News

While cattle farmers in Botswana have welcomed the government's decision to reduce foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) slaughter restrictions, they warn that months without income, limited market access, and a growing backlog of slaughter-ready cattle mean the financial fallout from the outbreak is far from over.

The rapid evolution of drone technology is creating new possibilities for South African agriculture, but widespread adoption will depend on convincing data, practical support, and an enabling regulatory environment before drones become mainstream farming tools.

More than 260 exhibitors took part in the 2026 ADMA Agri Show in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 4 to 6 June, showcasing livestock, inputs, agricultural machinery, and equipment.

After months of escalating poaching that has decimated wildlife populations, caused livestock losses, and forced farmers to spend thousands of pula on security, prison sentences recently handed down to poachers have raised hopes that Botswana’s courts are beginning to take wildlife crime more seriously.

South African livestock producers will soon have an additional route to access foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines after government approved a supplementary private veterinary procurement channel that will allow registered private veterinarians to obtain vaccines directly from authorised importers.

Transnet and the Western Cape Government have said that targeted operational interventions and stronger collaboration are beginning to yield results at the Port of Cape Town, even though it was placed last in the latest global port rankings.

South African farmers will receive a much-needed boost to their production costs from 1 July, with the latest fuel price adjustments delivering one of the biggest diesel price reductions in recent years.

The Department of Agriculture is developing a comprehensive National Beekeeping Strategy aimed at tackling some of the biggest threats facing the country’s honey and pollination industries, including bee diseases, declining forage, weak regulatory frameworks, and limited market access.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Willie Aucamp as South Africa's new minister of agriculture, tasking him with leading the sector through the country's worst foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in decades and a far-reaching animal health reform programme.

Pollination should be recognised as essential agricultural infrastructure rather than a niche environmental service if South Africa is to remain competitive in global markets, then Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said at the South African Bee Industry Organisation's BeeCon 2026 event in North West on 30 June.

Zimbabwe has set a target to increase sugar cane yields by 35%, aiming to lift national averages from 81t/ha to 110t/ha as part of its Sugarcane Industry Development Plan (2026–2035).

Thousands of visitors attend the Spar Kirkwood Wildsfees every year for music, food, and family entertainment, but organisers say the festival's greatest value lies beyond the main stage, creating opportunities for agriculture, conservation, tourism, and rural economic development.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has allocated R424,1 million towards strengthening the province’s farming sector during the 2026/27 financial year, with infrastructure development, production support, and agro-processing identified as key priorities.

At the Livestock Global Forum 2026, held on 22 June in Pretoria, Gauteng, experts from around the world discussed whether South Africa’s livestock industry is positioned to compete in increasingly demanding international markets, with much of the focus on the beef industry.

Industry role players say government’s decision to reject Grain SA’s proposed changes to the wheat import tariff system will leave wheat producers operating under conditions that have long eroded profitability.

Lucerne Fields, the Tuli Block farming business behind Botswana's B-Fresh vegetable brand, recently celebrated 15 years of carrot production by opening its farm to its trade partners. The event showcased the investments and innovations that have transformed the business into Botswana's leading carrot producer.

South African livestock producers affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks could soon see less severe economic disruption after the Department of Agriculture announced new national control measures to simplify outbreak management while protecting the country’s livestock industry and export markets.

At the Madibeng Agri Youth Day on 23 June in Brits, North West, young people were encouraged not to wait for access to land, funding, or government grants before entering the agriculture sector but to instead build their businesses step by step.

Regional trade, industrial development, and economic integration will take centre stage when South Africa hosts the 9th Summit of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State or Government in Cape Town on 26 June.

Farmers will not gamble on unfamiliar inputs without proof. During a panel discussion at the Bio360 Africa expo and conference, industry stakeholders agreed that trust, data, and collaboration will determine whether biochar moves from a niche product to a mainstream soil solution.