South Africa

Levels of E. coli in catchment areas in Gauteng have been increasing and could affect agricultural crop production, according to Lebogang Maile, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, has formally launched the national Wheat Breeding Platform (WBP) at the Welgevallen Experimental Farm near Stellenbosch.

Agriculture shed 25 000 jobs in the third quarter (Q3), having cut 84 000 jobs in the first half of 2017, according to figures released by Statistics SA.

A land audit conducted by Agri SA and Agri Development Solutions has provided new figures for land ownership changes between 1994 and 2017.

Thousands of people took part in a peaceful protest against attacks on farmers and farmworkers on Monday. Jaco Minnaar, chairperson for Grain SA, said that the organisation received reports on various protest marches throughout the country.

A farm manager from Franschhoek in the Western Cape, Chris Loubser, has posted an emotional video filmed in his bakkie on social media, calling on all South Africans to wear black on Monday 30 October, to pay tribute to all the farmers who have lost their lives in farm attacks.

The price rise of inland diesel – from R11,42/ℓ to R12,12/ℓ since the beginning of 2017 – has had a cumulative effect on production input costs that has affected the profitability and sustainability of most SA farmers.

National crime statistics were released today for the period April 2016 to March 2017.

Another two suspects have been arrested in connection with the Wesselsbron child labour case, with a fourth suspect subpoenaed to appear in court alongside the first accused, Hendrik Reyneke, this week.

Research has shown that trophy hunting is more lucrative to the South African economy than previously expected, according to a recent study headed by Prof Peet van der Merwe and conducted by North-West University’s research unit, Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society, in collaboration with the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa.

Despite adequate rain in many of South Africa’s macadamia-producing regions, production was taking longer than expected to return to normal.

At present, the South African agricultural sector is relatively robust and healthy, including the red meat industry.

More than 35 000 jobs are on the line in the Western Cape’s agricultural sector, with losses expected to run into the billions, as a result of water allocations being capped due to the drought.

South African farmers should become more active in introducing new blood into the farming sector.

While Pope Francis used World Food Day (WFD) – 16 October – to call on governments worldwide to address food security, South Africa was able to celebrate an improvement in its own food security.

While South Africa’s emerging farmers undoubtedly faced barriers and constraints when seeking finance, and efforts were being made to remove them, these farmers nonetheless had certain opportunities to access funds from commercial banks.

South Africa has managed to improve its position on the Dupont Food Security Index (GFSI) by three places, despite weathering the worst drought in two decades.

Independent bodies or third parties could facilitate partnerships between commercial and developing farmers. This was the opinion of ANC presidential candidate, Mathews Phosa, speaking at the 2017 Agri SA congress held in Pretoria recently.

Up to 14 fresh produce market agents and the Institute for Market Agents of South Africa have been charged with price fixing and have been referred to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution.

The window to combat the African bollworm outbreak in canola and wheat in the Western Cape’s Swartland has now virtually closed.