A WORD FROM…Graeme Engelbrecht

February 2019

What would you do differently? This is the question we need to be asking ourselves.

Our crops should be starting to show their potential, pleased or disappointed, it is in our nature to want to do better or improve. Now, with all the work done still fresh in your mind, is the time to stand back and analyse the results of your work:

• You need to be honest and realistic and look for direct actions that could improve your crop. 
• Look around you, what are your neighbours or friends doing?
• Attend farmers days.
• Ask others whose opinions you respect.

If you have not already done so you should record:

• What you did to get to this stage, with dates of actions, and importantly, now what you would like to do to improve. 
• Record the information, tips or technical data you have gathered. You are starting to formulate your plans for the coming season, to improve to do better or even go bigger. 

Having a set plan will help you to start now, to work towards that plan and it is no longer just an idea or dream. Your chances of achieving and following the plan will improve and it gives you something against which you can constantly monitor and if need be, make necessary changes.

To learn from your mistakes, to improve, is only possible if you not only recognise the mistakes but find an alternative, better way of doing it and then ensure you actually implement that ‘improvement’.

Publication: February 2019

Section: Pula/Imvula