Knowledge Makes a Difference

As part of the ETG Group, Kynoch Fertilizer is fully aware of our social responsibility in agriculture, engaging in projects that involve subsistence and emerging producers. Our footprint extends beyond South Africa to the entire continent.

For Kynoch, uplifting communities in our service areas is not just “the right thing to do” but a significant responsibility and privilege to be involved in such projects. The company participates in small-scale horticultural projects in local communities, as well as large-scale projects involving organised agriculture.

Fertiliser Recommendations

Every project has its unique challenges, but history has shown that the quality of fertiliser recommendations and the physical quality of the product are among the reasons why projects have failed. Some projects did not receive the best fertiliser recommendations and quality fertiliser. Financial challenges typically played a dominant role. Extension officers from the various provincial departments often lacked technical knowledge on fertiliser recommendations, resulting in projects failing to be financially sustainable.

Ongoing agricultural support is crucial for the success of such projects, and Kynoch excels in this with our extensive support network throughout the production period. Our local agents play a vital role in schools running horticultural projects. They are actively involved from site selection to harvesting the produce and establishing the next vegetables and/or fruits. Kynoch offers small packaging (1 kg, 2 kg, or 5 kg) tailored to the market and facilitates transportation. Not only are quality products provided, but ongoing training and support are also offered.

Soil Analyses

A second limitation or challenge is that the basis of fertiliser recommendations, namely soil analyses, is often missing or very outdated. Emerging producers then do not receive correct agronomic recommendations, which immediately puts them at a disadvantage. Kynoch’s philosophy is that there should be no distinction between commercial and emerging producers’ fertiliser recommendations.

Our agronomists consider each farm and project’s unique circumstances when composing recommendations. Due to financial constraints, the quality of fertiliser has often been a problem affecting yields negatively. As a responsible partner in the projects, quality fertiliser is non-negotiable for Kynoch. The fertiliser for social responsibility projects is manufactured at Kynoch’s facilities with the same raw materials and quality as for commercial clients. The plant mixture and top dressing are recommended according to agronomic principles and applied according to the recommended kilograms per hectare.

One of the social responsibility projects Kynoch is extremely proud to be involved in is Grain SA’s one-hectare project. Kynoch was approached by Grain SA ten years ago to be part of the Beyond Abundance project. This project provides subsistence farmers across South Africa, primarily in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo, who operate one-hectare subsistence farms, with fertiliser, seed, lime, and chemical products in smaller packages as part of the suppliers’ social responsibility programmes. There are strict qualification criteria that prospective participants must meet to be admitted to the project.

The uniqueness of the project is that producers are expected to make a financial contribution for a percentage of the total inputs. This creates accountability and a sense of ownership for the subsistence farmers and is key to the project’s success. There is literally a waiting list to join the project. The fact that the producers are managed and assisted by Grain SA mentors is also largely responsible for the project’s success. The mentors have full access to Kynoch’s agricultural team for assistance and advice. The project also benefits from Kynoch’s extensive distribution network spread across the project area, ensuring that damaged products can be quickly replaced.

Some projects are in the most remote areas of the country, making the transportation of fertiliser a significant challenge. Some delivery points are literally in the “boondocks.” Together with Kynoch’s in-house transport company, Tengwa Transport, and their subcontractors, loads are combined as efficiently as possible and dispatched to various delivery points. With the help of Grain SA mentors, the delivery process is facilitated, and control over quantities is exercised.

Kynoch’s involvement in the Grain SA project remains one of our flagship social responsibility projects. The impact on the economic, social, and mental well-being of communities is immeasurable in financial terms, and it gives us the greatest pleasure to be involved in new projects in the future.

By: Jakes Du Plessis: Kynoch

Kontak Kynoch op 011 317 2000 of info@kynoch.co.za

The post Kynoch Fertilizer’s Impact: Supporting Emerging Farmers Through Sustainable Agricultural Projects first appeared on Kynoch Fertilizer.

Regenerative Agriculture from a fertiliser company’s perspective.

Regenerative agriculture is no new concept. Farmers, agriculturists, agricultural companies, laboratories—everyone in the agricultural sector is regularly confronted with this way of farming. Its benefits are numerous. According to the FAO, not only does it save the farmer time, labour and costs, but it also improves nutrient use efficiency, soil stability and organic matter. The environment also benefits. Soil erosion is reduced, water as well as air quality is improved and there is an increase in biodiversity.[1]

Regenerative agriculture (RA) is a way of farm management focusing on ensuring food security, environmental stability and a future in agriculture. It’s no silver bullet with no recipe to follow. It requires time, trials, learning from mistakes, evaluation, adjustment, and learning. Still, South Africa took no backseat when it comes to RA. According to the database of Asset Research, by 2021, 25% of South Africa adopted Conservation agricultural practices, while 60% are practicing some form of conservation tillage.[2]

Farmers are forced by soil erosion, water runoff, and loss of organic matter or nutrients to train themselves and learn hard lessons to adopt regenerative agriculture. They learned that in order to manage your farm to ensure a future, food security and sustainability, the focus lies on soil quality, crop quality, nutritional value and environmental impact. It is of utmost importance that you know YOUR farm. The soil and climate with which you have to deal, and the outcomes you work towards.

Kynoch takes no step back from the journey farmers are on. We offer services which complement the farmers’ goals. Not only do we offer sound agronomic advice, but your precision farming needs are also looked after. Kynoch offer services where we determine the soil texture, soil chemistry and heterogeneity of the farm. We are able to determine the impact of soil properties, crop rotation, climate and management systems on soil quality (soil health) and with our knowledgeable agriculturists, your crops’ health, nutritional value and quality are tested frequently to ensure good quality crops as well as soil all throughout the season.

Not only do Kynoch’s agriculturists assist farmers in obtaining knowledge based on their farms’ soil type, soil form, and chemical characteristics through sampling and analysis, but they are also able to take biological factors into account when making decisions. Through the help of Sporatec, Kynoch’s agriculturists are equipped with the necessary tools to ensure that the biodiversity on your farm isn’t neglected. We offer products to ensure that the local beneficial microbes on your farm are happy and do what they do best.

No matter your farm management system, your crop rotation system—whether it consists of cash crops, cover crops or the presence of livestock—your objectives or your means to the end: Kynoch’s agriculturists live our slogan, enhanced efficiency through innovation, and are ready to take your hand and support your goals. We don’t just supply fertiliser to farmers’; we work together to ensure a sustainable future for South Africa’s agriculture.

[1] Benefits of Conservation Agriculture (CA), FAO

[2] Asset research, 2021

Figure 1: Cover crops as part of the crop rotation system after soyas, before maize

Figure 2: No-till intercropping on maize to achieve permanent soil coverage

Figure 3: Maize stubble on no-till soybean fields which form part of a maize, soybean, and cover crop farming system

Figure 4: A macadamia orchard in the Western Cape uses Elephant grass as a windbreak and to provide mulch, and the inter-row cover crop is mainly kikuyu and clovers.

Article compiled by: Graham Peddie, Chris Burbidge and Lunay de Kock—Kynoch Agriculturists

Kynoch:  Enhanced efficiency through innovation

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 One need only look at the high incidence of scurvy, rickets, beriberi and pellagra in the world’s poorest countries to spot the connection between dietary deficiencies and these heart-rending manifestations of human malnutrition. Similarly, a field of wilting and discoloured maize clearly indicates that something essential is missing from the soil. Studies have shown conclusively that numerous elements are crucial for plant nutrition. Consequently, shortfalls can lead to growth anomalies, increased vulnerability to disease, pests and drought, and low yields.

Extreme weather conditions, erosion and pH changes can leave soil lacking nutrients. Animal manure and vegetable compost are rich sources of nutrients and can help overcome such deficiencies in the growing area. However, their composition is random, inconsistent and unknown. These natural solutions can be helpful. But, their overall benefits are no match for those of the precisely formulated granular and liquid commercial fertilizers designed to optimise plant nutrition.

In South Africa, where agricultural productivity is crucial for food security and economic growth, understanding plant nutrition is vital. The country’s diverse soil types, climate, and crop varieties require tailored fertiliser solutions to optimise yields.

In South Africa, where agricultural productivity is crucial for food security and economic growth, understanding plant nutrition is vital. The country’s diverse soil types, climate, and crop varieties require tailored fertiliser solutions to optimise yields.

Fulfilling the Complex Nutritional Requirements of Plants

Although maize, cabbages and potatoes might appear to be relatively simple lifeforms, their physiology is complex. They all depend on access to air, water and selected minerals in their immediate environment. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is plentiful, and irrigation systems can compensate for water shortages during periods of limited rainfall. However, fertilisers remain the only effective way to ensure the required balance of the many essential elements in the soil. Furthermore, a plant’s needs vary at different stages in its lifecycle. For example, phosphorus is crucial to plant nutrition to promote the rapid root growth essential for establishing seedlings. Later it is necessary to aid flowering while also helping to withstand harsh weather and environmental stress.

While phosphorus is the main ingredient of suitable starter fertiliser, additional elements are essential to meet the seedlings’ immediate needs. Naturally, they require nitrogen and potassium. However, magnesium and sulphur and traces of the micronutrients zinc, copper, boron and molybdenum are also necessary at this stage. Chelation can help to ensure that zinc and copper are readily available for plant nutrition.

In South Africa, maize, sugarcane, and soya beans are among the most widely cultivated crops. Each has unique nutritional requirements, making it essential to choose the right fertiliser blend. For example, maize requires adequate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, whilst sugarcane benefits from added micronutrients like zinc and copper.

Offering Crops a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Other mixtures with different elements in various concentrations may be necessary as the growing crop’s needs vary. Thus the best option for farmers is to follow a fertiliser application programme that best suits a given crop. When planting in previously uncultivated or well-used ground, it might pay to conduct a preliminary soil analysis. The results will indicate which elements may most need replenishing to create the ideal balance. Like humans, crops also require a balanced diet to remain healthy.

Kynoch offers farm visits, in-depth soil analysis and a wide range of fertilisers to cover every aspect of plant nutrition. We invite you to download the profile sheets for these leading products that may interest you.

In South Africa’s varied climate, soil analysis is crucial to determine nutrient deficiencies. Kynoch’s expert soil analysis services help farmers identify areas for improvement, ensuring optimal fertiliser application. Additionally, Kynoch’s range of fertilisers is designed to address specific regional needs, such as:

– High-phosphorus fertilisers for maize in acidic soils
– Zinc-enriched fertilisers for sugarcane in coastal regions
– Balanced NPK fertilisers for soya beans in dryland areas

By understanding the complex nutritional requirements of crops and addressing regional soil challenges, South African farmers can optimise yields, improve crop quality, and contribute to the country’s agricultural prosperity.

Kynoch – Enhanced efficiency through innovation

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