DIE JOERNAAL VIR DIE VRUGTEBEDRYF IN SUID-AFRIKA JUNE/JULY 2016 - Hortgro
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D I E J O E R N A A L V I R D I E V R U G T E B E D R Y F I N S U I D - A F R I K A J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 6
CO N T E N T S
V O L U M E 15 | P ART 3
ELKE UITGAWE BEDRYFSNUUS
EVERY ISSUE INDUSTRY NEWS
Editorial 2 SIZA takes the sting out of auditing 8 Deciduous fruit farmers benefit from Jobs
Fund for commercialization HORTGRO to
Foreword/Voorwoord 3 NEW UK LEGISLATION ON TACKLING
provide vital support 34
SLAVERY the implications for South African
Spoeg ‘n Pit 5
fruit exporters 10 Pierre du Plooy appointed as new
SA Fruit Journal Board Fieldmens chairperson 34
GOING GREEN A necessity not an option 12
of Directors 6
Should packhouses go solar? 13 SAPO: Cherry Nursery Trees 36
Fruitful Ideas 90 Start with an energy audit 14
Arbeidsvreugd reaches for the sun 15 Two-a-Day’s market day grows in-house
Last Word 93 entrepreneurs 37
Local market development campaign
makes strides 16 Radical Transformation in the Citrus
Industry: the establishment of the
AMENDMENTS TO THE BEE (B-BBEE) CODES: CGA Grower Development Company
Fundamental changes require a strategic (NPC) 38
Design and layout by rethink 20
Colleen Goosen Long-term citrus crop projections
082 779 2943 BUILDING MARKET TRUST Key factors for 2017-2035 40
colleen@paperchefs.com BEE market agents 24
Southern African Citrus Estimates for
Printed and bound London Student - this Year’s 2016 Export Season 42
by Paarl Media, Paarl Cook South Africa! Flavour King 26
Nie alle SA lemoensappe is ewe
CCMA announces the launch of a pilot gesond nie 44
workplace mediation service 27
Citrus Secondary Programme 45
Plant material supply tendencies during
the 2015 season by SAPO Trust contracted Indonesia grants SA 'Country of
nurseries 28 Recognition' status 48
RESEARCH & ADVERTORIALS
TECHNOLOGY PROMOSIE
CITRUS RESEARCH HORTGRO Die wêreld se beste boordstrooier ooit 19
INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE
How to reduce irrigated water consumption
Extension Briefs for NURSERY TREES: When its not the from already highly strained water
June & July 2016 50 Nurseryman's fault 66 resources using the latest in irrigation
scheduling software and services 22
Drought management in SmartAgri: A climate Change Response
citrus 56 Plan for the Western Cape 70 MECHANIZING PECAN FARMING:
Systems from ROVIC LEERS 32
fruitlook SEASON FOR CHANGE: brave
new world of fruit farming 74 PRO AGRI SERVICES (PTY) LTD
'n Professionele Dienstemaatskappy 33
Chronic sleep disorders in apple trees
lead to rude awakenings 82 BIOCEL: DON’T BREAK DORMANCY:
Stimulate growth 44
GROWING FRUIT IQ: Pome fruit
rootstocks for Africa 88 InteliGro 46
There is more than a FELCO 4 . . . 55
Protect your newly planted fruit trees 59
THE RISK REVIEW: Crop Insurance 2016 63
FarmTrack - Real-time savings to
optimise your farming business and
eliminate risk 65
Exciting new pome fruit varieties from
TopFruit are revealed 81
EDITORIAL
Puzzling out Synergy
I
am always amazed, when building a puzzle In this edition we celebrate the concepts of
and finally slotting the last piece into its ‘synergy’ in all its facets with Asian export ties
place, how you have magnificence that that were strengthened when the Indonesian
could never have been anticipated by each Quarantine Agency granted Country of Recog-
tiny piece on its own. So it is often in life as nition for South Africa’s food safety control
well. As reflected in the wisdom of the Greek system, thereby increasing the export potential
philosopher and scientist, Aristotle: “The whole for South African deciduous fruit (pg. 48)
is greater than the sum of its parts.” We take note of tough new UK stance on forced
The Greeks also came up with the concept of labour and the implications for local growers
Synergy - from the word συνεργία synergos, (pg. 10)
meaning "working together". In 1896, Henri Stephen Hobson writes for us about amend-
Mazel applied the term "synergy" to social ments to the B-BBEE Codes and fundamental
psychology by writing La synergie sociale, in changes that will require strategic rethink
which he argued that Darwinian Theory failed (pg. 20). The CCMA is proud to announce the
to account for "social synergy" or "social love", a launch of a pilot workplace mediation service
collective evolutionary drive. The highest civili- in the Western Cape Fruit Sector (pg. 26)
zations were the work not only of the elite, but
And Dane McDonald, newly appointed at
of the masses too. As South Africans are getting
HORTGRO Science, writes about Project Rebirth
ready for the elections in August, may we never
and how we need to build market trust (pg. 24)
forget that we as a collective can attain so much
more than as mere individuals. But building ELISE-MARIE STEENKAMP
towards a new collective, starts with each little
puzzle piece – who needs to show responsibility, • Please note that Christa van Rooyen, SAFJ Editor,
respect and recognising the humanity in each is currently recovering from ill health. We keep
other in order to grow as a whole. Christa and her family in our prayers.
ADVERTENSIES
IGNATIUS VLOK TARRYN TIM GLORIA ELISE-MARIE
Cell: 082 331 2127 WETTERGREEN GROUT WEARE STEENKAMP
sales@safj.co.za SATI Tel: 021 863 0366 CRI Tel: 013 759 8000 CGA Tel: 031 765 2514 HORTGRO Tel: 021 882 8470
tarryn@satgi.co.za TG@cri.co.za Gloria@cga.co.za Elise-Marie@hortgro.co.za
2 SA VRUGTE JOERNAAL | JUNIE/JULIE 2016
FOREWORD
Essential conversations needed
T
his foreword is being written on essential conversations. Sacrifices will need to JUSTIN CHADWICK
5 April 2016 – by the time it is be made and we will all need to move outside CEO, CGA
published much will have happened our “comfort zones”. Government has tried to
in our beloved South Africa. As socially engineer these changes through legis-
I write this the country is going lation; but with little positive impact. Social
through difficult times; while some may say engineering generally does not bring about
this is normal for a “young” democracy – such meaningful and long term change – a soci-
comments are starting to irk those who wish ety's will and commitment is needed. There
for an end to strife and the start of a climate of are many South Africans who have shown
certainty. this will and commitment; private industry
Everybody knows that good leadership is and corporates have gone to tremendous
required for excellence to prevail, whether lengths to make a change. The fruit industry
that be in sport, business or the country’s role-players have been extremely active in
economy. For too many years South Africa has upliftment in a number of ways. To all those
been big on promises and poor on delivery. who have sacrificed their time and resources
Poor leadership in government has resulted in in an effort to bring about change we can only
good policies either being poorly implement- applaud you.
ed or interfered with in such a way that those The unfortunate reality is that it is not enough –
who are meant to benefit never do. Billions too many South Africans are excluded from the
have been spent with very little progress to economy and the benefits that many take for
talk about – the Gini Coefficient (measure granted. Although many will argue that they
of the difference between the rich and the pay their taxes and it is government's respon-
poor) has been getting worse since 1994 and sibility, is that good enough when we can see
those living in poverty see very little hope of that government is failing to deliver? South
escaping from the predicament that they find African farmers are well known for their “can
themselves in. Official statistics may show do” attitude – “ ‘n boer maak ‘n plan”. South
unemployment is dropping – but we all know African farmers are known for getting things
that the expanded unemployment rate (i.e. done – where others wait for things to happen;
those actually without work) is hitting much South African farmers make things happen. As
higher levels (some speak of 40%). It is only in a fruit industry we all need to take a good look
junior management where the racial composi- at our business and work out ways to include
tion of those employed mirrors society; and black South Africans into them – whether this
where the representation from black South be the industry associations, export companies,
Africans has expanded. In Middle manage- farm management, input suppliers, transport
ment the percentage of blacks has increased; companies, shipping lines and all other associ-
but it is senior and top management where ated sectors. What is needed is growth in our
the biggest disparities still exist. industry – growth that creates more jobs and
As South Africans we need to start having brings more black South Africans into the fruit
conversations regarding ways and means sector; it is not about excluding anybody but
of getting the racial mix throughout the about inclusive growth.
economy representative of the demographics These are not easy conversations – but essen-
of the country. These are uncomfortable but tial conversations.
JUNE/JULY 2016 | SA FRUIT JOURNAL 3
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4 SA VRUGTE JOERNAAL | JUNIE/JULIE 2016 gea.com
Nommerasseblief . . .
‘n Mens moet maar versigtig omgaan met Uiteindelik!
herinneringe, het ek al geleer. Nostalgie neig “Your call is important to us,” verseker die
mos om jou deur ‘n rooskleurige brilletjie te stroombaanstemmetjie my weer eens, en daar
laat kyk wat heel gemaklik voel, maar jy kom begin die hele oorbekende sirkussiklus weer
nie agter die brilmode het lankal verander nie. van voor af.
Soms kan dit nogal misleidend wees.
Dit was laasweek. Vanaand slaan die duiwel
Maar dan kry jy ook daardie soort geheue- alweer uit ‘n ander oord toe.
prentjies wat werklik nog steeds kop en HERMAN JONKER
Tjips, af is die krag.
skouers - al is dit swart-en-wit - uittroon bo die SPOEG 'N PIT Rubriek
Net na sewe op ‘n reënerige wintersaand.
malse pixels van die hedendaagse toneel.
Alles donker, John Lee Hooker se onvoltooide
“Hol gou oor na oom Flip-hulle toe, beveel Ma. bluesnoot hang in die lug, die internetbank
Vra of jy kan bel daar van hulle af en dan sê jy slaan eensklaps toe halfpad deur ‘n transaksie,
vir die sentrale ek kom nie deur nie. Hoor wat en my potjie op die stoof stoom tot stilstand.
gaan daar aan.” Eskom.
In oom Flip se huis sit die swart foon teen die Dit nadat ek hulle al vanmiddag vieruur
muur in die gang, langs die staanhorlosie. Ek tevergeefs probeer bel het om te sê hulle drade
draai die slinger. skiet blou vonke bo in die boomtakke onder in
“Nommerassebliefnamberplies . . . ” Dit klink na Soetdoringlaan en hier gaan moeilikheid kom
ant Santie met die perm en die groot bril, wat met die reën wat op pad is.
altyd die wit knooptruitjies dra. Eintlik was dit die vrou wat langsaan bou wat
“Ons dink ons foon is af,” sê ek. “Drie-twee.” kom aanklop het met die nuus, selfoon in die
“O goeiste,” sê sy, “julle ook? Vier-een het klaar hand, pap gebel agter Eskom aan.
laat weet. Ons sal nou-nou kom regmaak, Geen probleem nie, stel ek haar gerus, ek het
Jannie Conradie sê dis seker weer die kraaie op ‘n landlyn en hy werk van gister af weer. Ek sal
die paal daar by die hoek van Voortrekkerweg hulle laat weet.
en Van der Byl. Hy maak net gou klaar met ‘n "Welcome to Eskom’s customer contact
fout by die skoolraadskantoor, dan kom hy.” centre," groet ‘n snedige robot my by die
Ant Santie en Jannie Conradie lewe seker nie virtuele traliehekke, en begin my kruis en dwars
meer nie, staan en dink ek laasweek terwyl ek deur die tonnels van Eskom se gesigloosheid
vir die soveelste keer luister na "your call will lei. Veertig dae en veertig nagte lank press one
be answered" op Telkom se hulplyn. Hopelik en press two ek, tot ek uiteindelik daarin slaag
rus hulle êrens in die hemel waar hulle nie hoef om met ‘n egte, lewende mens te praat.
te beleef wat Telkom se kliënte deesdae moet "What’s your customer account number," vra
deurmaak as daar fout kom nie. sy, voor ek nog ‘n halwe sin kan sê. Ek probeer
Twintig minute, sê my horlosie. Twintig minute verduidelik van die bome onder in Soetdoring-
lank probeer ek al tevergeefs kommunikeer laan. "What province," vra sy. "How do you spell
met ‘n maatskappy wat spesialiseer in kommu- the name of that town?"
nikasie. Twintig magtelose megaminute van Ek knyp myself aan die arm, probeer myself
press one, press two, martelmusiek en - les herinner dis die ware werklikheid dié, en nie
bes - advertensies vir die einste maatskappy se ‘n newelnagmerrie waarvan ‘n wekker my
kommunikasiedienste. aanstons gaan red nie.
Aaa, daar word die musiek nou onderbreek. VERVOLG OP BLADSY 6
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016
JUNE/JULY
| SA FRUIT
| SPOEG
JOURNAL
'N PIT 5
SAFJ DIRECTORS Nommerasseblief . . .
VERVOLG VAN BLADSY 5
Ek spel, en dan moet ek eers weer verduidelik was dit baie maklik. Ant Santie sou jou
hoekom ek bel. sommer reguit deursit na hom toe en dan het
Bly kalm, bly net kalm! Een.. twee.. drie.. vier.. hy die wit Chev lorrietjie buite onder sy prieël
geloop start en die fout kom regmaak, dag of
"Please hold," sê sy uiteindelik en probeer
nag.
my deurskakel na een of ander nog meer
obskure krakie in die verbrokkelende beton Of jy kon sommer aan sy deur gaan klop.
KONANANI LIPHADZI van Eskom se kaartehuis. “Oom, my ma het my gestuur om te kom sê
CEO, Fruit South Africa die mense daar anderkant die spruit se krag
Ek wag, foon teen die oor, terwyl ek dink wat
ek nog alles gedoen moet kry. Die krag moet is af.”
tog net nie afgaan nie. Nie vanaand nie. Dis “OK dankie, ek drink net my koffie klaar, dan
maandeinde. Munisipale rekeninge, Telkom, kom ek. Wil jy ‘n lift hê daai kant toe of het jy
Eskom - ‘n hele string krediteure en ‘n paar met die fiets gekom?”
debiteure. Sela.
Drie ligjare later kom daar ‘n stem op die Waar hy en Ant Santie ook al rus tussen engele
lyn. ‘n Welbekende een. Dieselfde sadistiese met soet stemme en goue harpe, ek glo die
ANTON RABE
Executive Director, HORTGRO robot van vroeër, sonder ‘n sweempie van kans dat jy ooit die uitvinders van die moderne
herkenning. En daar gaan ons alweer, om inbelsentrum daar sal vind, is skraal.
en om op dieselfde deuntjie, op dieselfde Hulle hoort nie daar nie.
mallemeule. Vir hulle is daar hopelik ‘n eie hoekie in die
Waar’s Kosie Pieters se pa, wonder ek nadat hittigste deel van die hel gereserveer, met
ek die bloeding aan my polse gestop gekry ‘n foon teen die muur van waar hulle die call
het. Op watter verebed in die hemel sou hy centre kan bel as hulle probleme ondervind
rus? Want in die dae van nommer asseblief met die temperatuur.
ANTON KRUGER
CEO, FPEF
SAFJ SHAREHOLDERS
FPEF FRESH PRODUCE CGA
EXPORTERS’ FORUM CITRUS GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION
Private Bag X5, Century City 7441 PO Box 461, Hillcrest 3650 • Tel: 031 765 2514
Tel: 021 526 0474 • Fax: 021 526 0479 Fax: 031 765 8029 • justchad@iafrica.com
www.fpef.co.za www.cga.co.za
WILLEM BESTBIER
CEO, SATI
SATI
SOUTH AFRICAN TABLE GRAPE INDUSTRY
63 Main Street, Paarl 7646 • Tel: 021 863 0366
info@satgi.co.za
www.satgi.co.za
SASPA • SA STONE FRUIT SAAPPA • SA APPLE & PEAR
PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION
Tel: 021 870 2900 • Fax: 021 870 2915 Tel: 021 870 2900 • Fax: 021 870 2915
JUSTIN CHADWICK 258 Main Street, Paarl • PO Box 163, Paarl 7620 258 Main Street, Paarl • PO Box 163, Paarl 7620
CEO, CGA info@hortgro.co.za • www.hortgro.co.za info@hortgro.co.za • www.hortgro.co.za
6 SA VRUGTE JOERNAAL | JUNIE/JULIE 2016
KINGJAMES 34646
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Santam is an authorised financial services provider (licence number 3416).takes the sting
out of auditing
T
The fruit industry’s he South African fruit industry was ent kinds of production audits for food safety
one of the first in the world to realise and security purposes. At first you only needed
ethical trade
the need for an internationally recog- one audit to be able to export fruit to Europe,
programme, the nised ethical standard. The result was but today you need a range of additional audits
Sustainability Initiative the development of a standard and for different retailers in the same country. There
of South Africa (SIZA), programme that took into account the unique is a lot of duplication in the requirement of
not only allows fruit social environment of South African farming these audits,” Dicey explained.
communities, while harmonising the ethical Dicey’s farming business have been subjected
growers to remedy
trade requirements of different retailers. The to four audits already during the first three
weaknesses in their programme, which was officially launched in months of this year, costing about R14 000 an
labour practices, but August 2012, has been dubbed the Sustainabil- audit. Martienet Uys, the compliance manager
also to prove their fruit ity Initiative of South Africa (SIZA). at Dutoit Agri, pointed out that the Dutoit Agri
has been produced But why the need for such a programme? Nich- packhouses on their own were subjected to
in an ethically olas Dicey, chairman of the South African fruit 16 audits last year. The group owns farms and
producers industry body HORTGRO, explained fruit as well as vegetable packhouses in the
responsible way.
that labour conditions in South Africa are quite Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa. “We
Support for the unique in comparison with other countries: “In have no choice but to do these audits. If you
programme is Europe farms are often only a few hectares big are a large player like us and you deal on such
growing steadily and farm work is seen as a nine-to-five job, with a large scale, you have to be able to satisfy the
workers leaving the farms after work. In South requirements of the companies and customers
under leading retailers
Africa, however, farms are large and isolated, you deal with,” Uys said.
across the world. resulting in many workers and their families The SIZA code has been aligned with Global
living on the farms.” Social Compliance Programme (GSCP), which
The industry in 2008 became increasingly serves as an auditing reference platform for
aware of the shift in the market towards ethi- various international companies. SIZA is in effect
cally produced produce and therefore decided becoming an internationally recognised standard
to create their own code before other countries with an increasing number of leading internation-
would decide to force their ideas of good al retailers. The result is that growers, who supply
labour practices onto them. “We realised it was these retailers, don’t have to do additional audits
only a matter of time before the market would to prove their social responsibility. They only need
require ethical audits from producers, as it to show their SIZA results to the company, which
was very evident that consumers in first world means that the industry is saving on auditing
countries were no longer satisfied with just the costs, time and resources. “When retailers know
fact that their food was safe to eat. They also you have passed a SIZA audit, they tend to leave
wanted to know that the food was produced you alone and focus their attention on higher risk
on a farm where the workers were treated well producers or countries,” Dicey said.
and earned a fair wage,” Dicey said. SIZA also has different levels of compliance.
Farms of members like the Dutoit Agri and the
One audit for all Diceys, who have level five memberships, are
To Dicey the greatest benefit of SIZA, is that it identified as low risk and their farms only have
has the potential to reduce auditing pressure to be audited every five years. Members with
on growers. “The fruit industry has over the higher risks have to be audited more often,
www.siza.co.za past ten years been flooded with various differ- every year or every three years.
8 BEDRYFSNUUS | JUNIE/JULIE 2016GLENNEIS KRIEL
Local advantages Katrina Storm, who works for
SIZA complies with the minimum standards Nicholas Dicey, sorts Forelle
of the South African labour law and in effect pears that have just been picked.
allows growers to identify areas where they
don’t comply with legislation. Dicey pointed
out that farmers are sometimes not aware that
they do not complying with legislation, espe-
cially when it came to the administrative side
where policies could be interpreted in different
ways. He for example discovered during a SIZA
audit that their payslips didn’t contain some
of the minor required information. “As such
SIZA is a tool that can help you improve your
systems,” he said. look for more ways to accomplish this goal. Most producers go the extra
Uys added that farming is extremely dynamic Dicey said that many farmers take government mile to create a healthy social
with a lot of technological advances taking responsibilities upon themselves to ensure their environment for their workers.
place all the time. Production and labour prac- workers have access to much needed facilities. Jack and Jill crèche near Prince
tices have to constantly be adapted to keep They provide workers with access to housing, Alfred’s Hamlet, for example,
up with new developments, but also to ensure transport, day-care and after-school, electric- supplies educare and aftercare
that workers are not exposed to situations that ity, water and even health care. The Diceys for services to children whose
might threaten their lives. example have a social worker, who visits the parents work at the Dutoit
There are for example definite protocols for the farms once a week, to see to the social health of Agri farms.
use of pesticides. “Workers have to be trained their farming community.
on how to work with chemicals and pesticides.
The products have to be stored correctly and A positive image
equipment have to be calibrated to apply While it wasn’t the main aim, Dicey hopes that
the pesticides at the correct dosages. A safe SIZA would in future serve as a tool with which
environment is created through the compli- the South African agricultural industry can be
ance with these standards and by following the promoted. “South African farmers are often
correct protocols,” she explained. villainised in the media, with huge generalisation
SIZA is also a standard with a lot of credibility, based on isolated incidents, which are often not
according to Uys. Growers are audited by inde- even true. With the help of SIZA we hope to gain
pendent third-parties and during the audit they concrete evidence that most farmers are in fact
not only have to prove that all their paperwork treating their workers well and in effect address
and procedures are in place, the auditors also this negative perception of farmers,” he said.
have to interview a certain number of employ- SIZA data, in this manner, could also be used as
ees to test first hand, whether a producer really a marketing tool to unlock new and maintain
does follow the rules. “The audit as such gives existing markets. “As consumers across the world
growers valuable insight into the sentiment of become more concerned about the origin and
their workers,” Uys said. the way in which their food is being produced, it
But SIZA also acknowledges social interventions will become increasingly valuable to have proof
growers are making to ease the lives of their that we as a country are treating our workers well
workers and encourages farmers to continuously and in line with local legislation,” Dicey said.
JUNE/JULY 2016 | INDUSTRY NEWS 9NEW UK
B
ritain remains a key market for South and choice over the terms and conditions of
Africa’s fruit farms, with many growers their employment is precarious, with wages
LEGISLATION supplying apples, grapes and citrus to
UK retail members of the Ethical Trad-
below minimum levels and very long working
hours, then workers may well be considered to
ON TACKLING ing Initiative (ETI), an organisation
that supports companies to improve working
be working in slavery.”
The UK Act is wide-ranging and defines modern
SLAVERY: conditions in their supply chains. slavery as slavery, servitude, forced or compul-
Now, the ETI is advising South African exporters sory labour and human trafficking. Child labour
the implications that UK buyers will expect their local contacts
to ensure there is no forced labour on their
is automatically defined as slavery.
for South African farms. This follows the passing of the UK’s
A 2015 ETI survey found that over 70% of UK
brands believe that there is a likelihood of
fruit exporters
Modern Slavery Act, believed to be the world’s modern slavery occurring at some point within
toughest anti-slavery legislation. their supply chains, even those companies
Any UK-based business with a turnover of more that are committed to acting responsibly and
CINDY BERMAN than £36 million (rands 784 million) must report ethically.
at the most senior level on what they are doing British importers are therefore very aware
to identify and tackle the risk of recruiting and of the business risk and are likely to become
UK companies employing workers who have been trafficked, increasingly rigorous in searching out slavery
are required to or are working under forced labour conditions. and holding their suppliers to account.
post a website “Modern slavery is a hidden problem,” says ETI Furthermore, Berman points out that the issues
statement every spokesperson Cindy Berman. “It’s fuelled by affect not only the UK. New legislation is also
year on the steps poverty and unemployment, workers desperate emerging in other European countries and the
for a job at any cost and people willing and USA. “Human rights, forced labour and modern
they are taking to
able to exploit them ruthlessly.” slavery is on the table in a big way.”
ensure their global
Berman says that the biggest single risk factor After 18 years of successfully facilitating
supply chains are in South Africa is contract labour employed collaboration between companies and their
slavery free. on farms via contractor agencies. “Workers suppliers to the benefit of workers, ETI recom-
employed under these contracts are very vulner- mends a partnership approach as the best way
able to exploitation, harassment and discrimina- to address complex issues such as modern
tion, particularly migrant and women workers.” slavery.
Many farms may not be aware that they are
It recommends bringing all parties together,
employing highly vulnerable workers, who have
including NGOs and trade unions to share their
no choice about who employs them, or the
different perspectives, information and exper-
terms and conditions under which they work.
tise to find practical solutions.
“A worker may have paid huge sums to a
Berman believes such action is an imperative.
recruiter, and this could put them in a situation
“All major brands and retailers will be asking
of debt bondage,” Berman advises. “They may
difficult questions of their suppliers over
have their wages withheld, be forced to work
the next few weeks, months and years. The
extremely long hours or face verbal or physical
media too is sniffing around for stories, with
abuse and threats.”
campaigning NGOs increasingly vigilant. This
Berman warns that even if a fruit processor or is not going away and all companies – big or
farm does not directly employ a worker whose small – must wake up to the fact,” she says.
employment conditions could fit within the UK
definition of modern slavery, they will still be ETI offers expertise, training and advisory
held responsible for that worker, because, she support on modern slavery and other
explains, “Their labour is used for the benefit of issues to do with working conditions in
the company or farm.” global supply chains.
Berman continues, “If fruit pickers and packers For further information, contact ETI at
don’t have the right to organise, and if control training@ eti.org.uk
10 SA VRUGTE JOERNAAL | JUNIE/JULIE 2016Agriculture
BOORD- EN WINGERDTREKKERS
VIR ’N NUWE GENERASIE
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JUNE/JULY 2016 | INDUSTRY NEWS 11T
he fruit sector needs to go green. The ahead of others in implementing so-called
Western Cape government wants to green options. She notes that all solutions do
cut its dependence on Eskom power not always have to be high tech to be effective.
by 10% by 2019 - and the local fruit Fast believes that for the fruit industry it makes
industry is a crucial partner in meet- sense to target the day-to-day running of pack
ing this target. houses and cellars. These are among the high-
ENGELA DUVENAGE This is the message from Dr Ilse Trautmann, est energy users in the local agricultural sector.
Chief Director: Research and Technology Devel- In its endeavours, the provincial government
opment Services of the Western Cape Depart- has worked closely with GreenCape since 2010
ment of Agriculture. Trautmann, together with to support the green economy in the Western
other government officials, was tasked to Cape and to unlock related manufacturing and
ensure that the province’s economic sector and employment opportunities. Its vision is to make
particularly the agricultural sector becomes as the province a base for renewable energy in
energy efficient and carbon emission sensitive South Africa.
as possible.
GreenCape acts as a conduit between indus-
Dr Hildegard Fast, who heads up the province’s tries, government and service providers, to
Energy Security Game Changer unit, says that investigate relevant options and to provide
sectors such as the local hotel industry are advice where needed. In 2014 the Western
Dr Ilse Trautmann.
Should packhouses go solar?
T
Worth having a look at: he more electricity to be generated It is written by GreenCape’s Pieter Janse van
for use in your own business, the Vuuren and presents different scenarios
The GreenAgri portal
more savings on your utility bill and confirming that such systems could make
is a website developed the more financial sense investing financial sense in some circumstances, based
in partnership with the in solar photovoltaic (PV) power on economies of scale among other factors.
Western Cape Depart- systems makes. The size of such a system, The report highlights that the money that an
ment of Agriculture among others, further influences the financial apple packhouse can save by using the energy
feasibility of going solar. generated by its own rooftop PV system,
and GreenCape. It
This is according to an economic modelling provides a greater return on investment than
provides the agriculture
exercise by the GreenCape sector development what the future sale of electricity back into the
sector with one-stop agency which illustrates the economic feasibility grid would do.
information about of solar PV installations for apple packhouses. Being connected to the wider electric grid
green practices, The report was funded by the Western Cape would of course have its benefits in future,
research, initiatives and Department of Economic Development and once everything is in place to enable payment
technology. Visit Tourism as part of GreenCape’s Resource for excess electricity generated. This could
Productivity Project to enhance the resource mean revenue for packhouses especially during
www.greenagri.org.za. efficiency of bio-based value chains in the the off-season.
province. It will be presented, among others, to Adding power storage units to a solar PV system
the fruit industry’s Packhouse Action Group. means a greater capital outlay, and therefore
12 BEDRYFSNUUS | JUNIE/JULIE 2016Cape Department of Agriculture also set up an Energy related measures in the standards
agri-desk at GreenCape to provide a free advice programmes to which most fruit exporters have CALCULATE IF
service to local producers and agribusinesses, to adhere are already slowly but surely being YOU CAN SAVE
and to encourage the uptake of green technol- tightened. Where once clauses were quite WITH SOLAR
ogy solutions within agriculture. vague about energy matters, these are becom-
How much could you save by
“If a particular farmer is interested in finding out ing more and more detailed, says David Farrell
installing a solar PV system,
more about a particular green option, they can of the consultancy Blue North Sustainability. and how big should it be?
go to GreenCape for free support and advice,” Blue North runs the Confronting Climate
Will it make financial sense to
explains Trautmann. GreenCape supports Change Initiative (CCC) on behalf of the fruit
pursue?
various sectors and has knowledge over a wide and wine industry which undertakes energy
To find out, do some sums
range of options available for farmers and and carbon emissions calculations for farms
thanks to the Solar PV Analysis
producers in particular. and annual carbon emissions benchmark
website’s online solar viability
She foresees that in the not too distant future, reports for the fruit and wine industry.
calculator. This free independ-
produce will be specifically labelled according Reducing energy consumption is one way of ent self-assessment tool was
to how energy efficient and emissions sensitive many by which an agribusiness can reduce developed by Clemens Brandt
they were produced. To this end, it will benefit its carbon footprint – a definite consideration of RED Engineering and Koos
local agribusinesses to be ahead of the pack given that a local carbon tax is on the cards Bouwer Consultancy, through
and not to be found wanting. too. funding by the Post-harvest
Innovation Programme.
How does it work?
• Go to http://phi.redengineer-
Pieter Janse van Vuurren.
ing.co.za.
• Register as a user.
• Have 12 months’ worth of
affects how long it will take is one source of government electricity bills available.
savings in electricity to add up funding to be accessed to • Know the space available for
before the system breaks even. install a PV system. Tax savings solar panels, the angle of the
Even though costs have through the 12i tax allowance designated roof, and the direc-
come down as technology incentive (for large installa- tion it faces.
has improved, PV systems are tions) and 12B accelerated • The calculator takes into
still pricey. Janse van Vuuren depreciation incentive are account where you are located,
acknowledges that it could proving worthwhile to recuper- and how much sun your area
dampen some companies’ enthu- ate start-up costs. receives.
siasm, but it doesn’t have to be so. Various “GreenCape has established working relation- • Print a report to use as a
external institutions already provide innovative ships with many financiers, and can serve as starting point for further discus-
sions and on-site assessments
models to fund green projects. an entry point to examine the feasibility of PV
by relevant professionals. It
Energy Services Companies (ESCo's), for systems and related financing opportunities
provides recommendations
instance, often provide performance-based through its Green Finance Desk and Renewable
about the size and technical
contracting solutions to overcome initial Energy Sector Desk,” invites Janse van Vuuren.
characteristics of PV system
cost constraints. Their income is linked to the • The report will be available on www.green- most suitable for your facility.
amount of electricity saved by a project. cape.co.za in May.
The Green Energy Efficiency Fund of the • Contact the renewable energy desk (re@
Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) greencape.co.za)
JUNE/JULY 2016 | INDUSTRY NEWS 13Start with an energy audit
I
f you want to pay less for electricity, start was because of irrigation requirements, with
with an energy audit. That’s the advice lighting only using 2% and refrigeration 18%.
of Roger Stones, Eskom’s senior energy “Instead of spending money on fancy refrig-
advisor in Limpopo, to those wanting to eration or dashing off to buy LED bulbs for
change the energy habits and expenditure their packsheds, the audit helped them realise
of their enterprise. to optimise their irrigation system,” explains
According to Stones, most people think energy Stones.
Eskom energy advisors efficient lights and solar panels when they This also happened when he helped avocado
nationwide: start talking about saving electricity. “In 95% of farmer Kosie Eloff of Soekmekaar near Tzaneen.
086 003 7566 cases, these are the last things they should do,” Irrigation ran up 59% of the bill, with lighting
Stones says. “Ignorance is their enemy. As soon (2%) and cooling-related enterprises only using
Roger Stones at (Limpopo)
as we do an energy audit and get data, the 4% of electricity. Among other things, Stones
015 306 7839
solution becomes obvious.” advised Eloff to install variable speed drives
stonesrd@eskom.co.za
“Every farm is different; therefore each will (VSDs) on a few water pumps. This can be a costly
Wayne Fortuin (Western
have its own unique solutions,” he adds. The affair, as industry norms show that the installa-
Cape) 021 524 2034
audit could be done as an energy assessment tion of quality VSDs range between R1 200 to R1
fortunew@eskom.co.za
or an energy inventory, depending on the 500 per kW of a specific pump. Last winter, Eloff
Bennie Nel (Free State) client’s needs. Eskom provides this service for and his son Manie took the leap. A local supplier
051 404 2599 free to both municipal and Eskom electricity helped them to first conduct a system analysis
nelbep@eskom.co.za. users. “Such an energy audit is also valid for to determine the pumps on which VSDs would
GlobalGAP accreditation,” notes Stones. work best.
Below: Kosie Eloff from the farm Stones recently helped a subtropical fruit farm They saw an immediate average saving of 30%
Soekmekaar near Tzaneen near Hoedspruit with an energy audit. It houses on the pump’s electricity usage after installing
inspects a 90kW water pump two packsheds. “We spent a morning counting one on a 45kW motor. It replaced the throttles
onto which a cost-saving a every item of energy using equipment, and usually used to change the flow and pressure
variable speed drive (VSD) was the hours these work,” he says. An eight-page when the irrigation load changes.
installed. The pump is used to report was generated, which maps the way In the spring, another VSD was installed on a
irrigate 70 hectares of forward. In the process farm management real- 90kW irrigation pump. Preliminary results show
avocados. PHOTO: ROGER STONES ised that nearly half (49%) of their electricity bill a 38% average saving for this pump, with a
payback period of three months.
Stones reckons that where appropriate, VSDs
are the way to go to save electricity. He notes
that one should make sure that:
• It has active harmonic filters. Harmonics are
like electrical noise that can cause heat and
other electrical problems. These must be
filtered out to ensure that equipment do not
overheat or burn.
• It has capacitors to compensate for poor
power factor, because VSDs can affect it.
• Suppliers can provide back-up service and
support.
• You spend on quality. Stones does not
recommend mixing low quality with high tech
equipment.
14 BEDRYFSNUUS | JUNIE/JULIE 2016Arbeidsvreugd reaches for the sun
D
anie Jacobs, owner of Arbeids- industrial park (see pic right). It is part of a launch
vreugd Fruit Packers, installed project by the Overstrand District Municipality,
his first solar system out of sheer and might set the standard for incorporating solar
necessity some 15 years ago to energy into the Overberg’s industrial sector.
provide power to his sheep farm Jacobs and his team are still discussing a
near Loxton in the Karoo. He has not looked scheme by which the municipality can directly
back since. compensate the company for the extra electric-
In 2014, 1 600 photovoltaic (PV) panels were ity generated by the system. It already feeds
installed on Arbeidsvreugd’s packhouses near electricity into the local power grid.
Villiersdorp, where up to 65 000 bulk bins of fruit Solar isn’t the only option that Jacobs pursues
are handled every year. This blanket of panels in his quest to be more energy efficient and
now generates up to 800 000 kiloWatt hours less dependent on the national grid. Power
(kWh) of electricity annually. It provides in about factor correction electric motors installed have
half of this agribusiness’s daytime energy needs, ensured a major saving of around 20% on
which would otherwise have come at a premium Arbeidsvreugd’s total utility bill – the bulk of
from Eskom. At night Arbeidsvreugd still pulls which goes towards running cooling systems.
electricity from the national grid to ensure that
Small-scale hydro-electricity options are investi-
operations run smoothly, but then according to
gated. Air curtains are being installed to keep as
Eskom’s Rura-flex off-peak tariff. “We have saved
much cold air as possible in the cold rooms where
more than R700 000 annually on our electricity
apples and pears are stored. Most forklifts used
bill,” says Jacobs. The kiloWatt hours that the
are battery operated. To charge those, costs noth-
system generates can be translated into 733 tons
ing, because of the solar power system in place.
of carbon dioxide emissions that is not released
Automatic switches are being installed in
into the atmosphere annually. In all, Jacobs could
Arbeidsvreugd’s CA facilities, to ensure that
be saving R38 million over the next 25 years.
PHOTO: CLEMENS BRANDT
lights only switch on when people are around.
He believes that having a PV solar system in place
Each CA room has two such lights that pull
has already provided valuable overseas market-
800 watts of energy per hour. “That all adds
ing bonus points to Arbeidsvreugd, its export
up when you have 35 such rooms, and lights
company Unifruit and their clients.
are left burning without anyone really using
Jacobs says that electricity bills, wages, salaries the facility,” highlights Jacobs.
and packing material have always been the
top expenses that agribusinesses face. “Your
electricity consumption is the easiest to do
JACOBS SHARES A FEW LESSONS HE HAS LEARNT:
anything about”.
• Keep a close eye on your electricity bill. This helps you decide where to make necessary
Arbeidsvreugd’s R11 million system was changes.
installed out of own funds and with a loan from
• A lot of auditing, monitoring and paperwork is involved in ensuring that you reap the
the French Development Bank through Absa. It
necessary tax benefits from installing costly hardware or other energy-efficient measures.
also formed part of Eskom’s now discontinued Use consultants to help you do the legwork and administration.
Standard Product Programme, but Jacobs is still
• Installing solar panels as high as possible and out of sight, such as on rooftops, prevents
waiting for subsidies of R2.5 million to be paid vandalism.
out. Jacobs believes that with the current tax
• Running a solar PV system only makes financial sense if it provides year-round savings,
and subsidy options available, a similar system and not only for a few months per year.
could be paid off within seven years.
• Having a solar PV system does not mean you will never feel the effects of load shedding.
He is excited about the 25 kWh system running This is only possible if you also install a very costly battery storage system that saves up
at the company’s new packstore in Villiersdorp’s extra power for evening use or during electricity outages.
JUNE/JULY 2016 | INDUSTRY NEWS 15LOCAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT
CAMPAIGN MAKING STRIDES
ESTÉ BEERWINKEL HORTGRO has yet again stepped up its game with its stone fruit
local market development campaign.
Informal fresh produce
traders in Gauteng
shown with their sales
materials including
banners, brochures for
consumers and fresh
produce on display.
These sales materials are
used to generate and
create stone fruit aware-
ness among both traders
and consumers.
T
he campaign is aimed at increasing traders. The traders on the database receive
awareness and consumption among regular communication via cellphone texts to
consumers and informal traders of keep them informed and in Gauteng alone, 150
fresh produce. promotions were held in various townships.
A recent campaign targeting informal traders According to Ruth Behr of Promofresh, the feed-
specifically, focused on educating traders on back has been very positive so far with traders
stone fruit as well as marketing, food safety and being very appreciative of the information they
hygiene. The 2015/16 campaign kicked off with receive from the campaign’s advisors who help
promotional activities and educational sessions them grow and improve their businesses.
being held on the fresh produce markets of Although the effect of the campaign cannot
Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. yet be quantified, HORTGRO still considers it
Information stands were placed at the market successful. Jacques du Preez, HORTGRO’s Trade
agents’ floors, alongside attractive displays of and Market's manager, says the campaign
peaches, nectarines and plums. Sales materials, certainly does a lot to boost the sale of and
such as banners and brochures were also used in educate consumers on fresh produce.
the displays. The brochures consisted of a Stone “The training and awareness done among
Fruit Trader's guide, and consumer brochures of traders assures that the fruit is being handled
nutritional information and recipes. Well-trained correctly to provide consumers with the best
food advisors were present at the information quality possible. This in turn boosts sales
stands on the market floor. Advisors informed because the eating quality of the fruit as well
traders and retailers on various aspects of peach, the consumers’ experience improves.”
nectarine and plum handling, ripeness, nutrition Du Preez adds that consumers also become
value, and storage. The consumer brochures more aware of stone fruit and the different
were handed to the traders in bundles to varieties available.
distribute to their customers. “Our goal is to increase the sale of stone fruit
During the campaign, promotion's company with current consumers, but also to expand the
Promofresh who conducted the campaign, market and gain new consumers. By creating
created a database of more than 2 000 informal enough awareness this can surely be achieved.”
16 BEDRYFSNUUS | JUNIE/JULIE 2016Cash flow
solutions from the
orchard to
the market.
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JUNE/JULY 2016 | INDUSTRY NEWS Moving Forward
17
TM18 BEDRYFSNUUS | JUNIE/JULIE 2016
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JUNE/JULY 2016 | INDUSTRY NEWS 19AMENDMENTS TO THE
Fundamental
changes
require a
strategic rethink
STEPHEN HOBSON
(B-BBEE) CODES:
Director at Agrifusion stephen@agrifusion.co.za
021 882 9922 / 082 331 3083
www.agrifusion.co.za
T
Most readers of this his article will focus on some impli- liquor license) and also when applying for
cations of the amendments to the finance or grants from parastatal entities such
Journal have a good
generic codes as these will also be as the Industrial Development Corporation
working understanding applicable to the amended AgriBEE (IDC), Land Bank or the Department of Trade
of Broad-Based Black codes. Additional issues arising from and Industry (dti). Under the amended sector
Economic empower- the amended AgriBEE codes and detail on codes every enterprise is required to report
ment (B-BBEE or BEE). the various elements of the scorecards will be on its BEE compliance annually to the Sector
provided in follow up articles once the AgriBEE Council – even if it has not completed a BEE
The recent amendments
codes have been gazetted. scorecard.
to the generic industry
Depending on turnover, companies were
wide codes and the classified as Exempt Micro Enterprises (EME’s -
Overview of progress to date
imminent amendments up to R5 million), Qualifying Small Enterprises
The BEE Codes were originally implemented
to the AgriBEE codes in February 2007. BEE is a government policy
(QSE’s - R5 million to R35 million) or Generic
have however funda- (large scorecard - above R35 million). The
that encourages businesses to help transform
resultant compliance levels are scored out of
mentally changed the the economy by assisting previously excluded
100 and range from non-compliant at under 30
BEE landscape. Many of groupings to enter the mainstream of the
points to Level 1 at 100 points.
economy. The focus is on “black persons”
the changes are as defined which essentially refers to Black,
expected to have Coloured, Indian and Chinese persons who are BEE compliance by the agricultural sector
unintended negative South African citizens. Until the AgriBEE Codes were gazetted in
consequences. While compliance is not compulsory, many December 2012, the agricultural sector was
companies recognize that BEE is a strategic measured against the above generic industry-
Agribusinesses will have wide codes. The changes were fairly insignifi-
imperative that is required to contribute to
to position themselves transformation, growth and stability of the cant and mainly consisted of the addition of a
strategically in order agricultural sector. A BEE scorecard is essential land ownership element, shifting of the weight
to operate effectively to do business with an organ of state, and between the seven different elements and
companies that buy from you will request your that QSE’s were measured against 5 elements
within the new
BEE scorecard in order to improve their own instead of 4. The scope of AgriBEE is very wide
preferential procurement score. Scorecards and includes any business which derives the
may also be required to obtain various permits majority of its turnover from:
and licenses (water rights, export permits, • Primary production of agricultural products;
20 BEDRYFSNUUS | JUNIE/JULIE 2016• Provision of inputs and services to businesses fundamental re-think as to how companies
engaged in the production of agricultural approach BEE compliance.
products; Decreasing the scorecard elements from 7 to
• Beneficiation of agricultural products whether 5 and the introduction of priority elements
of a primary or semi-beneficiated form; Decreasing2007
theCodes number of elements 2013 Codes as shownRecognition
level
• Storage, distribution and/or trading and allied in the table below does not have any major
1 ≥
100
points
≥
100
points
135%
activities relating to non-beneficiated agricul- implications.
2
The concept of priority
≥ 85,
<
100
points
elements
≥ 95,
<
100
points 125%
tural products. has 3 also been
≥ 75,
introduced
<
85
points as shown
≥ 90,
<
9in the table 110%
5
points
To date many agribusinesses were either below.
4 A business
≥ 65,
<
75
points
must or
Eachieve
MEs a certain
≥ 80,
<
90
points
level
or
100%
EMEs
exempt from compliance or measured against of 5 compliance ≥ 55,
How to reduce irrigated water consumption
ADVERTORIAL
from already highly strained water resources
using the latest in irrigation scheduling
software and services
W
IrriCheck (Pty) Ltd are ith current drought condi- Soils: Each soil’s unique boundaries in terms of
specialists in irrigation tions being experienced in water holding capacity, including, Field Water
the North West, Free State, Capacity (FWC), Permanent Wilting Point (PWP)
scheduling software and
Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Readily Available Water (RAW). Most impor-
services, with consult-
and increasingly in the Western tantly, is that the system should indicate soil
ing agents throughout Cape, the South African irrigation farmer is, water data in millimeters of water and probes
South Africa. IrriCheck now more than ever, faced with the problem of should therefore be calibrated to millimeters
are independent of “how to produce more, with less”, and to make per meter water holding capacity in each field.
hardware manufactur- every drop count. Crop specific water needs: The software
ers, however, prescribe In order to manage our strained water resourc- should accurately simulate evapotranspira-
that the most efficient es, as well as practice good environmentally tion under non-specific conditions, using the
irrigation schedul- sustainable practices, farmers rapidly have to dual crop co-efficient approach, taking into
introduce new technologies to improve their consideration daily water loss in the form of
ing hardware in use
efficiencies and yields. In the irrigation farming transpiration from the crop and evaporation
currently is the continu- environment, irrigation scheduling appears to from the soil under specific, in situ climatic
ous logging soil moisture be the most popular and cost effective way to conditions. Due to changing management
capacitance probe, achieve just that. practices, crop phenology and climatic condi-
coupled to a GPRS unit, In terms of software, systems need to take into tions, the software should also be able to
in order to measure live account how technology has developed. An automatically determine the evapotranspira-
soil-moisture content efficient scheduling system should, at least, tion and changing crop coefficients according
have the ability to measure and analyze: to these changing conditions for scheduling
and temperature data.
purposes.
Climatic parameters: Because atmospheric
evaporative demand is the driving force in
crop water use, it is important that an accurate
weather forecast is used for predicting irriga-
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weather data is measured accurately, ideally
making use of an on-farm weather station.
Irrigation systems: The parameters of the
irrigation system, via input data, should be
taken into consideration in order for the
software to adjust to the limitations of your
irrigation system, different soil types, unique
environmental conditions and plant specific
requirements.
Recommendations: Recommendations
should be live and in real-time (data should
be sent automatically to the software) and in
practical units, like millimeters, cubic meters or
hours and minutes, and should be provided at
22 PROMOSIE | JUNIE/JULIE 2016You can also read
