Poultry sector performing well in a tough economy

The SA poultry industry is out-performing the rest of the economy with growth of 3,3% per year, according to Dr Azar Jammine, an economist at Econometrix.

New World Farmer’s Organisation President

Dr Evelyn Nguleka has been elected president of the World Farmers' Organisation (WFO), during its general assembly in Milan.

Government boosts poultry industry with R1,2 billion

The issue of funding for emerging farmers was a bone of contention with speakers at the recent South African Poultry Association’s AVI Africa 2015 conference, saying smallholders were subjected to failure due to a lack of funding.

Zeder concludes Capespan buyout

Global fresh fruit exporter Capespan is now formally part of agri-investment holding company Zeder.

CSIR leading biorefinery studies

The CSIR, in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is pioneering new technologies aimed at using trees to their maximum potential to produce chemicals and other high value products for bio-refineries from waste produced by pulp and paper mills.

KZN police reports major stolen livestock recovery

A two-week-long collaboration among various KwaZulu-Natal SAPS stock theft units earlier this month in the north of the province reportedly netted 276 stolen head of livestock.

First black leader of Eastern Cape RPO elected

The Eastern Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (ECRPO) has made history by electing its first black vice-chairperson.

‘Meticulous student’ wins university horticultural science award

The HORTGRO Science/Prof Daan Strydom Award for the best final year student in horticultural science at Stellenbosch University (SU) was recently awarded to Helen Marais of Ceres.

Africa Big Seven conference

The Africa Big Seven (AB7) conference at the Gallagher Convention Centre from 21 to 23 June will see major foreign agricultural producers exhibiting this year.

Minister urges youth to choose agriculture as a career

In an effort aimed at wooing young people to farming, the department of agriculture recently launched a youth outreach programme career expo.

Food prices could increase up to 1% due to energy crisis – Winde

Eskom’s proposed tariff increase, coupled with load-shedding, will result in multi-billion rand losses to the economy and food price increases for consumers.

New Robertson fruit handling depot

A new fruit handling depot in the Robertson area of the Western Cape was opened by Constitution Road Wine Growers (CRWG) recently.

Poor communication between consumers and agriculture

Communication between SA’s consumers and the agricultural sector was lacking, according to Tutti Rudman, SA National Consumer Union (SANCU) chairperson.

SA women sacrifice healthy meals to feed men, children

A high percentage of South Africans living in poverty-stricken urban areas are food insecure and women often end up foregoing nutritious meals to feed the men and children in the household.

Gwede Mantashe encourages dialogue

ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe said recently that he appreciated Agri SA’s approach to engage government constructively on agricultural policies, after discussions by him and Agri SA leadership this week.

Astral’s Chris Schutte hospitalised due to heart condition

Dr Chris Schutte, CEO of Astral Foods, has been admitted to hospital for a heart condition and will take a leave of absence from his official duties for a period of time to rest and recuperate.

SA agriculture grows jobs towards 1 million target

In the first quarter of 2015, South Africa’s agriculture sector made significant headway towards meeting the target of creating one million additional jobs set for it by the National Development Plan.

Research on kudu rabies in Namibia begins

Sufficient funds have been raised to start with research on the ongoing kudu rabies epidemic that has annihilated thousands of kudu in Namibia since 2001, according to Dr Reiner Hassel, Agra’s animal health technical advisor.

FAO Food Price index falls

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Food Price index for global food prices fell to its lowest since September 2009.

World Environment Day

If current consumption and production patterns are not changed, and the global population continues to increase as before, we shall need the equivalent of three Earths to sustain us by 2050, according to the United Nations.

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