Farming competitively – it can be done!
Despite facing serious challenges, South African agriculture can nonetheless increase its competitiveness, both locally and internationally. Prof Gerald Ortmann, head of Agricultural Economics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, explores some of the options.
It’s not just about the money
In the struggle to eradicate poverty and hunger, the most important factor is people, not money. Unless a country is willing to better itself, no donor institution will succeed in transforming it, says Kanayo F Nwanze, president of the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Our strengths, our problems and our future
SA has economic opportunities, but tough challenges. For farmers, positives are a sizeable domestic market and top local suppliers, says Wessel Lemmer, senior agricultural economist at Absa.
Sustaining the SA trout industry
South Africa’s trout industry has a meaningful socioeconomic role to play in the country’s
future, says llan Lax, chairperson of the Federation of SA Flyfishers.
Land reform – let’s stay out of the boxing ring
SA’s land reform debacle could destroy everything achieved since 1994, warns communications expert Prof David Venter. He was speaking at the recent Hortgro Science Symposium held near Franschhoek.
‘We need experienced positive people’ – Gwede Mantashe
Speaking on strategy to Eastern Cape farmers, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe stressed that white commercial farmers were the key to successful transformation. Moreover, rational and positive debate was needed to ensure that everyone benefited.
Uniting for growth – government and farmers
KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Cyril Xaba recently addressed farmers at the KZN Poultry Institute in Pietermaritzburg, sharing his strategy of forming partnerships in the sector.
Agri schools: time to reassess
Government wants to see more small-scale farmers undergoing formal education in agriculture. For this to work, a new kind of agri school is needed, says educational consultant Dr Willem Burger.
Land reform: time to take the initiative
How will producers and agribusiness be affected if the agriculture sector cannot come up with a plan for land reform? In no way must food security be put at risk, says Agbiz CEO John Purchase.
Transforming agriculture: where is the magic?
Concern has often been expressed over the government’s perceived reluctance to give the National Development Plan its full commitment. Professor Mohammed Karaan, Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at the University of Stellenbosch, offers his views on how to make the NDP come alive.
How ‘predator-friendly’ are Anatolian guard dogs?
A number of stock farmers have been using Anatolian guard dogs to deter predators rather than kill them. The results are mixed. The decision of Woolworths to sell predator-friendly lamb has raised the issue yet again. Human wildlife conflict manager Thys de Wet takes a closer look at guard dogs.
Smallholder ‘cluster farmers’
Smaller farmers struggle to sustainably produce large quantities of quality crops and get them to market. The ‘cluster farming’ concept is changing that, says Diale Mokgojwa of Standard Bank.
