The use of chemical and biological solutions in your farming is a fine art. Yet the combination of the right products, at the right time, in the right dose can make your crops grow strong, keep your soil fertile and keep pests and diseases out of your harvest.

In the Brits area, farmers have been counting on the knowledge and assistance of two formidable women for their chemical and biological solutions the past nineteen years.

Amron Chemies opens its doors for the first time

Nineteen years ago, Amadia Smit and her mother, Ronel Schutte, embarked on a difficult path. With their agricultural background and the support of the men in their lives, Piet Schutte and Basil Smit, they founded Amron Chemies.

Initially, it started as a small business that was simply run out of their garage. In the early years, there were two big challenges, the costs involved in setting up such a business and they had to win the trust of the farmers and other clients in the area.

“I don’t think farmers expected to see two women behind the counter nineteen years ago. It’s a man’s world, and getting used to two women wasn’t always easy,” explains Amadia.

Fortunately, they had the help and support of her father, Piet Schutte, a well-known agricultural chemical researcher, and her husband, Basil Smit, who is himself involved in the agricultural industry.

At the beginning, Amron’s product range consisted only of chemical solutions, but over the years the product range grew along with the business and the two women’s knowledge. Over time, a fertiliser department and seed department were added, as well as services such as soil analysis and soil programs. The store even sold products such as sprayers and implements to farmers.

Two years ago, they started working with Dux Agri and added biological solutions. “We realised that farmers would not only need chemicals, but also sprayers and fertilizers, for example. Farmers would need someone to read their programs and make suggestions, so we adapted according to the needs of our clients,” shares Amadia.

A passion for farming and a love for the community

Arne Kaffka, Dux Agri marketer for the wider Gauteng area, says that it is always nice to go to a farm with Amadia.

“When you stop on the farm, it feels like you are visiting old friends or family of Amadia. You first stop and talk about the children and family before it gets down to business,” Arne says with a laugh.

Amadia and Ronel love the farms in the area as much as they love Amron. They have seen these farms grow to what they are today, they were there to offer advice and help to the grandfathers of the farmers who are still settled on the farms today.

Although agriculture is known as a male-dominated industry, Amadia says that as a woman she never really felt left out. She and her mother learned and adapted, with the guidance of her father and her husband, they took on every challenge. Today, farmers trust not only their products, but also their advice, and this is something that is not linked to gender, but to time in the industry and product knowledge.

“It is our passion for the industry that keeps us getting up every morning, every day is more interesting than the next,” says a happy Amadia.

Balance between chemical and biological solutions

Two years ago, Amron’s clients started asking about Dux Agri products and from then on, the relationship strengthened . Ronel and Amadia went to Dux Agri and coincidentally Arne, someone they both already knew, was a marketer for the company. The products have proven themselves in the field and made a difference for many farmers. Today their partnership with Amron is strong, “we work together in the field and make sure the recommendations are correct and effective.”

“Dux Agri is a steadfast company and the support they offer us in the field is incredible, you can also clearly see that their products work,” explains Amadia.

She believes there is a place for chemistry and biology in the agricultural industry and that is why Amron does not just focus on one solution but rather wants to offer a full package that works best for their clients.

Arne explains that the Brits environment is very popular for vegetable, grain and citrus farming, but that there is actually no limitation.

“I really like working with biological products in agriculture, because there is so much innovation in biology. Biological solutions have improved so much in the last few years that they are very competitive. What were previously complex problems can now be easily solved,” says Arne.

For him, the most enjoyable thing is to come to a farm with a product and see the difference that that product has made on his recommendation.

For solutions that work, you can visit DuxAgri’s website at www.duxagri.com.