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in Farmer's Inside Track

Podcast: Don’t sleep on mechanisation, Mzansi

Mechanisation in farming is the future, and not as unattainable as you might think. An expert from John Deere unpacks the infinite possibilities of technology in African agriculture

by Vateka Halile
16th October 2022
John Deere’s managing director for business in Africa and the Middle East, Jaco Beyers and Corteva #SoilSista Mary Mazibuko. Photo:Supplied/FoodForMzansi

John Deere’s managing director for business in Africa and the Middle East, Jaco Beyers, talks about mechanisation in agriculture, while Corteva #SoilSista Mary Mazibuko is also featured on this podcast. Photo:Supplied/FoodForMzansi

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Farmers who do not have a lot of resources struggle to keep up with their bigger counterparts, who can afford the latest technology and implements. But does mechanisation have to be expensive? John Deere believes mechanisation could actually double farmers’ outputs and be a game changer for small-scale and newly commercialising farmers across the continent.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we chat to John Deere’s managing director for business in Africa and the Middle East, Jaco Beyers.

Beyers unpacks the infinite possibilities of technology in African agriculture, and shares the importance of running a business driven by purpose.

He also adds that as a leader in mechanisation, John Deere promises to always support the Mzansi’s food producers when it comes to revolutionising the sector.

This is because he believes that through mechanisation, the possibilities are endless for farmers on the continent. “I believe [that] South African farmers can be the leaders, African farmers can be the leader in the agricultural space in the future,” he says in the podcast.

This episode also features Corteva #SoilSista Mary Mazibuko, who is a poultry farmer.

In the episode she talks purpose and why she is on a mission to create intergenerational entrepreneurs in her family. Mazibuko is part of the Corteva Women Agripreneur 2022 programme, a year-long blended development programme at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA).  

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 listen on any Apple device.

Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.

ALSO READ: Farming has taken a hold of this #SoilSista

Sign up for Farmer’s Inside Track: Join our exclusive platform for new entrants into farming and agri-business, with newsletters and podcasts. 

Vateka Halile

Vateka Halile grew up in rural areas of Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape. She was raised in a traditional family setting and found writing to be a source of comfort and escape. Vateka participated in an online citizen journalism course through Food For Mzansi, and her passion for health and medicine-related stories was born. Her dedication to community work and love for social justice and solidarity spaces is evident in her quality time with the community when she isn't working.

Tags: Agricultural mechanisationAgritechCorteva AgriscienceJohn Deere
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We kick off the week with Afasa's conference currently underway in KwaZulu-Natal. There's also a virtual event in celebration of World Food Day, a Gather To Grow session, a stud auction and wine tasting event on a lavender farm. Photo: Supplied/FoodForMzansi

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