Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing grower and company director, Rossouw Cillié of the farm Laastedrif in Ceres was named Farmer of the Year in the 2013 Agricultural Writers’ South Africa Farmer of the Year competition.
Charles Hughes, Tru-Cape’s managing director said that Cillié’s progressive farming practices and focus on his community and environment was what all Tru-Cape growers strived for.
Aside from technical farming excellence, Hughes said that Cillié and his team have also lead the way in terms of successful community engagement and actively addressing the issue of agricultural transformation.
As early as 2003 60% of the ownership of Morceaux farm in Ceres was transferred to a group of farm workers. Morceaux is an 93 ha apple and pear farm adjacent to the town of Ceres.
Cillié explained that Laastedrif uses the latest technical techniques in order to produce fruit of international standard.
Secondly, Laastedrif has adopted an aggressive replanting plan with the newest generation varieties.
They aim to develop 150 new hectares of apples in the next five years.
To assist in this, Laastedrif has even started their own nursery to grow their own "tailor-made" 3-year-old trees.
In conjunction with Tru-Cape, Laastedrif started their own trial blocks in order to evaluate new varieties adapted to their micro climate.
Hughes said that it is because of Cillié’s long-term planning and foresight of which varietals will be in greater demand in the future that makes him the excellent grower he is.
“And, his feel for the business of agriculture is what makes him such a valued member of our board, director of our company and of Ceres Fruit Growers too,” said Hughes.
By growing and diversifying their farming and business activities Laastedrif Farming has managed to guarantee financial stability and sustainability.
Protecting biodiversity is one of the cornerstones for Laastedrif Farming and apart from their direct involvement in several conservation efforts, all farming activities are run according to best industry practise guidelines for natural resource management.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the business is the care and attention that is given to ensure a safe and happy work environment for the farm workers at Laastedrif.
Workers have the opportunity to benefit from, amongst others, training courses to broaden their skills sets, schools and crèches for their children, an on-farm clinic (with full-time trained nurse) and library.
Charles Hughes, Tru-Cape’s managing director said that Cillié’s progressive farming practices and focus on his community and environment was what all Tru-Cape growers strived for.
Aside from technical farming excellence, Hughes said that Cillié and his team have also lead the way in terms of successful community engagement and actively addressing the issue of agricultural transformation.
As early as 2003 60% of the ownership of Morceaux farm in Ceres was transferred to a group of farm workers. Morceaux is an 93 ha apple and pear farm adjacent to the town of Ceres.
Cillié explained that Laastedrif uses the latest technical techniques in order to produce fruit of international standard.
Secondly, Laastedrif has adopted an aggressive replanting plan with the newest generation varieties.
They aim to develop 150 new hectares of apples in the next five years.
To assist in this, Laastedrif has even started their own nursery to grow their own "tailor-made" 3-year-old trees.
In conjunction with Tru-Cape, Laastedrif started their own trial blocks in order to evaluate new varieties adapted to their micro climate.
Hughes said that it is because of Cillié’s long-term planning and foresight of which varietals will be in greater demand in the future that makes him the excellent grower he is.
“And, his feel for the business of agriculture is what makes him such a valued member of our board, director of our company and of Ceres Fruit Growers too,” said Hughes.
By growing and diversifying their farming and business activities Laastedrif Farming has managed to guarantee financial stability and sustainability.
Protecting biodiversity is one of the cornerstones for Laastedrif Farming and apart from their direct involvement in several conservation efforts, all farming activities are run according to best industry practise guidelines for natural resource management.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the business is the care and attention that is given to ensure a safe and happy work environment for the farm workers at Laastedrif.
Workers have the opportunity to benefit from, amongst others, training courses to broaden their skills sets, schools and crèches for their children, an on-farm clinic (with full-time trained nurse) and library.
