ProAgri BNZ 33 by ProAgri

ProAgri B otswa n a / N am i b ia/ ia / Zim b ab w e No 33

Free

Cattle breeds and their characteristics Botswana page 23

The basics of marketing your produce

Namibia page 29

Zimbabwe page 35

www.agri4all.com

Supporting farmers

every step of the way www.proagri.co.za

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Cover Reinke always finds a way, even when there appears to be no way. Read on page 3 how Namibian farmer, Dries Venter, prepared his land for four years, removing rocks to get the terrain suitable for his Reinke pivot.

ProAgri B ot s wa n a/ a / N a m i b i a/ a/Zimbabwe

577 Rossouw Street, Die Wilgers, Pretoria +27 (0)79 515 8708 www.proagri.co.za

he year is certainly flying by with the speed of lightning. Snooze and you will lose, is a lesson that many of us have learnt throughout our lives. In agriculture, before we know the winter has passed, and the spring arrives – bringing with it new growth and new life, which also gives us, in turn, new opportunities for growth … and if you do not grab these opportunities, you will lose. After a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NAMPO harvest day returned with a bang. It was evident to see that agricultural shows are crucial for creating a sense of community, and for the support they provide to farmers. According to the Project Management Institute, over 176 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on maizebased agriculture for food and economic security. In addition, over 40% of the workforce is involved, either directly or indirectly, in agriculture. As such, climate crisis, one of the six Global Megatrends identified by PMI, has the potential to disproportionately

Content

3. 5. 7. 8. 13. 19. 23. 29. 35. 38. 43.

impact on African farmers and the growth and development prospects of the entire continent. NAMPO truly was an eye-opener to me this year. Why don’t we rather grab the opportunities that come our way with both hands despite all the challenges, and support one another to build on the agricultural sector, sharing advice and information, building up friends and contacts to rely on. Stay warm this month and enjoy an edition jam-packed with exciting and informative content. Make sure you bookmark our new website, ProagriMedia (www.proagrimedia. com) for the latest agricultural news in Africa. Let’s talk I would like to hear from you: Write to me, contact me, make an appointment, or invite me to visit you. Farm smartly! Bianca Henning bianca@proagri.co.za

Irrigation in Namibia: Reinke pivot makes the impossible possible John Deere excels at NAMPO 2022 Ag Solar by Valley® Beekeeping Part 3: How to start beekeeping Poultry farming Part 5.1: Broilers and layers Ancient African food Part 3: The answer to Africa’s malnutrition and obesity? Vegetable production Part 14: Learn bit-by-bit how to grow cucurbits Crop production guide in Namibia Part 10: Marketing of produce Markets for small holder farmers Cattle breeds Part 2 Diversify your family business to insulate it from risks

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

Copyright © 2022. All rights r eserved. No m aterial, text or p hotographs may be r eproduced, copied or in any other way t ransmitted without the written consent of the publisher. O pinions expressed are not n ecessarily those of the publisher or of the e ditor. We recognise all trademarks and logos as the sole property of their r espective o wners. ProAgri shall not be liable for any errors or for any actions in reliance thereon.

ProAgri BNZ Editor Bianca Henning Reporters Benine Ackermann Maryna Steyn Natasha Kruger

> +27 82-326-2572 bianca@proagri.co.za > +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za > +27 82-261-9177 maryna@proagri.co.za > +27 81-736-4236 natasha@proagri.co.za

Specialist Writer Annemarie Bremner > +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za Client Relations Manager Carin Swartz > +27 84-233-0123 carin@proagri.co.za Marketing Manager Diane Grobler > +27 82-555-6866 diane@proagri.co.za Marketing Xander Pieterse > +27 79-524-0934 xander@proagri.co.za Johan Swartz > +27 71-599-9417 johan@proagri.co.za Tiny Smith > +27 82-698-3353 tiny@proagri.co.za Lelani Botha > +27 74-424-0055 lelani@proagri.co.za Brandon Gotz > +27 76-820-8478 brandon@proagri.co.za Lynette van Tonder > +27 74-694-4422 lynette@proagri.co.za Creative Director Christiaan Joubert > +27 72-419-3990 christiaan@proagri.co.za Design Michelle Kruger & Lizelle Erasmus Enquiries Engela Botha > +27 12-803-0782 engela@proagri.co.za Distribution and subscription Nita Volmer-van Zyl > +27 79-515-8708 nita@proagri.co.za Accounts Ronel Schluter > +27 12-803-0782 accounts@proagri.co.za Business Manager George Grobler

RAIN

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We also trade in Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria, Sudan, and Egypt.

Irrigation in Namibia:

by Natasha Kruger

Reinke pivot makes the impossible possible Customers inspire AgriTurf and Reinke's team so that they can help their farmers plan superior solutions that make a meaningful difference in water and irrigation management.

Dries Venter's Rhodes grass under his superb Reinke pivot.

n 1980, Dries Venter, the owner of Dries laughs as he elaborates: "People Tzaus Bonsmara stud located apwho came to my farm thought I was proximately 50 kilometres north of the crazy, but I already started, and I Outjo district in Namibia, began farmcouldn't stop." ing with nothing and had to borrow When his neighbour invited him to everything he needed to start. visit a friend's farm, he saw the LEPA He took out a loan for a security irrigation system that was installed by deposit for 200 heifers and he was AgriTurf – that is when he decided to required to pay initial instalments of plant his own feed. When he visited the R5 000. The loan was to be repaid farm, they attached a sprinkler to spray over a period of five years with interdirectly from their water tank as a demest. Dries says: "That is how I started onstration. "I was astonished by the farming; for two years I only ate porsize of the drops that fell in such a large ridge to build up my farm." The desire area, with such low pressure," he says. to become a farmer developed in him Reinke uses lighter, but stronger from a young age. steel for their pivots, which means they In 1981, Dries began raising Bonsconsume less power, and he learned mara cattle. “After completing my this after conducting his own research education in agriculture, I moved on to on pivots. As he has a limited electriciresearching the various cattle breeds. ty budget and does not want to deplete My preference went to the Bonsmara his water supply, Dries was impressed breed, but I also had a lot of respect for by Reinke’s efficiency when it comes to the Afrikaner breed,” he said. However, power consumption and proper water Bonsmara was the only breed that was application. He says: “Reinke is a price developed scientifically and subjected competitive centre pivot that uses less to performance tests. After all, Profeswater and power, which is very imporsor Bonsma did performance tests on tant for me.” his cattle and did not just look at their Dries only has single-phase power heads and horns, and Dries found that on his farm, but AgriTurf and Reinke his policy appealed to him quite a bit. helped him to overcome this limitation. For eight of the past ten years, Dries He says: "They provided me with all has experienced drought. Because of the equipment I needed for my singlethis, he was forced to invest almost all phase power, and they installed solar the money he made from selling his panels on top of that to combine it so cattle in feed, so he decided to start that I do not need three-phase power." producing his own feed in an effort to From February to March 2021, he save money. "When I decided to install had a challenging time setting up the an irrigation system, I discovered that Reinke pivot during the rainy season. my land was covered with rocks". Dries He adds: "I also have not yet finished explains that he used a road grader removing all the rocks at that time." for three years and removed between As he was still removing the remainder 2 500 and 3 700 tonnes of rocks from of the rocks, he could only plant his the land. first oats on August 16, 2021. reduction After Fertiliser Labour DIY Easy Save up to 25% savings installation manual farm ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33 Save up to Install sensors management 20%. Eliminate

harvesting the first crop, the field was ploughed and prepared for planting Rhodes grass. Dries says: "We are now planting Rhodes grass because it is perennial with a lifespan of approximately 4 years, after which I will decide whether I will continue with this grass, or plant something else." When they planted and ploughed the oats, it caused a significant change in the texture of the soil, even with the already acidic groundwater and soil. The soil structure has greatly improved as a result of this. The Reinke pivot works perfectly on his farm. He is fully satisfied with the product and service he received. Dries declares: "AgriTurf's customer service is outstanding. I know if I ever have any problems, I can just call, and they'll come and help me. "I am a big advertiser for Reinke in my area." For more information on how AgriTurf can assist you with all your irrigation needs and the distribution of Reinke products in Namibia, contact them at sales@ agriturf.com.na or (+264)83-3308380, or visit their website www. agriturfnamibia.com. Alternatively, contact Patrick Ellis on +27(0)31-350-4525, or e-mail patrickellis@reinke.com, or visit their website at www.reinke.com for more information.

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John Deere

John Deere Africa & Middle East ProAgri BNZ 33

John Deere excels at NAMPO 2022

by Bianca Henning

ohn Deere's exhibition at NAMPO 2022 was once again something to see, from a tractor hanging upside down to the introduction of the gigantic X9 combine harvester. John Deere construction equipment, which is now supplied and supported nationwide by John Deere agents and dealers, also appeared at NAMPO for the very first time this year. John Deere's goal is to look after the farmer and his business. Jaco Beyers, Managing Director of John Deere in Africa and the Middle East, says: “With all the challenges and rising input costs today, it is important for us to listen and care for the needs of the farmer. What is it that the farmer needs, and what can we offer to farmers? We are constantly looking for new innovative methods and ways to make farming more convenient.” “When we started planning for NAMPO in October 2021, our aim was to turn NAMPO on its head; then the idea was born to turn a tractor literally on its head. We want to assure farmers that even if your tractor is on its head, our qualified John Deere technicians can still look after it,” says Lucas Groenewald, Sales Manager for John Deere South Africa.

“At John Deere, we run, so that you, our farmers, can leap forward.”

Jaco Beyers, Managing Director of John Deere Africa and the Middle East, aims to give farmers exactly what they need.

Farmers can now buy their John Deere parts online From a mechanisation point of view, John Deere is committed to constantly identify and apply strategies to ensure that they achieve their desired goal of giving John Deere clients and farmers an advantage. “With the challenges faced over the past two years, many alternative plans have been put in place to continue to support and assist our farmers. One of them includes our online parts buying platform, which allows farmers to order parts online, 24 hours a day, whether it may be original John Deere parts or alternative John Deere approved parts for older models. One of the big reasons for this is because we all know that is where everything is moving and its convenience for the farmers. Go online, click and order, and we deliver the parts to the farmer’s doorstep,” says Janalize van Buuren, Director of Customer and After-sales Service for Africa, the Middle East, India, and the Pacific area.

Janalize van Buuren, Director of John Deere After-sales and Customer Service.

The gigantic John Deere X9 combine from the front. Jan Kühn, John Deere Product Specialist from Zweibrücken, Germany, with the enormous X9 harvester. The biggest John Deere combine harvester on the continent John Deere harvesters have made deep footprints in South African agriculture in recent decades. During the 54th NAMPO harvest day this year, John Deere introduced the gigantic and impressive X9 1100 combine harvester. “Since 2016, a team of more than 100 engineers and specialists has been working on the design of this combine harvester. This giant harvester can harvest up to 200 tonnes of maize per hour and 100 tonnes of soft grains per hour. The harvester has a 13,6 litre engine and the grain tank's volume is 16 200 litres. The diesel tank of the combine is 1 250 litres in size,” says Jan Kühn, Product Specialist at John Deere.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

The upside-down tractor at the John Deere exhibition during NAMPO attracted everyone’s attention.

Why delay your success? Contact or visit your nearest dealer today to discuss the various options offered by John Deere. Farm more productively, efficiently, and comfortably with John Deere.

ProAgri BNZ 33

Ag Solar by Article supplied

riven by one of the most trusted names in agriculture, Valley Irrigation uses the sun’s energy to power your agribusiness, providing your operation with a new level of energy independence. As a global leader completing hundreds of solar projects, you can count on our expertise to deliver clean, efficient power no matter the size of your operation. Providing personal attention to the service, generating quality design, and producing a greater return on your investment is the difference and how we shine best. Ag Solar by Valley offers new possibilities for your business by making energy available in places where the traditional electric network may prove challenging, or to mitigate areas of high energy consumption within your business. Our solar service solutions are also ideal if you simply want to be more sustainable and cost-efficient with your energy. We evaluate your situation to deliver a complete, customised solar solution that meets your operation’s specific needs. From engineering and installation design to the financing and ongoing monitoring of your solar installation, Valley takes care of everything: • Distributed generation of photovoltaic, or PV energy (converting light into electricity). • Engineered design and approval of

New possibilities Where a traditional electric network does not exist, the pivot can be powered by the sun.

detailed technical projects. • Consulting on new PV installation focusing on agri-business. • Every solar installation offers remote monitoring capabilities. Valley offers the most durable irrigation structures in the field, as well as the most advanced solar service solutions, providing sustainable power by efficiently converting the sun’s rays to clean energy.

RENEWABLE ENERGY MEETS THE DURABILITY OF VALLEY Renewable energy meetsbenefits the Solar energy offers numerous for agricultural irrigation.

• •

durability of Valley Solar energy offers numerous benefits for agricultural irrigation: Efficiency – Crops require more water when the sun is shining, which Efficiency naturally when solar panels are most effective. Crops require more water when the sun is shining, which is naturally when Energy Savings – Because the panels convert the sun’s rays to solar panels are most effective.

electricity, your operation will save on energy costs.

•

Energy savings Reduced Environmental Impact – Because the panels convert the sun’s and to pumping. rays electricity, your operation will save on energy costs.

Rely less on fossil fuels for power

• Tax Credits – Depending on your state or region, you may receive tax credits forenvironmental using solar energy. Reduced impact Rely less on fossil fuels for power

• and New Possibilities – Where a traditional electric network does not exist, pumping. the pivot can be powered by the sun. Tax credits Depending on your state or region, you may receive tax credits for using solar energy.

Energy compensation system

The solar panels capture radiation from the sun and convert it into electricity.

The electricity is converted to alternating current (AC) from direct current (DC).

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

The alternating current allows use by the farm buildings and machines.

The excess solar energy not used at peak times is turned into credits that can be used at night or at times of the year when less solar energy is generated. 7

Beekeeping Part 3:

How to start beekeeping I

n the first three issues on beekeeping, we gave you some background on why you should keep bees, what role bees play in pollination, and what goes on inside the hive. In this issue, we look at what you need to set up a bee colony. Here are some things to do to get started: • Inform yourself • Find the best spot on your land • Buy or make a hive • Get a protective outfit • Get the bees 1. Inform yourself It may seem difficult to start beekeeping. It is not that difficult, but it is best to be as well informed as you can be. The best would be to visit an established beekeeper to find out more about what it’s about, but you can find much information on the internet via your cell phone. Remember that African bees are not the same as European bees, so make sure you get information on local bees! Be warned, beekeeping is hard work, and it will keep you very busy all year round, especially in warmer areas. By finding out as much as you can before you start, you will avoid common mistakes beginner beekeepers make – but that’s also okay, because you learn best by experience. 2. Find the best spot on your land There are several things to keep in mind when you decide where to put your group of hives, which is called an apiary. Put it in a secluded spot where there is not too much movement. Constant activity will disturb the bees, and disturbed African bees can be very 8

aggressive. Keep the apairy away from an area or path where people, and especially children, frequently go. If you have a deciduous tree — one that loses its leaves in winter — you can place the apiary underneath it to provide shade from the hot afternoon sun. Bees work only when it is warm enough, but if it is too hot, they also don’t leave the hive because they must fan the inside to cool it down. Place the entrance to the hive away from the direction of the wind, as strong wind will affect their flight. If possible, it is good to put your apiary in an area that will not be wide open to thieves, whether the two- or four-legged ones! By putting the hive on a stand, you can deter honey-loving badgers from getting to it. It is also important to put the apiary in or near an area where there is enough forage for nectar and pollen, like flowering wild trees, shrubs or wildflowers, fruit and nut trees and vegetables, as well as oil-producing and grain fields. If you don’t have suitable forage, you can get permission from a landowner who has suitable and sustainable forage on his farm. To have bees on his land will also benefit him because of the free pollination service your bees will provide to help him grow a bigger crop. Most importantly, it is essential that the bees have access to water, as bees need fresh, clean water to survive. A strong colony will need at least one litre of water on a warm day. It is your responsibility to provide water to them, and it is best to set up a drinking pond before the bees arrive. If they must search for another water source, it may be difficult to redirect

The Langstroth hive is usually used in Africa. It can hold ten or eleven frames. (Source: Pixabay)

ProAgri BNZ 33

Beekeepers inspecting bee activity on a super just removed from the hive. (Source: Pixabay)

A beekeeper removing and cleaning a super from the hive. (Source: Pixabay)

A beekeeper wearing a protective hat with a veil working with her bees. (Source: Pixabay)

Hives in a flowering field that provides sufficient forage for the bees. (Source: Pixabay)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

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A beekeeper removes a swarm from a tree. (Source: Pixabay)

them to the water you provide. Put something that floats on the pool of water so that they will be able to drink water without falling in and drowning. 3. Buy or build a hive You can either buy or make a hive. You should start with no more than three hives. Once you have gained experience, you can get more. It is best not to buy used hives, as these may carry viruses or diseases from the previous colonies. It is also wise to replace frames and foundations every three to five years to get rid of everything that may have contaminated the hive over time. Hives are commercially available, but it may be costly to buy more than one. So why not buy one and copy it to make your own? If you have basic woodworking skills and tools, it won’t be too difficult. The Langstroth hive is usually used in Africa. It can hold ten, or when the frames are fitted closer together, eleven frames. The hive consists of a roof, three or more honey super boxes, a slide-out tray, crown board, queen excluder, brood box, and an open mesh floor. The best wood to use include pine and bluegum, as well as kiaat. Besides the hive, you also need a hive tool, a bee brush, a queen marking cage and pen, a medium-sized

smoker, feeders for sugar syrup and pollen when times are tough for the bees, and a one-way porter bee escape that fits into the crown board for clearing the supers of bees. 4. Protective clothing It is important to dress for success. Protective white clothing that covers you from head to toe will protect you from painful stings. The outfit consists of a cotton overall with long sleeves and pants, a hat with a veil that fastens to the top of the overall, thick gloves that fit tightly around the arm, and boots that fit tightly around the ankles. There must be no gap that allows a bee to crawl inside the suit. Suits are commercially available and cost on average R1 600 (K1 900), when ordered from South Africa, but a ventilated suit that will be cooler to wear, costs at least double that amount. 5. Get the bees The best way to find your first swarm of bees is to get it from an established beekeeper, who will provide you with a swarm or even half a swarm of bees, including a queen. The bees will be in a container and the queen will come in a cage. To release your swarm, you put the queen on top of the hive. Release the bees into the hive by shaking the

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

container to empty the bees into it. You should wear your protective clothing and mask, but usually the bees are so concerned with finding their new home that they shouldn’t take much notice of you. When done, release the queen from her cage in the fourth frame. In the next issue, we shall provide more information on building a hive.

References Anderson, R.H., Buys, B., Johannsmeier, M.F. (2014) Byeboerdery in Suid-Afrika. Hersiene uitgawe. Departement van Landbou-tegniese dienste Bulletin no. 394, 1978. Katy. (2019). How to set up a bee colony: Beekeeping 101. Beekeeping Basics. beekeepingbasic.com/ how-to-set-up-a-bee-colony-beekeeping-101/ Katy. (2019). Become a successful beekeeper by following these 10 tips. Beekeeping for beginners. beekeepingbasic.com/BECOME-ASUCCESSFUL-BEEKEEPER-BY-FOLLOWING-THESE-10-TIPS/ Katy. (2019). Here’s why you should start beekeeping. Beekeeping for Beginners. beekeepingbasic. com/heres-why-you-should-startbeekeeping/

ProAgri BNZ 33

Poultry farming Part 5.1:

by Tisha Steyn

Broilers and layers R

aising broiler chickens to sell as meat can be a profitable addition to your present small-scale farming. Chicken meat is a popular source of protein in diets everywhere in the world. Because chicken meat contains little fat, it is regarded as a healthy food and many families eat chicken more than once a week. Countries in Southern Africa are no exception, and many families are already keeping a few hens and a cockerel or two. The eggs are eaten or sold to neighbours, and the hen is allowed to brood her own chickens. Because a chicken is just about the right size for one family meal, people do not need a fridge to keep the meat cold. If you decide to expand your existing chicken farming to sell chickens as meat, whether alive or slaughtered, the suggestions in this article can provide you with the necessary knowledge to make a success of your business. A business must be sustainable, and you must calculate the costs before you can count your profit. The previous chapter explained how to raise day-old chickens in a brooder. This is an important phase, because the success of your broilers depends on

the health and growth of the chickens in the brooder. The chickens remain in the brooder until they are about three weeks old. During this time, they need food that is suitable for their age, enough cool, clean water, and an environment that is neither too cold nor too hot. There must be no draught, but enough fresh air. There must also be enough light to encourage them to eat so they can grow. Pullets When the chickens are three to four weeks old, they are called pullets and they are strong enough to move to the broiler house. Pullets can be regarded as the teenage phase of chickens, which lasts until they are about twelve weeks old. During this phase, the males and females can be detected. Both can be raised as broilers, but because they have different feed needs, they are usually separated. Pullets are usually raised indoors, but if you have a suitable safe, fencedin space outdoors, called a chicken run, they can go there during the day but sleep inside the house at night.

Broiler chickens roaming in a farmyard. (Source: Anton Malanin, unsplash.com)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

Like the chickens in a brooder, pullets are sensitive to high temperatures, and they will grow slower when it is hotter than 30° celsius. The same applies to broilers. Remember, the longer they take to reach their sell-by weight, the more food they will eat, so it will be to your advantage to try and keep them cool. If the conditions in the broiler house are not favourable, the broilers may also catch a disease, such as lameness, which will prevent them from reaching the food. This could be a breeding problem, but also the result of a poor diet. It is important to check on the chickens several times a day to make sure they have enough feed, fresh water, and that the temperature is comfortable. Feed The correct feed for broilers helps them gain weight to prepare them for the market. The pullets must be fed broiler starter feed. This is replaced with feed for growing pullets until they are about seventeen weeks old. Until they reach the target weight, they receive a finisher mix.

Broiler chickens are raised for their meat. (Source: Tofan Teodor, unsplash.com) 13

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ProAgri BNZ 33

If the pullets are raised to become layer hens, they must receive a layer diet that includes calcium (3%) and phosphorus (0,5%) to help them lay eggs with hard shells. At the age of 20 weeks, they are moved to the layer house where they will start laying eggs. Formulated feed The easiest way is to buy formulated feed, especially during the first ten days of the chickens’ lives. A grower diet is then introduced. Mix the starter diet with the grower diet for the first few days so that the chicks will adjust to the new feed. After that, they can be fed a grower mix. They need a finisher mix until they are about 35 to 42 days old and ready for slaughter. To make sure your chickens are growing at the correct rate, which means they are gaining weight in line with the quantity of feed they are eating, it is necessary to weigh a sample of ten birds picked at random at least once every two weeks.

The broiler house must be surrounded by a fence to keep the chickens in and the predators out. (Source: Lucut Razvan, unsplash.com)

Broilers feeding on grass in the chicken run. (Source: Jan Baborak, unsplash.com)

A healthy broiler with a red comb and bright eyes. (Source: Siora Photography, unsplash.com) The feed of broilers can be supplemented with vegetable greens. (Source: Chatnarin Pramnapan, unsplash.com)

A healthy broiler is alert and inquisitive. (Source: Jan Baborak, unsplash.com)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

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ProAgri BNZ 33

An inquisitive broiler at a drinker. (Source: Chritin Hume, unsplash.com) efficiency should be under 2,5 kg of feed for every one kilogram of weight gained at seven weeks of age.

Basic production cycle of a chicken. Target mass of broilers in grams at different ages Age (days)

Roosters

Hens

Assorted

135

405

395

400

790

720

755

1 200

1 055

1 125

1 640

1 410

1 525

2 105

Other feed sources The cost of feed will be up to seventy percent of your overall costs. Feed is expensive, and the right mix of feeds may not be available in your region because it is not grown there. If feed must be imported from another country, transported to the nearest city and from there to your village, it may be very expensive. As transport is not always reliable, it is wise to order feed in advance so that you never run out of feed. Feedstuffs such as fish meal or fish waste, palm kernel meal, brewery waste, copra meal, wheat bran, rice bran or broken rice may be available, but these are not sufficient for feeding your broilers. They need high-quality protein, such as soya bean and fish meal. They also need a source of energy, such as wheat bran, cereal grains, or cassava to grow well. In addition, they need small quantities of nutrients such as minerals and vitamins. Even if the feedstuffs are available, you may need a specialist to help you mix them correctly. If you can get the raw ingredients, you will have to weigh them and mix them in a home mixer.

1 770

1 940

Do not prepare too much feed at a time, as it can only be stored for a short period of time. Always store feed in a safe, dry place where no rodents, insects like weevils, or damp can reach it. If a balanced mix is not available, it is possible to supplement the feed by placing several feeds in different containers on the floor so that the hens can choose whatever they need or like. They will usually eat what they need and in the correct quantity. How to calculate the average weight Weigh ten chickens by capturing them by the leg with a leg catcher. Tie the legs and hang the chicken upside down from the scale. Write down every chicken’s weight. Weight gain is the weight of every bird divided by the age in days, then divided by the total number of birds. This will give you the average weight gain of one chicken at that age. Feed efficiency is calculated by the quantity of feed consumed (kg) during a fixed number of days, divided by the total weight of all the birds (kg) that ate that amount of feed. The feed

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

Preparing for market Broilers are ready to be marketed from 35 to 42 days. The best time to catch them is very early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the light is dim. Care must be taken not to frighten them with loud noises or fast movements. Food must be withdrawn four to six hours before they are to be slaughtered, so that the crops are empty. Water can be withdrawn an hour before slaughter. During the capture and loading, care must be taken that the chickens do not pile up, as this will cause suffocation. They must also not step on each other, as injuries caused by their nails can decrease the value of the meat. Captured chickens must be put into crates which are not so deep that the chickens can climb on top of each other. Commercial catching crates are available, but expensive. Cardboard boxes or home-made wire cages will do fine. Most people prefer to buy slaughtered chickens as it is more convenient, and not everybody is up to or have the necessary equipment for slaughtering at home. In the next issue, we shall learn more about layer hens and how to best take care of them to make sure they lay enough good quality eggs for your own use and to sell at a profit.

References Cilliers, F. (Project manager) (2001) Small-scale broiler house (combined). ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering. Family poultry training course trainee’s manual. http://www. sapoultry.co.za/pdf-training/trainers-manual-poultry-course.pdf Lesley, C. (2020) The complete life cycle of a chicken explained. Chickens and more https://www.chickensandmore. com/life-cycle-of-a-chicken/

ProAgri BNZ 33

Ancient African food Part 3:

The answer to Africa’s malnutrition and obesity? I

n the previous two issues on ancient African foods, we discussed food security in Africa and how ancient food plants that are not cultivated anymore can help to add nutrients to the African diet. Modern foodplants do not provide enough nutrients, which leads to several disorders, including stunted growth and obesity. We also considered how different occurrences in history influenced the disappearance of these ancient foods from the African menu. In this issue, we consider how these plants can be brought back to popularity to contribute to a healthier population. Policies Jurie van der Walt, who has studied the value of ancient plants in the African diet, believes reinstating these foodplants on the African menu depends on changes in policy. “The majority of farmers in Africa are small-scale farmers with less

than five hectares of land available to them,” says Jurie. “Therefore, policies that touch on farming systems at the subsistence-level have a direct effect on food availability and consumption. “Policies that aim to rediscover lost native food crops will have strong and direct impacts on access to sustainable food. The loss of native food crops means loss of culinary identity, but by harnessing and rediscovering African native food plants, African societies have a chance to make a meaningful, lasting improvement to food security and the health and prosperity that accompanies it.” Besides some research and small rural experiments, no large-scale and government-supported campaigns have been carried in Africa. Some effort has however been made in Kenya and Brazil. The Brazilian example Brazil has done a lot to promote the

Children in Botswana are fed through a school feeding system. (Photo: Nepad) ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

by Tisha Steyn

School children in Burundi receive a nutritious meal at a school. (Photo: Provided) importance of neglected and underutilised plant species (NUS), including promoting a variety of NUS plants in dietary guidelines, supporting production of these species through public procurement strategies, including for school feeding systems, and prioritising these species in national strategies and action plans as well as agriculture and nutrition policies. Native food species with nutritional value are officially defined and formally recognised. This means that these species are cultivated or sustainably managed and wild-harvested by local communities. By formally recognising the value of these foodplants, they can be used for public food procurement, such as for school meals. School feeding schemes Millions of school children all over the world are fed daily through feeding schemes. This provides an opportunity to provide and promote healthy foods, resetting eating norms in favour of nutrition. “As homegrown school feeding programmes are currently being endorsed in many countries — with the aim of procuring food locally and encouraging agricultural development — there are progressively more opportunities to encourage sustainable and healthy sourcing of NUS,” says Jurie. Kenya In Kenya, pilot projects have shown that underutilised, nutrient-rich African leafy vegetables can play a role in linking local farmer groups to school markets. A newly endorsed biodiversity 19

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Children help cultivate a vegetable garden for their own consumption in Kenya. (Photo: John Paul Sesonga, World Food Programme) conservation policy in the Busia County of Kenya recognises the importance of NUS foodplants for better nutrition and food security. Certain areas have been set aside for conserving regional food biodiversity and for incorporation of these plants into school meals. This will also link smallholder farmers to formal markets. As of 2018, 1,5 million children across Kenya receive a nourishing meal at school every day. Dietary guidelines Brazil has employed a national platform of experts to collect data on the nutritional value of NUS foodplants, to document traditional recipes and develop modern NUS-based recipes. These experts worked with the health ministry to disseminate revised dietary guidelines based on regional foods, with information on the inclusion of biodiversity for the sake of nutrition. Culinary tourism Annual culinary festivals, where celebrity chefs and other high-profile individuals prepare food with local foodplants, is another way to spread the good news about NUS foodplants. One such a festival is the annual Alaçatı Herb Festival on the Western

School children in Kenya form part of a school feeding system. (Photo: Amanda Lawrence Brown, World Food Programme.)

coast of Turkey. This area is famous for its wide variety of nutritious herbs and edible greens. The festival was started in 2010 to revive cultural values and preserving them for future generations. Every year for four days in April the festival attracts thousands of visitors who enjoy delicious dishes prepared with the local plants and herbs that naturally grow in the region. While visitors enjoy the food, they also learn about the diversity and nutrition of the plants, and how to use these plants in recipes through seminars, exhibitions, workshops, and the selling of local products. In Sri Lanka, the Hela Bojun true Sri Lankan Taste refers to market outlets run by rural women who sell traditional food. It was initiated by the Extension and Communication Centre of the Department of Agriculture and the Wayamba University with the aim to empower women to earn money by preparing and selling traditional Sri Lankan food based on local plants. The project proved to be a great success and women can earn a sufficient income to become financially independent. Chefs and food activists A growing number of chefs and food activists are popularising NUS foodplants through restaurants and other food activities, initiatives, and campaigns. These include initiatives such as Chefs for Development, Culinary Breeding Network, the Slow Food Chefs’ Alliance, and Earth Markets. Chefs for Development (Chefs4Dev) is, for example, an initiative that aims to promote links between value chain actors in the food and agriculture sectors. They highlight the value of healthier, locally sourced food and agricultural products on menus in food establishments in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean cultures.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

The Slow Food Earth Markets project started in 2004 and there are presently 24 Earth Markets around the world, which all adhere to international guidelines. The objectives are to give access to local, seasonal, short-chain products which were grown and prepared with respect for the environment and the rights of workers. The markets create marketing opportunities for small-scale producers who are usually excluded from commercial markets. They bring together the producer and consumer to exchange knowledge, skills, education of correct nutrition, and awareness of the environment, thereby creating a sense of community. All these ways to popularise locally sourced foodplants can be duplicated within the African context and can contribute to bringing back neglected and underutilised species of foodplants that have been forgotten but are waiting to be reintroduced to African gardens and dinner tables. In the next issue, we shall look at established seed banks that play an enormous role in food security and biodiversity by storing and researching indigenous plants collected from across the globe.

A display of herbs at the Alaçatı Herb Festival in Turkey. (Photo: Provided) References Benlier, A. (March 2019). A nourishing expedition at the "Alaçatı Herb Festival". Itinari https://www. itinari.com/a-nourishing-expedition-at-the-alacati-herb-festivalvwml Chefs for Development. https:// chefs4dev.org/index.html Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity. https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ Warner (2018, November 15). Hela Bojun – empowering women through Sri Lankan food. Wale & Me Conscious & ethical lifestyle & travel https://waleandme.com/ hela-bojun/ 21

Botswana

ProAgri BNZ 33

Vegetable production Part 14:

Learn bit-by-bit how to grow cucurbits A

cucurbit is any plant from the Cucurbitaceae family. These plants are climbing or trailing plants and include squash, pumpkin, gourd, watermelon, melon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, and marrows. They can be divided into the categories of pumpkins and squash (Cucurbita spp), melons (Cucumis melo), cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) and watermelons (Citrullus lanatus). The popularity of these plants as a food source has led to the crop being domesticated and cultivated to develop different varieties. Here are a few possible varieties you can consider planting: Pumpkin/squash • White Boer type/Light grey: Flat White Boer Ford, Star 7001, Star 7022 Queensland Blue, Crown Prince • Hubbard: Green hubbard, Chicago worted • Patty pans: Patty pan, Sunburst, Sunny Delight • Ceylon: Rovaal • Marrows: Caserta (home gardens), Salvador, Ambassador, Star 8022 • Table squash: Table king, Table queen • Butternut squashes: Waltham, Atlas • Baby gem squash: Star 8001, Rolet Watermelons (disease tolerance) • All Sweet (Fusarium and anthracnose) • Charleston Grey (Fusarium and anthracnose) • Congo (Anthracnose) • Crimson Sweet (Fusarium and anthracnose) • Evergreen • Empire (Powdery mildew, fusarium, and anthracnose) • Jupiter (Powdery mildew) • Odem (Powdery mildew, fusarium, and anthracnose) • Sweet Baby (Fusarium) • Sweet Princess (Fusarium and anthracnose) Melons • Hales Best, • Hemed, • Honeydew, • Honeydew Green Flesh, • Imperial 45,

• Lyon Jumbo, • Saticoy Climatic and soil requirements Cucurbits need warm weather. Seeds do not germinate in the cold, nor do plants grow when the temperature falls below 10 ºC. Frost can also severely damage seedlings. The best temperature is between 23 and 29 ºC during the day, and 15 to 21 ºC for the night. It’s advised to sow from September to November in moderate climates, but between August and October in warmer climates. The ideal soils for cucurbits are loamy to sandy loam soils that drain well and prevent fruit rot. Soil should be slightly acidic, 6,0 to 7,5 pH. It is however possible to grow cucurbits in a wider pH range. Uses Pumpkins and squash are full of potassium and beta-carotene. They are used in soup, roast veggies, pies, or bread. It can be boiled, steamed, or consumed raw. The seeds are consumed as a garnish or snack and are rich in zinc.

Source: Pixabay

Pumpkins are also used as feed for livestock. Cucumbers, watermelon, and melon are eaten raw as a snack or can be used in salads. Sometimes cucumbers are even boiled in certain dishes. Soil preparation Start to prepare the soil by loosening it either with a plough or a hand tool such as a hoe, fork, or spade. Break up any clods. The soil bed should be fine and about 40 cm deep. You can work some compost, fertiliser, or old manure into the soil. Cover crops can temporarily be planted. After about 5 weeks it can also be worked into the soil. Lime can be applied 4 weeks before planting to correct the pH of the soil. Planting Irrigate the field before planting. Seeds can be planted 3 to 4 cm deep. Place 2 seeds per planting station, but slightly separate. Refer to table 1 for detail on planting different types of cucurbits.

Guidelines for the various types of cucurbits are:

Pumpkins

2,1 to 2,7 m rows

50 cm between plants

Vegetable marrows (within rows)

1,2 to 1,5 m rows

50 cm between plants

Squashes (Butternut)

1,2 to 1,8 m rows

50 cm between plants

Squashes (Little Gem)

1,2 to 1,8 m rows

30 cm between plants

Cucumbers

1,2 to 1,5 m rows

30 cm between plants

Watermelons

1,8 to 2,4 m rows

50 cm between plants

Muskmelons

1,5 to 2,0 m rows

30 cm between plants

Table 1: By referring to this table, growers can see the individual requirements for the different types of cucurbits.

Cucurbits are all the plants in the Cucurbitaceae family that climb or trail. Pumpkins and squashes are cucurbits. (Source: Pixabay)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

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Ensure that the seeds make good contact with the soil. Cover the seeds with moist to dry soil. Leave space between rows as well. Protect the soil surface with a thin layer of mulch. Remove the mulch once plants have emerged to ensure they get enough sunlight to grow strong. When plants are growing well after approximately 2 to 3 weeks, thin out the seedlings. Be careful not to harm other plants. Remember to leave aisles between rows for spraying or harvesting. Muskmelons and watermelons are normally planted in trays as cucurbits do not transplant well. With these two specific types, it helps with early marketing as well. Fertilisation A soil analysis should firstly be conducted. Fertiliser should be added based on the results. Roughly 1 000 kg/ha (100 g/m2) of a fertiliser can be worked into the soil before planting. The mixture can have the ratio of 2:3:4 (27). Manure or compost can supplement the chemical fertiliser. A top dressing can be applied 3 weeks after seedlings have emerged. 120 to 150 kg/ha or 10 g KAN/LAN fertiliser per square meter. Take care to apply it 10 cm away from the stems. 5 weeks

after this, another top dressing can be applied. Irrigate the field after applying fertiliser. Irrigation Do not irrigate the field heavily before seedlings emerge so that there is no crust for them to break through. Should it rain before then and a crust does form, make an effort to prevent the crust from forming through light irrigation. The soil should be moist throughout the growing season. Irrigate the cucurbits regularly to prevent water stress. Ensure uniform irrigation. Remember to reduce irrigation as the plants get closer to harvesting. Harvesting Fruits can be harvested carefully by picking them from the vines when mature. The harvesting calendar for different cucurbits are as follows: • Squashes: 60 - 75 days • Butternut squash: 90 - 100 days • Muskmelons: 90 - 100 days • Winter muskmelons: 105 - 125 days • Watermelon: 95 - 120 days • Pumpkin: 120 - 150 days Yield estimate for pumpkins and melons: 30 kg/m2. Yield estimate for squash: 20 kg/m2.

Pest and disease control Good crop management such as weeding and practicing crop rotation prevents the spread of diseases and pests. Careful, shallow cultivation can destroy weeds, but be mindful of the shallow roots of cucurbits. Crop rotation can be practiced by planting a different crop type such as leafy vegetables the following season. Diseases Powdery mildew This disease is caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea. It can escalate in severity when the weather is hot and dry. First signs of the disease is a powdery white growth on the leaves and stems. Leaves start to die off and the yield, as well as the quality of the fruit, is reduced. The disease can be controlled with chemicals and planting disease tolerant cultivars. Practicing good weed control also helps. Downy mildew Downy mildew is caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis. It can be recognised by yellow or brown spots on the upper leaf surface, as well as grey/purple fungal growth on the lower side of the leaf. Wet, humid weather makes the plants more susceptible to this disease. Control of the disease include chemicals and disease resistant cultivars. Over-irrigation should also be avoided.

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Ensure that plants are planted in welldrained soils.

be practiced. Plant disease-free seed and make sure not to over-irrigate.

Fusarium wilt This disease is caused by Fusarium oxysporum, and it leads to plants wilting and dying. It can be confirmed that the plant is suffering from this disease by cutting the stem. The tissue will have a brown discolouration. The disease is usually more prevalent in warmer soils and the pathogen can be seed-borne. To attempt controlling the disease, first start by planting disease-free seed and tolerant varieties. Field sanitation can be done to control the nematodes. You can also look at the soil and adjust the pH to 6,5 with the use of nitrogen.

Phytophthora crown and root rot The bottom half of the stems and roots show brown rot that leads to the plant wilting and dying. The fruits also eventually rot and show white growth on the outer surface. This is caused by Phytophthora capsica. Steps to control the disease include chemical control and crop rotation. Avoid over-watering plants and make sure that the soil is able to drain well. Always use clean water.

Gummy stem blight/black rot Gummy stem blight, or black rot as it is also called, is caused by Phoma cucurbitacearum. The first signs of an infection are gummy stem lesions that eventually lead to the plant wilting and dying. On the lesions, small, black, pinpoint sized fruiting bodies can be seen — this is the pathogen. With butternuts, large cream-coloured fruit rot can be seen. In order to control the disease, chemical control and field sanitation can

Cucumbers have many different varieties. Find out which variety yields the best crop in your area before you plant. (Source: Pixabay)

Angular leaf spot When cucurbits start to show brown spots bound by yellow veins on the leaves, it can be angular leaf spot. It is caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans. The way spots develop has an angular shape. The disease can be controlled by planting disease-free seed or tolerant varieties. Crop rotation also assists in prevention. Use alternative irrigation methods that do not include overhead irrigation. Pests Aphids These small insects vary in colour, ranging from green and red to black or brown. They are soft-bodied insects that often appear in clusters. Aphids feed on the plant juices and transmit viral diseases. Aphids can be controlled with registered chemicals. Alternatively, on smaller plots specifically, plants can be sprayed with a light liquid soap mixture or repellent. Ladybugs are their natural enemies.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

Pumpkin fly These flies sting fruit smaller than 10 cm. They then proceed to lay eggs in clusters under the peel. This makes the fruits more susceptible to infection with pathogens and rot. One way to control the flies is to put out bait when flowering starts. A mixture of Dipterex, sugar and water can be made. Change the mixture every 7 to 10 days. Cucurbit leaf beetles There are three common cucurbit leaf beetles known in Southern Africa that regularly attack pumpkins. The black and orange insects damage both the flowers and the leaves. Take care to exercise control as soon as they are noticed in spring. They gradually migrate through cucurbit fields in a number of weeks. You will need to scout daily when the crop begins to emerge. Field sanitation helps prevent an outbreak. This can be done by removing the debris of a harvested crop as soon as possible. Also, store any implements or equipment properly and away from the field so that there isn’t any hiding place for beetles.

The information provided in this article is credited to the Agricultural Research Council Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute (ARC-VOPI). For more information, contact +27(0)12-841-9611 or visit www. arc.agric.za.

Namibia 28

ProAgri BNZ 33

Crop production guide in Namibia Part 10:

Marketing of produce

(Image source: pexels.com by Maria Orlova)

hen it relates to agriculture, marketing starts right on the farm, with the planning of production to meet specific market demands and future growth opportunities. It consists of the following steps that must be completed prior to the sale of fresh or processed products to end users: • The producer has the option of selling directly to consumers. It is possible for consumers to visit the farm, or the producer may transport the produce to a market and sell it directly to consumers. • Production may be sold to wholesalers, who in turn distribute to retail markets, which in turn supply the consumer. • It is also possible to sell directly to the retail sector. • Some farmers outsource their marketing to a marketing agent or an agency. Listed below are some examples of marketing agencies: Individuals Selling products on behalf of others is something that some private individuals do for a living.

The farmer selling produce directly from the farm to the consumers. (Image source: healtheplanet.com)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

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Cooperatives Farmers frequently come to agreements with one another in order to form an organisation that they own and operate in a cooperative manner (not as shareholders). Employees are most often the ones who do the selling. Associations Farmers may come to an agreement to divide the responsibilities of marketing amongst themselves. They charge themselves a fee in order to cover marketing expenses such as telephone costs, packaging, and transportation. Companies These are companies that market products on behalf of their clients and charge a fee for their services. Governments and marketing boards have important roles to play In a free-market economy, governments should refrain from intervening in the day-to-day operations of marketing. But they do legislate the marketing board through direct representation by one or more government officials who serve on its Board of Directors. The following are the powers and responsibilities of marketing boards: They: • establish pricing; • establish grading criteria; • regulate the sale of goods in markets; • collect levy payments; • provide advice to the government on the enactment of legislation and by-laws; • educate and train employees; • collect and disseminate information about a specific product; and • make the product more visible to the general public. The Agronomic Board of Namibia has established a database of all agronomic producers, which contains information about the type of crop and the size of the area that is planted each year by the producers themselves. Every farmer has access to this information, and it should be used whenever possible, particularly when making decisions about what to grow and when to plant. Fluctuations in the price It is critical for farmers to understand that market prices fluctuate from season to season, and sometimes even from week to week, and that this is normal and expected. The term "changes in demand and supply" is used to describe the reason for this in the marketing world. Demand is defined as the quantity of goods that buyers would be willing to purchase at a reasonable price. Supply is the number of products that sellers would like to sell at a ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

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A fresh produce market where farmers can sell their products directly to consumers. (Image source: unsplash.com by Alejandro Duarte)

reasonable price. If demand is high, that is, if there are a large number of interested buyers, the price will rise as long as the supply is less than or equal to the demand. The markets may become oversupplied (or saturated) if everyone produces the same crop at the same time. As a result, prices may begin to decline. A good example is the supply of watermelons that is available towards the end of each year. Normally, the first watermelons to hit the market command extremely high prices, but as the season progresses and an increasing number of watermelons enters the market, prices begin to decline. Farmers eventually, sell them at dumping prices to break even. As a result, it is a good idea to ensure that you are either the first or the very last person to introduce a new product to the market.

Estimating costs Demand largely sets the highest price that producers can charge for their produce while producer costs set the minimum price to be asked. Producers want to charge a price that covers their costs of production, distribution and marketing, and include a fair return (profit) for their efforts. Types of costs: Fixed costs Fixed costs are costs that do not vary with production. That means they have to be paid irrespective of the production level. An example would be the repayment of the farm purchase loan. Agribank must be paid, whether one plants a crop or not. Variable costs Variable costs vary directly with the level of production. As production goes

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

up, the costs go up as well; example, more water must be pumped as more land is being irrigated. Total costs Total costs are the total of variable costs plus fixed costs for any given level of production. For sound business, producers should charge prices that will cover their total production costs plus a reasonable profit at a given level of production.

The information in this article is credited to the Namibia Agricultural Union and Namibia National Farmers Union who published the Crop Production Manual in 2008.

Zimbabwe 34

ProAgri BNZ 33

Image source: Kailash Kumar via pexels.

Markets for small holder farmers by Tapuwa Mashangwa

n the agricultural sector, there are a few achievements that can be reached on your own. Success requires an aggregated proactive approach from individuals, companies, governments and non-governmental organisations. From smallholder farmers to commercial farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, efficient and effective planning in agriculture begins with an in-depth analysis of the market. Currently, 60 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is smallholder farmers that are affected by the price of the inputs, inconsistency

of produce quality, lack of affordable advertising, low incomes, unstable climate and temperatures, low fertility of soils and poor topography, unavailability of water and labour, low number of buyers, and unfavourable government policies. Some of these factors can be mitigated by the collaborative effort of farmers working together to face the challenges through forming farming groups that supply a specific product. By doing so, they can manage to share costs of advertising, inputs, and transport.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

Some high-cost inputs may be purchased off-season when the product to be supplied is not being grown. Most agribusiness retail outlets sometimes have surplus goods leftover from the farming season of a certain crop or animal productive period. Thus farmers can benefit from the low pricing provided during the off-season period of the produce. To address the inconsistency of produce, farmers can attend workshops that teach farmers about ensuring that they produce the best quality for the market. The better the quality, the 35

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Farmers can attend workshops that teach farmers about ensuring that they produce the best quality for the market. (Source: Zen Chung via pexels) higher the price farmers can obtain for their products. It can even eventually lead to farmers exporting these goods. There are agricultural products that require licences before production begins. For instance, in Zimbabwe, a license for hemp production costs US$ 57 000. The cost of a license falls on the farmer, but such a large amount is too high for one farmer. However, if more farmers can contribute towards the amount, they can then subsequently supply the market. As the internet becomes more affordable for most of sub-Saharan Africa, advertising through platforms such as WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook also become easier and cheaper. There are companies offering satellite dish internet installations to improve internet access in remote areas. Not only does this provide a reliable market for produce, but it can also act as a fundraising technique for farmers. This can happen in the form of crowdfunding groups, public and private companies, the government and non-governmental organisations. General knowledge of the market is always a plus. There is no need to focus on high value produce knowing well that most consumers cannot afford it. As commonly said, give the people what they want, thus eliminating loss of perishable produce and lack of returns on produce because of supplying the market with what it does not need.

With more accessible internet, farmers can attempt advertising through platforms such as WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook. (Source: Vecteezy) Payment plans can be created for farmers requiring funds for inputs or to cover operational costs. Security for this finance can be backed by collateral provided by the farmers, governments, and the central banks. The benefit of this is to stimulate production and improve agricultural GDP performance. A lot of farmers do not belong to any agricultural association or body. In this way, they cut themselves off from vital information that would aid them in their production systems as well as free inputs or assistance when it comes to their agricultural projects. The sub-

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

scription fees to join the agricultural associations or bodies are relatively affordable, and more farmers need to join these groups. As most of the sub-Saharan countries look toward satisfying Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - which seeks to end poverty, protect the planet, and bring peace and prosperity to all - a lot of funding is going towards agricultural projects. More awareness about these opportunities should still be intensively directed toward farmers in need. 37

Zimbabwe

by Natasha Kruger

Cattle breeds Part 2 C

attle can be considered as an essential daily food and nutrition source, a valuable supply of revenue, and they produce nitrogen-rich manure that can be used to rebuild soils. Different breeds are better adapted for each purpose.

Boran cattle

The Boran cattle breed evolved from

Boran bull with brown dots on his skin. (Source: boran.org.za)

Boran cow and calf. (Source: boran. org.za) 38

the Borana people's native shorthorned cattle over a thousand years ago. The breed is made up of 24% European Bos Taurus, 64% Bos Indicus, and 14% African Bos Taurus, which makes sense given the variety of cattle breeds that travelled from Ethiopia to the rest of Africa. The Boran is a medium-framed breed, with mature cows weighing 380 to 450 kg and bulls weighing 500 to 850 kg. Calves born to Boran cows are small, therefore calving issues are unlikely. Cows as old as fifteen years can still produce healthy calves. Colours range from white with dots to brown and red. The skin is loose and has short hair. The breed's oily secretions, long eyelashes, and twitching tail assist in repelling insects like ticks and flies. These cattle are docile and possess a strong herd instinct, making them easy to handle and making it difficult to steal a single animal out of a herd.

Use The Boran belongs to the Bos indicus group and can be used in confined herds or crossbred to improve the meat quality, maternal qualities, and hardiness of Zebu breeds. The Boran is a non-selective browser and grazer with a tough rumen and metabolism. The breed can endure water scarcity and live on low-quality feed.

Production regions The Boran breed is produced in Southern Africa due to its adaptability to climatic conditions and tolerance to heat. A shiny coat and exceptional heat tolerance allow it to outperform other breeds in hot, humid areas, but a thick, loose coat and oily hair help it to endure cold and rainy conditions in the winter. The Boran has been developed to be very resistant to parasites, both internal and external, such as ticks, and eye diseases.

The Brahman is the first cattle breed produced in America and is presently used in Southern African beef production. Brahman is a medium-sized beef breed, with bulls weighing 700 to 1 000 kg and cows weighing 450 to 650 kg. Calves are small at birth, weighing between 25 and 35 kg, but grow quickly and wean at comparable weights to other breeds. Bulls have large,beanshaped humps. Brahman cattle range in colour from pale grey to nearly black. Their short,

Meat quality The breed's hardiness allows it to be “fattened up” on the veld and sold as “grass-fed”. The meat of the Boran and its hybrids is consistently more tender and marbled than other Zebu breeds. The breed bridges the gap between the perfect carcass animal, which is expensive to maintain, and indigenous breeds, which fail to fulfil market criteria and yield minimal abattoir income. The Boran produces acceptable carcasses with little input cost.

Brahman cattle

ProAgri BNZ 33

Grey Brahman bull. (Source: bosblanco.co.za)

reasonable loose skin under the abdomen of the breed. Their short hair makes it harder for parasites to cling to, and the cattle secrete an oily substance that repels insects. The cows live up to 20 years and have good maternal qualities, making them desirable in crossbreeding programmes. The Brahman is described as an intelligent animal that adapts well to routine and develops a mild temperament when treated gently. Producing regions Brahmans are popular in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Brahman cattle thrive in large-scale production systems, and are found throughout South Africa. South African live animals, embryos, and semen are exported to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland.

Brahman cow and calve. (Source: brahmanshop.co.za) glossy hair and pigmented skin reflect sunlight, allowing them to survive in hot and humid climates. They also have more sweat glands and looser skin than most European breeds, which helps regulate body temperature. There is

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Use While the Brahman is a pure breed, the Breeders' Society calls it the “king of crossbreeding” for its superior hybrid vigour, hardiness, maternal qualities, and low birth weight. In South Africa, over 50% of commercial breeders use purebred Brahman animals to produce other breeds. The Simbra is an excellent example of a breed formed by crossing Simmentalers with Brahmans.

Meat quality Contrary to popular belief, the Brahman possesses the genetic ability to provide high-quality, soft meat.

Braunvieh

Braunvieh, named after its brown coat, is one of South Africa's oldest and purest cattle breeds. The breed originated in the Swiss Alps and has been imported to most of Europe and Russia since 1897. They were imported to South Africa in 1907 as part of a Department of Agriculture’s crossbreeding experiment to create cattle suitable for the cold highlands. Braunvieh is a 60:40 ratio dualpurpose breed intended for meat and dairy products. The breed has black pigment and a good hide. In summer, they shed hair and thicken in winter to maintain a stable body temperature. The dark pigment prevents eye cancer. Cattle with powerful legs and black hooves can walk far and thrive under intensive production circumstances. Their calm demeanour makes them easy to farm with and to keep in feedlots. The Braunvieh is a medium to large-framed beef breed, with bulls weighing 810 to 1 100 kg and cows 500 to 680 kg. The cows are very good mothers. Their exceptional milk production

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enables calves to grow up fast and have above-average weaning weights. Production regions Braunvieh cattle are raised anywhere in South Africa. Because of its Alpine origins, it has a higher red blood count than other cow breeds, allowing them to adapt to a wide range of conditions, from extreme cold to extreme heat. Use While Braunvieh cattle can be used in isolated herds, they also perform well in crossbreeding programmes. When used for crossbreeding, Braunvieh immediately improves any commercial cattle breed. The first crossbreeds had more milk, better udders and teats, better structure and constitution, and weaners that were heavier than average. Braunvieh is supposed to be calm cattle that grow up quickly, and save farmers money at weaning time. Braunvieh cross calves achieve weaning weight between 4 and 6 months. Fast growth and a gentle temperament make the Braunvieh a popular feedlot breed.

Braunvieh bull. (Source: Witbek Braunvieh-stoet)

Charolais

Due to their masculinity and constitution, the breed was originally used as draught animals. In the 1920s, functional meat properties became more important. The goal was to produce fast-growing, productive cattle with good meat, without compromising the breed's sturdiness, temperament, or adaptability to varied climates. In South Africa, the Charolais breed has evolved without sacrificing its popular qualities. Because the Charolais has been purebred for over 370 years, it possesses a high level of prepotency. The second-generation animal will be white by default. According to the Charolais Cattle Breeders Society, one of the biggest blunders made with the Charolais in Southern Africa was emphasising the masculinity and size of the initial imported animals. This caused calving issues and milk shortages in cows. As semen imports rose, so did structural issues, including bad legs. Since the 1990s, severe import regulations have been implemented to guarantee imported semen meets breed needs and standards, such as smaller frames and ease of calving. Compulsory performance testing since 1997 made poor-quality animals easier to cull. Since 2000, the breed has adopted a tight linear classification system to ensure only the top animals make the cut. The breed's inter-calf duration has decreased from 424 to 417 days because of improved reproductive and mothering properties. As a result of improved milk output, Charolais cows are weaning some of the largest calves of all breeds. Production region Due to the breed’s adaptability and superior meat quality, the breed has been exported from South Africa to Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Zambia and other African countries produce Charolais. It is produced in all nine provinces of South Africa, but is particularly popular in the North West and Northern Cape.

animals longer when meat prices are low. Large carcasses make deboning easier and save processing and transport costs.

Charolais cows and calves. (Source: charolais.co.za)

Charolais bull. (Source: Charnelle Charolais)

References Southafrica.co.za. (2022). South African Beef Breeds. [online] Available at: https://southafrica.co.za/ south-african-beef-breeds.html Loubser, A., Schutte, N. and Hofmeyr, I., (2007). Cattle breeds of South Africa. Pretoria, AgriConnect, Pages 97-165.

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Use Aside from stud breeding, many commercial producers use Charolais extensively. The bulls are frequently used to breed smaller-framed cattle, resulting in more desirable feedlot offspring. From genomic research, it appears that the cattle are a small, concentrated group that produces exceptional hybrid vigour (heterosis) when crossed.

Braunvieh cows and calves. (Source: Witbek Braunvieh-stoet)

Meat quality Due to its fast growth and feed conversion rate, the breed is in high demand in feedlots. The breed also only gains fat late in the production cycle, allowing feedlots to maintain and feed the

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

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Diversify your family business to insulate it from risks

by Trevor Dickinson

our family business leadership must have a clear, compelling, and objective framework to ensure that good long-term decisions are made in the best interest of current and future shareholders. Many well-established family agribusinesses find ways to generate new streams of income independent of the core business. Despite the longevity or success of the family business, the inherent risk is typically tied to the legacy business — which also happens to be where most of the family’s wealth resides. What if there is a catastrophic business interruption? What if the supply shuts down? What if new technology or global competitors upend a oncedefensible position? Your family may very well run a tight ship, but there are many real-world possibilities for disruption that are simply beyond anyone’s control. This is a common conversation among successful business families, especially from those who are thinking several generations ahead. There are many benefits to diversify a legacy business and providing alternative streams of cash flow. Risk management is typically the driving force, but there are other reasons too: preservation of long-term wealth, offsetting a cyclical industry,

extending the enterprising legacy of the family, capitalizing on the family’s unique ability to innovate. Privately held firms actually have an advantage in innovation because of their long-term perspective on capital efficiency, which allows for the “patient

capital” attitude of owners to tolerate longer return cycles. Public companies, on the other hand, are pressured by short-term investors to focus on projects that maximise quick returns while demanding high hurdle rates. If family businesses have such an

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ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

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(Image source: pexels.com by nappy) advantage in long-term investing, why do we not see more active diversification playing out? What is holding back families from capitalising on their own success? For many, it is simply a lack of expertise and direction in getting started. Looming questions arise: How do we evaluate industries or businesses we have no experience of? What kind of return expectations should we have? How much capital should we allocate? The answers require some level of investment strategy, process, and accountability, which most family businesses simply haven’t developed because, well, they’re far too busy running their existing business. While the core business may be firing on all cylinders, the risk of venturing into new territory can appear greater than the risk of sticking to what they know, which has plenty of its own challenges to deal with. The fact is, diversifying into new business ventures is fraught with peril. Therefore, family leadership must have a clear, compelling, and objective framework to ensure they are making good long-term decisions in the best interests of their current and future shareholders. Some families bypass this complication by parking their noncore investments in a third-party family office or private equity fund, leaving

it to experts to manage their choices. Many families, however, are uncomfortable with the passive nature of this option, preferring hands-on control, security, and sense of ownership over their new endeavours. All the more reason to take a systematic approach to ensure you get it right. Diversifying your family business is certainly not any easy task, but it can be successfully accomplished if the following steps are applied: 1. Establish a clear and compelling vision for diversifying the business Does your family vision statement tie the business to a single industry, or leave it open to grow from various sources? Despite your emotional attachment to the family business, it is nothing more than an asset representing a source of income and value creation. When families treat their business this way, they are more likely to acknowledge there may come a day when competitive pressures or capital requirements dictate the asset could create more value if it were liquidated and redeployed into higher-return opportunities. This may sound blasphemous to certain family members, but when you stop and think about it, your family business legacy is likely to be

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

more about growing wealth than clinging to a specific company or industry, especially if it is struggling to maintain relevance, or is losing value. Articulating a clear statement of long-term intent cements your family’s commitment to enterprising beyond your core business, even if you are not sure what it might look like one or two generations from now. By raising the concepts of “diversified enterprises” as a purposeful direction for the family business, you also gain enthusiasm and buy-in from shareholders who will now publicly stand behind it, even expect it. Something powerful happens by agreeing on a future aspiration, writing it down and then providing frequent exposure to that message. You will eventually, make it happen. 2. Set the strategic framework and criteria Once a vision is established, the next step is to fill in details around strategy, which informs the type of industries and approaches you will take toward diversification. Start by casting a wide net around your playing field. What are you good at? What assets are currently underleveraged? What core competencies might be transferable to other markets or customers? This process taps into your unique capabilities to generate 45

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new, profitable sources of growth. Next, layer in a filter of risk correlation. For example, would you prefer to focus on synergistic businesses, or countercyclical ones? Will you consider businesses related to your core enterprise, or do you want completely independent industries? An agricultural business historically depends on one product driven by commodity markets decided to venture into alternative commodities that were historically uncorrelated to its core product. You could also go horizontally forward or backward in your supply chain, but generally that only ties the risk further into your existing industry. Obviously, the less correlated an industry is with your core business, the more you are truly diversifying risk. Additional criteria to consider should include expected returns, industry growth rate, build versus buy, geographic limitations, and capital constraints. 3. Appoint a dedicated leader reporting directly to the CEO Many diversification attempts either sputter out or produce spotty results because they lack dedicated, focused, accountable leadership to see the mission through. A diversification initiative cannot be approached as a part-time effort with a “let’s see how it goes” attitude. The pitfalls of approaching diversification as a side project of current management are two-fold: Either the core business sucks management back

in, leaving insufficient energy for the diversification initiatives; or the shiny new diversification projects become a distraction, drawing management’s attention away from the core enterprise. Putting an objective leader in place can allow the business to cut through emotionally driven decision making — a weakness that family businesses are prone to that often leads to a hodgepodge of starts and stops that may or may not be consistent with the strategy. Once your investment criteria have been agreed upon, a designated leader operating separately from the core business can provide objective analysis of new opportunities and ensure that the family is accountable for achieving outcomes rather than dabbling. If you are serious about it, put a competent individual in charge, and then structure the new initiatives to operate separate and apart from the core business. 4. Apply a process to narrow down the best choices Now that a strategy and criteria have been set, a process is needed to evaluate new opportunities. All ideas should be considered from a variety of sources, as if they are being thrown into a large funnel, except now there is a screening methodology for evaluating the strength of each proposition. The more aligned with strategic criteria, the further down the funnel the business idea will go. There should be just a few ideas coming out of the other side. Despite the straightforward nature of

(Image source: pexels.com by Ahmet Çiftçi)

this process, it is also where the family dynamics can get in the way, requiring management to remain disciplined. During this phase, one should expend enough attention to validate a fit with criteria, but no more than a first-pass level. An internal review board is helpful to vet ideas that make it through to more advanced stages, forcing justification and validation of the most promising proposals. 5. Develop the best ideas into a full-scale business plan Here is where the viability of the business investment can be fully validated in great detail. This is no time for shortcuts or reliance on anecdotal information. Spend the time and energy necessary to develop a robust, dataheavy business plan with compelling market and financial justification, as if it were being pitched to an outside investment group. The business plan should cover typical components such as marketplace feedback. Industry growth rates, prospective customers, competitive landscape and a financial pro forma. Ultimately, the business plan should clearly depict its unique strategic differentiator — Why will you win? What makes it a compelling investment? Finally, get outside feedback from a third-party expert in the industry who can provide an unbiased perspective on your plan’s integrity and a critical view on its probability of success. A designated devil’s advocate can provide a reality check on your assumptions around operations, market, customer, pricing, and competitors. Even the most promising ventures will present challenges, so make sure you understand the minefields that will be faced. 6. Provide visibility and accountability Once the new business plan has been vetted, critiqued, and approved, now it is time to take the leap and launch. The business plan should provide a set of milestones for tracking progress, which also becomes an accountability mechanism to ensure appropriate oversight and course correction when necessary. Be prepared to evolve and iterate. Admit what you don’t know and bring in expertise to help operationalise when necessary. Diversification can be a risky proposition, but given the right commitment, process, and discipline, it can derisk your business in the best interest of current and future shareholders.

Trevor Dickinson is the CEO of Family Legacies, a family business consulting company. For more information visit www. family-legacies.com.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

Soy Beans Dry Roasted

HIGH IN

PROTEIN

GLUTEN FREE

The roasted soy beans can be used in stews & soups. The fine or coarse milled roasted soy beans can be used as a smoothies and gravies, as a meat extender, breakfast cereal, energy bar, spread and a wide variety of foodstuffs to enrich it with a tasty protein source. The OJA Farm full fat, pre-cleaned, Dry Roasted Soy Beans are heat treated to change the anti-trypsin and the lipoxygenase enzymes in the soybeans to produce an excellent nutty tasting product with no beany or grassy aftertaste.

25 Liter Bucket Beef Masala 5 servings

25 kgINGREDIENTS: Bag

1 kg 100 g 2g 3g 1 4g 2g 4g 1g 1g 3g

Roasted soybeans are the cheapest protein source in the world. The amino acid composition is favourable and similar to any animal or plant protein source.

TYPICAL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION Serving size: 100 g

PER 100 g Energy

1 600 kJ

Protein

36 g

Carbohydrate of which Total Sugar

29 g 5,0 g

Total Fat of which Saturated Fat of which Trans Fat of which Monounsaturated Fat of which Polyunsaturated Fat

21,0 g 3,0 g 0,0 g 4,8 g 12,2 g

Cholesterol

Dietary Fibre**

17,8 g

Total Sodium

10,0 mg

*%Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) for individuals 4 years and older (2010) **AOAC 985.29 method of analysis

20 min

INGREDIENTS: Roasted Soya Beans ALLERGENS: Soya Beans

Container sizeDRY PLACE.Contains STORE IN A COOL ONCE OPENED, STORE IN AN Product of South Africa AIRTIGHT 5 Liter CONTAINER. Bucket 2.5 kg - Oja Dry roasted Soya beans + stock 10 Liter Bucket

The OJA Farm full fat, pre-cleaned, Dry Roasted Soy Beans are heat treated to change the anti-trypsin and the lipoxygenase enzymes in the soybeans to produce an excellent nutty tasting product with no beany or grassy aftertaste.

CHOLESTEROL FREE

Dry Roasted Soy Beans are an excellent source of protein, fiber and minerals.

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS: Soak Oja Dry Roasted Soya beans in boiling water for 20 minutes. Add extra boiling water and cook for 30 minutes. Use this method to prepare Oja Dry Roasted Soy beans for all recipes.

Dry roasted beans

100 servings 250 servings

Stewing beef, cut into cubes Onion, diced Garlic, crushed Tomato paste Tinned tomatoes Coriander, chopped Turmeric, ground Garam masala Cumin, ground Coriander, ground Brown sugar

excess water and set aside.

500 g 1 kg

BARCODE

0700083916952 0700083916969

Soak it in boiling water for 20 minutes and then cook it in the stock that we provide for 20-30 minutes.

e an excellent r a s n a e B y o S Dry Roasted in, fibre and minerals. source of prote 10

500 servings

Yoghurt coated Soya nuts with Cranberries

GET IN TOUCH Riëtte Strydom riette@ojafarms.co.za +27 83 631 2058 For recipes, visit: http://www.ojafarms.co.za

3. Add the beef and cook until browned.

5. Pour the beef stock, tinned tomatoes and soaked Oja! Dry Roasted Soya Beans into the pot and bring the pot up to a gentle simmer.

Crunch bites are our coated Soya nut range. Chocolate coated Soya nuts (No added sugar)

2. Heat oil in a large pot and add the onions and garlic, frying until translucent. 4. Add the tomato paste and spices and lower the heat, frying until aromatic and all the meat is coated in spice.

OJA FARMS - PROPOSAL

iii.

50 servings

12.5 kg - Oja Dry roasted Soya beans + stock Curry METHOD: 1. Soak the Oja! Dry Roasted Soya Beans

SIZE

Servings

5 kg - Oja Dry roasted Soya beans + stock

(Beef, chickeninor vegetable stock)drain the boiling water for 20 minutes,

• Gluten Free • Cholesterol Free • High in Protein

Available in 500 g & 1 kg:

Caramel & Cinnamon coated soya nuts with lightly roasted and salted Pumpkin and Sunflower seeds

ProAgri BNZ 33

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 33

FARM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED Contact us to see what a pivot will look like on your farm

Patrick Ellis

+27 (0)31 350 4525

patrickellis@reinke.com

www.reinke.com

ProAgri BNZ 33