Latest articles
R750 000 from Shoprite for farm worker competition
The Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year competition has received a huge boost from Shoprite.
R10 million for rural youth
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has set aside R10 million towards the support of rural co-ops to help stimulate the growth and development of the agriculture sector in rural areas.
ANC MPs fail own labour bill
The DA hopes to see changes made to the Labour Relations Amendment Bill after MPs’ poor attendance in parliament clouded the vote to pass the act. Denene Erasmus reports.
SA tourism, wine industry can benefit from sparkling wine route
South Africa produces around 4% of the world's wine and is ranked as number seven in overall volume production.
SA yellow maize in high demand
Exports of white and yellow maize have traded places in the past three weeks, with SA’s yellow maize finding favour with markets in the East.
Fuel increase shock
The depreciation of the rand forced the Department of Energy to announce an increase in the price of diesel by 78c/l from Wednesday next week.
‘Unrealistic’ wage increases may destabilise rural areas, warns FSA
Dan Kriek, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), has expressed concern about the impact of unrealistic wage increases on the social-economic stability of the province’s rural areas.
East Griqualand farmers ‘thrilled’ by rate re-think
Farmers in the Greater Kokstad Municipality (GKM) in KwaZulu-Natal scored a victory recently when their municipality changed its mind about increasing agricultural land rates by 13%.
Larger Spring Show expected this year
Organisers of The Spring Show at the Tshwane Events Centre (previously the Pretoria show grounds) from 28 August to 1 September are confident that this year’s event will outperform last year’s in terms of breeder, visitor and exhibitor numbers.
These markets are closed to farmers
Much has changed since 1994, but there has been no breakthrough in improving access to markets.
Tackling certification for small timber farmers
SA’s timber industry is making headway with introducing a group Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme to community-owned and small-scale timber plantations.
Emerging livestock farmers ask for more support
The agriculture department is making slow progress in developing a support strategy for emerging livestock farmers.
Department not transparent – Wallmansthal community
Allegations have been levelled against officials of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), of deliberately holding up the settlement of the Wallmansthal land claim for personal gain.
Vaccine shortages problematic
Farmers are apparently struggling to obtain various vaccines that should be manufactured and distributed by government’s Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP).
Heatonville farmer suspected of contracting rabies
An unnamed farmer in the Heatonville area of northern KwaZulu-Natal has reportedly been admitted to a private hospital, after possibly having contracted rabies.
Improve farmer support first – industry
Researchers and other agriculture stakeholders say support services to small-scale farmers and beneficiaries of land reform should be strengthened before government reopens land claims.
Government interference hampers farming – Pringle
The hostile interference of government in agriculture was the main contributor to making the past year one of the most difficult ever for the industry.
Dairy – room for growth
Prices in the dairy sector – one of the fastest-growing industries in the world – are expected to remain flat in 2013, according to Alwyn Kraamwinkel, Sampro CEO. Robyn Joubert reports.
Timber projects tackle unemployment
Poverty and unemployment, especially in rural areas, are some of SA’s main challenges.
