Lucentlands Podcast | Harvesting Agriculture Knowledge
Lucentlands Podcast is a show about agriculture, covering news, trends and insights from the farming industry in South Africa and beyond. It is hosted by Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie, two media production professionals with a background in telling agricultural stories. Episodes explore the people, practices and developments shaping modern farming. The podcast is aimed at anyone who wants to understand where agriculture is heading.
Episodes
From Post-Harvest Science to Risk Management | Ep. 164
What does it take to protect fruit quality from the orchard all the way to the market — and how has agricultural research had to evolve to meet the changing needs of growers, exporters and the wider fresh produce industry?In Episode 164 of the Lucentlands Podcast, Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Dr Martin Taylor, Research Fellow at ExperiCo, and Dr Ian Crouch, Managing Director of Experi
Why Compliance Has Become Essential for South African Farmers | Ep. 163
Compliance has become an unavoidable part of modern agriculture – particularly for South African producers supplying demanding international markets. But can compliance offer growers more than simply another audit to complete?In Episode 163 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Nic Dicey, HORTGRO Chairman and deciduous fruit producer, about the development o
HORTGRO’s Next Chapter: Anton Rabe Hands Over to Jacques du Preez | Ep. 162
Episode 162 of the Lucentlands Podcast brings together Anton Rabe, outgoing CEO of HORTGRO, and Jacques du Preez, incoming CEO, for a conversation about HORTGRO’s leadership transition and the changing realities facing South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry.Hosted by Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie, the conversation looks back at Anton’s decades in the industry and the changes that followed dere
Building the Next Generation of South African Citrus | Ep. 161
More than 400 young people have been supported through the Citrus Academy Bursary Fund over the past 20 years – but Jacomien de Klerk says the real objective has never simply been to help students obtain qualifications.It is about building careers and developing people who can make a long-term contribution to South Africa’s citrus industry.Recorded at the 2026 CRI Citrus Research Symposium, Jacomi
What SA Citrus Must Get Right | Ep. 160
Recorded at the 2026 CRI Citrus Research Symposium, Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Hoppie Nel, Fruit Industry Consultant, about a career spanning decades in the South African citrus industry and the lessons that experience has brought.From his early career in soil science to managing major citrus developments and becoming closely involved in organised citrus industry structures, Hoppi
How South Africa’s Citrus Industry Supports Communities | Ep. 159
Recorded at the 2026 CRI Citrus Research Symposium, Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Sive Silo, Programme and Project Manager at Citrus Academy and Orange Heart Coordinator for the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA).Orange Heart is the CGA’s community-development initiative, providing a structured way for the citrus industry to support communities in and around South
Can Biological Products Transform Agriculture? | Ep. 158
At the 2026 CRI Citrus Research Symposium, Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie spoke with Debbie Matteucci, CEO of the South African Bioproducts Organization (SABO), about the growing role of biological products in agriculture and the challenges involved in moving towards more sustainable farming systems.SABO has grown significantly over the past two years, and Debbie explains how the organisation ha
Ports and Fresh Produce Logistics | Ep. 157
South Africa produces world-class fresh fruit, but getting that fruit to international markets requires a complex logistics network operating under immense pressure.In Episode 157 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Delena Engelbrecht, CEO at GoReefers, about the evolution of South Africa’s fresh-produce logistics sector and the challenges facing exporters
Can Farmers Use Fewer Chemicals Without Risking Their Crops? | Ep. 156
Can farmers reduce their reliance on conventional chemicals without placing their crops at risk?Jean Kuiper, Director at RealIPM, joins Lucentlands Podcast hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie to explain how integrated pest management combines biological crop-protection products, carefully selected chemicals, beneficial organisms and effective monitoring.Jean shares how problems with chemical re
Why Entomology Matters | Ep. 155
Episode 155 of the Lucentlands Podcast explores why entomological knowledge remains essential to the future of agriculture.Hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Dr Elleunorah Allsopp, an entomologist who spent more than four decades conducting agricultural research, primarily within South Africa’s grape and wine industries.Dr Allsopp reflects on entering agricultural research when wome
Building TIQI, a New Global Grape Brand | Ep. 154
Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Jacobus van der Merwe, Business Development Manager of Fruitips, about the development and global launch of TIQI—a new premium table grape brand built around exceptional flavour, long shelf life and carefully controlled production.Developed through the partnership between Grapa Global and TopFruit International, TIQI brings two distinctive pink grape varie
Tiny Worms, Big Impact: Soil Health & a South African Biopesticide | Ep. 153
Lucentlands Podcast Episode 153 explores the largely unseen world beneath agricultural crops and why soil testing is becoming increasingly important for modern farming.Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Sheila Storey, Consultant to Nemlab & Soil Health Support Centre and Director at NemaBio.Sheila explains how microscopic nematodes can damage plant roots, restrict nutrient uptake and co
Biological Farming: Balancing Food Safety and Security | Ep. 152
How can agriculture reduce its reliance on synthetic chemistry without compromising crop yields, farmer profitability or global food security?Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Michelle Lesur, CEO of Andermatt Madumbi, about the expanding role of biological solutions in modern farming and why successful adoption requires far more than simply replacing one product with another.Michelle expla
How DNA Technology Is Transforming Agriculture | Ep. 151
In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Dr Renee Prins, Founder and Director of CenGen (Pty) Ltd, about the role of molecular genetics and DNA technology in agriculture.Dr Prins explains how DNA markers allow plant breeders to identify desirable genes while plants are still seedlings. This helps breeding programmes focus their land, infrastructure and resources on the mo
Building Fruit Brands That Consumers Trust | Ep. 150
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/This August, the Lucentlands Podcast celebrates Women’s Month with a special series featuring women making an impact across agriculture
Can Fruit Growers Cut Chemical Use by 50%? | Ep. 149
Can fruit growers use fewer chemicals without compromising crop protection?Dr Peter Triloff of the Lake Constance Fruit Cooperative joins Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie to explore how orchard design, sprayer selection and airflow management influence the effectiveness of spray applications.Drawing on decades of experience in European fruit production, Dr Triloff explains why more power does not
Why Good Science Needs Better Communication | Ep. 148
Good science can change lives—but only if people can understand it, trust it and see why it matters.In Episode 148 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Prof Marina Joubert, Associate Professor of Science Communication at the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University.Recorded at the Hortgro Technical Symposium
Taking South African Fruit from Farm to Global Shelf | Ep. 147
In Episode 147 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Trevor Dukes, CEO of The Fruit Farm Group South Africa, about the changing realities of farming, fruit exports and the international fresh produce supply chain.Having worked across farming, packhouses, procurement, exports and international fresh produce markets, Trevor brings a valuable understanding of the
Why Consumer Demand Must Shape What Growers Plant | Ep. 146
What makes one fruit variety a commercial success while another struggles to find a market?In Episode 146 of the Lucentlands Podcast, Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Tom Barnes, President and CEO of Category Partners, about how consumer behaviour, retail strategy and market intelligence should inform production decisions.Recorded at the Hortgro Technical Symposium 2026, the conversatio
The Business Behind Branded Apples | Ep. 145
In Episode 145 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Peter Allderman, former TopFruit manager and consultant specialising in plant breeders’ rights and fruit-variety management.Peter reflects on the early development of TopFruit, the introduction of Cripps Pink to South Africa, and the work required to build Pink Lady® into one of the world’s most recognisab
Lucentlands Podcast | Ep. 144: Why Orchard Management Beats Genetics
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Nic Finger, Industry Services Manager for Grower Development and Trials at APAL, about the future of apple and pear production, orchard intensification, labour efficiency, fruit quality and risk management.Nic works closely with the Australian apple and pear industry through APAL’s Future Orchards® programm
Inside the World of Fruit Variety Development | Ep. 143
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Gerrit Genis, Licensing Manager at Sun Wo
How Hortgro Science Chooses Research That Matters | Ep. 142
This episode of the Lucentlands Podcast features Wiehann Steyn, General Manager: Hortgro Science, in conversation with hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie.Hortgro Science plays a central role in coordinating and funding research for the South African deciduous fruit industry. In this conversation, Wiehann explains how research priorities are identified, how limited funding is allocated, and why
Rural Development, Farmer Support & Casidra | Ep. 141
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Dr Keith du Plessis, CEO of Casidra, about the organisation’s role in agricultural development, rural infrastructure and project implementation in the Western Cape.Casidra, the Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas, operates as an implementing entity for the Western Cape Governme
Market Access and Fruit Trade | Ep. 140
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Wolfe Braude, Manager: Agbiz Fruit at the A
Floods, Claims and the Future of Farm Insurance| Ep. 139
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Ebbe Rabie, Ebbe Rabie, agricultural insurance specialist and Founder & Managing Director of Tiger Risk, about agricultural insurance in the aftermath of severe flood damage in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.The discussion takes place against the backdrop of major storm and flood events that caused
Are We Undervaluing South African Agriculture? | Ep. 138
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Wandile Sihlobo, South Africa’s Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land, Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), and author of three books.The conversation explores South African agriculture from a broad national perspective — not only as a sector of production,
Saving Ashton’s Canned Fruit Industry | Ep. 137
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to André Kemp, Investment Manager at Norfund, about agri-investment, Southern African entrepreneurship, and the remarkable story behind the future of Langeberg Foods.The conversation focuses strongly on the Langeberg & Ashton Foods transaction, a major development for South Africa’s deciduous fruit and agr
Why Plant Diseases Threaten Food, Jobs and Exports | Ep. 136
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Dr Ida Wilson, Specialist Agricultural Scientist and international independent scientific consultant associated with Stellenbosch University.Dr Wilson describes herself as a “plant doctor” — someone who works at the intersection of microbiology, plant disease management, crop health, biosecurity, and practi
Work Accidents on Farms: What Every South African Farmer Must Know | Ep. 135
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Stephan Pietersen from Work Accident Support about one of the most important, and often overlooked, administrative risks in South African agriculture: work accidents and Compensation Fund compliance.Stephan explains what farmers, packhouse managers and agricultural businesses need to understand about workpl
Can Soil Health Save Fresh Produce? | Ep. 134
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with David Farrell, Founder and CEO of Blue North Sustainability, and Willie Wood, Head of Technical at Worldwide Fruit, about regenerative agriculture, responsible sourcing, soil health, climate resilience and the future of commercial fruit production.The conversation explores the long-standing collaboration
South Africa’s Untapped Fresh Produce Opportunity | Ep. 133
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Adolf Kieviet, Managing Director of Freshworld (Pty) Ltd, about the broader fresh produce industry in South Africa, the role of Freshworld within the RSA Group, and the major opportunities still waiting to be unlocked across fruit, vegetables, retail and export markets.Freshworld is based in Stellenbosch an
The Hidden Science Behind New Fruit Varieties | Ep. 132
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Tristan Dorfling, CEO and Pome Rootstock Researcher at Provar, about the highly specialised world of fruit cultivar and rootstock evaluation.New fruit varieties are constantly being developed and introduced around the world, but very few are suitable for South African growing conditions. For growers, planti
How Pink Lady® Became a Global Apple Brand | Ep. 131
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to three key figures involved in the global Pink Lady® apple story: Hein Coetzee, Managing Director at TopFruit (Pty) Ltd, Philip Turnbull, Group CEO of APAL and Twenty Degrees, and Jason Morris, Global General Manager of the Pink Lady® brand at APAL.The conversation explores how Pink Lady® developed from a pi
Inside Woolworths: How Farming REALLY IMPACTS Your Future | Ep130
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Kobus Pienaar, Technical Manager for Regenerative Agriculture at Woo
Why South African Growers Are Strategic Assets | Ep. 129
In Episode 129 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Mariette Kotzé, General Manager: Industry Support Services at HORTGRO, about the realities shaping South Africa’s pome and stone fruit industry.This conversation unpacks the role HORTGRO plays as a producer organisation serving more than a thousand growers, and why its work stretches far beyond administratio
The Future of Fruit Packing with Gossamer | Ep.128 Gossamer
In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Norman Nieder-Heitmann and Charl Nieder-Heitmann of Gossamer, a South African engineering company specialising in end-of-line automation for the fruit industry. From humble beginnings in lightweight composite structures for the arms industry to becoming a key player in packhouse automation, Gossamer has spent over 30 years solving
From Vine to Global Market | Ep. 127
In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Conrad Schutte (CEO, Vinpro Group) and Rico Basson (Executive Director, South Africa Wine) to unpack the current state and future of the South African wine industry.From vineyard to global markets, this conversation dives deep into the realities of producing, marketing, and sustaining a competitive wine industry in a rapidly cha
The Global Apple Trade Explained | Ep. 126
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Calla du Toit, a senior executive at T
The Secret System Behind South Africa’s Fruit Quality | Ep. 125
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Lucien Jansen, Chief Executive Officer of
The Power Behind 90% of SA’s Fruit Exports | Ep. 124
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Piet de Jager, CEO of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF), and
The Real Economics of Wine | Ep. 123
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Petri de Beer, an agricultural economist and winemaker, to unpack the real business of wine.The conversation explores why making wine is often easier than selling it, the financial and legislative barriers facing small producers, and why passion alone is not enough to build a sustainable wine business.
Why Market Access Could Make or Break SA Fruit | Ep. 122
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Fhumulani Ratshitanga, CEO of Fruit South Africa, for an insightf
Can South Africa Save Its Beef Industry? | Ep. 121
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Roelie van Reenen, Director: Supply Chain at Beefmaster, about the r
South African Farmers are Resilient | Ep. 120
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/South African agriculture faces constant pressure — from rising costs and disease outbreaks to logistics challenges and global market s
How KAL Group Is Redefining Agri Retail | Ep. 119
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Sean Walsh, CEO of KAL Group, to unpac
Why Western Cape Agriculture Works | Ep. 118
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Ca
Legacy, Wine & Impact | Ep. 117
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with De Villiers Graaff, CEO of De Grendel Wines, for a wide-ranging a
Building Grape Brands That Work for Growers First | Ep. 116
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Georgios Bitsakos, Head of Brand Marke
Going to War with Connectivity | Ep. 115
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie are joined by Charles St Clair-Bolam, Broadcast Technology & Live Streaming
Culdevco: Breeding Better Fruit for South Africa | Ep. 114
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Mishkaat “Mish” Anderson, General Manager of Culdevco, South Afri
Transforming Global Sustainability in Agriculture | Ep. 113
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with David Farrell, Founder and CEO of Blue North Sustainability, to e
The Future of Irrigation | Ep. 112
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Michael Esmeraldo, Managing Director of Netafim Southern & Ea
Rethinking High-Value Crops | Ep. 111
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Angus Davison, Founder and Chairman of Haygrove, a global leader
Berry Genetics & Global Market Trends | Ep. 110
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Hans Liekens, Global Head of Marketing & Innovation at Planas
South Africa’s Citrus Growth and Future Strategy | Ep. 109
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Dr. Boitshoko Ntshabele, Chief Executive Officer of the Citrus Gr
The Genetics Revolution Reshaping Blueberries | Ep. 108
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Jon Salters, CEO of United Exports and Director at Berries ZA, fo
Funding the Future of Agriculture | Ep. 107
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Werner Opperman, Head of Capital Partners at 27four Investment Ma
Big Data, Small Fruit – The Science and Strategy Behind Blueberries | Ep. 106
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Colin Fain, CEO of Agronometrics, and Louw Pienaar, Senior Analys
Zimbabwe’s Farmers Redefine the Blueberry Game | Ep. 105
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Linda Nielsen, CEO of the Horticultural Development Council (HDC)
Building a Sustainable Future for Blueberries | Ep. 104
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Mario Steta, Chairman of the International Blueberry Organization
The Rise of Peru’s Blueberry Empire | Ep. 103
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Luis Miguel Vegas, General Manager of Proarándanos – the Peruvian Bl
Scaling the Blueberry Industry – Opportunities for Africa and Beyond | Ep. 102
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Cort Brazelton, President & CEO of Fall Creek and Founder of
South Africa’s Almond Revolution | Ep. 101
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Reni le Roux, Sales and Marketing Manager at AMANTECO and founder
Branding Fruit – The Stories Behind Pink Lady & Clemengold | Episode 100
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromoVisit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this milestone 100th episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with two of the most influent
The TRUTH About GlobalG.A.P. Audits And Why They Matter | Ep. 99
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Elmé Coertzer-Boersma, CEO of Agriya (formerly FoodPLUS, the company behind the GlobalG.A.P. standards).Elmé shares her journey from South Africa to leading a global organizatio
Can SA Citrus Survive Tariffs? | Ep. 98
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Darci Vetter, internationally renowned Food & Agriculture Policy Expert and former U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator, to unpack the realities behind trade tariffs, global f
Why South Africa’s Food Security Depends on Research & Leadership | Ep. 97
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Ilse Trautmann, Deputy Director-General of Agricultural Research and Regulatory Services at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, as she reflects on her extraordinary career
The Untold Story of How Science Saved South Africa’s Fruit Industry | Ep. 96
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Hugh Campbell, former Hortgro Science General Manager, to reflect on his remarkable career and the evolution of South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry.Hugh shares his journey f
Sustainability, Plastics & Carbon in Fruit | Ep. 95
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay, Resource & Sustainability Manager at Hortgro, about the complex challenges and opportunities facing South Africa’s deciduous fruit sector.Nitasha share
The Future of Blueberries – South Africa’s Global Berry Boom | Ep. 94
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Brent Walsh, CEO of Berries ZA, about the rapid rise of the blueberry industry, shifting consumer demands, and South Africa’s growing role in global berry supply.Brent shares insig
The Secret Life of Maluma – The Next Big Avocado | Ep. 93
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Zander Ernst, Director of Marketing and Production at Allesbeste Boerdery in Tzaneen, Limpopo. From pioneering avocado varieties like Maluma to experimenting with trellising, pl
The Truth About Meat Supply in SA | Ep. 92
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Hendri Truter, Group CEO of Deli Co Meat Wholesalers, to uncover the real story behind South Africa’s meat industry—from supply shortages and pricing to exports, offal, salami s
Farming in a Changing Climate – Risks, Reality & Resilience | Ep. 91
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Stephanie Midgley, Specialist Scientist: Climate Change at the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape, about what climate change really means for agriculture in South Africa
Africa’s Fruit Future Lies with Entrepreneurs Like Uzair Essack | Ep. 90
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Uzair Essack, entrepreneur, Managing Director of Riyp Exports, and 2020 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 inductee.Uzair shares his remarkable journey from a financially struggling univ
Inside China’s Billion-Dollar Fruit Trade | Ep. 89
Support this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Bake Huang, fruit trade specialist from China and representative of Riverking, about the evolving dynamics of China’s fresh produce market.From the collapse of a cherry shipment wo
Secrets Every Farmer Needs to Hear About Business, Branding, and Risk | Ep. 88
In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Riël Mallan, a trailblazer in South Africa’s agricultural transformation and now founder of Nurture Brands, to discuss the bold decisions, upheavals, and innovations that shaped the modern fruit export industry.From his days as a young table grape farmer during South Africa’s post-apartheid deregulation era to building Fruits Un
Royalty Wars in Agriculture - The Hidden Side of Plant Breeders’ Rights | Ep. 87
In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Christine van Zyl, attorney at TGB Attorneys and specialist in intellectual property law, about one of the most misunderstood and fast-evolving areas in agriculture: plant breeders' rights and IP protection.Christine unpacks South Africa’s new Plant Breeders’ Rights Act of 2018, the implications of "farme
The Science and Strategy Behind Premium Fruit Brands | Ep. 86
In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Marco Bertolazzi, Director of Research & Development at global fresh produce brand SanLucar, for a deep and inspiring conversation about fruit innovation, global agriculture, and building a premium brand that’s reshaping how consumers experience fruit.From his humble roots in Italy and a life-changing international horticult
The Waitrose Foundation: From Orchard to Opportunity | Ep.85
In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Faith Brown, General Manager of the Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa, to reflect on the Foundation’s 20-year journey of transformation, community empowerment, and sustainable development across Southern Africa’s fruit farms.Faith shares her personal story—starting as the very first person appointed to the Waitrose Foundation’
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