Pontiff focuses on the Horn of Africa
Pope Benedict XVI recently held a private audience at the Vatican with José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Tough year for apples and pears
It has been a tough season for apple and pear farmers who have had to cope with heavy rains during the flowering season, which negatively affects fruit quality and the...
Organised agriculture has many questions for new police commissioner
South Africa’s farmers’ unions are keen to meet the new National Police Commissioner, Mangwashi Phiyegi, to find out her plans on dealing with rural safety and security concerns.
One agriculture, one vision
The theme for Agri Mega Week 2012, which takes place in Bredasdorp from Thursday, 13 September, to Saturday, 15 September, is “One agriculture, one vision”.
Late sunflower harvest
Nearly 19,5 % of the 2012 sunflower harvest has been delivered so far, according to the latest statistics from the SA Grain Information Service (SAGIS).
Former MP killed on farm
Former ANC MP David Dlali was murdered on his farm near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape recently.
Global food price softens
Global food prices dropped 4% in May, according to the Rome-based UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO’s) Food Price Index which fell to its the lowest level since September 2011.
‘Stop inciting negativity’ – Dr Croucamp
“I am warning you now already. In the next six months you are going to get very angry,” said Dr Piet Croucamp, political analyst at the University of Johannesburg.
Northern KZN tapping into growth
A Development and Planning Commission has been launched for the Umkhanyakude District Municipality in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.
GM maize ‘could reduce danger of throat cancer’
Genetically modified (GM) crops in South Africa are very well regulated in terms of the Genetically Modified Organisms Act of 1977.
First snowfalls of the season
Temperatures dropped to below freezing in the second weekend of June as a cold front moved over South Africa, bringing snow and cold weather to many parts of the country.
Agricultural machinery sales expected to spike on back of weakening Rand
A weakening Rand to the US Dollar is expected to hasten farmers’ plans to invest in capital equipment.
Minister’s award garners mixed reactions
There have been mixed reactions from organised agriculture over an award bestowed on Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, by the French government.
Small-scale farmer unions make their mark
Smallholder farming’s contribution to agriculture has been recognised at the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU).
WC Farmers not happy with predation management protocol
Western Cape livestock farmers and provincial authorities are getting closer to finalising an agreement on the management of damage causing animals, particularly black-backed jackal, caracal and bushpig.
Investors cautions, but still interested
Foreign direct investment in local agriculture and agro-processing has come under pressure lately due to political uncertainty.
‘Don’t dehorn, educate the people’
Should a decision be taken to dehorn rhinos it would send a negative message to the rest of the world that South Africa is losing the battle against poaching, Dr...
Food prices bite poor the hardest
Annual food price inflation stood at 8,7% between April 2011 and April 2012, while headline inflation increased by 6,1% over the same period.
Agriculture job creation questioned
The most recent quarterly labour force survey conducted by Stats SA shows that employment in agriculture increased by 8,8% over the past year.
Concern about land use bill
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform will most likely miss the submission deadline for the long-anticipated Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Bill. Denene Erasmus reports.
