Bridging the gap between vision and practice: GLOBALG.A.P. leaders immerse in South African agriculture

Bridging the gap between vision and practice: GLOBALG.A.P. leaders immerse in South African agriculture

In November, senior leaders from GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS GmbH traveled from across the globe to convene in South Africa for a pivotal week of connection and collaboration. With 2025 on the horizon, the team aligned their departmental strategies, focusing on creating a unified vision to drive impactful initiatives well into the future. 

With a deep commitment to understanding the challenges farmers face, the team stepped out of the conference room and into the fields, visiting Brockenhurst and Welgemeen Boerdery—two farms in the Western Cape with GLOBALG.A.P. certified production practices. These visits were organized to ensure harmonization of GLOBALG.A.P.'s strategic goals with the everyday realities of farm life. As one senior leader said, "It is not just about creating ambitious plans but about ensuring those plans are rooted in the real challenges and opportunities of the industry."

An exploration of local farming practices 

Brockenhurst Farm, owned by Michael Pause, is a unique model of sustainable farming that balances environmental stewardship with product compatibility. Significant in volume with the production of around 10,000 salad packs a day, the aspiration behind the farm's "Grown Free" philosophy, initially conceived by Dr. Harry Rajamannan of Agro-K Corporation, focuses on building up soil. Mr. Pauses's hybrid technique works to make an effective and resilient ecosystem by supplementing it with a thoughtful balance of fertilizers, restricting the use of insecticides, and implementing 4-month fallow periods each year. A deep respect for the land and his commitment to nurturing it for future generations was evident yet balanced by Mr. Pause's acknowledgment of the complex realities modern farmers face within global agricultural markets. 

Welgemeen Boerdery, nestled within the Witzenberg Valley, is co-owned by the Hanekom family. Known for growing Golden Delicious and Kanzi apples alongside Abate Fetel pears, the farm is a keen example of the power of precision agriculture. Sakkie Hanekom accompanied the GLOBALG.A.P. team through the apple tree rows, emphasizing that the success of any orchard depends on various factors. He explained that the choice of rootstock must align with the cultivar and soil characteristics, while proper soil preparation techniques should be tailored to the specific soil type. Additionally, the selection of an irrigation method and its management require careful consideration of the soil’s properties, with irrigation scheduling best approached through hands-on monitoring. All decisions, he stressed, should be grounded in sound scientific principles.

In a concerted effort to reduce the ecological footprint of their farm, the Hanekoms change and adapt practices to the local conditions of soil and climate, as well as ensure proximity to infrastructure to combine efficiency with ecology. 

A shared commitment to the future 

As we move into 2025, GLOBALG.A.P. emphasizes a clear commitment to empowering farmers through the alignment of strategic initiatives with their practical needs. This commitment involves fostering innovation and sustainable practices that support their livelihoods while ensuring the resiliency of global supply chains. GLOBALG.A.P. aims to create a future where agriculture thrives, and farmers are central to the decision-making process. 

GLOBALG.A.P. would like to thank Michael Pause of Brockenhurst Farm and the Hanekom family of Welgemeen Boerdery for their time and hospitality during these farm visits. We really appreciate the opportunity so kindly granted to us.