Agriculture must extract more benefits from BRICS
Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, highlighted the urgency for the BRICS bloc to deepen economic co-operation, particularly in agriculture during the Farming Forward event hosted by Standard Bank and...
Avocado market access overshadowed by high import barriers
While South Africa faces stiff competition for its avocados in export markets, it is import tariffs and non-tariff barriers that result in the biggest hindrance to our export growth.
Zimbabwe achieves record wheat crop
Zimbabwe has, since the beginning of November, harvested a record 518 502t of wheat from 106 230ha. A total of 119 594ha were planted to wheat this year compared with...
First-ever bird flu case in pigs raises concern in the US
Scientists in the US have expressed concern about the detection of the first case of H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) flu in a pig in that country.
Many South Africans still unable to buy nutritious food
South Africa’s food is among the most affordable in the world, but the economic situation in the country is placing immense financial strain on consumers, making it increasingly challenging for...
SA unlikely to be hit by major locust outbreak
South Africa’s agricultural regions are not expected to see a significant locust outbreak this season, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa.
Agriculture has huge potential for reducing poverty
Growth in agriculture is in general two to three times more effective at reducing poverty than an equivalent amount of growth generated outside agriculture.
Sustainability a reality for wine industry
Wine businesses that ignore Gen Z’s drive for environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles do so at their own peril, says Frans van Wyk, director of Agrifusion.
‘Namibian agriculture needs more resources’ – Calle Schlettwein
Calle Schlettwein, Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, recently called for agriculture to be recognised as a national priority and for resources to be allocated accordingly.
SA’s exploding rat population has worsened since 2016
South Africa is faced with an enormous and ever-increasing rat population that could cause serious diseases such as bubonic fever.
Worst year since 2007 for US maize farmers
The US Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report published on 30 October has indicated that maize farmers could be experiencing their worst year in almost 20 years.
Mid-term budget brings little comfort for sugar cane farmers
Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, delivered the medium-term budget policy statement on Thursday, which was met with mixed reactions from the agriculture sector.
SA red meat consumers want a ‘special eating experience’
It is essential for South African livestock producers to recognise that the consumer is king and that the new generation of red meat buyers have very specific demands. This was...
Zimbabwe commits to grow environmentally friendly tobacco
The Zimbabwean Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) recently announced a number of sustainability measures aimed at minimising the negative impact of tobacco production on the environment. This includes land clearing.
SA strengthens measures to control foot-and-mouth disease
South Africa’s agriculture sector is ramping up biosecurity measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in affected provinces, with North West, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga implementing targeted testing and movement...
Limpopo Premier warns officials against misusing farmer grants
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba is taking decisive action to combat corruption, firmly warning officials to stop diverting drought relief funds meant for struggling farmers.
Can automation alleviate labour shortages on US farms?
A declining interest in farming along with an ageing farmer population in the US have been cited as among the many reasons for the significant shortage of workers in the...
Court says GMO regulator didn’t follow proper procedure
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has put the brakes on the commercial release of Bayer’s drought-tolerant maize variety MON87460, citing that the Department of Agriculture and the Executive Council...
Macadamia growers urged to not rely on China only
The macadamia industry is at risk of repeating past mistakes by once again becoming overly reliant on the Chinese market, which could lead to further disruptions.
Record 2 304 wildfire incidents call for strong intervention
The 2024 wildfire season has officially become the worst in South Africa in the past eight years, with the Working on Fire-Kishugu joint venture having responded to an unprecedented 2...
ADVERTISEMENT
MUST READS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
