Citrus gets quality boost through tighter regulation
South Africa’s citrus industry is set to receive a boost in quality as stricter laws for propagation are tabled. The Citrus Improvement Scheme(CIS) will soon be promulgated after undergoing a two-decade process of consultation in the industry.
World Rhino Day celebrates an increase in rhino numbers
The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) has translocated 230 rhinos to create 15 new black rhino populations on sites in South Africa and Malawi over the past 20 years.
Arsonists allegedly behind many of the veldfires
South Africa’s organised agricultural structures are extremely concerned about evidence that a huge proportion of veldfires that occurred in the country so far this year were caused wilfully and deliberately.
Agribusiness confidence on the mend
Following three consecutive quarters of depressed sentiment, the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index rebounded by 6 points from the second quarter to the neutral 50-point mark in the third quarter.
Harnessing biodiversity for economic growth
Entrepreneurs from all over the continent and government officials came together to discuss how to harness Africa's rich biodiversity and indigenous plant resources to create opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for a more sustainable economy at the African Bio Trade Festival from 14 to 16 September.
Zimbabwe aims to grow a biodiversity economy
In an effort to mainstream the value and contribution of nature in development planning and policy development, the Zimbabwean Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality, supported by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), recently announced the landmark Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy report.
‘Important to reduce the risk of another listeriosis outbreak’
Food safety and proper food handling at all stages of the value chain are paramount in ensuring that contamination and the spread of foodborne diseases such as listeriosis is avoided in South Africa.
Nematode infestations on the rise
Nematode populations in South Africa appear to be increasing in both prevalence and species type. Farmers are therefore cautioned to implement full integrated pest management strategies to prevent total crop losses.
Italy overtaken by France as largest wine producer
The wine lobby groups UIV and Assoenologi in Italy said earlier this week that the country’s wine production was expected to decline by 12% to less than 44 million hectolitres this year.
Zambia aims to raise honey exports to the EU and elsewhere
Zambia’s North-Western Province, near the border with Angola, is known as the country’s top honey-producing region because of its woodlands that sustain bees and beekeeping.
Cold weather hits large parts of South Africa
The cold conditions in various parts is not expected to cause big agriculture-related losses for now.
Simbra bull sets new SA record of R550 000
The Simbra bull JM 18 022 (‘JacMar Buffel’) recently set a new South African record for the breed when he was sold for R550 000.
Hundreds of thousands of hectares lost to veld fires in North West
About 600 000ha in the North West have been lost to veld fires since the beginning of August. According to Naude Pienaar, assistant general manager of Agri North West, a large percentage of these fires had been caused by arson. Four people had also lost their lives in the veld fires.
Insurance is part of managing risks in the grain industry
The primary focus of insurance is the protection of property, products and people. But insurance, especially in the grain storage sector, can be complicated. This topic was discussed during the Grain and Oilseed Value Chain Symposium panel discussion recently hosted by Agbiz Grain.
New Zealand livestock numbers fall as forestry conversions rise
A new study by Beef and Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has shown that changes in land usage, including the conversion of farmland to forestry plantations, is continuing to have an impact on livestock numbers in New Zealand.
Grain sector needs to don thinking caps to address traceability challenges
Over the past two decades, increasing consumer demand for a reliable and consistently safe supply of food products have necessitated that food sources should be traceable.
Experts address challenges in grain market
Access to available grain stock, the risk of volume concentration, price convergence and failing infrastructure were some of the challenges that were highlighted during the panel discussion of the second day of the Grain and Oilseeds Value Chain Symposium held in Pretoria.
Primestars celebrates nine years of youth entrepreneurship
Step Up 2A Start Up, the Primestars youth entrepreneurship initiative, celebrated its ninth year of operation at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on Tuesday 5, September.
‘Small changes in grain storage sector needed to ensure profitability’
During the first day of the Agbiz Grain Symposium, a panel discussed the various aspects that influence the sustainability of the grain storage sector in light of current and future demands for storage, infrastructural challenges and return on investment made by elevator owners.
Poultry industry faces mounting losses amid bird flu outbreaks
The South African Poultry Association (SA Poultry) is concerned about the impact that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks might have on poultry producers and its effect on the supply chain.
