Danie Bester farms on Rietbult near Balfour in Mpumalanga, and his scientific approach to production is well known in the industry at large.
He does a great deal of research on soil health, and says that his entire farming operation is based on the improvement of his soil. “My whole operation changed the day I decided to focus on soil health, and I haven’t looked back since,” he explains.
Bester also stresses that South African farmers are actually farming water: “We must manage our available water resources effectively and optimally. For plants to grow, they need moisture in the soil, and for optimal moisture retention, we need healthy soil. Healthy soil is full of nutrients, and this forms the base of my production system.
“Sustainability and profitability are interlinked; you can’t have one without the other. However, both are dependent on a holistic approach to soil health and productivity.”
He says
