News

The High Court in Pretoria has given the Minister of the Department of Agriculture a firm deadline to bring South Africa’s long-discussed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) animal health scheme into legal force, after months of delays in the face of a crippling national outbreak.

Foskor, South Africa’s only vertically integrated producer of phosphate ore and phosphate-based fertilisers, has no mono-ammonium phosphate available, according to an industry source who asked to remain anonymous.

Amid shrinking grain incomes, double-digit input cost increases, and uncertain weather, farmers should make every hectare count, says Swartland agricultural economist Suzanne Lureman.

Stronger collaboration, clearer regulations, and the rapid rollout of digital phytosanitary certification systems are emerging as key solutions to improve the speed, cost, and reliability of seed movement across Africa.

The development of a viable industrial hemp industry in Southern Africa depends on closing critical gaps in funding, coordination, and implementation, experts said at the recent African Industrial Hemp Fibre Processing for Commercialisation Conference in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Pannar’s Crop Extravaganza series goes the extra mile and continues to provide farmers with more than just a showcase of new cultivars. These events combine product demonstrations with practical insights from multi-location trials, helping producers make informed decisions about hybrid selection and crop management.

The Western Cape’s response to the ongoing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is gaining momentum, with provincial authorities and industry stakeholders pointing to strong coordination, early planning, and rapid vaccine deployment as key to containing the disease.

In early March, the Department of Agriculture held the ‘Transforming Farming: Sustainable Regenerative Agriculture’ conference at Witpoort farm in Klerksdorp, where experts highlighted the importance of soil health and shared practical insights to help emerging farmers invest in regenerative practices. Farmer’s Weekly attended the event.

A new PhD study offers a rare independent evaluation of Woolworths South Africa’s Farming for the Future programme, revealing how the retailer’s fresh produce suppliers are making clear gains in environmental sustainability, with irrigation and water management improvements leading the charge.

As South Africa approaches the new wheat production season, rising international wheat prices have triggered a 75% reduction in the wheat import tariff.

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation is investing R2,8 million in seven lobster-farming co-ops under the Tsweleni Rock Lobster Project in Port St Johns. The funds are aimed at enhancing product quality, scaling up production, and improving export competitiveness.

With the conflict-affected Middle Eastern trading environment becoming increasingly complex and uncertain, Farmer’s Weekly spoke to a South African fruit exporter and a Saudi Arabia-based importer about challenges on the ground.

On its second day, the 11th Agritec Africa International Exhibition & Conference, held from 11 to 13 March at Johannesburg’s Gallagher Convention Centre, focused on supply chain optimisation, smart farming technologies, and the future of South Africa’s livestock industry.

South African agriculture generated R341 million in daily foreign exchange in 2025, surpassing the combined daily earnings of gold and platinum mining. But AgriSA’s latest trade report shows that this success is fragile and increasingly dependent on external factors and policy support.

Early signs of diesel shortages at South African fuel stations are sparking concern in the agriculture sector, even as government insists that national supply remains secure.

Four friends from Pretoria are jet skiing along South Africa’s coastline to shine a spotlight on the pressures farmers face and the toll on their mental health, through the Coast 2 Coast 4 Farmers initiative.

Tackling foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and the new risks to producers stemming from the Middle East conflict were among the major concerns discussed during the passing of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s latest budget vote. An increase of R128,5 million to R1,14 billion for 2026/2027 was approved compared to last year’s budget.

Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture Nonceba Kontsiwe visited Qhimirha Village in Sterkspruit last week to hand over infrastructure and machinery worth more than R1,6 million to help subsistence farmers improve wool and mohair quality and move towards commercial production.

The 2026 Eastern Cape Budget Speech, delivered by MEC for Finance Mlungisi Mvoko on 13 March at the provincial legislature, highlighted the provincial government’s commitment to driving inclusive economic growth, supporting small businesses, and expanding agricultural value chains.

South Africa has once again demonstrated its world-class shearing expertise after delivering an outstanding performance at the Golden Shears World Championships in Masterton, New Zealand.