COP27: Climate-proofing agriculture to enhance food security

Agricultural systems will have to change to adapt to climate change and improve food security. This was the message that emerged from delegates at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly referred to as COP27, held at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.

Olives: The fruit of Italy’s migrant exploitation

One of the finest table olive varieties in the world, Nocellara del Belice, is grown in the olive groves near the town of Campobello di Mazara on the Italian island of Sicily.

Mynah population surges in Kruger National Park

The rapid increase in the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Indian mynah (Acridotheres tristis) population is disturbing, according to Dr Llewellyn Foxcroft, a scientist with the South African National Parks based in the park.

Another bumper grain harvest forecast for 2022/23

Data on farmers’ summer crop planting intentions for the 2022/23 season point to yet another large harvest, according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz.

New initiative to increase milk production in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean government has announced a strategic initiative to help fill the gap between milk supply and demand in that country.

Fears of egg shortage in the UK as farmers’ input costs soar

Egg producers in the UK are being forced to reduce the size of their flocks, with some leaving the industry altogether as soaring production costs make their businesses unviable.

‘Tractor sales soar as farmers recover from drought’

Although the tractor sales figures for October released by the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) on Monday (7 November) were the highest in 40 years, this was probably based on “necessity, rather than extravagance”, according to Derek Matthews, chairperson of Grain SA, who said that “after several years of drought, many farmers had delayed replacing tractors.”

‘Adverse consequences of lion cub petting’

The petting of captive bred lion cubs has become an enormous problem in South Africa. This was according to Reinet Meyer, a chief inspector at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the society’s branch manager in Bloemfontein.

Land Bank interventions showing positive results

For the first time in two years, the Land Bank has achieved a “clean audit”, after also posting a profit of R1,31 billion for the 2021/2022 financial year.

Rampant crime in Lesotho-border region takes its toll on farmers

Those farming alongside South Africa’s border with Lesotho have been forsaken by the South African government, according to Dr Jane Buys, Free State Agriculture’s (FSA) safety risk analyst.

‘Social media undermining elephant conservation’

Skewed social media messages about elephants and conservation are leading to greater destruction of the environment, according to Deon Furstenburg, an independent wildlife scientist and consultant to Wildlife Ranching South Africa.

Ukraine’s grain exports back on track after tense standoff

After announcing its withdrawal from the ‘Black Sea grain initiative’ on 29 October, Russia will rejoin a UN-backed agreement to allow the exporting of grain from Ukraine via a safe Black Sea corridor, with shipments expected to resume in the week of 31 October.

‘Captive lion industry a conduit for illegal wildlife trade’

A newly released report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has uncovered new evidence that the bones and body parts of captive lions bred in South Africa are being traded to Asia in large numbers.

Agri value chain reeling from spiking diesel prices

On the eve of yet another fuel price hike, this time in early November, farmers in the eastern parts of South Africa were scrambling to secure adequate volumes of diesel in order to be able to plant their crops. This was according to Henry Geldenhuys, a grain producer near Ermelo and president of TLU SA.