News

The Matlosana Fresh Produce Market, a key trading hub for North West farmers, is on the brink of collapse as the local municipality continues to ignore a court order that requires it to pay market agents within 48 hours.

International auditing systems such as GlobalGAP may soon introduce maximum water-use limits for fresh produce farmers.

The South African Mango Growers’ Association (SAMGA) and the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC) have joined forces to stop the sale of immature ‘achar’ mangoes falsely marketed as ripe fruit.

Zimbabwe has lifted its temporary ban on maize imports from South Africa as it begins to feel the effects of market shortages, a development experts say raises doubts over the government’s claims of a bumper harvest.

The Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency recently signed a memorandum of understanding with African Seeds Group and HelloChoice to boost crop and food production by improving input access, market connectivity, and financial inclusion for smallholder farmers across the province.

The air at Nampo Park near Bothaville in the Free State was filled with the sounds of livestock and the buzz of activity as competitions and demonstrations took centre stage at Nampo Alfa 2025.

At a meeting of the Conservation Agriculture Research Forum on 9 October held in Pretoria, delegates discussed key results from Maize Trust-funded research projects and other conservation agriculture studies managed by Asset Research, an NGO focused on environmental and resource economics.

Far too many conversations about agriculture still happen behind closed doors or on social media, and that’s not the ideal way to solve the sector’s problems, says Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services.

The Lamb Champs 2025 National Champion trophy is a symbol of hard work and passion, and it lays the foundation for an exciting future, says winner Hennie Jonker.

Stellenbosch University will soon institute mandatory ethical animal research training, part of its measures to prevent a repeat of the needless mistreatment of sheep that occurred during a feed study earlier this year.

Onderstepoort Biological Products recently briefed the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture on its financial and operational performance, highlighting significant shortfalls and promising improvements in production efficiency.

Research and student training at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of AgriSciences received a major boost earlier this month with the donation of a Lindsay Zimmatic 9500P centre pivot irrigation system, valued at about R1 million, to the university’s Mariendahl research farm.

Several organisations want the Expropriation Act of 2024 returned to Parliament after President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged some provisions were unconstitutional.

Last week in Willowvale, Eastern Cape, the Imvaba Cooperative Fund delivered 20 heifers and farming equipment to the Nqabarha Cooperative. The fund is run by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation for the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

Since the legalisation of hemp production in 2021, new markets, job creation, and rural growth have not materialised. Of over 1 000 permits issued, few producers are operational, but the industry believes hemp’s potential can be realised with proper support.

Malandela George Mbela will appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court in North West on Wednesday after allegedly attacking and robbing an elderly couple and their daughter on their farm in the Buffelshoek area just over a week ago.

Boxer Superstores hosted a farmers’ day in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal, drawing close to 300 farmers from the area for a full day of practical training, mentorship, and empowerment.

Planting season is here, and unfortunately, so are the seed crime syndicates that are particularly active in North West and the Free State.

The AgriSA Atlas Congress, held in Pretoria, set the stage for renewed focus on resilience, collaboration and practical solutions to South Africa’s most pressing agricultural challenges.

South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen on Wednesday announced a major win for South Africa’s fruit sector as he signed a one-of-a-kind stone fruit trade protocol with China.