Potandon introduces light-blocking potato bags
US potato and onion supplier and distributor, Potandon Produce, has launched a range of light-blocking potato bags.
Rise in stock theft this festive season – be vigilant
Free State Agriculture (FSA) and the VKB/FSA Safety Desk have urged farmers to become more vigilant in the run-up to the festive season, as livestock theft is on the rise.
Cautious optimism despite drought, political uncertainty
The latest Agribusiness Confidence Index for the fourth quarter of 2016 shows that agribusinesses still hold a relatively optimistic view about business conditions in South Africa.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park defends estuary management plan
Management of northern KwaZulu-Natal’s 332 000ha World Heritage Site iSimangaliso Wetland Park has strenuously defended itself against criticism from the likes of well-known conservationist Wally Menne, as well as from residents living in and around iSimangaliso.
SA imports less poultry from the US than expected
South Africa has thus far imported lower volumes of poultry from the US than anticipated under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) agreement.
Hope leaves a legacy for other rhinos
The seven-year-old white rhino, who survived a brutal attack in the Eastern Cape in April 2015, passed away this week.
Investment in agriculture could boost growth in Central Asia
Policy reviews published recently by the UN suggest former Soviet Union countries Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan could boost growth and create more jobs by attracting investment into their agriculture, textile and tourism sectors.
Corruption will not be tolerated – Mlengana
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) will not tolerate fraud or corruption. This was according to DAFF’s director-general, Mike Mlengana, who was speaking at the recent launch of DAFF’s annual report for the 2015/2016 financial year.
Young Nigerian awarded for food-saving innovation
A software engineer from Nigeria has won an international award for his cloud-based application that automatically notifies food retailers of food products approaching the end of their shelf-life. This allows the retailers to offer discounts to charities.
Fuel price decrease expected in December
Agbiz economist, Wandile Sihlobo, said the price of petrol could fall by 45c/l, while the price of diesel could drop by 39c/l on 7 December.
Sound grazing management crucial after the first rains
Grazing should be managed carefully after the good rains that were recently reported in the summer rainfall region, according to George le Roux, Senwes rangeland specialist.
DAFF encourages use of Marketing Information Systems
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has encouraged individuals to use its web-based information tool, Marketing Information Systems (MIS).
Rain and hail causes damage to crops in the Free State
Heavy hail and rain caused serious damage to farms in the Gothenburg area of the Heilbron district, with the area reportedly receiving 260mm of rain within 24 hours.
Ghana’s rice industry needs investment
Ghana’s rice industry has called on the private sector to invest more in domestic rice production in the form of machinery and logistics to complement government’s efforts to develop the country’s rice value chain, according to GhanaWeb.
Intensified rabies vaccination campaign in Krugersdorp
Gauteng’s state and private veterinarians have united in an effort to eradicate rabies in Krugersdorp West by offering free rabies inoculations throughout November.
Concern about declining Western Cape dam levels
The Western Cape government and Agri Western Cape have expressed concern about the province’s dam levels falling to below 60%, while farm dam levels were on average 30% lower than the same time last year. Dam levels were at 69,5 % for the corresponding period last year.
Public comment invited on game meat regulations
The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana has invited public comment on the new draft Game Meat Regulations, set out in terms of section 12 of the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000).
Makro increases its solar energy harvesting capacity
Warehouse-based retail chain, Makro, is growing its installation and utilisation of environmentally-friendly technologies by installing 1 720 photovoltaic (PV) solar energy panels at its Woodmead store in Gauteng.
Trump’s presidency could be bad for SA agriculture
Some bad surprises might be in store for exporters of agricultural products from South Africa to the US if the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, makes good on campaign promises to implement more protectionist trade policies.
DAFF minister settles horse mackerel court case
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Senzeni Zokwana has reportedly decided to settle in a legal matter brought by the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) and its supporters against his department.
