Aligning banana production with nature
The rolling hills of the Kiepersol area in Mpumalanga are covered in lush banana orchards. Belying the appearance of this subtropical paradise is an industry grappling with the effects of deadly Panama disease and rising input costs. But with the next generation entering the industry, a new energy is seeking solutions by going back to nature.
Arno Cilliers, now in his sixth year of banana production, is replacing traditional farming methods that ultimately resulted in degraded soils. He is currently putting 70ha of bananas through a test phase, bringing in new, environmentally friendly methods for greater sustainability.
He notes that the area (situated in the microclimate of Burgers Hall, adjacent to Kiepersol) is high-producing, but does not achieve the yields of other, warmer areas further east.
“We have a longer production cycle than other areas, but our banana bunches are big enough for us to remain profitable. If you farm correctly on the right soil and with the right
