A future-focused farmer is a sustainable farmer. And for South Africa’s agricultural industry to flourish, farming and sustainability should be joined at the hip.
This is according to Maluta Netshaulu, agricultural economist and banker at Nedbank, in this edition of Farmer’s Inside Track.
Like most in the industry, Netshaulu believes that the agricultural sector holds huge potential.
“It’s about creating an enabling environment, and also implementing these plans that we seem to not have a problem with putting together,” Netshaulu says.
He also encourages farmers to adopt and apply sustainable farming practices.
Netshaulu adds that farmers who are not farming sustainably could land themselves in trouble. “These days, if you’re a farmer and you’re not adopting or having to apply any sustainability, then I think you might have a problem or you might be lagging or finding yourself in a tight spot.”
Funding for shade netting
He also unpacks ways in which farmers can boost sustainability on their farms. He mentions technology, insurance, machinery or equipment, and satellites to name a few.
Netshaulu also cites climate change and water shortage as forces that push farmers towards precision irrigation.
In the episode, the agriculturalist can also be heard talking about their innovative shade netting funding solution – a first-of-its-kind.
Here’s what else you can expect in this episode:
- Opportunities in horticulture and field crops;
- Assistance in orchard performance; and
- The impact of food waste on poverty in Mzansi.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device.
Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.
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