Alexander Gibson, the Western Cape Young Farmer of the Year, wants the agriculture sector to be the nation’s big hero. He shares his vision in an exclusive interview with Food For Mzansi’s weekly podcast called Farmer’s Inside Track.
“I want agriculture to be the hero in South Africa with regards to creating jobs, uplifting the communities and growing the economy,” says Gibson, who farms in the Witzenberg Valley.
He holds a degree in agriculture and has just more than 11 years’ experience as a fruit farmer. Later this year, Gibson will represent the province in the national Young Farmer of the Year competition hosted by Agri SA.
Gibson is acutely aware of the possibilities offered by agriculture, and believes the sector can really change Mzansi’s trajectory. “We can grow the economy, we can create jobs, we can uplift the communities, all at once. I think there are very few sectors in the country that can do all of it at once.”
Besides Gibson, the latest Farmer’s Inside Track podcast has many other highlights. Hosts Dawn Noemdoe and Duncan Masiwa also chat to KwaZulu-Natal coffee farmer Dylan Cumming and Dr Josef van Wyngaard, technical manager for animal nutrition company Voermol.
This week’s#SoilSista, powered by Corteva Agriscience and Food For Mzansi, is the Limpopo poultry farmer Maureen Pudikabekwa. Plus, the farmer’s tip of the week comes from Free State livestock farmer Elliot Mofokeng.
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Other podcast highlights:
This week’s Farmer’s Inside Track also features:
- The 101 of coffee farming: There are areas in South Africa that boast the perfect climate for growing coffee. Journalist Nicole Ludolph chats to agribusinessman and coffee farmer, Dylan Cumming, about the ins and outs of coffee farming.
- Animal nutrition from Voermol: Technical Manager for Voermol Feeds, Dr Josef van Wyngaard, gives us a breakdown on animal supplements.
- Farmer’s tip of the week: Our farmer tip of the week comes from Free State livestock farmer Elliot Mofokeng. He gives us a glimpse into livestock farming and how to get livestock ready for the market.
- Book of the week: Our book of the week is Built to Serve by Evan Carmicheal. The author wrote the book to help readers find their purpose.
- Soil Sistas: This week’s #SoilSista, powered by Food For Mzansi and Corteva Agriscience, is Limpopo poultry farmer Maureen Pudikabekwa. She returned to farming after nearly two decades working in the corporate sector.
How to listen to Farmer’s Inside Track
Spotify: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).
Apple: Click here to listen on any Apple device.
Google Podcasts: Click here to listen on Google Podcasts.
Podcast player: Click here listen using this player. Just click “play”.
