South Africa

Time was running out to secure quality wool rams for distribution next year in a development programme targeting wool growers in communal areas.

The participation of women in the agricultural sector should be promoted, in order to create much-needed employment opportunities and ensure food security.

The South African government will in future be legally obliged to consider animal welfare in all its wildlife conservation decisions, according to a judgment handed down by the Gauteng High Court on Tuesday.

Hundreds of small-scale broiler and layer hen farmers across South Africa are benefitting from training provided through collaboration between international and national organisations and experts.

One of the most exciting developments in the food technology sector is how the plant-based food movement is changing the way in which traditional agricultural businesses operate.

Young people looking for a foot in the door in the agriculture sector and farmers looking for a way to provide such opportunities could now come together at a new facility launched in the Free State on Thursday.

The agriculture sector is one of two sectors that contributed to an increase in employment in South Africa, with 5 000 people employed in the second quarter of 2019, according to Statistics South Africa’s quarterly labour force survey.

The Crop Estimates Committee’s (CEC) sixth report for South Africa’s 2018/2019 summer season grain and oilseed production is a mixed bag, with maize and sunflower seed figures rising, and those of soya bean and sorghum decreasing.

The final report by the Expert Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture, which was recently published for public comment and was intended to guide the future dialogue around land reform in South Africa, has not been met with overwhelming support from organisations representing commercial farmers and agribusinesses.

Allegations of murder, death threats and state capture have been in the spotlight during testimony on the Vrede Dairy project, also known as the Estina project, at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture since 22 July.

The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) recent 25-basis point reduction in the repo rate to 6,5%, coupled with a lowering of fuel prices and a stronger rand, will go a long way to provide some relief to farmers who are struggling in the current tough economic environment.

Two-a-Day, a fruit growing, packing and marketing company in Grabouw, recently launched a wellness programme and day clinic for its employees, which will enable them to receive medical treatment and minor surgery on the premises.

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has welcomed the deployment of 48 additional vehicles made available by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure rural safety in the province.

The decision by the South African Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee to lower the repo rate to 6,5%, down from 6,75%, will affect different role players in the agriculture value chain in different ways.

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, delivered his maiden State of the Province address on Thursday, focusing on job creation and safety.

The billions of litres of raw sewage flowing into the country’s rivers daily has reached crisis levels, and pose a threat to the country’s agricultural exports, according to a water specialist.

Disease management remains a key aspect of South African agriculture, especially when it comes to livestock, as this industry is the greatest contributor to the sector, accounting for 51% of total production.

The double life sentences recently handed down to six convicted farm attackers by the High Court in Vryheid have been welcomed by some role players in South African agriculture.

The newly formed Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development under the leadership of Minister Thoko Didiza, is still in the process of assessing the various programmes and competencies that have to be incorporated into the new department.

The agribusiness, OVK Group, has announced an increase of 8, 55% in turnover for the 2018/2019 financial year compared with the previous year.