‘Collaboration is key to the world’s growing water scarcity problem’
Twenty-six percent of the world’s population still does not have access to safe drinking water, while 46% lack access to basic sanitation, according to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2023, released on Tuesday ahead of the United Nations Water Conference, which started in New York today.
Ginger prices drop to a tenth of COVID-19 highs
Retail prices for ginger have sunk as low as R30/kg as ample rains have diminished quality and larger volumes flow into the market.
Greater focus on gene sequencing needed to boost agriculture
Advances in gene sequencing are uncovering a wealth of information that will have far-reaching consequences for stable, ongoing food production.
Ramaphosa defends Expropriation Bill amid criticism
The Land Expropriation Bill will not be used “willy-nilly”, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently said in response to questions in the National Assembly.
Food supply vulnerable to cyber crime
Agriculture’s vulnerability to cyber-attacks was highlighted at the Africa Agri Tech conference in Pretoria this week. Billy Petzer, researcher of cyber security systems at the CSIR said, if risks were not mitigated, food supply could be heavily impacted.
Agribusiness confidence falls in Q1 of 2023
The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index has dropped five points to 44 in the first quarter of 2023, taking it to its lowest level since the second quarter of 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions were first implemented.
‘Unity in SA’s grain production sector vital for the future’
The time had come for all role players in the South African grain production sector to re-evaluate their relevance and to co-operate in good faith. This was according to Derek Mathews, who was unanimously re-elected as chairperson of Grain SA (GSA) during the organisation’s 2023 congress.
North West’s road maintenance plan welcomed
North West Premier Bushy Maape announced in his recent State of the Province address that a multibillion- rand routine road maintenance plan was to be rolled out in all four districts of the province.
Big decisions ahead for new Land Bank CEO
Themba Rikhotso has been appointed as the new CEO of Land Bank, effective from 1 April. He takes over from Khensani Mukhari, who in May last year was appointed as acting CEO, following the resignation of Ayanda Kanana, who served in the position for two years.
Drop in agri employment a cause for great concern – Agri SA
The decrease in employment in the agriculture sector in the fourth quarter of 2022 (Q4 2022) was cause for serious concern, according to Johan Wege, chair of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence: Labour.
Another challenging pome fruit season ahead
The outlook for pome fruit this season is still uncertain, with various factors threatening the financial viability of producers, according to Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape. Pienaar was speaking during a virtual meeting on the forecast for the year ahead.
Farmers get some reprieve from Budget 2023
The annual budget delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in Parliament on Wednesday, 22 February, delivered some relief for those farmers struggling under the burden of load-shedding and rising input costs.
‘Stock theft statistics do not paint a true picture of the crime in SA’
The South African stock theft statistics as recently released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) is not a true reflection of the impact of the crime in the country, according to Dr Jane Buys, risk and safety analyst at Free State Agriculture.
Industry hits back at leather production criticism
It is reckless of animal welfare organisations to make unfounded assumptions about the treatment of livestock in South Africa, according to James Faber, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation.
Role players hope to see government support agri sector in Budget Speech
Role players expect Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana to announce support for the agriculture sector as load-shedding and rising input costs see farmers battling to produce affordable food. Godongwana will deliver the annual Budget Speech on 22 February.
Food prices continue to rise despite a lower CPI
The consumer price inflation (CPI) index may have decreased so far this year, but consumers still face significant food costs.
Renewed calls to exempt chicken from VAT
FairPlay has renewed calls for government to remove South Africa’s 15% value-added tax (VAT) from chicken portions because of “rising agricultural costs, including unreliable and increasingly expensive electricity”.
Transnet dumps blueberry industry in deep water
South Africa’s blueberry season has come to a close, and it is one that many farmers would prefer to forget, with the negative repercussions expected to be felt for years to come as many face financial ruin.
Widespread flooding declared a national disaster
On 13 February, government declared a national state of disaster in response to the floods affecting Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape and North West.
Organised agriculture wants SONA promises backed by action
Agricultural role players are unmoved by the commitments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 9 February.
