Marginal uptick in South Africa’s agribusiness confidence
South Africa’s agribusinesses are slightly more optimistic about current business conditions in South Africa.
‘Growing the agri value chain through partnerships’
Partnership linkages are required throughout the agricultural value chain to ensure that the sector contributes to the growth of the economy.
‘No clarity on gun licences for the foreseeable future’
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has referred the draft notice declaring an amnesty on firearms back to Police Minister Bheki Cele for reconsideration.
SA farmers concerned about live cattle exports from Botswana
The South African Red Meat Producers' Organisation (RPO) has expressed serious concern about the announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture in Botswana that the country will be opening its borders to live cattle exports with immediate effect.
‘Land to be restituted, not redistributed’ – Mabuza
The 278 parcels of land mentioned by Deputy President David Mabuza during follow-up questions in a National Council of Provinces session in Parliament on Wednesday were intended for restitution purposes, not redistribution.
Farm murders down, but stock theft on the increase – SAPS
“Although [the current] farm murder rate is among the lowest recorded in the past few years, the reality remains that 47 murders are still 47 too many,” according to Tommie Esterhuyse, chairperson of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence: Rural Safety.
SA’s Brahman council clamps down on ‘show-ring cheats’
The council of the Brahman Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa has condemned the actions of a small group of Brahman stud breeders, who allegedly altered the birthdates of some of their cattle to give them an unfair advantage in the show ring.
Combine harvester sales run out of steam in August
No combine harvesters were sold in South Africa during August, compared with the nine sold in August 2018, according to the latest statistics from the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA).
Southern Cape urgently needs follow-up rain – Grain SA
Winter grain producers in the Southern Cape urgently need follow-up rain to ensure a good 2019 winter grain harvest.
Violence takes a toll on farmers – agri associations
Agri SA and the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) have called on government to step up action against escalating violence currently evident across South Africa.
Assistance for landowners to eradicate invasive alien plants
Clearing invasive species from a hectare of land could easily cost a landowner between R12 000 and 15 000, according to Cobus Meiring of the secretariat of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative.
Agriculture performs poorly despite 3,1% GDP growth
Statistics South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) data for the second quarter of the year showed a growth of 3,1%, driven by mining, finance, trade and government services.
Government leaders intervene in KZN community land conflicts
Leaders in both national and provincial government spheres have stepped in to try to resolve ongoing conflicts within two separate KwaZulu-Natal communities over agricultural land acquired through the land restitution programme.
Calling all small-scale black sorghum farmers
Grant funding is now available from the Diageo Empowerment Trust South Africa (DETSA) for developing black sorghum farmers across South Africa to supply United National Breweries.
SA consumers set to face further food price pressure
Food inflation is set to increase in the short term due to various macro-economic indicators, which means that South African consumers can expect further food price increases.
Small-scale operations most susceptible to African swine fever
The South African government and the organised pig farming sector are working closely together to prevent highly contagious and often fatal African swine fever (ASF) from potentially wiping out the pig population of informal and small-scale producers.
‘Civil servants lax to assist drought-stricken farmers’
Almost the entire western part of the Eastern Cape was being affected by devastating drought conditions that started five years ago, said Doug Stern, president of Agri Eastern Cape.
Agri industries record far better growth than SA economy
The growth of the primary agriculture sector in South Africa is far outstripping the economic growth of the country as a whole.
New African swine fever outbreak in Gauteng
Gauteng’s Department of Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment is scrambling to contain yet another outbreak of African swine fever (ASF).
Empowering small-scale women farmers in SA
The Women Farmers Programme, piloted in 2018 by the Vodacom Foundation in partnership with UN Women and South African Women in Farming (SAWIF), was formally launched in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
