Ramaphosa weighs in on farm attacks amid rising racial tension
There have been calls for calm as tensions run high after a protest outside the Senekal Magistrate’s Court turned violent last week.
Claims of ill-treatment of workers ‘not fair or true’ – ZZ2
ZZ2, one of the largest farming businesses in South Africa, has vehemently denied reports that farmworkers were given an ultimatum by the company to either remain onsite during the COVID-19 lockdown period, or go home without pay.
Man due in Senekal court for public violence during protest
The man who was arrested following the protest action outside the Senekal Magistrate’s Court earlier this week, will appear in the same court on Friday, 9 October on a charge of public violence and malicious damage to property.
Africa the world’s “leading area” for farming development
The South African agriculture sector is advanced, creative and entrepreneurial. This was according to Dan Hennesy, vice president of the Land O’ Lakes member-owned, agricultural co-operative, based in Minnesota in the US.
Big diesel price drop brings input cost relief for farmers
As things stand, South Africa’s summer crop farmers who hope to benefit from the significant drop in the diesel price from midnight on Tuesday, 6 October, are unlikely to have their orders interrupted or delayed.
‘Violent protest in Senekal the result of frustration’
The case of the two suspects who appeared in the Senekal Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Free State farm manager Brendin Horner, has been postponed to 16 October when their bail application will be heard, according to Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, spokesperson for the South African Police Service in the Free State.
Farm murders have ‘devastating effect’ on sector – Didiza
Two suspects have been apprehended following the killing of Free State farm manager, Brendin Horner, and will appear in the Senekal Magistrate court on Tuesday, 6 October on a charge of murder.
Strong resistance to new Indonesian peatland mega farms
Indonesia has started the development of a controversial new, large-scale food estate where rice, maize and other crops will be grown in an effort to mitigate the country's reliance on imports.
Hundreds of state-owned farms to be leased to the public
Almost 900 farms will be advertised by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department) for release to the public.
Farmers upbeat about spring rain despite low dam levels
The average level of many public and farm dams may currently be declining across much of South Africa’s summer rainfall region, but agriculture role players in these areas remain hopeful that forecasts for average to above-average rainfall during the 2020/2021 summer will replenish freshwater resources.
Agriculture sheds 66 000 jobs in the second quarter
The positive growth trend in agricultural GDP so far this year, has failed to translate into an increase in employment in the sector.
WWF partnership to support SA wines’ ‘green’ credibility
The demand for sustainable agricultural products is increasing around the world. Now, a partnership between the South African wine industry and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has the potential to improve the local wine industry’s green credential, in order to meet this growing demand.
Retailers must explain high margins on fresh produce
The higher margins made by retailers on fresh produce during the COVID-19 pandemic require an explanation, according to the ‘Essential Food Price Monitoring’ report by South Africa’s Competition Commission (CompCom).
Influx of new entrants puts pressure on SA honeybush producers
Demand for honeybush tea has declined dramatically since the introduction of the COVID-19-related lockdown regulations, with an influx of new entrants to the industry adding to price pressure.
Theft of beehives spikes as demand for pollinators increases
Beekeeping has offered a lifeline to many rural communities, as this essential service allowed them to generate an income during the COVID-19-related lockdown.
Eastern Cape to launch stock theft prevention forum
Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, has called for the establishment of a provincial stock theft prevention forum by mid-October, following a meeting with the National Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (NERPO), during which the problem was highlighted.
R30 million in grazing lost to wildfires in Namibia
A devastating wildfire that raged on 11 farms in the Otjiwarongo district, in the northern part of Namibia late last month, destroyed 30 000ha of grazing over a period of three days.
‘Mini EU trade deal’ brings relief for US lobster exporters
Despite a recent agreement between the EU and the US on lobster tariffs, it is unlikely to be followed soon by similar accords, given transatlantic differences about agriculture, EU vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis has said.
Management shuffle at Agri SA ‘will address SA’s agri risks’
South Africa’s largest commercial farmers’ organisation, Agri SA, has announced changes to its executive leadership, which will see Christo van der Rheede, deputy executive director at Agri SA, replace Omri van Zyl as the new executive director, while Van Zyl will take up the role of CEO for the budding business unit, Agri SA Enterprises.
Land-use change drives drastic biodiversity decline – report
The biodiversity cost of the world’s expanding population and economic output has been significant. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) ‘Living Planet Report 2020’, which was published recently, while more food and energy than ever before were being supplied, the over-exploitation of plants and animals was increasingly eroding nature’s ability to provide them in the future.
