White paper to be finalised by May
The minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti, wants to have the drafting of the Land Reform White Paper finalised by May 2013.
Charges against three South African farmers in Congo ‘nothing terrible’
Three South African farmers in the Republic of Congo have been suspended from operations, pending disciplinary hearings.
Horse meat scandal just tip of the iceberg – study
The horse meat scandal that erupted in Europe in January appears to be the tip of the iceberg for South Africans who have been consuming everything from donkey to water buffalo while under the impression that it was beef.
Will tides of change affect agri-investment?
Confidence levels in the agricultural business sector increased in the fourth quarter of 2012, and has been on an overall upward trend since hitting an all-time low in 2009.
Producers question the 12,35 million tons maize estimate by the CEC
South African maize producers are sceptical about the National Crop Estimates Committee’s (CEC) latest maize harvest approximation of 12,35 million tons.
Farmers failing to keep up with the new wage agreement
About 900 farmers have asked the labour department to be exempted from paying their workers the new minimum wage of R105/day, Minister Mildred Oliphant said according to the South African Press Association.
Promote farming among the youth – Zuma
President Jacob Zuma urged traditional leaders to help government to promote farming among young, rural people, the South African Press Association reported.
New archive for historical water records launched
The Water Research Commission (WRC), together with North West University’s (NWU’s) Vaal Campus, are in the process of establishing the South African Water History Archival Repository (SAWHAR).
2013 national tractor sales see slight drop
New tractor sales for the year-to-date February 2013 in South Africa were 5% down on the 1 590 units sold during the same period in 2012.
Adverse weather to increase malnutrition
Climate change will be responsible for a 21% decline in food intake by 2050 in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Impact of new minimum wage on apple and pear farmers
According to South Africa’s largest apple and pear supplier, Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, the minimum wage increase for farm workers – from R69/day to R105/day – will see some farmers exiting the sector.
Discussion on tax rebates for private security expenses welcomed
Farmers’ union, TAU SA, has welcomed the Treasury’s undertaking to discuss the possibility of implementing a tax rebate for taxpayers’ private security expenses with trade union Solidarity.
Cattle sold to settle department’s bill – DA
The Mpumalanga department of agriculture has allegedly sold 310 cattle worth an estimated R1,3 million in order to repay money owed to Dr Job Mthombeni, Mpumalanga president of the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (Afasa).
Land reform department spends R1billion on consultants
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) spent R1 billion on consultants over three years from 2009 to 2011.
Landownership important for smallholders to afford minimum wage
Smallholder farmers could afford to pay the new minimum wage if they were competitive and successful.
Huge increase in fuel prices for March
An increase of 81c/l in the price of petrol from next Wednesday was announced by the Department of Energy.
Foul play uncovered in SA processed meat industry
A recent study by meat scientists from Stellenbosch University revealed that there is significant fraudulent labelling of meat products on the South African market.
Afasa supports replacing of ‘willing-buyer, willing-seller’ principle
The African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (Afasa) has urged President Jacob Zuma to fast-track amendments to the Green Paper on Land Reform that will do away with the ‘willing-buyer, willing-seller’ principle used in land reform transactions.
A new meat identification twist
Results from a recent study show that the labelling of game meat in South Africa is very poor, with different species being substituted almost 80% of the time.
Meat report a wake-up call
The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) describes the recent report by the Stellenbosch University of false labeling of processed meat products “a timely wake-up call that we cannot afford to be complacent on when it comes to compliance with food labelling standards”.
