South Africa

Aquaculture is the world’s fastest-growing food production sector, with a growth rate of 5,6%. Farmed fish topped beef farming globally for the first time in 2012, with 66 million tons of fish produced, compared with 63 million tons of beef.

The veld fire between Senekal, Rosendal and Fouriesburg that started earlier was still burning by 10 o’clock this morning.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (NW DARD) has processed more than 19 000 applications for financial assistance after the province was recently declared a disaster area.

Deputy minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dr Pieter Mulder recently met with the US Department of Agriculture’s deputy secretary, Krista Harden in Pretoria.

A devastating veld fire is raging in the Eastern Free State.

The Free State Umbrella Fire Association has issued a general veld fire warning for the whole province.

Government must hand over extension service work to commodity organisations because it’s failing to deliver this service itself.

Marthinus Farao of Riviersonderend was named as the Total SA Overberg Farm Worker of the Year at a gala event held on 17 September at the Agri Mega Week in Bredasdorp.

The North West department of agriculture will launch provincial vegetable, fruit and glower producers’ organisations in Brits on Thursday, 19 September.

Agriculture and the farmer’s image are set for a boost with TAU SA’s new campaign to publicise the importance of the sector.

It’s business as usual for SA citrus exports to the EU, despite the recent fifth interception of citrus black spot (CBS) on fruit from this country.

The proposed National Water Policy Review could change the way farmers use their water allocations

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) was urged not to recommend the re-opening of the land claims process as the delayed transfer of gazetted claims heavily affected agriculture.

The rooibos industry has cleared the first hurdle towards achieving international protection for the use of the term ‘Rooibos’ while at the same time preventing misuse of the generic name ‘rooibos’.

SA fruit marketer Capespan recently announced the launch of Capespan Capital, which will offer fruit farmers long- and short-term financing.

The SA Red Meat Industry has launched a website where consumers can find a host of information, not only about how to cook and prepare their favourite beef dishes, but also about nutrition, beef classification and cuts, as well as how to nominate their favourite butchery for a Cleaver Award.

South Africa-based forestry, pulp and paper multinational Sappi has announced its intention to voluntarily delist its American Depositary Shares from the New York Stock Exchange.

Taxpayers should foot the bill for acid mine drainage (AMD), as they benefited from the economic growth brought about by the mining sector.

Dr Abel Botha, one of South Africa’s foremost agricultural scientists specialising in fertiliser research died on August 29 in Johannesburg from cancer. He was 81 years old.

SA is in the grip of strike season, but the Western Cape agricultural sector, the scene of violent strikes late last year and early this year, has not reported any strikes.