Ideologies that harm an economy
Political ideology and a need to stay in favour with voters is placing a burden on the economy and leading to job losses. Dawie Roodt from the Efficiency Group explains how minimum wages and labour laws are hurting the country. Lindi van Rooyen reports.
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Be energy efficient & increase profits
Through its Integrated Demand Management programmes, Eskom helps farmers manage the rising costs of electricity by means of energy efficient solutions and better water usage. Pannetjie Rossouw, Eskom’s manager for Agricultural Intergrated Demand Management, discusses the programmes with Peter Mashala.
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Public/private alliance critical for successful land reform’
Government may be recapitalising and developing failed reform projects in agriculture, but the South African sugar industry believes private sector participation is central to the success of the project. Anwhar Madhanpall, SA Sugar Association’s general manager, talks to Lloyd Phillips.
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Reshape the future of agriculture now
Water, coal, gas and oil. The future of these finite resources holds the key to the future of agriculture. That’s why farmers should participate in legislative processes to ensure the implementation of long- term solutions today, says Prof Kobus van der Walt, environmental lecturer at North-West University.
Susan Botes reports.
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Much ado about mutton
Lamb is lekker. Lekker healthy. This message should be strongly conveyed to consumers and health professionals and that is exactly what nutritionist, Nicolette Hall, plans to do. Susan Botes reports.
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SA politics: the rationale behind the rhetoric
Considering the threats, bluster and irrational demands that pour out of government offices, it’s not surprising that SA farmers feel apprehensive. Writer Max du Preez puts our politics into perspective and offers comfort.
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An importer’s view on poultry supply
Chicken imports are a favourite whipping dog of the poultry industry and are held responsible for dragging down local prices and threatening jobs. But Russell Hanger, managing director of wholesale frozen food distributor, Merlog Foods, and an executive director of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE), sees things differently. Robyn Joubert reports.
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Maize micro mills stake their claim
Micro mills can fill an important niche in both the food chain
and rural areas, says Sé Higgins, co-founder of Kuvusa Mills and
managing director of African Micro Mills.
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Fertiliser for Africa: boosting continental crop yields
African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership plans to bolster fertiliser inputs to smallholders and so contribute to an African green revolution. The NGO has set itself the goal of increasing the number of fertiliser users by 15% and of at least doubling fertiliser use in the countries where it operates. Peter Mashala spoke to Cecilia Khupe, AFAP’s director of programmes.
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The SA sugar industry faces bitter challenges ahead
South Africa’s R12 billion a year sugar industry may be one of the world’s leading cost-competitive producers of high quality sugar, but it is currently beset by challenges. Trix Trikam, executive director of the SA Sugar Association, shares his thoughts on the matter with Lloyd Phillips.
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