Latest articles
Lower dam levels not yet cause for concern – economists
Rainfall prospects to replenish the water levels of some of South Africa’s dams, which have been dipping below the levels recorded at the same time last year, are not looking promising at least until the end of November.
‘Struggle’ continues for Lesotho wool and mohair producers
Lesotho’s wool and mohair producers have only benefitted slightly from the government’s recent decision to allow other wool and mohair auctioneers and brokers to start competing with the Lesotho Wool Centre.
‘Negligent municipalities will be held to task’ – minister
Sustainable water use, access to water, and transformation were some of the main challenges facing the water sector, according to Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation.
Load-shedding poses threat to irrigated crops in central SA
Ongoing load-shedding could have a catastrophic impact on irrigated crops in central South Africa, according to agricultural leaders in the region.
50 000 visitors for Poland’s largest food fair
More than 50 000 visitors attended the recent Polagra Food and Polagra Tech International Trade Fair for food and catering products, as well as food technology, held at the Poznań International Fair showgrounds in Poland.
Heatwave set to hit quantity and quality of agri produce
Widespread heatwave conditions are expected across large parts of South Africa from Friday, affecting agricultural output and the quality of fresh produce and grazing.
Warming climate puts trendy Austrian wine at risk
One of the world’s trendiest wines, Grὕner Veltliner, produced in vineyards on the hills surrounding the town of Langenlois in Lower Austria, is under threat from a rapidly changing climate.
Stone fruit production set to increase, despite drought
The South African stone fruit industry is forecasting improved volumes for the 2019/2020 season compared with last year.
Crippling livestock losses due to Namibian drought – reports
Extreme drought conditions have reportedly claimed the lives of more than 60 000 head of livestock in Namibia so far this year. This is according to Namibian media reports citing Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Alpheus !Naruseb.
World Food Day focuses on healthy diets for a #zerohunger world
This year’s World Food Day, to be celebrated on 16 October, marks the 74th anniversary of the founding of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
Below-normal summer rain predicted as dam levels decrease
Although water supply scenarios for much of the country are currently deemed comfortable, forecasts of a chance of below-normal rainfall for early summer do not bode well for parts of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo where rivers are reportedly drying up.
World Egg Day: celebrating the many benefits of the egg
Today – 11 October - marks World Egg Day, a global salute to the health benefits and versatility of the egg. The theme of the campaign is ‘Eat your egg today and every day’.
‘Crime and drought must not let farmers lose hope’ – Didiza
Safety and security on farms continues to be one of the main challenges that the South African farming sector has to grapple with, especially crimes such as stock theft and attacks on farmers and farmworkers.
Global food price index up 3,3% year to year
September’s global Food Price Index remained unchanged from August at nearly 170 points, but was 3,3% higher than the corresponding period in 2018.
Northern Cape welcomes R30 million in drought aid
Agri Northern Cape welcomed the announcement by Deputy President David Mabuza that R30 million would be made available for the procurement and distribution of animal feed to the drought-stricken province, said Nicol Jansen, Agri Northern Cape president.
Didiza refuses local triple-stacked GM maize seed release
Reactions have been mixed to news that South Africa’s minister of agriculture Thoko Didiza has upheld previous refusals to allow the general release of Bayer’s triple-stacked genetically modified (GM) maize seed technology for production in the country.
Most farm attacks in Free State farms occur over weekends
Most farm murders and attacks in the Free State over the past six months have occurred on or near weekends, according to Dr Jane Buys, a security risk analyst at Free State Agriculture (FSA).
Farmer protest brings traffic to a standstill in The Hague
Farmers in the Netherlands caused an unprecedented traffic jam as they converged on The Hague in their tractors last week to protest against Dutch Liberal Party MP Tjeert de Groot calling for livestock production in the country to be halved.
Thabethe did not want investigators to meet Estina alone
Former HOD of the Free State department of agriculture Peter Thabethe was questioned by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Friday about why he was not willing to give permission for National Treasury investigators to meet with Estina role players.
Below-average rainfall spells tough season ahead for Western Cape
Large parts of the Western Cape are still not out of trouble after the 2019 rainy season, and will have to face yet another tough year. This was according to Jannie Strydom, the CEO of Agri Western Cape.
