Nufarmer Africa Magazine Sept/Oct 2014 | Page 3

1 Nufarmer Africa From Nufarmer’s Pen It is the time of the year that focus is placed on food production by farmers. Unfortunately voices in parliament chase land reform in the sense that commercial land that is currently producingly well must be given to people who possibly have no inkling of managining the commercial farming process. Nothing but political bigotary. In this edition of NUFARMER AF- At first light Proverbs 1: 2, 6 ‘To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgement andequity: to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear and will increase learning: and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels.’ ADDRESS: PO Box 759, Montana Park 0159 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] GENERAL MANAGER: Marion Oosthuizen - 071 639 9300 [email protected] EDITORIAL CONTENT: Johan Swiegers - 082 882 7023 Email: [email protected] PROPRIETOR: Suzanne Oosthuizen, Nufarmer PTY LTD, Cell: 082 832 1604, [email protected] RICA a number of experts in farming give their advice, opinion and and experience of how cooperation between experienced farmers and inexperieced people with a will to farm, could be the answer to food security, jobs for people who have experience on ffamilyarms and positive outcomes for young students to become involved in the many facets of agriculture. Agriculture is not only about backbreaking on the land:we need extension officers who are also efficient in land and environment care, different These wise words were spoken to the young men of his time. It is better to sit in the counsil of men you want to learn a trade from, than sit in the counsil where idle talk is spoken. Today on our street corners their are many people who beg for money. If only they go to people who would teach them a trade, they coucan make it to the top rather than die in misery. In this edition of Nufarmer Africa there are a number of stories of people that started with simple projects but their willingness to continue and also teac others, have them come in the eyes of major companies or international project who helped them make it to the top. When you want to far with any product, first make sure you hafe a market for it, then get the neccessary knowledge and land. Once you have this in place, let someone help you draw up a business plan with which you can go to a bank. It is the beginning of the production season when you get up early and go to sleep late. Once your success pays off on your bank figure, the hard times disapppear. Now it is the time you can inspire other people how to become successful in agriculture. Remember the wise words of Solomon:when God asked him what he wants, he admitted he is still young and needs wisdom, so that is what God gave him . Solomon became the richest king thar ever lived. ADVERTISING: Suzanne Oosthuizen - 082 832 1604 Marion Oosthuizen - 071 639 9300 ADMIN: Susan Pieterse Email: [email protected] Tel: [phone] D.T.P: Yolandé van Zyl - 082 775 1002 PRINTED BY: Business Print Centre, Pretoria Tel: [phone] Nufarmer Africa | September/October 2014 plants, soil chemistry, mechanics and financial management. For the small rural ‘farmer’ there are many ways to keep alive as long as they and their families or neighbour would cooperate to find a market for a product that they can profitably produce. Good management and ongoing cooperation is of essence. Read in these pages how people started small but planned to increase income every year. Someone once said: If you started once and maybe failed, start, sart again until you succeed. Cover picture: Catherine Mahlangu of Elandskraal Farm CALLS FROM AFRICAN STATES Please use the pre-set +27 when phoning any of the numbers appearing as contacts for information. Example: [phone] NUFARMER AFRICA DISCLAIMER: Nufarmer Africa accepts no responsibility for claims made in advertisements or for opinions and recommendations expressed by individuals or any other body or organisation in articles published in Nufarmer Africa. Copyright is reserved and the content may only be reproduced with the consent of the Editor by [email protected] 3