Moving from South Africa to Australia with only a small number of belongings, the Van Rooyen Group grew from humble beginnings to become one of the biggest lychee and macadamia farms in Australia.
Speaking with Craig Ven Rooyen, we heard about how the Van Rooyen Group was grown out of hard work, dedication and getting the fundamentals right to become what it is today. From productivity fundamentals to some of the challenges the industry needs to face together, Craig shared his view on some of the solutions to make the industry more productive.
Originating as pineapple, sugar cane and game farmers in South Africa, since 1912, the Van Rooyen Group has a rich growing history. Upon arrival in Australia in 1998, Craig quickly continued his farming career in Bundaberg, Queensland, where he managed an avocado orchard. While working every day to further the avocado business, Craig and his wife Barbara continued to look for a place that they could farm and call home.
In 2001, they came across Nunkeri, their main residence and farm that they have established over the last 24 years. At that time, an established farm was off the cards, so they started to build it up in their spare time, taking it from a cattle farm to a leading lychee farm.
Five years after purchasing Nunkeri, and after every spare moment being used to establish the farm, Craig resigned from the avocado orchard to focus on the family farm instead. Since then, the farm has grown lychees, macadamias, bananas, and strawberries - the latter two wrapping up in 2013. After many years of successful cropping, the Van Rooyen Family purchased their second farm at Farnsfield in 2020.
During this time, the family has worked to make their farms as productive as possible, but according to Craig, getting the basics right to start with are the true fundamentals of productivity.
He encourages growers that are seeking to make their properties more productive to start with soil health - look to make it balanced with the right additions, bring onboard an entomologist to manage pests with beneficial insects that do not harm the crop around them, spray with intelligent chemicals, and manage your canopy effectively, because in Craig's experience, "the number one way to improve your productivity is to improve your soil health."
Beyond the fields, Craig also believes that building the capability of labour workers and emerging industry leaders is key to the overall productivity in the sector. From putting together a program for the schools in the Bundaberg region, to helping upskill workers from other countries, such as those involved in the PALM scheme, Craig knows he will see higher output from all involved as they will feel motivated and supported in the role they are playing.
Through thoroughly looking at the basics on farm to supporting their people, the Van Rooyen Group has seen their lychee production grow from three tonnes in 2008 to 278 tonnes in 2024 and they have no plans on slowing down as their sons grow their own credentials in horticulture.
