Gallery: Good rainfall brings hope for farmers
The recent widespread rain in the western parts of SA’s summer grain production region has changed the scenery from a virtual desert to a lush environment. Annelie Coleman reports.
EU pledges R507 million for agriculture in Liberia
The European Union (EU) has announced funding of €35 million (about R507 million) for agricultural development in Liberia, as well as support for the country’s General Auditing Commission (GAC).
World record achieved on National Rooibos Day
On 16 January, 1 246 tea lovers sipped their way into setting a world record to celebrate National Rooibos Day.
Intermediary programmes can be helpful for emerging farmers
The Land Bank has urged emerging farmers to make use of its financial services intermediary partners.
Outbreak of fall armyworm threatens Zimbabwean maize harvest
Zimbabwe is currently battling an outbreak of armyworm that has affected seven of the country’s eight rural provinces.
Tractor, harvester sales down
An agricultural economist has described national agricultural machinery sales for December 2016 and the 2016 calendar year as painting a “mixed picture”.
Botswana faces fresh produce shortage
The shortage of a variety of fresh produce, much of it usually imported from South Africa, is due to a self-imposed import ban.
DAFF lifts pork export ban on Brazil
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has lifted the export ban on the South American country.
SA celebrates first National Rooibos day
Clanwilliam, referred to by some locals as the ‘Rooibos Capital of the World’, will host South Africa’s first Rooibos Day on 16 January.
Good prices at opening wool sale
The first South African wool sale of 2017 year got off to a promising start, according to Cape Wools. The company’s Merino indicator increased by 761 points to close the day at R154,54 (clean), up 9% on the corresponding sale last year.
Chinese nationals implicated in Namibian wildlife crime
Acting on behalf of 40 local environmental organisations, the Namibia Chamber of Environment has sent an open letter to the Chinese embassy in Windhoek, bemoaning the fact that some Chinese nationals continue to show a blatant disregard of Namibia’s legal and environmental values, said organisation CEO Dr Chris Brown.
Transparency in water quality reports
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has requested the re-release of reports that investigated water quality, water loss and compliance. The reports were previously released to the public, but were now confidential.
Possible inflation relief for lower-income groups in 2017
An alleviation of drought conditions could slow down food price inflation, bringing relief to lower- income groups in 2017, according to an FNB report.
Free State farmers still affected by drought conditions
Some parts of the southern Free State remain desperately dry, according to a Free State Agriculture statement
High yields expected in summer grain production region
The rain that occurred over South Africa’s summer grain region has improved production conditions vastly compared with December 2016.
Fishing company interdicts DAFF on inshore trawl permits
An interdict reportedly granted by the Western Cape High Court has temporarily prevented the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) from issuing permits to existing and new rights holders for South Africa’s inshore trawl fishery for hake and sole.
Arson suspected in Drakenstein fires
Farmers in the Western Cape municipality believe the fires that have hit the area over the past five days were set on purpose…
Rain brings partial relief to Namibia and Botswana
Good rains were reported in Namibia during the first week of January, but the rains were sporadic and some parts of the country remained desperately dry, said Sakkie Coetzee, CEO of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) CEO.
Outlook: Uncertainty about potato production in 2017
The past two years were likely to be remembered as some of the most challenging times for South Africa’s potato production industry.
Wildfire on the Helderberg Mountain contained
The wildfire raging on the Helderberg Mountain near Somerset West has been contained, but firefighters remain on the scene, according to fire and rescue spokesperson, Theo Layne.
