South Africa

Months after the release of the Competition Commission’s Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI) report, the seed industry is still battling the accusation that there is an active strategy to limit access to high-quality seeds to new farmers.

Following a 13-year ban due to African horse sickness, South Africa has resumed direct horse exports to Europe, with the first shipment of 32 horses arriving in Belgium on 18 August.

On the evening of 15 August 2024, the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform hosted its annual Women Entrepreneur Awards in Gqeberha, where MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe honoured 19 women for their outstanding contributions to the province's economic development and job creation through agriculture.

South Africa’s job market continues to deteriorate, with the official unemployment rate surging to 33,5% in the second quarter of 2024.

The foot-and-mouth (FMD) outbreak in the Eastern Cape is highlighting the need for an FMD protocol specifically developed for the dairy industry.

Over 4 000 graduates who were part of the Assistant Agricultural Practitioners (AAP) Programme have found themselves unemployed following the abrupt termination of their contracts.

Dr Lindi von Maltitz, an agricultural economist at the University of the Free State (UFS), has announced the decision to establish a Faculty of Veterinary Science. This announcement was made at the Free State Agriculture (FSA) Congress held in Bloemfontein.

Miriam Wolk, chief membership officer of the International Fresh Produce Association, shared ways to weather fresh produce market challenges at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Southern Africa conference, recently held in Cape Town.

The livestock industry has welcomed the establishment of a rapid response team to deal with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks.

Female participation in the agriculture sector is increasing as new technology levels the playing field and creates new opportunities for a host of careers. Female farmers however still face significant barriers owing to stereotyping.

A dam breach in the early hours of Thursday morning led to severe flooding in the Riverlands and Dassenberg areas near Malmesbury, causing widespread destruction across the local area.

The sixth annual Food Indaba, held in Cape Town from 22 July to 4 August, focused on understanding the city's food systems, from farming and processing to distribution and waste management. The event featured workshops, tours, art exhibitions, and discussions on urban agriculture and food access.

The Boran bull Cyclone BH 18 749 was sold for a record-breaking price of R8 million at the Hurwitz Farming 10th Production Auction, held at the Bull Ring in Davel, Mpumalanga, on Saturday.

In a night filled with celebration and recognition, Dwayne Kaschula was announced the Agri Eastern Cape Young Farmer of the Year 2024 winner at the prestigious Agri EC awards dinner, held on Wednesday in Jeffrey’s Bay.

Letsitele citrus and avocado producer Mahela Group and the ZZ2 Group, an avocado and tomato producer from Mooketsi, are developing a 400ha avocado and citrus farming operation in Weipe, Limpopo, with a non-controlling minority equity investment from AgDevCo. This transaction was supported by DLA Piper and Bowmans in South Africa.

The global spotlight was cast on South African ostrich farms when singer Lady Gaga performed at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games adorned in pink ostrich plumes and a black ostrich feather outfit.

The latest data on the 2024 summer crop shows marginal decreases across summer crops like maize, soya beans and groundnuts. High hopes for a wetter 2025 season prevail, which should ease food prices if the rain materialises.

In a bid to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and address farmer concerns, Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe met with commercial and communal farmers in Kouga Municipality on Monday.

In a significant move aimed at bolstering South Africa’s response to climate change, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday signed the Climate Change Bill into law.

During a panel discussion at the 9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture, farmers shared their success with regenerative agriculture practices.