AgriProbe Vol 21 No 4 by WCDOA pubs

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Eloise Pretorius

Setting

the SCENE

by Dr Mogale Sebopetsa

Celebrating 20 Years of AgriProbe –A Legacy of Insight and Innovation

A

As we close the year 2024, we mark a significant milestone for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s flagship publication, AgriProbe, which has turned 20 years old. This two-decade journey is a testament to the Department’s commitment to sharing knowledge, fostering innovation and creating a platform for collaboration within the agricultural community. AgriProbe has been more than just a publication; it has been a bridge connecting farmers, researchers, policymakers and enthusiasts. Its pages have told the stories of our land, celebrated agricultural milestones and offered practical solutions to challenges faced in the sector.

In this celebratory edition, we explore themes that continue to shape the agricultural landscape. From the opportunities in agritourism to the advancements in meat safety microbiological surveillance, these articles highlight the dynamic nature of our sector. We also reflect on achievements, like the Elsenburg Vineyard Renewal Project and the successes at Nampo Cape and the George Show 2024, which underscore our Department’s commitment to growth and excellence all the while connecting with our citizens.

The celebration of farmers’ days and international conferences, such as the 9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture,

“AgriProbe’s 20th anniversary is an opportunity to honour the partnerships and collective efforts that have enriched our agricultural sector.”

demonstrates the critical role of collaboration in driving innovation. As we look at projections like the BFAP Baseline Agricultural Outlook 20242033, we are reminded of the importance of planning for a sustainable and resilient future.

AgriProbe’s 20th anniversary is also an opportunity to honour the partnerships and collective efforts that have enriched our agricultural sector. To our readers, contributors and stakeholders, thank you for your dedication to the sector and for making AgriProbe an enduring source of inspiration and information.

As we celebrate this legacy, let us embrace the opportunities ahead. May the stories within these pages fuel your passion, spark innovation, deepen your connection to agriculture, and underscore the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s commitment to serving you.

Here’s to 20 years of excellence and many more to come!

#ForTheLoveOfAgriculture AP Head of Department Western Cape Department of Agriculture

Dr Mogale Sebopetsa

EDITORIAL

Setting the scene

Celebrating 20 Years of AgriProbe

– A Legacy of Insight and Innovation

MINISTERIAL

Agritourism offers an exciting diversification opportunity for farmers

DIARY AND EVENTS

Celebrating the launch of the Western Cape – Bourgogne Franche-Comté Alumni Network

CPUT hosts the 8th U6+ International Conference

NEWS SNIPPETS

Department celebrates successes at George Show 2024

Showcasing the future of agriculture at NAMPO Cape 2024

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Recognising the value of farmers’ days in our communities

Small Grains, Big Gains: Plant Sciences Farmers’ Days 2024

HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

‘I’m tasting the stars’

ECONOMIC NEWS

Reflecting on the Western Cape BFAP Baseline Agricultural Outlook 2024-2033

TAKING OUR SERVICES OUT THERE

Fostering the future of livestock production - The vital partnership between local dairy farmers and the EATI

RESEARCH NEWS

9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture

Elsenburg Vineyard Renewal Project gathers momentum!

COVER INSPIRATION

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

La Niña 2024-2025: Opportunities and challenges for agriculture in Southern Africa

ELSENBURG JOURNAL

South African macadamia industry: Trade competitiveness amidst Climate Change

insights for South Africa’s potato sector: Opportunities and challenges ahead

PUBLISHING TEAM

Publisher: Erika Alberts

Layout & design: Christopher Robin Design

Copy editor: Aletta Pretorius-Thiart

Content co-ordinator: Savanna Strauss

Illustrator: Ronelle Oosthuizen

Financial director: Pat Botha

This festive cover was inspired by the desire to celebrate both the Christmas spirit and the vibrant agricultural community featured in AgriProbe. By blending the warmth of the holidays with the essence of farm life, we created a unique image that honours 20 years of the magazine’s journey. Santa’s green suit symbolises sustainability and the agricultural theme, while his trusty tractor replaces the traditional sleigh, embodying modern farming innovation. The canola fields echo the richness of our agricultural landscapes, while the cow adds a charming nod to the livestock that sustains so many. This cover is a joyful tribute to agriculture’s role in shaping our communities, just as AgriProbe has done for two decades.

COVER

Conceptual cover designed by Arie van Ravenswaay.

EDITOR

Mary James (021 808 5008) mary.james@westerncape.gov.za

CHAIRPERSON

Dr Ilse Trautmann (021 808 5012) ilse.trautmann@westerncape.gov.za

SECRETARIAT

Gizelle van Wyk (021 808 5022) gizelle.vanwyk@westerncape.gov.za

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Arie van Ravenswaay (021 808 5085) arie.vanravenswaay@westerncape.gov.za

Ashia Petersen (021 808 5010) ashia.petersen@westerncape.gov.za

Daniel Johnson (021 483 3261) daniel.johnson@westerncape.gov.za

John Constable (021 808 7763) john.constable@westerncape.gov.za

Dr Lesley van Helden (021 808 5017) lesley.vanhelden@westerncape.gov.za

Riaan Nowers (021 808 5194) riaan.nowers@westerncape.gov.za

Vusumzi Zwelendaba (021 808 5226) vusumzi.zwelendaba@westerncape.gov.za

Sandile Mkhwanazi (021 808 7034) sandile.mkhwanazi@westerncape.gov.za

Juan de Lora (021 808 5383) juan.delora@westerncape.gov.za

Agritourism offers an exciting diversification opportunity for farmers

by Minister Ivan Meyer and Daniel Johnson

OOn Friday, 27 September 2024, we joined the world in celebrating International Tourism Day, a significant occasion to underscore the substantial economic role of tourism. In the Western Cape, tourism injects a robust R28 billion into the economy and sustains over 250 000 jobs. This thriving sector is a key player in our provincial economy and we are committed to fostering its growth. However, this growth is contingent on the understanding and support of our communities.

Tourism is seen as a source of export earnings. It leads to the flow of international capital and income – in Dollars and Euros – to the province.

As the provincial minister also responsible for tourism in the Western Cape, I have set the following priorities for the next five years:

Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. It has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and wine, and evokes a sense of wellbeing.

Learn more!

Scan the QR code or visit babylonstoren.com

First, the improvement of infrastructure and tourism product development, especially in areas such as agritourism.

Second, creating a supportive business climate. Here, one thinks about the role of visas and how the GNU government can make it easier for tourists from countries such as India and China to visit South Africa.

Third is tourist safety. Fourth, the development and support of small tourism businesses and also from human resources.

Fifth, a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism development.

Ultimately, I must market the Western Cape as a world-class destination, with the assistance of every Western Cape citizen.

My recent visit to Babylonstoren’s latest project, Soetmelksvlei, offered a powerful example of what is possible within agritourism.

Just a short shuttle ride from Babylonstoren lies Soetmelksvlei, an interactive farmyard set in the late 19th century where visitors can immerse themselves in an era before rampant industrialisation – before electric lights and the Model T Ford became familiar sights – when the world moved at a slower pace and people used their hands to create what was needed. Soetmelksvlei honours the legacy of artisanship.

Visitors are encouraged to interact with master craftspeople as they do their daily chores. Get a glimpse of home life before the turn of the 20th century through the immaculately recreated interiors of the

“In the Western Cape, tourism injects a robust R28 billion into the economy and sustains over 250 000 jobs.”

farmhouse. Sit at the kitchen table for a cup of freshly brewed moerkoffie. Enjoy a rusk or still-warm freshly baked bread and home-churned butter while observing the kitchen utensils and methods of the 19th-century cook. Learn about heritage fruit and vegetable varieties from our gardeners in the kitchen garden, and step into the Gardener’s Cottage to marvel at the display of dried medicinal herbs.

Coffee break at Soetmelksvlei, Babylonstoren.

Minister Meyer trying his hand at old fashioned carpentry.

The K3 SA Forest Adventures zipline is located just an hour from Cape Town, near the town of Caledon, along the N2 National Highway.

Watch this!

Scan the QR code or visit shorturl.at/Pg6DD to watch the video: ‘K3 World’s Longest Zipline’. Published by SA Forest Adventures

Recently, I opened the longest (3.2km), therefore world-class-leading zipline in the world in Caledon. Adventure tourism is something that the Western Cape offers in abundance.

Over the past decade, the number of international tourists engaging in adventure tourism activities in our province has doubled, making it one of the fastestgrowing forms of tourism. Last year, nearly half of all international tourists in the province participated in an adventure activity. This trend signals a promising future for adventure tourism in the Western Cape. Tourism is a unique industry that can create economic opportunities for rural areas. It not only supports the conservation of our natural and cultural environment but also fosters sustainable development.

The well-maintained tourist towns, such as Prince Albert, are a testament to the positive impact of tourism on our rural communities.

Agritourism involves visiting farms and plantations, farmers’ markets, gastronomic festivals, etc. In other words, it is about agricultural products marketed to tourists right from the source. That’s what they mean when they say, “from farm to table”. The wine industry is already world-class in the Western Cape, so I would like to see how we can take tourism to other areas, such as the citrus industry.

Minister Meyer preparing to do his first ride on the K3 Zipline, the world’s longest zipline, 3.2 km in length.

One of the only official statistics on the value of agritourism in South Africa is from the outdated 2007 Census of Commercial Agriculture (STATSSA, 2007). The Western Cape has the highest income from agritourism, which is R45.7 million, 25% of the total R181.5 million in the country.

Other recent examples of farm-based tourism include the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre, located on a former wheat farm on the West Coast. It offers visitors an incredible cultural experience. This cultural centre embodies my concept of “your culture, my culture, and our heritage”.

Learn more!

The San, one of the last remaining huntergatherer societies, face the erosion of their ancient way of life due to disenfranchisement, climate change, and modern misunderstandings. The !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre now offers a platform where the San share their story, reminding us all of our shared human heritage. This is humanity's story.

Travel through the sands of time at the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre, R27 West Coast Rd, Yzerfontein/Darling, 70km from Cape Town: shorturl.at/EbVYg

Watch this!

Scan the QR code or visit shorturl.at/MDL1I to watch the video: ‘What is !Khwa ttu? - Hear it from the San themselves’.

Agritourism offers an exciting diversification opportunity for farmers. It allows the farmer to generate additional income for his farming business, lowering his financial risk.

Agritourism has the additional benefit that, in many cases, it utilises infrastructure that is not optimally used and agricultural land that is not always best suited for traditional agricultural purposes. Like agriculture, agritourism contributes to growing our economy and creating jobs. May your 2024/2025 tourism season be safe and enjoyable. AP

#ForTheLoveOfAgriculture

Minister Meyer meeting representatives of the San people during his recent visit to !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre.

Celebrating the launch of the Western Cape – Bourgogne FrancheComté Alumni Network

by Robyn Carstens

TThe Western Cape –Bourgogne FrancheComté Alumni Network was officially launched in August this year with a memorable event at Elsenburg’s Percheron Hall. Under the patronage of the French Embassy and the Department, cellar workers, cheese makers and protégé student alumni gathered to celebrate their shared experiences from the Burgundy Exchange programme and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

support from Marius Paulse, Chevalier and former head of the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, who emphasised the importance of international partnerships and the invaluable experiences gained from the programme, especially in today’s interconnected and ever-changing world.

Brenton Maarman, Programme Director, welcomed guests and set the tone for the evening. This was followed by a message of

Franschhoek Pass: A breathtaking landscape of vineyards, plantation fields and majestic mountains.

Darryl Jacobs, Chevalier and Deputy Director General of Agricultural Development and Support Services, addressed the audience on behalf of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. “Today we take an important step forward with the establishment of the Burgundy Alumni Network. This initiative is more than just a formal association of past participants; it is a dynamic platform for continued growth, learning and collaboration. The purpose of this network is multifaceted,” said Darryl.

Photo © Marisa Estivill

“It extends far beyond the technical skills acquired. At its core, it is about cross-cultural exchange.”

Firstly, it provides a space for alumni to share their experiences, challenges and successes. This exchange of knowledge is vital for both personal and professional development.

Secondly, it serves as a bridge connecting alumni with their French counterparts, fostering cross-cultural understanding and opening doors to new business opportunities. Lastly, it reinforces the bond between the regions ensuring that the

Clos de Vougeot: A worldfamous wine, historic vineyard, winemaking château, and one of France’s most prestigious table d’hôtes, nestled in the heart of Burgundy, France. The vineyard extends over almost fifty-one uninterrupted hectares. This Mecca of wine entertains tourists from all around the world. Learn more!

Scan the QR code or visit shorturl.at/udmg3

benefits of this partnership continue to flow for years to come.

Darryl shared the mutual value of the programme: “It extends far beyond the technical skills acquired. At its core, it is about cross-cultural exchange. However, participants are not only learning about the intricacies of viticulture and knowledge; they’re gaining a deep understanding of global issues, cultural diversity and the nuances of communication across cultures,” said Darryl.

Sophie Bel, the Consul-General of France in Cape Town, delivered an address representing the French government. She highlighted the significance of cultural and professional exchanges: “Hundreds of students from both countries have exchanged knowledge, culture and language, created lifelong memories and advanced their careers. Twenty-five years… it’s a generation, it was right after the end of apartheid. Next February, the President of the Burgundy region, Marie-Guite Dufay, will visit Cape Town to celebrate this milestone. This partnership has created jobs and has contributed significantly to South Africa’s wine industry, making it one of the world’s top ten countries.”

The launch event also featured inspiring videos from the alumni celebrating the Burgundy Exchange Programme, showcasing their enriching experiences gained through this collaboration. The evening concluded with a vibrant networking session, where attendees had the opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues and forge new relationships.

Alumni featured in the

interviews. Watch this!

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/m94axbyw

The knowledge gained in France is certainly brought back to South Africa where it enriches not only the individuals but also the broader agricultural community. This launch marks the beginning of a dynamic community dedicated to fostering growth and collaboration and we look forward to the exciting initiatives that lie ahead. AP

For more information, contact Robyn Carstens: robyn.carstens@westerncape.gov.za

Programme alumni networking and enjoying the evening.

video

From left: Darryl Jacobs, Sophie Bel, Marius Paulse and Brenton Maarman.

CPUT hosts the 8th U6+ International Conference

by Mzwanele Lingani

DDuring September 2024, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) hosted the 8th U6+ International Conference at the District Six campus. The U6+ is a consortium of universities across the African continent that consists of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (South Africa), Kwara State University (Nigeria), University of Gambia, University of Cape Coast (Ghana), Jaramogi Oginga University of Science & Technology (Kenya), as well as University of Ilorin and University of Abuja, both from Nigeria.

This was the 8th multidisciplinary conference and the second one that was hosted in South Africa. The main objective of the conference was to foster and promote academic linkages, academic exchange, capacity building and education across the African continent.

Learn more: Scan the QR code or visit u6conference.org

The delegation at the U6+.

The theme of the 8th conference was “Innovation for sustainable development and transformation in Africa”. Papers were submitted under the following sub-themes:

Food security, health and wellness

Climate change and sustainable environment

Designing for sustainable communities

Business, leadership and governance

New frontiers in science, engineering and technology

Education, quality and culture

ICT, media and communication

International security and justice

On 10 September, Prof. Chris Nhlapho, the Vice Chancellor of the CPUT welcomed all the delegates, including guests and Vice Chancellors from other universities. The welcoming speech was followed by Dr Lavern Samuels, President of International Education Association of South Africa, who delivered his keynote address. The speech highlighted challenges in higher education, especially for lowincome students. A total of 110 papers were presented orally throughout the course of the conference. Mzwanele Lingani submitted and presented a paper from a study conducted in the Cape Winelands on the economic viability of beekeeping. This paper was co-authored with Dr Ella C Hough and Prof. Morris Fanadzo, both working for the CPUT.

The paper is available at tinyurl.com/vnu4pnp5 1

In addition to the oral paper presentations, there was a session for poster presentations from the several fields. A number of experts were also invited to talk on various fields of expertise, such as Dr Nthabiseng Motete from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), who gave an interesting speech on food security in South Africa. It was also very interesting to engage with delegates, including students from various countries, on challenges facing the agricultural sector and share commonalities within the different farming systems across Africa.

During the gala dinner, three universities joined the consortium, with Vaal University of Technology being one of the universities from South Africa.

The 9th U6+ international conference will be hosted by Gambia. AP U6+ oral presentations.

For more information, contact Mzwanele Lingani: mzwanele.lingani@westerncape.gov.za

Department celebrates successes at George Show 2024

By Japie Kritzinger

AAt the end of August 2024, the Department attended the George Agricultural Show at the George Show Grounds. Despite the severe cold weather, the show attracted more than 10 400 visitors over the three days. On the Saturday the weather thankfully provided a sunny day, which led to over 6 000 visitors to the show.

The departmental exhibition was housed in the main exhibition tent and exhibited the services rendered by all programmes. In addition to the exhibition, the APSD programme hosted a calf rearing and disease control information session, while a schools’ programme was also rolled out. A total of 330 Grade 9-11 learners from two secondary schools in George visited the Departmental exhibition. Learners were also given a guided tour on the show grounds to look at a wide variety of the latest agricultural machinery, visited the poultry exhibition and the horse competition.

The George Agricultural Show once again proved to be the ideal platform to market the services and strengthen the image of the Department under the agricultural community of the Southern Cape. AP

Grade 9 learners from the Jonga Secondary School meet Phumi, the Department’s mascot.

Prof. Robin Meeske talking to Grade 10 learners from Thembalethu.

By Mary James

Showcasing the future of agriculture at NAMPO Cape 2024

TThe 5th annual NAMPO Cape Expo in Bredasdorp, held in September this year, was an agricultural spectacle like no other, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) stood out as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. Dr Mogale Sebopetsa

and Dr

At stands 185-191 in the BKB Hall, the WCDoA’s exhibition highlighted this year’s theme, “Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture”. Visitors were

The event drew a record-breaking 45 894 visitors, making it a hub for knowledge exchange and cuttingedge advancements in agriculture. immersed in solutions addressing climate challenges, such as the SmartAgri Plan and Conservation Agriculture practices. The interactive CapeFarm Mapper tool offered insights into sustainable land use, while the One Home, One Garden initiative inspired food security at a household level.

(left), Head of Department,

Dirk Troskie (right), Director Business Planning and Strategy, with John Steenhuisen, the National Minister of Agriculture, at the WCDoA exhibition.

NAMPO Cape provides the Western Cape agricultural community a window into the latest technology and innovation in the agricultural sector.

The LandCare projects, focusing on alien clearing, river restoration and indigenous tree planting, emphasised the Department’s commitment to sustainable resource management. Livestock farmers gained information on biosecurity and the WCDoA’s efforts in veterinary care and food safety.

Exciting live demonstrations at the AgriProcessing On Wheels trailer showcased advanced agricultural processing techniques, while the Schools Programme in the Youth Tent opened learners’ eyes to diverse careers in agriculture.

Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, as well as Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, the Head of Department, together with the WCDoA staff engaged with citizens, reinforcing the Department’s mission to drive innovation and sustainability.

During this year’s NAMPO Cape, the Department entered into a five-year Memorandum of Agreement with CASE IH, a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery.

This partnership will see CASE IH, renowned for its cutting-edge technology and expertise in agricultural implements, equipping the Department’s seven research farms with invaluable knowledge and stateof-the-art resources.

The Department also actively engaged in a number of the Agri In Conversation dialogues, tackling pressing sector topics in dynamic discussions in front of a live audience. These sessions provided a platform to delve deeply into critical issues shaping the agricultural sector.

NAMPO Cape 2024 demonstrated why agriculture is the backbone of economic growth, and the WCDoA ensured that the opportunity to engage with citizens was not lost, contributing to shaping the future of farming.

#ForTheLoveOfAgriculture AP

For more information, contact Mary James: mary.james@westerncape.gov.za

Minister Ivan Meyer behind the wheel with Stephan Nel, Managing Director of CASE IH Southern Africa.

The WCDoA stands at NAMPO Cape 2024 were buzzing with activity.

SAWIPB Primary Production Knowledge Donation Day 2024

By Brenton Maarman and Sandile Mkhwanazi

TThe South African Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB) hosted a Knowledge Donation Day for final-year students of the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, Stellenbosch University and Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

The programme, which was proudly sponsored by South African Wine, FELCO Tools South Africa and Kaap Agri, included the annual intervarsity pruning

The SA Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB) was established to develop practitioners and support industry related entities to ensure social sustainability. Learn more!

Scan the QR code or visit www.sawipb.co.za

competition, an information session on SAWIPB and two guest speakers that shared their work experience in the viticulture and wine recruitment industry.

The pruning competition was the highlight and was very competitive. It was a proud moment when the winners were announced. Elsenburg students, Carlo de Vries and De Villiers Coetzee took second and third positions respectively, while Stellenbosch University student Talitha Liebenberg scooped the first position.

On this memorable day new friendships

isiXhosa summary

Usuku lokuNikela ngolwazi kuVeliso oluPhambili lweSAWIPB – 2024

ISouth African Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB), ibambe umsitho wosuku olunye lokudlulisa ulwazi kubafundi bonyaka wokugqibela abaphuma kwiZiko loQeqesho lwezoLimo i-Elsenburg, iYunivesithi yaseStellenbosch, kunye neCape Peninsula University of Technology.Olusuku lube yimpumelelo ngenxaye nxaso mali olusuka kwi South African Wine, FELCO Tools South Africa kunye ne KAAP AGRI.

Kugcwangciso lasekuseni bekukho ukhuphiswano lokucanda imithi (Intervarsity pruning competition). Yaye baze baphinda benza ixesha lokuncwela ulwazi kumaqumrhu engcaphephe. Izithethi ezimbini ezinongiweyo kwelicandelo zanikwa iqonga ukuze zithethe

were formed and knowledge was shared that will contribute to the professional development of all attendees.

Well done to De Villiers Coetzee, Carlo de Vries and Skyla Horne for representing Elsenburg in the 2024 pruning competition. AP

ngamava kwicandelo le-viticulture nakwishishini lokuqesha abasebenzi kushishino lwewayini. Ukhuphiswano lokucanda imithi ubuyimbalasane yosuku, ibingulowo nalowo ebonisa esakhono sakhe. Bebenemincili abaphumeleleyo, UCarlo de Vries kunye no De Villiers Coetzee balapha eElsenburg bazibone behleli kwisicoco sesibini nesesithathu, Yaye yena uTalitha Liebenberg ubambe isicoco sokuqala kukhuphiswano.

Olusuku ibilususku olungenoku libaleka, abafundi bahlangene baza bakha ubuhlobo obuzakubanceda kwi kamva baphuhle basebenzele ukuba ngosochwephesha kuma candelo abo.

Sidlulisa imibulelo ku De Villers Coetze, Carlo De Vries kunye no Skyla Horne ngokumela iElsenburg kolukhuphiswano.

For more information, contact Brenton Maarman: brenton.maarman@westerncape.gov.za or Sandile Mkhwanazi: sandile.mkhwanazi@westerncape.go.za

From left: Jaco Engelbrecht (Visual Viticulture), second-place winner Carlo de Vries, Kachne Ross (SAWine) and Frans Laubscher (FELCO South Africa).

From left: Jaco Engelbrecht (Visual Viticulture), Third-place winner De Villiers Coetzee, Kachne Ross (SAWine) and Frans Laubscher (FELCO South Africa).

Recognising the value of farmers’ days in our communities

by Robyn Carstens

Genadendal Livestock Farmers’ Day

IIn May this year, the community gathered at the Hester Dorothea Conference Hall for the Genadendal Livestock Farmers’ Day. This event, organised by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA), brought together farmers, agricultural experts and stakeholders to discuss and promote sustainable livestock farming practices.

The programme kicked off with a warm welcome and introductions by Recardo Carelsen of the WCDoA, who outlined the event’s purpose and provided an overview of the day’s agenda. George Juries from the Genadendal Transformation Committee

Did you know?

The oldest mission station in South Africa, the Genadendal area is home to about 8 000 people and the Mission Museum, a national monument with beautifully restored historic buildings, showcasing some of our countries most important artefacts.

Animal Feed and Feeding Systems Farmers’ Day

The WCDoA hosted another event in September at the Malmesbury Town Hall. This event focused on animal feed and feeding systems. The day began with registration and a warm welcome from Rose Horne, setting a collaborative tone for the programme ahead. Dr Rebecca Mathobela outlined the day’s purpose, emphasising the importance of sustainable feeding practices for livestock. Participants benefited from expert insights, starting with Joline van Zyl from NOVA Feeds, who discussed monogastric feeds and feeding systems. This session provided invaluable knowledge for farmers managing poultry and pigs. Following this, Shaun Kordom, also from NOVA Feeds, presented on ruminant feeds and feeding systems, covering best practices for cattle and sheep.

Dr Rebecca Mathobela makes her way down the aisle after presenting an overview of the day’s programme.

Malmesbury is renowned for its grain and wine production, along with sheep and poultry farming.

Photo © Grobler du Preez

The programme continued with Dr Thami Mpanza from the ARC, who introduced innovative hydroponic sprout and fodder techniques, highlighting how these methods can enhance livestock nutrition, especially in times of feed scarcity. After a coffee break, Johan Sander of Agrimark spoke about animal feedstock and pricing, which is crucial for effective financial planning.

“Milling feed ingredients for unconventional feed formulation not only ensures optimal nutritional benefits for the pigs but also contributes to reduced feed costs, thereby bolstering the financial sustainability of the operation,” he said.

The event also addressed critical health concerns, with Marius Vrey from the WCDoA’s Veterinary Services discussing nutritional and metabolic diseases in livestock. Dr Ida Glover, a veterinarian from Octavoscene, then provided guidance on medicines to combat these issues, equipping farmers with the knowledge needed to maintain the health of their herds.

One of the farmers in the audience asking Johan Sander a question about feedstock and pricing.

Dr Ida Glover, a veterinarian from Octavoscene.

These farmers’ days would not be possible without the invaluable contributions of speakers and participants. As farmers depart from these informative sessions, they carry with them a deeper understanding of animal feeding systems and practical tools to enhance their livestock operations.

This experience reinforces the communities commitment to sustainable agriculture and highlights the ongoing

isiXhosa summary

SIPHAWULA UKUBALULEKA KWEMINI YAMAFAMA EKUHLALENI

Imini yemiboniso ngemfuyo e Genadendal KuCanzibe wakulo nyaka, iholo iHester Dorothea, laligcwele limi ngeembambo. Uluntu Genadendal lwalubizelwe kwimbizo yemiboniso yamafama emfuyo eGenadendal liSebe leZolimo laseNtshona Koloni (WCDoA). Inkqubo ibiphethwe ngu Mnu. George Juries ophuma kwiKomiti yoM’butho Oququzelela Inguqu e Genadendal “Genadendal Transformation Committee” kunye ne “Genadendal Smallholder Farmers Association”, nethe yaxoxa ngeendlela zonxibelelwano lwangaphakathi ekuhlaleni kwabo kunye namanyathelo anokwenziwa kuphuhliso.

uMnu Tokozani Ndonga ophuma kwiBhunga leMfuna-Lwazi ngeZolimo (ARC), yena uye wanikela intetha ngokubaluleka kokufuya imfuyo nolawulo ekuveliseni iinkomo zenyama ngokuzinzileyo. uGqr Klaas-Jan Leew, naye ophuma kwiBhunga leMfuna-Lwazi ngeZolimo (ARC), wabelane nathi ngolwazi olubalulekileyo ngeendlela ezizezinye namacebo ekondliweni kwemfuyo ngamafama, wabe ecacisa nangemiphumela yefuthe lwembalela kwimfuyo, imiphumela ngokushokoxeka kokutya kwakunye nokuthobela imithetho yokufuya.

uNks Lilly Qwabe, uveze umba wokwenziwa kwezicelo ezingokuphawulo lwemfuyo kwiSebe leZolimo, Ukubuyiswa koMhlaba Eluntwini kunye noPhuhliso Lwasemaphandleni. Ingcali yeSebe, kwiSebe leZolimo kwiNtshona Koloni, uMnu Stephen Modiba, ugqibezele ngokwenza imiboniso enemizekelo ngeendlela zokwenza nokuxuba ukutya kokondla imfuyo. Lemini

support from the WCDoA, ensuring that our agricultural practices continue to thrive for generations to come. AP

ibi yeyokuxhobisa amafama ngezakhono eziphathekayo zokuzenzela imisebenzi yase fama.

Ukutya Kwemfuyo kunye neNkqubo ezisetyenziswa ngama fama ukuzondla Kwi nyaga yoMsintsi isebe lezolimo (WCDoA) liphinde lamema uluntu kumboniso kwiHolo loluntu lwase Malmesbury.Kulendibano umxholo obusematheni kukutya kwemfuyo ne nqkubo ezisetyenziswa ngamafama ukondla imfuyo. uGqr Rebecca Mathobela ugxininise ukubaluleka kweenkqubo zokondla ezizinzileyo ukuze kuqinisekiswe imfuyo itya ukutya okufanelekileyo. Iingcali ziye zafumana ithuba lokuphefumlelana ngolwazi, uJoline van Zyl ehamba no Shaun Kordom bakawa NOVA Feeds, banikele intentho ngokutya kwe-monogastric kunye ne-ruminant kwimfuyo kwizilwanyana ezifana neNkukhu, iiHagu,iNkomo kunye neGusha. uGqr Thami Mpanza, ovela kwaARC ebethetha ngendlela ezintsha zokukhulisa imifuno ngokusebenzisa i-hydroponics kunye neendlela zokulungiselela ukutya. Kanti ke uJohan Sander ovela kwaAgrimark, ebethetha ngolwazi kwimveliso yokutya kwemfuyo kunye noku cwangcisa amaxabiso emali. UMarius Vrey ovela kwiNkonzo yoNyango lwezilwanyana yeWCDoA ebethetha ngesondlo kunye nemetabolism yemfuyo. uGqr Ida Glover uze neengcebiso zokusebenzisa amayeza agcina imfuyo isempilweni.

Ezindibano zabalimi ziphumeleliswa ngabo baye thabathe inxaxheba babe zizithethi. Abalimi babuya bexhotyisiwe kwezindibano kwaye bazuze ulwazi oluye lubancede baqonde nzulu ngokusebenzisa izixhobo kwifama zabo.

For more information, contact Robyn Carstens: robyn.carstens@westerncape.gov.za

A scenic view of the road from Genadendal to Caledon, with a wind farm visible in the distance near Caledon. Photo © Grobler du Preez

Small Grains, Big Gains: Plant Sciences Farmers’ Days 2024

by Prof. Johann Strauss

August and September are the months in which all the farmers’ days occur. The Directorate Plant Sciences of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and numerous partners host three such events.

1The first event was the SSK Winter Cereal Day at Riversdale. This is probably the best-attended farmers’ day in the cereal industry. With 360 attendees, this year was no exception. The day is a partnership between the Department, SSK co-op and Janpha Farms. Plant Sciences

Winter Cereal Day at Riversdale.

is responsible for planning the trial site and executing 99% of the trials on view. SSK takes responsibility for advertising the event and organising the sponsorships. Jan-Hendrik Joubert of Janpha Farms is the gracious host on whose farm the trials are conducted.

Photo © Chris Jooste

SSK

2The SKOG Farmers’ Day followed a week after the Riversdale event. The Department, together with Overberg Agri, KAL Group and the Protein Research Foundation, are the principals of this group and hosted the event. It showcases research in wheat, canola, legumes and pastures. The new format of choosing which trials to visit has sparked a recent revival in attendance. The final number that registered at the event reached 230. Langgewens was dressed in its finest for the day, and the rain stayed away, resulting in an informative day for all.

Piet Lombard and Lizette Nowers talking to farmers about Sclerotinia and blackleg at SKOG.

Farmers visiting different information sessions during SKOG 2024.

SKOG Farmers’ Day at Langgewens.

3

The final event in the cropping systems research farmers’ days was the Hopefield Farmers’ Day. This is the family’s baby and has been presented for the fifth time. Gideon Melck’s farm, Waterboerskraal, hosted the event, and the South African Winter Cereal Industry Trust and the Protein Research Foundation also contributed to the trials and farmers’ day. The event is still small, with 65 attendees this year. All the trials showcase possibilities regarding crops and crop production in sandy soil. AP

For more information, contact Prof. Johann Strauss: johann.strauss@westerncape.gov.za

Hopefield Farmers day at Waterboerskraal, Hopefield.

Arie van Ravenswaay explains how different light spectrums available on the drones are applied in the field at Hopefield.

Rens Smit sharing information about cover crops at the Hopefield Farmers’ day.

Gideon Melck sharing his experience of the current season at the Hopefield Farmers’ day.

Gideon Melck welcoming everyone to the Hopefield Farmers’ day.

‘I’m tasting the stars’

by Brenton Maarman

These words by French monk and cellar master, Dom Perignon, in 1693 ignited the start of Champagne as we know it today.

SSo, what is Champagne and why is it so popular? Champagne comes from the area with the similar name in the northern part of France and can be regarded as the most famous wine style. Champagne became a

Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638–1715), a French Benedictine monk, significantly advanced the production and quality of Champagne wine. While often mythically credited with inventing sparkling Champagne, his contributions predated its rise as the region’s hallmark style in the mid-19th century.

popular novelty with French royalty and this resulted in Champagne houses being established to meet the demand for fine sparkling wine. Ruinart was first to open its cellar doors in 1729, followed by Taittinger (formerly Forrest Fourneaux) in 1734. And then Moët opened in 1743.

Photo © Nicholas Stubbs

Image © Victor Grigas

The Oyster Lunch, 1735, in the Musée Condé in Chantilly, France, is the first known depiction of Champagne in a painting.

The Champagne area has 35 000ha under vine. Only three wine cultivars can be used to produce Champagne, namely Chardonnay (white grape), Pinot Noir (red grape) and Pinot Meunier (red grape). Chardonnay gives finesse, freshness and floral notes to the wine. Pinot Noir adds body, complexity and structure while Pinot Meunier is responsible for spiciness and roundness.

There are three different styles of Champagne:

1. Blanc de Blanc (usually 100% Chardonnay),

2. Blanc de Noir (made from Pinot Noir grapes), and

3. Rosé Champagne (can be made by allowing some skin contact prior to pressing and then “bleeding off” free run juice from the crushed red grapes). Champagne can also be classified according to its sugar content (Figure 1).

(Source: tinyurl. com/49jd374y)

Learn more!

Scan the QR code or visit shorturl.at/FEK2m

Watch this!

Scan the QR code or visit shorturl.at/1BirT

Figure 1: Sweetness levels in Champagne.

The Champagne region in northeast France is renowned for its sparkling white wine, Champagne.

Photo © Phillip Capper

South Africans know Méthode Cap Classique (MCC), a sparkling wine crafted in the traditional Champagne style.

Frans Malan of Simonsig Wine Estate pioneered MCC in South Africa.

Champagne production has two alcoholic fermentations (Figure 2). The first fermentation is known as the primary fermentation. Grapes for Champagne is harvested at 14.5 to 18 °B. The acidity of the grapes is around 12 to 18 g/L. After that whole bunch pressing is done in a traditional basket press at around one bar. Then yeast is added and the wine is fermented dry less than 5g/L sugar. The alcohol content of the wine is between 10% and 11%. Before the secondary fermentation wines from different vineyards, vintages or cultivars can be blended.

The next step is the secondary fermentation. A mixture of selected rehydrated wine yeast, water, dissolved sugar, riddling aids and nutrients is added to each bottle at a bottling line and fermentation occurs at 12°C. The bottles are placed horizontally in dark areas such as in the traditional limestone caves underground in Champagne. During the second fermentation the alcohol increases between 1.0% to 1.5% and produces a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2).

(Source: tinyurl.com/bdzdsvjm)

This is why Champagne has a high concentration of CO2 dissolved in it – about 10 grams per litre of fluid – and the finished Champagne wine can have a final pressure of between four and six bars pressure.

Photo courtesy of Simonsig.

Figure 2: Sparkling wine production.

The wine stays on lees for a minimum of 15 months for nonvintage Champagne and a minimum of three years for vintage Champagne. As soon as the winemaker considers his wine to be matured (spending enough time on the lees), the riddling (remuage) process starts. It is a process where all the particulate material (yeast cells, protein material, bitrate crystals and riddling aids) in the wine move into the neck of the bottle. The riddling process is started by shaking the bottles to loosen up the lees. The bottles are then transferred to a special A-shaped sloping rack where they are twisted several times a month. The sediment collected at the neck of the bottle due to the riddling process is then removed by a process called disgorgement. The process should not cause more than 2% volume loss and between 0.5 and 0.8 bar of carbon q pressure. When this process is done, manipulation of the composition of the wine is done by sweetness adjustment (liquer d’ expédition) and then the bottles are corked. There are 49 million bubbles in one 750 ml bottle with an average bubble size of 69 millionths of a millilitre.

“There are 49 million bubbles in one 750 ml bottle with an average bubble size of 69 millionths of a millilitre.”

Champagne is categorised as sparkling wine but there are also other methods of sparkling wine production – see Table 1

Table 1: Different methods of sparkling wine production

Type of method

Description

Carbonation Adding bubbles to wine.

Transfer method

Tank/ Charmat method

Ancestral method

Same process as Champagne production but the second fermentation does not take place in the same bottle that is sold.

Same process as Champagne production but the second fermentation takes place in the tank.

The oldest method of making sparkling wine.

Photo courtesy of Simonsig.

Did you know?

“Kaapse Vonkel” was the first Cap Classique to include all three of the classic Champagne varieties, with the inclusion of Pinot Meunier in the assemblage. Watch this!

Scan the QR code or visit shorturl.at/EDsyt to watch the video: “Simonsig Cap Classique Masterclass”.

Since 1994 the word “champagne” may not be used unless it is the “real thing”. The aim is to protect the reputation of the true product and region. In South Africa the term “Cap Classique” has been used since 1992 for sparkling wine that is produced according to the traditional French method. One of the legislative requirements for Cap Classique is that the wine must be in contact with the lees for 12 months. In 2021 Cap Classique celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The South African market is enjoying Cap Classique because of the production increase

from 59 384 litre (2012) to 1 981 900 litre (2023). The United Kingdom is the biggest export market sipping 787 290 litre of Cap Classique during 2023.

Different names of traditional method sparkling wines. (Source: tinyurl.com/44r2fjrx)

Photo courtesy of Simonsig.

The Simonsig tasting room offers a perfect retreat in the Stellenbosch Winelands – relax under oak trees in summer or by the fireplace in winter while exploring a delightful range of wines.

Learn more!

Scan the QR code or visit. simonsig.co.za/tastings

It’s no surprise that Simonsig’s MCC is a perennial favourite – and it continues to win awards.

Cap Classique can be served between 6°C to 10°C and pairs excellent with almonds, butter or truffled popcorn, cocktail sausages, spicy Asian appetizers, olives and potato chips.

Champagne/Cap Classique is that go-to wine to add sparkle to any occasion at any time during the day. So go ahead and taste the stars. Cling-cling! AP

Reflecting on the Western Cape BFAP Baseline Agricultural Outlook 2024-2033

by Tshepo Morokong

TThe Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) presented the Agricultural Outlook 2024-2033 at Stellenbosch in August. The BFAP Baseline launch has become an important annual event on the Western Cape agriculture calendar bringing together various stakeholders representing government, industry and academia.

Under the theme “South Africa: Current realities and future expectations” related topics were discussed on the performance of agriculture in the country. Data-driven and evidence-based insights are critical to inform planning and policy development.

The outlook for the next 10 years painted a positive growth picture for horticulture and animal agriculture but less positive for the field crops sub-sector. The agricultural sector as a whole is expected to remain relatively stable, with other factors, such as climate change, remaining less disruptive.

“Data-driven and evidence-based insights are critical to inform planning and policy development.”

Although the outlook models are useful in simplifying some of the analysis of variables, it is important to note that the past 10 years have shown the dynamic and volatile nature of the agricultural landscape. Therefore, it is crucial to continue monitoring the agricultural environment to effectively address current challenges.

Livestock outlook

The current economic conditions did not stimulate increased consumption of animal products and therefore would need to improve to ease the pressure on the consumers. Furthermore, a combination of exports and selected imports will be crucial for this sector. Animal health is a major concern and addressing biosecurity problems will go a long way in enabling accelerated exported-led growth. The high cost of inputs, including electricity, was identified to affect the livestock value chains.

Field crops

The decline in world prices is expected to affect domestic producers. Therefore, the profit margin is expected to come down, but it will be important that investment into productivityenhancing technologies continues to give the sector a competitive advantage when the demand surpasses supply again. The efficient registration of new products was also pointed out since it is crucial for enabling producers to adopt top technologies and generate required efficiency gains.

Horticulture

There has been massive historic investment to expand but profitability is under immense pressure as experienced in recent years. Investment in this sector has stalled due to the unfavourable business environment.

“BFAP’s annual baseline forms a key component of the WCDoA’s decision-making process and agricultural calendar.”

The figure below illustrates the BFAP’s foresight on the potential impact of the effective implementation of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) on the sector. The AAMP has the potential to unlock R32 billion, with a significant share coming from livestock (57.5%), horticulture (21.7%) and field crops (20.8%). Also, it suggested an increase in the number of jobs by 71 487 (16%).

BFAP Baseline

Source: BFAP, 2024

The implementation of the AAMP requires the participation of key stakeholders and effective coordination based on mutual trust working together in the interest of the citizens of South Africa, who depend on the agricultural sector for food security, employment and the growth of the economy. AP For more information, contact Tshepo Morokong: tshepo.morokong@weterncape.gov.za

Fostering the future of livestock production

The vital partnership between local dairy farmers and the EATI

by Dr Thapelo Kekana and Marguerite van Niekerk

IIn the heart of Western Cape’s agricultural sector, farmers serve as the backbone, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. Among these unsung heroes are the dairy farmers who have stepped up to support esteemed institutions like the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (EATI) in its mission to cultivate the next generation of agricultural professionals.

The EATI, widely respected for its excellence in agricultural education, stands as one of the few institutions in the country offering a specialised course in Bovine Artificial Insemination (AI). This intensive two-month programme immerses students in both the theoretical and practical aspects

of AI, equipping them with the knowledge and technical skills required to master this intricate procedure. Under the expert guidance of Dr Annelie Cloete, students engage in a comprehensive study of bovine reproductive anatomy, the precise handling and thawing of frozen semen, and the meticulous technique necessary for effective AI practices.

A key element of this training is the hands-on experience, which requires access to a robust and diverse herd of cows.

Recognising the importance of this practical component for the future of the dairy industry and agriculture at large, local dairy farmers have made a remarkable contribution by increasing the number of necessary livestock.

In June this year, the Faculty of Animal Production at the EATI was the beneficiary of a generous donation of 12 Holstein Cull cows from Klipheuwel Plaas – a gesture that underscores the farmers’ deep commitment to advancing agricultural education. The cows were meticulously inspected by state veterinarian Dr Cloete before being integrated into the AI course with careful attention, ensuring their smooth adaptation to their new environment.

The unwavering support from Elsenburg’s dedicated staff has been a cornerstone of the programme’s success. The collaborative efforts of the Elsenburg Dairy Farm team, including drivers, dairy staff and colleagues, played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the AI course. Despite challenges, such as inclement weather from July to mid-August, the collective spirit of dedication and cooperation ensured that students received a superior level of training. Beyond mastering the technical aspects of AI, students enrolled in the Diploma and

BAgric programmes in Animal Production also took an active role in the day-to-day care of the animals. Their responsibilities included formulating and mixing feed rations, monitoring body weight and maintaining the cleanliness of the facilities. Additionally, they participated in advanced practical sessions, conducting body condition scoring (BCS) and lameness evaluations in high-producing dairy cows. These hands-on experiences were instrumental in refining the students’ practical skills. As a result, the course produced 10 students who are now registered artificial inseminators for cattle, fully prepared to make their mark in the agricultural industry across the country.

Marguerite van Niekerk (Large Stock Production lecturer) evenly spreads the oat hay.

Familiarising the cows with the pens for the AI practical.

This collaborative effort between the EATI and the surrounding dairy farmers serves as a powerful testament to the unity and strength of the Western Cape’s agricultural community.

The farmers’ unwavering support for educational initiatives reflects their deep-rooted commitment to the future of agriculture in the country. Without their generosity, such invaluable training programmes would not be possible.

Acknowledgements:

Special thanks are extended to the Blanckenberg family of Klipheuwel Plaas for their generous donation of cows, as well as to De Heus Animal Nutrition and the farmers in the Overberg region for their sponsorship of feed. Their contributions have not only facilitated the training of future agricultural professionals but have also strengthened the livestock industry by ensuring a skilled workforce in reproductive technologies.

Klipheuwel truck collecting the donated cows after the training.

In conclusion, Western Cape farmers truly are the unsung heroes of our nation. Their invaluable contributions to agricultural education and the broader industry deserve recognition and appreciation. Their dedication ensures that the future of farming in South Africa is secure, thriving in the hands of well-trained and passionate professionals. AP

For more information, contact Dr Thapelo Kekana: thapelo.kekana@weterncape.gov.za

Marguerite proposes a friendship.

9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture

by Prof. Johann Strauss

TThe 9th WCCA was a tremendous success, attracting 490 delegates from 41 countries across six continents. Held at the CTICC in Cape Town, it was hosted by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Landbouweekblad, Conservation Agriculture Western Cape and the African Tillage Network, with solid support from local and international sponsors.

The congress featured numerous keynotes, panel discussions, 93 oral presentations and 43 posters. Special sessions covered sustainable mechanisation for smallholders, scaling Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Africa, gender equity, youth and social inclusion in CA, and the intersection of CA and Agroecology. Landbouweekblad hosted sessions on legumes in the Western Cape,

technology in conservation farming, food safety, human nutrition, climate change and insights from pioneer CA farmers.

The Directorate Plant Sciences of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture contributed 12 posters and oral presentations to the congress.

From humble beginnings

CA has experienced remarkable growth since the FAO introduced it. Starting with the first World Congress in Madrid in 2001, the movement has expanded to cover an estimated 250-270 million hectares of cropland, accounting for nearly 20% of global cropland. Despite this progress, CA remains relatively unknown to the general public. The aim is to increase CA to cover 700 million hectares by 2050.

The initial adoption of CA was driven by key factors such as erosion control, drought resilience and economic benefits. Policy support is essential for widespread CA adoption with pressing issues like soil degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change. Development policies can integrate CA into education and vocational training systems, creating knowledgeable and skilled staff within national extension systems to aid farmers in the transition. Supportive policies are crucial, such as providing financial assistance through credit schemes for new CA equipment and technologies and adjusting subsidy schemes to cover crop seeds or environmental services facilitated by CA.

These measures can also stimulate a market for CA technologies, encouraging the machinery industry to participate. Some interesting results have surfaced in the five decades of experience with CA systems worldwide and the three decades of intensive scientific research on these systems.

CA was found to build and conserve the soil and regenerate many ecosystem functions and resources, such as soil organic matter, soil structure and health, biodiversity below and above the soil surface, and clean freshwater resources.

More recently, it was discovered that crops grown under CA would be richer in some vitamins, trace elements and secondary ingredients. Complemented with other modern technologies for crop production, CA can be highly productive, helping to fight global hunger while regenerating natural resources and ecosystems.

The main plenary hall before the delegates arrived.

Chris Burgess, editor-in-chief of Landbouweekblad, one of our partners, welcomed all to the congress.

Highlights from the congress

One of the immediate challenges facing CA is herbicide-resistant weeds. According to Prof. Ken Flower of the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative, the primary benefit of using more diverse crop rotations is the ability to employ different herbicide modes of action rather than simply reducing herbicide use. A relatively recent innovation in non-chemical weed control is harvest weed seed control (HWSC). HWSC allows the chaff fraction to be managed in various ways: It can be directed into a mill on the harvester to crush and kill weed seeds, dropped in the wheel tracks to confine the seeds, or collected in a cart pulled behind the harvester and used for livestock feed. We should leverage these new technologies to inform our cropping and weed management strategies rather than relying solely on herbicides for weed control.

In a recent study led by Prof. Karin Jacobs and her team at the Stellenbosch University, the impact of CA practices on the soil microbiome and its function in maize was examined. The study compared farms employing cover crop and crop rotation practices with conventional farming (CV) methods in a maize-growing region. The findings revealed that CA practices with reduced nitrogen input significantly influenced soil bacterial diversity, community structure and function. The microbiomes from CA farms exhibited higher diversity and more distinct microbial communities than those from conventional farms.

Dr Martin Harries from Australia underlined the importance of crop and pasture rotation, including break crops and pastures, as a foundation of conservation agriculture. These rotations ensure high water use efficiency in a dryland farming environment. It is concerning that the need to manage

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Langgewens Research Farm located between Malmesbury and Moorreesburg in the Swartland.

Numerous conservation agriculture trials are conducted at this site by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, the Stellenbosch University and private companies. They showcase, among other things, excellent examples of livestock integration into cropping systems.

herbicide-resistant weeds has caused a move away from biological nitrogen fixation. This is at odds with a critical principle of sustainable intensification: to rely less on external inputs while engaging ecological processes to supply nutrients.

Many hands were needed to get all the exhibitions in place for the congress.

Practical day.

Did you know?

CA is not a cure-all for humanity’s challenges, but it is a powerful tool that addresses multiple issues simultaneously. Of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, CA directly and indirectly contributes to 11 of these goals. This alone should motivate us to focus on promoting and accelerating the adoption of CA globally.

Rather than creating new buzzwords, we should recognise that CA offers a practical, operational and universally applicable solution for sustainable land management that can help feed the world. AP

Afrikaans summary

Die 9de WKCA was ’n geweldige sukses en het 490 afgevaardigdes van 41 lande oor ses kontinente gelok. Dit is by die Kaapstadse Konferensiesentrum gehou en is aangebied deur die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Landbou, Landbouweekblad, Bewaringslandbou WesKaap, en die Afrika-bewerkingsnetwerk, met ondersteuning van plaaslike en internasionale borge. Die kongres het talle hoofsprekers, paneelbesprekings, 93 mondelinge aanbiedings en 43 plakkate gehad. Volhoubare meganisasie vir kleinboere, skaalbewaringslandbou (SBL) in

Conservation Agriculture is a farming system that promotes minimum soil disturbance (i.e. no tillage), maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and diversification of plant species. It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to improved and sustained crop production.

For more information, visit: 1. shorturl.at/yh83u 2. shorturl.at/cW8Ss

Afrika, geslagsgelykheid, jeug en sosiale insluiting in SBL, en die kruising van SBL en landbouekologie was van die besprekingspunte. Landbouweekblad het sessies oor peulgewasse in die Wes-Kaap, tegnologie in bewaringsboerdery, voedselveiligheid, menslike voeding, klimaatsverandering, en insigte van baanbreker-SBL-boere aangebied.

Die Direktoraat Plantwetenskappe van die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Landbou het 12 plakkate en mondelinge aanbiedings tot die kongres bygedra.

For more information, contact Prof. Johann Strauss: johann.strauss@westerncape.gov.za

Dr Theodore Friedrich, one of the keynote presenters, and his wife at the gala dinner.

Elsenburg Vineyard Renewal Project gathers momentum!

by Shelton Mandondo

forms

IIn the eyes of many, the Elsenburg vineyard research farm is just an idle piece of land abutting to the Muldersvlei road, off the R44 road between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts in the Western Cape.

However, when viewed through the lens of a business entrepreneur, this is a hidden gem!

Its location within the “Golden Triangle” of the Stellenbosch Wine region makes it a prime spot for both commercial ventures and educational opportunities due to its intertwined umbilical functions with the Elsenburg Agriculture Education and Training Institute (EATI).

Legend has it that the EATI is the oldest agricultural training facility in South Africa (some say in Sub-Saharan Africa) and dates back to 1898 when the first group of students enrolled.

The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, the first centre for agricultural training in Africa, was established in 1898. The Institute has secured an outstanding track record in agriculture and especially in the field of agricultural training.

Elsenburg

part of the Greater Simonsberg region, which gets its name from the eponymous mountain, socalled for Stellenbosch's 17th century founder, Simon van der Stel. A significant characteristic of the area is the numerous valleys and foothills, providing wine grape producers with diverse aspects and climate conditions.

STELLENBOSCH WINE ROUTES MAP

Elsenburg is situated in the heart of the Stellenbosch wine production region, where students are in a perfect setting for learning to take place.

Elsenburg Cellar technology students.

South Africa’s winemakers are trained at Elsenburg. In addition to the cellar, 28.6ha of Elsenburg farmland was planted to vineyards. As this farm is part of the “Golden Triangle”, which forms the heart of the Stellenbosch Wine region, it follows that Elsenburg farm is ideally situated to be used to its full potential from both a commercial and training perspective.

The burning question is what is going on leading to this perceived notion of an idle land? It is the purpose of this paper to present a correct narrative and set the record straight!

It all started in 2022, wherein empirical observations indicated that the whole area under vineyards was infected with leaf roll virus, which lowers the yield as well as the quality of the vineyard crop. Furthermore, there was evidence of soil contamination and infrastructure decrepitude. The bulk irrigation infrastructure between the dam and the vineyard was old and prone to leakages. Hence, the Department in consultation with industry experts1 embarked on an aggressive process to redevelop the vineyard in a phased approach over a number of years, guided by the Elsenburg Vineyard Renewal Masterplan.

In terms of this Renewal Masterplan, training and winemaking blocks will be created to provide students with a specialised and comprehensive teaching facility where new and traditional viticultural concepts and principles may be demonstrated to students. The new vineyard establishment will facilitate the training of Elsenburg students to the highest standards before entering the South African wine industry. The viticulture concepts demonstrated will align with the EATI Viticulture and Oenology curriculum and will be designed for this purpose.

1 Vinpro produced a scoping report including the preliminary design and layout of the vineyards of the study area in 2022.

Elsenburg Renewal of Vineyards

The blocks will also serve as “demo platforms” for wine industry growers to view vineyard management practices and compare performance of cultivars, clones and rootstocks. Furthermore, the remaining area will be planted to quality red cultivars and clones for premium quality for commercial production. The income generated will be used to subsidise the training and cellar vineyards. The full vineyard unit concept (training, cellar and

As is the nature of farming, the replanting of the Elsenburg vineyard and the associated support will be a multi-year project stretching over the next decade. It is therefore imperative to acknowledge institutions bankrolling this project: the Provincial Treasury committed R2 551 000 and R2 000 000 was allocated in the CASP infrastructure fund by the WCDoA. » commercial) should be financially self-sustaining.

Work done to date:

Since March 2023, the following activities have been completed on this vineyard:

a. Uprooting of the whole vineyard: This work included removing existing trellising systems; irrigation dripper lines and any plant growth from the farm.

b. Digging 47 soil profile pits on the 28.6ha of land with specified dimensions and slope angles- (demarcated and geo-referenced points) to get a comprehensive analysis of the soil health status of areas on which the vineyard will be replanted.

c. Soil classification and analysis of each pit was done to get information essential for soil quality improvement of the full area and to accomplish the full restoration of the vineyard.

d. Procurement of international wines for training purposes, including hand basket press and stainless-steel labeller for the cellar.

e. The lab analysis of wines in the cellar.

f. Procurement of chemicals, including fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides.

g. Procurement of a new bottling machine as well as the cellar pump procured.

The 2024 programme of action

a. Deep soil ripping: A process is underway to deep rip 15.28ha of this land in 2024. Empirical observations of the vineyard indicate that the root growth of the vines may be retarded or require more energy due to the compacted nature of the soil, potentially resulting in reduced production. Therefore, one of the project requirements is to eliminate the compacted soil layers by deep ripping the fertilised portion of the farm. This will allow vine roots to grow faster and deeper, increasing their access to water and nutrients, and ultimately improving crop yields.

b. Precision fertiliser application: To achieve optimal yields, vines must be provided with the right nutrition at the right time. This include creating the right chemical balance of the soil before planting and distribution of inert fertilisers during deep ripping and before the vines are planted in 2024. Furthermore, research on viticulture has proved that fertilisation is one of the largest input costs and for this reason, precision fertilisation has emerged as a valuable technique to optimise nutrient application, increase crop yields, and minimise environmental impact.

The preliminary design and layout of the vineyard.

Beyond 2024

The bulk irrigation scheme: A turnkey solution will be implemented to ensure that a comprehensive tailor-made irrigation system is installed on the vineyard. This includes the design, installation and maintenance of the irrigation system to meet the specific needs of the Elsenburg vineyard farm. In summary the following will be done:

a. Laying a pipe through the dam wall.

b. Construction of a pipeline between the dam and the pump house.

c. Building of a new pump house and the installation of pumps.

d. Construction of the motherliness between the pumphouse and vineyard blocks.

The future of the Elsenburg vineyard looks bright. The Department will not relax until this project is completed and the Elsenburg vineyard and its cellar have been placed in its rightful position as the “Mecca” for developing nationally renowned winemakers in South Africa and beyond. AP

For more information, contact Shelton Mandondo: shelton.mandondo@westerncape.gov.za

Meat safety microbiological surveillance programme

by Dr Donna Wylie

IIn June 2024, the Western Cape Veterinary Services Sub-programme: Veterinary Public Health (VPH), implemented its meat microbiological surveillance programme.

The purpose of this was to establish a scheme to monitor and, if necessary, improve meat safety in abattoirs and export establishments across our province.

Good hygiene practices are the cornerstone of food safety. Meat and meat products can transmit serious

microbiological hazards that cause foodborne illnesses, and elimination of these hazards during the animal slaughter process is challenging. Therefore, it is important that strict hygiene practices are maintained throughout slaughter. Microbiological testing is conducted on meat to indicate the safety of these products for human consumption, and to verify that the food safety assurances made by the establishments producing our

When conducting microbiological tests, there are numerous organisms we look at to indicate the safety of meat and meat products.

Photo © Meldt van der Spuy

1 The first group are called indicator organisms and as the name suggests, serve as indicators of the bacteriological quality of food and the efficacy of hygiene protocols:

- Total Plate Count (TPC) estimates the possibility of food borne disease risk based on the growth of organisms. This test does not provide any information on the specific pathogens that may be present.

- Esherichia coli is an important bacteria known to cause food-borne gastroenteritis. It is a good indicator of faecal contamination of products.

- Enterobacteriaceae are one of the most common groups of indicator organisms in the food industry because they are relatively simple and quick to detect. Their presence in food usually indicates a potential failure in hygiene processes at the abattoir.

2 As well as testing for indicator organisms, there are other more specific organisms that need to be tested for. These include:

- Listeriosis. This is one of the most severe foodborne diseases. In 2017, South Africa experienced the world’s deadliest Listeria outbreak on record, tragically

causing over 200 deaths. Listeria monocytogenes is the responsible pathogen, and it is commonly found in animal digestive tracts. Therefore, poor slaughter techniques and failure of hygiene processes in our abattoirs can easily result in carcass contamination that affects the consumer. More so, L monocytogenes can not only survive but multiply in normal refrigeration temperatures!

- Salmonellosis. There are a number of species of Salmonella that cause highly infectious food-borne diseases.

- Campylobacter organisms are one of the most frequently reported foodborne bacteria and they are commonly found in the intestinal tract of our production animals, especially raw poultry products.

- Staphylococcus aureus lives on the skin and in the nose of around 25% of people. It typically does not cause a problem in healthy people, but carriers of this bacteria can contaminate food products where the bacteria can then multiply and produce toxins that cause food poisoning. Therefore, positive findings of S aureus can indicate a breakdown in employee hygiene procedures, such as proper handwashing techniques. »

Esherichia coli.

Enterobacteriaceae.

Highest Total Plate Count finding from each abattoir sampled

The Western Cape VPH microbiological surveillance programme aims to conduct sampling on all the different species of animals slaughtered at our registered abattoirs. Currently the programme has completed sampling on cattle carcasses at highthroughput abattoirs and is now busy sampling sheep carcasses.

To date, the results received are promising and indicate that hygiene processes implemented at high-throughput beef abattoirs are effective and we are able to verify that the food safety assurances provided by these sampled abattoirs are being met. The graph presents TPC results obtained from the sampled abattoirs.

“

The results received are promising and indicate that hygiene processes implemented at high-throughput beef abattoirs are effective.”

Names have been removed to maintain anonymity.

The graph shows the highest TPC (the “worst-case” scenario) received at each of the sampled high-throughput abattoirs. As can be seen, none of the values exceeded the critical threshold “M” (red line), which is a standardised limit in our food safety industry, and which should not be exceeded. This limit differentiates marginally acceptable quality from unacceptable quality.

Graph:

Two of the abattoirs did exceed limit “m” (green line), which differentiates good quality from marginally acceptable quality. What this limit indicates is that if a defined number of samples (for example, three out of every five samples) exceed limit “m”, then hygiene processes need to be monitored and possibly reevaluated at the abattoir, as there is a potential for production of unsafe products.

Whilst limit “m” was exceeded by two of the abattoirs in this sampling category, only one of the samples out of 20 at

each of the abattoirs exceeded this limit, indicating that hygiene processes are adequate but require monitoring.

Going forward, the VPH subprogramme hopes to continue seeing this trend in results, indicating that hygiene processes are being met by our abattoirs, and measures put in place to ensure safe meat products for our people are effective. AP

For more information, contact Dr Donna Wylie: donna.wylie@westerncape.gov.za

La Niña 2024-2025: Opportunities and challenges for agriculture in Southern Africa

by Dr Thapelo Kekana

BBetween October 2024 and March 2025, Southern Africa is expected to experience La Niña conditions. This climate event is forecast to bring above-average rainfall, providing much-needed relief. In the Mediterranean climate of the Western Cape Province, rainfall is expected to be normal to above normal from February, extending the 2025 rainy season while shortening the dry-hot period. This increase in rainfall will boost the growth of staple crops like grains and beans, as well as pastures such as perennial ryegrass, which are essential for ruminant livestock in the province.

Understanding mycotoxins

Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall

Zone 9: Seychelles

Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Zone 9: Seychelles

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Zone 10: Comoros

However, these wet conditions also favour the growth of moulds, which produce harmful mycotoxins that threaten both animal and human health.

Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Zone 10: Comoros

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Zone 10: Comoros

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2025

Figure 3: Rainfall forecast for January-February-March 2025

Zone 1: Western DRC and north western Angola.

Mycotoxins are toxic by-products produced by fungi like Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium, which thrive in warm and wet conditions. While La Niña’s favourable weather will enhance crop yields, it also increases the risk of mycotoxin contamination, especially in improperly stored grains, silages and pasture.

The most common mycotoxins in Southern Africa are:

Aflatoxins (from Aspergillus species), which often contaminate maize and cottonseed and are known carcinogens. Fumonisins (Fusarium species), commonly found in maize. Zearalenone (Fusarium species), which mimics oestrogen, causing reproductive issues in animals.

forecast for January-February-March 2025

Zone 1: Western DRC and north western Angola.

Figure 3: Rainfall forecast for January-February-March 2025

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Figure 1. Rainfall forecast for JanuaryFebruary-March 2025.

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Zone 1: Western DRC and north western Angola.

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Zone 2: Eastern DRC, southern Angola, most of Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, most of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and most of Mozambique

Source: Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum-29

Zone 2: Eastern DRC, southern Angola, most of Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, most of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and most of Mozambique

Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall

Zone 2: Eastern DRC, southern Angola, most of Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, most of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and most of Mozambique

Zone 3: South-western South Africa

Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

4. Deoxynivalenol (Vomitoxin), which primarily affects cereal crops like wheat, barley, oats and maize, leading to suppressed immunity, diarrhoea and weight loss in animals.

Zone 3: South-western South Africa

Zone 4: Tanzania, eastern fringes of DRC, northern fringes of Zambia, northern Malawi and northern Mozambique.

Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Zone 4: Tanzania, eastern fringes of DRC, northern fringes of Zambia, northern Malawi and northern Mozambique.

Learn more!

Zone 4: Tanzania, eastern fringes of DRC, northern fringes of Zambia, northern Malawi and northern Mozambique.

Increased chances of normal to below normal rainfall

Scan the QR code or visit shorturl.at/oI5Bd

Increased chances of normal to below normal rainfall

Zone 4: Tanzania, eastern fringes of DRC, northern fringes of Zambia, northern Malawi and northern Mozambique.

Increased chances of normal to below normal rainfall

La Niña’s wet and warm conditions increase the likelihood of contamination, particularly from Fusarium species and deoxynivalenol, which thrive in these environments, presenting challenges for food safety and animal health.

deoxynivalenol under microscope, in pasture and grains with moulds.

Figure 2. From left: Mycotoxins

Figure 3: Rainfall

Source: shorturl.at/rx4ct

How mycotoxins affect livestock performance

Consuming contaminated feed affects animal productivity in several ways. Aflatoxins can pass from feed into milk, posing risks to both livestock and humans. Infected animals produce less milk. For example, zearalenone negatively affects reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle, leading to further reductions in milk production. Infection can cause production losses of up to 1.9 - 2.2 litres of milk per cow daily and increase somatic cell counts with ≈ 40%. Mycotoxins impair feed intake and nutrient absorption, resulting in slower weight gain with ≈ 0.15 kg daily and lower carcass quality in meat-producing animals. In addition, contaminated feed decreases growth rates in animals and increase disease susceptibility that may result into death, putting extra strain on farmers.

Detection and prevention

Accurate detection of mycotoxins is critical for mitigating their effects.

Source: Atungulu and Zeinab, 2019

Mycotoxin contamination can be prevented via a holistic approach, starting in the field and continuing through storage. Key strategies include:

1. Drying grains to safe moisture levels and storing them in cool, well-ventilated areas to prevent mould growth.

2. Regularly monitoring moisture and temperature in storage facilities.

3. In case of planted pastures, incorporating mycotoxin binders into supplements will reduce the absorption of toxins.

Figure 3. Important mycotoxins produced by different fungal species and their impact on human health.

Conclusion

La Niña presents significant opportunities for agriculture in Southern Africa, with its promise of increased rainfall and higher crop yields. However, farmers and animal feed producers need to take note of the heightened risk of mycotoxin contamination that comes with wetter

References

conditions. By employing effective detection and prevention strategies, the agricultural sector can take full advantage of La Niña’s benefits while minimising the challenges posed by mycotoxins. In doing so, farmers and animal feed producers can help ensure food safety, animal health and economic stability for the region. AP

Atungulu, Griffiths, Zeinab Mohammadi-Shad. Reference on Mycotoxins Occurrence, Prevalence, and Risk Assessment in Food Systems. Novel Technologies and Systems for Food Preservation, 2019, pp. 294-343.

Eaton DL, Gallagher EP. Mechanisms of aflatoxin carcinogenesis. Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 1994.

Kolossova A, Stroka J, Breidbach A, et al. Evaluation of mycotoxin binders. Food Control. 2011.

Magan N, Aldred D. Post-harvest control strategies: Minimizing mycotoxins in the food chain.

International Journal of Food Microbiology. 2007.

Scott PM. Methods for the analysis of mycotoxins. Journal of AOAC International. 1995.

For more information, contact Dr Thapelo Kekana: thapelo.kekana@westerncape.gov.za

Disaster Damage Rapid Assessment App

Considering that Southern Africa is expected to experience La Niña conditions, it is crucial to take stock of the Department’s response plans in case of flooding.

The initial flood response from the Department is to perform a rapid assessment (to quantify damage), followed by a verification assessment (to verify damage). These assessments provide the basis from which to access disaster funding.

In the past, rapid assessments took too long as affected areas are usually inaccessible long after the initial event. To address this, the Department developed and implemented a new system called the Disaster Damage Rapid Assessment App. Immediately after a flood, farmers are provided with a unique QR code or a link to allow them to upload a damage assessment directly via their smartphones.

The app includes drop-down lists for easy selection of possible answers,

making it faster for farmers to fill out the online form. The app also automatically captures the GIS location of the farm.

With this new approach, the WCDoA was able to swiftly assess the initial flood damage suffered by Western Cape farmers after the floods during 2023 and 2024.

Note that WCDoA will issue a different QR code for each disaster. This will be shared as and when an incident occurs.

Learn more!

Scan the QR code or visit shorturl. at/SJKy0

For more information, contact Gary Jones: gary.jones@westerncape.gov.za

ELSENBURG JOURNAL

Vol 21 | No 4 | 2024

South African macadamia industry: Trade competitiveness amidst Climate Change

Ayabonga Sibulali and Tshepo Morokong

Strategic insights for South Africa’s potato industry: Opportunities and challenges ahead

Dr Lungelo Prince Cele

South African macadamia industry: Trade competitiveness amidst Climate Change

by Ayabonga Sibulali1 and Tshepo Morokong1

1 Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Economic Services

1. Introduction

TThe South African production of macadamia increased by 13%, from 68 840 tons in 2022 to 77 532 in 2023, responding to global demand and trends towards healthy diets (SAMAC, 2024). Macadamia trees are cultivated for their edible kernel and are used in snacks, baked goods and confectionery, cosmetics, beverages, and oils industries. The biggest threats to the production of macadamia include extreme weather conditions such as droughts and heavy frost due to a changing climate. It is clear that climatic variations frequently negatively impact crop growth leading to production losses and price volatility in the international market. Agriculture and changes in climate are inextricably linked and have an impact on each other (Nugroho, et al., 2023). The agricultural sector (inclusive of macadamia production) is perceived to be amongst the major contributors of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the two main elements of greenhouse gases (GHG).

In South Africa, the macadamia nut industry has expanded rapidly and is supported by national economic policies (the National Development Plan (NDP), Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) and Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP)). This is due to the industry’s potential to contribute to the economy through the increased investment, improved farm incomes, employment opportunities and foreign earnings from trade, as well as to enhance global competitiveness. The latter (i.e., agricultural competitiveness)

is described as the agricultural sector’s ability to face and succeed in the face of competition both in the domestic and global markets (Nugroho, et al., 2023).

In 2018, South Africa was estimated as the leading producer of macadamia nuts.

In other words, competitiveness enables the firm or products to attain a better position in the global market stage. Competitiveness can be measured using productivity, market share, trade indices and other methods (Zia, et al., 2022). Goul and Loborde (2021) argue that climate change alters the competitive advantage and competitiveness of different sectors across different countries.

Hence, in this report, the competitiveness performance of macadamia nut exports from South Africa is examined amidst climate change.

2. World macadamia nut production performance

The world macadamia nut production (shelled) increased from a minimum of 27 531 to 78 415 tons observed from 2009 to 2022 (INC, 2024).The world macadamia production is expected to grow considerably in the next few years responding to continuous world demand, new orchards coming into bearing production, and the high returns per hectare compared to other crops such as banana, sugar cane, and wine grapes in

South Africa (USDA, 2020).The other major world producers of macadamia nuts include Australia (21%) and China (20%). Climate is a critical agricultural production input (i.e. macadamia nuts) and climate change have an impact on agricultural-related productivity, output, farm incomes and international prices.

3. World and South Africa macadamia nut production and export performance

In 2023, South Africa remained the leading exporter of macadamia nuts in the world in volume terms (tons), accounting for 62 424 tons. This showed a 12.2% market share increase over the past 5 years (20182023), followed by Australia at 34 516 tons (ITC, 2024). In terms of volumes; China (90 012 tons, 66%), South Africa (7 656; 6%), and Viet Nam (6 496 tons; 5%) remained the top macadamia nuts importers in 2023. South Africa’s macadamia production is dominant in Mpumalanga (MP), KwaZuluNatal (KZN) and Limpopo (LIM) provinces (SAMAC, 2024) (Figure 1). The total area under macadamia nut production in South Africa stood at 3 040 hectares in 2023. South Africa's production stood up at 77 532 tons in 2023, an increase of 12.6% (8 692 tons) from the previous year 2022 (SAMAC, 2024). Moving forward,

RSA macadamia nut production (tons): 2010-2023

macadamia nut production (tons): 2010-2023

Figure 1: South Africa macadamia nut production & annual growth rate (%)

Data Source: SAMAC, 2024

In South Africa, Beaumont is the most widely planted macadamia nut cultivar.

confronted by climate-related changes (drought and frost), the primary production of this industry might be affected.

4. Macadamia nut export performance

In 2023, about 78% of SA’s total macadamia (shelled and in-shell) exports (volume) was absorbed by the Chinese market, followed by the United State (7%) and Germany (2%) among the 5 top importers (ITC, 2024). China currently consumes about 30% of South African macadamia nut production (SAMAC, 2024). During Covid-19 lockdown period, China started expanding their macadamia nut production, and post Covid-19 the demand from China declined drastically with huge reductions in the global export market (WCDoA, 2024). Although the macadamia nut plantings in China is gaining traction; nevertheless, it is expected that there will still be a continuous high demand for South African macadamia nuts.

5. Research approach and data applied in the report

The secondary data on the macadamia nuts trade was extracted from the Trade Map data source for both global and South Africa. The period under review was from 2012 to 2023, and the Relative Trade

Advantage (RTA) technique was used to calculate competitiveness. Further, to compute the market concentration, the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index is applied. In this report, the harmonised system (HS) code: 080262 for shelled macadamia nuts, 080299 for macadamia in-shell, and 080260 macadamia nuts (whether or not shelled or peeled) (ITC, 2024) are merged and used together to calculate the RTA and HHI index.

5.1 Measurement of competitiveness

Competitiveness can be measured at different levels of analysis (Diambwa, 2024). Therefore, Vollrath (1991) proposed an extended version of the relative comparative advantage index (RCA), named Relative Trade Advantage (RTA) to measure competitiveness. A positive RTA value indicates that the export of a particular commodity exceeds its imports, therefore, depicting a competitiveness. A negative RTA value signifies a competitive disadvantage, and any RTA value that is between zero and one depicts the marginal competitive performance status.

The RTA index can be mathematically expressed as follows:

RTAij = RCAij–RCMij………………............. (1)

RCAij = (Xij/Xik)/(Xnj/Xnk) ……….....…. (2)

RMAij = (Mij/Mik)/(Mnj/Mnk) ..….....….. (3)

The M in the above equation denotes import of a particular commodity, and that in this study refers to the macadamia nut imports. In the presence of increasing intraindustry trade, the RTA index is assumed to play a crucial role to access the real world.

5.1.2 Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) of market concentration

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) is the well-known index that measures the level of concentration in a particular industry, and it is a commonly accepted indicator of market competition (Brezina, et al., 2014). The HHI index can be defined as the sum of squares of the market share; Si (i = 1, 2, n) of all entities in the particular industry:

HHI=∑i n=0(si )2……............................……… (1)

Figure 2: The RTA values and SA macadamia world export share (%)

Data Source: ITC, 2024

The United Kingdom’s competition regulator of the Competition and Market Authority (UK CMA) defines the HHI estimated value less or equal to 0.1 as not concentrated, moderately concentrated if the estimate of HHI value is greater than 0.1, and highly concentrated when above 0.2 (Madhu, et al., 2024). On the other front, the Federal Trade Commission of the United States of America defines HHI estimated values slightly different using the threshold levels; the market is not concentrated if the estimated HHI value is less than 0.1; the market is moderately concentrated if the estimated HHI value is greater than 0.1 but less than 0.8; and the market is regarded as highly concentrated if the HHI value is higher than or equal to 0.2 and 0.18.

5.2. How competitive is the SA macadamia nut industry in the global market?

On average, South Africa’s macadamia nut RTA value was above 1 showing the competitive performance of this industry at a global stage. The SA’s highest RTA value of macadamia nuts recorded 78.9 in 2023 and showed a sharp decline in 2016(55) (Figure 2). Several factors drive the high competitiveness of this industry including the "know-how" of stakeholders, improved productivity, trade market prices, and best cultivars. It is worth noting that

competitiveness begins on-farm through to support, and postharvest activities (Nugroho, et al., 2023). All these activities have an impact on land use changes, produce natural and chemical residues and GHG that includes CO2, N2O, and CH4 which contribution to climate change.

5.3. The market concentration of the macadamia nut industry

In this study, the HHI was applied to measure the market concentration of the macadamia nut industry in South Africa. In 2023, the global market concentration index was 0.21 with fuels (0.15) and agricultural raw materials (0.14) being ranked second and third, respectively using the HHI (UNCTAD, 2023). The world and South African macadamia nuts exports are highly concentrated, recording a value above 0.2 based on UCM and 0.18 US FTC.

6. Discussion

The macadamia nut industry in South Africa experienced significant growth in the past decade, contributing to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and export growth driven by global market share expansion. In 2023, South Africa (28%), Australia (21%), and China (20%) were amongst the leading world producers of macadamia nuts.

nut industry appears as highly competitive since 2007 and highly concentrated amidst climate change.

7. Recommendations and policy key priorities:

The critical success of the macadamia nut industry of South Africa depends on whether the industry will;

1. Maintain a competitive edge at the global stage market,

2. Adopt scientific research and technology to improve productivity (droughtresistant cultivars) and production,

3. Invest in optimising value-adding activities (cracking facilities and processors),

4. Search for potential new markets and improve access thereof, and

5. Adopt climate-smart agricultural technologies to reduce the impact of climate changes in macadamia nut primary production, productivity and across the macadamia nut value chain.

References

More emphasis should be placed on innovative macadamia nut research, and consumer education about the health aspects of macadamias, for the industry to take advantage of world growth opportunities and to remain competitive. AP

Brezina, I., Pekar, J., Cickova, Z. & Reiff, M., 2014. Herfindahl-Hisrchman index level of concentration values modification and analysis of the change. Central European Journal of Operations Research, pp. 49-72.

Diambwa, M., 2024. An analysis of the competitive performance of the Congolese palm oil industry, Stellenbosch, South Africa: Stellenbosch Universtiy.

INC, 2024. Word Nut and Dried Fruit Statistics: 2022/23, Spain: NCI.

ITC, 2024. International Trade Centre. Retrieved from Trade Map: Trade Statistics for international business Development. [Online] [Accessed 25 May 2024].

Madhu, D. et al., 2024. A Comprehensive Analysis of Export Performance and Trade Competitiveness of Millets from India. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, pp. 43-55.

Nugroho, A., IY, P. & Lakner, Z., 2023. Comparing the effect of climate change on agricultural competitiveness in developing and developed countries. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 406, pp. 137-139.

SAMAC, 2024. Statistics on the South African Macadamia Industry, South Africa: South African Macadamia Industry Council.

UNCTAD, 2023. Handbook of Statistics 2023, New York, United States of America: United Nations.

WCDoA, 2024. The Mapping of Agricultural Commodity Production and Infrastructure in the Western Cape Provice, Pretoria, South Africa: OABS.

Zia, B., Rafiq, M., SE, S. & Atiq, M., 2022. Agricultural Market Competitiveness in the Context of Climate Change: A Systematic Review. Journal of Sustainability, 14(3721), pp. 1-22.

For more information, contact Ayabonga Sibulali: ayabonga.sibulali@westerncape.gov.za or Tshepo Morokong: tshepo.morokong@westerncape.gov.za

Strategic insights for South Africa’s potato industry: Opportunities and challenges ahead

Dr Lungelo Prince Cele1

1 Macro and Resource Economics, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Elsenburg.

TThe South African potato industry has identified foreign market development as a crucial growth strategy for 2020 to 2025. In 2021, the industry generated approximately R8 billion at primary production level, supporting around 50 000 to 60 000 jobs. The agriculture and agro-processing master plan projects the potential creation of 15 715 jobs by 2030. Over the past two decades, South Africa has expanded its potato cultivation areas by 24.8%, reaching 66.8 thousand hectares in 2022. However, the Western Cape (WC) potato exports continue to face challenges and opportunities.

Productivity, prices and consumer trends

From 2000 to 2022, potato productivity increased by 30% worldwide, 42% in Africa, and 19% in South Africa (SA). The global potato production value has surged dramatically, with the world seeing a 210% increase, reaching $119.3 billion in

Learn more! www.potatoes.co.za

2022. Africa’s production value grew by 273% to $9.2 billion, while SA mirrored the global trend with a 210% increase, reaching $599.9 million. Despite this impressive growth, SA’s share in Africa’s potato market has declined from 11.9% in 2000 to 6.5% in 2022.

SA potato prices per ton have increased by only 37% (to $237/ha) over the past two decades, compared to a 167% increase globally and an 81% increase in Africa. Fresh produce markets remain crucial for price formation, though the share of potatoes sold at these markets dropped from 48% in 2010 to 44% in 2022. Potato consumption per capita in SA varied, with the lowest recorded in 2016 at 33.5 kg and the highest in 2018 at 38.5 kg.

Figure 1a and 1b. Global productivity trends of potato prices (a) and production (b)

Source: Own compilation based on FOASTAT, 2024

Export growth

The value of global potato exports has surged by 309% (reaching $5.2 billion) between 2000 and 2022. Africa’s export value grew by 681% to $403.2 million, while SA’s export value skyrocketed by 988% to $48.1 million. The quantity of potato exports increased by 104% globally, 393% in Africa, and an astonishing 835% in SA. SA’s share in Africa’s export quantity rose from 8.1% to 15.4%, indicating a strong

regional presence. Notably, SA improved its global export ranking from 30th to 16th place during this period.

From 2014 Q1 to 2023 Q4, the Western Cape’s share in SA’s potato exports dropped from 39% to 16%, with exports decreasing by 46% from R126 million to R67 million. This decline underscores the need for strategic initiatives to revitalise the Western Cape’s export market.

Figure 2. World

Photos courtesy of Stephan & Seun, West Coast – read more about their farm to table journey: stephanenseun.co.za

Key statistics for decision-making

• Productivity: SA’s potato productivity is 37.8 t/ha, higher than the global (21.1 t/ha) and African (14.9 t/ha) averages. Smallscale farmers in SA average yields of 10-20 t/ha, while commercial producers achieve around 47 t/ha.

• Export growth: SA potato export value increased by 988%, from $4.4 million in 2000 to $48.1 million in 2022. From 2014 to 2023, SA’s potato exports increased from R324 million to R434 million, marking a 34% growth.

• Import values: Global potato import values rose by 287% to $5.7 billion, while SA imports decreased by 12% to $216 thousand in the past two decades.

• Market distribution: In 2022, fresh produce markets accounted for 44% of potato sales, direct trade 22%, processing 19%, exports 8% and seed 7%. Informal traders distributed 66% of all fresh potatoes sold nationally.

• Levy income: The industry’s levy income increased from R23 million in 2008 to R48 million in 2022, with significant portions allocated to transformation, consumer education and research.

Challenges and opportunities

Small-scale farmers face several challenges, including disease and pests, poor-quality seed, price instability, competition pressures,

limited market access and logistical issues. Moreover, the number of black producers has remained relatively low due to funding constraints.

The potato export markets of the WC have shifted significantly, with Angolan imports plummeting by 93% and Botswana ceasing imports due to an import ban. Conversely, Namibia emerged as the primary importer of WC potatoes, accounting for 58.3% of WC exports in 2023.

Enhancing access to markets, particularly within the SADC region, is crucial. Revitalising lost markets through preferential trade agreements to reduce tariffs could significantly boost the WC’s export share. Conducting market research to understand the factors influencing the drop in market share and addressing trade barriers is essential for strategic planning. For more detailed insights and strategic recommendations, stakeholders are encouraged to explore the full report and engage in discussions on opportunities within this industry. AP

For the full report, got to tinyurl. com/3zdjddad

Macadamia rum balls

CChristmas just isn’t the same without rum balls, but they’re great to keep on hand year-round for gifting or impressing dinner guests. The blend of chocolate and macadamias creates a melt-in-your-mouth sensation, and a splash or two of rum makes it the ultimate grown-up treat.

SERVINGS 15 rum balls

INGREDIENTS

200g good quality shortbread biscuits

½ cup macadamia halves

⅓ cup cocoa powder

½ cup condensed milk

2 tbsp dark rum

Ideas to decorate

½ cup macadamia pieces

½ cup cocoa powder

½ cup chocolate sprinkles

½ cup melted chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS

Place the shortbread biscuits, macadamias and cocoa powder into the bowl of a

food processor and process until almost smooth. Place in a large bowl and stir in the condensed milk and dark rum.

Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes, until firm enough to roll into balls.

Roll 1 tablespoon (approximately 25g) of the mixture into a ball. If desired, roll the mixture around a macadamia piece so that you create a rum ball with a nut centre. Place on a paper-lined tray. Repeat until you’ve used all of the mixture.

Refrigerate the rum balls for 30 minutes, or until cool and firm.

Place the four decorative coatings into separate bowls arranged side by side. Roll and dip the chilled rum balls in the different bowls to decorate to your taste.

Place in small cupcake papers and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

For more macadamia recipes, visit: shorturl.at/OcY6J

AGRI PROBE

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AgriProbe Vol 21 No 4

LANDBOU RADIO

Setting

the SCENE

A

Dr Mogale Sebopetsa

CONTENTS

COVER INSPIRATION

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Agritourism offers an exciting diversification opportunity for farmers

Learn more!

Celebrating the launch of the Western Cape – Bourgogne FrancheComté Alumni Network

CPUT hosts the 8th U6+ International Conference

Department celebrates successes at George Show 2024

Showcasing the future of agriculture at NAMPO Cape 2024

SAWIPB Primary Production Knowledge Donation Day 2024

Recognising the value of farmers’ days in our communities

Genadendal Livestock Farmers’ Day

Did you know?

Animal Feed and Feeding Systems Farmers’ Day

SIPHAWULA UKUBALULEKA KWEMINI YAMAFAMA EKUHLALENI

Small Grains, Big Gains: Plant Sciences Farmers’ Days 2024

3

‘I’m tasting the stars’

Reflecting on the Western Cape BFAP Baseline Agricultural Outlook 2024-2033

Livestock outlook

Field crops

Horticulture

BFAP Baseline

Fostering the future of livestock production

The vital partnership between local dairy farmers and the EATI

9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture

Highlights from the congress

Afrikaans summary

Elsenburg Vineyard Renewal Project gathers momentum!

STELLENBOSCH WINE ROUTES MAP

Work done to date:

The 2024 programme of action

Beyond 2024

Meat safety microbiological surveillance programme

La Niña 2024-2025: Opportunities and challenges for agriculture in Southern Africa

Understanding mycotoxins

How mycotoxins affect livestock performance

Detection and prevention

Conclusion

References

Disaster Damage Rapid Assessment App

ELSENBURG JOURNAL

South African macadamia industry: Trade competitiveness amidst Climate Change

2. World macadamia nut production performance

3. World and South Africa macadamia nut production and export performance

5.1 Measurement of competitiveness

5.1.2 Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) of market concentration

6. Discussion

References

Strategic insights for South Africa’s potato industry: Opportunities and challenges ahead

Productivity, prices and consumer trends

Export growth

Key statistics for decision-making

Challenges and opportunities

Macadamia rum balls

AGRI PROBE