ON THE PLOT
How to grow vegetables for profit
S
outh Africa's food and
agricultural policy
historically placed
national self-sufficiency as a
major objective. Until
recently this goal was largely
met, as a surplus was
produced in most major
agricultural commodities.
From page 32
lettuce may deter insects.
Oregano planted with
broccoli may repel cabbage
flies.
A further protection for your
plants is the use of mulch.
Mulch is a layer of materials
used to cover soil so that you
reduce evaporation, keep soil
moist, moderate soil temperature (warm in winter, cool in
summer), reduce weeds and
soil erosion. Mulch can help
to fertilise your soil.
Organic mulch can be made
Farmers and others in the
agricultural value chain are
recognised for their ability to
respond and survive, while
managing risk responsibly.
However, climate change
presents a new and very
significant threat to agricultural systems. It has become
C
increasingly difficult for the
agricultural sector in South
Africa to provide sufficient
quantities of food at affordable prices. This summer's
drought and the effect of El
Nino have exacerbated the
situation.
So should smallholders then
WINTER VEG
from bark, dead leaves, straw,
compost, nut shells, stones,
bark chips, pebbles, etc.
Simply spreadBa thin layer of
mulch over your vegetable
patch, taking care to avoid
A plants and their
covering
stems, to gain the benefits.
Paying attention to watering is
also important to the success
of your winter kitchen garden.
Gauteng winters are cruelly
dry, and because things tend
to quieten down in the
garden many neglect to water
sufficiently in winter. By the
same token, vegetables by
their very nature (think of the
moisture found in a tomato)
generally require much more
water than flowers or shrubs,
so be sure to water at least
twice a week, or more
depending, on the vegetable
and your soil. Ensure deep
watering - the water should
reach 30cm into the soil.
Water in the warmth of the
morning. Where there is risk
of frost do not water in the
afternoon or evening.
33
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be thinking about growing
vegetables commercially, as a
means of making an income
and to meet the needs of the
community?
Before setting up a production unit, we need to consider
a number of factors.
We should understand the
risks and know our own
strengths and how to
overcome our weaknesses.
When does production
become profitable? According
to the Agricultural Research
Council (ARC), if, for example, onions are grown on 1ha
of land, a yield of 4 000 bags
of 10kg each is possible. At
R22 per 10 kg bag (R2,20/kg),
this can provide a gross
income of R88 000.
Say your input costs are
R1/kg, your profit is R1,20/kg.
But if the smallholder is only
paid R16 a bag, his profit is
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