Author Archives: FarmersTrend - Page 2
Apple farming systems – current initiatives and some prospective views on how to improve sustainability
Apple farming has evolved tremendously in past decades. Both apple productivity and aesthetic quality of the fruit have been strongly improved resulting from genetic improvement, optimization of tree training and…
How mixing trees and crops can help both farmers and the climate
Maxwell Ochoo’s first attempt at farming was a dismal failure. In Ochieng Odiere, a village near the shores of Kenya’s Lake Victoria, “getting a job is a challenge,” the 34-year-old…
Bright future for citrus farming in Botswana
In a recent update on citrus farming in Botswana, agricultural extension officer Oarabile Letsatsi said that in 2020 and 2021, an increased number of farmers imported citrus seedlings to start…
Climate-smart agriculture benefits Zambian fruit and vegetable farmers
Among the fruit and vegetables produced by the farmers were tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes and bananas. According to the non-profit organisation’s blog, the aim of the project was to improve the…
Latest research: Macadamias need less water than you think!
With a looming water crisis and an expanding macadamia industry, the obvious question arises: where will the water for the new orchards come from? A recent groundbreaking study shows that…
Guava cultivar programme aims to reinvigorate industry
The Agricultural Research Council is undertaking various trials aimed at making guava production more profitable. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Salomie Willemse and Chris Smith, experts involved in the programme. With…
Promising new mango, kiwi and passion fruit cultivars
Looking for a different crop to grow in the Western Cape? At the Subtropical and Minor Crop Workshop held last year, Glenneis Kriel spoke to a number of experts about…
Kiwi fruit farming: South Africa’s golden opportunity
After the failure of local green kiwifruit production in the 1980s, a new group of farmers is hopeful that golden kiwis will become a South African success story. One such…
Pixie Orange Farming, Juicy Opportunity For Fruit Farmers In Kenya
The pixie orange is from the Mandarin or Tangerine family of citrus fruits. Pixie oranges are orange in color and without seeds, they vary in peel texture, shape, and size.…
Succeeding In Vegetable Farming Despite Challenges, Success Story Of Catherine Kamanu
Catherine Kamanu encountered the shock of her life when she lost most of her farming investments. But all of that is water under the bridge. Instead, she has become a…