Morocco’s drive to increase citrus production
Citrus is a major exportable commodity for Morocco, and that country’s government has aimed various initiatives at improving its production of this fruit.
Senwes is offering R20 million in production loans to black farmers
After the successful approval of the merger between Senwes and the Suidwes Group in 2020, Senwes is currently in the final year of three years emanating from the merger.
Is SA’s rural economy on the road to ruin?
Dilapidated country roads are a direct threat to South Africa’s agricultural and rural economies, yet farmers and communities have largely encountered a wall of indifference from government. In an attempt...
Biltong that tastes of the real Karoo
Toverveld Biltong was started by Madie van Zyl some 14 years ago as a way of earning additional income. Annelie Coleman visited her on her family farm, De Dam, near...
Egypt: the world’s biggest exporter of oranges
Egypt has become a global powerhouse in terms of orange production and exports, and its government is aiming to improve production even further.
Seizing the opportunity in SA’s seed market
Despite South Africa’s economy and infrastructure being under severe stress, global agtech company Syngenta is investing in the country’s seed market. Gaël Hili, Syngenta’s regional director for Europe, Africa and...
‘Empowerment and respect above all else’ – advice from top farmer
The Agricultural Writers SA Farmer of the Year for 2021, Jan le Roux, has earned himself a reputation among his staff as a perfectionist and a stickler for detail. At...
Factors hampering SA’s sugar industry
Thabile Nkunjana, an agricultural economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), and Dr Sifiso Ntombela, chief economist at the NAMC, examine the decline in South Africa’s sugar production and...
Diversification pulls farmer through drought
Derec Giles admits that he wouldn’t have been able to financially survive the ongoing drought on his farm in the Klein Karoo without his highly diversified approach to production. He spoke to...
Enter the Nestlé Needs Youth agripreneur competition
Calling all young agripreneurs! Entries are open for the Nestlé Needs Youth Agri Competition, with top mentorship and coaching prizes up for grabs.
Supporting innovation in agriculture
The Technology Innovation Agency helps bridge the gaps in the research and development of agricultural technologies in South Africa.
How aquaponics can produce top-quality crops and higher yields
Aquaponics and hydroponics systems have numerous advantages over traditional soil-based production techniques. Magda du Toit spoke to two farmers who practise these intensive agriculture methods.
Rum brings rewards for KZN cane producer
Heart, soul and spirit: all of these can be found in spades on Seafield Farm, a family-run sugar cane concern in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Owner Brad O’Neill spoke to Susan...
Nampo Harvest Day: The rise of a global agricultural megastar
After a two-year absence from the agricultural calendar, Grain SA’s Nampo Harvest Day, the biggest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, is ready to make a spectacular comeback, says Toit...
Poultry sector in Africa set for growth
Thanks to the relative affordability of chicken meat, the poultry sector is likely to see immense growth in the future in Africa.
New Agbiz CEO outlines threats and opportunities for SA agriculture
Theo Boshoff, the new CEO of Agbiz, says that despite the many challenges facing South Africa’s agriculture sector in 2022, opportunities for growth abound. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.
Wind farms boost farmers’ incomes
Red Cap Energy is playing a significant role in reducing South Africa's carbon dioxide emissions, and increasing farmers' revenue, too.
Cotton: the ideal crop for reducing carbon emissions and poverty
The Better Cotton Initiative is driving sustainability among cotton farmers worldwide to ensure they can continue operating while simultaneously meeting environmental objectives. Lena Staafgard, COO of Better Cotton, and Hennie...
Botswana’s agri sector offers many opportunities for investors
Botswana’s agriculture and agro-processing sector is rife with opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs, according to the speakers at the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre’s webinar on 31 March, which was...
Balancing risk to build a table grape brand
When the Beukes brothers expanded their table grape farming operation from the Hex River Valley to Brandwacht near Worcester in the Western Cape, they had no idea of the challenges...
