from entering the environment. The Alliance will explore opportunities to partner with leading academic institutions and other organisations already involved in similar types of data collection. • Intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations to conduct joint workshops and trainings for government officials and community-based leaders to help them identify and pursue the most effective and locally relevant solutions in the highest priority areas. • Supporting Renew Oceans to aid localised investment and engagement. The programme is designed to capture plastic waste before it reaches the ocean from the ten major rivers shown to carry the vast majority of land-based waste to the ocean. The initial work will support the Renew Ganga project, which has also received support from the National Geographic Society. In the months ahead, the Alliance will make additional investments and drive progress in four key areas: • Infrastructure development to collect and manage waste and increase recycling; • Innovation to advance and scale new technologies that make recycling and recovering plastics easier and create value from all post-use plastics; • Education and engagement of governments, businesses, and communities to mobilise action; and, Plaastoe! Edition 27 5

chairman of the AEPW. Research from the Ocean Conservancy shows that nearly 80 percent of plastic waste in the ocean begins as litter on land, the vast majority of which travels to the sea by rivers. In fact one study estimates that over 90 percent of river borne plastic in the ocean comes from 10 major rivers around the world – eight in Asia, and two in Africa. Sixty percent of plastic waste in the ocean can be sourced to five countries in Southeast Asia. “While our effort will be global, the Alliance can have the greatest impact on the problem by focusing on the parts of the world where the challenge is greatest; and by sharing solutions and best practices so that these

Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

efforts can be amplified and scaled-up around the world”, said Peter Bakker, President and CEO of World Business Council for Sustainable Development. The following companies are the founding members of the Alliance: BASF, Berry Global, Braskem, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, Clariant, Covestro, Dow, DSM, ExxonMobil, Formosa Plastics Corporation USA, Henkel, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, Mitsui Chemicals, NOVA Chemicals, OxyChem, PolyOne, Procter & Gamble, Reliance Industries, SABIC, Sasol, SUEZ, Shell, SCG Chemicals, Sumitomo Chemical, Total and Veolia. For more information, please visit www.endplasticwaste.org

Moringa Cooperative transforming lives of farmers in Blouberg Municipality, Limpopo

Sixty farmers from the Blouberg municipality in Limpopo are set to benefit from the Moringa Cooperative project aimed at creating jobs, alleviating poverty and contributing towards the socio-economic development of the local communities within the province. The project has been made possible through a strategic collaborative partnership involving the De Beers Group, Botanica Natural Products, the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit) which implements projects on behalf of the German Federal

Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Old Mutual Limited and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Each of the partners in this collaborative project will contribute either towards sustainable development support, infrastructure or funding. The Socio Economic Assessment of the area conducted in 2016, revealed that there was a need for empowerment in the local communities of Blouberg municipality, where high unemployment and illiteracy levels are Plaastoe! Edition 27 7

prevalent. The need to improve food security was also identified. By empowering small scale farmers, for example, the project can assist in not only eradicating poverty by creating income-generating projects, but can also support the shared value benefit of providing more sustainable and regular food supplies for the local communities. As a result, the groundbreaking Agricultural Project was established in November 2018. The project is made up of three cooperatives (consisting of 20 outgrowers each) within three local traditional areas in Alldays in the Blouberg municipality. The participating cooperatives are contracted to grow Moringa trees and supply the leaves and seeds to Botanica Natural Products. This is a Limpopo-based, family-owned company which produces organically certified and fairly traded active ingredients for cosmetic and nutraceutical producers in both the domestic and international market. The project aims to initially create 100 jobs for every 20 hectares of Moringa trees planted, with the intention to grow in scale, potentially creating 300 jobs overall within the three areas by 2020. Gregory Petersen, Senior Commercial Manager ESD, De Beers Consolidated Mines, said: “We are pleased to partner in this project because of the difference it is going to make to the socio-economic upliftment of people in our host communities through capacity building and job creation. We are also looking forward to future opportunities this project will create through shared learnings and strategic partnerships.” Will Coetsee, Managing Director, Botanica Natural Products, said: “We designed this project to source better quality raw materials which we can process and sell to our clients locally and globally. To date, we have imported Moringa seeds and leaves without having full traceability of the products we process. Through the success of this project, we will be able to have high quality, fully traceable ingredients which we can process and sell. This is also an opportunity for us to attract and retain highly talented individuals from the local communities. Currently, the employment opportunities in our communities are limited. By creating a successful and lucrative supply chain, Botanica will also be able to attract and retain better equipped and qualified personnel.” Critical to the project is not just the provision of financial or infrastructural support but also the empowerment of the outgrowers through non-financial support programmes such as a capacity building programme which will be facilitated by GIZ, as well as running ‘train 8

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the trainer’ workshops within the local communities. These workshops aim to prepare the outgrowers with the necessary business development skills, acumen and agricultural training required. The cooperatives will also be assigned a mentor from De Beers, who will coach them on business and financial matters. Gavin Watson, Project Lead SA of the Employment for Sustainable Development in Africa Programme (E4D), said: “It is important from GIZ’s perspective that the knowledge transfer will be based in the community, therefore the capacity building and support of the selected trainers from the communities are of importance. Over the course of the project, we will be reinforcing the training with multiple trainings, workshops and mentorship support.”

The infrastructural phase of the project is currently underway, financed by the IDC, Old Mutual, De Beers Group and supported by Botanica to provide the participating farms with fencing, soil preparation and effective irrigation systems. The first set of Moringa trees are expected to be planted by March 2019. Dianne Richards, Enterprise Development Manager, Old Mutual Foundation, said: “Old Mutual is an organisation that is driven on the mutually beneficial shared value principle of operating as a responsible business and ensuring that our interventions are sustainable, impactful and beneficial to all involved. We are delighted to play our part in this collaborative and exciting venture with our partners and look forward to once again XX Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

demonstrating how through partnerships, collaboration and the benefit of economies of scale can enable us all to Do Great Things Every Day.” Stephen Nel, Senior Local Economic Development Manager for IDC, said: “The IDC is very excited that local people now have the opportunity to create much needed job opportunities in their communities. This will most certainly lead to the social and economic upliftment of their respective communities. The partnerships formed between Botanica, GIZ, De Beers and Old Mutual, will hopefully in the future create a model that we can roll out to many other communities in need of such interventions.” P

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LANDBOU

Deur Felix Reinders Landbou Navorsingsraad, Landbou Ingenieurswese

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Tonnelbesproeiing moet ontwerp word om landboukundig en tegnies korrek, die regte hoeveelheid water vir ’n gewas te lewer. In die meeste gevalle word mikrobesproeiing (druppers of mikrospuite) ingespan en moderne mikrobesproeiing het vanaf ’n eenvoudige waterbronbestuurstelsel ontwikkel tot ’n ingewikkelde, kennisintensiewe bestuurstelsel wat die chemiese, fisieke en biologiese omgewing manipuleer waarin die plant funksioneer. Waneer ons van tonnels of kweekhuise praat word daar in breë trekke twee tipes in Suid-Afrikaanse landbou gebruik: • 'n Multi-span tonnel wat groot is (1 000 m² tot 10 000 m² of 0,1 ha tot 1,0 ha). • 'n Klein tonnel (300 m² of 0,03 ha). Wat die grondmedium betref word verskeie suksesvol gebruik: • Grond - Die meeste tonnels gebruik die natuurlike grond waarop hulle geleë is. • Grondlose - Die meeste tonnels gebruik 'n grondlose medium soos kokosneutvesel, houtskyfies, gruis, polistireen of mengsels. Wat mikrobesproeiingstelsels betref kan boere vandag verskeie stelsels koop wat tegnologies gevorderd en betroubaar is. Behalwe tegnologies gevorderde produkte (filtreerders, beheertoerusting, druppers en mikrospuite) sluit hierdie tegnologie onder meer outomatisasiestelsels in wat met toegespitste boerderybeginsels inskakel om saam met die waterplasing

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presisie kunsmistoediening te doen soos en wanneer die plant dit nodig het.

Die volgende kritieke faktore moet in ag geneem word om ’n suksesvolle stelsel te verseker:

Drie tipes besproeiing kan onderskei word: • Drup. Vir gewasse wat in die grond gegroei of verbou word. Vir gewasse wat in grondlose media verbou word: º Trôe, waar integrale druppellyne gebruik word. º Sakke, waar afsonderlike knoopdrukkers gebruik word.

• Groeimedium - Grond: Kleileem en kleigrond versprei die water lateraal beter as sanderige grond en dit is nodig om eers ’n toets te doen om te verseker dat drupbesproeiing wel doeltreffend sal wees. - Grondlose: Maak gebruik van kokosneutvesel, houtskyfies, gruis, polistireen of mengsels. Kry advies oor die waterhouvermoë. • Waterkwaliteit: Toets die waterkwaliteit vir besluitneming oor filtrering en die moontlike voorkomende behandeling van die water. • Tipe drupper: Onderskei tussen druksensitiewe druppers en drukgekompenseerde druppers asook knoopdruppers. Verskillende druppers se weerstand teen verstopping verskil. • Wanddikte: Dunwand- sowel as dikwandpype kan gebruik word. Die lewensduur en koste verskil egter. • Pypdeursnee: Verskillende groottes is beskikbaar en word bepaal deur die vloeitempo wat dit moet hanteer om binne die wrywingslimiete te bly. • Spasiëring: Grondtipe en gewastipe sowel as die koste is die bepalende faktore. Kleigrond kan groter spasiërings hanteer as sandgrond. Klein spasiërings is duurder. • Filtrering: Filtrering is uiters belangrik en sandfiltrering moet verkieslik gebruik word. • Ontwerp: Drupbesproeiing is ’n gespesialiseerde veld en vereis goeie evaluering, beplanning en ontwerp. • Bestuur en onderhoud: Drupbesproeiing vereis noukeurige bestuur. Die basiese aspekte wat gemoniteer moet word om te verseker dat die stelsel korrek funksioneer word weergegee in Tabel 2.

• Oorhoofse missproeiers. Algemeen gebruik vir steggie verbouing. • Oorhoofse mikro-sproeiers. Algemeen gebruik vir die ontkieming van saailinge in saaibakke. Word soms gebruik vir digte aanplantings wat in die grond gegroei word. Hierdie artikel handel hoofsaaklik oor drupbesproeiing wat in grond of grondlose toestande gebruik word. 'n Gewas vereis water wat deur middel van besproeiing akkuraat en eweredig deur die tonnel vir elke plant gelewer word en dit moet konsekwent wees in die hoeveelheid water met die regte konsentraat voedingstowwe. Die basiese eienskappe van drupbesproeiing word in Tabel 1 gegee. Ongeag van sy geografiese ligging in Suid-Afrika, poog 'n tonnel om die omgewing te verander om plantegroei te optimaliseer sodat onder optimale ligtoestande die temperatuur ongeveer 25 ° C is en die relatiewe humiditeit ongeveer 70% is.

Eienskap

Beskrywing

Toepassing

Rygewasse (beide permanente en eenjarige gewasse)

Metode van toediening

Punttoediening deur middel van die drupaksie en horisontale verspreiding deur die grond of groeimedium

Potensiële stelseldoeltreffendheid

95% +

Montering van druppers met betrekking tot die pyp Aan die pypwand binne die pyp, of inlyn as integrale deel van die pyp, óf direk óf indirek aan die buitewand van die pyp Drupper-interval

Indien ekstern gekoppel: op willekeurige afstande Alle ander koppelings: op vaste intervalle, wat wissel tussen 0,3 m en 1,25 m

Lewering

1,05 tot 12 ℓ/h

Werksdruk

5 tot 20 meter (50 – 200 kPa) Tabel 1: Eienskappe van drupstelsels

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Met elke siklus Maandeliks

Monitor Ondersoek die stelsel vir lekkasies Kontroleer stelseldruk en -vloei

Jaarliks

X X

Spoel laterale (afhangende van waterkwaliteit) Diens lugkleppe en drukbeheerkleppe Gaan hidrouliese en elektriese verbindings na Gaan werking van hidrouliese kleppe op filterbank na en inspekteer werkende dele Chloorbehandeling (afhangend van waterkwaliteit en metode van toediening)

Neem watermonster aan eindpunt van stelsel en evalueer vir waterkwaliteitsveranderings

X X X X X

Tabel 2: Onderhoudskedule vir drupbesproeiingstelsels Drupbesproeiing as ’n permanente besproeiingstelsel, is baie suksesvol en het die afgelope meer as vier dekades reuse vordering gemaak in tegnologiese ontwikkeling. Die drupbesproeiingskonsep is al 60 jaar in die wêreld bekend en 50 jaar in Suid-Afrika. Die eerste kommersiële druppers is reeds in 1959 deur Simcha Blass van Israel ontwikkel en die eerste druppers is in 1969 in Suid-Afrika geïnstalleer. Dié tegnologie is uitstekend, dit het ’n hoë graad van

outomatisasie, die arbeidsbehoefte vir die bedryf daarvan is laag en ’n hoë mate van uniformiteit van toediening word behaal. Dit is juis suksesvol omdat drupbesproeiing ’n metode is wat water teen ’n stadige beheerde tempo op die groeimedium of regstreeks in die wortelsone toedien.

Tonnelbesproeiing verseker suksesvolle produksie mits dit reg gekies, ontwerp, onderhou en bestuur word. P

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LANDBOU

14 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

het die noodsaaklikheid identifiseer om ’n aantreklike, dog soliede platform te skep, wat ons druifprodusente aanspoor om nuwe wingerde aan te plant en langtermyn winsgewendheid en groei te verseker.” Onder die ooreenkoms sal die produksie by die bestaande fasiliteite - drie van die Bonnievale Wynkelder-groep en een by Wandsbeck - voortgaan. Elke wynkelder sal op volle kapasiteit funksioneer, met ’n wynmaker en produksiespan in die kelder. Die Bonnievale Wynkelder-groep en Wandsbeck Wyne smelt saam en vorm ’n wynmaatskappy met bates van meer as R300 miljoen. Die wynkelders in die Robertson-streek se amalgamasie het die stigting van een van die Kaap se grootste wynprodusente, wat as Bonnievale Wynkelder (Edms.) Bpk. bekend sal wees, tot gevolg. Die ooreenkoms volg op samesprekings tussen produsentelede en direkteure wat meer as 15 maande geduur het. Die besluit is Donderdag 29 November by ’n gesamentlike stemming van die aandeelhouer-lede bekragtig. "Wandsbeck Wyne is opgewonde om met Bonnievale Wynkelder saam te smelt," sê Wandsbeck-voorsitter, Philbert Lourens. "Wandsbeck het goeie kultivar-diversiteit, ’n unieke styl en -klimaat, wat alles sal bydra tot die groep se doelwitte en prestasies. "Wandsbeck se ledetal en tonnemaat het die afgelope paar jaar afgeneem en die verwagting is dat die groter maatskappy die produksiekoste sal laat daal en winsgewindheid sal laat styg. Ons het ten doel om ’n goeie ekonomiese- en volhoubare toekoms vir ons lede te skep." Volgens die Bonnievale Wynkelder-groep se voorsitter, Anton Smuts, het die veranderende produksie- en bemarkingstoestande hierdie samesmeltingstrategie gedryf om produsentvolhoubaarheid en -winsgewendheid, produkverskaffing en uitbreiding en langtermyn marksekuriteit en toekomstige groei, te verseker.

Al die wynmakers bly in hul huidige poste en sal aan die hoofwynmaker, Marthinus Rademeyer, rapporteer. Die bestuur en administratiewe personeel sal vanuit die voormalige Bonnievale Wynkelder-groep se kantore werk, wat ook die tuiste is van die handelsmerk gasvryheidsentrum en kliëntediens-middelpunt vir beide entiteite. Die hoof uitvoerende beampte van die Bonnievale Wynkelder-groep, John Barnardt, is in dieselfde posisie aangestel as uitvoerende hoof van Bonnievale Wynkelder (Edms.) Bpk. "Die samesmetling is die gevolg van die wedersydse behoeftes van beide organisasies, wat elkeen ver gevorder is op die reis na erkenning vir hul hoë kwaliteit en hoë waarde wyne," sê Barnardt. "Noudat die ooreenkoms bekragtig is, bied dit die geleentheid om selfs groter toegevoegde waarde en voortgesette mark- en kliëntontwikkeling moontlik te maak." "Die wynbedryf het geen tekort aan koop-en-verkoop, wynberging en wyndiens-ooreenkomste nie,” voeg hy by. “Op die lange duur sal baie van hierdie ooreenkomste deur veranderende produksie- en marktoestande getoets word. Om die langtermyn marksekuriteit te verseker, bied amalgamasie aan die wynmark die sekuriteit van volhoubare langtermyn verskaffing. Amalgamasie stel ons ook verder in staat om al ons

“Die bedryf sal ook moet konsolideer en hergroepeer van beide ’n produksie- sowel as ’n bemarkingsperspektief - om langtermyn volhoubaarheid en dinamiese vooruitgang teweeg te bring. Hierdie amalgamasie skep voorts ’n wyer voetspoor vir terroir-moontlikhede, wat die huidige spektrum versterk en uitbrei. “Die leierspanne van beide Bonnievale en Wandsbeck,

Plaastoe! Edition 27 15

hulpbronne - leierskap, bestuur, druifproduksie, wynproduksie, finansies en bemarking - saam te voeg.

portefeulje rooi- en wit-, droë- en soetwyne, sowel as druiwesap in.

"Al die spelers voel deel van ’n groter span, wat op sy beurt weer verhoogde vlakke van korporatiewe bestuur en verantwoordelikheid verg."

Dit is die tweede amalgamasie wat die Bonnievale Wynkelder-groep in 12 jaar afhandel. Die Bonnievale Wynkelder Koöperatief Bpk. is in November 2006 gestig, na die drieledige samesmelting van Bonnievale-, Merwespont- en Nordale koöperatiewe wynkelders, wat meer as ’n dekade se groei vir die lede-kelders ingelui het.

Ná die samesmelting is die kelderkapasiteit 40 000 ton. Bemagtiging bly steeds ’n groot fokus onder Bonnievale Wynkelder (Edms.) Bpk. Dit sluit ’n fokus op wingerd-eienaarskap, wat hoofsaaklik deur vryemark vraag-en-aanbod gedryf word, maar met die hooffokus op bestaande plase in Swart besit, verhoogde deelname in middel- en senior wynkelder-bestuur, SEB aandeelhouding in ’n filiaal wynbemarkingsmaatskappy en verhoogde deelname in gemeenskapsprojekte. Wandsbeck is in 1965 gestig en was tot 2004 as Agterkliphoogte Koöperatiewe Kelder - vernoem na die gebied waar dit geleë is - bekend. Die wynkelder is sowat 60 km van Bonnievale, halfpad tussen McGregor en Villiersdorp. Sy eie handelsmerkreeks sluit ’n diverse

16 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

Die volgehoue fokus op hoë kwaliteit en hoë waarde, het onlangs die opknapping van sy portefeulje en bekendstelling van die River Collection-reeks, wat reeds ’n hele gros plaaslike- en internasionale toekennings ingepalm het, ingesluit. • PWC Robertson het die transaksie as korporatiewe raadgewers ondersteun en Conradie Prokureurs (Worcester) het die regsdienste verskaf. Vir meer inligting oor Bonnievale Wyne, besoek www.bonnievalewines.co.za, bel 023 616 2795 of epos nina@bonnievalewines.co.za. P

XX Plaastoe! Desember & Januarie 2018-2019

AGRICULTURE

Gerrit van der Merwe Jnr. is the MD of ALG Estates

A top South African citrus producer not only managed to bump up its production by 40% through new acquisitions this year but also bolstered its successful black workers’ economic empowerment programme in the process. “Good market foresight which ensured a constant growth in demand for our products with established retailers worldwide is key to our success. This enabled us to make a big move and acquire four new farms in the upper Olifants River Valley, the prime production area of Citrusdal oranges, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This will increase our output from 22 000 tonnes in 2018 to over 30 000 tonnes this year,” says Gerrit Jnr. van der Merwe, MD of ALG Estates.

the same time we realised we had to stretch our production season as far as possible and also systematically established orchards in different climate zones. "Our different production units are now as far as 200 km (120 miles) apart covering mountainous areas, temperate sea climate zones and the traditional hot regions in the upper Olifants River Valley near Citrusdal. All in all it means that we have stretched our bulk production season from May to October yearly but can effectively supply citrus for the full 12 months of the year," says Gerrit Jnr. His optimism is shared by the Estate's Marketing

“We are especially proud of the fact that our black workers successful agricultural empowerment project benefitted from this move as one of the new farms purchased actually belongs to them now. This will effectively increase their own production by 100% over the previous season. Their produce is marketed by us as part of the ALG Estates total citrus offering to the market. "We recognised the importance of doing the difficult things first and do it well and, therefore, over the years, consistently worked on increasing the range of our citrus basket which now boasts 41 different varieties. At 18 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

The estate employs 120 full time workers and up to 800 part-time workers during the peak packing season. Pic: John Ross McGregor

The ALG Estate’s citrus basket now boasts 41 different varieties which enables it to supply citrus for the full 12 months of the year. Pic: John Ross McGregor

Manager Hendrik Warnich, who on the eve of his annual visit to Fruit Logistica the world's largest Fresh Produce Expo in Berlin in February says: "For the last few years we have seen a good increase in specific retailer shelf space turnover where ALG has been trusted with the majority of the supply. The main reason for this is that we have the different climatic production areas as well an extensive variety split to always supply fresh citrus such as Easy Peelers, Lemons, Limes and various types of oranges. This enables us to supply citrus at their optimum ripeness with consistent good eating quality on a daily basis to the leading retailers of the world." The Estate's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) agriculture programme is one of the best performing projects of its kind in South Africa and the envy of many farmers countrywide. Founded as a separate company Cedar Citrus (Pty.) Ltd in 1999 with 32 farm workers as partners a total of 36 hectares of citrus were established with a start-up loan from the South African Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). This unit is managed by a Board consisting mainly of the farm workers and farmed by the Estate exactly as any other of their production units which sees that their produce get

Board members of Cedar Citrus the Estate’s the black empowerment company are form left Leon Wesley Mogapi, Lena September, Jossie Catherine Frazer and Dirk Dirks. Pic: John Ross McGregor

exported worldwide. The project started making a profit in 2010 and paid off its start-up loan to the IDC in 2012. Last year the Cedar Citrus partners jointly decided to plough back their profits and extended their operations by purchasing additional farmland to plant more citrus for the export market. An additional 56 hectares of adjacent farmland has therefore been purchased on which 20 hectares of new citrus orchards were established. These orchards will come into production by 2022 and add additional impetus to their growth. ALG Estates has been an accredited member of Fair Trade for the past eight years. Fair Trade subsidies earned through this relationship are ploughed back into upliftment projects for its farm workers such as school education and sport projects. The Estate also qualifies for the Dutch Milieukeurmerk, the South African Woolworths Group’s Farming for the Future and adhere to the United Nations’ International Food Safety (IFS) standards. The Estate won the title National Farmer of the Year in 2010, South Africa’s most coveted agricultural award. P

ALG Estates Marketing Manager Hendrik Warnich with Lena September a Director of the Board and Gerrit Jnr. van der Merwe, Managing Director of the Company. Pic: John Ross McGregor Plaastoe! Edition 27 19

AGRICULTURE

20 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

According to experts, the African population is expected to double by 2050, which means that food demand on the continent is expected to at least double by then. Beyond feeding the population, the social and economic benefits induced by the increase in production and productivity in Africa are obvious.

Plaastoe! Edition 27 21

This increase in production would create jobs in agriculture but also in upstream, downstream and support activities; would help to eradicate hunger; would improve the economic situation of populations and would offer farmers new opportunities in international markets. This means that self-sufficiency is achievable, and that Africa could be a net exporter of food products instead of its current status as an importer. However, the agricultural transformation models implemented in the rest of the world are not

22 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

transposable as they stand. The African agricultural sector is unique in that it is largely dominated by millions of small family farmers, who cultivate small areas with poor farming techniques. They have limited access to inputs, financial services or technology and mainly practice subsistence agriculture because of their difficulties in accessing the market. These small family farmers are one of three groups that make up the African agricultural sector: the other two are large African and multinational agri-food companies

that operate on a large scale on the continent and internationally; and small and medium-sized enterprises that process, transport, refine food or operate farms under conditions similar to those in industrialized countries. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the 250 million African smallholder farmers produce 80% of the food consumed in Africa. These small farmers are therefore essential to Africaâ€™s food security, economic and social development:

in fact, even if all large and small and medium-sized enterprises operating on the continent completed their transformation, this would only affect a maximum of 20% of the African agricultural sector. Today, the transformation of the smallholder farming sector is hampered by the lack of access to information, best agricultural practices, inputs (fertilisers, seeds, pesticides), mechanisation, market opportunities and financial services. On average, the smallholder farmer cultivates a plot of land of less than 2 ha and earns less than $1 000 per year, an income that provides a living for the entire family who must contribute to agricultural work. The transformation of this sector therefore requires a concerted â€“ and specifically African â€“ approach because of the uniqueness of its model and its challenges. Ensuring inclusive transformation and upliftment The transformation of the sector and the increase in production must be inclusive. This means that the transformation of African agriculture cannot follow the same path as that followed by European or North American agriculture. Indeed, there will be no massive rural exodus to industrial jobs. The 250 million farmers represent 250 million families who earn a living and will have to continue to earn a living through agriculture. As the population increases, the number of farmers will continue to increase accordingly. The role of the private sector is crucial in the transformation of African agriculture. Agri-food companies have massive purchasing power, while smallholder farmers are looking for ways to improve productivity and quality as well as increase their production and income. When farmers are integrated into global value chains, both sides benefit: farmers improve their incomes by having easier access to markets and private companies have access to the raw materials needed to produce their goods. However, integration remains a challenge. Sellers and buyers lack data on small family farmers and their cooperatives or other groups with whom they would like to work. There is too little data on crop types, production areas and harvest prospects. This complicates planning while often leaving smallholder farmers without the necessary advice and support to improve their production and income potential. It also complicates the implementation by small farmers of the quality and food safety standards necessary for food businesses. Banks have strict risk management requirements that complicate the provision of financing to small family Plaastoe! Edition 27 23

farmers: without precise knowledge of their farms, harvests and incomes, the risk of granting loans is simply too high and the interest rates on loans granted by banks or microfinance institutions vary between 20 and 40%, which limits their scope. The same phenomenon can be observed in the insurance sector. Integrating smallholder farmers into the formal Agri value chain

certification processes that are generally mandatory for food manufacturers. Through these digital marketplaces, banks and insurance companies will have access to the data necessary to reduce their risks and thus be able to serve the untapped market of smallholder farmers.

Most of these challenges can be solved by connecting the different actors in the agricultural value chain through digital marketplaces that manage the supply from smallholder farmers, manage the stocks and manage the commercialisation of agricultural products and their transport. The viability of these marketplaces can be guaranteed if they are operated by private companies and financed by fees levied on the commercial transactions they allow. Indeed, other models based on philanthropy or national or international public funding have shown their limits. This private model does not exclude state control and regulation to avoid the creation of monopolies.

Based on the data, input suppliers will also be able to sell directly to farmers or cooperatives. For example, fertiliser companies could significantly increase their incomes by working directly with cooperatives and smallholder farmers. On average, smallholder farmers use only 15 kg of fertiliser per hectare in Africa: significantly less than the global average of 120 kg/ha and the African Union recommendation of 50 kg/ha. Part of the problem is that smallholder farmers often do not have direct access to fertiliser companies but go through intermediaries who subtract a large part of the value by significantly increasing prices. The double consequence is that small farmers do not have access to the quantities of fertiliser they would need, and producersâ€™ sales are limited by the profits of intermediaries.

The aggregation of farmers into formal groups and cooperatives is also necessary. This will make it easier to work with them for sellers and buyers, but also to train and support them, for example in traceability and

Buyers of agri-food products will be able to buy more easily from small farmers through their organisations, knowing that the quantity and quality promised by contract will be delivered and that they will have the

24 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

D IY

means to monitor the progress of crops and agricultural operations. Finally, through better stock management, storage conditions and adjustment of supply to demand, these digital marketplaces will also help to reduce food waste and loss, which, according to FAO estimates, currently represents 20% for cereals and up to 50% for fruit and vegetables in total food production on the continent. Â SAPâ€™s solution to connect smallholder farmers to agricultural value chains In recent years, SAP has worked with several smallholder farmer organisations and agribusinesses in Africa to develop and test a dedicated solution to connect smallholder farmers to agricultural value chains. This solution is called SAP Rural Sourcing Management, and it is designed to capture, maintain and

26 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

share individual data of smallholder farmers such as crop types, geographical location of fields, farm size, harvest prospects, farmersâ€™ production sales transactions, and more. It also connects smallholder farmers to information providers (training in best agricultural practices, weather data, market data, etc.) and facilitates access for smallholder farmers to various stakeholders in the broader agricultural value chain, including financial services, buyers and suppliers of inputs (fertilisers, seeds, pesticides and agricultural equipment). For governments, access to some of this data is also very important. It enables more effective and efficient public policy and intervention decision-making to ensure, for example, food security and safety, crop diversification and farmer financing at the local, regional and national levels.

SAP Rural Sourcing Management, sometimes in combination with other SAP commodity trading solutions, is currently being evaluated and implemented in several African countries as part of public-private producers partnerships managed and financed by private companies. The most recent example is CBI Innovations Ltd. (CBIiL), the for-profit arm of CBI Nigeria, who chose SAP Rural Sourcing Management to integrate 850 000 small maize producers into the agricultural value chains. CBIiL will be combining the use of SAP Rural Sourcing Management with the model of private extension services agents they have developed: the Community LIFE Agents (LIFE stands for Livelihoods Information Field Entrepreneurs). Each LIFE agent supports 50 to 100 smallholder farmers. They are young unemployed graduates recruited

from around the communities in which they will serve. They are trained by CBIiL and equipped with a dedicated Android device on which various applications specific to their missions are installed. They receive commissions on the products and services (inputs, telephone credit, banking, etc.) they sell to farmers and a premium based on the productivity growth of each farmer with whom they work. A successful, thriving, highly productive African agricultural sector is possible. The transformation of the smallholder farming sector into a high-performance producer integrated into the global food value chains will not only grow local economies, ensure a more successful agri value chain, contribute to achieve self-sufficiency and safeguard food security, but will transform the lives of the 250 million smallholder farmers and their families whose livelihoods depend on their produce. P

Plaastoe! Edition 27 27

LANDBOU

L G du Pisani, nasionale bestuurder: produksie advies en ontwikkeling Nasionale Wolkwekersvereniging van SA (NWKV)

Wolskaapboerdery is tans op ŉ hoogtepunt. Baie boere wil daarna oorslaan, maar is met die huidige hoë pryse van wolskaapooie onseker of dit ekonomies geregverdig is. Die NWKV se produksie-adviseurs beskik oor rekenaarprogramme wat produsente met die besluit sal help. Die programme wat ontwikkel is, is gebaseer op verskillende opsies om na wolskape oor te skakel. Die opsies behels die volgende: 1. Verkoop die totale bestaande skaapkudde en vervang dit met ŉ wolskaapkudde. 2. Verkoop jaarliks die vervangingsooie van die bestaande skaapkudde en koop wolskaap vervangingsooitjies in. 28 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

3. Koop wolskaapooitjies in met die inkomste van die bestaande kudde se jaarlikse uitskot ou-ooie. 4. Gebruik ŉ kombinasie van Opsie 2 en 3, waar die bestaande vervangingsooie en die uitskotooie met wolskaapooitjies vervang word. 5. Skakel ŉ hamelkomponent in by die bestaande boerdery. Die prysverskille in die verkoopprys van die bestaande kudde en die aankoopprys van die wolskape wat aangekoop word, word deeglik in ag geneem by al die verskillende opsies. Die voorbeeld wat volg, wys hoe Opsie 1 se aannames in die rekenaarprogram lyk en wat die uitset daarvan is.

AANNAMES WAT IN DIE PROGRAM VERANDER KAN WORD: AANNAMES 1

% OOIE WAT DRAGTIG INGEKOOP WORD (RES WORD DROOG INGEKOOP)

50%

PRYS ONTVANG PER OOI DRAGTIG VERKOOP

R 1 800.00

PRYS ONTVANG PER OOI DROOG VERKOOP

R 1 500.00

PRYS BETAAL PER WOL-OOI DRAGTIG INGEKOOP

R 3 000.00

PRYS BETAAL PER WOL-OOI DROOG INGEKOOP

R 2 200.00

SPEEN % VAN DIE BESTAANDE SKAAPKUDDE

HUIDGE RENTEKOERS

80% 10.5%

UITSET:

Geakkumuleerde Netto Wins (Rand/KVE) R 12 000.00 R 10 000.00 R 8 000.00 R 6 000.00 R 4 000.00 R 2 000.00 R 0.00 1

Jare

Die blou lyn verteenwoordig die netto wins van ŉ wolskaapkudde waar die verskil in die verkoopprys van die bestaande kudde en die aankoopprys van die wolskaapkudde oor ŉ periode van vyf jaar gefinansier word. In die geval van die oranje lyn word die verskil oor agt jaar gefinansier. Die grys lyn verteenwoordig die bestaande nie-wol skaapkudde op die plaas. Die NWKV het adviseurs by vyf van die streekkantore.

Skakel gerus met die adviseur naaste aan u vir bystand en advies met die gebruik van die rekenaarprogramme. Bloemfontein – Jan Louis Venter (083 650 1131) Caledon – Jannie Fourie (083 564 1105) Carnarvon – Gawie van Wyk (083 270 3161) Harrismith – Bom Louw (082 652 2243) Middelburg – Juan Venter (079 693 1953) Queenstown – Kobus Grobler (072 593 5601) P

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Hydroponics By Dale Barber

AGRICULTURE

30 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

A BRIEF HISTORY OF HYDROPONICS It can be said that hydroponics date back as far as 600 BC to the famous Hanging gardens of Babylon, built on the banks of the Euphrates River. Water was taken from the river and dropped onto the top tiers of the garden. As the water descended it irrigated the plants on each of the terraced levels. Whether this was actually a hydroponic system, or a feat of irrigation ingenuity, is dependent on your point of view. Another example of an early hydroponic system was the floating gardens of the Aztecs. These were man-made islands (or raised reed beds) that floated on the shallow waters of Lake Texcoco in the 10th and 11th century. However, the term ‘hydroponics’ was introduced by William Frederick Gericke in 1929. During his tenure at University of California at Berkeley he began to grow plants in a solution of nutrients and water instead of soil, creating a sensation by growing tomato vines 7.6 metres high in his back yard in a mineral nutrient solution rather than soil. He introduced the term hydroponics, in 1937, ‘hydro’ from the Greek word for water, and ‘ponics’ meaning labour, thus water labour.

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PLANT NUTRITION As hydroponics refers to plants grown in a mineral nutrient solution without soil, it is important to look at the basics of these elements: Macro elements These elements are required in relatively large volumes by plants. • Nitrogen Plants absorb nitrogen mainly in the form of nitrate ions and to a lesser extent, ammonium ions. Nitrogen is beneficial in the vegetative growth of plants and increases the amount of chlorophyll, giving rise to greener plants. • Phosphorus Plants absorb inorganic phosphorus in the forms of phosphate ions and organic phosphorus in the form of phytin, nucleic acids, and phospholipids. Plants require far less phosphorus than the other macro elements. This being said, phosphorus is by no means less important. It promotes the fertility of plants and is important for flower and seed formation. It also stimulates root development and increases the plant’s resistance to pests and diseases. • Potassium Plants require relatively large quantities of potassium, which they use for healthy vegetative development. Plants absorb potassium in the form of potassium ions. • Magnesium Magnesium is the only mineral constituent of the chlorophyll molecule and without it chlorophyll cannot be formed, and photosynthesis will not take place. Plants absorb magnesium in the form of magnesium ions. Micro elements Micro elements are required in minute quantities. The ph. of your water will also influence the availability of those micro elements to the plant. The following table indicates the ph. that is most suitable for absorption of micro elements: Micro element Manganese and iron

Ph 5-6

Boron, copper and zinc

5-7

Molybdenum

6-8

It is generally accepted that as alkalinity increases, the micro-elements become less available. • Iron Iron is essential to the formation of chlorophyll, and a continuous supply of iron is required to maintain the chlorophyll content of plants. Iron also acts as an electron carrier in the enzyme systems connected 32 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

with the oxidation and reduction processes in the plant’s metabolism. Plants absorb iron in the ionic form or as soluble iron salts such as ferrous sulphate. • Manganese Manganese aids the synthesis for proteins and vitamins in plants. A good supply of manganese may sometimes counteract the effects of poor aeration by oxidizing certain nutrients thus facilitating their absorption. Plants absorb manganese in the ionic form. • Copper Also associated with the enzymes connected with the oxidation and reduction processes in plants, copper is absorbed by the plant in the ionic form. • Zinc The main function of zinc in plants is to activate certain enzymes. Plants absorb zinc in the ionic form. • Molybdenum Molybdenum is required by rhizobia for nitrogen fixation. It activates the enzymes causing the reduction of nitrates, and with a deficiency of this microelement, nitrates accumulate in the plant tissue. Plant roots probably absorb molybdenum in the form of the ions MnO4=. • Boron Although the precise role of boron in plants cannot be fully explained, it is said to function in the carbohydrate metabolism and facilitates the movement of sugars in plants. Boron is also believed to influence cell development and the rate of cell division in plants. Recent research shows that boron influences the ribonucleic acid (RNA) as well as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content in the tips of the stems and roots. It is absorbed in one or more of its ionic forms. BASIC HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS There are six basic types of hydroponic systems: Water culture, Ebb and Flow, Drip, Wick, Nutrient Film Technique, and Aeroponics. WICK SYSTEM This is by far the simplest type of hydroponics. It is a passive system which means there are no moving parts. The nutrient solution is drawn into the growing medium from a reservoir with a wick. This system can use a variety of growing mediums, for example: perlite, vermiculite, and coconut fibre. WATER CULTURE Water culture is the simplest of all active hydroponic systems. The platform that holds the plants is usually made from Styrofoam and floats directly on the nutrient solution. An air pump and air stone oxygenate the water, and thus prevents the roots from rotting.

EBB AND FLOW (flood and drain) The ebb and flow system work by temporarily flooding the grow tray with a nutrient solution, and then draining the solution back into a reservoir. This action is normally achieved with a submerged pump that is connected to a timer. When the timer puts the pump on the nutrient solution is pumped into the grow tray, and when it is switched off, the nutrient solutions drains back into the reservoir. This process is repeated several times a day depending on the size, type of plant, humidity, temperature, and type of growing medium used. DRIP SYSTEM (recovery/non-recovery) This is most probably the most widely used hydroponic system. Similar to the Ebb and Flow system, a timer controls a pump which is submerged in the nutrient solution. The nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant by means of a small drip line. In a recovery drip system, any run-off nutrient solution collects back in the reservoir for re-use. The non-recovery system does not collect run-off. The non-recovery system requires less maintenance as the droppers do not clog because of worn growth medium particles. NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT) NFT systems have a constant flow of nutrient solution, so no timer is required for the submerged pump. The nutrient solution is pumped into the grow tray and flows over the roots of the plants, and then drains back into the reservoir. There is usually no growing medium used which saves the expense of having to replace growth medium with every crop. The plant is normally supported in a small plastic basket with the roots dangling into the nutrient solution. AEROPONICS This is probably the most high-tech of hydroponic gardening. Like the NFT system, the growing medium is primarily air. Plants are suspended in a mesh-like lattice with the roots hanging in the air. The hanging roots are

misted with nutrient solution every few minutes. A hydroponic system could also be a variation or combination of any of these basic systems.

• • • • • • • •

• • • •

• •

ADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS You can grow your crop anywhere Hydroponic systems use 20x less water than soil-based systems Your environment is sterile and it’s thus easier to control pests and diseases You require 20% less growing space than that needed for soil-based gardening The water in the system can be re-used You have complete control over your nutrient balance No mulching, tilling, and weeding; and Your crop is not dependent on the weather or seasons, as it is mostly indoors, and climate is artificially controlled.

DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS Cost. Putting together a hydroponic system is usually very expensive It needs constant monitoring Hydroponic systems are vulnerable to systems failure, as they are extremely energy dependent Microorganisms that are not beneficial to plants will spread through the system very quickly, and you can lose your entire crop overnight Hydroponic growing systems require technical expertise; and Without soil to serve as a buffer, the plants will die very quickly should the system fail.

Hydroponics can be an answer to food security as crops can be grown anywhere and does not need large tracts of land. Examples for an urban situation are rooftop gardens, vertical gardens and warehouses. It is also an answer to problems caused by global warming and water shortages. P

Plaastoe! Edition 27 33

VET

Some Food Related Health 34 Plaastoe! February & March 2019

Issues in Dogs and Cats by Dr Joan Kleynhans-Jordaan

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Feral dogs eat a wide range of foods, including small and large prey and a large variety of plant material and are classified as omnivores. Cats on the other hand, are true carnivores and need specific meat derived nutrients, such as preformed vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine. The simplest way of meeting the nutritional needs of our pets is to feed an appropriately formulated and tested commercial diet appropriate for the life stage of the pet. However dogs and cats can also do well on a variety of commercial or appropriately formulated homeprepared foods. In spite of the wide variety of suitable commercial foods, malnutrition is still seen. Malnutrition includes both nutrient deficiencies and nutrient excesses. Obesity is now one of the most common nutritional disorders seen in small animal practice. Obesity is serious, and can lead to other problems and a shortened life span. Dogs and cats that are between 10 and 20% above their normal weight are regarded as overweight, and those above 20% over their normal weight are regarded as obese. Risk factors for developing obesity include: 1. Lack of exercise 2. Breed disposition (Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Basset Hounds and Cairn Terriers are at increased risk) 3. Increasing age (as many as 50% of dogs five to ten years old are overweight or obese) 4. Neutering 5. Certain endocrine disorders 6. Certain drugs, such as corticosteroids and phenobarbital. Health problems associated with obesity include a lowered quality of life, a shorter life span, chronic inflammation, heart and lung problems, intolerance to exercise and heat, arthritis, a weakened immune system, pancreatitis (dogs), diabetes mellitus and hepatic lipidosis (cats) and a higher rate of complications and death during and after anaesthetic. Contrary to earlier belief that fat is inert, it is in fact a major endocrine organ that produces hormones, protein factors and adipokines, which cause persistent low grade inflammation and increased oxidative stress. This plays a role in many chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis and

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diabetes mellitus. It is not just the increased weight that impacts on the joints! Treatment for obesity requires buy-in and long term commitment from the pet owner. In the short term your pet needs to lose weight and reach an ideal body condition score. This requires calorie restriction and regular exercise. One cannot simply feed less of a standard maintenance diet, as this may result in inadequate intake of certain essential nutrients. Therapeutic weight loss diets are formulated to contain less calories, but to provide adequately for your petâ€™s other nutritional needs. The amount fed is calculated based on the caloric intake to induce weight loss. If one is not using a good quality commercial diet food, a qualified animal nutritionist should calculate an appropriate diet/recipe and quantities. Most veterinarians and qualified vet nurses are qualified to advise on the use of commercial diets, but not all are able to prescribe home-made diets. It is useless feeding a correctly formulated diet but adding treats! Be wary of family members, visitors and neighbours feeding treats! Low calorie treats are available, but limit the quantity to less than 10% of the caloric intake. Aim at your pet losing 1% of body weight per week. Monitor every two weeks and adjust feeding accordingly. Obese cats are at risk of hepatic lipidosis if they donâ€™t eat. If they donâ€™t like the weight loss diet chosen, choose an alternative. Do not let them starve! In developed countries malnutrition is rare and mostly seen when pets are fed imbalanced home-made diets, when cats are fed dog food exclusively, or when dogs and cats are fed certain human foods. Dogs and cats that are fed exclusively meat or meat and rice can develop calcium deficiencies and hyperparathyroidism. Raw freshwater fish contain thiamine antagonists and cats eating mostly or only this will develop thiamine deficiency which can cause nervous symptoms. Cats, unlike dogs, require dietary sources of vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine. They also require more fat and protein as well as arginine, niacin and pyridoxine (vit B6). Dog food is not adequate for a cat. Taurine deficiency can cause central retinal degeneration and

blindness as well as dilated cardiomyopathy in cats. Raisins and grapes contain an unknown toxic substance that can cause kidney damage in dogs. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. They metabolise theobromine much more slowly than people. Initial signs of poisoning include vomiting and diarrhoea, progressing to excessive urination, muscle tremors, heart arrhythmias, seizures and death. Macadamia nuts are potentially toxic to dogs and cats and cause weakness, depression, vomiting, ataxia, muscle tremors, hyperthermia (fever) and increased heart rate. As few as six macadamia nuts can be toxic to dogs. Onions and garlic contain thiosulfate which can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells resulting in anemia. Excessive consumption of liver can lead to hypervitaminosis A and may produce skeletal lesions, osteoporosis and damaged growth plates in growing dogs as well as damage to vertebrae and large joints. In cats which are not fed adequate vitamin A, hypovitaminosis A may cause conjunctivitis, dry eye, keratitis, blood vessels growing on the cornea, retinal degeneration, light sensitivity, and slowed pupillary light response. It may also affect reproduction, causing still births and abnormalities in foetuses. Avocados contain persin which is toxic to goats and possibly dogs. In goats it causes respiratory distress, lung oedema, and fluid in chest and heart sac. Food high in fat, such as chicken skin, can trigger pancreatitis in dogs. Sugar free foods and sweets containing xylitol can cause potentially fatal drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. Raw food diets have been much touted in recent years, but are hazardous because raw meat especially may contain dangerous pathogens. Homemade diets should be prepared and cooked according to recipes formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. Nutrition is a complex field and any old recipe off the internet may lead to deficiencies. Unfortunately vegetarian diets are not suitable for dogs and cats. Rickets in young animals can result from home-made diets with inadequate vit D. Vitamin D excess is dangerous and it should not be added to balanced diets. Hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia caused by hypervitaminosis D can lead to irreversible soft tissue calcification of kidney tubules, heart valves and large-vessel

walls. Dogs may die acutely because of aortic rupture or chronically due to renal failure. Death in cats is due to chronic renal failure caused by excess vitamin D. Food Allergies True food allergies are not common, but may present as vomiting and/or diarrhoea or a pruritic (itchy) skin condition (atopic dermatitis). Some dogs with a nonseasonal pruritus are having an adverse reaction to food. After a vet has excluded other causes, such as skin parasites and certain endocrine conditions, a food trial should be carried out. Where there are gastrointestinal signs only, a food trial should be followed for about two weeks. In the case of skin issues 10 to 12 weeks are needed. During a food trial, the ONLY item fed should be a balanced diet containing a single novel protein source, (such as kangaroo, venison, rabbit, duck or fish, which is not normally included in commercial or home-made foods), or a hydrolyzed protein diet. Fish is not a novel protein for cats. Batch consistency is also most important during a food trial. Hydrolysed protein is broken down into smaller peptide fragments that do not cause allergic reactions and may be fed instead of first embarking on a food trial, but these foods are expensive in the long term. By carrying out a food trial you should learn which protein sources to avoid and can return to more standardised diets without the offensive protein source after the trial. Fleas and other causes of skin irritation should also be strictly controlled during the trial. Once the skin improves, various suspect ingredients can be tested by introducing them to the diet one at a time. If an ingredient is the cause, clinical signs may recur within 12 hours to 10 days of reintroduction. Treatment then requires lifelong avoidance of the identified ingredient. This is a drawn out method which needs meticulous control - no treats or other foods whatsoever! The alternative is regular vet visits and treatment with cortisone or other immunosuppressants, which involves expense and the risk of side effects. The take home message of this article, which barely scrapes the surface of food related issues, is that nutrition is a very complex subject and careful expert formulation and preparation of any diet is required for optimal pet heath. P

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Die Pasta Prinses van Pofadder Deur LekkerBekkig

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Della se hare word opgehou deur afkeur. Sy kyk oor die vertes uit terwyl sy die pannekoeke bak by die plaaslike skoolbasaar. Gedoen vir fondsinsameling, sodat die kinders kan musieklesse kry. Soos wat sy die kaneelsuiker spaarsaam oor die plat koeke gooi gaan haar gedagtes op loop. “Al hierdie Mammas en Pappas kyk op my neer. Hulle is almal dom. Kyk daardie een, sy broek is een size te klein vir hom. Mamma kannie die kinders op hok hou nie, kyk hoe skree en raas hulle. Daai Tannie brag daaroor dat sy ŉ graad het op een of ander Afrika Perversiteit, mmmmm?” So wonder sy terwyl sy met ŉ glimlag almal bedien en ag tog te vriendelik die pannekoeke aan mense oorhandig. Die prentjie van moderne verdraagsaamheid en oppervlakkige kontak. “Ons móét op Facebook connect, ek stuur vir jou ŉ ‘friend request’.” Haar gedagtes gaan loop ver draaie by die dae toe sy grootgeword het in die Karoo. Sy kén van! Sy kan nie regtig verduidelik waarvan nie, maar sy weet, sy weet beter. Haar familie het allermins tog ŉ plaas in die Karoo van omtrent 6 000 hektaar gehad waarop hulle geboer het. Die familie het aanbeweeg en so ook Della. Sy het ŉ graad bekom aan ŉ vooraanstaande universiteit, in die dae toe dit nog iets beteken het. Toe dit nog vir iets gestaan het. Haar filosofieklasse het haar insig gegee in alles en nog wat. Om nie te praat van die kuns wat sy so geredelik mee brag nie. Ja, nee. Della is ŉ geleerde vrou. “En al hierdie boskakkertjies hierrond weet niks van niks

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af nie.” Sy is nie te belangrik of te geleerd om haar bydrae tot die samelewing en haar kinders se skool te maak nie. Nee, Della is aktief! Sy sal sommer ook terwyl sy so besig is met die pannekoeke die skool se bemarking, finansies, gronde en wat ook al fout is uitsorteer. Haar hanne staan inderdaad vir niks verkeerd nie. Iewers in haar agterkop begin ŉ tor spin. “Hulle kyk snaaks vir my. Daar is iets fout met hulle. Miskien is hulle regtig arm en kan nie die R5 vir die pannekoek bekostig nie.” So gaan dit aan, die hele Saterdag, terwyl Della haar daar by die pannekoektafel afsloof en kaneel gooi dat die bollas wit sit. Teen skemeraand is al die deeg goddank op. Die tafels word opgepak en almal wens mekaar geluk met al die geld wat hulle ingesamel het. “Die kindertjies kan nou dank die Vader bietjie musiek leer.” Della drentel huis toe en na ŉ lang sigaret en ŉ botteltjie wyn is dit tyd om die dag se gedagtes van die lyf af te was. Sy gaan staan kaal voor die spieël en wonder of mense dalk aanstoot neem omdat sy oorgewig is. “Môre gaan die hele familie op ŉ dieet. Selfs die bokkie wat hulle hans grootmaak in die huis.” Sy haal die ou skaaltjie uit waarop sy alles meet. Hierdie vriend kan vir haar vertel wat eintlik aangaan. Hoeveel

koffie, tee, suiker, drank, sigarette, liefde, onmin, energie word gespandeer teenoor wat ingekry word. En die skale weeg altyd swaarder aan die inkry kant. Sy is oppit. “Solank ek altyd wen is alles okay met my. Dan is die skale gebalanseer.” “Vleis weeg te swaar, eet van môre af net groente en koolhidrate, die liggaam verbrand dit vinnig,” sê haar doktorsvriende waarmee sy altyd kompeteer. In daardie moment word die Pasta Prinses van Pofadder gebore en getoë. Sy is bietjie obsessief-kompulsief, maar daar is altyd chaos rondom haar. Die blikkies wíl net nie in ŉ ry bly staan nie. Die sokkies daag een, een by die wasgoedlyn op. So begin sy verbete een oggend knie en rol en vul en sny. Hier gaat jy. Maak die pasta (4 porsies) 400 g meel 4 medium eiers olie Metode Smeer die werkoppervlak met olie. Gooi die meel daarop en maak ŉ gaatjie in die middel. Voeg 1 eetlepel koue water en die olie by die eiers en klits hulle liggies met ŉ vurk.

Gooi die eiermengsel in die gaatjie en begin alles stadig inkorporeer totdat die deeg begin styf raak. Knie hom, knie hom, knie hom vir so 10 minute, totdat al die opgekropte energie wat jy al heeldag ronddra uit jou uit is en jou arms begin voel soos ŉ stoeier wat met ŉ tien ton bakkie baklei het. Die deeg moet styf wees, indien dit te slap bly gooi nog meel by. Rol die deeg in ŉ bal wanneer daar lugborreltjies begin verskyn. Nou gaan jy vir hom begin plat rol, weg van jou af met ŉ koekroller. Rol hom na alle kante toe van die middel af, sodat die deeg eenvormige dikte bereik, dit behoort fantastiese terapie vir jou OCD te wees. Rol hom, rol hom, rol hom lekker dun. Jy kan hom roteer sodat jy by die verste kant uitkom om alles dieselfde dikte te hou. Dan kan daai kunsgraad van jou inskop wanneer ons nou al die verskillende tipes vorms begin maak met die pasta. Souse Daar is basies drie tipes souse wat mens by alle pastas kry. Variasies van tamatie, béchamel (room en witsous), of pesto souse. Soms, soos in die geval van ŉ lasagne, ŉ kombinasie van twee.

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Puttanesca tagliatelle Gooi genoeg meel oor die pasta dat dit nie aan mekaar vassit nie. Dan rol jy dit op totdat hy in ŉ tipe silinder is. Sny 1 cm ringe, skud los van mekaar en hang oor ŉ stokkie totdat jy dit gaan gebruik. Dit droog taamlik vinnig uit, maar dit maak nie saak nie. Die oomblik wat jy dit in water sit word hy vinnig weer wakker. Bestanddele vir die sous 1 ui, geskil en opgekap 2 eetlepels olie 1 medium wortel, geskil en opgekap 425 g tamaties in ’n blikkie 2 vars tamaties, geskil en opgekap 4 eetlepels witwyn 1 lourierblaar 3-4 eetlepels vars basilie, opgekap 1 eetlepel kappertjiesade, fyngekap 1 klein blikkie ansjovisse 50 g swart olywe, fyngekap en ontpit 3 druppels Tabasco sous 1 eetlepel vars pietersielie, fyngekap 3 toontjies knoffel, fyngekap 500 g vars mossels, oopgestoom Metode Sweet die uie oor ŉ lae hitte vir so 4 minute, totdat jy die knoffel en wortels bygooi. Kook vir nog 2 minute. 42 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

Gooi nou die tamaties, witwyn, lourierblaar, basilie, vier ansjovis filette, asook sout en peper by. Bring tot kookpunt en kook vir 30 minute. Druk dit deur ŉ sif of deur die voedselverwerker. Gooi terug in die pan en voeg nou die res van die ansjovis, kappertjiesade, olywe en Tabasco by en verhit saggies. Voeg heel laaste die gestoomde mossels, en ŉ bietjie van die water waarin hulle gestoom het, by en meng goed deur sonder om die mossels te breek. Kook die pasta in kokende water, met ŉ bietjie sout en olie in, vir so 4 minute (net voordat dit gaar is, want jy gaan dit saam met die pastasous vinnig weer opwarm, dan kook hy vir die laaste minuut of so). Wanneer die pasta reg is gooi ŉ koppie koue water in die pot en dreineer. Moenie al die water waarin die pasta gekook het weggooi nie, nes Della is die pasta dors. Gooi die gedreineerde pasta terug in die pot, met ŉ goeie teug olyfolie, sout en peper. Meng goed deur en maak seker die pasta is alles los van mekaar. Gooi nou die tamatiesous wat jy gemaak het by en meng goed. Gebruik van die oorskiet sous waarin die pasta gekook het, om seker te maak dit bly nat en glad, en breek nie op wanneer jy daarmee werk nie. Bedien met parmesaan kaas.

Lasagne Dellagne Jy kan nooit genoeg van die tamatie en béchamelsouse maak nie, daar is altyd te min, so maak die resep maar dubbel van die begin af. Bestanddele 450 g gedroogde lasagnevelle pasta sout ¼ koppie olyfolie 2 toontjies knoffel, fyngekap 1 medium ui, fyngekap 1 kg geblikte tamaties 1 t suiker 2 eetlepels vars basilie, fyngekap 600 ml béchamelsous Béchamelsous (maak 2½ koppies, of 600 ml)

600 ml melk 1 klein ui, geskil en in kwarte gekap 1 medium wortel, in stukke gesny 1 lourierblaar 6 peperkorrels, effens gebreek paar stukkies foelie (mace) 1 takkie vars pietersielie 3 eetlepels botter 6 eetlepels meel sout en witpeper Metode Gooi die melk in ŉ pot wat ŉ deksel het, want jy gaan die melk stock laat staan om in te trek. Voeg die peperkorrels, ui, wortel, lourierblaar, foelie en pietersielie by. Kook stadig en bring tot kookpunt, vir so 10 minute. Die melk moet nooit vreeslik kook nie. Sit die Plaastoe! Edition 27 43

deksel op en laat staan om in te trek vir nog 10 minute. Gooi deur ŉ sif en hou net die melk. Smelt die botter en meel in ŉ pan. Gooi sout en peper by en roerbraai net tot voordat dit begin verkleur. Voeg die melk stadig maar seker by. Bietjies, bietjies sodat die sous nie klonte maak nie. Hou aan roer totdat jou sous die regte dikte is. Hy moet nie te loperig wees nie en dik genoeg, sodat jy hom lekker kan versprei oor die oondbak waarin jy die pasta maak. Tamatiesous Braai die uie, met die suiker, tot bruin. Voeg die knoffel by en maak seker dit brand nie. Gooi nou die tamaties in die pan, asook die basilie en kook die sous totdat al die vog verdwyn en dit lekker kan smeer en nie orals uitloop nie. Metode vir die lasagne Verhit die oond tot 220C.

Kook die pasta in water net totdat hulle sag is, maar nog werkbaar is. Verwyder van die water, dreineer en lê hulle plat neer op ŉ geoliede tafel, sodat hulle nie aan mekaar raak nie. Smeer die onderkant van ŉ oondvaste bak met olie en lê drie velle pasta onder in. Smeer die tamatiesous eweredig bo-oor en daarna ŉ laag béchamelsous. Dan weer pastavelle, tamatiesous en béchamelsous. Hou aan totdat jy die bak volgemaak het, maak seker niks van die pasta steek uit nie, anders word dit hard en oneetbaar. Jy moet met ŉ laag béchamelsous eindig bo-op die lasagne. Strooi fyngerasperde Parmesaankaas tussen die lae as jy wil, en ook bo-op die laaste béchamelsous. Bak in die oond vir 15-20 minute, totdat die sous bo-op mooi bruin begin raak. Bedien warm.

Kappielettie Pofadderettie (Cappelletti Toscani)

Bestanddele opgekookte botterskorsie, fyngedruk botter vars salie Rol die rou pasta dun uit en sny sirkels met ŉ glas of ŉ drukker. Sit teelepels van die gekookte botterskorsie daarin en druk die punte toe, met ŉ bietjie eiergeel, sodat dit mooi hoedjies vorm. Kook in kookwater met olie en sout vir so 4 minute, of totdat die pasta net gaar is. Vir die sous Smelt die botter in ŉ groot pan op mediumhitte totdat dit net begin verkleur. Jy sal ŉ neuterige reuk begin ruik wanneer dit net begin brand. Gooi die vars salieblare heel in teen die einde. Bedien die gebrande bottersous, saam met die gaar pastahoedjies. Soete Ravioletta Jy kan ravioli met allerhande vulsels maak. Sit een laag pasta op jou geoliede werkbank, sit die vulsels op en sit dan nog ŉ laag pasta bo-oor, voordat jy hulle sny en snoer. Jy kan die Ravioletta rond of vierkantig maak. ŉ Soet pasta is iets wat ek nog min gesien het. Nou maar hoekom nie? So kom ons maak een. 44 Plaastoe! Februarie & Maart 2019

Kiwivrug en mascarpone Ravioletta Bestanddele 4 kiwivrugte, geskil en in ringe gesny 4 toontjies swart knoffel fyngekap (as jy nie swart knoffel kry nie los dit uit) sap van halwe lemmetjie 100 ml pynappelsap 3 snye spanspek, in stukke gesny 5 groot vars kruisementblare Mascarpone kaas Vul jou Ravioletta met die mascarpone kaas en kook tot net voor gaar. Dreineer en gooi sout, peper en olyfolie oor. Sit eenkant. Die dis kan warm of koud bedien word. Sous Sit al die bestanddele in ŉ voedselverwerker en blitz totdat dit ŉ sop word. Proe en pas die smaak aan. Bedien

oor die Ravioletta. Jy kan ook ŉ bietjie vars basilie pesto bo-op sit vir ekstra smaak. So het Della gerol en gevul en gekook en gestook. Dis net pasta wat hang soos haarverlengings regoor die huis. Almal eet pasta, oggend, middag en aand. Sy is tans besig om te werk aan ŉ waterblommetjiebredie ravioli met ŉ deursigtige lamaftreksel en kan nie wag dat die kreefseisoen moet kom, sodat sy bietjie vis in haar pasta kan pos nie. Die geluk het Della oorkom, sy het haar nering en ŉ plek gevind waar sy al haar frustrasies kan uitleef en daai kunsgraad kan eet, stukkie vir stukkie, maal na maal, totdat daar finaal selfs ŉ glimlag en ŉ teken van selfvoldaanheid op haar dun lippe verskyn. Die skale balanseer. Selfs haar hare het ontspan. P Plaastoe! Edition 27 45

LIFESTYLE

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Agritourism and diversification By Jacqui Taylor, CEO Agri-tourism SA

assist the farmer, from bringing their own water to use in the accommodation facilities to purchasing animal feed. Why should visitors help the farmer? The most important reason, apart from the humanitarian, is to prevent food inflation (the increase in the cost of food). There is also the educational aspect that needs to be reinforced with children, for example, water does not come from a tap. It is in the interests of South Africans to have a healthy rural economy. Two-thirds of all South Africans live in urban areas. Unemployment rates are increasing in rural towns and droughts and adverse weather conditions have contributed to this serious situation. Rural towns were developed to service the needs of farmers nearby. Currently these towns are in serious need of socio-economic upliftment and investment. This question is frequently asked by visitors wanting to explore the rural countryside of South Africa. What is Agritourism? An Agritourism destination is a commercial business on a working farm conducted for the enjoyment of visitors that generates supplemental income for the farmer and his farm staff. A recent research survey done by Agri SA, showed that since January 2018, the agricultural sector shed 31 000 jobs in those provinces that were severely affected by the drought. It also showed that those farmers, who responded, said they struggled financially. Quite clearly, drought affects agricultural production and therefore the profitability of farming. There is a need to rethink the agricultural capability of farm land in South Africa. How do we share water fairly in a dry country?

From a farmers’ perspective, the impact is not only financial but also emotional. More than 50% of the respondents in the Agri SA survey said they were suffering from anxiety, depression and the like. Being able to speak about the effects of the drought on their farms is beneficial for those who often work seven days a week. It provides the opportunity to share frustrations and how problem solving resulted in positive progress.

There are two different perspectives – one the farmers’ and the other the visitors’. Let us start with the visitor experience first. Obviously, the environment will show the effects of the drought, but it is important to remember that South Africa has always had periods of drought, so most visitors are used to summer and winter rainfall patterns and the impact these rains have on the farm lands. In South Africa we also know we have several different climates and that conditions are variable in terms of rainfall. So why visit? Tourists/visitors can learn from farmers on the many different initiatives they have on their farm to save water. “’n Boer maak ’n plan” or “a farmer will come up with a solution” is a truthful observation. Farmers are practical and resourceful people. Farming is a high-risk business and farmers have to adapt to weather patterns that are uncontrollable. There are many different things that visitors can do to

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So how can Agritourism help farmers? Farmers need to be given the opportunity to diversify their income streams to spread their risk. So where should a farmer start? I have written articles which can be downloaded from the website www.agritourismsouthafrica.com which are helpful in understanding where to start. In a nutshell, a farmer needs to consider all the following factors: 1. What resources are available – human and capital? What recreational facilities are available on the farm? 2. Where is the farm situated – close to a city or does the farmer need to cooperate with other farmers in the region to create an Agricultural Route? 3. How do visitors access the farm – is there signage and are the roads in a fair condition? 4. Visitors will ask about security on the farm. What about weather-related emergencies and/or fires? Is there a backup plan to help rescue visitors? 5. Are there warning signs (operation of machinery) and indemnity forms that need to be signed by visitors? 6. If there are animals on the farm, are they fenced off or are they accessible by roaming children? These are just a few of the factors that have to be considered by farmers before they embark on the Agritourism path. The World Farmers’ Organisation has a document on its website with interesting case studies on Agritourism

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around the world, which also provides for interesting reading and idea generation. In conclusion, the drought has taught us all just how vulnerable we as humans are. What are we going to drink? What are we going to eat? The drought has brought us down to basics – nature has always, and will always, decide the fate of humankind. P

Horticulture and Arboriculture Consultant Residential and Commercial Landscaping and Maintenance Project Management Landscaping and Set Dressing for Film Suppliers of Trees and Plants Contact: Dale Barber: 084 222 1334; dale@groundworks-sa.com Laurel Cadle-Barber: 021 856 0739; 071 339 9464; laurel@groundworks-sa.com https://groundworks-sa.com