Farmer's Inside Track

Fairtrade Africa has created a space where farmworkers speak directly to management. In this episode, we learn how the Dignified Opportunities Nurtured through Trade and Sustainability (DONUTS) programme brings workers, unions, and employers into the same room, bridging the gap between labour law and the reality on the ground.The initiative transforms workers from passive recipients into active stakeholders, empowering them to speak their truth and lead from within.

In this episode, we explore how agro-processing can help South African farmers diversify income, add value to their produce, and build resilient businesses. Agro-processing expert Martin Boima shares practical advice on food safety, product testing, labelling compliance, and establishing shelf life, while highlighting common pitfalls and tips for starting small and scaling gradually. Whether you’re a small-scale farmer considering value-added products or simply curious about the food value chain, this episode offers essential guidance for turning raw produce into profitable, market-ready goods.

Lesedi Moseki, an agricultural economist and founder of iGroVest Group, discusses building a niche agribusiness from the ground up. From leaving formal employment just before lockdown to starting castor bean production with virtually no capital, Lesedi shares the realities of agripreneurship. He unpacks why farming is not a quick path to wealth, why emerging farmers should explore untapped and scalable niche markets, and how collaboration can help build sustainable, black-owned agricultural industries. This conversation offers practical insight for farmers looking to diversify, innovate and grow beyond traditional commodities.

South African wine's vine-to-bottle journey thrives on fair labour, yet gaps in training and awareness leave seasonal harvesters and staff vulnerable to grey areas in rights and responsibilities. The Wieta Labour Desk closes this divide with hands-on sessions, a support hotline, and practical capacitation, turning legal theory into daily empowerment across the value chain.In this episode, Wieta programmes manager Chirstone Hornsby and labour coordinator Abraham Daniels share how the desk unites unions, producers, and brands to deliver payslip breakdowns, health safety know-how, and responsible rights usage, especially during harvest influxes. By fostering dialogue over directives, the Labour Desk builds a resilient workforce, allowing the industry to harvest success with a clear conscience.

For decades, farmworkers in the wine industry laboured in silence, unsure of their rights and excluded from decisions that shaped their lives. Through the DONUTS programme, Fairtrade Africa has invested R12 million to bridge the gap between management and labour. By prioritising skills development and human rights, the initiative has turned vulnerable workers into confident leaders, proving that sustainable wine starts with empowered people. Discover how respect and education can transform a harvest.

Water scarcity in South Africa is one of agriculture’s biggest challenges. In this episode, Marco Appel, agricultural economist at Netafim Southern and East Africa, explains how precision irrigation and smart water management can reduce costs, boost farm profitability, and treat water as a strategic asset. Learn practical tips to improve water use efficiency and maximise every drop on your farm.

Ethical wine production often stumbles on vague promises and unchecked supply chains. The Wieta Fair Labour Seal raises the standard by serving as a trusted enforcer, linking rigorous audits, producers, and global consumers around verifiable fairness. In this episode, Wieta sustainability officer Mila Pretorius, senior advisor Adrian Bezuidenhout, and Kleine Zalze cellarmaster RJ Botha reveal how the seal, launched in 2012, delivers measurable accountability from vineyard to bottle, guaranteeing safe conditions, fair treatment, and full traceability for workers across the supply chain.By embedding human dignity into every stage, Wieta transforms ethical concerns into a competitive edge, letting conscious drinkers savour with confidence.

In this episode, we explore why farm insurance has become a critical business tool for South African farmers facing unpredictable weather, rising costs and limited state support. Agricultural economist and Land Bank Insurance strategic partnerships manager, Lunga Njara, unpacks the different types of cover. He also shares practical guidance on selecting the right policy, preparing accurate farm data, and making informed decisions. Tune in to learn how insurance can safeguard your farm against risk and secure its future.

In this episode, we meet Free State farmer Vincent Masiu, who is transforming a land reform farm into a thriving mixed farming operation. From maize and sunflower to livestock, layers, and future potato production, Vincent shares his journey of resilience, problem-solving, and collaboration with his family.He discusses the challenges of starting from scratch, navigating droughts and finance, and building strong relationships with suppliers and lenders. Vincent also offers practical advice on record-keeping, diversification, and persistence, and reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave by inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders.

In this episode, we explore how precision drip irrigation is transforming sugarcane production across Africa. Gary Francis from Netafim shares insights from his extensive experience in greenhouse farming and large-scale sugar estates, unpacking why land, water and energy efficiency are now critical to profitability. He explains subsurface drip systems, fertigation, yield optimisation, and the growing role of automation through tools like GrowSphere, which allow farm managers to monitor and control irrigation remotely. We also discuss operational efficiencies, ongoing technical support, and what the future holds for sustainable sugarcane production.

Pneumonia is one of the most costly and dangerous diseases in livestock, especially for young, stressed, or newly managed animals. In this episode, animal health technician Kenneth Malatji explains how early detection, daily observation, and swift, informed action can mean the difference between recovery and loss. He shares practical tips on recognising early warning signs, administering antibiotics correctly, providing supportive care, and implementing farm management practices to prevent pneumonia. This episode equips farmers with the knowledge to protect their herds, save time and money, and improve animal welfare.