Coordinated effort needed to speed up land reform
Government should put aside its concerns that speeding up land reform might deter potential and existing investors. Prioritising land reform, albeit in an “orderly manner”, was necessary to address imbalances in the country’s land ownership.
Australia launches National Agriculture Day
The Australian government has expressed the hope that the introduction of the National Agriculture Day would cultivate greater appreciation for farmers and the farming sector among all Australians.
Agri sector reacts to Ramaphosa’s election as ANC president
The agricultural sector will have to wait and see what the newly elected ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa, will prioritise in terms of the sector, as he is obliged to implement ANC policy, especially land policy.
Follow-up rain urgently needed in western summer grain areas
Grain producers in the western parts of SA’s summer grain production region were in urgent need of rain to start planting for the 2017/2018 production season, according to a Grain SA (GSA) statement.
Travellers urged to declare agricultural products
With the summer holiday season in full swing, travellers to the country are urged to declare all agricultural products to avoid exotic pests and diseases being introduced to South Africa that could threaten the agriculture sector and the environment.
African agribusinesses seek stable investment environments
While many African agribusinesses are keen to expand their operations into other countries on the continent, they reportedly remain wary of doing so.
Good summer rain boosts tractor sales
The prospect of a promising summer rainfall season has resulted in a 24,9% year-on-year increase in tractor sales for November.
Female farmer makes top three in SAB KickStart Boost
Zama Buthelezi may only have started farming late in life, but she’s one of the top three in this year’s SAB KickStart Boost programme, and says there’s no doubt that farming is a calling.
Project Rhino K9 Unit urgently seeks funding
A new K9 unit, established by Project Rhino to tackle wildlife crime in KwaZulu-Natal, needs approximately R1,2 million in funds to continue operating over the course of 2018.
Senwes’ interim gross profit increases 60%
Senwes announced a profit after tax of R144,9 million in its interim financial statements for the period May to October 2017. This was an increase of 60,7% compared with the previous year.
R1 billion boost for Namibian agriculture
The African Development Bank Group (ADBG) has approved a R1 billion loan to finance Namibia’s Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed Improvement Project.
How global trends will affect local agriculture
Speaking at the recent Agbiz media day held in Pretoria, Agbiz CEO John Purchase, said the local agricultural sector was operating in a challenging and complex global economy.
Egg price expected to rise 20% due to tight supplies
South African consumers should brace themselves for a steep hike in the price of eggs, according to Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Business.
Explore Conservation Champion wine farms with new app
The World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA) has introduced a free mobile app that helps users to explore Conservation Champion wine farms.
Response team investigates source of listeriosis deaths
Thirty-six people have died out of more than 500 confirmed cases of listeriosis, a food-borne bacterial disease, in South Africa this year.
Second consecutive quarter of agricultural growth for SA
The expansion in South Africa’s agricultural sector during the third quarter of 2017, the second consecutive quarter of growth, contributed significantly to the 2% growth which the country’s economy showed during the period under review.
#WorldSoilDay: Soil conservation is everyone’s responsibility
It is the daily responsibility of every South African farmer and resident to conserve the country’s precious soil resources.
Farmers urged to be on the lookout during snakebite season
The 2017/18 snakebite season was not yet in full swing yet a number of serious snakebites had already occurred.
Western Cape drought: province entering unchartered water
The drought in the Western Cape was becoming a colossal challenge as the province headed into uncharted waters. This was according to the WWF’s Fresh Water senior manager, Christine Colvin.
Agribusiness confidence index hits negative territory
After being positive for the previous five consecutive quarters, the general confidence of South Africa’s agribusiness sector slipped five points into negative territory in the fourth quarter of 2017.
