AGRICULTURAL NEWS - The first day of spring was a caleidoscope of colour in the Little Karoo. Fruit trees are blossoming early and the orchards turn the countryside into a patchwork of colour.
Last weekend, George Herald spoke to André Mouton, general manager of the fruit exporting farm Cerasus in the Hoeko valley at the foot of the Swartberg mountains.
Mouton said all indications are that this year will be an excellent season, as the energy levels of the trees are high and the blossoms are opening up evenly and equally, which is a good sign.
"The drought is a problem as all the dams are empty, even though current rainfall is good.
"The heavy winter rains that should have filled the dams are almost twelve weeks late and the run-off water from rain in the mountainous catchment areas is also about eight weeks late. Water levels in dams are still critical."
The farm forms part of the Hoeko irrigation scheme, and water from the melting snow is collected in storage dams during winter.
André Mouton says the early blossoms indicate that an outstanding crop is in the offing. Photo: Anneri Mouton, Red Fox Design
No boreholes are used for irrigation. 80% of the irrigation is done by means of natural gravitation, resulting in a dramatic decrease in electricity usage. Farmers must be innovative to keep the margins as low as possible without affecting the tonnages and quality of the fruit.
"Innovation is the answer - study the new technology that is available and constantly work towards more sustainable farming methods," said Mouton.
Cerasus exports between 600 and 700 tonnes of plums, 250 tonnes of pomegranates and 150 tonnes of apricots, and supplies top-end retail stores with peaches, plums and apricots.
"The input costs for the export niche markets are higher than the cost for local canning or drying. They run to an average of R120 000 per hectare on the farm side and a further R80 000 per hectare for packaging. As the cost per hectare remains constant, it is essential to get good tonnage."
"A farm is a business," said Mouton. "Farmers shouldn't remain locked in the old methods, but innovate, understand and supply the right markets to have a sustainable competitive edge over other businesses. The future looks good."
ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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