In the world of farming, innovation can often make all the difference. In South Africa, where ginger farmers face the challenge of securing enough land for proper crop rotation, one Limpopo farmer has found an ingenious solution—hydroponic ginger production. Ika Cronjé, operations manager at Jan-Tak Boerdery in Makhado, Limpopo, has turned her farm into a model of innovation, showing how even limited land and a hot, humid climate can be turned into a profitable venture with the right techniques.
The Hydroponic Solution
Traditionally, ginger farmers in South Africa have struggled with soilborne diseases, which require them to let fields rest for four to 10 years before replanting. But Cronjé, who had already experimented with growing various crops like peppers and tomatoes in climate-controlled tunnels, turned to hydroponic production for ginger.
By growing ginger in bags filled with sawdust—an easily available medium from a nearby sawmill—Cronjé managed to avoid the need for vast tracts of land. Each new crop cycle starts with fresh sawdust, and the bags are replaced after each harvest. Today, this innovative approach allows her to produce between 70 and 100 tons of ginger annually on just 1.5 hectares.
The Farm’s Growth and Challenges
Cronjé’s father, Braam, has joined her in the business, and together with a dedicated team of six permanent employees and additional seasonal workers, they’ve built a thriving ginger farm. However, growing ginger hydroponically isn't without its challenges. For one, ginger farming is notoriously secretive—production methods are often not shared openly, making it hard for newcomers to enter the industry. Additionally, there’s little research on hydroponic ginger farming, meaning Cronjé is constantly experimenting, working with agronomists, and learning through trial and error.
Perfecting the Process
One of Cronjé’s key decisions was to use sterilized sawdust for growing ginger. While sawdust naturally oxidizes over time, Cronjé ensures it’s sterilized with bleach to avoid any harmful residue. Each planting bag is manually filled, a labor-intensive task that begins in winter to prepare for planting in September. The ginger grows for eight months before being harvested.
Cronjé is also careful about the size of the ginger rhizomes she uses as seed. After some trial and error, she found that using rhizomes about the size of her hand yielded the best results. She grows varieties like Indian and Hawaiian, which are preferred by the market for their better flavor and texture compared to Chinese ginger.
The Importance of Climate and Water Management
Ginger is a thirsty crop, and managing the water it receives is crucial. Cronjé uses drip irrigation to give each plant between 1.6 and 2 liters of water daily. Overwatering, however, can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to disease, so Cronjé monitors the irrigation system carefully, ensuring that moisture levels are just right.
The ideal temperature for growing ginger is between 23°C and 29°C, with a high level of humidity. Makhado’s summer temperatures can exceed these, so Cronjé uses overhead micro-irrigation to maintain the humidity and prevent leaf tip burn. Unfortunately, rainfall has been lower in recent years, but thanks to a good-quality borehole, Cronjé can still ensure the crop gets enough water.
Disease Management and Fertilization
Managing diseases, particularly fungi and bacteria, is one of the biggest challenges for ginger farmers. Cronjé uses beneficial microorganisms like Trichoderma and Bacillus to combat diseases. When a disease outbreak occurs, all rhizomes must be discarded, and the farm starts afresh with clean, disease-free seed.
Ginger is a high-maintenance crop when it comes to nutrition. Cronjé applies a fertigation program, using foliar sprays to address nutrient deficiencies quickly. As ginger requires a lot of fertilizer, Cronjé’s ongoing experiments help her fine-tune the exact quantities needed, especially when it comes to potassium and calcium, which have been beneficial during the flowering phase.
Cleaner, High-Quality Ginger
Thanks to the hydroponic method, Cronjé’s ginger is free from soil, which means less washing and a cleaner-looking product with smooth skin. This makes her ginger particularly attractive to the market, and her signature bright-pink packaging has become well-known, with buyers specifically requesting her “pink box” of ginger.
As Cronjé notes, branding has been crucial to her success. By ensuring that buyers trust the quality of her product, she has managed to command a higher price, even in a competitive market. This focus on quality over quantity has paid off, with Cronjé’s ginger being a popular choice among buyers.
Navigating Market Challenges
Selling fresh ginger can be nerve-wracking, as prices are subject to fluctuations at the market. Farmers have little control over the prices they receive on any given day, and Cronjé often finds herself competing with lower-quality ginger that drives prices down. While she can set a minimum price for her product with agents, it still requires navigating a volatile market.
However, the demand for ginger has grown, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised awareness of its health benefits. Although prices have dropped from the highs seen in 2020, Cronjé has expanded her reach and is even exploring export markets. She’s obtained the necessary certifications to export, although high transport costs remain a challenge.
A Title Well Earned
Ika Cronjé’s dedication and innovative approach have earned her the title of “Ginger Queen” within the farming community. With a passion for farming and a constant drive to improve, she has found success in an industry that’s not known for sharing knowledge.
“I absolutely love farming ginger! I love being outdoors, and even the research that goes with doing a project like this is exciting,” she says.
For Cronjé, her hydroponic ginger farm is more than just a business—it’s a labor of love that continues to grow and thrive, proving that even in a challenging climate, innovation and determination can lead to success.
This blog post is based on an article written by Lindi Botha, originally published on 11 March 2025.