News

Despite years of engagement with authorities, many roads in Limpopo still remain in disrepair. This was according to Deidre Carter, CEO of Agri Limpopo.

The imbalances in the South African economy must be addressed as a matter of urgency, and particularly so in the agriculture sector, according to John Steenhuisen, minister of the Department of Agriculture.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2025 highlighted key interventions aimed at strengthening South Africa's agriculture sector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the Expropriation Bill into law, concluding a five-year process. The amended Expropriation Act has sparked widespread debate, with some strongly opposing it while others view it more favourably.

Apple and pear exports are expected to increase this year on the back of new orchards coming into production, improved varieties and favourable weather.

South Africa's agricultural trade with its neighbouring countries has faced significant challenges over the past few years, particularly with import restrictions imposed on the country by Namibia and Botswana.

South African households spend roughly R76 out of every R100 on housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, food and non-alcoholic beverages, transportation and insurance, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in its latest insights report into household income and expenditure, ‘Income and Expenditure Survey of Households 2022/2023’.

From 1 April this year, consumers will be paying more for electricity, thanks to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) recently granting Eskom permission to hike prices by 12,74%.

Farmer’s Weekly asked leading agricultural role players about their expectations for the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 6 February, as well as their views on government's progress in delivering on promises made during SONA 2024.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has cut interest rates by 25 basis points, taking the repo rate down to 7,5% and the prime lending rate down to 11%.

The current fly outbreak in Gauteng is not an isolated incident, and outbreaks have been reported across all parts of South Africa, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa.

Nonceba Kontsiwe, Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture, called on farmers to expand their operations and venture into the entire red meat value chain to make a meaningful impact on the economy.

Speakers highlighted ways to improve farmer resilience in a bid to future-proof the wine industry at the recent Vinpro Nedbank Producer Day 2025, entitled ‘Navigating Climate Chaos’.

Zimbabwe is to conduct its first National Agricultural and Livestock Census (NALC) since the country’s independence in 1980, with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

High-ranking rhino horn trafficker, Francis Kipampa of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, recently received an 18-year prison sentence for money laundering offences related to rhino poaching.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report shows that respondents are concerned about extreme weather and conflict in the present, short and long terms.

The Expropriation Bill has reignited discussions on land reform and its potential impacts on food security, property rights, and agricultural productivity. This follows its signing into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 23 January, concluding a two-decade-long effort to address historical land injustices.

Due to outbreaks of Goss’s bacterial wilt (Clovibacter michiganensis subsp. Nebraskensis) and bud rot of palms (Phytophthora palmivora) in South Africa, Botswana’s Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (MLA) recently suspended imports of certain commodities from South Africa.

South Africa’s agritourism sector saw rising interest from the youth, city dwellers and families over the past festive season, according to Jacqui Taylor, CEO and founder of Agritourism Africa.

Financing for and investment in regenerative agriculture in South Africa are currently lagging behind what is happening in the rest of the world.