South Africa

Explore South African farming insights, including crop production, livestock, agribusiness, and sustainability tips for profitable agriculture.

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

‘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.

Land expropriation unlikely – analyst

The FW de Klerk Foundation says the Green Paper on Land Reform is ‘racial mobilisation against white farmers’. Political analyst Prof Steven Friedman disagrees. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

ANC’s land reform policy ‘socialist’

Capitalism in South Africa is under attack by a ruling party that is moving towards socialism and away from private property ownership.

North West farmers suspicious of R155 million projects

The announcement by North West’s MEC for agriculture and rural development, Desbo Mohono, that she budgeted R155 million for the implementation of a number of agricultural projects in the 2012/2013...

Government curbs growth in poultry industry

Government needs to implement a blanket duty on all chicken imports for the local industry to survive the onslaught of chicken dumping.
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