As the world grapples with an alarming decline in bee populations due to environmental changes and pesticide use, the agriculture sector faces a critical challenge: ensuring the adequate pollination of crops.
In the coastal city of Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, the Bee-Tech Group is pioneering solutions to this issue, revolutionising traditional beekeeping practices and transforming them into advanced pollination science.
Led by Michiel Bruggeman, Bee-Tech is making significant strides in optimising pollination processes to benefit farmers while protecting and enhancing bee populations.
A CHANCE BEGINNING
Bruggeman's journey into beekeeping and the eventual creation of Bee-Tech was not something he had planned. Originally from Belgium, he came to South Africa more than 20 years ago.
After marrying a woman from Gqeberha, they moved to the UK where they lived for several years before returning to South Africa in 2012. Finding work here proved difficult, which led him to an unexpected opportunity that would change the course of his career.
"I thought: 'How hard can it be to find a job?' Turns out, it's quite hard. A beekeeper came to my in-laws' home to do a bee removal. I went along, saw how he did it, and asked if I could learn by working alongside his staff," says Bruggeman.
This curiosity led him to acquire his first beehive later that year, marking the start of his new life as a beekeeper.
However, he quickly realised that traditional beekeeping, particularly honey production, was not where his interest truly lay.
"For me, the opportunity in beekeeping doesn't lie in making and chasing honey, but rather in pollination," he explains.
This insight set him on a path that would eventually lead to the founding of Bee-Tech Group, a company dedicated to improving pollination practices to help farmers achieve better yields and contribute to environmental sustainability.
This story is from the September 20, 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 20, 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
