Martina Odendaal

Martina Odendaal's doctor husband, Kobus, started farming citrus as a hobby on their 4 ha farm, Vergenoeg, acquired in 1988. A further 16 ha were added later. When the operation became too time-consuming for Kobus, Martina decided to take over.
 
Not being trained in agriculture, she learnt everything by trial and error and by listening to the eight full-time workers who tended her nearly 13 000 citrus trees. Once she lost half her crop by using an incorrect mix of water and fertiliser, after which she consulted an irrigation expert. Faith and self-confidence also contributed to her success, and Kobus helps with technical and mechanical matters.

Martina's first harvest amounted to 50 tonnes per hectare. This has since risen to around 60 tonnes per hectare and she has over 60 000 citrus trees.