Podcast: AGRICOLLEGES in a class of their own

AGRICOLLEGES international has become a force in agricultural education, with over 1 800 alumni in 40 different countries. In this edition, Wynand Espach, chief operating officer at AGRICOLLEGES international, talks about what makes their offering so unique and more about how agriculturalists can benefit.

“We are nestled in between all these big farms and there are only about 140 hectares of farmland with 100 hectares under production. What we realised over the years is that we need to diversify as a small farmer and spread out risks,” he says.

This is one of the principles that Espach commits to transfer to all the students at AGRICOLLEGES. Always look at opportunism and find ways to diversify within the industry.

“Don’t get stuck in producing only one crop in one region to one market and that’s what I think we achieved by spreading our wings and spreading our risks,” he explains.

Macadamia Industry

He makes references to the macadamia industry which has been one of their most prominent products.

“In 2008, the macadamia industry, which is one of our biggest products, produced anything up to 4 000 mature trees, plus a small micro plant, one that is distributed all over the world. But the macadamia industry goes through these phases and it could have five, six, seven and eight wonderful years as the price is climbing and then all of a sudden there’s a price adjustment and then the price drops,” he says.

Avoid going into a panic as a farmer when adjustments need to be made. The industry is unpredictable, but at all costs do not stop farming because the product that you are farming with is going through phases. Assess the risk and push through, he advises.