South Africa

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer recently handed over R14,98 million to the Citrusdal Water Users’ Association.

The Agri5 Expo recently brought together over 5 000 farmers in East London to explore innovative farming solutions and smart agriculture practices.

South Africa and China have taken their “ever-growing” friendship to the next level to consolidate mutual trust, expand co-operation and enhance coordination between the two countries.

This year, the Overberg in the Western Cape will be celebrating the fifth instalment of Nampo Cape (NPC) and the 30th anniversary of Mechanisation Day. This year’s NPC, taking place from 11 to 14 September in Bredasdorp, promises to be bigger and better than ever.

An updated edition of Vaccines and Immunisation of Farm Animals, written by veterinarians Dr Jan du Preez and Dr Faffa Malan, was recently launched at a event at the offices of Design Biologix in Pretoria.

The Obaro headquarters in Silver Lakes, Pretoria, hosted Agri Gauteng’s prestigious Young Farmer of the Year award ceremony on Wednesday. Valeska van Schoor, a vegetable farmer, emerged victorious, earning the coveted title for 2024.

Consumers have been urged not to panic over exaggerated reports of potato shortages. Potatoes SA has noted that while supply is currently lower than normal, there will be sufficient volumes to meet demand for the rest of the year.

Industry leaders and government officials recently came together at the Eastern Cape Export Symposium to discuss the challenges and opportunities that could shape the future of agricultural exports.

More work is needed to make smallholder farmers aware of the damaging impact of plant parasitic nematodes on crops, and to equip these farmers with control strategies tailored to their needs.

A Senepol bull, bred by Blackpool Senepol Stud in Cathcart, Eastern Cape, was sold for a South African record price of R165 000 for the breed.

Radley Landgoed, a 1 900ha family-owned farm near Malelane in Mpumalanga, has constructed a large-scale water-based solar plant, marking a significant innovation in the agricultural sector's approach to renewable energy.

In a shocking revelation, the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has exposed severe negligence at a government-supported fish farm in Mpumalanga that specialises in Mozambican tilapia.

With global markets shifting towards sustainability, the Eastern Cape Export Symposium spotlighted how the European Union (EU) and South Africa’s strategic partnership is opening doors for agricultural innovation and eco-friendly trade practices.

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.