Drikus earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1986 and has extensive experience in all aspects of farming. He served as an Agricultural Consultant for Standard Bank of South Africa for six years and is still available to assist clients with a range of services, including:
1. Comprehensive Viability Studies and Financial Services:
o Conducting cash flow studies
o Planning and evaluating agricultural projects
o Inspecting crops and estimating yields
o Valuating farms for bank security purposes
o Facilitating credit applications on behalf of clients
o Offering financial management courses and training for developing farmers, covering:
Project planning and costing
Crop recommendations, cash flow calculations, and loan applications
Developing marketing strategies, including co-operative approaches that cater to all levels, from subsistence farmers to emerging commercial producers
Providing training courses for upcoming farmers to prepare them for the free market, including crop planning and understanding banking systems, rules, and regulations
2. Extensive Experience with Crops, Livestock, and Agricultural Products:
o Grain Marketing:
Pre-season contracts, spot-price contracts, and SAFEX hedging
Developing and implementing marketing strategies
Managing mill door contract deliveries
Planning, organizing, and executing logistics
Upgrading lower-grade grains by blending
o Annual Crops:
Maize, wheat, sunflowers, dry beans, soybeans, grain sorghum, and vegetables
o Perennial Crops:
Apples, cherries, asparagus, blueberries, currants, roses, peaches, and apricots
o Livestock:
Dairy farming, beef cattle, sheep, feedlots, pig farming, and poultry
Drikus’s vast experience and knowledge in these areas make him a valuable resource for anyone involved in agriculture.
