Southern African weather conditions likely to improve

The largest part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region could expect normal to above-normal rainfall between October and December 2024, according to a recent statement by the 29th...

Minister Banda calls for climate action

Speaking at the recent annual Kulumba Traditional Ceremony of the Chewa people of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, held in Zambia, Malawian Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo...

Zim’s latest land compensation offer draws criticism

The Zimbabwe government’s latest announcement regarding compensation for land lost by white farmers during the land reform process in the 2000s was nothing but propaganda, according to Saai chairperson Dr...

Second desalination plant approved for Namibia

Namibia’s Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, recently announced that the government had authorised the construction of a second desalination plant.

Zimbabwe’s economic growth adjusted down to 2%

Zimbabwe's finance minister, Mthuli Ncube, announced a downward revision of the country's economic growth forecast for 2024 due to Southern Africa’s worst drought in decades, which has severely impacted crop...

BXB cattle breed ideal for Southern African beef production

The BXB, crossbred from Braunvieh and Brahman cattle, will add value to virtually any beef production concern in Southern Africa, according to Auroa Braunvieh owners Lourens and Henriette Le Grange,...

In pictures: Farmers in dire need as Namibia faces severe drought

Namibia has been battling severe drought conditions since 2012, with the past few years proving especially dire. Although there have been occasional years of good rainfall, most have seen extreme...

Namibia minister issues groundwater warning

Namibia is experiencing a serious drought, with the lowest run-off recorded in the past 100 years. This is an indication that groundwater resources would become less reliable in future.

Botswana considers extra global grain imports

Botswana is seeking to import grains from international suppliers to supplement its supplies after this year’s devastating drought. According to a Bloomberg report, the country is experiencing its worst drought...

Zimbabwe’s economic growth down to 2%

The African Development Bank (AfDB) revised Zimbabwe’s economic growth forecast for 2024 downward to 2%, a significant reduction of 1,6 percentage points from its previous projection.

Malawi gets R412m grant from the African Development Fund

The African Development Fund (ADF) recently announced a R412,38 million grant to Malawi to help the country to reinforce agricultural productivity and climate resilience.

ConCourt dismisses Zim farmers R2 billion claim over land grabs

The Constitutional Court earlier this week ruled that a R2 billion claim against the South African government for damages suffered due to land grabs in Zimbabwe was made too late.

UN pledges R37 billion towards Zimbabwe’s drought crisis

The UN has pledged to support Zimbabwe’s call to mobilise more than R37 billion after President Emmerson Mnangagwa recent declaration of a national State of Disaster following the devastating El...

Zimbabwe sees decline in crop production due to drought

El Niño continues its severe impact on Zimbabwe, with a marked decline in crop production. The total area planted to crops in Zimbabwe in the 2023/24 season declined 6% when...

Zimbabwe’s tobacco producers earn less despite increased exports

Zimbabwe’s tobacco exports increased markedly in the first two months of 2024. A total volume of 56 500t of tobacco was exported in January and February.

Zambia diversifies and revives cashew production

Zambia’s production of cashew nuts has stagnated since the early 1990s due to a lack of education, contact with extension officers and input costs such as fertiliser and pesticides.

New vaccine plant to help Zambia combat FMD

Zambia is mobilising US$22 million (about R415 million) to set up a veterinary medicine production plant to help mitigate the high rate of cattle and other animal fatalities that have...

Kenya’s black rhino numbers quadruple since 1984

Black rhinos in Kenya were on the brink of extinction three decades ago, but their numbers have since quadrupled from 240 in 1984 to 966 in 2024.

Limit on animal feed imports from SA hampers Namibian livestock farmers

The strict regulations introduced by the Namibian government on the importation of animal feed from South Africa pose a serious challenge for livestock producers in the southern region of the...

Zimbabwe’s 2024 maize harvest expected to shrink by 50%

Zimbabwe's staple maize harvest is expected to halve to 1,1 million tons in 2024 due to an El Niño-induced drought, Reuters recently reported.

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