By Lebogang Mashala
Backsaver Farming Equipment has introduced its latest product, the Super Hoe. According to Michris Janse van Rensburg, a farmer, inventor and founder of Backsaver Equipment, this new tool is significantly more efficient than traditional hoes on the market.
“I used to work for my father-in-law on the farm, and hoeing was part of my job. I can now say I have a Ph.D. in hoeing,” van Rensburg chuckles. He explains that with the Super Hoe, weeding has become much easier, as it disturbs the soil less than conventional hoes. The design allows for a smoother operation, making hoeing quicker and more effective.
“Just a few days after launching the Super Hoe on social media, we started receiving orders from the Western Cape’s tea industry. It’s important to note that the rooibos industry cannot use any chemicals on their tea, so they rely entirely on manual weeding,” added van Rensburg.
Van Rensburg stated that while most of his equipment is intended for smallholder farmers, he is frequently surprised by the volume of orders he receives from commercial farmers. “The rooibos farmer is a large commercial farmer who saw my video on social media,” he explained.
Van Rensburg, who farms in the Bulfontein area of the Free State, has dedicated nearly two decades to his Backsaver Equipment business. He has developed a range of back-saving, hand-propelled applicators that simplify small-scale farming. These tools provide increased precision and efficiency, which reduces discomfort and enhances crop yields.
