Global markets set the standard and South African fruit growers rise to meet it.
By InteliGro
South Africa plays a vital role in supplying the world with top-quality fruit – especially when Europe’s season comes to an end. Local growers operate under rigorous export regulations and constant scrutiny. Yet, they continue to show the world how it should be done: with discipline, technical expertise and a growing trust in biological crop protection.
“South African producers are ahead when it comes to compliance – a benchmark for how export products for demanding markets should be managed globally,” says Wian Smith, a forerunner in biological solutions and a long-standing advocate of biological approaches for South Africa’s essential fruit export industry.
As InteliGro’s Senior Crop Advisor in the EGVV region (Elgin, Grabouw, Villiersdorp and Vyeboom), Smith has worked closely with apple, pear and stone fruit growers for more than 13 years. He also supports growers in the Bossieveld area of Worcester and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
80% OF EGVV GROWERS USE BIOLOGICAL CROP MANAGEMENT
According to Smith, around 80% of growers in the EGVV region already use biological crop management programmes.
“Market access remains one of the biggest drivers behind biological solutions, particularly because of the strict minimum residue level (MRL) requirements for fruit destined for markets such as Europe,” Smith explains. “Our growers are already meeting these standards thanks to the effective use of biological products within integrated pest management programmes.”
Another major compliance challenge is the management of phytosanitary pests such as codling moth and fruit fly, which threaten apples and pears.
“A single larva can lead to an entire shipment being rejected overseas – effectively closing the market for that product, as we’ve already seen in key Eastern markets,” says Smith. “That’s why intelligent pest management is critical.”
GROWERS HARNESS VIRUSES, FUNGI AND PREDATORY MITES FOR NATURAL CONTROL
Local growers are already using viruses to control codling moth as part of integrated programmes that combine biological and chemical approaches. Fruit flies are being suppressed through area-wide aerial applications of biological products.
Another success story lies in the use of soil fungi to manage woolly apple aphid. A Grabouw apple producer who has been following a fungal soil programme with Smith for two years has seen remarkable results.
“This season’s pressure was high, but thanks to early intervention, our losses were only a fraction of what the rest of the industry experienced,” says Smith. “An added bonus is that the same fungus also suppresses mealybug and scale.”
In the Bossieveld area of Worcester, Smith and a grower at Jonkersrivier farm, have achieved a breakthrough in the biological control of red spider mite in apples. This pest had developed resistance to chemical products. Smith released predatory mites, and within two years achieved almost complete control. After fine-tuning timing and packaging to ensure that the mites could hatch inside the apple trees, the programme became a success – opening the door for further applications such as scale control.
LONG-TERM BIOLOGICAL APPROACHES REQUIRE EXPERT GUIDANCE AND TRUST
Smith cautions that biological programmes are not quick fixes, but rather long-term strategies that rely on expert guidance.
“Fungi, for example, take two to three years to establish in the soil so that they can be applied at the right time and stage of the pest’s life cycle,” he explains. “It’s therefore vital to understand the pest and its development, and to apply the biological strategy at the optimal moment.”
He stresses that producers must be willing to place full trust in their Crop Advisor’s biological approach.
“Biological crop protection requires ongoing trust, adaptation and close monitoring. It’s not a passing trend – it’s the future. And it takes advisors who know when it will work, and when it won’t.
Producers must allow themselves to be guided by experts who understand timing. There may still be some losses in the first year while the programme is being fine-tuned for best results.”
“Producers are sometimes sceptical at first, but we’ve already proven that these approaches work. Our role as Crop Advisors is to help growers align with the right solutions and guide them through the learning process. South African producers have already shown that they have the discipline and technical skill to implement biological programmes successfully.”
KNOWLEDGE: THE FOUNDATION OF INTEGRATED CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT
Smith emphasises that biological and chemical solutions complement one another within integrated crop protection programmes – but that maintaining effectiveness takes years of experience and strong technical support.
He predicts that the biological sector will continue to grow rapidly, especially as chemical products are phased out at an increasing pace due to stricter regulations.
His advice to producers is clear:
“Make the shift. Start incorporating biological solutions into your programme, but align yourself with the right world-class partners and high-quality biological products. Effective products may be more expensive, but the industry is heading for a shake-out. Only reliable companies – those that have invested in proper research and developed registered, tested products – will remain. Producers need to be sure of their choices.”
Source: Novus Group – Press Bulletin
