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SONA 2020: Ramaphosa vows to fix the fundamentals
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that critical action would be taken this year to build a capable state and place South Africa’s economy on a path of inclusive growth.
India reports crop damage as locust plague spreads to Asia
Crop losses of up to 33% have been reported after locust swarms invaded more than 168 000ha of farmland in India, with the provinces of Rajasthan and Gujarat worst hit, according to local media reports.
Tongaat Hulett confirms mothballing of Darnall Sugar Mill
Tongaat Hulett Limited has confirmed that it will be mothballing its Darnall Sugar Mill in an effort to secure the long-term sustainability of the company.
‘Drought resulted in wine imports’
South African wine cellars and traders imported more than 40 million litres of wine during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons to make up for local shortfalls resulting from the
drought in the Western Cape.
Agri SA calls on Ramaphosa to ‘stop talking and take action’
The agriculture sector has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to focus on the issues that will enable South Africa to bounce back from slow economic recovery and lack of service delivery when he presents his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday.
AFGRI boss off to pursue ‘food security passion’
The long-time CEO of AFGRI Group Holdings, Chris Venter, has indicated that his recent resignation will allow him the opportunity to further pursue his passion of promoting food security.
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.
Tongaat Hulett clawing its way out of financial peril
Tongaat Hulett Limited has made some positive progress in its efforts to dig itself out of the precarious financial position that the company found itself in recent years.
Avian flu outbreak exacerbates coronavirus woes in China
Chinese authorities have reported an outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 avian flu on a farm near Shaoyang in the southern province of Hunan.
‘Below-normal rainfall could negatively affect summer crops’
The below-normal rainfall expected across South Africa between February and April this year could have a negative impact on the growth of summer crops as well as dam levels, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
Volatile tomato prices ascribed to ‘extreme weather’
The tomato price increased more than 80% week-on-week in the week ending 24 January, and was up more than 57% year-on-year, according to the Absa Fresh Produce Market Trends report.
Rift Valley fever, African armyworm alert for farmers
Livestock producers have been advised to take all possible steps to prevent Rift Valley fever outbreaks in the areas were high rainfall was recorded late last year and early this year.
5 200 weaner calf net R54 million in video sale
What is being described as possibly the largest ever weaner calf sale in the country, has highlighted how a digital sales platform can be used to trade large numbers of cattle quickly and easily.
Low disease and frost resistance for EU crops due to hot weather
Near-record high temperatures in areas of western and central Europe early in the season have resulted in an increased risk of pests and diseases in the region’s already delayed grains crops.
Call for permanent ban on wildlife trade in China
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has welcomed the recent decision by Chinese authorities to temporarily ban the trade in wild animals to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
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.
‘ANC must urgently clarify latest land expropriation proposal’
Land reform experts are calling on the ANC to urgently clarify its recent surprise announcement that it intends to push for expropriation without compensation (EWC) decisions to vest with the South African President and Cabinet instead of the courts.
Fall armyworm outbreaks in Mpumalanga and KZN
Serious damage to grain fields due to fall armyworm (FAW) infestations has to date been reported in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and northern KwaZulu-Natal in the 2019/2020 production season, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife SA’s operations and stewardship manager.
US agri commodity prices to remain under pressure in 2020
After US farmers faced a challenging year in 2019, there was cautious optimism that the prices of maize, soya bean and wheat could receive a boost from the new trade agreement signed by China and the US last week.
Low CPI reflects sluggish economy – economist
Consumer price inflation increased slightly from November to December 2019, but still remained at its lowest level in nearly a decade, and was expected to remain low throughout 2020.
