Key to smallholder farming success

In this article, a farmer used his experience to explain how a small-scale producer could achieve positive results on his or her land in the most efficient manner. 

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“Sufficient water for irrigation, machinery large enough to do the most difficult job efficiently, and reliable labour are the main essentials for most farming enterprises, but even more so when the land is limited,” says Coen van der Berg, who farms with great success on 25ha near George in the Western Cape.

“Too many smallholder farmers scale down their machinery requirements until they reach a ridiculous situation where mechanisation consists of a number of toys incapable of doing any job properly,” continues Van der Berg.

A 60kW tractor, five-tine chisel plough, heavy 3m tandem disc harrow and a tiller form the basis of the machinery he uses.

“Whether you have to work 25ha or 250ha, the same working depth is required, and no small implement can rip the soil down to a depth of almost 1m, which is essential for water penetration and eventual root depth,” he says.

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