African farmers lose market access as COVID-19 crisis widens
Millions of family farmers across Africa are facing economic devastation as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts exports and global food supply chains.
R2,2 billion in food aid needed to combat hunger in Zimbabwe
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic could worsen the food shortage currently being experienced in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe to import maize due to erratic harvest prospects
Zimbabwe’s maize harvest is likely to differ substantially from region to region this season, with some areas realising a below-average harvest and others an above-average harvest, due to erratic rainfall during the growing period, industry officials have said.
African states urged not to restrict cross-border food trade
The widespread negative socio-economic impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic globally is likely to include a 2,6% to 7% contraction in sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural production.
UN warns of worsening locust invasion in East Africa
The African Development Bank has approved more than R28 million in emergency relief funding to assist nine countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa to control vast swarms of desert locusts.
Botswana beef farmers fear market losses due to Covid-19
The public emergency declared by Botswana’s president Mokgweetsi Masisi, to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic, has had a direct impact on the country’s beef cattle production industry.
Food security at risk as African countries lock down
Fears are growing about the impact the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic could have on food supplies in some of South Africa’s neighboring countries, as citizens there have also been ordered to stay indoors.
Zimbabwean tobacco auctions expected to be delayed
The Zimbabwean tobacco industry is being hard hit by the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has resulted in President Emmerson Mnangagwa closing the country’s borders and banning gatherings of more than 50 people, among other measures.
Artificial insemination project in Zimbabwe goes countrywide
Chinhoyi University of Technology, a university in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe, recently took its national artificial insemination (AI) project for cattle countrywide.
Questions about Zim government’s land restoration plans
The Zimbabwean government has announced a legal framework to restore ownership rights to individuals and companies that lost farms over the past 20 years, in terms of the Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements.
Namibian hunting quotas cut 80% due to drought
The past several years’ drought in Namibia has had a devastating impact on the country’s hunting industry, and in some areas hunting quotas had been cut between 70% and 80%. This was according to Tanya Dahl, CEO of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA).
Recovery plan for grain production in Zimbabwe
For the first time in 20 years, the producer prices of small grains in Zimbabwe have been set higher than that of maize as a way of encouraging the growing of these crops.
GM maize export potential as Zimbabwe lifts ban
The decision by the Zimbabwean government to lift the ban on genetically modified (GM) maize imports to increase supplies after a poor local harvest season, could benefit South African farmers.
Coronavirus outbreak could benefit pangolin conservation
The pangolin is the world’s most trafficked mammal, being sought after for its scales for the manufacture of traditional medicine, particularly in China.
Zimbabwe boosts livestock production with pig imports from SA
Zimbabwe is finalising arrangements to import 230 Large White Landrace and Duroc pigs from South Africa as breeding stock, as part of a US$45 million (about R630 million) EU-funded project to improve the country’s livestock value chain.
Cannabis production could outpace demand – new report
A new report on cannabis production and trade is forecasting an increase in medical cannabis production this year, but warns that the existing small markets could leave growers with unsold stocks.
Severe drought in Namibia continues unabated
Despite reports of good rainfall in the north-eastern parts of Namibia, the drought in that country is still continuing.
Export tax bites into survival of Zambian crocodile farming
Representatives of Zambia’s commercial crocodile farming sector have reportedly pleaded with that country’s government to abolish the 10% duty that was introduced on crocodile skin exports in January 2019.
‘Opportunity for SA to increase grain exports to Zimbabwe’
News that Zimbabwe’s government has significantly relaxed import and pricing controls on staple foodstuffs, is an opportunity for South Africa to increase exports of maize and wheat to its neighbour, according to Grain SA.
Price collusion in Zimbabwe’s hybrid seed market
A new study in Zimbabwe has found that the high concentration of seed companies in that country is promoting price collusion, which is resulting in hybrid maize seed becoming too expensive.
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